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An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(23/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

______________________

Chapter 23: Passionate Confessions, Hurtful Truths and a Bitter War Pt. 3

“My Lord!” 

Sky Bracer breathed harshly, “My Lord…Lord Osial has gone mad ….He has consumed too much miasma!!”

Ajax felt his pulse quicken, thrumming harshly into his ears as he stared wide-eyed at a distressed Sky Bracer. 

He wanted to talk, to say something. 

But.

No matter how hard he tried, no words could escape past his quivering lips.

He felt his head get light as everything around him swirled into a messy watercolor painting; a cruel dream. 

He turned to Cloud Retainer, whose eyebrows furrowed, face hardening in order to prevent it from crumbling apart. 

She couldn’t believe it either, it seemed. 

How could she, when that stubborn boy she has seen grow up before her eyes has now taken it upon himself to face death itself. 

The only one who responded was Morax, who after the news, straightened out his expression and said. 

“Go on.” 

Sky Bracer nodded, and in between panicked breaths, he uttered out, “My Lord, we were fighting a horde of rift wolves. Before we were struck by a second wave, a stronger wave….We had not foreseen their arrival; we got ambushed.We did our best to clean the miasma and get rid of the rift wolves, but….Lord Osial had already ingested too much of it….He went mad and nearly killed Lady Beisht… Now, Lady Guizhong and Lady Beisht are working to restrain him, but he will break loose from the ties any second now. We must go there now!” 

At the mention of Guizhong’s name, Ajax’s heart rate quickened even faster, his palms beginning to sweat as panic consumed him. 

Shit . 

Shijie. 

His shijie. 

Guizhong could have died today at the hands of her corrupted companion. 

She could have died early on. 

He would have lost another one, his beloved Shijie.  

He needed to go there. 

Now.  

He did not register the cries from the others as bolted from the direction where the miasma called to him, where it was the strongest. 

He saw as the trees around him flitted by him, blurry and hazy, as if he was caught in a neverending dream. 

Adrenaline coursed through his veins, pulsating and guiding him through the thick dense forest, towards where the ugly energy surrounded. 

Nothing else mattered for now, but Guizhong. 

He had to make sure she was okay, that she was safe, that she was alive.  

____________________________

He arrived in a matter of seconds; he had never run that fast in his life. 

Ajax doubted it was even humanly possible to run that fast, and he knew that without the extra stamina that his abyssal energy and adeptal energy granted him, he would not have been able to get there so fast. 

It was near the sea that surrounded modern day Dihua Marsh, which was now covered with thick marshy bushes, and sprouting with wildflowers, obviously not yet inhabited by people.

But, aside from the thick leaves sprouting upwards from the water in the marsh, and the surprisingly empty area. 

 What stood right before him, shook him to his core. 

Right where the marshy area lessened out and gave way to shallow waters, he saw it. 

All three of them. 

Two against one now, as they all stubbornly stood their ground. 

But something caught his eye. 

Lady Beisht was wounded. 

Blood glistening gold as it dripped down her, in a sickening display of celestial godliness. The top half of her torso nearly sliced in half, held together by messy bandages, as they attempted to soak up the golden blood that fell from her wounds in cascading waves. 

Ajax knew that, given enough time, she would be able to regenerate herself. 

All the Gods of this world had such abilities, as granted by Celestia. 

If, and only if , they were in good health. 

She was in critical condition, nearly chopped in half by her own husband, and in no way, shape, or form able to regenerate her lost flesh and blood. 

And besides that, she had something more urgent at the moment. 

He saw it in her watery eyes and steely gaze. 

Beisht breathed in harshly, as she attempted to restrain her husband with all the power she possessed. Blood covered the bandages, and stained them, molding them into golden silk with the immense strain she put her body through, nearly cutting herself in half in the process. 

All for the sake of saving her husband. 

Who was now a tall sea serpent, clear like the water he governed, thrashing all around, while Beisht attempted to restrain him using thick ropes seemingly made out of water. 

Sweat dripped down her cheeks and forehead in mounds, and her breathing became labored, as if she was clinging onto life itself with all she could. 

But she wasn’t alone in her struggle. 

Guizhong was at her side, pressing a soothing hand to her torso, attempting to heal her, as Beisht continuously used her own powers to subdue her husband. 

Ajax felt relief wash over him for the first time that day when he spotted her. 

Even if the situation was risky, he was glad to see her still holding up. 

He stopped for a moment, a few meters away from them and let out a long sigh before a soft word left his raspy throat, “ Shijie.”  

She was unharmed. 

Except for a small scratch on her face, that was already healing into a light scar across her cheek. 

Ajax was glad that nothing else had happened to her, and wanted nothing more than to go and embrace her, and feel her gentle pulse beneath his fingertips. 

But, he had a duty. 

And he could not distract her now, especially now. 

Her stance was firm, as she stared Osial down, chiding him to submit. 

Her eyes glowed a bright red, pupils turned into slits as vibrant goldish red feather-like appendages appeared near each side of her head. Her nails were sharper than before as they turned black like a bird's talons; vibrant wings spouted at either side of her, blindingly beautiful like a powerful sunset, covering Beisht in a protective manner. 

Her torso and veins glowed softly as she called her energy forth to heal Beisht. 

Ajax was split with what to do, unsure if he should go and attempt to help Guizhong or if he should attempt to restrain Osial as well. 

Thoughts raced through his mind, covering his brain in a thick mush of idea; weighing his odds. 

In the midst of it all, a single feather fell from Guizhong’s long wings, glowing gently and vibrantly, as if it were on fire, and yet not being able to light anything around it on fire. 

Ajax stared at it, mesmerized, caught in a moment of adrenaline amidst the miasma around them. 

In fact, now that he thought about it. 

It was everywhere . 

Around them, all across the air, surrounding them in a dense fog, the same strange greenish color that Ajax had seen before. 

And it was very obviously impacting both Beisht and Guizhong, as Guizhong attempted to divert the nauseous energy away from them. 

However, because most of her energy was being directed towards Beisht, she could not effectively pull the energy away from them, which caused her to begin to falter in her steady posture, as she struggled to keep it together.

Beisht was not doing any better, her teeth clenched in agony, as she attempted to will away the effects that the energy was having on her through sheer determination and will-power alone. 

Ajax felt his senses honing together, in a strange moment of clarity. 

He grounded his feet steadily on the ground below him, as he drew in a deep breath. 

Then, swiftly he began. 

He called for the miasma, and it heard his odd melody. 

It dove straight at him, with intent to overwhelm his senses, to take him over until he was nothing. 

But instead of fighting against it, he accepted it, and gently held it in his hands, gathering it up. 

Before he began to feed on it. 

In a display of sheer brutality, he gulped it down, ingesting large amounts of it, tasting its unique flavor on his taste buds. 

Of course, the taste of miasma lured out his other companion, and it fought against the chains it was held by, excited to be against something energy and fed on it, eagerly. 

Abyssal energy was far more potent and thicker than miasma. 

But that was to be expected of course; after all, it was the source of those creations which Celestia discarded after they had failed to meet her expectations in her ideal world. 

And so, miasma , which was really just a weaker version of abyssal energy, was quickly overpowered by the dense energy that crackled like purple lightning. 

He quickly consumed it, his previously lost energy quickly replenished with just a few mouthfuls of the green-miasma. 

The energy that Osial was exuding was in large quantities, and impossible to ingest all at once, but this would surely help him at least settle him down enough for him to be able to be subdued. 

But of course as all things did, Beisht was bound to slip up.

She had taken too much damage, even if Guizhong did her best to heal her, and even if Ajax cleared up most of the miasma that was flowing through the air from Osial, she was bound to slip her deathly grip on the ropes she held.

And she did. 

Before she knew it, Beisht faltered in her step. 

Her eyes widening, as she loosened her grip on the rope momentarily. 

But that was all it took for Osial to strike; a golden opportunity. 

He roared and pushed forth, heads gnashing about and snapping forward, attempting to devour them whole. 

The ground shook from the grand power of each movement caused by Osial, from the sheer size of him. 

Larger than any beast Ajax had encountered down in the Abyss. 

But even then, no form could ever compare to the things he has seen before down in the Abyss. 

But even so, it was still an odd sight to see. 

This version of Osial was unlike the pompous, well-dressed man who had playfully flirted with him. 

Unlike the man who danced clumsily alongside his wife’s melodic playing. 

Unlike the man who winked at Ajax, before getting hit on the side of his head by an exasperated Beisht. 

Unlike who he was. 

This Osial was no longer the man he knew. 

He was devoid of all sanity; a hydra, a monster sat in his place instead of the handsome man who had fanned his face, to hide coy smiles and grins. 

Instead, he was a serpent with many heads, towering over them. 

Like a predator to prey.  

Ajax had heard of the many stories of Osial prior to his contract with Morax. 

According to the many history books Zhongli had around his house, in the early days of Teyvat’s existence, Osial was a cruel tyrant. 

Whenever we went, giant tsunamis were left in his wake, destroying many of Morax’s mountains and terrain, and mercilessly executing all of those who crossed his path as a young god. 

But that all came to an end, the moment Morax was victorious in battle. 

However, instead of killing the young god, Morax offered him a contract: Morax would grant him permission to rule the seas he pleased and in exchange he would leave the land above the seas in peace. 

He agreed to this compromise, and left the earth alone. 

And over time, as the years passed by, he would mellow out and was no longer the terrible tyrant he used to be. 

This swift change was something that many people debated on the origin of his change in attitude, but many people speculated it was because of a young God whose story had been primarily lost to history. 

His name was Muyang.  

There were many conclusions drawn as to the role that Muyang had as a minor god, but he was believed to have ruled over the forests of early Liyue; described as one of the golden beauties in all of Liyue history, sought after whoever laid their eyes on him. 

He had spared Osial’s life during a vicious altercation between the two of them, which resulted in bloodshed shared between the both of them. 

The reason such an altercation happened was all because Muyang was believed to have been upset that his forests were destroyed and his people were gravely injured by the various tsunamis Osial had caused.

Muyang held a grudge against Osial, and swore to kill him. 

But after a long grueling battle, Muyang had undoubtedly come out victorious , proudly flaunting his victory and towering over Osial, who had been mortally wounded. 

And yet, when Osial expected the final blow to be done, Muyang had lifted his spear, and swung it to his side, sparing the other god. 

Muyang then scoffed at Osial, and promptly left him there, bleeding golden ribbons, as he sauntered off to his home in the forest. 

There was discussion amongst historians as to why Muyang had granted Osial mercy. 

Many believed it was because he had seen how pathetic and weak Osial really was, and so, killing him was against his moral codes, especially since he was such a miserable creature. 

But, there were many other rumors that said that the reason Osial was granted mercy was because  Muyang had seen his soul, and had seen the kindness hidden deep within it. 

But regardless of the reason, the god had spared Osial, the god had started to change, albeit slowly. 

Many said that his change was due to the new perspective he found in the mercy that Muyang had granted him. 

While other historians argued that Osial’s change was due to the romantic relationship he found himself in afterwards with Muyang himself. 

And well, the latter would be no surprise if it was true, as it was widely known that Osial had been romantically involved with many, from humans to other gods, regardless of gender. 

He was known for his tendency to hop from one beauty to another, and so on and so forth. 

Which definitely served to explain why the God was so keen in his interest for Ajax’s hand amongst other things, even though he already had himself a wife. 

Ajax guessed that polyamory was more widespread during this time, which served to explain how his wife was similarly transfixed on staring at Cloud Retainer all throughout dinner, with longing eyes. And it also served to explain why Beisht had caused his possessive dragon to tighten his hold on Ajax, curling his serpent tail around one of his legs for the rest of the night. 

And he guessed that they must have practiced it, since it wasn’t unusual for adepti and their spouses to have their own concubines and such. 

It was also widely known that Osial had taken himself a variety of different lovers throughout his life, and was known to have many recorded trysts with other gods and even humans. 

To the point where many started to regard him a ‘The Patron of Intimacy’, and would regularly pray to him for good luck in their bedroom endeavors. 

But regardless, after Muyang died, Osial grieved the man deeply.  

So deeply in fact, that it was speculated that Muyang had been Osial’s first love. 

Even if the god had taken many lovers for himself before getting married to Beisht, he was rarely in love with any of the people of his many trysts. As he mostly focused on having a more physical relationship with the many beauties he found before moving onto a more captivating flower. 

But, that didn’t mean he wasn’t a romantic either. 

As he sought out love in everyone that managed to capture his attention; however, unfortunately for the pitiful god, his many trysts did not manage to capture his heart’s attention either. 

In fact, there are only two people whom he has been said to have loved in his entire lifetime: Beisht and Muyang.  

Beisht for obvious reasons, since he married her even after he had been offered many other political marriages, and wrote many melodies and songs for her, as well as shared-shrines spread throughout the ocean. 

But, he was said to have loved Muyang . 

These suspicions came about after some historians had discovered a small temple, whose remains were found long before Liyue Harbor was constructed, along the ocean floor. 

The temple itself was made out of the finest materials available; fine white marble decorated with the finest gems and treasures alike. 

And inside it were vast paintings that depicted Muyang in all of his beauty. 

The largest one was of Muyang, perched on a small stone, a small cup of wine in his other hand, hair long and dark as it contrasted sharply to his tan skin, wearing robes of various colors, all intermingling with each other. 

These paintings were said to have been painted by Osial himself, grief stricken, attempting to immortalize his lover inside a painting. 

Osial had never built any other temples for his other lovers aside from his wife. 

Muyang was the exception , someone whom Osial had truly loved. 

And so, the beast who stood before him, was unrecognizable. 

Animalistic and unrestrained . 

Ajax let out a sharp breath at the sight. 

But it was a mistake. 

A grave one. 

Because, then, all at once, one of Osial’s serpent heads whipped around to look at him. 

His eyes, piercing and predatory. 

And before Ajax knew it, Osial had charged straight at him. 

Guizhong’s eyes widened, as she felt a large pit in her stomach fall, realizing for the first time that her shidi was there beside her and in danger. 

Grave danger.  

“AJAX!”  

She attempted to run towards him, arms extended to drag him back, but she was far too slow. 

Too much energy had been yanked out of her body, and it could not replenish itself fast enough for her to gain her strength back. 

Osial roared, as he inched closer and closer to Ajax, and in a swift motion, extended strange water-like appendages that looked an awful lot like the ones that Beisht had used to attempt to subdue him sprang forward. 

Nothing he could do could stop them from wrapping around him and dragging him down slowly alongside the god who caused the ground underneath them to tremble. 

Ajax looked frantically towards Guizhong and Beisht, whose eyes were equally filled with terror, as they attempted to run towards him, all whilst attempting to avoid falling from the shaky ground beneath them. 

But, they were far too late. 

Ajax’s vision started to droop, as Osial began to hum a piercing melody, attempting to draw him to sleep, like a siren luring in its prey. 

He saw the blurry figures of Guizhong and Beisht covering their ears, clenching their teeth in an attempt to not fall prey to the haunting melody. 

A melody that evoked the pain of a thousand years. 

A pain known and felt by Ajax, who felt himself give in to it. 

But even so, he attempted to fight against it, but it wasn’t enough. 

He felt his eyes close and his vision blackened as he was dragged into the murky pits of the deep waters beneath.

____________________________

Guizhong felt her heart dropped, as she ran towards the whirlpool that had formed when Osial had dragged her shidi alongside him. 

But right as she was at the edge of the marsh, she was harshly pulled back. 

She whipped her head around, and met Beisht’s stare. 

Her eyes were glowing a vibrant gold, oppressing and absolute in her words, “No.”  

Guizhong wasn’t listening to her, not when her shidi was trapped alongside Osial. 

She didn’t know what Osial had in store for him, and she didn’t intend on finding out. 

Guizhong threw her arm to the side, as she dove into the marsh, feeling the odd texture of the wet grass touch her sandals, as she wafted through the marsh to get to the murky waters below. 

But once again, Beisht caught up to her and this time, grabbed her by the waist as she pulled her down, and wrestled her to the ground. 

Guizhong kicked around, like a human child throwing a tantrum, as she desperately attempted to get out of Beisht’s hold. 

But, even though Beisht had lost most of her strength, and was wounded. 

She was always the stronger one of the both of them, at least in physical strength. 

Beisht’s breathing grew ragged, as her grip tightened around the other woman, “ Lady Guizhong! Please . Control yourself! You cannot go there now. He’ll kill both, do not risk yourself!” 

Guizhong shook her head, this was not part of the plan, her shidi was never supposed to get hurt, much less dragged down, “ NO! I don’t care! My shidi is there! I didn’t see him! I didn’t…….He is… I… ” 

She slumped forward, her mind buzzing and her ears started to fill up with foam, as they rang sharply.  

Memories bombarding her senses. 

Flashes of A-Qiu’s face as he said goodbye to her, a reassuring smile plastered on his face as he accepted his fate. 

Flashes of Havria hugging her a little too tightly, for a little too long, eyes gentle and yet haunting as she uttered a soft goodbye; knowing she was going to die. 

Flashes of all those she had failed to save before, flashes of all of those lives she had to watch as they took their last breath in her arms. 

Beisht held onto her, as she collapsed, and sighed, “There is nothing we can do now…We are not in any state to try and save him…try to save them… Please….calm down, my lady.” 

Guizhong felt her breaths begin to become strained as her chest tightened and her stomach clenched uncomfortably. 

She couldn’t breathe. 

She couldn’t breathe. 

Thoughts swirled in her mind as panic took a hold of her, and then a cascading veil of emotions danced alongside the edge of the cliff, as if about to tumble and fall. 

She took in deep breaths, as her nerves shook and her hands tightened around Beisht, as she held onto her hands as if they were her saving grace. 

She felt nauseous with fear. 

Her shidi was down there with Osial.

Osial was a feared beast back in the early days of her existence, a fearsome thing that stopped at nothing to get what he wanted. 

Whether that was through force or through words. 

Nothing could stop him. 

And she knew the look in his eyes, even when he was unrestrained. 

She knew what they meant, she knew what he would do to Ajax, if they didn’t get there soon. 

She pushed Beisht away, as she wretched and heaved, as her throat constricted and her body’s temperature increased. 

She hunched over, attempting to relax herself, to calm her beating heart down. 

But as she did so, her balance was thrown overboard, and her vision turned black. 

____________________________

Morax felt a strange feeling claw at his chest the moment Ajax rushed ahead, an anxious look in his eyes, as he ran past all of them. 

He was unable to reach out and pull him back, and an uneasy feeling filled him up, as he saw his precious treasure bolt ahead, already miles ahead in a matter of seconds. 

The others didn’t have to think, as Morax ran after him, after both of his precious people. 

____________________________

When they arrived at the humid marsh, Ajax was nowhere in sight. 

And neither were Guizhong and Beisht there either. 

In fact, the entire marsh was destroyed, the grass smashed into the ground as if someone had run something or someone through it, golden blood in massive piles on the ground a few ways away from the entrance of the marsh, the ground cracked and destroyed. 

Morax faintly heard the distant sounds of Cloud Retainer and Sky Bracer coming up ahead, breathing labored. 

They didn’t say anything either, exhaling shakily as they too took in the unsavory sight. 

Alarm bells chimed in his head as he looked around for any sign of his mat- treasure and his precious girl. 

His dear boy, his little priest, his faithful treasure, a priceless being that could never be replaced.

Was entirely gone. 

And so was she.  

His family was gone . 

He felt the ground shake beneath them, as his anger took flight, causing Sky Bracer and Cloud Retainer to exchange worried glances. 

Their Lord was on the brink of insanity. 

They needed to act quick, lest they wanted the entire ground to crackle and dissipate beneath them as their grief-wracked Lord mourned his lost lover and friend. 

Cloud Retainer surveyed the area, for any sign of life. 

Jumping to conclusions was never great, not when nothing was confirmed… yet.  

Her eyes widened, when she found a small trace of energy a few ways away from them. 

“My Lord! There is someone over there!” 

Morax’s eyes glowed a dim golden as his hair flashed a molten gold, before he bolted to the direction Cloud Retainer was pointing to. 

The place in his chest where a mortal heart would be, clenched and his senses went to overdrive as he felt his mortal disguise slip more and more. 

____________________________

Up ahead, perched against a small tree, was Beisht, cradling an unresponsive Guizhong, looking alarmed. 

When she noticed someone up ahead, her eyes glowed, sharp and piercing, as she bared her teeth at them. 

It seemed as if the fight had shaken her up, at least, enough for her to still think that whoever was there was a threat to her and Guizhong. 

Morax felt his own instincts go into overdrive at the sight of an unconscious Guizhong, perched against an ambiguous ally. 

He felt his chest rumble with a sharp growl, as he met Beisht’s eyes, his own fangs bared; a threat. 

If she moved, he would cut her in half. 

Her eyes widened and the glow dispersed when she realized who it was, head bowed down low as she croaked out, “My Lord…I’m s-” 

Morax felt his nails grow into claws, as his hybrid body started to break and remold itself. 

His anger had boiled over. 

He charged forward, pointing a spear before her throat, “ Explain . Useless apologies mean nothing to me.” 

She blinked, before she bowed her head lower, carefully bringing Guizhong before his feet, kowtowing and bringing her head onto the ground, a clear display of submission and defeat. 

A plea for mercy. 

He snarled, itching to pierce her until her eyes grew dead and her blood drained from her body. 

But, when he looked at Guizhong, he stopped. 

And instead, he allowed Cloud Retainer to rush forward, pressing her fingers against her pulse. 

A few seconds passed as she sighed deeply; relieved, “My Lord…my lady is alive…She has merely exerted herself, but she will recover within a few hours.” 

“Good.” 

He turned towards a quivering Beisht, who was still in a deep kowtow, begging for forgiveness. 

She had failed to protect them both. 

Failed to stop her husband. 

She had failed. 

“Now you .” 

He lifted his spear, right at her head, his fury preventing him from rationalizing the situation. 

She shook with fear but remained silent. 

“Where is he.”  

 “...Osial has taken him…” 

____________________________

Cloud Retainer clenched her teeth, feeling the ground shake underneath her, getting rougher by the second. 

Her own stomach growing uneasy about the abrupt revelation. 

Her lady, Guizhong on her back, breathed shallow and golden tears streaming down her face as she cried; a gentle despair washing over her in waves. 

It seemed she was always bound to worry about Ajax, even in her unconscious state. 

But well. 

She wasn’t the only one who was worried to death about that brat.  

Cloud Retainer felt her own eyes sting with anger at the thought of what had happened. 

Her junior had become mad, she had lost her ally, her lady had been worn down, her other ally was too weak to form words, and that brat had been taken by Osial. 

Cloud Retainer huffed, blinking back her tears as she hastily wiped her lady’s tears with her fingertips, accidentally staining Guizhong’s face with her blood stained hands, smearing the blood over her cheeks. 

She was helpless to clean up the blood smeared all over her lady’s cheeks, and so instead, she merely left it like that. 

If she would attempt to clean the blood even more, she would merely cause it to smear further. 

Instead, she glanced towards her Lord, nervous about what she would find. 

Morax stood menacingly over a shaking Beisht, beaten down badly from the previous fight she had gotten herself in, barely managing to keep herself together as she bowed down to her Lord. 

His teeth sank roughly into his lips, as the golden blood dripped down his chin, onto the wet grass below, his human form shaking and convulsing as if about to burst at the seams. 

His pupils vibrating, dilating and retracting as though he could not keep it together, sharp black claws digging into his palms as he cut through his own flesh, fists clenched. 

If she did not act now, her Lord would no doubt break his composure. 

If she did not act soon, the violent beast she knew cultivated a few mountains away, would snap.  

“My Lord!”  

His head snapped towards her, eyes sharp and fangs bared. 

She bowed her head low, “... Please… we are wasting our time here….The whirlpool Lord Osial conjured is still open…..Let us go find him, before time runs out.” 

Her words seemed to bring the man back, somewhat. 

With a sharp kick, he threw Beisht towards the tree she was resting against a few moments prior. 

She let out a sharp grunt, as her body hit the tree, managing to lift herself up, albeit rather shakily. 

He stalked towards her, standing above her with clear intent to harm, “If he is hurt, you will pay the price.” 

Beisht’s eyes widened before she closed them and gave a somber nod, “ ..Yes, my lord.”  

He grunted before he walked forward, shaking the ground with each step, before he reached the bank of the large swirling whirlpool of water. 

His eyes glowed sharply, and before they knew it. 

A large dragon was before them, nostrils flaring smoky breath, as he dove straight for the whirlpool. 

Before they knew it, their Lord was gone, and behind him, the large whirlpool closed hastily behind him. 

____________________________

Their Lord had closed it.  

Cloud Retainer cursed under her breath as she glanced towards Sky Bracer, who similarly looked distressed. 

None of them had expected their Lord to so recklessly dive straight into danger. 

But then again. 

Anyone would if their family was being threatened. 

If their lover was being threatened. 

But even so, it was not wise to do so. 

Cloud Retainer let out a sharp sigh, as she looked towards Sky Bracer, who merely gestured towards Guizhong, “Give her to me. I will head back towards the mountain.” 

Cloud Retainer shook her head, “ No. ” 

His eyes widened a bit as his eyebrows furrowed. 

She continued, “...This is between our Lord and Lord Osial. This is not something anyone should intervene in…If we do, one can not guarantee our survival…Let us go back to the mountains, warn the others, and prepare for attacks.” 

She turned on her heel, going towards a battered Beisht, before she gestured at her, “If you do not want to be killed the moment our Lord or your husband, one would advise you to stand and steady yourself.” 

Even if Cloud Retainer felt frustrated that those two brats put themselves in harm's way, she could not allow her ally to die in front of her. 

This was not Beisht’s fault, as much as her heart wanted to convince her otherwise.  

And unstable emotions got in the way of a clear mind. 

And without a clear mind, one would not be able to make sense of things. 

Beisht blinked up at them, regret heavy in her eyes, “I….” 

Cloud Retainer turned towards her, “Not another word from you…One knows what you have failed to do…Do not apologize…it was not your fault.” 

Beisht bowed her head down, shakily standing up before she limped towards them, blood covering the messy bandages.

Cloud Retainer felt her heart clench at the sight of the poor girl barely managing to keep herself together. 

…Cloud Retainer does not like to admit it, but…

Before Beisht had gotten married to that nuisance she called a husband, they had crossed paths. 

Back then, Beisht was but a measly god, governing the other side of the ocean with an iron-clad fist, ready to strike at any opponent who dared cross her. 

Cloud Retainer had admired her, although, rather secretly , behind short greetings and polite smiles.

She was captivating, strong-willed, gentle, vile, and talented. 

Being able to talk her way out of most things, negotiating things with her sharp tongue, being able to put others in their place without so much as a blink, brutal in her methods to achieve what she wanted. 

And yet, she was gentle to the many jellyfish that liked to follow her around, bringing them food and gently patting them. 

A well-rounded goddess, with a talent for music, just like Ping. 

Cloud Retainer admired her more than she liked it, and was swayed by her sharp eyes, where her pupils did not touch the bottom of her eyes, and instead revealed the white parts of her eyes. 

A lot of people were scared of eyes like these, spreading rumors that people with such eyes were bad luck, that they were unstable. 

But in truth, it was really them who were unstable. 

At that point, she had moved on from A-Ling and that other dreaded girl who had managed to ensnare her. 

She had laid whatever could have been with A-Ling to rest, even if she knew her heart would always belong to her dearest girl. 

However, even so, she allowed her gaze to wander, on particularly lonely and unbearable days, on the muscular waist of her ally.

Beisht was a lot more well-built than A-Ling and Li Mei, but her waist was wider and muscular, curves sharp, arms bulkier and long hair held up in a tight ponytail. 

She was a sight to behold during training, and although she needed a bit more guidance in terms of her defense, she was a formidable opponent who was able to figure out the weak points of her opponents rather quickly. 

But, it was the way she treated others that stuck out to Cloud Retainer. 

She had absolute faith in her followers, doing everything she could to protect them, taking care of them from afar. 

And yet, in person, when she came across her followers, she acted rather distant and estranged; as if disinterested in whatever they had to say. 

And was known to withdraw on her own and spend her days in solitude, preferring the peace of absolute silence than a rowdy outing with friends. 

Aloof, but brimming with kindness. 

A silent kindness, the true and earnest kind, that sprouted out from the heart itself. 

She was beautiful; a gorgeous goddess, strong and kind. 

And well, Cloud Retainer was not blind to the longing stares directed her way, sharply across the meeting table, burning a dozen holes into Cloud Retainer’s armor. 

Their hidden ploy was bound to unravel. 

____________________________

They crossed paths a few weeks before she was set to marry Osial. 

She saw her standing by the shore of the lake down by the mountain, looking wistful as she gazed towards the waters beneath her. 

She was not going to utter a single word to Beisht, merely moving on to patrol the outskirts of the village by herself, but Beisht had spoken up. 

“...Are we just going to keep fooling ourselves, or are we going to do something about it?” 

Her words were drawn out of her lips, filled with frustration and desire. 

Cloud Retainer paused, staring back at her eyes, filled with raw emotion, feeling her own come up to the surface. 

“..Lady Beisht, you know that one can not and will not do what you are asking one to do.” 

Beisht frowned, “...Is that so?...Not even for the night, Cloud Retainer?”  

The usage of her name caused something inside of Cloud Retainer to come to a sudden pause. 

If she were to fool around with her junior’s soon-to-be wife, she would never be able to live with the guilt. 

The guilt that she took his wife, before he ever did. 

That she got to lay her hands on her skin, feeling every inch of her beneath her fingertips. 

She took a shaky breath, “ No ...One should have made it clear the day this started that it would never be anything. You are getting married off to my junior in a few days time. It is wrong.” 

Beisht’s eyes filled up with a deep longing as she looked towards the lake, “...I…I understand…My judgment has been clouded by the stress of my upcoming union to Lord Osial. I am not thinking straight..…My sincerest apologies, Shigu ....” 

She crumpled into herself, deep in thought. 

She was getting married to Osial, a good friend that was soon going to be her husband. 

It was unwise to think that it was not weighing down on her mind. 

Especially since….the poor woman had managed to harbor feelings for her. 

Something that Cloud Retainer could not feel for her. 

And, if she had known that things would be this way, she would have never stayed longer at her residence and shared many cups of wine with her on dazy days, nor let her hands run astray when correcting her stance, nor should she have entertained the ideas of evenings of private shows as she played her lovely instrument. 

But even so, even if she could not feel the same. 

She was not heartless. 

Cloud Retainer sighed, as she walked up to her, “.....Even if one prohibits this to go on any longer, one will grant you what you desire…if only for a moment…Consider it a parting gift..” 

Beisht looked up, her eyes wallowing in pain as she gave a curt nod, bowing her head down, “...Please.” 

Cloud Retainer remembers feeling her muscles shift underneath her, as she pressed gentle kisses on her shoulders, neck, and lips, hands not staying further and keeping to her upper half, as she pretended not to see the way tears welled up and fell from Beisht’s eyes. 

They did not go further than simple touches and caresses, delicate presses of lips, and heated kisses on shoulder blades. 

But it was enough for Beisht, who closed her eyes and enjoyed the momentary pleasure. 

After a few minutes, Cloud Retainer departed, pressing a long kiss to her forehead, as she whispered a soft blessing, “...A parting gift worthy of a God’s audience.” 

Beisht’s eyes welled up with tears as she sobbed into Cloud Retainer’s shoulders, disheveled, and mourning a love that could never be. 

Cloud Retainer let her cry into her shoulder, holding her tightly before gently dropping her off at her own domain, letting her own body drape over Beisht’s as she relished the comfort of her warm body. 

After that night, they had parted ways, and Beist had merely become a distant memory. 

When she attended their wedding, and bore witness to their union, she merely turned her head away from the sight and begged for forgiveness to the skies above. 

The guilt that covered her senses was overwhelming. 

Now, that night had become a secret shared between the two of them, until one of them had passed on. 

Just like all the other trysts she had encountered before. 

And just like them on, Beisht too, would wither away before her very eyes. 

____________________________

And now, as she stood before the woman who yearned for her love, standing before her, weakened gravely and half-way to death. 

She could not hold her pity back. 

A pitiful person, down on their luck, beaten down by fate, by destiny. 

She sighed, and before she knew it, she spoke, “….Now , come along, before one changes one's mind.” 

She turned towards her, before she wrapped her hands underneath her armpits and gripped her shoulder, allowing Beisht to rest her weight against her body, supporting her up while being mindful of her wounds. 

Beisht blinked, surprised. 

She had not expected a modicum of kindness, especially after what she had done. 

Her eyes glittered with golden tears, as they trembled, her voice small, “..Thank you..” 

Cloud Retainer huffed, frustrated at such a pathetic reaction, “One is not doing it for you… One is doing it for Lady Guizhong, she is fond of you. You should be thanking her for my Lord’s mercy, for my mercy.” 

Beisht bowed her head down, nodding, slightly stumbling and looking rather dismayed. 

Cloud Retainer sighed once again, feeling hopeless, “...One will make sure you have recovered completely before you go face my Lord… Even if our Lady is fond of you, he , on the other hand, is rather not fond of you…But, one will grant you a fair chance…”

And with that, they made their way to the mountains where the rest of the adepti guarded the frontlines of Qingce Village. 

____________________________ 

Madam Ping felt her heart get stuck in her throat when her eyes landed on her lady. 

Her precious lady, soft eyes closed, hair cascading messily down her sides as her body lay limp across Sky Bracer’s back. 

They were stumbling down the path when she saw them, clear as day, four of them. Her shidi and Shizun, nowhere in sight. 

Their absence left a bad feeling in her stomach, as her mind raced to think the worst of what may have happened. 

And yet, all thoughts about her shidi and her shizun were halted monetarily, by the horrific sight that greeted her eyes. 

Before her, she saw Beisht badly beaten, half-way to death’s door. 

Cloud Retainer, next to her, face scratched up as her eyebrows furrowed, marring her handsome face, as she exerted herself and held Beisht up. 

Sky Bracer a short ways behind them, pale and disorientated as he looked around in a daze, holding tightly onto Guizhong. 

Her fingers loosened the tight grip she had on her spear as she bolted towards the group, frightened at the sight that presented itself in front of her eyes. 

Sky Bracer did not flinch when she dashed towards him, practically yanking Guizhong out of his arms, holding her tightly against her chest, as she frantically checked for signs of life. 

Cloud Retainer spoke, “There is no need to check her pulse….She is stable, she merely over-exerted herself…Do not fret.” 

Ping blinked, nodding absentmindedly, as she still pressed her fingers against her Shijie’s wrist. 

Only when she felt the weak thrums of her beloved’s heart, did she allow herself to let out the breath she had not realized she was holding. 

Every single tense bone in her body released, as she slumped her shoulders and pressed her face against her shijie’s shoulder, burying herself in the familiar scent. 

“Thank Celestia…” she sighed as she felt a flood of relief course through her.

A moment passed before she felt a small tap on her shoulder, “... Shimei, I know you are worried, but she has still drained much of her energy…She has to go rest…and we have a lot to tell you..” 

It was Sky Bracer, looking up at her with gentle eyes, understanding and yet slightly worried. 

She drew in a deep breath, holding it in for a few seconds, before she nodded, “...I understand…I will drop her off at my domain..” 

Cloud Retainer nodded, “Good…Meanwhile, one will reach one’s own chambers to properly take care of this insolent girl’s wounds.” 

She turned to glare at Beisht, who remained silent….

It seemed as if…there was certainly a lot to say…

____________________________

Cloud Retainer hoisted Beisht inside of her domain, reeling at the sight of the blood that covered the messy bandages that covered her torso. 

She carefully led the woman to a small bed, where she carefully laid her down, frowning when she saw Beisht bite her lip in an attempt to bear the pain. 

She hurried to her drawers, as she retrieved a variety of items: bandages, scissors, and some liquid medicine. 

She dropped them to the side of Beisht, as she went over to her sink and thoroughly washed her hands, before she went towards the bed and retrieved the scissors. 

Then, she thoroughly inspected the wounds. 

The bandages that were wrapped around her, were hastily done and on top of her clothes, which restricted them from being too effective. 

She sighed, “...Take off your clothes.” 

Beisht stilled underneath her, as she hurried to take them off…struggling and wincing. 

Cloud Retainer grabbed her hands, “... Stop …one will do it.” 

Beisht’s face turned pink as she nodded, and Cloud Retainer continued on. 

However, as much as she pulled at the fabric of her armor, it would not budge. 

She retrieved her scissors and began cutting her clothes, taking off bloody layer after layer until her top half was naked. 

She then began to undo the multitude of bandages, and winced when she saw that her body was nearly cut in half, a mere piece of flesh holding her together. 

However, that wasn’t the only wound she had received. 

Although, it did seem that it was by far the most severe one. 

Her shoulders were cut with multiple gashes, and her chest was sliced with a long knife, nearly cutting one of her breasts open. 

Golden blood covering her entire body, almost as if Morax had come and spilled his treasures all over her body. 

She felt her eyes water as she blinked them back, “..Just what did you do to suffer these severe wounds, insolent brat?’ 

Beisht remained silent, as Cloud Retainer let out a sigh, “No matter, one will heal you.” 

With a shaky breath, Cloud Retainer waited no longer and pressed the small vial of medicine into her mouth, “Drink up.” 

Beisht did what she was told, and Cloud Retainer watched as her throat bobbed up and down as she drank it, her pale neck on display. 

The medicine was potent, and made out of the strongest herbs known to mankind. 

It was reserved for severe injuries, and could only be consumed by adepti in large amounts in order to completely wash the pain away. 

It was otherwise deadly for human beings even to try a lick of the substance. 

And, its effects set in almost immediately after being consumed. 

Cloud Retainer watched as Beisht slumped onto the bed, completely relaxed and numb to the pain, eyes slightly watery at the earlier pain she felt. 

She began, drawing up her palm towards her torso as she began to send her energy forth, slowly starting to mend the broken tissues and fix them back up together, restabilizing her organs back into place and mending the broken parts of it. 

Cloud Retainer watched as her palms healed and put the multiple layers of fat, blood, tissue, and flesh back together again, before it healed up into a large gash across her torso. 

The scar would surely fade over time, as soon as her body got its energy back. 

She then turned her attention to her chest. 

The gash there was not as deep as the one across her torso, and would heal up sooner. 

She watched as it too, closed up. 

Beisht spoke up, “....My…ankle...is sprained.” 

Her voice was groggy, and yet clear as water to Cloud Retainer, who turned her attention to the lower side of Beisht. 

Indeed, she could see the odd way her leg was positioned. 

She sighed. 

Just another thing she had to heal. 

She turned her attention to it, and slowly started to crack it back into place, hearing as the bone cracked and positioned itself in the right place. 

Feeling as her energy was dying out. 

Cloud Retainer did not like to heal others through this method, as it meant that her own would get sucked out of her, and it would leave her feeling fatigued and overly tired. 

And so, she only used such a method in severe cases.

Such as this one. 

And so, with her energy nearly depleted, she slowly went towards her drawer to retrieve a loose nightgown she had laying around. 

It…belonged to Li Mei.  

After she had left it behind in her domain, right before she had been killed. 

Cloud Retainer never wore it, as it did not fit her and such garish colors and style were not to her tastes, so she had decided to store it. 

Just in case she needed to give them to someone, like right now. 

She turned towards Beisht and handed it to her, “...Get dressed and sleep…You will need to rest plenty before you even consider getting out of this bed..” 

Beisht nodded, as she began to get up and change. 

She slipped on the night gown , as it draped over her figure, outlining every curve and dip of her body. 

Cloud Retainer silently cursed Celestia as she felt her heartbeat quicken and turned her attention on clearing the tattered clothes, bloody bandages, and equipment back in her drawer. 

Such temptations were truly her downfall. 

She sighed as she moved to the small basket where she stored such bloody bandages, until she could get rid of them later on. 

But before she could, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her, “....Senior, thank you, for everything .. ” 

She whisked around, to see a pair of thankful eyes staring up at her, glittering with stars. 

They no longer looked in pain, and were playful instead. 

Not yearning, but instead, friendly . 

It seemed as if the lesser god had finally pushed past her feelings for Cloud Retainer. 

Good.  

Cloud Retainer huffed, patting her back before pushing her off and flicking her forehead, “...Hmph…One is not doing this for you, after this is done, we will depart once again…” 

And she marched off, hearing the small chuckles coming from Beisht. 

Ignoring the large grin that settled across her face as she left her own domain. 

____________________________

Madam Ping on the other hand gingerly carried her shijie, alongside Sky Bracer who walked beside her in case of any other sudden attacks. 

He looked tenser than she had seen him, but otherwise well. 

Guizhong’s breathing had settled down long since, breathing out gently as her eyes remained closed. 

But, as much as Ping wanted to press a gentle kiss to her eyelids, there were important matters pressing. 

Such reunions would only be sweet if everyone was fine.

Which, unfortunately, did not seem to be the case. 

Madam Ping did not need to be told, to understand that Morax and Ajax were both in grave danger. 

It was evident in the way Sky Bracer’s pupils remained constricted even though he appeared calm, and in the way Cloud Retainer’s eyebrows were drawn together in a tight line. 

And so, she hastily made her way towards her domain, down by the lower mountain region, near the lake. 

It was much more secluded than the rest of the other adepti domains, but it wasn’t as if she ever felt lonely. 

She liked her space, and treasured her solitude, and the quiet moments she would spend lounging by the waters of the nearest forest, admiring nature and strumming her guzheng.  

But, it wasn’t as if she was a hermit either. 

She too, liked company, and Guizhong made great company in her domain. 

Making sure to not talk her ear off during the moments where Ping required some peace and quiet, and yet, she never left her side, preferring to read a book or simply spend it by her lover’s side. 

Ping loved her greatly. 

They entered her domain in no time, as she made her way up the stairs, towards their bedroom. 

Every Havria passed on, Guizhong had been staying over at her place, and well…

Her bed was made for only one person, so they slept rather uncomfortably the first couple of nights, until Ping went out and built another bed frame and bought a new mattress that was big enough to fit them both. 

Unlike her, Guizhong preferred a soft bed just like Ajax did. 

However, unlike Ajax, she liked being covered in multiple layers of thick blankets, as she liked the sensation of constant reassuring pressure over her. 

Ping had to resort to digging through her closet to find the blankets she was saving for wintertime as well as borrowing some from Guizhong’s own domain in order to satisfy her. 

And so, she had to get one made by the local merchant, who complied and had it made with stuffed sheep’s wool. 

It was softer than she had preferred it to be, but Guizhong liked it, as she sunk into the soft bedding and slept more soundly than she had in the previous days. 

And so…Ping shut her mouth. 

But well…now it seemed that it was a good choice to get such a soft mattress. 

Her lady needed to rest her body and replenish her energy for a while, it seemed. 

After pressing a swift kiss on Guizhong’s forehead, and covering her up in multiple heavy blankets, she made her way outside of their bedroom, where Sky Bracer waited patiently (he waited outside so as to not invade the couple’s chambers). 

A nod from Ping was enough for him to get up from the wall he leaned against and head towards the door. 

They had a lot to discuss. 

____________________________

Morax raged through the waters, attempting to trace any sign of his precious treasure. 

That vile serpent had taken what was rightfully his.  

His lover. 

His mate.   

His treasure.  

His. 

He felt the waters shake as his anger slipped through and caused the ocean floor to tremble with fear. 

His senses on fire as his eyes darted through the murky waters beneath, attempting to trace Ajax’s energy, as he scoured through it. 

A sense of overwhelming distress clutching at his heart as he could not see his lover no matter where he looked, as it was nothing but darkness. 

Nothing but darkness, and no trace of his dearest. 

He felt his distress cause the ocean floor to shake rapidly as huge tides of water were washing over his body, his body shaking at the apparent loss of his mate. 

He could not see Ajax anywhere. 

His dearest boy was nowhere to be seen. 

He was lost. 

That serpent had taken him. 

The ocean floor shook with even more intensity, as the dragon looked everywhere, opening his eyes wider as he attempted to look for any traces of his lover's energy. 

But it was worthless.. 

Ajax was nowhere. 

The ocean floor shook violently, as even stronger waves started to form on top of the waters, causing massive waves to begin to form as a result of the earthquakes he was causing with his distress. 

Nowhere.  

And then. 

He felt a slimy appendage wrap around swiftly around his form, curling around it with no resistance. 

Morax clawed at the appendage, destroying it with his sharp claws as he moved to get away from the direction it came from. 

It was helpless. 

As soon as he did so, more appendages popped from the darkness and wrapped around him at once. 

But it wasn’t just his body this time, it was around his tail, his feet and arms, his horns, his mouth, his long whiskers. 

He clawed at them desperately, but they were far too strong, slimy and more stealthy than he was. 

Faster than he was. 

They overwhelmed him. 

And before he knew it, they were dragging him towards something. 

He screamed.

But there was no sound. 

____________________________

Ajax jolted up. 

He desperately looked around….to see nothing. 

But despite attempting to move, he could not. 

He blinked towards his hands and feet, to see a multitude of appendages, wrapping tightly around him. 

Osial. 

Where was he? 

He looked around, attempting to discern where the man had gone.

And met multiple pairs of eyes staring down at him. 

Ah.  

A shiver ran down his spine at the sight. 

He hastily closed his eyes, attempting to fool the hydra into thinking that he was still unconscious. 

Ajax didn’t know what Osial wanted with him, and certainly did not want to find out either. 

But, regardless of his futile effort to fool the god, it was fruitless, “ Human…”  

Before he knew it, the lights were on. 

And Ajax was met with the glowing eyes of Osial. 

He was in his human form now, that terrible miasma covering every inch of his being, withering his very form away the further he continued on. 

He stalked towards him, towering over him before he tilted his chin up with an arrogant smile across his face, “.. How pitiful you look, writhing around, looking at me with such pleading eyes…Do not worry, one will make sure you will suffer a quick death…”  

Ajax blinked up at him, glaring at his captor, causing Osial to laugh, “ ...Hah…it has been centuries since such a defiant human has walked into my domain…how refreshing…”  

Ajax frowned, but remained silent. 

Osial’s eyes glowed magenta as the corruption spread around him in a sickening greenish-black, “ You have trespassed my domain, silly human boy…and you have interfered with my prey….surely your death will clear your sin against me, hm?”  

He grinned, as the miasma spread further across him, smothering the dark underground palace in darkness. 

Ajax felt irritated as he struggled to get out of the binds, attempting to call out to his vision…but for some reason…it was not working underwater. 

Osial laughed, “ Do not attempt to get away now, poor thing. You will not be able to. Now-”  

He stopped talking, as he stopped, “ Oh…another visitor? Wait for me here…Do not attempt to escape, it is useless, you are in my domain now.”  

He disappeared in a flash, leaving Ajax in the dimly-lit room. 

Whoever had been detected in his domain had caused Osial to go after them…however, that still was not good news. 

…It was surely one of them.  

They were most likely worried sick about Ajax, and were looking all over for him…

But it was not safe here.

Inside of the jaws of a hydra’s domain was not the ideal place to be, and certainly not if you wanted to gain the upper hand on the beast. 

Ajax hoped and prayed that whoever it was would scurry away before Osial caught up to them. 

He…would figure out how to deal with this. 

He had to. 

He shook his head as he thought of ways to get out of here first. 

Even if he was not excited at the fact that someone else was down here with them, they would buy him some time. 

He focused on attempting to call out to his vision, and felt his hopes go up when he saw it stir from its position on the floor a few ways away from him. 

It glowed softly as it attempted to get to him. 

His brows furrowed as he concentrated on getting to it harder, attempting to call it towards him with all he had. 

Of course, even if he attempted to do so, it only moved a bit and…in the opposite direction he was in. 

Celestia above!

Why was his luck so shit?!

He sighed as he opted for a second method. 

If a vision would not help him, then he would have to simply rely on his other powers granted to him by a celestial being. 

He felt the pure energy course through his veins, warm and comforting, as he focused on concentrating it on his hands, which were tied to his back. 

He felt the appendages tighten the more he brought adeptal energy towards it, curling onto his body tighter as he struggled against their hold. 

Fuck.  

It seemed as if using powers granted by Celestia were useless. 

…He sighed. 

Left with no choice, he felt the dull pain of the abyssal taint call out to him, as he let it consume him. 

As expected. 

It easily cut through the appendages, and completely fried them off, Ajax falling to the ground as they scattered. 

But even if that pest was gone, something told Ajax that they would be back. 

Getting on his feet, he scurried over to the vision on the floor, before he pinned it on his belt. 

After that, he hurried over to find an exit to this damned palace. 

He hurried to find an exit as he darted from the countless rooms inside of the palace, attempting to find an exit. 

But there just didn’t seem to be one. 

Cursing, he decided to burst a hole and get out from there. 

However, before he could, he heard a long screech coming from the place he had been in before, that oddly resembled a prison cell. 

____________________________

He sneaked up from where the yelling was coming from, and halted in his steps. 

It was Morax. 

In his hybrid form, clawing desperately at the appendages as Osial snarled at him, “Morax, attempting to break free from my restraints is futile…you are finally in my possession now…” 

Morax growled, as he fought against the restraints as he glared up at Osial, breaking out momentarily from the restraints and charging towards Osial, who swerved and sent his tentacles forward and caught him before restraining him again, “Ah, ah, ah. ”

He then started to sing that awful melody again, causing Ajax to cover his ears on instinct, knowing what that power was capable of, as Morax fought against it. 

However, he was unable to cover his own ears, and soon started to sway…before he fell to the ground. 

Osial grinned, before he looked around the prison cell, “...Hm…”  

Ajax hastily bolted behind the entrance to the prison as Osial’s eyes glossed past him. 

He had to sneak up on Osial and constrain him before things got out of hand…

Osial frowned, as the miasma started to spread further around him. 

He needed a distraction. 

He darted his eyes around for something to throw, before he landed on his vision…..

Ah…he had just retrieved it…

And now he had to throw it again…

If the Hydro Archon was not already mad at him, she would have surely thrown a fit by now. 

The precious vision that she had granted him, a most valued treasure that some trained years to obtain was….being thrown recklessly and by some abyssal creature..

The thought was so ridiculous that Ajax didn’t know whether he should have cried or laughed at the absurdity of it all. 

But either way, it was the only choice he had. 

And so, he unpinned his vision and threw it….as it bounced off of Morax’s head before going towards the farthest corner of the room. 

…he always did have awful aim…

But regardless of the questionable aim, it caused Osial to go towards the vision, his eyebrows furrowed as he scrutinized the item. 

Ajax bolted from his place behind the entrance and immediately felt as his body transformed, his every limb tearing from its place on his body as it rebuilt itself into a taller version of his normal body. 

The Foul Legacy form was a pain in the ass to recover from, but it was better than nothing. 

He retrieved his spear before he hit Osial on the back of the head, causing him to blink before he turned around with a growl. 

However, before he could try anything, Ajax struck him again.

And watched as Osial’s body flopped onto the ground, unconscious. 

However, that pesky miasma was still raging around him, in large quantities. 

Ajax sighed, as he inhaled the miasma greedily, feeling as his body filtrated it and fed on the strength it provided. 

After eating all of it, he hastily went to pick up his vision, tying it on his belt, before he went to bind Osial. 

And after ensuring that he was secured enough with a water ribbon, he hoisted Osial across his right shoulder. 

Before he went towards Morax, and hoisted him up on his other shoulder. 

It seemed that with Osial being rendered unconscious, the power he had over his domain was wavering, causing Ajax to see a slight crack in his enchantment. 

Thankfully he was in his Foul Legacy form, otherwise carrying the both of them would have put further strain on his body. 

Once he made sure the two knuckleheads were secured, he bolted towards the crack, smashing through it and ending up face to face with a giant whirlpool. 

It looked like a portal of sorts; the same ones he had seen in the forest near his house in Morepesok back when he was fourteen. 

Sucking everything around it and glowing a vibrant blue color. 

On instinct, he reached towards it, and it roughly pulled him. 

____________________________

He heard a voice call out to him, rough and commanding, causing his heart to quicken. 

"Wake up, if you want to live, boy."

Hm?  

"Boy."

Who was that? 

"Wake up."

What?

"Wake up, brat!"

Master? 

"Come on."

Is that...you? 

“Wake up!”

He jolted his eyes open.

Met with the sight of his master standing above him him, her long grayish-purple hair flowing down her shoulders, as she looked straight through him. 

The room was similar to the many caves he would hide out with his master, and yet, no traces of the abyss was inside of the room. 

Could this be…an inbetween dimension? 

He had heard his master talk about them in the past, but he never thought he would end up in such a situation. 

“Master….Skirk?”  

“Hmph,” she kicked him to the side, as she brought her hand up to his back before she slapped it, causing him to throw up large amounts of water as he coughed violently, feeling his chest burn at the awful sensation, “So you have not forgotten the name of your master after all.” 

Afterwards, she crouched down and leaned him forward, grabbing his face and staring into his eyes, “Hm…you have grown up rather nicely, haven’t you brat?” 

He blinked up at her, confused, but not afraid. 

He never felt afraid with his master, even back when she would beat him and pierce her spear through his chest, even when she cursed at him, even when she broke every bone in his body. 

He tilted his face to the side and grinned, teasing, “Why? Do you like my pretty face, master?” 

Skirk make a disgruntled face as she threw his face to the side, “...It seems as if you lack discipline….I remember back when you were but a whimpering brat, running after me like a dog to its master…Now you have become unbearable it seems.” 

Ajax burst into laughter as he hunched over, “Really now?” 

Skirk had a ghost of a smile on her face, as she sighed, “Yes…now then, would you care to explain how it is you ended up here again? Did I not tell you to never look for me again, brat.”

Ajax felt his laughter die down, “Ah…well…about that…” 

____________________________

“What!”  

Skirk’s eye started to twitch as she leaned closer to her disciple as she glared at him, looking as if she wanted to kill him and then fry him up for breakfast, “You did what?!” 

He chuckled as he backed away from her. 

“Yeah…” 

Skirk grabbed him by the collar and stared intensely at his clothes, before she turned him around in a freakish display of strength…it seemed after all these years, his master would always be stronger than him…

He pulled down his collar and stared, horrified at the glowing mark on his neck, pulsating and nearly scalding her when she attempted to touch it. 

“You allowed a God to mark you! And on top of that, you turned into one of those disgusting celestial beings?! And you are on a mission to do what?” 

He sighed as he limped against her hold, “I…wasn’t really granted a choice in that last one…Besides, not all of Celestia’s creations are bad….” 

Skirk frowned, as she threw him down and sat down beside him, “...Even so, you willingly allowed yourself to be marked by a god! And not just any god, but the oldest and strongest of the damned Seven in charge of my homeland’s demise!”

She trembled and scowled at Ajax, as he stiffened. 

He didn’t even think about that. 

Right, even if Zhongli was a gentle being…didn’t always mean he always made the right calls. 

He was called the Warrior God for a reason, after all. 

But even so, he wanted to argue with his own master about Morax’s involvement in Khaenri’ah’s demise. 

Even though he knew deep down, that Morax had everything to do with it. 

Of course, Skirk, his master who was of Khaenri’ah origin, would be absolutely furious at the sudden confession. 

Her own pupil had become entangled with one of the seven, and had even become an adeptus…even though he belonged to the Abyss. 

He bowed his head down, “...Master….I’m-” 

She covered his mouth, her eyes shut and trembling, “Not another word. You do not mean it…” 

He yanked her hand away, “No. I’m sorry about what happened to Khaenri’ah….I would have loved to bear witness to its glory…but…I am not sorry for loving Morax…he…is good to me…And I love him…....."

He paused, looking away, "....I am not meant to be called your disciple..” 

Skirk remained quiet for a few moments, before she smacked him on his back…in a manner meant to convey camaraderie more than violence, “....Shut up brat…I’ll send you back to your world…just......do not speak anymore.” 

He nodded, as she picked him up, before she walked to a side of the room before drawing up a large portal, written using runes lost to time. 

She pressed her palm to it harshly, causing it to shake violently before a familiar portal was present in front of him once again. 

She turned towards him, no malice in her eyes as she stared at him, “...Save Khaenri’ah for me, brat.” 

Her eyes were filled with conviction as she gazed at him, and he felt weak to it. 

Her wish was useless. 

It was too ambitious and unrealistic. 

Even if he had all the power of the seven combined, it would never be enough to save Khaenri’ah’s demise. 

Celestia’s wrath was too strong. 

He shook his head, somber, “I… can’t…Master, I-. ” 

“I know you can’t.” 

He looked up at her, his master’s eyes filled with unshed tears, “I know you can’t, but at least…fight until your last breath, for Khaenri'ah, for me…otherwise, you will be known as a traitor and if that happens,” she turned around, “Do not refer to me your Master, again.”

He felt himself shake, as he stared at the floor, “..I will.” 

He always would. 

Even if he was part of the adepti now, his soul would always belong to the Abyss, to Khaenri’ah.  

A child born in Celestia’s playground, belonging to a nation that no longer existed. 

“Good…save them for me.” 

She grabbed him and then threw him into the portal. 

____________________________

When he awoke, he was aware of a throbbing pain in the side of his head, alongside the feeling of something sticking uncomfortably to his skin. 

He looked around, he felt his clothes weighing him down and came to the realization that he was wet. 

Wet and covered with sand. 

Grainy uncomfortable sand. 

A beach?  

He glanced around, and saw that it was not just him laying down on the white sandy beaches of what appeared to be Liyue. 

Morax and Osial were there too, and by the looks of it…still unconscious. 

Ajax sighed when he realized he was back in his normal form, his Foul Legacy nowhere to be found. 

The Abyss. 

Skirk.  

He felt his heart clench at his master’s face, vulnerable and pleading. 

He would fight for Khaenri’ah with all he had, even if that cost him his heart in the process. 

Even if that meant having to fight against Morax and the rest of the adepti. 

He would fight for Khaenri’ah. 

He sighed. 

Until then, he would not think about something that was yet to come. 

For now, he would focus on the two unconscious gods a few feet away from him. 

He felt his limbs repositioning themselves as he once again transformed, feeling the dull pain spread all over his body. 

He had to worry about this now. 

He threw them over his shoulders and carried on to the direction of the mountains. 

____________________________

Ping let out a long sigh at the long-awaited news. 

Sky Bracer there to pat her back and comfort her, as Cloud Retainer explained, looking rather harrowed and tired. 

“I see..” 

Sky Bracer nodded, “...We have no idea where they have gone…but the whirlpool closed before he were able to get inside…” 

Ping nodded, feeling guilt swallow her up at the things they told her about. 

She should have been there. 

Should have been there alongside Guizhong. 

If she was there, would the three of them have been able to restrain Osial enough for him to be fully cleansed? 

The thoughts ate away at her, as she thought of her shijie’s face. 

She felt a gentle pat to her shoulder, “Do not feel guilty, shimei. There was no way you could have known..” 

She let out a sound that sounded like a choked sob as she nodded, “..Yeah..” 

All they could do now was pray that everything would sort itself out. 

Ping closed her eyes, and hoped that everything would be alright. 

Hearing the light footsteps of someone darting away from behind one of the trees. 

____________________________

Xiao felt his heart clench, as he bolted away from the scene. 

…He never thought he would grow as attached as he did to someone. 

Back when he was at the mercy of his prior Lord, everyday seems miserable, dragging on longer than it needed too as he heard the voice of his Lord scream at him even in his dreams.

So, when he was dragged out of the darkness he had found himself trapped in, he felt like he could breathe again. 

His new Lord had saved him, and granted him a new life. 

Freedom . 

And…that man….with the obnoxious voice and even more obnoxious red hair had smiled at him, had shown him gentility and kindness as he carried him in order to not force him to walk on the sharp terrain. 

The man who had proclaimed himself as his Ge, chattering loudly with the others as he attempted to get Xiao to warm up to him. 

Xiao had been cautious at first, drawing a clear line between him and the man, wishing to get away from him as soon as he could. 

And yet, he always managed to coax Xiao out, with that damned smile of his. 

Too wide for his face, and too bright. 

Xiao found himself content to be beside the man’s side, and relished the warmth he provided, the feeling of safety he exuded. 

And soon, he found himself sticking to him like a pesky mosquito. 

And yet, the man did not seem to mind, as he welcomed the clinginess, even when Xiao’s night terrors started to dissipate. 

And, his new Lord started to hang around the both of them, he felt as if he was walking on clouds. 

He finally had what the other demons often talked about, quietly to others who felt just as lonely as them. 

He remembered how fondly they talked about their family, longing to be back at their side. 

Xiao did not have a family, as he was born alone from a mountain before he was taken in by his old Lord. 

And so, he had nothing to compare their descriptions of how their life used to be like. 

Xiao did not know how a mother’s love felt, nor did he now how a father’s love felt. 

He was born without parents. 

And longed for someone to cradle him and pamper him just like he heard the new demons forcibly taken by his Lord talk about. 

And so, when he finally obtained what they had talked about. 

He felt close to tears. 

A family. 

People that were all around him, ready to die for him, ready to protect him, ready to guide and love him. 

He felt over the moon. 

So, when he heard of what had happened to his Lord and his ge-ge… he felt something within him shatter. 

A strange distress filled him up as he clawed desperately at his chest. 

He didn’t want to go back to how it used to be. 

He didn’t want to be alone again. 

“ A-Xiao… is that you?”

He whisked around, towards the direction of the voice. 

It was a strange looking creature, with familiar red hair peeking through a large mask. 

____________________________

Ajax felt relieved when he saw Xiao up ahead, the brat noticeably smaller than him.

…Was this how Skirk felt when he saw him for the first time?

Hm..

No wonder she took him under her wing, when she saw such a small and defenseless kid. 

He saw Xiao grow tense as he readied his spear ahead of him, looking scared as ever. 

Ah..right. 

The kids have never seen this form before. 

Xiao had never seen him like this. 

It would make sense for him to be wary of a strange looking beast who towered over him that also knew his name. 

He sighed, placing the two gods he had onto the floor before he felt his muscles and bones start to re-adjust themselves back to his normal form. 

He blinked up when he went back to his normal form  “A-Xiao.” 

Xiao’s eyes widened, as he dropped his spear onto the floor. 

“….it’s me, your Ge-” 

He felt a pair of small arms wrap around his waist, as Xiao pressed his face against his chest, “-ge..” 

Ajax felt himself chuckle as he patted the boy’s back, “Missed me?” 

Xiao didn’t say anything and instead gripped onto him tighter and buried his face deeper into his chest.

“There, there, A-Xiao….Don’t you know that your ge’s indestructible…nothing could ever get rid of me,” he laughed as he patted the boy’s head. 

Xiao still remained silent, causing Ajax to sigh. 

He had really worried the kid, hadn’t he. 

“...We have to get these two back to the others, A-Xiao… we can’t be here for long..” 

Xiao still didn’t move. 

Ajax laughed, as he patted Xiao’s head, playing with his hair, it was surprisingly soft, “.. A-Xiao~ If you stay here longer, then I will pinch your cheeks thrice a day!” 

Xiao didn’t move. 

What the fuck? 

Since when did this brat become so clingy enough to endure the pinch attacks from Ajax? 

“A-Xiao. You have to bring the other’s back, then you can hug me all you want, hm? Don’t you want Shizun to be well too?” 

Xiao begrudgingly started to move after a while, pulling away hesitantly. 

“Okay..” he said, voice small. 

Ajax smiled at him, pinching his chubby cheeks, causing Xiao to pout, “What? I did tell you that I was going to pinch you if you didn’t let go, didn’t I?” 

Xiao’s pout became deeper as he crossed his arms and looked away, upset. 

Ajax burst into laughter, as he took both of the unconscious men in each arm, and slightly winced at how heavy they were. 

Even if he was strong, he didn’t know if he would be able to pick anything up without shaking for the next few days. 

Well…it was at least better than the way his legs trembled and his hips ached the next day after Morax’s…insatiable nature caught up to his poor body. 

In fact, he was sure that he would be dead if it wasn’t for the extra stamina that his abyssal and adeptal powers granted him.

And he prayed that Morax would never do this with a mortal, if he did not want to kill the poor person. 

He shook off those thoughts and began to walk, as Xiao walked besides him, on the way to see the others. 

____________________________ 

But before they did that, they were caught by a sudden voice. 

“Shidi!”  

It was Guizhong, running at both of them, her hair loosely at her sides, looking worried. 

Ajax felt a strong feeling well up in his throat, at the sight of his shijie.  

He dropped the gods on the ground, and let out a wet laugh, as he came closer to her, “Shijie! You’re okay!” 

“Of course I would be okay!! But shidi! What were you thinking putting yourself in danger like that?! You could have died!” 

She shouted at him, as she came towards him and put her head on his shoulder as she squeezed him tightly, “I thought you were dead! I was worried sick! I even passed out because I was so worried! Celestia above! When will you stop worrying me half to death, shidi?!”  

He paused, “What? You passed out, are you okay?” 

Guizhong pulled away from him as she glared at him, frowning, “Do not worry about me! You were suddenly gone into that whirlpool…and I…was helpless to stop you..” 

Her gaze softened as she frowned deeper at him, “I..thought you were gone, shidi…I was so worried.” 

….He felt himself pull her close, wrapping his arms around her as he patted her back gently, drawing soothing circles all the while, “I’m here now, don’t worry about me…” 

She nodded in his shoulder. 

A few minutes passed before she withdrew herself from his shoulder, “...So…will you explain why there are two unconscious gods tied up at either side of you, shidi?”  

He paused, “Oh yeah! I…we need to take them to the others…Morax was knocked unconscious by Osial…but he is otherwise fine…However, Osial on the other hand….I’m…I’m not so sure if he is completely cured of the miasma that was affecting his body….I managed to clear some of it, but I’m not sure if all of it has been taken care of.” 

She nodded, before she went towards Osial and hoisted him up across her shoulder…

Celestia above, his shijie had gotten strong!

Pretty soon, he was certain she was going to beat him in arm-wrestling…just like Captain Beidou had (he still wasn’t going to live that bitter defeat down). 

“Let’s go.” 

He nodded. 

____________________________

Cloud Retainer’s jaw nearly fell off when she saw the sight of her two juniors carrying unconscious gods all whilst little Xiao was right beside them. 

“Care to explain?” 

They had barged into her domain, asking for her to check the unconscious gods for injuries. 

She said, looking rather unimpressed at the sight, though in reality she felt as if 100 years of her immortal lifetime had been taken off at the ridiculous sight. 

Ajax sighed, “Ah…Da-yi…so uhh…as you can see-”

“Do not continue…one thinks that a migraine is right at one’s doorstep……hand the other two fools over and be done with it..” 

Ajax cackled as he and Guizhong did exactly that. 

Of course, before they could talk about anything else. 

They were met with another voice. 

“Shijie! Shidi!”  

They turned to see Madam Ping walking towards them, looking shocked, albeit relieved. 

“Shimei-”  

Ping wrapped her arms around her as she leaned in to kiss Guizhong. 

It was chaste, but it was still a private moment between lovers….and so…it felt awkward to stare at it. 

Out of respect, he turned around and frantically covered Xiao’s eyes, hearing as Cloud Retainer screeched behind him. 

“Have you no self-respect! You two are becoming just as bad as those other two insufferable dragons!” 

Guizhong chuckled as she withdrew from the kiss, a mischievous look in her eyes as she turned towards Cloud Retainer, “Hm…really, Shigu? Are you really one to say that, or have you forgotten about your many trysts with poor maidens? Or should I remi-” 

She was cut off by Madam Ping who covered her mouth and smiled placatingly at Cloud Retainer who looked as if she was about to peck Guizhong to death. 

“Shigu, my sincerest apologies…I do not know what came over my lady…If you would please excuse us, we will be parting now.” 

Ajax turned to see Cloud Retainer’s face bright red, nearly the color as her glasses, which were perched on top of her head at the moment, “Hmph, as you wish!”

Ajax felt himself stifling back laughter as Cloud Retainer sent a glare his way, looking as Guizhong sent him a wink before departing, holding hands with Madam Ping. 

Those two…were really something weren’t they. 

But, soon enough the light-hearted atmosphere vanished, as he was back in the present. 

He turned towards Morax’s unconscious face, on top of one of Cloud Retainer’s beds that she used for patients. 

They were not comfortable, not in the slightest. 

But, it would be enough. 

Cloud Retainer grumbled a bit, before she turned towards them, “Lord Lapis has no injuries, you may take him back to your domain. Though he has not been injured, he needs to rest his body, he has exerted much of his energy. And…one does believe that you have exerted yourself as well.” 

Ajax nodded, as he carefully picked up Morax from the bed, undoing the restraints before turning towards a concerned looking Xiao, who merely squeezed his hand. 

It would be alright. 

____________________________ 

Ajax jolted awake by a loud scream. 

He quickly made his way towards the source of the scream, any sleepiness washed away by the loud screech. 

Xiao was at his side, and yet, he was sleeping rather soundly. 

He wasn’t the source of the scream. 

So what was it? 

He felt his heartbeat quicken, as he opened the door to his spare bedroom. 

Coming face-to-face with the source of such a haunting scream. 

Morax.  

He was clawing at his arms, nails sharp as his arms bled and golden blood dripped down his skin, his breathing labored and eyes slit as he looked around the room in a panic. 

Was he…tainted by the miasma?

Ajax felt his stomach drop and his blood grow cold, as his eyes darted over to the air around Morax.

There was no miasma. 

So what the hell was the cause of such a scream? 

Ajax felt his heart clench as he approached Morax carefully. 

The old wooden floorboards caused a loud creak to echo across the room.

Morax’s eyes darted towards him, filled with tears. 

Before Ajax knew it, he was pulled into Morax’s arms. 

His grip was bruising, and Ajax was certain that if he was a mere mortal, his bones would have shattered under his grip. 

He embraced his lover, as he yelled, “Morax! Are you alright?”

Morax whined as if in pain, as he buried himself deeper into Ajax’s chest, breathing him in deeply as his grip became painful. 

“Hey! What are you-” 

Ajax paused, when he felt something wet stain his clothes. 

Morax was crying. 

Ajax stopped wriggling and let himself be held tightly as the man cried into his arms, trembling violently as he sobbed into his chest. 

And in between sobs, he let out a startling confession. 

“I thought…I lost you.” 

Ajax felt his heart ache as he felt his own eyes well up with tears, as he closed them and held Morax tighter to himself. 

“You didn’t…I’m here…” 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(22/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

__________________

Chapter 22: Passionate Confessions, Hurtful Truths and a Bitter War Pt. 2

The morning after the news of Havria’s death was announced, the atmosphere was somber, and it cruelly reminded Ajax of what occurred the day the news of A-Qiu’s death spread around their small own. 

Ever since then, Guizhong was holed up in her domain, Cloud Retainer had disappeared to train for days on end, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver had completely disappeared, Madam Ping was alongside Guizhong, and Morax was in an urgent meeting with his people. 

He had gone to the meeting early in the morning; Ajax remembers the feeling of cold lips being pressed to his forehead, as Morax whispered a promise to be back as soon as he could. 

They had stayed inside Ajax’s cozy cottage, until the public panic had settled down. 

And besides that, Ajax's cottage was more comforting than the cold cave walls of Morax's domain. 

However, even the house was comforting, they had stayed together mostly for mutual comfort for their shared despair. 

____________________________

Morax had cried after he had come back from the meeting. 

Although he wasn’t as close to Havria as some of the other adepti, Havria and him had still shared some good times together, and were good friends and allies. 

And so, the news of her death still wracked Morax with grief; it pained him terribly. 

But as always, he had managed to hold in the pain he felt at the news of her death, and had remained stoic in front of others’ eyes.

But Ajax knew the truth. 

He knew it painfully well when Morax came wobbling back to their home, clumsily holding onto his well-maintained composure, golden tears welling up in his warm eyes, threatening to spill over long eyelashes. 

He had not uttered a word, but, it was not necessary. 

Until Morax had gotten there, into the comfort of their house, their home, Ajax had been attempting comforting himself as well as he could.

Which mainly consisted of drowning his own sorrows by doing menial household chores. 

For some reason, he had not found it in himself to go out and fight. The itch to do so, had mostly faded out when the news of Havria's death hit, and for the first time in a long time, the abyssal creature had stopped stirring inside of him. 

And so, he had stayed home and was now in the kitchen, making some pirozhkis for him and Morax. 

Pirozhkis; savory and warm.

A reminder of his homeland, of the small moments, the days where his mother would silently slide a plate towards him after a particularly rough day, a comfort after a cold day. A food that he too would make for Tonia and Teucer whenever he visited them, shared with laughs and over lively conversation. 

Ajax guessed that the sight of him donning a frilly apron (one that was bought as a gag gift from Guizhong on one of their many escapades to the market), humming to himself while he made pirozhkis was enough to cause the man to fall apart.

To shatter. 

But, Ajax understood why Morax had succumbed to his emotions, after holding them in after so long.

He understood when Morax wobbled over to him, body trembling as he buried himself into Ajax's shoulder, sobbing like a small child. 

For Ajax, Zhongli had been his comfort. 

His escape from the harrowing days spent as a soldier, as a servant to his Tsaritsa’s every beck and call. 

He understood what the sight of someone waiting for you at the end of each day meant.

He understood how much such a simple thing could affect someone so much.

Everyone needed someone to patience and willing to be their pillar of support after something especially rough as a death. 

And so, the sight of someone so comforting and warm awaiting you with reassuring smiles and touches was enough to break someone in half. 

And so, Ajax did not utter a word, as he felt his lover's arms curl against his waist and shake like a leaf, nor did he say anything when he felt his shoulder become wet, and instead; he merely kissed Morax through his tears, blinking back his own tears. 

____________________________

But now, no comfort was shared. 

Morax was not here.

Ajax was alone inside of his bed cover.

Feeling awful and gut-wrenched, as if a string had been pulled loose from a well-crafted doll. 

He had unraveled. 

And he was glad he had no one to see him do so, this time. 

Xiao and the other children had been in Sky Bracer’s care, since the beautiful man had taken it upon himself to take care of the kids, after he had realized that everyone else was out of commission and not able to take care of anyone. 

He knew that Sky Bracer still felt the full blow of Havria's death, as he had been closer to Havria, but, he still knew that the children needed to be taken care of and guided, especially when all of the other adults around them were not able to do so.  

He had undoubtedly stuffed down his own grief and mourning, and put on a placating smile as the kids continued to bombard him with questions about what had transpired. 

Ajax had no doubt in his mind that he has to reward him some time soon, perhaps with a nice present or maybe a nice home-cooked meal as a thank you once this is all over. 

But today, he could not find it in himself to move out from his bed. 

The news was cathartic, and had hit him harder than he had expected it too. 

And now, he was stuck inside of his bed, cheeks puffy and eyes red-rimmed as his mind throbbed with a certain emptiness he hadn’t felt in a long time. 

But, it wasn’t because he was particularly sad that Havria had died. 

It was because of the overwhelming disappointment he felt. 

His failure. 

His shame. 

He had sworn to change things, he had sworn to make things better this time, but he was prevented from doing so. 

He had failed, and he felt so hollow.  

If he had failed to save Havria, then it would most certainly be true for everyone else he had sworn so earnestly, so foolishly to protect. 

He let out ugly sobs as he buried himself underneath his covers, and curled himself up in a pile of his own misery. 

____________________________

A while passed, and Ajax was not sure what hour it was. 

Was it night yet? 

The next morning? 

Would this nightmare come to an end already? 

No. 

Instead, he heard the gentle knocking of a familiar presence. 

But, his limbs felt too heavy and he felt tired. 

As if he had been run over by a hundred horses, twice. 

He didn’t have it in himself to get up, open the door and face someone. 

Not now. 

So he ignored it. 

But, the knocking persisted. 

He wanted to scream at it, to tell it to leave, to leave him waste away in his own fucking misery!

To fuck off! 

But all of his tumultuous emotions, suddenly came to a halt when he heard the opening of his door.

His bedroom door.

And then quiet steps, and then a soothing voice overhead, slightly muffled but ever so gentle. 

“.. Dearest…are you alright?” 

A familiar hand stroked the uncovered part of his hair, and his entire body shivered at the touch, it felt so…faint.  

And painfully warm.  

He didn’t reply. 

His lack of reply caused the figure to continue his ministrations and softly whispered, “Dearest…would you mind lifting the covers for me…I would love to look at your lovely face once again, before I’m gone.”

…What?  

What the fuck did that even mean? 

Morax never spoke that much, always grunting out replies or showing his feelings through his actions. And when he did speak, it was never through such flowery language.  

This wasn’t him. 

He lifted his covers, ready to confront whatever was attempting to pass off as his lover. He summoned his dual swords, before he jolted out of the covers, pinning the stranger behind his dual swords. 

Distressed and alarmed. 

But, his momentary panic, came to a halt. 

And his entire body froze. 

He was right, this wasn’t Morax. 

Not at all. 

But, the identity of the being surprised him more than any other stranger could. 

Because the man standing before him was none other than Zhongli.  

Zhongli!!?

Wearing his usual Funeral Parlour uniform, hair neatly tied into the usual low ponytail he wore, eyes gentle and expression soft as he gazed at Ajax with the familiar patient expression, even as dual swords were pressed up against his throat. 

What was he doing here?  

Ajax felt a wave of sadness hit him, as his emotions swirled into a twisted monsoon, and as his body shook and his mind reeled at the sight. 

The sight of his love.  

His beautiful and doting lover, Zhongli. 

He let out a long drawn out wail as he withdrew his hydro swords and flung himself at the man who stuttered back a few times, before he crashed into the wall. 

The man was evidently surprised, but Ajax didn’t care. 

His hands clung onto Zhongli with a force enough to tear the fabric of his uniform open, it didn’t. 

Zhongli huffed a soft laugh as he carefully patted Ajax’s hair, his other hand tracing small patterns onto the small of his back. 

“..My dearest treasure, what ails you so? Why are you so melancholic? What is the matter?”

Ajax wailed even harder at the sound of Zhongli's voice, or his concern. 

And he let out ugly cry after cry, uncaring of the ugly noises that ripped out from his throat, and he held Zhongli closer to him, harder, tighter. 

He didn’t have it in himself to ask how Zhongli had gotten here. 

Nor if this was simply another dream of his. 

He just needed to feel him. 

Needed to touch the man for a while longer, until he had to face the harsh reality he knew was coming for him. 

Zhongli huffed a laugh, before he pressed a gentle kiss to his head, and inhaled the smell of his lover in and pressed himself further into him, relishing the touch and press of his body against his. 

“....Dearest boy, dearest treasure, I have missed you so terribly.”  

Ajax didn’t say anything and merely continued to sob, as Zhongli did his best to soothe his distress. 

Zhongli passed his fingers through Ajax’s long hair, combing it with his fingers as he drew a strand to his mouth and kissed it, “...So much….How much time has passed,dearest?....Your hair has grown so much already…It’s so lovely, dark like blood when wet, but it dances like bright flames in the sunlight. And yet, it also glows dimly, like a stray ember of fire in the moonlight.....It is one of the many things I have missed so terribly about you, dearest boy..” 

Ajax sobbed, as he clutched onto Zhongli harder. 

It really was him. 

Who else would be ridiculous enough to wax poetry about his stupid hair at such an awful time. 

He let out a wet-laugh as Zhongli withdrew his face and cupped it, “...I apologize for sending you off without a proper warning, it was rather cruel of me to do so without a warning....I apologize, but there is no need for you to be so upset, love.....The time for us to meet again is soon approaching…do not fret…” 

Ajax sobbed into Zhongli’s hand as he placed his own over the one on his cheek and placed a kiss on the gloved hand, “..I…k-know…B-but…it’s been so hard without you here…And I…don’t know if I can save them…I…couldn’t even save…her…I.. ” 

Zhongli chuckled as he placed a kiss on his eyelid, scooping up his tears with his tongue as he hummed, “Dearest…there are some things, we have no control over…Havria…knew of her death…and decided to follow through with it. She wanted to transcend over to the plane after this existence, it was her choice.....It was not something you could have ever foreseen, do not blame yourself dear. Moreover, if Guizhong did not have absolute faith in your abilities, why would she have sent you here?” 

Ajax shook his head, in stern denial, “No! I shouldn’t…...I shouldn’t have been sent here, Zhongli…Guizhong was wrong …I…I can’t do this…I can’t…”

Zhongli places a hand on Ajax's lips, and he sighs, “..My dear, Guizhong knows things that even I do not know of...…If she sent you here,then she has faith in your abilities."

Ajax goes to shake his head, but Zhongli merely speaks up once again, "She has undying trust in you…I can feel it…And so do I.” 

Ajax feels tears prick at his eyes once more, as he blinks them back. 

“I know.....I know…It is cruel of me to request this responsibility onto your shoulders…and if I had a choice…I wouldn’t have done so…but…it is already done.…But, I will say one thing.....Please… please,” Morax leans in closer, “Please do not blame yourself for anyone’s passing.....Fate is something neither me nor you can change…please do not let yourself be swayed....even by him.”  

Ajax feels a tide of overwhelming sadness overcome him. 

His ideals were too unrealistic. 

But Ajax had always been stubborn, he wanted to save everyone, to be with everyone again. 

…But, deep down….he knew that he would not be able to save everyone.  

Havria was a perfect example of that. 

Fate did not allow him to save her life, and it wouldn’t allow him to save others. 

And that…that hurt. 

Zhongli's eyes soften and fill with a warm that threatens to drown Ajax, before he pulls him in tighter to himself, “Please, do not blame yourself for that grief-stricken dragon's actions…he…will be irrational in his thoughts the more his closest ones die, and will be unreasonable and irrational......He will succumb to his grief and become someone unbearable..…So I beg of you, please do not let yourself be pulled into a grief that is not your own…” 

Ajax feels his heart clench at those words. 

Because, somewhere in his heart, he had known that Morax would eventually lose himself in his grief. 

A part of fate he could not change. 

A well-documented and written event in many history books. 

Morax's grief and mourning had caused the conception of Liyue Harbor, after all. 

Without his grief and mourning, the earth would not have been shaken, remolded, reshaped into what it would be now. 

The past could not be changed, at least not too drastically. 

But, he had also dreaded the fact that he would have to see a Morax that was drowning in his own grief, unable to forget the faces of those he had failed to save, blaming himself entirely. 

And he also knew that eventually, his grief stricken self, and his unpredictable emotions alongside his heavenly principles would lead him to turn his back on Khaenri’ah. 

He knew this. 

And yet, he loved the man. 

He loved all of Morax. 

Zhongli stirs, and manages to stir him away from his thoughts, and he gently thumbs his eyes as his tears soak into his gloves.

He smiles gently at Ajax, “Do not worry your pretty head about such matters, dear…Guizhong will visit you to guide you…and…even if I do not visit you…I will always be here with you, to watch over you, to protect, and to love you, Ajax.” 

The notion that Zhongli will no longer visit him after this last time, causes distress to spark up inside of Ajax, but he pushes it aside and focuses on the man in front of him. 

The present is, after all, the only time that matters to those living in it. 

Zhongli smiles at him and whispers, “Now…will you care to indulge me for a bit, dear?...I would love to hold you in my arms…once more..”

Ajax blinks, registering the words and fighting back the sadness that he feels. 

Zhongli will be gone when he wakes up.  

But, even so with that harsh reality thrown at his face in this devastatingly sweet dream, he takes the lie with all he has and nods. 

Zhongli passively nods at him, before he turns to scoop him up and carries him to his bed, placing him in his lap, burying his face into his long hair, caging his arms around Ajax’s waist in a death grip, “... Ajax…..I love you..”  

Ajax offers him a wet-laugh as he relishes the body warmth, and comfort in Zhongli’s overwhelmingly peaceful presence; a presence which always served to calm him down even at his most horrid states of mind. 

However, something else seems to take care of Zhongli, Ajax could feel it in the way he shifts slightly underneath him, arms gripping tighter, almost bruisingly, as he buries his face in his neck, inhaling Ajax's skin. 

It’s not nearly as outwardly possessive as Morax. 

Far from it. 

It’s less aggressive, and instead it is reassuring, grounding. 

Ajax sighs contentedly, as he lets himself get whisked away by the charming man, “...Hm?”  

Zhongli’s grip loosens dramatically as he sighs and kisses at Ajax’s neck with the same gentility that he always showed, a far cry to the near bruising grip he had on him moments ago, “... I….…please do not forget me…...even when you are with him…hm?”  

Something in Ajax’s curls inwards, as he heeds Zhongli’s words. 

And yet, it is not guilt. 

Instead, it is subtle amusement. 

And, he can’t help but feel slightly endeared by his lover’s cute words. 

He loved Morax and he loved Zhongli. 

They were one and the same. 

And everyday he was starting to notice parts of them in each other. 

But, as much as he loved Morax, Zhongli was the only one for him. 

His love, his soulmate, his life-partner, his one and only. 

Ajax chuckled, passing his fingers through Zhongli’s hair, before loosening it from the low-ponytail he had it in. He then, scratched at his scalp, nearly laughing when the man nearly turned into putty at his ministrations. 

“.. Of course I won’t…you know that…you know…”  

Zhongli chuckled at his declaration, and then gently pushed the hair out of his way before he softly bit at the nape of his neck, causing Ajax to draw in a sharp breath, “...Mn…I know…but...it’s unfair that he had the chance to properly declare his intent to wed you to the rest of the world here,” he taps at the geo sigil on his nape, “ ..before I did…...that impatient dragon.”  

Zhongli grumbled, biting at the geo sigil on his neck which shook and vibrated in the presence of the Geo Archon. 

It seemed as if the geo sigil was similarly excited to see Zhongli. 

Ajax barked with laughter as he grinned, “...Is that so?...Well then, I guess you’ll have to lay a mark of your own when I get back…hm? ” 

Zhongli only chuckled at his words, before he dropped a sweet kiss on the back of his head, “Of course, baobei.”  

Geez. 

Ajax’s face burns bright at the nickname, and in an instant, he feels like a giggling maiden laughing when her beloved calls to her gently as they refuse to depart from each other’s embrace. 

A moment passes by, and Zhongli shifts once more, carrying Ajax’s body with a practiced ease that does not go unnoticed by Ajax, “Hm......Something tells me that this is not the first time you are carrying men into your bed Zhongli?...Have you had lovers neither Liyuen historians nor I am aware of, you saucy minx?” 

His words are meant to tease Zhongli, and are meant to be light-hearted in every way possible. 

But, it causes the man to pause as his face turns oddly serious, “No. You have been the only one who has ever caught my attention, I would never carry others like this into my chambers.” 

He sounded utterly outraged at the notion, upset.  

The sound makes Ajax feel strangely reassured, even though it's a silly thought. 

Because it matters not to Ajax how many lovers or how many other people had embraced Zhongli because for now and forever, Zhongli was his lover. 

But, he continued to tease his boyfriend and grinned widely, the spitting image of a tempting huli jing, “Mhmm…sounds like denial to me.…There's no need to be ashamed, it’s alright with me if you have….With the way in which you are carrying me, it looks as if you have…And I do not blame you of course, the mighty Morax surely has had many trysts with beautiful men and women alike, I’m sure..”

Zhongli’s frown became deeper, “..Never…they never held none of my interest, not then, not now. You were the only one who has ever held my keen interest, my love, then and now.” 

Ajax felt even more pleased and laughed as he was tucked in carefully into the freakishly plush and soft covers, “... Charlatan! I’m sure you’ve told all of the eager maidens that line before..” 

At this point, Ajax is sure that Zhongli can tell he is merely joking from the way his dissatisfied expression gives way to an exasperated smile. 

He sighs, and makes his way into the covers himself, pulling out a book from Celestia knows where, “...What will I ever do with you, dearest?”  

Ajax grins wide, as he cuddles into Zhongli’s frame, “Hmm.....Stroke my hair?” 

Zhongli’s eyes seemingly sparkle at his lover’s cheekiness and he complies and strokes his hair before he gently massages his body, making Ajax relaxed and sleepy. 

Zhongli chuckles when he notices Ajax attempting to fight the sleepiness that has taken over his body, hugging Ajax and holding him close to his chest. 

“Rest now, dearest….rest for now…”  

And he does. 

Inside of the warmth of Zhongli’s arms; in his beautiful dream. 

____________________________

When he wakes up, as expected, although rather disappointedly, Zhongli is nowhere to be seen. 

Only the faint smell of silk flowers and sandalwood incense are a gentle reminder of his presence here, or perhaps Ajax was imagining it. 

Even so, he feels particularly rejuvenated, filled with energy and with a clear mind. 

He had people that believed in him, and were relying on him to do this. 

Setbacks were expected, setbacks were welcome, they were needed in order to advance. 

He grinned as he slowly stretched and made his way out of the door. 

Things would surely get better, he was sure of it! 

____________________________

Things did not get better. 

In fact, they only got worse. 

In less than 4 months, things were heading for the worse . 

Tensions were high between everyone in the alliance, as everyone suspected each other of being on the brink of madness as Havria’s wife was. 

They started to develop an aura of distrust towards each other, and no longer wanted anything to do with one another. Whilst others wanted to stick together and form a close pact, as they waited out the war from the comfort of their separate parts of the world. 

And if that wasn’t bad enough, the villagers were similarly getting nervous as the once bustling town was dead, as if it had been abandoned.

The streets were no longer aligned with enthusiastic vendors who attempted to scream out their affordable prices and how better their product was to an awaiting crowd.

Instead, they were deathly quiet, and that showed up even more as the snow started to fall and slowly melt as the weather started to clear up a bit. 

And if that wasn’t the worst part about it, even if they had started to attend dinners and breakfast once again, the lively conversations and jokes were gone and replaced with dull conversations which always related to what they would do in case the war were to rage against them. 

The children had started to grow older (but perhaps they had always looked like that, it was just the lack of proper nutrition that prevented them from properly developing). And they seemed to be older than they used to look like, and Ganyu was now taller than Xiao…ah…

That sentiment greatly displeased Xiao, but even if he grouched about it, he never admitted it in front of A-Yu…preferring to merely compare himself to the taller girl when he thought no one was looking. 

As expected, Morax had begun to properly train Xiao, after Ajax suggested that he would be the best at teaching him since Morax’s weapon of choice was a polearm after all. 

Xiao was rather embarrassed at the prospect of being taught by his idol, and dutifully listened to every single order and command from Morax….it seemed that after all this time, Xiao was still destined to be Morax’s #1 most filial son-uhh…disciple. 

And he was quite the jealous disciple…frowning whenever another one of the disciple’s got near Morax or got to train alongside him. 

And…his strange jealousy seemed to waft into his and Ajax’s relationship as he nearly growled at the sight of Ajax bonding with anyone that wasn’t him….

The only reason Ajax didn’t outwardly reprimand him (though he did have stern talks about why it wasn’t acceptable to growl at family) was because his behavior was merely a cause from the years of neglect he had endured. 

The kid most likely felt the most secure with the both of them, and even if he didn’t think of them as parents, a part of his subconscious certainly did, and wanted all of their attention to himself. 

Which was justifiable. 

But even so, Ajax sighed whenever he saw Xiao act subtly passive-aggressive towards an oblivious Ganyu after Ajax had started to show her how to wield a bow (even if he sucked at using one himself). 

Lessons which she eagerly took in stride, and even similarly punched an arrow until it pierced right through its target…which caused Cloud Retainer’s jaw to nearly detach from her face…

Needless to say, after a swift reprimand, Ajax promised that he would not teach her such unorthodox methods…even if Ganyu seemed rather eager to throw her arrows in that matter, as it was much easier to do than constantly reloading and drawing your bow string. 

Ajax agreed of course, but perhaps it was just because he was always so impatient when it came to using a bow, preferring faster weapons. 

Morax had also started to supervise the two of them, after Cloud Retainer nearly threw a fit, but Ajax always managed to teach Ganyu the wrong methods…which hey, they were certainly much faster. 

And well, sweet little A-Yu would always listen to her gege, and eagerly comply, even after he explained to her how to properly gouge people’s eyes out of their sockets…for interrogation purposes.

…You can’t really blame him. 

In the fatui army, they taught you such dirty tricks, in order to gain the upper hand in any battle in case you lost your weapon. 

It, of course, caused more migraines for Cloud Retainer, but certainly amused Morax. 

But of course, his extra attention directed towards Ganyu, caused a certain green yaksha to visibly shake with jealousy. 

…It seemed like he took after Morax in more ways than one…

Celestia above, what would Ajax do with these two possessive idiots!

He was incredibly fond of them both.

In fact, he was fond enough of them, that he had even allowed Xiao to sleep in the same bed as him, even though he was stable enough (as his night terrors had been decreasing over the months, and had gotten to the point where he could sleep longer without them) to sleep on his own. 

He even had his own room for Celestia’s sake! 

But, the stubborn boy somehow, preferred to use the room as storage for his clothes, hairpins, and other miscellaneous items (that were most likely gifts from Ajax or Guizhong). 

He still preferred to stick to Ajax, like a baby-bird refusing to leave its mother’s nest. 

And it was hard to refuse the poor boy, mostly due to the terrible childhood he endured and because of his stupidly squishable baby-cheeks! 

Xiao would merely endure the relentless pinches from Ajax and huff, puffing out his cheeks, before he would march off to train with Bosacius. Ajax knew that he enjoyed the attention, even if he pretended that he didn’t. 

But it seemed as if those two had grown close to each other, most likely due to the immense dedication they had to train, and even more so because of the war which threatened their lives…

And whilst the rest were similarly dedicated in their respective training, they took far more breaks than those two…and Ajax couldn’t find out if it was a bad or good thing. 

Who knows? 

But at least his sanity was still a constant…for now…at least. 

Morax was as doting as ever, refusing to leave his side, like the clingy lizard he had made himself to be. And because of his clinginess, and Ajax’s refusal to bear with his embarrassment and sit on his lap during a 2 hour meeting with his people and the alliance, which greatly displeased the ridiculously possessive dragon. 

Who was so ridiculous that even in times of literal war, still wanted to cling and dote on Ajax, even in front of possibly disloyal allies. 

And so, in order not to deal with the constant stares from the other gods in the allyship, he decided to do something about the dragon. 

He struck up a deal with Morax, a contract. 

He would have to attend his meeting whilst Ajax was in a different seat, but he would get to sleep alongside him and be as clingy as he wanted to be the rest of the day.

Morax had accepted the deal, with a slight frown on his face as he sealed the contract with a shake of his hand. 

And now…he had both a clingy baby-bird and a clingy dragon at his sides during the night, in that small bed of his, as he was squished in the middle of them. 

And that would not be entirely unpleasant, as the weather was still relatively cold, and so the extra body heat was very much welcome. 

However, the two of them clung to him the entire night: Xiao clung to his arm and Morax clung to his waist. 

So bothersome! 

He looked towards Xiao who was now sitting at the edge of the bed, quietly sharpening his spear with a stone. 

Morax had gifted Xiao his very own spear, crafted out of pure jade and infused with adeptal energy, before he left it up to the kid to decorate it how he pleased. 

Xiao had accepted the gift with near tears in his eyes as he reverently took care of it as if it was a precious item and not a weapon… 

The kid and the rest of his small disciples had each developed a sense of style, with Xiao preferring for more aerodynamic clothes with a color palette that always consisted of green, red, white, black, and very often dark purple. 

The colors had fascinated Xiao ever since he saw them Guizhong’s many qixiong ruquns, and when his eyes widened as he stared at the color with transfixed awe…Ajax knew he was going to have to collect far more materials to make the color. And the kid even started to wear particular charms made by Cloud Retainer, to protect the kid from harmful spirits. And the kid somehow despised outercoats, preferring to merely wear shuhe’s over zhiju’s any day. 

Whilst Menogias had started to dress far too much like Zhongli…with a taste for browns and golds as he wore many layers and even designed and tailored his own outfits together…And well…Ajax vaguely wondered if perhaps Morax had asked Menogias to make him something himself…as the stitching and the patterns were far too much like Zhongli’s usual outfit to not stare at them. 

However, unlike Zhongli, Menogias seemed to wear far fewer layers, and bolder cuts and design choices than Zhongli would ever be comfortable with. He was now about 16-ish, tall, and very particular with the way he liked things done. 

Bosacius dressed far too inappropriate for the era, with his entire top half being out, with very striking tattoos that aligned his arms (Xiao wanted to get one, but Ajax had forbidden him until he was about Bosacius’s age…and Xiao had merely frowned before agreeing to it). He always wore pants, colors always either purple or black, but he would refuse to wear a shirt. 

However, even if Menogias and Cloud Retainer attempted to get him inside of a shirt…he always threw a fit and disagreed with their choice, proclaiming that he would move better without clothes and that it wouldn’t fit all of his arms. 

Cloud Retainer would always huff and roughly peck at his head before she would throw him the clothes and ordered him to get dressed for the meeting they were having later…Bosacius would always start to complain but after a sharp glare from Cloud Retainer, he would shut up and steadily agree, grumbling and slipping on the shirt. 

Meanwhile, Menogias always had to argue with him and nearly wrestle him to get him to agree to wear it. 

Indarias was quite the bold one with her fashion, however, that wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, she reminded Ajax a lot of Xinyan with the bold red eyeliner, predominantly red and yellow clothes and unconventional patterns and stylized hanfu. And her fiery and yet sweet personality was what struck Ajax the most similar to the rock and roll musician. She would always be keen to train alongside the others and was quite gifted but…was also quite the slacker…

Ajax knew for a fact that people would surely take after her stylized versions of the many qiyao ruquns she was made to wear for formal events. 

Bonanus was a different story, as she preferred the colors Ajax often saw Madam Ping wear. 

She had taken a liking to Madam Ping’s choice of colors ever since she found out that Madam Ping was a creature belonging to the sea as well, and Ajax guessed she found a sense of camaraderie and familiarity to her. 

However, unlike Madam Ping, she mainly wore shades of blues but would on occasion add a pop of green into her outfits. 

But, other than her deceptively sweet appearance, there was something else besides that. 

….Bonanus was quite the accomplished troublemaker, always tricking the others (predominantly Bosacius since he was always slightly clueless when it came to people playing tricks on him). And Indarias would often be her accomplice, although sometimes, they would manage to drag Bosacius into it. 

They were harmless pranks, but it did not mean that they did not annoy a certain temperamental yaksha. 

Ajax still remembers that mean prank they played on his poor, poor de-facto son. 

____________________________

Xiao had been asleep against a wide tree (...he had been doing such ever since he saw Morax do it..) to rest his tired body after a long day of training. 

Ajax remembers passing by him, stopping to stare at the boy in awe.

He had started to grown older in features and knowledge, and was growing day-by-day. 

The entire reason Ajax had even encountered him, was all because of one reason.

He went out to fetch Morax out in the training fields, in order to get him to wash the clothes that he had gotten dirty. 

Morax had soiled the precious clothes with iron-rich blood, after slashing the many throats and stomachs of the hordes of rift wolves that were arising by the days. He had warned Morax to not get those particular sets of zhiju dirty, since those were the ones Guizhong had commissioned specifically for formal events…but the stubborn dragon had paid him no mind and gotten them dirty anyways. 

And so, Ajax was not going to wash them: One, because blood was hard to get out of clothes (since he himself has had to wash the many clothes that he had stained with blood after his many bloodthirsty urges had gotten the best of him). And Two, because he did not have it in him to deal with another load of clothes, unless he wanted to have his hands uncomfortable and rubbed raw for the rest of the day. 

So he was there to fetch the man, since he knew that their lessons typically ended around noon. 

But of course, he was stopped by the sight of his de facto son lazing around and completely relaxed against the tree, hands on his sides as he dozed off. 

However, in his state of endearment, he failed to hear the muffled laughter of many. But as they drew closer, he could see the vibrantly colored hair and clothes of his many disciples making their way into his line of vision. 

There were three of them, Bonanus, Indarias, and Bosacius. 

Menogias had most likely gone to go over the many blocks and attacks he had learned from Morax, always such the overachiever that one was….it was no surprise he was the most praised and favored disciple amongst Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper. 

He was their dream disciple: he didn’t show up late, he used formal language, followed instructions, obeyed orders, went above and beyond to ensure he did a certain move correctly, and even helped them with their errands. 

But, Ajax couldn’t blame them, he truly was such a well-disciplined young man. Even Ajax knows that he would be delighted to train him, and perhaps he would…if he ever got the chance to. 

Bonanus had a shit-eating grin on her face, as she held up a small calligraphy brush (most likely from Cloud Retainer…as she patiently taught the unruly girl how to properly write and read), before she waved at Indarias.  

Indarias seemed to understand what she wanted to do and silently walked over with a small cartridge of what appeared to be ink…ah… 

Ajax saw where this was going, and was going to stop them when he saw the joy on their faces…

He sighed and watched them carry on. 

Bonanus conjured up a small droplet of water, and plopped it into the small cartridge of ink, and slowly swirled the brush into the ink, watching as the pale brown brush turned pitch black, full with ink. 

She giggled before she carefully brought it down on Xiao’s face, painting small cat whiskers on his face. 

Surprisingly, Xiao did not move. 

Ajax guessed that the boy did not wake up because he was so tired and spent that his normally alert state seemed to relax somewhat. 

Bosacius similarly started to muffle his laughs, as he exchanged mischievous smiles with Bonanus as he took the brush and started to paint absurd patterns on Xiao’s face…that were mostly just strangely drawn on shapes all over his face. 

Indarias nearly burst into laughter at the state of Xiao’s face, but muffled it as she hunched over and bit her sleeve to prevent her laughter from escaping the confines of her throat. 

She too took the brush, and with eaze, drew a silly mustache on Xiao before drawing slight swirls on his cheeks…

Ajax chuckled at the sight, and was reminded of the many antics of his younger siblings. 

He remembers waking up one day, after falling asleep on the couch and waking up to many silly drawings all over his face…which were hard to scrub off. 

He wasn’t mad at them, he could never be mad at his baby siblings, but he was mildly annoyed at how hard they were to scrub off. 

So, he knew that Xiao would be…livid when he woke up and realized the absurd drawings all over his face…but just like Ajax, he would not stay mad at them and merely huff and scrub off the drawings. 

But, Xiao was not someone anybody wanted to be around when he got mad. 

The boy was already notorious for his temper, even after a mere months of being with The Adepti. Even the people of Qingce Village knew how relentless and fierce he could be when he got ticked off. 

Nobody wanted to be around that angsty ball of fury, especially not after he had made his temper known (after the other children had poked him too much). 

Ajax sighed and marched off, hoping that he did not have to act as a meat-shield whilst Xiao chased a giggling Bonanus…yet again. 

______________________________

He did.  

And Ajax remembers having to deal with the unruly children, as Bonanus and Indarias ran away from a raging Xiao, who had woken up to Bosacius painting silly pictures of flowers on his cheeks…

Bosacius had definitely gotten the bad-end of the stick. 

And he was buried underneath the ground, only his head sticking out from the large hole Xiao had dug and promptly swung him into before caging him in with seals used for demons. 

Ajax had them laying around…ever since there were reports of dream demons around town, Cloud Retainer had made them specifically in case there was ever an infestation of them again. 

Ajax knew it was just to be safe. 

But either way, he saw it in poor taste to leave them in the children’s line of sight. 

And so, he had gathered them, and looked around to find a well-hidden spot to guard them in, since Cloud Retainer nearly threw a fit when she heard he was considering destroying them. 

And so, in order to appease her, he had thought it best to keep them well protected into a small wooden box all the way in the bottom of his closet. 

But….it seemed as if he had miscalculated with the spot he had chosen to hide them in. 

Because Xiao found them almost immediately (damned brat!), and had gotten his powers momentarily sealed with the small yellow seal…which had caused Ajax to sigh as he called Morax to help him get it off. 

Morax was (thankfully), good at seal-making and breaking in general, as according to him, he had been taught how to do so from Cloud Retainer who (in the early days) had insisted that a righteous and well-rounded ruler should learn how to make seals, learn calligraphy, learn how to play a variety of instruments, amongst a lot of things that nearly made it sound as if Morax was a sheltered prince…instead of a tall, burly, muscular, and unruly adeptus…who had a predilection for violence in the past. 

The man had complained at first…as he was in the middle of lounging around Ajax’s expensive furnished couch which his beloved shijie had brought him as a birthday gift (after she had heard that she had missed his birthday…and since they had broken the couch in half after Morax was particularly rough…ahem..). 

But Ajax did not hear any of it, and dragged the man out of the couch to help their reckless son. 

Which he did, although with a sleepy grouchy expression, looking almost identical to Xiao.

Like father, like son…

______________________________

Guizhong started to look livelier these past few days, wearing a small smile on her face, dressed head-to-toe in white. 

In fact, Guizhong had not stopped wearing white, even after Havria’s funeral proceedings took place.

Ajax still remembers the sight of all of his loved ones, dressed in pure white attire, as they lowered Havria’s body into a casket. 

Havria herself was dressed in her favorite clothes, with her most expensive jewelry on befit of a goddess, as flowers surrounded her casket, making a rather bittersweet sight. 

The smell of burnt paper and incense filled Ajax’s nose, as Havria’s followers and her loved-ones burned joss paper and lit incense in her memory. 

The sound of her followers bowing down to her and mourning her loss, as something Ajax thinks he might never forget in his entire life. 

A sound so harrowing that it left Ajax feeling hollow afterwards. 

He had not known Havria as long as the rest of The Adepti had, and yet, her cryptic words still left a mark on him. But, even then, he could tell that she was someone who was most likely aware of her own fate. 

As she had a sort of omniscient aura about her, otherworldly and strange. 

Ajax remembers comforting his crying shijie, as she mourned the loss of her close friend, hunched over on the floor, bowing to her. 

It always scared Ajax to see Guizhong grieving, because unlike everyone else. 

She grieved with her whole heart. 

The other members of the adepti and the children just stood awkwardly before the sight of much mourning, and some even allowed themselves to be swayed alongside everyone’s emotion and cried. 

Afterwards, some of the adepti had refused to stop wearing white, at least not until they could have some sort of closure with their loss. 

Those were: Guizhong, Cloud Retainer, Madam Ping, and Sky Bracer. 

They were the ones who were the closest to Havria. 

So it was no wonder that they would continue to wear white even after the funeral. 

And Ajax swore they looked like ghostly apparitions every time he saw them up ahead, it was chilling. 

But, the good thing was that Guizhong had started to come out to eat more often, and had even gone on night walks towards Havria’s grave to sit alongside her and share a cup of Pu’er tea, her favorite. 

They had buried Havria next to her lover, with countless haitang blossoms planted around them, the flower that was associated with Havria when she was alive. 

They all were slowly coping with her loss and attempting to return to the way they used to.

But it would surely take time before that was a possibility. 

______________________________

Ajax’s birthday was celebrated a day after Guizhong had first emerged from her reclusive state. 

If it was up to Ajax, he wouldn’t have bothered to tell them of his missed birthday, as he didn’t think it was all that important. 

But, of course, he had to let it slip that his birthday had already passed. 

It was just a slip of his tongue. 

But, that was enough for the word to pass by the children, which eventually landed its way to Guizhong’s ears. 

It had happened during one of their many days spent training. 

Normally, it would have been Cloud Retainer and Sky Bracer who helped train the kids, but…the sightings of rift wolves was becoming worse, so they kept watch and dealt with that, whilst Morax and Ajax trained with the kids. 

The oldest of the kids were technically considered to be teenagers now, but it was all the same difference to Ajax, who still considered them to be kids in his eyes. 

And so, Morax and him had made their way over to the training grounds, Xiao following beside them, already the height of Ajax’s hip. 

He was growing so fast! 

Of course, Xiao had struck up a friendship with the other kids, and so he looked like he was far more eager to train alongside them than when he first arrived. 

Little A-Yu was also training alongside them, and was already there when they arrived. 

She looked to be about the age that Xiao was when he had first arrived, and was now able to talk more and more. And although Ganyu was taller than Xiao (since she had a very unexpected growth spurt), he still felt a need to protect the girl and get her away from harm. 

Even though Ajax and Xiao knew that Ganyu would eventually be able to protect herself, as the way she was advancing with her bow was promising, she was still far too young to be able to protect herself for now. 

And so, he felt proud of the boy and constantly gushed about it to Morax, who merely hummed and combed through Ajax’s hair with one of his ornate wooden combs. 

As they arrived at the training grounds, Ajax was proud to see the kids already there, dressed in shuhe and looking eager to train. 

Morax stepped forward and when they saw him, they immediately tensed and straightened their posture, “Grab your weapons.” 

The children immediately went to grab their weapons, getting into stance as they stood near their separate training dummies. 

Morax hummed, nodding, “Begin.” 

At once, they began to practice their attacks and blocks. 

Ajax grinned as Xiao hastily went over to Ganyu, when he saw her trip on a small rock. 

He smiled, as he went over to Indarias who was wielding her stone broadsword, pummeling a dozen targets with swift motions. 

The way she wielded it, reminded Ajax of a certain boisterous Captain, whom he held very dear and near to his heart. 

In fact, he even gave Indarias some pointers, from his own experience using a broadsword and from what he had seen from Beidou. 

When he saw Ajax approaching, she stopped, breathing heavily and settling her weapon down to her side, resting on its hilt. 

“ Ge! What are you doing here? I thought you were with Shigu at the frontlines.” 

She asked, slightly tired and yet curious. 

He paused, “Ah…well...I have come to give you kids pointers, the same as usual, mei-mei. ” 

“Oh, then can you teach me how to block attacks?...You mentioned a counter-attack I could use, if I harnessed my pyro energy…but I’m having some trouble with locating it so that it absorbs attacks…And I can’t even form a shield to save my life!” 

He grinned, his smile becoming all fox-like as he teased his junior, “Hm I see..…but are you really ready to learn?”

She pouted at him and groaned, “Of course I am, ge! I have been training on and off for days, I’m positive I’m ready to learn!” 

He raised his eyebrow, “...Are you really really sure?” 

Her pout became deeper as she nodded eagerly, “Yes! I am, I swear, ge! I can do it, just teach me! Please!~” 

He burst into laughter at the sight of her face, reminding him of the times Tonia would get mad at him for withholding the ending to a story, “...Alright! Alright! I’ll teach you.” 

Her pout immediately became wide as it nearly blinded him with the intensity of it, and he could swear he could see sparkles and stars in her eyes. 

She pumped her fists into the air, as she yelled, “Fuck yeah!! Let’s go!” 

Ajax paused at her words, as she came to the realization and covered her mouth in a panic, “I’m sorry, Shigu- I mean ge!! Please don’t peck me!” 

The poor girl had probably been used to Cloud Retainer’s strict rules and her horrid pecks to her head after slipping up. 

He laughed as he passed a hand through her hair, “Silly girl, I won’t peck you, I don’t even have a beak! Now, come on then, let’s go and teach you that shield and counter-attack.” 

Her excitement nearly buzzed out of her skin as she grinned and followed Ajax. 

______________________________

After they came across a nearby lake, he stopped and turned around, “Alright, so, I’ll teach you how to conjure up a shield…Now, draw out your energy and hold it to your chest, like this.” 

Ajax called out to his hydro vision and carefully conjured water near his chest, swirling it so much that it formed a strange white light. 

Indarias nodded as she followed him and similarly conjured up her fire near her chest, as she swirled it around, “I can do this, but I always mess up at the next part.” 

Ajax nods, “I understand, but just try to follow me, and then I’ll see if you are doing something wrong.” 

He carefully spreads the energy that he conjured up and in the blink of an eye, it has formed a shield around him that sparkles lightly like a soft sheen. 

Indarias sighs, “Okay, ge. But I don’t think this will work,” she similarly concentrates and closes her eyes, softly spreading the energy that is in her arms, spreading it until it forms a wonky shield around her. 

Ajax feels proud and is about to praise her, when the energy suddenly snuffs out. 

She opens her eyes and huffs, “See! I can’t do it!” 

He sighs, and goes over to her, “No, no. I saw what you did wrong. You’re scared to put too much force behind your energy, so you lessened it so that it caused the shield to not withstand for a long period of time. Just try to put more energy into it, if anything goes wrong I can always snuff it out with my hydro.” 

Indarias looks frustrated, but she nods and closes her eyes again. 

This time, she makes a bigger circle and spreads it out more quickly. Just like Ajax suspected, it spreads over her and is much spherical than it was, and it lasts a few more seconds than last time. 

Indarias opens her eyes and sees the shield that she has formed around herself, before it softly disperses, and she frowns, “...Why isn’t it staying?” 

Ajax chuckles, patting her shoulder softly, “Hey, don’t sweat it kid. It took me a long time for me to be able to counter-attack, much less form a shield….Let’s switch over to the counter-attack for now, okay?” 

She nods, and conjures up her energy. 

He aims his hydro vision towards her and sends it out in a quick flash, she easily catches it and sends it out, blowing a tree in half from the impact. 

She opens her eyes and sees the damage done and she jumps in joy, pumping her fists in the air, “Fuck yeah!! I finally did it!” 

Ajax grins wide, before he goes over and pats her head, “Good job, mei-mei!”  

She grins up at him, before engulfing him in a tight hug that reminds Ajax of the way Guizhong hugs people, “Thank you, ge!”  

He chuckles and rolls his eyes, “Yeah, yeah. It was no problem, silly girl…Now, don’t think just because you’ve done this that you are done with your training, you still have to master your shields. So, get to it!” 

She groans into his chest before she pulls away and nods, “Fine..” 

______________________________

After a while of training, they went back to the others, after Indarias’ shield lasted about a minute or so. 

Everyone was still training, as Morax was sternly guiding the kids on their attacks and correcting their stances and postures. 

Ajax felt endeared all over again, as Morax gently corrected their grips on their weapons and praised them in his own unique way. 

The others did not notice them coming back, likely focused on their own training, as he turned around to see his tired mei-mei.  

She looked half-way to death with how tired she looked, and so, Ajax decided to spare her some pity. 

He picked up her weapon and placed it beside a nearby log, “Come on, let’s rest for a while. You’ve earned it.” 

Indarias’ eyes glittered with thanks, nearly bursting into tears, “...Can you always train with us, ge?”  

Ajax felt amused at this, and could already feel the prickling jealousy wading off of Cloud Retainer’s feathers at this earnest declaration. 

“No, I am here temporarily. Your Shigu will be back in a few days or so, I am just filling in her position for now…And besides, you shouldn’t say that…you don’t want to be pecked to death..” 

She sighed, “Aww….okay..” 

He chuckled before he sat down on the grass, patting the area next to him to get Indarias to sit next to him. 

The girl instantly plopped down onto the spot next to him and let out a sigh, resting her chin on her palm.

After a while the girl spoke up, “... Shijie has mentioned something about a ‘birthday’....Apparently the mortals celebrate the day people were first born, and make it a celebration of sorts…..But I can’t even remember the day I was born…I just remember waking up..” 

Ajax sighed, patting her head. 

He hadn’t realized that for many adepti, they did not have someone to mark down their birthday for them, and since they aged so rapidly, they had no use to celebrate a birthday, “Well.....I..do not know if it has been mentioned to you, but I…I used to be a human..” 

Indarias whips her head so fast to look at him that he thinks it might fall off, “Really?! Ge was once a human? Then how did ge become an adeptus?” 

“Ah…that’s…” 

Complicated. 

He cleared his throat, “...Someone dear to me turned me into one…but before that…I used to be a human being…” 

Indarias nods, “That’s so cool! Then, does that mean you also have a ‘birthday’?” 

“Yes, I do…But I…haven’t celebrated it…in a long time…” 

Indarias’ expression falls and she frowns, her eyebrows knitting, “Why?”

Ajax sighs, staring ahead to see his juniors working hard to train, as Morax stood by to give them pointers, as a soft breeze passed by him, blowing his hair slightly, “...I do not think it’s a big deal…I…We are nearly at war with…many…And so, it I found it to be slightly inconvenient to celebrate such a thing when we are coming up on a war….”

Indarias pouts as she pats his arm in an attempt to be reassuring, “..That still must hurt to know nobody celebrated such an important thing…” 

Ajax feels a pang of endearment at his junior’s earnest sympathy, and laughs, before running his fingers through his hair, feeling the slightly rough texture, “No need to feel so bad for me, silly girl…It’s simply something that I will celebrate… later on…Feel bad for things that matter, and worry about your training for now…” 

Indarias’ pout becomes deeper, which causes Ajax to continue to pet her hair, “...Cheer up, silly mei-mei… And enjoy your break before your Shigu comes to reprimand you.” 

The mention of Cloud Retainer causes the pout to turn into a scowl as she closes her eyes and relishes the much-needed break. 

Ajax chuckles and enjoys the sight of his lover up ahead, patiently teaching the yaksha. 

______________________________

Guizhong had approached him shortly afterwards, a large frown on her face. 

It was when he was outside of his house, taking care of a recently planted garden he had set up for himself. 

He needed something to do in order to not go mad, so he had planted a variety of plants outside near the side of his house, and was watering them with the old watering can he had laying around. 

The sight of such an awful expression was enough to cause concern in Ajax, as he wondered what may have caused his shijie to be in such a foul mood. 

Of course, he was relieved that she was finally out and about, but the frown on her face was enough to erase any relief he might have felt. 

She was dressed in a fully white qixiong-ruqun with a matching coat overtop it all, with a simple white ribbon to tie her hair back into a high ponytail. 

She almost looked like one of those infamous cultivators who cultivated for hundreds of years on top of mountains from those legends that Ajax had heard about in the many textbooks and stories from Liyue. 

“Shijie? What’s wrong?” He stood up and placed his watering can on the side. 

Guizhong’s frown turned into a scarily neutral expression, before she sighed and hit his arm, exasperated, “....Shidi! Why didn’t you tell me that we missed your birthday!” 

“I…uhh…didn’t think it was important enough to mention…nor celebrate.” 

She huffed, crossing her arms, indignant, “Of course it is important shidi. It’s the day you were born, the day you were brought into this world with a purpose. Of course it would be important!” 

The passion behind her words were almost enough to make him feel bad for not telling her so he merely shrugged, “I…We are approaching a war, shijie…It’s not important to celebrate such minute things…” 

She didn’t relent and merely surged forward and embraced him in a bear-hug, “Well, you’re wrong!…And I even set up a celebratory dinner for you! A-Ping even made your favorite!….So, there’s no way you can’t come!!” 

She pouted and caused a laugh to erupt from Ajax’s throat. 

He really was weak against her after all. 

He sighed into her shoulder and was immediately hit with the scent of glaze lilies, “..Thank you shijie.. .” 

She hummed, “Mn…now let’s go! We are almost late!” 

And then, he was dragged from his garden, covered in dirt as he was escorted up the mountain and to the table, where Madam Ping was waiting for him, with a bowl of Calla Lily Fish Soup. 

It was piping hot and it was delicious as ever. 

The others were similarly present, and although times were dull, they tried their best to make it as lively as they could. 

They shared laughs, wine, and riveting conversation as the night carried on. 

And that’s why his house was filled with many last-minute gifts, which consisted of the aforementioned couch Guizhong had gotten him. 

He also received  a book of medicinal herbs from Cloud Retainer who urged him to start making his own ointment….if all he was going to use her’s for was….ahem…‘shameless reasons’ and not medical ones. 

He got a warm coat from Madam Ping, which was rather useful, especially because of the especially chilly mornings and nights this time of year. 

A calligraphy set from Mountain Shaper, as he urged Ajax to take up another more useful skill, and a sharp stone from Moon Carver to sharpen his weapons. 

A shiny set of earrings from Sky Bracer, which were made of fiery rubies and dipped in silver, they dangled and even had small red tassels attached to them. They were certainly some of the most beautiful earrings he had seen in a long time, and he would make sure to cherish them. 

And many assortment of bracelets and flower crowns made of tiny flowers from the children. 

Xiao had even gifted him wrist guards, especially bought from downtown…which were originally bought to be a ‘thank you’ gift to Ajax weeks before…but were hastily shoved into the bottom of his closet until Xiao could find the right occasion to do it. 

They were a simple black and red, which complimented many of his shuhes.  

He had thanked Xiao with a tight hug, which caused protest to the shy kid, but Ajax didn’t take it to heart. 

He knew Xiao cared about him, and that was enough for him, even if he profusely denied it sometimes. 

And afterwards, at night, inside Morax's domain, he was gifted with many kisses, praise, and tender whispers from Morax as the man endlessly pleasured Ajax, leaving behind scratches and marks in his wake. 

They would surely leave his body sore and throbbing the next morning, but Ajax didn’t mind. 

It was all in all, a good day. 

The right step in healing. 

______________________________

Tensions were getting higher and higher as the days passed, and things were looking to be worse than ever. 

More and more gods were becoming corrupt, driven mad from the same miasma. 

They killed their people, and were driven by a madness that urged them to kill anyone they came into contact with. 

And it made everyone of the gods The Adepti had a mutual agreement start to retrieve their statements and annul their side of the contract. 

The contract that allowed for peace in their respective growing nations. 

Because now, if any of them went mad, the other was allowed to kill them at any moment’s notice. 

Guizhong still wore white, but she looked even more stressed out nowadays, as she was desperately attempting to keep people on their side, but was helpless as they each pulled out of their mutual agreement. 

Morax’s past tendency for violence did not help persuade the lesser powerful gods, who all cowered in fear for the potential destruction Morax could do, if he was ever corrupted himself. 

Of course, Ajax knew that Morax had never been taken by the madness that took others’ lives, but…he was not so sure now. 

Havria had died early. 

And the war was coming upon them faster than he had anticipated. 

All because of him, an outlier in their reality, had come in and changed everything, and had altered the way things had been for years. 

So, at this point…anything could happen. And probably would.

And well…that wasn’t exactly the best for Ajax’s stress levels. 

As now, he had to juggle his own relationships as well as the constant pressure that he exerted on himself to: retrieve the gnosis, save Zhongli, save the Adepti, and ensure that Liyue would prosper the way it was destined to. 

It was a lot of pressure for one person. 

Ajax had his doubts that he would be able to accomplish such a thing, but given as he was entrusted by Guizhong herself…perhaps she knew better than him. 

So, it was up to him to rely on himself…he supposed. 

And so, to pass the time and lay off steam from the constant migraine-inducing levels of stress he felt, he went out alongside Cloud Retainer to deal with the rift wolf infestation. 

Riftwolves had always been such an unpleasant sight for little Ajax back in the Abyss. 

He always attempted to stay clear from their path when he was alongside his master Skirk, as at that point he had been too weak to take them on himself. 

However, as he grew stronger, and as Skirk rebuilt his entire physiological structure through a painful process…he could take them on rather easily. 

They were more pests than anything at that point, so Ajax was always displeased to catch the sight of one. 

The only good thing about rift wolves was the fact that they were large vessels of abyssal energy, which greatly pleased the monstrous side of himself. 

It was always such a relief to eat such a delicious meal after a long day’s work. 

And more so when he had them available nearly 24/7 now. 

In fact, he was glad that the rips in Teyvat were mostly rift wolves and not other more hard to deal with and traumatizing beasts. 

Ajax had mostly blocked the memories of the unsightly ones, a trauma response, no doubt. And so, he did not want to see them roaming around once again. 

He vaguely remembers his master Skirk warning him about the beast that roamed around their version of ‘noon’. 

No one had ever caught a sight of it, and yet Skirk told him stories about how she had nearly gotten eroded from its intense abyssal taint. 

That was the thing about the beast. 

It destroyed everything in its path, including other beasts. 

Which…was good in a way since it got rid of the other monsters…but also bad since it put them in risk of getting turned into nothing but a pile of goo on the floor. 

And well…it wasn’t like the monsters got instantly turned into piles of blood, guts, and other such fluids. 

The monster slowly eroded their forms, so that they had to watch themselves melt as they were helpless to do anything. 

And so, Ajax was rather happy that all they had to deal with was rift wolves, and the occasional wraith butterfly. 

But of course, it wasn’t as if he could play around with his meals, not if Cloud Retainer was around anyways. 

He still remembers the look she had given him when he did play around with the rift wolves before he plunged his spear into their stomachs and turned them into a fleshy pile on the clean grass below. 

It was very judgemental, if not horrified.  

But well…he couldn’t help it, even if a part of him was equally disgusted at his own antics. 

It was just a part of his nature. 

So, he had to get over with it quickly and eat up the abyssal energy as soon as he could, because Cloud Retainer always pulled a face at the sight of him eating up the energy like a starved man. 

However, it seemed as if not everyone had the same reaction to his antics. 

On the rare occasions Morax had been released from his duties (as Guizhong had let him off and dealt with the worried humans herself…bless her heart), and had joined him alongside Cloud Retainer. 

…What a day that was. 

______________________________

Cloud Retainer nearly rolled her eyes at the sight of the two lovesick fools making heart eyes at one another, as she walked towards the source of the recent rift wolf activity. 

She was in her human form, wearing her best armor and carrying her steady polearm, ready to strike anything that came into her view. 

Rift wolves were always so annoying to deal with, and Cloud Retainer dreaded dealing with them. 

However, she had to ensure that everyone back at Qingce Village was safe. 

That was her duty. 

She was entrusted with that duty when she made the contract with Lord Lapis, and had strived to give every inch of her life for that duty to be honored. 

But…even so…

She could not deal with those two insufferable fools!!

Lord Lapis had joined them after Lady Guizhong had taken it upon herself to deal with those pesky humans, who were truly crying over nothing. 

Cloud Retainer had nearly scoffed when she heard them frantically praying at her statue, lighting incense and giving her offerings of shiny jewels and such…

The war had not even begun yet, no lives had been lost, no tragedy had taken place. 

So, in her eyes, there was no need to mope around and cry over something that had not begun. 

It was a waste of tears, it was a waste of time. 

And so, each and every time her followers had prayed to her, she had merely huffed before reprimanding them in the form of sharp pecks to the back of their necks…in their dreamscapes of course. 

Her followers had taken the hint and graciously accepted her response, like the strange fools they were. 

Hmph . 

She was glad that Lady Guizhong had taken it upon herself to deal with the whimpering fools. 

Cloud Retainer would not be able to stand yet another prayer pertaining to a war that had not started. 

Unfortunately, Cloud Retainer now found herself taking care of two lovefools, who were shamelessly proclaiming the limits of their affections towards one another. 

It was quite outlandish in fact. 

Cloud Retainer had not seen her Lord being so shameless ever in her entire servitude to him and Lady Guizhong. 

Nor had she ever seen him act so docile when in the company of others, until that insufferable brat, Ajax came along. 

If she was informed of this years prior, she would have ignored such an outlandish claim and merely proclaimed that someone was slandering her Lord’s name.

And yet…here they were. 

Shamelessly holding each other’s hands, as they walked alongside each other, behind Cloud Retainer as they made their way to the small opening she had made note of when surveying the land. 

It would have been fine, if that’s all they were doing. 

Merely walking in silence as they observed the area for any sound. 

But the two idiots were shamelessly adoring each other in their every comment, as they practically swooning over the other for anything and everything the other did.

It was very insufferable. 

To the point where Cloud Retainer was considering abandoning them and flying to their desired destination on her own. 

But…those two knew not of where the location was…

And so, Cloud Retainer had no choice but to plug her ears and continue walking, hoping that a rift wolf would dash out from the shadows to distract her from the awful cooing of the couple. 

But, it seemed as if fate was certainly never in her favor. 

She sighed and continued on, suppressing the lingering sadness at seeing the couple be so happy.  

The truth was…Ajax somewhat reminded her of her A-Ling.  

Hmph..

Clearly, she was the better one. 

But, on occasion, she found herself saddened at the ghost of her girl plastered on top of that foolish boy. 

Cloud Retainer knew that A-Ling would have taken a liking to the foolish brat, they would have found camaraderie in each other and would have surely been close friends. 

But…thinking about it…hurt too much. 

The woman she once knew, bright and full with vitality and never-ending energy. 

Was most likely dead. 

Dead and forced to have lived a lie, tied to a man she did not love, tied forever and bearing his ugly children until she died. 

Cloud Retainer felt her eye twitch, and closed her eyes, swallowing the rage and melancholy she felt from her A-Ling’s death. 

There would never be another for her. 

Certainly not in this lifetime. 

And certainly not in the next. 

Mei Yingling had been taken by the wind, her soul lost, torn, and remodeled into the brightest star in the night sky. 

She no longer wished to be with another, and whilst she was aware of the large entourage she had accumulated, which mostly consisted of women. 

Even if she was attracted to their outward appearance, as women were certainly beautiful in their own right, she did not feel it in her to bother with them. 

And whilst she was tempted every so often, with a temporary arrangement, she declined, stuffing down her own lust and moving on with her life. 

However, there was this one woman who always attempted to gain her attention, by any means possible. 

____________________________

It was during the time A-Ling had gone off during the night, to the hands of a man, far off, and no longer with her. 

After a long time spent mourning her loss, the loss of her relationship. 

The loss of her love. 

She met another woman. 

Her name was Li Mei.  

She was about the age A-Ling was when she was wed, and she was always dressed in the finest qiyao ruqun that she could get her hands on. Head to toe in pearlescent jewelry, shoe-less, and with quite extravagant hair-styles. 

She was a dancer. 

And a great dancer at that. 

Cloud Retainer remembers being utterly captivated by one of her several shows. 

The way her silken robes danced in the wind, as she smiled and looked up to Cloud Retainer, during one of her many private performances serenading Cloud Retainer. 

Her cheekbones were high, her eyes reminiscent of A-Ling’s but without the usual warmth that A-Ling had, and, besides that, her eyes were a lighter shade of brown, her skin was lighter, and she did not have the beautiful moles that A-Ling had, in fact, her face was entirely without moles. 

Her body was also different, curvier and lacking any visible muscles. And her personality lacked the tenderness and foolishness that A-Ling had. 

But, the thing that drew Cloud Retainer to her, was her playful personality, as she winked at Cloud Retainer and continued to dance before her. 

Cloud Retainer had never paid her any attention before, because whenever she paid any attention to any of her followers, they reminded her too much of her beloved girl. 

But…

It seemed as if Cloud Retainer’s well-maintained composure eventually cracked, and a moment of weakness was unearthed. 

She drew closer to Li Mei and gently touched the dip of her collarbone, as the woman’s cheeks turned red, and as her ministrations came to a stop. 

The woman looked up to her, lips red and eyes transfixed onto Cloud Retainer, as she gave a curt nod of permission. 

Cloud Retainer cupped her face, feeling her thrumming heartbeat beneath her fingers, as her eyes glowed with desire underneath the moonlight, looking into the woman’s eyes. 

Li Mei’s eyes became filled with shameless lust as she looked up at Cloud Retainer, her breath fanning Cloud Retainer’s face, as she whispered, “Yes.”  

Cloud Retainer felt her throat form a lump, as she dove in and kissed her roughly, without gentility nor care for her lip’s state as she bit and sucked on them. 

That night…was a regret. 

One of the biggest regrets of Cloud Retainer’s life. 

But, she could not undo what she had done, and she merely succumbed to the warmth of her body, as she embraced the woman and spent several nights next to her. 

Their relationship was merely physical, and it seemed as if the both of them found companionship within the other. 

Cloud Retainer similarly found out that Li Mei’s own secret lover had been killed in retaliation to her rejecting a proposal from a wealthy tailor. 

And they never loved each other, they couldn’t. 

Their true loves were gone. 

They did not need another lover, not at all. 

Just someone to accompany them, someone to spend time with, and someone to share mutual pleasure with. 

But as all things in an adepti's life, their arrangement was temporary. 

And gone, in a blink of an eye. 

Li Mei was killed the morning shortly after her birthday. 

During one of the sudden invasions from another God. 

Cloud Retainer had only found out after she scoured through the mounds of dead bodies, in order to return them to their respective families. 

Her body was intact, and she was pale, her lips blue. 

She had not died from any direct attack, she had died from asphyxiation. 

Cloud Retainer couldn’t find it in herself to feel sad, as she hadn’t truly been connected to that woman, in any emotional way. 

But, she still sought to offer her a proper burial. 

And so, she picked up her body and carried her to the site of her lover’s grave. 

It was underneath a hawthorn tree, marked only by a small engravings on the tree, scantily done, almost as if the person who had been writing it was in a hurry. 

That read: 

For my dearest, for always, and ever.  

____________________________

Cloud Retainer sighed, letting the regret she felt wash off her in waves. 

Turning her attention on the task before her. 

The past was in the past. 

Dwelling on it would only cause her further distress and would interfere with her concentration. 

She would worry about such matters later. 

Right. 

____________________________

They stumbled upon the path soon after, the rift wolves had caught wind of their presence and had attacked them. 

In a flash, Cloud Retainer retrieved her spear and tactfully killed them before any harm could be done to her. 

And scoffed when she saw the stains of crimson on her pristine armor, silently whining on the pain that it would be to wash it out later on. 

Blood was notoriously difficult to scrub clean, especially when it was dry. 

Meanwhile, Morax was brutal (as always), spearing through them as he crushed their bodies using his geo constructs, not faltering as the blood was sprayed on his face. 

And well…

Ajax…..was Ajax. 

As always, he laughed maniacally as he joyfully slashed through the hordes of rift wolves, wrapping their entrails around others’ throats, as he pushed his hydro spear through their eyes. 

He always did enjoy toying around with his prey. 

He did not mind their blood being sprayed on his face, and it even goaded him to continue his masacre. 

And he eagerly soaks up their abyssal energy, sighing in satisfaction.

Morax noticed his lover's lack of self-preservation and immediately surrounded him in a geo shield, to protect him from his momentary madness. But, even then, Cloud Retainer knew that her Lord was incredibly fond of the man, even when he lost himself to his homicidal tendencies…and blood-lust.

His fondness was something that was not understood by Cloud Retainer, but even then, she guessed she couldn’t blame the brat. Although he had not disclosed his past in the abyss, it was clear it was a sensitive topic for him.

His association with The Abyss was not voluntary, Cloud Retainer had surmised as much when getting to know him over the years. 

And well, she didn’t want to disclose her past either, so she understood. 

The hours passed by, and by noon, the rift wolves were dealt with, as Ajax finished up the last bit of abyssal energy, content and well-fed. 

It, of course, earned a glare from Cloud Retainer who recoiled in the presence of such toxic energy, and immediately pinched her nose in disgust. 

Meanwhile, Morax merely gave him a tender smile when he saw his treasure satiated and well-feed. He always did love to see his dearest treasure in action. 

A trait that usually made him disgusted, but Ajax always did serve to divulge his expectations and tastes. 

Ajax gave him a grin, attempting to wipe the blood off of his face with his sleeve, but merely smearing it further. 

The sight caused Morax to chuckle softly, going over to his future spouse and carefully tilting his face up to wipe at the blood with his own sleeves. 

The action caused Ajax to blush fiercely, as he stared up at Morax, who had stars in his eyes, completely enraptured in his dearest boy, “...Ajax.” 

Ajax grinned up at him, looking at Morax through his eyelashes, as he batted them in a manner he knew would be enticing, “What is it, Morax?”  

Morax’s eyes glowed and his pupils constricted as he looked at the seductive huli jing in front of his eyes. 

And, they were about to head back, when Sky Bracer came rushing towards them, face pale and panicked. 

Ajax felt his stomach sink in. 

Fuck. 

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. 

“Lord Osial! Lord Osial!!” 

They stared at him, puzzled. 

Sky Bracer screamed again, his voice shaky and afraid. 

Deathly afraid. 

“Lord Osial has been corrupted!!”  

Ajax's heart dropped. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(21/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

____________________

Chapter 21: Passionate Confessions, Hurtful Truths and a Bitter War. Pt. 1

Ajax woke up an hour later, after he heard an insistent knocking at the front of Morax’s abode. 

He initially sought to ignore it, as he felt the lazy afternoon take a hold of him, and the calling of slumber lure him in. 

However, as the knocking became harder, louder, and ultimately difficult to ignore, he decided that he would not be in his half-dazed state for much longer. 

He groaned, not wanting to wake up as he gripped at Morax in his arms tightly, wanting to relish the warmth from the man’s body. 

Even if he was cold blood (although, Morax had said that he was not coldblooded but in fact required a bit more time to warm up), when he warmed up, he felt like his own personal heater. 

Like a warm fireplace, that crackled and sparked every now and then, giving way to magic and wonderment and sweet, sweet warmth. 

The warmth of Morax’s body was tempting, and if he knew that it would be a day off…he would certainly not open it….he knew that he had to. 

He sighed, yawning before he blinked his eyes open until things were no longer blurry around him. 

Ajax gingerly removed his hands, which were around Morax, and huffed a laugh when he felt Morax grip at his own waist tightly. 

As if the God also did not want to let go of Ajax in the sleepy state he was in. 

He paused and admired the way Morax looked so beautiful while sleeping, his tan skin giving way to a beautiful glow in the small bit of light that seeped through the cracks of his domain entrance. 

And the way he looked so peaceful and calm, reminding Ajax of the man he would become in a few hundred years. A man who could effortlessly charm all of the aunties and uncles with his wit, intelligence and decadence. 

Heaven knows how much Ajax had heard the aunties down by the streets of Liyue gush and talk endlessly about how much of a gentleman Zhongli was, and how much they all wanted him either for themselves or for their daughters. 

He was truly a prize catch, and Ajax was delighted (and pleased) at having caught the attention of such an esteemed and desired man. 

Such a sought after beauty, that was kind but ultimately indifferent towards others advances, but not Ajax’s. 

He had managed to catch the God’s attention…. how ….he didn’t know. 

Actually, now that he thought about it, he truly never asked Zhongli when Ajax had managed to catch his attention. 

Was it when they first met? 

Was it during one of their lunch dates? 

Was it down by the beaches of Liyue? 

Was it inside of his apartment? 

Just another question to be added to the long list to ask the man, once he saw him again. 

A long list that he added onto every day, more mysteries than answers, more things that he itched to have answered. 

But, he would have to be patient….even if it went against his own nature to do so. 

He sighed as he looked back at Morax, studying every single slope and curve of his face, admiring how beautiful it was, and how Ajax had never seen such a fine specimen as Morax. 

Sure, he had seen some physically beautiful people in his lifetime. 

People that caused everyone to gawk and stare at their exquisite beauty, however, even then, Childe had never seen them as anything but just another pedestrian. 

Even when they attempted to flirt with him, or even when they engaged him in conversation. 

He did not blink an eye, not at all. 

Because his only motivation at the time was following the Tsaritsa’s orders, and growing stronger. 

So he did not have time to really study them and see exactly where their beauty lay. 

But even so, Zhongli was such a radiant man, drawing people into him, even if they were somewhat unsure of what he would be like. They were drawn to him, because of his intelligence, kindness, outer and inner beauty and his adorable cluelessness. 

He studied Morax’s face and chuckled when he saw the slight bed hair that had developed as a result from sleep. 

But even with the slightly out of place hair, the man still managed to look so eloquent, so ethereal.  

Celestia….he really loves the man…doesn’t he? 

He’s too far gone in his love for Morax to be saved. 

Surely his Tsaritsa would think it to be absurd if she were to find out that the man he had fallen in love with so deeply was none other than one of the 7, and on top of that, he was the oldest and strongest one.....

She would most likely faint, or her eye would slightly twitch as she rubbed her temples and attempted to make sense of the sight before her. 

Her 11th had fallen in love with Morax, The Geo Archon, her (sort of) opponent. 

It would surely be ridiculous to her. 

It would be simply preposterous to think of such a notion, to think of such a strange possibility. 

He chuckled and attempted to pull himself free from the man’s grasp, laughing when he felt him drag him back by his waist. 

But this time he really needed to get up. 

Whoever was at the door sounded positively enraged if not irritated. And even if the barrier muffled the voice of people, he knew how an irritated person sounded and well…..this person certainly did sound just like that. 

He wriggled out of his grasp and finally managed to pull himself free from the man’s grasp, as he had replaced himself for the god’s own clothing. 

And he felt himself grow fond of the way the god grasped at his own clothing, and buried his face inside of the warm cloth. 

Ajax quickly put on his innermost layer of clothes before he slipped on a pair of white undergarments that acted more like shorts with the way they reached to his thigh before he went towards the door to see who it was that was disrupting their sweet sleep. 

He hastily undid the barrier, focusing his energy onto the seal until it came undone. 

A puff of gold glitter sparkled and flew into little clouds, like rays of sunlight. 

And before him stood…an annoyed Cloud Retainer and a panicked Guizhong. 

And that’s when he knew . 

That his burial would come early. 

_______________________

Guizhong had been training with the little ones all morning, smiling at the way they seemed to catch on quickly; reminding him of the way A-Qiu had been. 

He had always been quite the rascal, quite the rambunctious kid during his formative years. Always looking for adventure in every corner, even if there wasn’t really one in the first place. 

But she swears, that kid would truly always make something out of nothing. 

Quite the firecracker in fact that Guizhong was not surprised when he became a sell’s man of the product years later. 

And even if he was gone, it still seemed as if she found him in every corner, in every person she encountered and in the very flowers she herself carefully cultivated. 

A sense of sad nostalgia washed over her as she saw Bosacius enthusiastically use his mace with the energy of a thousand suns, attempting to do his best to use it despite the fact that it was heavier than he was. He was always getting scolded by Cloud Retainer for his over eagerness and shenanigans. 

Guizhong grew fond of him fairly quickly….she guessed she had a soft spot for kids that are prone to trouble. 

She found that most times those loudmouthed and stupidly brave kids were really the ones who needed the most attention, needed the right guidance and love. 

Although, now that she thought about it all of them needed love and attention, just in different ways. 

Menogias seemed to be the one who followed directions the best, always serious and respectful that kid was. Always keen to bow and use formalities with his elders, it was no surprise that Cloud Retainer had become especially fond of him. And Guizhong was thoroughly impressed with the way he wielded his sword, being sloppy in his movements and yet very meticulous with each and every strike. 

She always did like the more well-behaved ones…which is probably why she always favored A-Ping so much. 

But Guizhong knew that she had even started to develop a soft-spot for Bosacius and Indarias.  

Indarias was bright and just as eager to learn, however she was not as reckless as Bosacius was.

Instead she was more calculated in her strikes, as she meticulously brought down her broadsword onto the training puppets. She was a joy to have around, and very smart as well. Guizhong would make sure to take her under her own wing, as she had seen the girl occasionally dart her eyes to some of the blueprints Guizhong had brought along, a familiar glitter for knowledge in her eyes as she looked at it. 

She would certainly be a genius inventor, if Guizhong would teach her. And well….she might even be better than Guizhong, more creative. 

Guizhong was sure of it. 

Bonanus was quiet but mischievous, always sneaking up and scaring the others. And she was quite the prodigy with her own right, with the way she would use her bow with ease. 

And well, something about the way she used it, gave Guizhong the impression that she had been taught it previously, but out of respect for the girl, she did not say anything and let it slide. 

Xiao was the last of them, and although he was quite the quiet and guarded child, merely nodding or shaking his head whenever anything was said to him, he was quite good at using his spear. 

And out of all of them, he seemed to take their guidance very seriously, staring at how they would use a certain weapon and copying them carefully. But, it soon became evident that he was the fastest to strike, cleaning out the training targets in a few seconds. So, it was no surprise he took a liking to the spear, as it gave him a more versatile range of attacks. 

Unlike the other weapons that had a limited amount of varied attacks and blocks. 

However, even if the kids got a hold of their respective weapons, they still were by no means a master at wielding their weapons. 

Not at all. 

And so, Guizhong and Cloud Retainer were there, as well as Sky Bracer to guide the kids in using their weapons and learning how to be versatile in case their own weapon was ripped out of their hands. 

Guizhong had been the one to retrieve each of the kids, and was delighted to see that they had already woken up for their training sessions. 

And she was happy to see that they had slowly started to talk to one another, in a more close manner than before. 

And she was certain that in a few more years, or perhaps even months, they would surely become as close as family. 

And she hoped they would also consider them to be their family eventually as well. 

Then, afterwards, they made their way to a clear spot near a small river, where Cloud Retainer was waiting impatiently, red glasses perched on her nose.

Next to her was Sky Bracer who gave them all a well-mannered smile, looking as calm as ever, even if Guizhong could tell there was a twinge of sadness pulling away at his expression.

…Guizhong felt for Sky Bracer, she really did….however, she knew that she could not force her shidi to like him back. 

She could not do such a thing, and would not dare to. 

But, either way, she still felt bad for him, as she could not imagine having someone so good and someone that you love so much being ripped away from you before you had the chance to say anything. 

She sighed and felt exasperated as she saw Cloud Retainer begin to line them up, making them follow the movements of their routine. 

Whenever they trained, they always followed this routine. 

It was instilled and changed throughout the many years, as new ideas and concepts were thought of by the humans or by adepti. 

And it effectively attacked all of the traits that were suited for a warrior: Balance, Mobility, Speed, Energy, Resistance, Flexibility, Defense, and Offense. 

The kids joined in with them, doing their best to clumsily follow their movements, stiff as a rock. 

Guizhong was almost reminded of when her shidi had attempted the routine at first, and even though he was highly flexible in his lower regions, he was quite stiff even then. 

Cloud Retainer who had been practising Tai-chi was moving like water, graceful yet sharp, and it was a beautiful sight to say the least. 

And well, even if Guizhong had gotten better at it, she was nowhere near the level Cloud Retainer or even A-Ping were. 

But, she guessed that had to do with the beautiful control the both of them had over their bodies, moving any body part however they pleased, and well, besides that, it could also be because they meditate so often….something that Guizhong often forgets to do (mostly because she is always in charge of managing relations with the humans, devising new inventions, drawing up new blueprints, and dealing with her own turmoil about what’s about to happen…). 

But, regardless, she chuckled slightly when she saw how Cloud Retainer scolded them all, kicking at one of their legs when they changed their stance, “Too high, go lower.” 

And, “Straighten your back, shoulders back.” 

And, “Too wide, too stiff.” 

Etcetera, Etcetera . 

And well…all of the kids looked utterly terrified as she approached them, looking concerned about what harsh critique she would give them. 

It was so amusing, until Cloud Retainer approached her and kicked her back leg, “Straighten your leg.” 

After that, Sky Bracer led them up to see if they could balance two pails of water up and down the mountain without spilling a drop. 

Of course, they all failed in one way or another, but Sky Bracer smiled at them and let them have a break (which they highly appreciated). 

Then, afterwards, Guizhong led them to a spot where there were many different training dummies and targets, as well as a variety of weapons made of different materials. 

Guizhong did not doubt that they were stronger than they looked, not at all. However, she still thought it wise to give them weapons that were made of much lighter material, to not tire them out as much until they had built more strength and then move them to a much denser and heavier type of weapon. 

So, from then on, they settled on wooden weapons, fairly heavy but not overbearing for them.

As the afternoon carried on, they carefully guided the children and advised them on their blocks and form. And soon enough, they were done for the afternoon. 

The kids all looked like they had gotten run over by a giant boar, with the way they walked ever so slowly, most likely sore from the exercise. 

Guizhong cooed at them and patted their heads, reassuring them that they would get to sleep the rest of the afternoon if they so pleased, as Bosacius and Indarias groaned and complained at the pain in their limbs. 

Cloud Retainer had sent them both glares as she lightly pecked at their heads, “Insolent brats!! You should all be thankful that one was benevolent enough to grant you the rest of the afternoon off!! If this was a regular training day, one would have trained you until you could no longer stand up! Count your blessings for now, brats!” 

Indarias and Bosacius both groaned but did not say anything else, as Cloud Retainer guided them towards her abode, which now served as a small apothecary. Menogias huffed a sigh, having grown accustomed to their complaints as he walked behind them. Bonanus merely laughed as she clung onto Indarias and reassured her that the pain in her limbs would soon subside. All while Xiao followed them quietly, not saying a word, but looking at the rest of them with a growing curiosity and annoyance, with a frown sprawled on his face. 

The poor boy had grown attached to her poor shidi and was most likely wanting to go back to spending time with Ajax. 

He was growing attached to the hip to her shidi and whilst it was endearing to see, even Guizhong knew that it was unhealthy for him to solely depend on Ajax and not on his other teammates. 

And Guizhong laughed as she followed them, and as Sky Bracer bowed curtly to them and left to take care of his own duties. 

Inside, Cloud Retainer would lay out her various ointments, medicine, and other materials as she ordered them to sit down. 

Menogias was first up, and he remained still, merely wincing as Cloud Retainer applied the salve and bandages around his sore limbs. And afterwards, he thanked her, giving a short bow before Cloud Retainer gave him a short pat, muttering something about how proud she was of her filial disciple. 

However, her good mood was dampened as Bosacius was next. 

Cloud Retainer told Bosacius to stop whining as she applied the cooling salve on his sore arms and legs, wrapping bandages around them as he groaned at how sore they were. 

Cloud Retainer merely huffed as she stuffed his mouth filled with pain killer and sent him on his way to a chuckling Menogias who merely told him, “If you were not as impatient whilst Shigu was applying the ointment, she would have been kinder towards you.” 

Bosacius merely huffed as he leaned against Menogias, putting his head against the crook of Menogias neck as he patted his head, smiling fondly whilst doing so. 

Something about them….reminded Guizhong of how her own Shizun and Shidi would eventually act, in years to come. 

Indarias was next as she was less impatient (most likely not complaining due to how Bosacius was treated) as she only howled with pain as Cloud Retainer wrapped her own legs, and she was given the medicine in a more gentle manner. 

Bonanus was next, asking about Cloud Retainer’s day, seeming a bit more talkative than the rest. Cloud Retainer merely smiled as she patted her head and replied that her day was going pretty well, and then she was off. 

Indarias similarly complained about the pain in her arms, to a smiling Bonanus as she was led towards the garden that Cloud Retainer so painstakingly cared for…..Guizhong had a feeling that her intentions were not so pure as her mischievous smile was all that Guizhong needed to confirm her suspicions. 

The girl would most likely make flower crowns out of Cloud Retainer’s collection of flowers, which would most likely result in her getting scolded by Cloud Retainer who would most likely make her replant her plants as punishment. 

Afterwards, was young Xiao which Cloud Retainer had taken extra care of, knowing how fragile the boy was, how easily he would fall apart, and she gave him a longer pat than the rest of them, knowing how hard it was for the boy to become accustomed of having a home to come back to after a harsh day. 

A home where he was welcome, fed, clothed, accepted, and loved. 

Guizhong carried the young boy back to Ajax’s house, knocking on the door of the adeptus, and noticing the lack of response that followed. 

Before she assumed the worst, she led herself in, noticing that the door had been left open. 

She went inside, calling out for her shidi.  

When she heard no response, she looked everywhere around the house and even outside near the hot springs, to find no trace of her shidi.  

…..Oh!!

It suddenly clicked for her. 

He was most likely with Morax. 

But why? 

…..

……

….oh….. 

Oh no… 

_______________________

She put Xiao down on the bed, chuckling when she saw that he was already fast asleep, and luckily for her, he remained that way as he snuggled into the soft blankets. 

She quietly closed the door, and locked it (with the spare key underneath one of the flower pots outside the house that Cloud Retainer had sent over, after proclaiming that Ajax’s house looked so painfully bare from the outside). 

The pot was made out of clay, which she had made herself, with small glaze lilies blooming and winking at her. They were smaller than the usual glaze lilies she made, bright red with yellow stamens and merely an inch wide and small in length as well, she had them made them specifically for her shidi shortly after he appeared by the mountain. 

She smiled at them and glittered some dust over them, coating them and prolonging their life a bit more. 

The flowers immediately perked up, tall and strong.

She giggled, it seemed like flowers, just as any living being, required proper love and attention to thrive. 

She paid no more attention to the small flowers and instead hurried over to Morax’s domain, hoping and pleading that Cloud Retainer had not made her way over there. 

Because from what she remembered, Cloud Retainer had talked to Morax about meeting up with him after the kids were done training to further discuss what their next plans would be with the other gods and about the possible permanent alliance they could strike up between them. 

A contract. 

But, now Ajax was missing from his own house, and was presumably at Morax’s….

Guizhong was not oblivious, okay? 

She knew what it could mean, what it implied.  

And she hoped and prayed that Cloud Retainer had not forced the abode open and found her disciple laying naked with her Lord….

And she further hoped that they were done….copulating and were merely basking in the afterglow of everything before she barged in and had a heart attack. 

Thankfully, when she arrived there, Cloud Retainer was still impatiently knocking at the door, not forcibly opening it….just yet. 

She let out a sigh as she made her way to Cloud Retainer and said, “Shigu! I….don’t think you want to go in there right now….” 

Cloud Retainer whipped around, in her human form as she crossed her arms and frowned, glasses on top of her hair, “And why would that be?” 

Guizhong felt her panicked state intensify as went in front of the door, “Um….Shizun is incredibly busy at the moment….he told me himself…earlier. It’s very urgent, and I need you to look at my new blueprints, they are a way to improve the-” 

Cloud Retainer sighed, raising an eyebrow, “One does not have time for these shenanigans of yours.” 

Guizhong shook her head, “No! They are really not shenanigans, I just really need you to look at these right now, I require your insight, Shigu.”  

She had always been a terrible liar, so it was no doubt Cloud Retainer could see through her facade as she frowned, “When have you ever required one's insight? From what one remembers, you have always gone through with your designs, even if one doubted them….Furthermore, if you really require my assistance, then you can wait your turn. For now, one must discuss further matters with Our Lord. Please leave your shenanigans out of this, Lady Guizhong.” 

She huffed and then shoved Guizhong out of the way as she kept knocking, more incessantly this time. 

Guizhong felt the hairs on her arm stand up at this and she gripped at Cloud Retainer’s sleeves to prevent her from seeing what she was about to find, when the barrier started to become undone. 

She felt her soul get ripped out of her body, when she saw a dazed looking Ajax staring at them in confusion. 

His state was nothing short of an indicator at what he had done. 

His auburn hair was messy, his eyes puffy and red-rimmed, his neck was covered in bite marks that were in the shape of long fangs, and red marks that trailed down his body….he looked like he had been mauled by several rift wolves, simultaneously.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, he wore his innermost layers and undergarments, which meant that Guizhong could see the poor state of his thighs and legs….and if she wasn’t taken aback…now she was. 

It seemed as if Morax’s prowess in battle made its way in bed as well….

And well…

Cloud Retainer truly did look like she was having a heart attack with the way her eyes nearly bulged out of her eye sockets and her mouth gaped like a fish. 

Ajax flushed like a Jueyun chili as she stared at them, the full reality of who was at the door washing over him like cold water. 

He instinctively covered his neck and thighs with his hands and looked extremely embarrassed. 

“Uh…I…umm….good afternoon…. Da-yi….Shijie…” He said, looking bashful. 

Guizhong offered him an awkward smile and a wave, and she could sense how Cloud Retainer’s eyes glowed with annoyance and ire….

_______________________

Cloud Retainer marched into her Lord’s abode, looking twice as annoyed when she spotted the God lazily dozing off into the sheets, looking as peaceful as ever. 

In a flash, she harshly shook him, as the confused God blinked his eyes open to see Cloud Retainer looming over him, with a glare. 

He got up passively, and Ajax thanked the Heaven’s above that Morax had the common decency to put on at least undergarments before he went to bed. 

The God’s neck was in a similar state, but was considerably less worse than Ajax, who looked like he got mauled by vicious rift wolves. 

But, the long scratches on his back were an indicator enough that what they had done was not a fight…at all. 

Cloud Retainer’s eye twitched as she yelled at the dragon, “You….Sly dragon!! One was waiting to discuss the matters further, and here you are, copulating and fooling around with one’s own disciple! How insolent! How preposterous!” 

Morax did not say anything, merely blinking at her words, causing her to huff and send a look towards Ajax, which thoroughly exuded judgment.  

“And you!” 

Ajax twitched, feeling his embarrassment grow, “Y-yes…Shigu…?”  

“You, insolent brat!! Come to see me after you’ve straightened yourself out and bathed, to heal up those puncture wounds of yours!” 

Ah….

And with that, she stormed out, leaving a frazzled Morax, a confused Ajax and a mortified Guizhong following after Cloud Retainer. 

_______________________

After he had done what she had told him, he walked to her abode, only to find her waiting ominously at her desk, with a nervous looking Guizhong leaning against one of the walls….most likely there to prevent Cloud Retainer from releasing her wrath upon him. 

He gulped. 

He had not expected for her to find out about their relationship in such an embarrassing manner. 

Cloud Retainer pointed to the table, where he began to take off his clothes, and scarf (which he had put around his neck, because he didn’t want any judgmental and embarrassed stares directed his way from the people that lived in Qingce Village who were out and about). 

But, as he took off his scarf, he heard a conjoined gasp. 

…what?  

He turned around, confused as to why Cloud Retainer and Guizhong were staring at him with such surprised and shocked expressions, “....What is it?” 

Another moment of silence passed, as Guizhong was the first to speak up, “.....You…don’t know…” 

Know what? 

He shook his head, earning an exasperated look from Guizhong and a Cloud Retainer who looked like she was about to pass out. 

Guizhong’s own cheeks had grown slightly pink as she withdrew a hand mirror, and gave it to him, pointing to the nape of his neck. 

Ajax was confused, but complied as he took the mirror and started to guide it to the back of his neck, nearly fainting when he saw a giant mark on the back of his neck. 

It was a Geo Sigil. 

And it was gold, almost like a tattoo, and it even glowed occasionally, pulsating almost as if it was an organ...

It seemed as if the Geo Archon had marked him with his sigil...so that was the strange pulsating he felt like night on the back of his neck….ah… 

It seemed this version of Morax was more possessive, either that or Zhongli had never placed his own on him because that way he would know without a doubt that the man was the Geo Archon. 

And something in Ajax’s stomach twitched with excitement at the prospect of the Funeral Consultant feeling the urge to mark him permanently but restraining himself from doing so. 

Cloud Retainer sighed, looking as if she was over them, “Sly dragon…one should have seen this coming…..now then, stay still while one bandages up those terrifying wounds.” 

He huffed a laugh, but complied. 

What resulted was the indignant cries of mortification that followed as Cloud Retainer came face to face with the lust of a God. 

His body was bruised all over, bitten (and the wounds were still lazily seeping blood), and given his pale skin, the sight of it looked worse in their eyes. 

And Ajax particularly winced when Cloud Retainer and Guizhong came face-to-face with two hand-shaped bruises on either side of his hips….

Cloud Retainer finally spoke up, pushing up her glasses as she inspected his wounds, “Celestia above! Have you been mauled by a thousand rift-wolves?! Just what in the world is this? This is simply preposterous! Your body has just begun to heal up from your previous battles, it is no good to overexert yourself…That sly dragon has gone overboard in his pursuits…” 

Guizhong, however,  took on a different approach as she grinned at him, and wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner, “It seems as if Our Lord had taken quite the liking to you, saucy little minx!...Going as far as staking his claim like a madman on my poor shidi….” 

Cloud Retainer sent her a glare, as she inspected his body and merely had a heart-attack when she noticed the poorer state his lower half was in. 

He knew it was purely medical but something about the way Cloud Retainer carefully inspected his lower nether regions certainly made him uncomfortable. 

Luckily however, Guizhong had found it in herself to spare him, by exiting the room when Cloud Retainer began to inspect his lower half. 

When she was done, she handed him a bottle of heavy pain killer, ointment that served as a muscle relaxer, healing salve, and another salve which could be applied for internal injuries. 

And Cloud Retainer lectured him about doing such an act in appropriate amounts, and whispered low scathing words about how she would talk to Morax about lessening the blow to his body. 

Because according to her, ‘It was a horrifying sight!  ’ and ‘One has never seen such a terrifying thing before in one's entire lifetime!’  

Ajax was just glad she appeared to accept their relationship, and was more preoccupied on the fact that the dragon had gone overboard with Ajax. 

Ajax was happy, and glad to know Cloud Retainer had accepted them. 

Even if she found out in such an embarrassing way. 

_______________________

Guizhong accompanied him back to Morax’s abode, striking up a conversation as they went down the mountain, “So….it seems like you and Shizun…really made up…” 

He groaned, burying his face in his arms, “..Shijie!~ Don’t say it like that!” 

Guizhong merely laughed, “What? I’m not wrong, am I?” 

He continued to groan in her arms, as he walked beside her, “Yeah…but either way, it's embarrassing!”  

She laughed as she wrapped an arm around him, patting his shoulder reassuringly, “…fine, I’ll stop teasing. But seriously, I’m glad that you have managed to finally get together. I was getting tired of seeing you both run in circles around each other…It was becoming quite the headache.” 

He sighed, taking his hands off his face as he grinned,“....Yeah, say what you want, shijie! However, we got our shit together, and I don’t see you getting yours together…” 

Her hand stiffened on his shoulder, and something in the air seemed to change, becoming bitter. 

He stopped in his tracks. 

He had overstepped. 

He looked towards Guizhong, who looked ashamed, and he patted her shoulder, “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that…I was just teasing Shijie… ” 

She shook her head, a smile replacing her frown, as she patted his hand, “Not to worry, shidi….I know…it’s just-” she ran a hand through her hair, before she said, “We are talking as normally, but I haven’t said anything…It seems as if I’m more of a coward than I thought.” 

Ajax frowned at her self-deprecating tone, “Hey…I understand…trust me…it took me at least nearly 2 years to say anything…But….you should really set things straight with Madam Ping….rather than just leave things quiet.”

She nodded, “Yeah…I know…I was planning to tell her tonight…but I am still unsure if I should…” 

Ajax pulled her into a small side-hug, “It’ll be fine, shijie…trust me…It will.” 

She smiled at him, more honestly this time, “Thank you, shidi.”  

_______________________

Morax was there waiting for them, looking as serious as ever, dressed impeccably, just like he had been during the day he had been when he had stated his predictions to the villagers in Qingce Village. 

He had on that golden crown of his, with many tassels that moved and made wonderful sounds at any subtle movement of his head, and his hair was tied back presumably into a bun, with two pieces of hair at the front to frame his face. His red-eyeliner had been applied once more, and his robes were brown, and embroidered on them were dragons with golden thread. 

He looked like an Emperor for fuck’s sake. 

Ajax was so gone for him, it was almost laughable. 

He turned to see them, as Guizhong rushed towards him and said, “ Aiyah! Morax!~ Looking so handsome in your new zhiju!! All of the people will surely swoon over you, Shizun.”  

Morax frowned, as she leaned in closer and put a hand to his ear as she whispered, “Be careful not to make my poor shidi jealous, Morax.” 

Morax merely huffed, “Outrageous...They should not think of me in such a way, as I have told you. And if they do, they will be tried for treason….”

Guizhong rolled her eyes and pouted, “Always so serious and proper!” She then turned to Ajax and sighed, “How do you put up with it, Shidi? ”

He laughed, before he went over to Morax and put a hand on his shoulder, “Simple, I make up for his seriousness…with this.” 

He began to unbutton his shirt, seeing as Morax’s eye twitched at the sight of his marred freckled skin, on display for the entire world (which was now merely Guizhong).  

Guizhong laughed, covering her eyes at such a sight in mock offense (as if she had not seen him starch naked before), “My, my, shidi!~  If I had know how much of a little fox you were, I would have not allowed Shizun to take you in! You are corrupting him with your charms, you Huili Jing!”  

Ajax merely winked at her, “As if you wouldn’t have taken me in even if you knew I was a fox spirit.” 

She grinned, shaking her head, “Yeah, I know…I guess I myself have been charmed by you,” she pretended to swoon as Ajax caught her. 

She wiggled her eyes at him and he laughed, bringing her back up, before he whispered, “Careful, shijie. I’m afraid you’ll be on the receiving end of Shizun’s jealousy if you keep this up.” 

Guizhong laughed, before she whispered, “As if that absurd possessive old dragon would ever try to displace his anger on me. And besides….I do not believe that I’ll be the one on the receiving end shidi,” she winked. 

Celestia above!  

It seemed as if her teasing had gotten worse, 

He rolled his eyes at her, his cheeks going red, “It seems like I have rubbed off on you, Shijie…. And well…I can’t decide if I am flattered, or if I’m horrified.” 

She grinned, “Definitely flattered.” 

Morax’s eye twitched uncontrollably at the sight, and he wished for nothing more than to get to the meeting and leave those two by themselves. They were always such a mischievous bunch when they were put together, and it was always such a ridiculously and shameless sight. 

He sighed, bringing a possessive grip around Ajax’s waist as he tugged him away from Guizhong. 

Ajax yelped, but did not pull away as Guizhong winked at him. 

His grip tightened, and he looked at Guizhong. 

She seemed to get the message to leave them by themselves as she sent a mischievous smile to Ajax and said, “Well, then, I must leave to entertain those rambunctious children. See you both during dinner…..don’t fool around and be late to dinner, alright?” 

Ajax groaned, and Morax merely hummed pleased that she would soon be leaving them alone once more. 

_______________________

After she was gone, Morax pulled his headpiece off his head, placing it on this shelf before he pulled Ajax in before he had a chance to say anything, burying his face into the crook of his neck. 

Ajax chuckled, as he relaxed into Morax and grounded himself with the man’s presence, “Hmm…it seems as if Da-yi and Shigu have found out….in less than appropriate circumstances.” 

Morax merely hummed, unbothered by the way they found out, “Mn,” gripping at Ajax’s waist tighter, feeling pleased. 

“.....You sly dragon…it’s almost as if you’re glad they know I’m yours now….” 

Morax merely continued to hum, burying his face deeper into Ajax’s neck, pulling at he scarf and inhaling him in like a stick of lit incense, “Yes…mine….dearest treasure..”   

So he didn’t mind being caught after, instead taking pleasure out of knowing that they now knew they were together. 

That Ajax’s was his, and no one else's. 

Ajax huffed, exasperated that he had ever fallen in love with such a possessive bastard, “What am I going to do with you, Morax…hmm?”  

Morax didn’t say anything, as he gently bit at his neck, his hands trailing up Ajax’s back and onto his nape, tracing his mark and feeling the ridges of it on Ajax’s skin. 

After a while of this, Ajax sighed, “....You should get rid of that rule of yours, Morax…We are together now…it goes against your contract.” 

He had been considering talking to Morax about it, and well….this time was as good as any. 

Morax hummed into his neck, “...Mnn….I will....my word is absolute..” 

Ajax grinned at him, patting the top of Morax's freakishly soft locks, “Good…Now, you need to go to Da-yi’s abode, otherwise she’s going to become even angrier than she already is. And I certainly don’t want her pecking my head again….”

Morax huffed, and Ajax felt a slight puff of air against his neck, making him shiver as the man spoke up once more, “Mn…fine.” 

Ajax chuckled at how grumpy the God was now and felt the urge to jump him intensify. 

But he didn’t. 

And saved that urge for much later. 

For now, he pulled the man from his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. 

The man paused for a bit, taken aback from the kiss before he messily returned it. 

It seemed as if Morax still had not gotten a hold of kissing yet, but that was to be expected after all from an inexperienced God, in matters of love.  

Their kiss was chaste, but it was sweet. 

A promise for things to come. 

_______________________

Things carried on fairly sweet afterwards, as Morax made his way to Cloud Retainer’s domain to discuss and to join the festival they were having in the village. 

Ajax had found it odd that the man was dressed so impeccably without any reason to do so, and had faintly figured that he was going to visit his people to tell them of his latest predictions and so forth. 

But that was not the case at all. 

It was to celebrate the Zhongqiu Jie.  

Ajax would have missed that it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it would have completely slipped his mind if not for Guizhong who slipped by to tell him to get ready for the festival. 

He had gone to his house to fetch his vision and check on Xiao. 

However, it seemed as if he did not need to worry about the brat, since he was peacefully asleep in the bed, dozing off and he appeared to be having a sweet dream. 

And so, not wanting to wake up the kid, he merely patted his head, and wrote a small note, telling Xiao to come to dinner up Hulao mountain. 

He had been planning on training the rest of the day, and perhaps making a dent of the local slime population, since Morax was most likely going to spend the rest of his day with Cloud Retainer. 

And….considering how livid Cloud Retainer seemed, he guessed the poor Geo Archon would likely have to suffer an hour long scolding on how he should be going easy on Ajax’s body since he had just started to heal back up from his overexertion during battle. 

And then after, she would most likely start to delve in deeper on what they should do with the number of Gods which were most likely starting to fall apart themselves, in their rage and hatred against humanity. And how they should probably strike up a contract with the other remaining Gods, to protect each other’s people in the event that another foreign God should attack them. 

And he was just about to leave, vision strapped to his belt, when he heard a knock at his door. 

When he opened it, he was surprised. 

It was Guizhong. 

But that wasn’t what took him by surprise, as he had become quite accustomed to her visits. 

What took him by surprise was the fact the was dressed in a beautiful qiyao ruqun  

It was unlike the other she had worn before, it was vibrant red, with white string embroidered on that depicted phoenixes that were in the middle of flying at the bottom of her billowing sleeves as well as the bottom of her skirt, as well as pearlescent white clouds of smoke around them, in elegant swirls. 

The color of her undershirt went straight across in a horizontal line, and it too was detailed similarly at the middle of it with the same design. Not one string was out of place on her outfit, and it seemed as if she had gone to the teacher of a master tailor to get it embroidered, as Ajax had never seen such impeccable work ever before. 

And to top it off, her hair was ostentatiously styled, at either side of her head was a bun, being held into place with silver hair pins that were in the shape of flowers that had small water-droplet like tassels, and in the back there was a braid, which was also held by a silver pin (although this one did not have tassels), with the leftover hair being combed out nicely. 

She had on dazzling earrings, which were silver with small pearls encased and dangling off of them, that twinkled whenever the light hit them. 

Her face was also beautifully done with makeup, as her lips were painted ever so slightly with red lipstick, eyes painted similarly with red eyeliner (but appeared softer than Morax’s), her forehead was painted with a small red flower, two dots at the corners of her mouth, and two small crescent shaped lines at the side of her eyes. 

She looked beautiful, like the Goddess she was. 

Otherworldly, like those paintings that Ajax had seen of the many Goddesses and Gods of Liyue’s history, drawn and painted nicely with the finest ink, used commonly in the temples that were around the area. 

Or those traditional paintings that were now hung up in museums, that showed how people used to dress during the early years of Liyue’s conception. 

Guizhong giggled at his reaction and twirled her dress around, “Do you like it shidi?” 

Ajax snapped out of his trance and nodded, “Yeah, you look beautiful, shijie!”  

Guzhong seemed to not expect such an earnest compliment as her cheeks slightly reddened and she grinned, “Thank you, shidi! You really know how to make a girl swoon, huh? Who knew that my shidi was such a charmer? Careful though, I hear that if you continue complimenting me, you’ll summon a raging dragon at your side!” 

He laughed, “...I’ll take your word shijie…. but what makes you think that a jealous fish will not appear at your side.”

She threw her head back in laughter as she slapped his shoulder playfully, “At least there’ll be two of us stuck in the same boat, shidi.”  

He grinned, “Yeah, it appears so….Now then, why are you so ostentatiously dressed, shijie? It is not like you to dress up so much, unless there is an occasion of sorts?” 

Guizhong’s eyes lit up, “Oh! Right! It seems as if I have gotten distracted with our banter, that I have failed to mention the reason I have come here. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival shidi!”  

Oh…

Really?  

That soon? 

He didn’t know how fast time had passed until Guizhong had come to tell him it was already the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Liyue had many festivals, and so this one had slipped his mind completely. 

Usually, whenever there was a festival, Zhongli would inform him of such a thing, or he would see the unusually high amount of people gathered by the harbor. 

He still fondly remembers his first Mid-Autumn Festival with Zhongli. 

A sweet and exhilarating memory. 

_______________________

Childe had been busy with work all week. 

Busy with the paperwork that nearly filled his office to the brim, to the fact that they were almost done with the Sigils of Permission (having figured out how to produce them in mass a few days ago) certainly wasn’t helping the amount of work he had to get done. 

But the most unfortunate thing was that he did not get the chance to spend his usual dinners with Zhongli at Wanmin because of his damn work. 

He had profusely apologized to Zhongli, who had graciously taken his apology with a smile and complete understanding. 

He had not gotten the chance to spend time with Zhongli as much ever since he got that day off the week prior, and ever since Zhongli had been helping Ms. Ganyu with her betrothal gifts and proposal. 

Zhongli had happily informed him that Ganyu had proposed to Keqing a few days ago, through a letter sent his way (as the man knew that Childe was busy and did not want to bother him at work). 

Childe was happy to hear the news that Keqing had accepted and how Zhongli expressed his delight that Ganyu had personally gone to her family and handed them the betrothal gifts. 

Keqing’s family had heard about her relationship with Ganyu, and had been delighted to hear that their own daughter was blessed enough to get married to an adeptus, so they had no problems in accepting the proposal....they were exhilarated in fact. 

It seemed as if times had changed for people in Teyvat, as they accepted relationships between women and other women and men with other men, and so forth. 

Times have changed for the better, and he was happy to hear that their family was overjoyed to hear their daughter was getting married to an adeptus and a respected girl in their community. 

The fact that she was a woman, did nothing to deter them. 

He was happy for her, and wished that someday he too would have such a warm welcome with Zhongli’s own family as he entered theirs. 

His family was close-minded, and would most likely detest such a notion. 

But, he could chose his own family. 

He could have his own people to treasure and cherish. 

Biological ties meant nothing if your family was shit after all. 

He shook his head, and remembered to send Ms. Ganyu his regards, and perhaps attend her wedding alongside Zhongli, and enjoy the festivities and delicious food. 

He sighed, reading through the latest debt of a treasure hoarder, who had borrowed some of his men and money to uncover a treasure hidden beneath a certain cave. 

It wasn’t as hefty as some of the antiques Zhongli had gotten in the past, but it was still a considerable sum. 

And he went towards Katya to inform her of such a thing, getting out of his seat to go over to the main desk where she often was. 

However, he was stumped, letter in hand to see Zhongli standing there, pleasantly talking with Katya, holding a red bag, which seemed to be a gift. 

And Ajax noticed that a similar red bag, which was much smaller, was beside Katya’s desk. 

Ever since they had struck up a friendship, Zhongli had visited the Northland Bank every once and a while, mostly to send a message to Childe in case he could not be found. 

And whilst Katya did not trust him, not in the slightest, her suspicions over his true motives and identity still at large, she still could admit that he was a great conversation partner.

And she too was caught up in many of his historical tales, nodding and adding her own two-sense on the matter. 

Zhongli paused when he saw him, and his awkward pause mid-way into a segment on the intricacies of the sango pearl and its many uses, made even Katya look his way. 

“Ah…Childe you are here.” 

Ajax blinked. 

Where else would he be?  

He smiled at Zhongli’s cuteness, “Yes, this is my workplace, Xiangsheng….Or have you forgotten that I am in charge of this bank?” he teased. 

Zhongli blinked, caught off guard before he started up again, “Ah…my apologies, it seems that it has certainly slipped through my mind indeed that you are in charge of this establishment…” 

Ajax threw his head back in laughter, at how the man had taken his words almost literally. 

“I am only teasing, Xiangsheng. I am glad to see you here, but what are you doing chatting up my dearest co-worker?”

He threw Katya a wink, which caused her groan, and he knew that she must have been rolling her eyes under her mask. 

Zhongli paused, something in his mind seemed to be put on hold. 

Before he continued, the previous surprise in his gaze withering away, “...I was just asking Ms. Ekaterina if you are free for the evening.” 

Ajax nearly choked. 

The man could be terribly honest sometimes, and such honesty was not good for his soul. 

“O-oh….and why may that be?” 

Zhongli smiled, as Katya was forced to watch the two idiots helplessly flirt, or attempt to flirt, “It is the Mid-Autumn Festival today, and it would be an honor to spend it by your side.” 

Ajax felt his cheeks heat up as he looked away from such earnest eyes, “....Always quite the charmer when it’s least expected, aren’t you Zhongli? It is no wonder people fawn over you so much.” 

Zhongli’s face grew slightly sour, “They are not whom I am interested in nor any of my concern at the moment.” 

Ajax’s heart quickened as Katya groaned into her arms. 

And he was about to say something, when Katya finally spoke up, “I can’t take it anymore....Mr. Zhongli, My Lord, is more than free for the evening. Actually scrap that, he’s free right now, so take him! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would appreciate it if you both took this conversation somewhere else, I have work to catch up on!” 

And with that, she almost literally forced them out of the Northland Bank.

And they now found themselves walking through the streets of Liyue. 

“So, what exactly is the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xiangsheng?”  

Zhongli glanced over to him, fondness in his stare as he began to talk in that familiar baritone voice of his, “Oh, my apologies. It seems I have just blindly asked you to spend it with me, believing that you were already familiar with it. We have grown so close that I forget that you are a foreigner that is not used to our customs.” 

He began, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is usually celebrated on the day when the moon is the brightest and fullest. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks to the gods for the harvest of that year. However, as the Liyue changed and developed, the festival became a way to reunite with family and spend time together with them. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by worshiping the moon in hopes that the Goddess Chang’e will bless them and make their wishes come true. It is also celebrated by sharing a large meal with family, eating mooncakes also known as yuebing which are often gifted in ostentatious wrapping paper by family and friends and come in a variety of different flavors, appreciating the moon, and by making lanterns which often depict many different animals, flowers and plants.” 

Ajax gleamed, as he heard about the festival. 

Excited to see people out and about, making lanterns, chatting about and reuniting with their own families and sharing stories and cups of Osmanthus Wine. 

“Liyue certainly has such a variety of beautiful festivals. I would be delighted to join you, Xiangsheng.” 

Zhongli chuckled, fondly looking at his dearest treasure, “It would be my utmost pleasure.” 

_______________________

The evening carried on, as Zhongli dragged Ajax to show him around Liyue. 

It was early out, but people were already starting to put together their small carts, filled with a variety of knick knacks, lanterns, mooncakes, and even a variety of delicious food. 

The streets were delicately decorated with lanterns and the excitement could be heard in between lively chatter between the people in Liyue. 

It seemed as if everyone was excited for the festival. 

And their joy rubbed onto Ajax, who was now smiling widely at such a joyous mood. 

Zhongli smiled at how excited Ajax seemed to be for the festival, grinning from ear to ear as he gawked at all of the decorations and the delicious smelling food. 

He looked down at the red bag which he had been carrying all along, wondering when it would be the right time to give him such a gift. 

People often gifted mooncakes to loved ones, expressing their appreciation and familial love that they had for them in them. And oftentimes, they were handed to friends, to similarly show your appreciation for the friendship you shared. 

He had handed The Adepti, Ms. Lumine, Ms. Hu Tao and even to some of his acquaintances, in much smaller packages. Which they had all accepted graciously, with some of their own.  

But, the mooncakes he had inside of the bag symbolized something special. 

It was a quiet confession, in the same way the dragon and phoenix patterned chopsticks had been, he supposed. 

It was a way to show that he loved him. 

And whilst he doubted that the man would ever understand that, as he was not used to their customs, it still largely satisfied him to know he had accepted them. 

He had painstakingly made the mooncakes by hand for the man, following Madam Ping’s recipe. 

There were 9 of them. 

3 of them were filled carefully with lotus seed paste. 3 were filled with mixed-nuts. And the last 3 were filled with green tea. 

A nice balance, Zhongli was sure that he would enjoy them. 

He had then carefully packed them into delicate red wrappings, and hoped that his love would love them. 

Soon enough, night strolled on by. 

The moon was big and bright in the night sky, glowing a faint relaxing hue of soft yellow, looking somewhat otherworldly. 

Ajax had never seen the moon be so bright and beautiful before, but he guessed he never truly stopped to admire its immense beauty since he was always caught up in his work. 

And, a part of Ajax was certain that if it wasn't for Zhongli in his life, he would never stop to admire the simple things that mortals often took for granted. 

He would never have thought to appreciate the moon, not once. 

The light from the lanterns that decorated the streets of Liyue were colorful and bright, and lit up the streets with their warm light, as the streets started to grow busy as the hustle and bustle of Liyue was heard far and wide. 

Families stopped to gather alongside the harbor, at big tables with a variety of dishes, all sharing tales and stories, whilst children and adults alike enjoyed mooncakes. 

And Ajax spotted the many people all coming up to buy lanterns, and even to make them. After they were done, they would let up into the sky or upon the waters of Liyue, watching as the lanterns either floated up or floated down the vast sea. 

It was a lively atmosphere, and he relished the warmth of it all. 

Zhongli had brought him to make a lantern of his own, which he swiftly released alongside the crowd of people, watching as it flowed up into the sky, as the light flickered fiercely inside. And then, he brought him to a shop where they sold changshan, a style of Liyuen traditional clothes, which dated back a few years prior. 

Ajax bought a nice sea-blue one which caught his eye.

The top was long and cross collared, reaching nearly to his ankles, with a long slit that settled on his lower stomach, giving way to a small window into pale skin, with light and airy white pants which were very refreshing, perfect for the weather. 

The changshan was embroidered with white thread, and depicted two dragons dancing in harmony on the changshan alongside small wisps of air that were similarly embroidered by white thread. 

Zhongli stared at Childe, when he stepped out of the changing room, mesmerized. 

He looked beautiful, and his gaze burned holes into him, especially when he would stretch, as it would linger on the sides. 

Afterwards, when Zhongli similarly bought (more like Childe bought) a simple brown one with gold accents that were in the shape of geo sigils, in the same style as Ajax. 

And now it was Childe's turn to not stare at the sides of beautiful tan skin whenever he moved. 

Zhongli led him to a table at Wanmin, with two chairs, one for him, and the other for Childe. 

He sat across Zhongli, listening to the man’s many tales about the Goddess Chang’e and her lover Hou Yi, or about the Jade Rabbit who made the elixir of life for Chang’e . 

He sat mesmerized as the man continued his many tales, as the light from the lanterns lit up his handsome features. 

And Ajax felt himself fall deeper in love with the man, entranced by his beauty and immense knowledge. 

And, as they ordered the many delicious dishes, provided by Xiangling herself, who finished their last order and then hurried off to spend time with her own family; Ajax spotted as Zhongli brought up the gift to the table, clearing out some of the plates first. 

Ajax stared at it, confused. 

Zhongli smiled, “Childe, these are mooncakes, prepared by me by hand off of a recipe passed down through the years….I enjoy and love our time together and would not trade it for any other treasure in the world. I appreciate you with all of my heart, my dearest,” Zhongli’s own hand came to carefully caress Ajax’s, which was lingering on the table. 

Ajax felt his heart in his throat. 

There was no way that Zhongli’s words did not mean something more. 

And yet, he was not sure what to say. 

He swallowed, sure that his face was redder than any other Jueyun pepper he had ever seen before, “Ah….Thank you so much, Zhongli….I…” 

He gazed into Zhongli’s eyes, filled to the brim with sincere wishes, with nothing but fondness and love… 

“You are very welcome, Childe.” 

After a moment, Ajax shyly looked away, overwhelmed by those eyes of his that almost appeared to be glowing, “I…It’s….It’s….Ajax…”  

He said his name in a manic fury, driven by how deep those eyes were gazing into him. 

At how it seemed that those eyes were almost imploring him to reveal his well-kept secret: His real name. 

A name that was given to him at birth, and one that he was starting to identify with the more he spent with Zhongli. 

The man blinked, in the process of sipping on a cup of Osmanthus Wine (his favorite) as his eyes widened, and dilated. 

And was his hair….glowing?  

No, that was probably the trick of the lantern lights. 

Something in Zhongli’s eyes was akin to feral satisfaction, like a parched man who had been granted a sip of cold water. 

And Ajax could feel the ground below him shake a little, before it settled. 

But, as the strange look in Zhongli’s eyes simmered out, he smiled (yet even his smile seemed borderline possessive, but perhaps he was reading into it a bit), and gripped onto Ajax’s hand tighter, linking their fingers together, “Hm?” 

Ajax felt his heartbeat quicken even more, as he stared at their hands, feeling as if he was caught inside of a dream or something, “...My real name…is Ajax.”  

Zhongli’s eyes glimmered with something that Ajax could not name and he gripped at his hand tighter, “I see…It is a very beautiful name. A warrior’s name, is it not?” 

Ajax nodded, feeling delirious, perhaps it was the wine’s fault, “Y-yeah…it is..” 

Zhongli hummed, eyes glowing and grip becoming tighter, “Beautiful, absolutely gorgeous.” 

Ajax felt his face on fire, wanting more than anything to delude himself into thinking that Zhongli was talking about the moon, when in fact he was staring directly at him. 

Always at him. 

But, his fear got a hold of him as he nodded fiercely and looked away from Zhongli at the moon, “Y-yeah! The moon sure is beautiful today! I don’t ever think I’ve seen such a beautiful moon in my life!” 

Zhongli merely hummed, “Yes, it sure is,” gazing at his beloved face. Immense joy and excitement filled him up so much that he lost grip and made the ground shake. 

Guizhong was right. 

He knew he should have trusted her. 

Doubting her was pointless, he had been proven incorrect. 

He would make sure to inform Ganyu of such news soon enough, to inform the rest of The Adepti about such news. 

But first, he would have to make his dearest treasure remember, make him fall deeper in love with him, hold onto him tightly and make him his, and his only. 

But for now, he let his love enjoy the festival, as he let go of his hand, and poured himself another cup of Osmanthus Wine. 

He drank the delicious wine, relishing its taste and the memories that were associated with it. 

Ajax would soon be his. 

He would just have to be patient once more, and wait it all out. 

_______________________

“That soon, Shijie!”  

Guizhong grinned, “Yes! That soon, isn’t it wonderful! Last time, we did not get to go together! But this time, I’m determined to bring you with me to celebrate!” 

Ah, so that’s why she had come. 

He had always wondered briefly, how festivals would be inside of ancient Liyue, so he guessed this was his chance to strike. 

He smiled, “I would love to, Shijie, but I am sure that I do not have an outfit in store for such a lively festival.” 

She shook her head, “Nonsense, shidi! Besides, do you really believe I have not prepared for such an occasion!” 

Ah….so she had custom made him an outfit…hadn’t she. 

“Shijie…. How much did it cost?” 

She shook her head, stubborn as always, “No, I will not tell you. Because if I do, then you’ll insist on paying me back….Consider it, my gift to you, no need to repay me for anything.” 

He groaned, but went to hug her, “Thank you, shijie…. you didn’t have to.” 

She chuckled, patting his head, “I did! It’s a joyous occasion, shidi, gifts are a must!” 

He sighed, “...Fine…” 

_______________________

She brought him to her abode, where she showed him the outfit she had custom tailored for him. 

It was breathtaking.  

And yet….slightly…inappropriate.  

It was a light blue, almost grayish dachang.  

And it was see-through.  

Meaning that you could still occasionally see pale skin if he moved the fabric. 

It was delicately embroidered with light blue and white string that depicted two dragons swirling around each other, with small roses around the collar, which was utterly ridiculous, as it was very loose and open, meaning that they could see the poor state of his neck and his collarbone. 

And it did not help that the collar went across all the way to his waist, which meant if Ajax moved a bit they could see more skin peaking through. 

Then, if that didn’t make it bad enough, the rest of the dachang was extremely suited to his figure, extenuating his wide shoulders that made his waist seem more narrow than it was. 

And his waist was tied tightly with a red and blue string, holding the rest of the skirt together, which joined together by the black, red and white hem of the bottom of the dachang.  

And the worse thing was that the back of the collar was cut low, a stylistic choice it seemed, which perfectly showcased the glowing geo sigil on the back of his nape. 

Luckily, Guizhong seemed to spare him, as alongside the dachang was a separate coat that went on top of everything that was a darker gray compared to the outfit and was not see through. 

To go alongside the outfit, Guizhong got him a special red ribbon, made out of fine silk and embroidered with soft flowers of many colors. It was beautiful and went along with the red accents of his outfit. 

She helped him tie his hair up into a ponytail, with two small braids at either side of his head alongside the ponytail. 

Then, she handed him two pairs of earrings, they were silver and were mismatched. 

One housed a flaming red stone, while the other one housed a blue one. 

Usually, Ajax liked to wear only one earring, but given the occasion, he supposed two couldn’t hurt. 

After he was done, Guizhong put a necklace in the form of a circle around his neck, it was a simple silver one, with dangling jewels and dazzling detail. 

He then slipped on the shoes she had gotten him, which were in the fashion of his outfit, and were a nice shade of red. 

After he was done, Guizhong pulled him to the makeup chair, and pulled out her cosmetics. 

They were in beautiful porcelain cases that depicted dragons in blue ink. 

And with expertise, she got out one of her brushes, dipped it slightly in water before she got out her red rouge and swiped it a few times before she said, “Close your eyes for me please….I promise to make sure that you will look like a million yuanbao by the end of this. That old dragon will surely eat his words!” 

Ajax chuckled, but complied, shutting his eyes as he felt her drag the brush up his eyes, leaving a thin line of red eyeliner across his eyes. 

“Shidi!~ You little Huili Jing! You will surely seduce everyone there with how beautiful you look!”

He rolled his eyes, cheeks fiery red. 

After she was done, she showed her results in a small compact mirror and Ajax admired her handiwork. 

It was similar to how Morax painted his own eyes, but much sharper, so much so that he looked like a siren luring sailors at sea to their deaths with his beauty and voice. 

Next up, she drew a delicate flower, with three small strokes in the center of his forehead, similar to the blessing that Cloud Retainer had given them. 

And Ajax vaguely wondered if Cloud Retainer had been the one to make it a trend of sorts. 

Because he had seen some of the ladies inside of the village wearing huadian on their foreheads, and such. 

And he would not be surprised if she had made it a sort of fashion trend.

He could already see Cloud Retainer wearing it on her forehead out and about in her human form, using it as a way to cultivate her adeptal energy, making some of the other ladies pause and admire her beauty as she drank in a small cup of tea by the nearby river, on one of the rare occasions she took a break. 

It was no secret that Cloud Retainer had many admirers, many of which were women, who always flocked to her like sheep whenever she walked by them in her human form. But no matter how hard the ladies attempted to obtain her attention, and get close to her, Cloud Retainer without a doubt would always glare at them and leave. 

She was certainly beautiful in her human form, sort of like a cold beauty, icy and distant, one that you could never reach. 

Kind of like how Lumine always similarly tended to attract people towards her, as did Shenhe and even Zhongli (though for him it was mainly because he was a God that wasn't focused on romance).

The both of them ignored everyone that flocked to them, as they strived for their individual goals. 

But....Ajax had his suspicions that Lumine had someone special to her, as he had seen her break her cold and serious attitude when looking at those letters of hers. 

He didn’t know who it was, but he hoped that Lumine would be happy with them. 

And well....he even believed that Shenhe had a thing going on with that opera singer Zhongli and him often watched perform. 

Guizhong finished quickly, smiling at Ajax, as she painted his lips ever so lightly with rogue, blotting it with a small handkerchief, “Done! Now, let’s go and check out the festivities!” 

_______________________

By the time they got there, the sky was already beginning to darken, as the sun was starting to set. 

The celebration was different from the one in modern Liyue, which was to be expected. 

Since it was a smaller town, the festival felt more personal and more private. 

People hung up lanterns around the town as well, but the stands around town were slightly less bigger than the ones in Liyue Harbor. 

However, the people were the same, talking and chatting amongst themselves, gathered around outside tables around food carts, walking around the streets as they held lanterns to light their way, smiling and talking to each other, dressed up fancily as well. 

And some even stayed besides some of the more secluded areas, content to just sip some simple tea and watch as the sunset washed over, and gave rise to the stunning moon. 

Whilst others preferred to drink Osmanthus Wine, eating small sweets whilst they sang joyful tunes as they awaited for the moon’s arrival. 

There were less lanterns being made, and less people in the village, but the same warm atmosphere was everywhere.

And then, the sun had finally set, and the moon herself had appeared. 

She was beautiful. 

Even bigger and brighter than Ajax remembered her being. 

And he smiled as he saw many people offer up offerings to the moon, praying for good luck to Chang’e as they lit incense and placed it in an incense holder, as they lit small candles. 

And they also prayed for the harvest of that year, giving thanks to the many gods who had helped them, and it was not uncommon to see a villager inside of Qingce Village kowtow before Guizhong, having recognized her as their Goddess. 

Guizhong was upset to see her beloved people so willing to bow before her, but she knew her pleas to get them to get up would run through one of their ears and out the other. 

So, she thanked them for their offerings and promised that she would come by later to personally thank each and every one of them. 

He had also seen these offerings in Liyue Harbor, but over there, long tables filled to the brim with offerings were a common sight to see. 

And he guessed that there was something whimsical and beautiful about celebrating festivals or holidays inside of small villages, because everything felt all the more personal.

Guizhong dragged him along to a certain stall selling lanterns, and she picked two out and handed some yuanbao over before Ajax could intervene. 

She had gotten him a small white lantern with the design of a small white rabbit, most likely done in honor of the Jade Rabbit. 

Meanwhile, she got herself a white lantern with what appeared to be a woman in many beautiful robes who was most likely Chang’e herself. 

They lit it together before they let it go, floating daintily into the sky. 

Ajax smiled as he looked at the sight, before he was pulled once more by Guizhong, “Shidi! It’s time for dinner, we must make haste! We don’t want to lose the delicious food, now do we?” 

Guizhong looked so beautiful, nearly resembling a beautiful flower being caught in the moon’s light, as she ran up the mountain, holding Ajax’s hand as her bracelets shook and made tiny twinkling noises of metal hitting metal. 

_______________________

Thankfully, they had made it just in time. 

Madam Ping was barely starting to set the table alongside Cloud Retainer and Sky Bracer. 

The others were busy chatting with each other, as the children danced to a lively pipa, played by someone whom Ajax has never seen before. 

It was a gorgeous woman, with soft features, plucking away at the pipa as she grinned at the dancing children, her hair the color of dark blue tidal waves, eyes green and serpentine-like and yet  immensely kind. She was dressed in a beautiful dark blue and white qixiong ruqun, and there were slight scale-like patterns that adorned her outfit, having been embroidered on with white string. And one thing that stuck out to Ajax was the fact that she was wearing many silver bangles on her wrists as she played. 

Next to her, was a man, who had a hand on her shoulder, intricately decorated fan in hand as he flapped it and blowed through his lighter colored sea-blue hair, eyes darker blue and playful as he played with the women’s clothing, causing her to send a glare his way a few times. He was dressed in a yichang which was light blue and dark blue, and on his sleeves and on the bottom of his outfit, embroidered on were small waves and a small lotus flower floating amongst them. 

Both of them had horns, but they appeared to be slightly different, more edged and sharper than Morax’s or even Ajax’s. 

Then, there was another woman, sitting near the small pond, gazing out at the moon, admiring it as she sipped on a cup of herbal tea. Her hair was white and held up by exquisite pearl pins with small silver detailing. Her eyes were similarly white, and yet they exuded a soft tenderness to them as she wadded her feet in the pond. 

She wore a white qiyao ruqun with pearlescent details alongside the embroidered blossoming blossoms all over her outfit. She was wearing a pair of pearl earrings that were in the very same shape as Guizhong’s and Ajax briefly wondered if she had been the one to give them to Guizhong. She wore a long winding pearl necklace that wrapped around her neck twice before falling down and cascading down her neck. 

And then, talking next to Morax was a man, shorter than Morax, looking at him with a slight admiration to them. He was enthusiastically chatting away alongside Morax, who merely hummed and gave short replies. His hair was dark, and a pair of yellow horns protruded out of it, and he was dressed in a yellow yichang with slight black accents in shapes of geo sigils. 

And of course, there was that familiar huggable bear, Guoba. 

Ajax was so delighted to see him that he greeted him, catching Guoba off guard but prompting him to similarly greet him. 

He had never seen all of those other people ever before, but he guessed they must be close to the adepti to prompt them to invite them all here during the festival. 

Guizhong dragged him up to the main table, where he was greeted by Madam Ping who gave him a small smile and then a hug. 

She was dressed up as well. 

Dressed in a blue and green qiyao ruqun, with slightly embroidered flowers and pearls at the bottom of her skirt and at the center of her top. Her qiyao ruqun’s collar was cross collared, unlike Guizhong’s. 

She similarly did her own makeup, but her eyeliner was a softer pink, more circular around her eye, as she smiled at Ajax. And yet, the thing that did not change was the spear which she had attached to her back. 

Ajax sat down in his seat, as he was quickly joined by many of the adepti. 

And soon enough, even little Xiao came to join them, dressed in the outfit Ajax had gotten him, half-asleep, settling himself beside Ajax. 

Ajax grinned and patted his head, as Xiao melted into his touch and allowed it, “Today marks the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, A-Xiao! I’m so glad you are here along with us now, and you are lucky you have arrived just in time for the festival! You will get the chance to be able to see the beautiful moon in all its glory today. ”  

Xiao looked confused but nodded, as he stared down as food was shoveled onto the table by an annoyed Cloud Retainer. 

Ajax’s grin became wider as he hugged the boy, who looked frazzled but ultimately relented into the touch, “...Mn…” 

Celestia above, it seemed as if Morax had rubbed off on the boy. 

_______________________

Ajax grinned as he took in the warm atmosphere. 

Wanting to commit the feeling and moment to his long-term memory. 

Soon enough, Morax had started to walk towards him, having finished his conversation, as more and more food was served on the table. 

“Ajax…. ” 

Ajax was jolted from his momentary sweetness as he looked at the man. 

He was as gorgeous as he remembered, his head-wear discarded onto the grass nearby, leaving him with his hair messily done apart from that neat bun it was in moments ago, a choice that was most likely entirely the man’s own accord. 

Ajax grinned, feeling over the moon and lucky to have such a handsome man as his lover, “Hmm?...” 

Morax stared at him for a moment longer, enraptured in the man’s beauty. 

Because he was certainly beautiful indeed, but it seemed as if he was even more tonight. 

His outfit was perfect, accentuating all of the parts of his that Morax loved so dearly. And those beautiful plump lips of his, looking more cherry like with the soft rouge that had been most likely applied by Guizhong, and the sharp eye-liner which demanded Morax’s attention. 

And a part of him felt comforted by the fact that in some ways, Ajax was wearing his marks, even if they were poorly concealed by the layers of his dachang or behind his neck, because even with the familiar eye-liner, it made something in Morax positively preen . 

He was so beautiful that Morax could not prevent the urge from leaning forward and ‘kissing’ him, as Ajax had called it. 

And as Ajax grinned at him, eyes twinkling ever so slightly, even in their deadness. 

And as he teasingly leaned closer, his collar slipping and revealing marred skin and scars, something within Morax snapped. 

He immediately grabbed Ajax and pulled him out of his chair, wrapping a tight arm around him, before he leaned forward and captured his mouth in a searing kiss, feeling the warmth of his body pressed up against his. 

Ajax was surprised, but quickly adapted as he reciprocated the kiss. 

It was chaste…enough…

And he breathed out heavily when they parted and he buried his face into Morax’s shoulder, embarrassed. 

Thankfully, Xiao had fallen asleep during this time, having slumped against the chair, tired. Ajax did not know what to say if the kid had seen such a thing, and would have likely been too embarrassed to speak if he had asked about it. 

And Madam Ping and Cloud Retainer, although they saw it, did not say anything as they continued to set the food on the table. 

Cloud Retainer had seen worse, and Madam Ping knew of their relationship as Guizhong had probably gossipped about it to her. 

And the rest of the kids were running about, making flower crowns, attempting to catch the fish inside of the pond as some of them went to bother the white-haired lady, who merely laughed and played along with them. 

They were all distracted with their own tasks. 

But of course, not everyone was distracted. 

The blue-haired man whistled before he made his way over to Morax, who had an arm wrapped around Ajax’s waist, possessive as always. 

“My, my, Morax. You have finally taken yourself a lover, and a pretty one too…hm…what a surprise indeed from The God of War who is always so serious. Even going far as to make it a mandatory part of an adepti’s contract to not have themselves a lover…Why the sudden change in heart, Morax? ”  

The man said as he fanned himself, leaning closer to Morax, his eyes filled with playfulness mixed with something else, “This little Huili Jing certainly charmed you out of breaking your own contract. Tell me, is he really all that beautiful?” 

Morax’s eye twitched, as his grip on Ajax’s waist tightened, becoming slightly unbearable. 

Osial did not relent in his teasing, and instead, he switched his glaze over to Ajax, bringing his hand to Ajax’s face and to his chin, pushing him up. 

He looked at him, leaning in close, his face mere inches away from his. 

Osial was certainly good looking, that much could not be denied. 

He was a sharp beauty, as most of the angles of his face were sharp and angled, making it so that he looked cold and yet playful as he smiled wolfishly. 

He inspected Ajax’s face before he hummed, pleased, “Yes, it seems as if this little Huili Jing is quite the beauty indeed….” 

He leaned in closer, his breath tickling Ajax’s face, but before he could get any closer, Ajax moved away from him. 

Osial grinned wider as he leaned back up, “Hm….I am slightly jealous you managed to snatch up such a precious and loyal jewel before I had the chance to do so myself. What a pity….say, little Huili Jing, if Morax doesn’t treat you well, come to me and I’ll show you pleasures you have never felt,” Osial’s hand went up to cup Ajax’s face, stroking his cheek. 

And it almost felt like that was the moment the straw truly did break the camel’s back. 

Morax snarled, as he slapped away Osial’s hand, voice commanding and angry, “Osial ! Do not play games with me…You know the consequences to your foolish ploys, or should I remind you again?” 

Ajax paused. 

Oh….so the ancient god whom he unleashed onto Liyue was now…..flirting with him. 

What even was his life at this point? 

Osial (?) merely laughed, as if the God had not threatened him, “Morax, Morax, Morax! I am merely joking with you, I would never dare to steal your lover from you. Or have you forgotten I have a wife?” 

Morax’s eyes went into slits as he glared at Osial, anger evident on his face. 

But before he could say or do anything. His presumed wife stopped playing the pipa before she stood up and went up to Morax, bowing slightly, “Lord Lapis, my husband meant no disrespect, please do not hold his reckless behavior against our contract….I sincerely apologize on his behalf.” 

Ajax blinked. 

Huh? 

Just what kind of marriage was this? 

It seemed as if they were just friends, and his wife looked very annoyed with her husband, looking as if she did not want to be there or even associated with her husband. 

Osial merely huffed, “Beisht, always quick to apologize aren’t you? It was merely a joke.” 

Beisht pinched his side, causing him to wince, sending daggers his way. Before she looked at Ajax, smiling gently at him, “Greetings, I apologize for my husband’s rude behavior but I believe we have not met before. I am known as Beisht, and of course this is my husband Osial. Pleasure to be in your acquaintance.” 

She said husband as if she was referring to an annoying thorn in her side, and Ajax wondered if this was just the dynamic between the two of them. 

And further wondered if the two were a loving and doting couple in private…hmm..

Ajax smiled at her, bowing slightly,  “Pleasure to meet you, Lady Beisht, Lord Osial. My name is Ajax.” 

Osial had lost interest in Ajax and merely waved before fanning himself….It seemed as if that precious pearl already had an owner, how unfortunate, and went off to do something else in the meantime. 

Meanwhile, Beisht’s eyes glittered when she saw the radiance of his smile, and she instantly knew why Morax had fallen in love with Ajax. 

He was radiant, full of life, bright, with a lingering darkness buzzing at the corners. 

It was no wonder he had become quite enraptured with the auburn haired adeptus. 

“Ajax, what a unique name. Are you not around these parts as well?” 

He nodded, as Morax carefully watched the exchange, “Ah, yes. My homeland is quite a ways from here….But, your playing….it was beautiful, I have never heard anything quite like it before. A truly stellar performance, Lady Beisht. I felt very moved.” 

Beisht seemed to grow flustered at how earnest Ajax sounded in his compliment, and she grew the faintest bit red as she sheepishly looked away. 

She had never heard such an earnest compliment to her playing before, as her own husband would merely hum when asked how her playing was, and her own people would merely exaggerate how grand her playing was....This was...different. 

Honest and pure. 

A part of her started to grow jealous of Morax. 

If the God hadn’t already been in a relationship with Ajax, perhaps she would have snatched up the pretty man for herself. 

Her marriage to Osial had been a political one at first, as they joined together their separate parts of the ocean. However over time she had grown fond of Osial, as he had of her, but she was not sure if it was truly love. 

But perhaps it would be, given enough time. 

She sighed. 

The God was certainly lucky to have attracted such a shining jewel by his side. 

“Thank you very much, Lord Ajax. I appreciate the compliments and praise for my humble performance,” she smiled at him, leaning slightly closer and managing to smell the lovely smell wadding off of him. 

It was like the sea-side, refreshing, salty and yet slightly sweet. 

He smiled at her, clueless of her intentions as Morax’s arm tightened around his waist, looking annoyed. 

It seemed as if the God had restrained himself for his lover’s sake. But, he had obviously seen the keen interest in Ajax in Beisht’s eyes. 

But, no one could blame her. 

Not even her own husband, who similarly found the man attractive. 

'Ah....how unfortunate,' she thought as she pranced off, back to play her pipa once more, closing her eyes and feeling the strings underneath her fingers. 

_______________________

Morax gripped at his waist, pulling him in tighter around himself, as he refused to let go of Ajax the rest of the evening. 

It seemed as if the possessive block-headed dragon had become irritated at the fact that his claim over Ajax was being threatened. 

And he perhaps wondered if he should pin Ajax’s hair up, so they could all see his mark of claim on the man’s skin. 

But, perhaps that was too barbaric.  

He would think about it later, and in the meantime, he buried his face inside of Ajax’s neck, causing the man to chuckle and brush his fingers through his hair. 

But, first, he would relish and bask in the warmth of his beloved, and worry about such matters later. 

_______________________

Finally, after a long wait, the last of the dishes were laid on the table. 

Everyone seemed to run towards the table, as Ajax sat down at his usual spot, only to get pulled off by Morax, who merely dragged him along to his own seat. 

Ajax stared down at the seat, confused. 

But soon enough that confusion turned into red hot embarrassment as the man sat down and pulled him down onto his lap. 

Ajax yelped, attempting to get up, which only caused Morax to put his arms around his waist and essentially trap Ajax on his lap, and bury his head into Ajax’s nape.

Ajax flushed red, as the rest of them began to sit down. 

The white-haired goddess paused when she saw the spectacle and blinked, “....Have I missed something in the meantime?” 

Guizhong laughed, having appeared out of nowhere, holding a half-eaten mooncake in her hand, “Indeed, Lady Havria. Our dearest Shizun has taken a lover! A truly surprising thing, as I have never in my lifetime believed that Morax would be capable of getting himself a lover....The foolish dragon can barely talk to the humans without scaring their undergarments off.” 

Morax lifted his head from Ajax’s nape, glaring at her before he tightened his arms around Ajax and buried himself once more into his nape, breathing his lover in once again as he calmed his rattled nerves. 

Havria lightly chuckled as she drew Guizhong into a small hug, “You never change, do you, Lady Guizhong.” 

Guizhong’s grin widened, “Not if I can help it!” 

Havria, the Goddess of Salt. 

Ajax had briefly heard about her in Zhongli’s stories. 

And he felt slightly saddened at the fact that alongside many other Gods, she had tragically been killed by her own follower, her people’s appointed king. 

He had killed her as a way to show her that she would not win the Archon War with kindness and gentility. 

And he was right, as she died tragically in the Salt Terrance where her city stood. 

And apparently, her death served as a lesson to Morax, who knew that he had to kill or at least put down the other Gods in order to come out on top, in order to move to an era of peace and prosperity. 

Ajax swallowed down the bitter feeling in his throat as Havria approached him, smiling warmly, “...Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, and greetings. I do not believe we have met before, I am known as Lady Havria .”  

Ajax smiled, and wished he could properly greet her, if not for the possessive dragon that clung to him, “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you as well, Lady Havria. My name is Ajax, I am one of the newest adepti, pleasure to be acquainted with you.” 

Havria smiled, the same gentility that he had seen from Guizhong on her face, as she continued, in a soft voice, “Ajax is such a beautiful name, I have never heard of it before…” 

Ajax nodded, “Yeah, it’s not a very common name around here. And neither is it in my homeland…It was originally the name of a notorious warrior in my village, who fought many battles and visited many lands….” 

“A warrior’s name….I deem it to be fitting, if what Lady Guizhong tells me about your many battles and scars, is not an indicator enough of your battle prowess.” 

Ajax shook his head, “Ah…does she write about me often?” 

Havria nodded, her eyes glittering with admiration, “Yes, she has told me quite a bit about you in her letters to me,” her white eyes glowed, like a heavenly light being cast upon him. 

He felt a strange warmth pass over his body as she stared into his soul with her white clear eyes. 

After a moment she hummed pleasantly, “Indeed, she was correct about you….Your soul is very beautiful and honest, full of a strong sense of justice and chaos. Like a wonderfully constructed harmony, I have never seen a soul quite like it before. Simply admirable and gorgeous.” 

Ajax did not know what to make of this so he sheepishly looked away, “Ah…thank you…”

Havria shook her head, “No need, your soul speaks for you…However, I must advise you..” 

Then, a quick message passed through his head, in her voice, ‘If you continue to linger inside of the darkness it will consume you.’  

Ajax blinked, not sure if he heard that right as Havria smiled before she walked away to her seat, next to Guizhong. 

….What was that?  

_______________________

He didn’t have time to dwell on her cryptic words as everyone sat around, eating the delicious food with joy, as the kids did so as well. 

Xiao had long since woken up, and begun to eat his food more enthusiastically than usual. Ajax guessed that he must have been hungry for him to eat so much (since the kid usually ate so little). 

Mooncakes were shared amongst them, as Ajax got to experience the joy of eating mooncakes made by Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping’s special recipe. 

They were similar to the one’s Zhongli had made, but all the more refined. 

He sat next to the other adeptus children, as Sky Bracer set down Ganyu alongside them who sat on Bonanus’ lap who chatted happily about anything and everything to a confused Ganyu and an enthusiastic Indarias who was shoving food down her throat faster than anything Ajax had ever seen. 

Meanwhile, Menogias and Bosacius sat side-to-side as Bosacius similarly shoved down food like it was nothing and happily chatted up an amused Menogias who wiped at Bosacius’ mouth. 

Ajax had found out that the other strange man’s name was Azhdaha whom he vaguely remembered in another one of Zhongli’s extensive talks. 

Azhdaha had been one of Morax’s successful creations, one of his only creations who had a will of their own, a mind of their own, life. Morax cared about him, deeply and treasured their friendship, as Azhdaha helped Morax protect and take care of Qingce Village. 

However, as the others soon succumbed to the other god’s wrath and hatred in the form of miasma, his benevolent thoughts about Morax turned ugly and soured significantly. 

He was cruel and spared no one, and eventually, as much as it pained Morax, he had to seal him inside of a mountain. 

He had greeted Azdaha briefly, and the man appeared to be very sweet and very loud and enthusiastic. 

Ajax did not want him to succumb to such a cruel fate, but even if he wanted to, he knew he could not save everyone. 

But even so, his goals were always stupid and naive. 

So, he still refused and added yet another person to save. 

_______________________

The night carried on, as Osmanthus Wine was shared between laughs and conversation as they all admired the stunning moon. 

And Ajax pretended not to notice the way Madam Ping had slipped away, during a particularly loud conversation between all of them. 

And further pretended not to notice the way Guizhong sent him a nervous look, before she herself slipped away and followed Madam Ping. 

Ajax closed his eyes, leaning back into Morax, who embraced him tighter and continued to hum replies to Mountain Shaper about the recent developments. 

Things would get resolved between them, once in for all. 

All's well that ends well. 

He supposed. 

_______________________

Madam Ping was caught in a standstill, not sure what to do or say. 

In an attempt to get past the pain she felt in her chest from the tense air between her and Guizhong, she began to talk to her once again, like they normally did. 

Because even after all, it hurt more to not talk to Guizhong than it did to ignore her feelings and pretend everything was back to normal. 

They chatted about the usual things they did, and Guizhong enthusiastically told her about how Shizun and Shidi had finally stopped dancing around each other and had finally gotten together and how happy she was for them.  

Ping pretended it did not hurt for her to say that, whilst their relationship remained ambiguous and what had happened between them remained on the back-burner, blissfully forgotten. 

And she had attempted to be strong, attempting to not let it bother her. 

Tried to be strong, tried to remain nonchalant, tried to repress her feelings from slipping through. 

But, she had never been the strong one of the two. 

So things ultimately crashed down. 

Seeing Guizhong at their gathering, during dinner, and how beautiful she looked, dressed up in beautiful clothing with those pearl earrings she had gifted her, made from her own tears as a Jiao Ren.  

And something about her undeniable beauty and the way she talked and laughed at the conversations being had during the dinner table, something inside her shattered.  

She couldn’t take it anymore. 

Tears pricked her eyes, as they formed the shape of small water-droplet tears. 

She got up from the table, avoiding a concerned gaze from Cloud Retainer as she quickly made haste and walked away.

_______________________

She made her way to her usual spot, near the side of the creek, spotting the beautiful large stone sitting beside the bank, perfect for such situations. 

He went over there, before she took off her shoes, and then socks before she dipped her feet into water, feeling instantly soothed by such an action. 

Water always had the power to calm her nerves down, as she was born with an affinity to water, being a Jiao-Ren.  

She knew that Guizhong had followed her, as she could recognize her foot-steps from miles away. 

Having memorized everything about her. 

Guizhong’s footsteps stopped right behind her. 

But before she could say anything, Ping spoke up first, “...Shijie…. if….If you have come here to comfort me, please leave…And if you have come here to reject my feelings for you, please spare me and leave ..” 

The last word was spoken, rather wobbly, filled with emotion as Ping watched as her tears turned into pearls as trickled onto her lap, different shapes and sizes, perfect for a pearl necklace. 

Guizhong was silent at first, motionless. 

And Ping was ready for her heart to shatter and for her to throw her feelings to the side if Guizhong’s footsteps fade as they walked back up towards the mountain. 

But then nothing came. 

And then, Ping felt footsteps coming towards her, as they picked up speed and stopped right before her back. 

“A-Ping….will you please turn to look at me…” 

Guizhong said, her voice filled with just as much emotion, wet and choked up.

Ping felt hesitant to do so, but as Guizhong’s warm palms landed onto her back and implored her to turn around. 

She didn’t have a choice. 

She turned around, to see Guizhong’s face running down with golden tears, celestial and beautiful.  

Like golden silk on a pinwheel. 

Guizhong sobbed as she pulled Ping into her, wetting her shoulder with tears. 

Ping similarly sobbed, as her tears turned into pearls as they trickled down Guizhong’s ostentatious qiyao ruqun showered it further in pearls. 

Guizhong held into her tightly, as if afraid that if she loosened her grip, Ping would fly away, and in between sobs she cried, “Will…will you be with me…until my time comes?” 

Ping paused, stiffened, as she registered the meaning behind her words, “…Do you really mean that…” 

Guizhong nodded in her shoulder, hair slightly tickling her face, “…I am sorry for taking so long A-Ping.”  

Guizhong withdrew from her embrace, cupping her face as she peered into her pretty teary eyes, “I have been afraid…cowardly in my affections towards you, and I hurt you....And for that I’m truly sorry.” 

Ping listened to her, as Guizhong continued, “…I have been afraid of hurting you, after I saw what is in store for me in the future….I will die, A-Ping. I will die and you will go mad if we’re lovers….But I….I guess after all this time, I really am selfish….Even though I know you will go mad after my death, I still want you all to myself….I still want you to spend every waking hour with you by my side, as my lover, as my friend, as my shimei…. ” 

Ping was stunned. 

Guizhong would die?  

The light of her life would die?!  

What kind of messed up world was this if such a pure form of life would die? 

No.  

She wouldn’t accept this, she wouldn't-

Guizhong’s fingers tightened and her nails merely sank into her cheeks as she continued, “Do not think of it. Do not think of my death and mourn me before I have the chance to live…. We are all going to die someday, A-Ping…So, if you can grant my selfish wish…please stay with me for now. Stay with me for now, and love me until my fingertips grow numb and until my tears dry up. Love me until you cannot bear it anymore, and until I cannot.” 

Ping’s eyes filled with pearls once more, as they fell down her cheeks and down Guizhong’s hands, and she nodded, in painful understanding. 

She was right, as she always was. 

Guizhong had once shared to her that although her existence was one that was meant to withstand the test of time, remaining beautiful and youthful even as everyone around her withered away and turned into the dust she governed, she had a feeling that her existence was not bound to be forever. 

That she would die and would turn into the dust she ruled over; a cruel irony. 

Guizhong shakily smiled, pressing her lips against Ping’s eyes, kissing them and feeling the slight wetness of her eyes, before they turned into a soft pearl as they fell from her eyes. 

Ping felt warm. 

_______________________

Pearls were a Jiao-Ren’s speciality, the beautiful and priceless things that were naturally produced from their body. 

They were a priceless and precious jewel, one that was so sought after by many humans and immortals alike, desiring them for their illustrious beauty and even more so because they were so well kept by Jiao-Ren. And they would often adorn their entire bodies with the pearls, making all types of jewelry with them, would sow them onto their outfits, and would even make cosmetics out of the pearls. 

Their pearls were a sign of their great pain and sometimes their great joy.  

And so, because of this, many Jiao-Ren had the tradition of collecting their pearls into small boxes, giving them to their lovers and loved ones as a sign of vulnerability. 

A sign of trust.  

However, as pearls were more coveted through the ages, many people started to torture the poor Jiao-Ren in order to force them to cry and collect their pearls in large sums. And some even went as far as to kidnap the Jiao-Ren and keep them behind cages, only bringing them out to torture them and collect their pearls, until no more tears wept from their eyes. 

Because of this, many Jiao-Ren held in their emotions until their very spirits corrupted and they withered out into sea foam, washing out into the many oceans. 

Whilst other Jiao-Ren swore to date amongst themselves, forbidding outsiders from becoming entangled with one of their own. And the remaining few merely kept to themselves, shutting themselves out from ever loving another human being. 

Ping was misfortunate. 

When she was a child, she was fished out by a cruel God, who coveted her precious jewels for their greedy partner who desired the world’s most luxurious goods. 

Every day, she was tortured for hours on end, trapped in a small cage, with other Jiao-Ren who busied themselves by chatting amongst themselves in order to feign ignorance and ignore the pain of their fresh wounds. 

Water seemed so far away from Ping’s dry gills. 

And she dreamed of the days where she would long to swim amongst others, lounge around the banks of rivers, listen to the old lady down the village creek play her instrument as lovely melodies were played that told the story of a longing maiden awaiting her lover after a long year. 

But, as the years went by and as Ping was now an adult, withering through the years. 

And now, she found herself unable to dream about the outside world, caught in an iron cage, forced to listen to other’s cries and the laughter of the God and his lover as they ran their hands through the mountains of Jiao-Ren tears. 

And she forced her eyes shut, wishing for death to take hold of her, so that this miserable existence could end. 

She had a giant gash in her stomach, and she was lazily bleeding out, feeling slight satisfaction at her demise that was coming to relieve her. 

To save her from the massive pain in her heart. 

But, it seemed as if fate had other plans. 

A flash of light seeped through, and then a scream. Then an indignant yell, and then a loud thud as the sound of blood being splattered against the walls jolted Ping awake from her dazed state. 

And then, she blinked. 

And a bright woman entered, wearing a white qixiong ruqun, beautiful like those small lotus flowers Ping had seen around small ponds. Embroidered on, was small dainty clouds and wisps of air, that Ping had not seen in years. Her hair was pinned up into a tight bun, with a small golden hairstick, with a red gem. 

She looked around with horror in her eyes, as if a knife had been plunged through her chest, rendering her shocked and stiff. 

But then, her expression turned to anger, as she shook and then, in a flash of light, her eyes turned a reddish-orange as her teeth grew into fangs, long and sharp, and a pair of feather-like appendages sprouted at either side of her head which glowed like fire, and the beautiful red markings like scratches at either side of her face. 

But what completely mesmerized her was the two long wings that sprouted out of her back, golden and yet fiery red, glowing brighter and adorning the light-less cages in a strong light. 

A Goddess. 

Someone who was too benevolent to ever look away from, someone so beautiful and pure-hearted. 

Ping felt her heart race as she felt the urge to reinstate itself into her, as she fought the urge to close her eyes and succumb to her injuries. 

Guizhong looked around, opening the locks to the cages, with a glide of her hand, melting the lock with her fire. 

She smiled at them, despite her anger, “My name is Guizhong, I have come to set you free! So run away and never look back. We have slain your captor, so there is no need to worry everyone. Go back to your families and friends and rejoice!” 

Everyone paused, looking amongst each other, hesitant. 

But when they saw the kindness inside of Guizhong’s intimidating eyes, they settled down and scrambled to get out the door, running and nearly trampling one another. 

Guizhong grinned, wild and free, delighted that they were free. 

Ping’s heart began to beat heavily in her chest at the sight before her. 

After everyone left, Guizhong looked around, making sure she left no one. 

And then, she paused to look at Ping. 

Their eyes interlocked and Ping felt as if her entire face had been lit on fire, she looked as if she was sent from the heaven’s above, absolutely divine.  

Guizhong’s eyes filled with something and she rushed to Ping’s side. Ping did not say anything, feeling undeserving of such a benevolent Goddess. 

Guizhong carefully brought her hand towards Ping, causing her to flinch, “....Do not worry…I will not hurt you….I am merely healing you.” 

Ping allowed her to continue, forcing the tension in her muscles from leaving as she let her in. Guizhong gave a small smile, relieved, as she carefully pressed her hand to the giant gash in Ping’s stomach, drawing a soft light from her palm.

It was unlike her unforgiving flames, melting anything that came into contact with them. 

But they were gentle, like a soft light, guiding an unsuspecting traveler on their journey. 

The energy carefully healed up the layers of muscle and skin, as it stopped healed up the wound, closing it and preventing it from bleeding further. 

When she was done, Guizhong withdrew her palm, her wings carefully tucking in as she carefully put her arm around Ping and lifted her up. 

Ping winced, as her foot had been injured, but she did not voice any complaint as Guizhong silently led her out. 

The building was desolate, the usual laughter of the God and their lover was nowhere to be heard, just a deathly silence. 

Ping enjoyed it. 

Guizhong turned to look at her once again, “...Do you have any family to go back to….” 

Ping shook her head. 

All of her family had been killed years ago, by the same people, as she had heard from some of the other Jiao-Ren, and she had no home to return to, as her people had long since moved away. 

Guizhong looked hesitant, and a slight pity coated her eyes as she said, “...Well...in that case….would you like to come with me?”  

Ping felt her breath hitch as she softly nodded, “...Yes..”  

And that was that. 

And from then on, Ping trained to join The Adepti, trained to be a warrior, a strong dependable one that her beloved shijie could lean against, one that could protect her, keep her safe. 

And the further time went on, the more Ping’s feelings deepened and hardened, until she could no longer deny that it was love she was feeling. 

And as she stayed inside of Guizhong’s arms, feeling her warmth, like on the day she met her. 

She cried openly and let Guizhong kiss her through her tears, relishing how gently she treated her whilst she was so vulnerable. 

And soon enough, she was carried by Guizhong, who kissed her inside her arms as she entered Ping’s abode, and laid her down on the bed. 

There, they would lay in their own warmth, embracing each other until they fell asleep, feeling the pulse of the other and sighing in the warmth of their body heat. 

For now, they would remain, calmly dozing off to the sound of each other’s breaths as the night carried on.

For now, they would worry about nothing else. 

For now, they would merely remain. 

With each other, for now.  

_______________________

The news of a God's death shook the entirety of Teyvat. 

She was known as a powerful warrior, one that never backed down from a challenge, but was very stubborn and impulsive. 

After a particularly fierce battle against another God, she returned back to her abode, corrupted by untreated miasma, a thing that went unchecked because of her own stubbornness to admit she was injured. 

And yet, nobody had ever expected that she would succumb to it to the point where it corrupted her very being and eventually, as she ventured inside of her lover’s bedroom. 

She turned to her lover in a miasma-induced rage, pulled out her sword and slit her lover’s throat, right through until she bled out. 

After she had come to, she cupped her lover’s dead body in her arms, wailing and weeping when she realized what she had done, and in a fit of rage, the miasma had driven her to commit another terrible act. 

And she killed her people, one by one, until their home was nothing but a desolate ruin of what was once a delightfully peaceful place, filled with harmony and love.  

And now, it was covered with pools of blood and organs. 

The Goddess looked at her dead lover in her arms, buried her carefully underground, carving a small tomb before withdrawing her sword from her hilt and plunging it deep inside of her, corrupted by her immense sadness and rage. 

Afterwards, her death would soon follow the news that….

_______________________

The Goddess of Salt, Havria was slain, not by her own people. 

But by her own lover. 

In their bedroom, alone. 

The news had come after Morax happily took the 'no relationship' rule out of everyone's contract, leaving everyone slightly more relieved at such a change, whilst the children remained confused as to why it mattered so much. 

The momentary joy from such a proclamation, was extinguished, once news of Havria's death reached their ears, by a solemn Cloud Retainer. 

Ajax had cried when he heard of the news, more so out of deep frustration. Morax was gone to talk to his people to assure them that everything was fine and that they would look into the matter, most likely feeling the weight of Havria’s sudden death too much. 

Guizhong had locked herself up in Madam Ping’s abode, alongside Madam Ping who kept watch and prevented people from entering their abode. 

And the rest were either watching over the children, or patrolling the outer perimeters of Qingce Village. 

Ajax was alone in his sadness, in his frustration, in his anger.  

Because he had failed. 

He had failed . 

He had overlooked what was happening underneath his nose…he had failed to save someone. 

Failed to save a life. 

Failed.  

Fucking failed! 

Fate was cruel and merciless as it was kind and merciful, but what it was most was fair.  

Ajax had changed the events of the original timeline, and because of that, he had catapulted the death of Havria quicker, faster . 

He was changing the timeline, in the process of saving others by changing key events, by changing the way things were done, and had messed it up, had caused a careless death that would have been prevented had he taken the timeline into more consideration. 

And soon enough, fear gripped at him. 

Havria’s death could only mean one thing, 

The war would approach faster than he had anticipated. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(20/30)

More chapters here! <333

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_____________________

Chapter 20: Mending Spirits, Uncertain Feelings, and the Taste of Freedom Pt. 4

Xiao being his son! 

Now, that horrified Ajax. 

He had never truly allowed himself to consider the possibility of adopting kids with Zhongli, even during the time of their short lived relationship. 

He didn’t know if he would be good enough to be someone’s father, much less Xiao’s. 

The kid hated his guts back in his own time, and besides that, he was not sure how to go about this strange notion in his mind.

And if that was the case, did that mean by de facto….Ganyu was his daughter too?....

No, that was unlikely, he brushed that stupid thought away. 

He had heard around Liyue that Ganyu was raised predominantly by Sky Bracer in her formative years and then later on Cloud Retainer, so it would be too presumptuous for him to assume that she even considered Morax to be her parent anyways. 

Although….now that he recalled it. 

He had seen Zhongli speaking gently to Ganyu in an almost proud father type of way, during one of the rare times where they did not have dinner…..because Zhongli already had plans made. 

______________________

Childe was carelessly strolling through the streets of Liyue Harbor, taking in the sights and relishing in the sweet warmth from the sun, and the refreshing sea breeze, which faintly smelled like salt. 

It was a nice change of pace from the usual lack of smell in his homeland back in Snezhnaya, partly do to the raging snow that always surrounded it.

Only the smell of distant wood burning was distinguishable in the snowfall, most likely coming from a house's fireplace as a means to keep warm and not catch hypothermia in the bitter cold. 

He gasped in huge breaths of the refreshing air and strolled past the harbor itself, feeling the slightest urge to jump into the ocean below, and risk himself being viewed as a weirdo…more so than he was already was to the eyes of the people in Liyue, he guessed. 

That Funeral Consultant he had grown so fond of had already made plans and had respectfully apologized and proclaimed that he already had plans with someone close to him for the evening, which he could absolutely not miss. 

The way he had described it, so softly and the slightest bit solemn, made it sound as if he did not want to miss out on their usual lunch dates, but had too.

And with those wide pleading eyes, Childe did not have it in him to complain.

And so he merely chuckled and smiled warmly, touching Zhongli's hand in a manner he hoped would be reassuring, “Xiangsheng......it's alright if you already made arrangements with someone else. I understood for your words that they are dear to you, so there is no harm done if you want to help them out.....I wouldn't want to impede you on your prior commitment with your friend. I completely understand, so there's no need to apologize, Xiangsheng.”  

Zhongli merely blinked, his eyelashes making a small sound as he did so…..Ajax swears those lashes of his will be his demise. They were long and full, slightly fuller at the ends of his eyes, making a small noise whenever he blinked. And coupled with his elegantly done red-eyeliner, it only served to accentuate his handsome features and his beautiful eyes. 

Celestia above, he was so very enamored with this man!

“Ah, thank you, Childe. I simply did not want you to misconstrue my absence as disrespect. Nor did I want you to misunderstand, because I throughly enjoy your presence and greatly appreciate our time spent together and would not like it to be tarnished because of this minute matter of mine....As I have said before, my dear friend is currently in need of my advice and insight on a matter very dear to her, and I simply cannot miss it, I apologize once again.” 

Ajax laughed, a bit more unrestrained this time, his mask had slipped momentarily, “Xiangsheng! It’s okay! There really is no need to apologize to me or even thank me! I already said it's alright, and I won’t misconstrue anything, so there is really no need to worry either.” 

Ajax squeezed his hand a bit tighter, feeling Zhongli's hand stir a bit at the motion, but not pull away.

He grinned at the man, leaning in closer with a large grin on his face, "It really isalright, don't worry about it!"  

Zhongli stared at him a bit, as his slight frown gave way to a relieved smile, “I am glad, but I thank you regardless for being very understanding of my predicament.” 

Childe grinned at Zhongli before he took a swing of his Osmanthus wine giving a satisfied sigh, before he said, “Well, then, shall we enjoy the rest of our evening together?” 

Something in Zhongli’s eyes sparkled with an unabashed fondness and his smile widened, “Yes, I would like that very much.” 

And so, here he was, strolling throughout Liyue attempting to find a way to distract himself from that look in Zhongli’s eyes, a look that only served to drive him up a wall. 

He fought back his blush, and stared at the calm waters of Liyue Harbor, feeling the itch to jump into the refreshing waters below intensify. 

But he didn’t and merely continued to stare at it. 

After a few moments, he sighed and began to walk back to the town, to perhaps see if he could find something to distract himself.

It had unfortunate that Zhongli had decided to leave him, on his day off. 

Which were rare and hard to come by. 

He had received it, after The Tsaritsa send him a letter informing him that his shenanigans where earning him infamy amongst the people in Liyue, and that gossip was rampant after they had found out by word of mouth that he had been interrogated by The Tianquan of Liyue herself about the strange happenings going on in Liyue. 

She had reprimanded him in the letter, telling him to take some time off and throw everyone off his scent by pretending to just be someone who was sent over to watch over the Northland Bank and nothing else....which was difficult to do as he had already proudly proclaimed his allegiance with the Fatui and The Tsaritsa. 

But, The Tsaritsa's orders were absolute, and so, he did not have much of a choice. 

And so, he was stuck in Liyue Harbor, with too much time to spare.

And since he was certainly not up to doing paperwork back at the bank, he decided to take a day-off before he got back into the rhythm of doing the mountains of paperwork waiting for his approval. 

And also because Katya herself had suggested it herself, after she saw how tired he had been after going on that expedition in Jueyun Karst to attempt to figure out how to make more Sigils of Permission. 

He sighed and attempted to repress the sheer size of his disappointment when he found out that he did not get to spend time with Zhongli after the hellish week he had. 

He continued walking and hoped that at least Zhongli was having some sort of fun, wherever he was. 

After a few minutes of mindlessly walking, he decided to go to Wanmin to grab a quick meal and settle himself down by one of the many beaches in Liyue to watch the waves and then perhaps go for a quick dip himself before fighting the nearby slimes.

A perfect evening…..at least in his opinion. 

It was either do that or perhaps hope that the charming Captain Beidou was stationed somewhere nearby so that he could drink himself silly and hear her talk about her wife Ningguang ever so fondly, and challenge him to an absurd drinking competition, and then promptly stumble back towards his apartment and blackout.

Or even watch one of Xinyan or even Yunjin’s performances, as he enjoyed those very much. 

He began to walk towards it. 

However, as he was in the process of doing so, he overheard a conversation nearby one of the stands near the harbor. 

He turned towards the commotion and saw the familiar pale-blue haired lady he had seen 2 days before, blushing fiercely as she covered her face,“....My L-Mr. Zhongli….I have no idea how to even begin to ask her….or if she is even interested in marrying me.” 

Marriage?  

Zhongli stared fondly back at her, with a glimmer in his eyes that was often directed towards him. And yet, instead of feeling the jealousy he normally felt whenever Zhongli glanced at others, a part of him could not find it in himself to do so. 

Especially after he chuckled and ruffled her hair in a way that could only be described as fatherly affection, “Now, now, little one….there is no need to fret. If she has agreed to go on many dates and has expressed to you the full extent of her feelings, then there is no need to worry about what her answer will be. If she truly loves you and is ready to take the next step, then there is no need to worry, young one.”  

She blushed harder as she fiddled with her hair, in a nervous manner, “...I see where you are coming from, but I can’t seem to shake the feeling of restlessness and fear I have….I know she loves me, as she has proved it to me many times, but I cannot shake the feeling….And I don’t know what to do," she buried her face in her hands. 

She sighed, and that’s when Childe noticed that they were standing next to Madam Ping’s cart, where a smiling Madam Ping as she took Ganyu’s hands in hers and slightly rubbed them in a reassuring manner, “Silly child, I strongly doubt that she will say no, I have seen the way she looks at you, during those times you have brought her over to my abode. I do not doubt the intensity of her feelings for you, but I will brew you some tea if you are in need of relaxation before the proposal, A-Yu.”  

Ganyu seemed to be slightly relieved by that as she let out a large sigh, her bell slightly shaking as she swayed a bit, “I….guess…But still, I do not know how to propose to her or where to do it…I have never truly considered proposing to a mortal before, as I have never felt like this before…and I would like to treasure it….dearly.”  

Madam Ping patted her shoulder, “I understand that, dear….And besides, there is no need to worry, Mr. Zhongli and I will advise you on this matter.” 

Zhongli nodded, “Yes, we will be there to support and advise you, little one.” 

Ganyu let out a sigh as she nodded, a slight sadness tainting her sweet eyes, similar to that of grief, “Thank you both…I really needed your reassurances…But…how should I exactly propose to her….I have been thinking about doing it perhaps near where he did all those years ago, in honor of his memory…But I am not sure whether to go the more traditional route or do a more modern version…” 

Zhongli took her words into consideration, a slight somber expression flashing by his eyes before he said, “I am sure he would have greatly appreciated your kind gesture. And as for the route you would like to take. Whilst it has been traditional to propose by sending her family a variety of expensive gifts and asking permission for her hand in marriage for many centuries…And while the youth nowadays like to propose by getting much more intimate and getting down on one knee and doing so with an engagement ring….Hm….” He put a hand on his face, deep in thought. 

Childe nearly burst out into laughter. 

Of course Zhongli had turned it into a lecture instead of saying what his own opinion about the matter.

It was such a hilarious sight. 

He stayed deep into thought before he said, “I believe it will be great to do both, as you are setting your intentions clear with both her family and her, and it can be just as intimate as you want. A conjoinment of both traditional and modern proposals would certainly be the best…However, you may decide on whichever route you would like to, Ms. Ganyu.” 

Ganyu shook her head frantically, “No, I like this idea...It would certainly be great to bring both traditions together….But, that just leaves me to buy the gifts myself…..and I do not know if it is obvious….but I find myself quite un-experienced on which gifts would be best to buy, as it is not in my field….Which is part of the reason why I asked for your help, Mr. Zhongli….You have excellent tastes and I only want the best for her and her family.” 

Zhongli chuckled whilst Madam Ping smiled, their eyes glittering with happiness, “I am glad you have figured this out, and I would love nothing more than to assist you on which betrothal gifts would be best to buy. You have my help.” 

“As you have mine, dear. If anything happens and if you need someone to put together the venue, you can always count on this humble old woman for assistance as well.” 

Ganyu blushed harder as she smiled, “...Thank you…the both of you…I....really appreciate your help from the bottom of my heart.” 

Childe smiled at the sigh, warmed by the way they seemed to be talking about such a joyous event, whilst he imagined poor Ganyu carrying most of the gifts herself as Zhongli rambled on about the exquisite gift wrapping paper, whilst Madam Ping patiently smiled and trailed behind them, carrying that treasured guzheng of hers on her back. 

He was happy for Ganyu, even if he was quite unfamiliar with her (even if he did feel slightly nostalgic at the sight of her), and made a mental note to send her his sincerest regards once this Gnosis-stealing and Osial-freeing mission was complete. 

He had known of her and Keqing’s relationship from gossip spread around Liyue and was happy that the adeptus had found love. 

And a very selfish part of Ajax yearned for the days where he too could walk around town buying the many things that would be at their wedding, from decorations to food…and allowed himself to day-dream if Zhongli himself was the type to gift the people whose families he was interested in gifts and such…

He chuckled deeply and grinned, walking past them as they continued talking about their wedding preparations and such, putting his hands in his pocket as he let his more delusional daydreams get a hold on his reality. 

Not noticing the pairs of eyes that had taken notice of him, staring intensely. 

______________________

Zhongli had long since expressed his regards to the adepti, revealing himself to be very much alive after the tragedy that unfolded in the eyes of the rest of the public. He had done so, after he had invited them all inside of his abode, which instantly had them all running to it as soon as they received the formal apology letter. 

His explanation….brought a variety of reactions. 

Cloud Retainer nearly pecked him to death as she reprimanded him for frightening her, “Sly dragon! Your foolish actions have greatly affected us all! The next time you devise such a plan, let the rest of us know! Are we deemed to be useless and weak to you now that you will not inform us of anything anymore?!” 

Mountain Shaper joined in, Moon Carver at his side, “My Lord, I agree. You completely left us in the dark, with no clue to your master plan. You had us worried that this might have been done by a greater evil, one that worried us about the safety of Liyue Harbor and Teyvat itself..” 

Moon Carver nodded, “Yes, you failed to mention any of your plan to us. We were all dreadfully anticipating the next attack that this evil might do next…It was highly irresponsible to not inform us, My Lord.” 

Madam Ping sighed, “Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer….You must see where Lord Lapis was coming from. He had been attempting to get his plan over with as fast as he could and as realistic as he could. If he were to inform us of his plan, we would have come across as quite indifferent to his death, which would have made it seem very suspicious.” 

Ganyu nodded, looking relieved more than anything at the sight of her Shizun, “Yes, our Lord would never intentionally worry us…And I am very glad that he is alright,” she looked at him fondly, relief all over her face. 

“I agree…I am….relieved that My Lord is alright,” Xiao said, the hint of tears caught on his lashes. 

A sight that Morax had not seen in....millennia. 

Xiao never cried, always preferring to shut off those unpleasant emotions that creeped upon him, shoving them away into the back of his mind, dealing with them by paying back his karmic debt. 

And so, as he saw the glassiness of Xiao's eyes and some of the other adepti, Zhongli felt a pang of guilt hit him when he saw how scared they had all been, believing that their dear friend, their family member had tragically died. 

Celestia knows he would similarly be as scared and could not fathom how he must have made them all feel after the news spread far and wide. 

They had all cried for his sake, and even grieved for him. All because he failed to mention his Contract to them, with the Tsaritsa. 

He let out a small sigh, feeling his own eyes prickle with tears, “I deeply apologize….It was a lack of preparation on my part….I failed to inform you all of my contract with the Tsaritsa….I was to inform you all after the new’s of my death had spread and after The Qixing had asked you all if you knew anything. However, I got…somewhat….distracted…Forgive me.”  

Distracted was definitely a word he could use for Tartaglia. 

The man had shaken up the monotony of his life, and made the feelings he had long since been saving for his dear Ajax resurface once more. The resemblance to his lost love was uncanny, to the point where Zhongli occasionally hinted at certain things in order to see if it really was him. 

However, it seemed to not be the case. 

But even so, he appreciated his company, and considered him dear to him nevertheless. 

He was just as shining and as precious as his dearest treasure, but the slight unsure feeling left him conflicted. 

But then, Guizhong had come to him, appeared before him and, implied that it truly was Ajax. 

He had promised himself he would bring him back, make him remember slowly and with time. 

And whilst Morax was never one to doubt her words, as they were always true....a part of him did not want to foolishly hope and cling onto such a sweet illusion, for fear that it would crumble at his feet and wither away. 

The rest of the adepti did not utter a word afterwards about what had distracted him, as they were all glad he had been alright, although he had earned a curious glance from Ganyu as they sat around for dinner and after they had all had a ‘group hug’...as the youth’s called it. 

______________________

Zhongli was surprised when Ganyu had asked for his help on an urgent matter, sent by way of letter inside of the Wansheng Funeral Parlor, tossed to him by his rowdy boss Hu Tao amongst many other letters, who merely teased him, “Aiyah! Mr. Zhongli!~ What a saucy minx you are, having so many devoted followers that are so eager to get your love and attention, that they even bombard you with a thousand love confessions inside of your own workplace! How scandalous and unprofessional!” 

His eye twitched but he ignored his boss, which had her howling with laughter, playfully slapping his shoulder, “I’m only kidding, Mr. Zhongli! There is no need to be so serious all the time!” 

She eventually left him, bouncing happily towards her workshop, where she was hacking and sawing away at pieces of wood to make some more coffins. 

He had no idea what he would do with such a rowdy and obnoxious kid. And yet, he could not prevent the sort of fondness that poked through whenever she was around. She reminded him dearly of Guizhong, and he guessed perhaps that’s why he was drawn to the job in the first place. 

He sighed, looking at the note sent by Ganyu and promptly tearing the wax seal gently before reading it. 

Afterwards, he left work and dreaded having to cancel his usual lunch date with Childe. But, Ganyu’s letter sounded so urgent and desperate that he could not ignore her pleas. 

Surprisingly, Childe had accepted it gracefully and the way he worded it sounded so carefree and nonchalant that it strongly reminded him of his dearest treasure, something that choked him up a bit. 

He soon arrived at Ganyu’s apartment, knocking a couple of times before the woman appeared, looking quite jittery and all over the place, eye bags heavy and eyes blood-shot…most likely due to overworking.

And…he…was suddenly reminded that he needed to have a small little chat with The Tianquan about bettering the conditions of her workers or at least providing Ganyu with a vacation, or maybe three. 

She looked as if she would collapse anytime now, the more he looked at her. 

Ganyu looked up at him before she bowed, “Oh! Lord Lapis, you have really come! I am sure you read my letter…and well…I am in desperate need of your assistance…If that would not be bothersome to you, My Lord!” 

Zhongli smiled, before ruffling her hair gently, feeling how soft and curly it felt (just like he remembered), “Not to worry…I am not in any hurry at the moment and am willing to help you in any of your endeavors, should you say the word.” 

She smiled, “Thank you, Lord Lapis…I greatly appreciate it.” 

Soon enough, they were downtown, and discussing things with Madam Ping. 

And that’s when they heard a familiar laugh. 

They all turned towards the sound, seeing an auburn haired man, smiling wide and bright as he walked past them, looking as free as ever. 

It was Childe. 

His hair was glowing embers, grin large and free, walking with a cadence that was unmistakably Ajax's. 

He looked so beautiful. 

So breathtaking. 

The sight almost reminded Morax of softer days, days where he would walk downtown with Ajax and Guizhong at his sides, watching as they ran ahead of him to gawk at the stalls of brand new items brought from places further away from Qingce Village. Days where it was easier to breathe, where the responsibility and burden of being an immortal God did not dawn on him, days where everything seemed so painfully sweet. 

Days he so longed to return to. 

Zhongli saw as both Ganyu’s and Madam Ping’s eyes glittered with something akin to sadness as they stared at him as he walked by them. 

And his chest felt heavy as he realized that they too must miss his dear Ajax just as much as he did. 

They did not utter a word about it, not at least until he was walking back to Ganyu’s apartment, holding some of the gifts he had bought inside of many bags. 

He helped Ganyu hide them carefully inside her house, and was about to leave when she lightly pulled at his arm. 

He turned back to see Ganyu looking up at him with a sort of desperation he had not seen in her eyes for a long time, “....My Lord….may I please ask you…..about something…” 

Morax stopped in his tracks, feeling a lump in his throat as a part of him knew what she was going to ask him about. 

“Mn.” 

She nodded, her eyes lightly glassy, “Was he….Was he the distraction you spoke of….before?” 

He felt his own eyes prick with tears as he blinked them back and attempted to regain his composure, “....Mn…” 

Something inside of her seemed to shatter as he saw her blink back tears that started to flow past her eyes, “....Why…..."

He felt his Gnosis feel heavy inside of his chest, as he continued, her voice filled with unmistakable grief, "Why! Why....is it that he looks just like him and yet…he does not seem to remember me or....any of us….He did not even spare me a second glance when he saw me in Lady Ningguang’s office…Why is that?”

Her voice was desperate, shaky and filled with years of unfelt grief. 

He was not sure what to answer and merely shook his head, “....I...am not sure....” 

“Then why….why does he smile and talk and look the way he used to! The way my precious Gege used to?-I…” 

She trailed off as she started to sob, harsh and breathless. 

It reminded him of how Guizhong used to cry; with her entire soul and body with each and every sob. 

She had taken after Guizhong, she had taken after her in her incredible kindness, generosity, intelligence, bravery, and even the way she grieved. 

He wished she hadn't taken that trait from Guizhong. 

Morax felt his own tears start to roll down his own cheeks, “....I…do not know…” 

She couldn't take it anymore and dove into his arms as she screamed into his chest, holding onto him tightly.

And all of a sudden Morax was transported back to the past.

Looking on at a barren wasteland, the smell of iron heavy and thick in his nostrils, ringing inside of his ears, and the countless dead bodies that surrounded him. 

Of his body inside of his arms, heavy and limp. 

Like a doll. 

His eyes were closed, his heartbeat was gone, the slight warmth of his skin was gone, turning into a sickly pale color. 

But, what hurt the most that day, after he felt the ground beneath him shake and the earth begin to transform under his rage and grief was the sheer amount of emptiness he felt as he held the dead body of his love, his precious boy, his dearest treasure. 

Was the way little Ganyu, merely a teenager at the time stared at the body of a lifeless Ajax, before screaming at the top of her lungs. 

Shaking Ajax wildly and nearly tearing him from Morax's grip, a horrifying desperation in her eyes. 

That's what he saw, reflected back in the now, young woman's eyes. 

Now, she the little girl she used to be, the same one who eventually cried heavily into his arms all those years ago, screaming to know where her gege had gone off to, and why he was not moving, and when he would come back. 

He rubbed her head gently, as he held her tightly, a part of him wishing to sob out in pain, as she did. 

He didn’t. 

After a few more hours there were no more tears to shed, as Ganyu became unresponsive, eyes far off and dull. 

His chest was heavy, the place where his Gnosis lay within it pulsates, as he felt the familiar pain of mourning rise up once again, feeling his throat fill up with a heavy lump. 

He gently led her to her room, where he tucked her in, and sighed as she closed her eyes, almost desperately. 

As if she wanted to forget about everything and dream about him once more. 

His death had hit them hard, all of them. 

And while others attempted to hide their hurt at his passing with hateful words at his actions, he knew that they never stopped thinking about him, never stopped missing his presence and the way he would light up the room by merely stepping inside of it. 

They all wished to go back. 

Go back to the smaller version of Qingce village, the less developed version of it, as they happily chatted away and enjoyed the variety of food with a good cup of aged wine. 

He wished he could go back. 

And a strong part of him wanted nothing more than to leave everything and go back. 

But he couldn’t. 

He made his way towards the building where The Yuheng was staying and knocked on her door. 

She was surprised at his arrival but did not complain at his sudden insistent knocks and respectfully did not comment about his appearance. 

He explained the situation to him, and calmly relayed what had happened to Ganyu. 

Ever since the passing of Ajax, something in the young Qilin had shattered. 

The last bit of grip on reality she had, effectively broke into pieces.

From then on, she would in some ways get lost in her own fantasies, would stare off into space for hours, and would not recognize herself inside of mirrors. 

She had taken some medicine for it, but sometimes it would happen regardless of the medicine or not. 

And he guessed Ganyu had explained it to The Yuheng who understood and said that she knew how much her beloved gege meant to her and rushed towards her apartment before uttering a quick ‘thank you’ to Zhongli as she practically ran to it. 

Zhongli was comforted by her reaction and was sure that The Yuheng would be a great life partner for Ganyu. 

He sighed and stared up at the now darkened sky, seeing as the moonlight cascaded upon the bustling streets of Liyue.

He looked at it for a bit before he made his way to his apartment, feeling a bit exhausted after the encounter. 

Wishing more than ever that Guizhong had been right. 

That he truly was Ajax. 

______________________

Anyways, that particular memory was not of importance right now! 

Ajax could think about such matters later on! But, for now, he would focus on at least forming a better relationship with the boy. 

He really really really wanted to fight against him, a friendly spar. And while he would most likely be able to fight against the youth back in his own time…it would be great if they were on better terms. 

He did not want Xiao to look like he wanted to strangle him with his arms at every given moment. 

He wanted to at least for a better relationship with the boy, for his sake at least. 

Ajax had once tried to ask Zhongli if Alatus would be up to fight against him, after vaguely hearing his name and his battle prowess in a play they went to see…although, he does not remember much….which was a given considering the large amount of alcohol he consumed. 

______________________

The play depicted General Alatus as a fierce warrior, who was the most unrelenting one of the Five Yaksha. 

One, who did not spare anyone in his pursuit to serve his Lord, Rex Lapis. 

He would hastily use his polearm to end those who dared to provoke his Lord's wrath with a quick series of strategic slices. 

He had earned his skills in battle from years of extensive training under the personal guidance of Rex Lapis and another illusive adeptus whose name was lost to time. 

Childe missed the glint of sadness that passed over Zhongli’s golden eyes, as he darted his eyes to him, expectant and imploring. 

But the man did not turn to face him, eyes staring entranced at the play in front of them, as the others around them too stayed fixated at the ostentatiously decorated main stage.  

Childe watched as the storyteller kept telling the story, bringing out various people in costumes as they sang and acted, twirling about and portraying the ferocious adepti. And he would occasionally take a swing of the Baijiu the theater had laid upon for everyone to relish in, amongst other assortment of treats for the customers to enjoy. 

Now, Zhongli would have warned Childe about the intense and highly concentrated alcohol content inside of the liquor, as it was known to easily intoxicate people to the point where they would blackout shortly…if taken carelessly and in high amounts. 

And while Zhongli had seen just how high Childe’s alcohol tolerance was, from the way he had seen him pass back strong alcoholic beverages without so much as a reaction. He was not entirely sure if it was very advisable to drink such a strong drink in such an excessive amount, as he saw the man pass swing after swing of it, nearly downing 3 full bottles and some. 

And, inevitably, it seemed as if the alcohol seemed to really affect the man. 

Childe was drunk as his body swayed, movements slightly slowed down from the Baijiu he had ingested, which…caused Zhongli to throw an arm around his shoulder as he guided the man back to his apartment. 

They were out of the theater already, and were walking towards his apartment, down the busy street where many people were walking and talking amongst one another. 

It was then where Childe boldly proclaimed, with stars in his eyes, that he desperately wanted to fight the illustrious General Alatus, slightly swaying as he did so, cheeks slightly reddened from the alcohol. 

Zhongli merely chuckled deeply before he shook his head, hoisting him up a bit, “I am certain that Xia-General Alatus has taken a vow to never harm a mortal in his life. And so, even if you were very eager and upfront to go against him, he would coldly turn you down…At least from what I have heard before in many of the ancient texts and stories passed around for years now.” 

Some of the excitement died in Childe’s eyes as she frowned, “Aww…that’s too bad….” A sliver of mischief passed through his eyes as he grinned, bloodlust once again on his face, “….I bet I could make him fight me, to the point where he would not be able to refuse!” 

Zhongli felt the fondness that had been simmering underneath his skin come across in his eyes as he shook his head with a chuckle, “Always quite the rascal, stirring up unnecessary dramatics for the sake of getting the opportunity to fight against one of Liyue’s most respected adepti…I should have expected as much.” 

Tartaglia merely shook with laughter, and that devilish grin sprawled larger across his face, “Unnecessary, maybe? But, that doesn’t drive me away from the itch to just get him into one fight with me. That would be enough, then he could go crawling back to the hole he has been hiding in for the past hundred years.” 

Zhongli chuckled as he continued guiding the man to his apartment, feeling slightly pleased when the man nearly fell, causing him to have to put an arm around his waist. 

However, something in him broke, when he realized by doing so, he was slightly touching the bare skin of the small window he had in his outfit…but still, he felt himself slightly hum when he felt the muscles underneath twitch at his touch. 

______________________

But that wasn’t the point. 

He would at least attempt to get the boy to at least tolerate his existence. 

He let out a sigh, as they all quietly walked back to Qingce Village, all exhausted and ready to go back home again. 

Xiao, the brat, diligently walked behind Morax, the same reverent look in his eyes never leaving him as he did. 

Guizhong had suggested carrying Xiao, since his body’s constitution was the weakest, but the boy had refused her, stubbornly refusing to be a burden to them. Guizhong had admired how resolute the boy had been, but still softly said that they would take occasional breaks along the trip in order to not exhaust him too much. 

Xiao had shyly thanked her, before catching up to Morax, who was still walking ahead of all of them. 

The rest of the once captured adepti had all been sent free, and some had gone back to their own homes, their own families and their own duties in other parts of Teyvat, profusely thanking them. 

And, the ones who had nowhere to go to, had tagged alongside them. 

All differentiating ages, the eldest looking to be the same age Ajax was when he fell back into the Abyss. 

They all recalled the names they had been given by people they once knew, people which Ajax was sure had all passed. 

There were 5 of them, with Xiao amongst them. 

The oldest among them was a boy with many arms, Bosacius and a boy with dark brown hair, Menogias.  

The next one in terms of age was a girl with flaming bright hair, Indarias. And then the girl with bluish dark hair and horns, Bonanus.  

And finally there was Xiao, who was the youngest of the bunch and looked about 10 years old. 

They had all silently followed them, walking behind alongside Sky Bracer who merely smiled at them passively. 

Ajax felt bad for them, merely children before they were put into the hands of a tyrant, forced to carry out his dirty work and kill others against their will. Ajax knew how that felt, at least in terms of being forced to kill at that young of an age. 

And he felt the subtle guilt rise up in his lungs as he remembered how they all had succumb to the karmic debt they had all accumulated from the hatred of the Gods they had defeated, all except Xiao, for a reason that was unknown to the textbooks and many plays that were foretold of the 5 Yakshas. 

But, he swore it in himself that he wouldn’t let any of them succumb to their tragic deaths, not if he had any say in it. 

Ajax let out a small sigh once again as he stared at Morax’s back once again. 

The thing that had happened between the both of them…had certainly been something… and the most they had talked since the incident.  

Morax had not looked the slightest bit disgusted by Ajax, so he guessed that meant that at least he could still talk to the man normally without the subject of his feelings being brought up. Which although that still made a part of Ajax ache, was admittedly better than nothing. 

But, Ajax had impulsively went to Morax’s side when he saw him hurt, momentarily forgetting his pettiness as he did so. 

He let out another, larger sigh before he continued to walk towards home.  

Ajax would figure this all out, back at home. 

So for now, he shrugged the pressing matters into the back of his head and continued forward. 

______________________

They stopped by a spring near the cavern where they had been inside of and retrieved their things. 

Ajax was by the calm waters of the small creek, closing his eyes, breathing in and out and relishing in the sound of rushing water as he let his worries slip by him. 

He guessed he should thank Madam Ping for her meditation tips. 

A minute went by, before he felt a presence near him. 

He opened his eyes, before he turned in alarm, only retreating his hydro blades when he saw the familiar dark-green haired adeptus, staring up at him with a sort of hesitance. 

Ajax blinked back at him, before he cracked a small grin, “...Hey….would you like to sit with me?” 

He pointed at the flat rock he was sitting on, before he scooted over to make enough room. 

Xiao blinked at him, before he inched slowly towards him, taking a seat next to him, completely quiet. 

Ajax blinked. 

He had not expected that Xiao would actually willingly sit next to him, but he guessed that this Xiao and the one he had back home, were indeed two separate entities, regardless of the fact they were practically the same person. 

And so, this Xiao did not appear to have the same disdain that the one back in his own time did, even if Ajax swore the brat had given him a nasty look before. 

He let out a small chuckle before he continued to meditate, closing his eyes and hearing nothing but the water rush by the small creek, and a part of him wondered what the rest of the adepti were up to. 

They had certainly not gone far off, just being a ways away from the creek itself, and Ajax could hear the faint chattering. Perhaps they were discussing something related to that Qiong Qi or maybe it was about that strange miasma they had encountered. 

But regardless, it most likely did not have to do anything with him. 

A few seconds passed like this, and Ajax could have sworn his unconscious was fading away, and felt the need to take a small nap on the rock. 

But then. 

He cracked an eye open at the sound of scratching and turned his eyes to look at where the noise had come from. 

It was Xiao. 

And he was hastily scratching at the marks around his wrists, the burns he had received from how tightly the chains had wrapped around them. Tearing at the flesh with his sharp nails, with a painful insistence, as if he wanted to erase the marks by making new ones. 

Ajax grabbed at Xiao’s arm, “Stop that!” 

This made the small boy become still as he looked up at Ajax, with a fearful expression. 

Ah. 

He guessed it was not great to do such a thing, especially after the brutality these kids were exposed to. 

If he were to have an adult come at him in such a way, when he had barely come back from the Abyss, he would have likely freaked out. 

He loosened his hold and gave a small smile, “...Sorry....Just....don't do that, you are only hurting yourself further…” 

Xiao merely blinked at him, silent and still, like a fearful animal. 

Ajax sighed before he let go of Xiao’s arm, “...Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you…Just….Just don’t do that, it is only causing you further pain…” 

He contemplated what he should do with the now bleeding wrists, done from the incessant scratching and then he smiled as he thought of the right thing, “Ah! I’ve got it, hold on!” 

He reached over where he knew his bag was resting and grabbed it before he hastily opened it and searched around it before he came across the healing salve Cloud Retainer had stuffed into his bag. 

It was the one for minor wounds, which also came with miraculous healing abilities and disinfected the wound in order to prevent it from becoming worse. 

Although, it would not be advisable to apply it on wounds, when his hands were practically covered with blood. 

And so, he grabbed the soap he had stashed away and gently washed his hands in the creek, before placing it back into the small container he had brought it in, and received the salve and some bandages. 

He looked over to Xiao, who was curious but withdrawn, guarded. 

Like a curious, but cautious stray cat. 

Ajax smiled as he gently grabbed at Xiao’s arms before he grabbed a good amount of the salve and said, “This is…going to hurt, but I promise you it will stop the itchiness you feel.” 

Xiao did not say anything as he watched as Ajax applied it, only slightly flinching and biting his cheek at the pain of the salve. 

However, he remained still as Ajax finished applying it and gently wrapped the bandage around one of his wrists, before moving onto the other and doing the same thing. 

Then, he noticed the poor state his feet were in and felt his heart become heavy. 

That cruel tyrant had not even allowed them to have shoes!

What the fuck. 

Not even the Tsaritsa had been this cruel to them, and at the very least she provided them necessary clothes for the wintertime...

Ajax felt anger rise in his throat as he saw the various cuts and the same burn marks around his ankles. 

He looked around to see if perhaps he would be able to make some sort of shoes or anything and frowned when he couldn’t find anything, except for the bandages. 

He sighed as he applied the salve to his feet and carefully wrapped them around his injured feet, still thinking about what he should do. 

When he was busy moping around and walking towards home, he had not realized just how badly injured Xiao was, and the obvious lack of shoes! 

He looked at the boy who merely stared at him, with a sort of soft reverence. The same kind he had only seen him aim towards Morax. 

He felt a large lump in his throat as he sighed and ruffled Xiao’s hair, feeling him stiffen at the warm touch, “...Your feet are heavily injured…I won’t allow you to go back all the rest of the way like this…So…I will carry you.” 

“..It is.....fine…” 

A small voice said, it was Xiao’s as he shook his head. 

Stubborn brat. 

Ajax shook his own head, being the far more stubborn one, “No. You can’t go back like this, without shoes. You’re going to really injure your feet further and it’ll be painful, kid. I can’t allow you to go like this, especially since I know the rest of the journey from there on out is very long.” 

Xiao still shook his head, “No…it is fine.” 

Ajax’s frown became deeper as he crossed his arms, “This isn’t up for discussion, A-Xiao. Now, let this Gege help you.” 

Something in Xiao’s eyes flashed with something indescribable as he heard the nickname, and he hesitantly gave a soft nod. 

Ajax felt a soft smile form, as he hoisted his bag across his shoulder and in front of him, as he got in front of Xiao and signaled for him to get on his back. 

Xiao did so, hesitantly, as Ajax hoisted him up and felt as Xiao put his arms over his shoulders. 

He was light, extremely so actually, that his bag felt heavier up front than he did. 

And Ajax was instantly reminded of the few times he would give Teucer and Tonia piggyback rides, during the few years he was constantly around them and felt something nostalgic rush over him, prickling his eyes with unshed tears. 

He blinked them back and merely said, “Now, then, let’s go fine the others now.”

Xiao did not say anything, as Ajax started to walk. 

______________________

The rest of them had not gone far off, but had gone far enough that it took a few minutes to reach them. 

When he did, he overheard as they were in the middle of discussing what the next course of action was, and how the sudden rise of Gods was soon to threaten their growing settlement. 

Mountain Shaper and Madam Ping were mainly the ones talking as they directed their ideas to Morax, who was lazing around beside a tree, as Moon Carver merely sat beside another tree, looking uncharacteristically tired. 

He darted in silently, carrying Xiao on his back, as Guizhong spotted him….as she always did. 

Her eyes brightened up and she smiled widely, similarly carrying one of the other kids, Bonanus on her back, “Shidi! You have come, I was deciding whether to go looking for you or not.” 

He laughed, “Shijie, I am not the one with a terrible habit of leaving the group so suddenly and venturing far away without a warning.” 

The jab was obviously directed at Morax, who merely blinked at it before going back to hearing Madam Ping’s and Mountain Shaper’s ideas, but Ajax could still feel the intensity of his eyes staring back at him. 

Guizhong merely laughed at that, before she paused and her eyes softened significantly. She then pointed behind his back, before whispering, “Aww~ Shidi….look..”  

He craned his head to look behind him, and felt a warm feeling wash over him when he saw that Xiao had fallen asleep, against his back, breathing softly. 

He gently brought up a hand to pat the boy’s head, and felt as he leaned into the touch, feeling his heart clench at the cuteness of it all. 

Guizhong then smiled, “You have earned the little one’s trust, shidi.”  

Ajax shook his head, laughing, “I am sure he was just tired is all, and ready to fall asleep. The poor boy seemed on the brink of collapsing…”  

It was true. 

Xiao looked as if he had hung onto the last thread of life he had as he walked behind Morax. 

Her eyes softened with pity as she sighed, “...It has been tough on all of them, hasn’t it?” 

She looked at the sleeping girl on her back and to the others who were sleeping side by side next to Sky Bracer who was watching over them. 

Ajax nodded somberly, “Yeah…I could not imagine what they all have been through, especially at this age…” 

Ajax had not explicitly told Guizhong what he had been through as a kid, but even she could guess that he had been through something horrible, by the way his own eyes seemed to fill with a heavy familiarity. 

Guizhong nodded and smiled, “But now that they are with us, we can surely make it up to them!” 

Ajax cracked a grin at her enthusiasm, “Yeah, I sure hope we can, Shijie.”  

Guizhong grinned back. 

It would surely take a long time to get these kids to somewhat normalcy, to show them that not everyone was a terrible monster, that there were still good people in the world, ready to guide them and shower them with love and respect. 

But, a part of Ajax knew that they would be able to do it, to at least get these kids to normalcy, and save them from their tragic demise.

______________________

The rest of the way back was relatively normal. 

As they only set up camp about 3 times, mostly for the children’s sake as Ajax, Guizhong, Sky Bracer, Madam Ping and even….Morax took turns carrying the kids after they got too tired. 

It was quite the endearing sight to see Morax, this usually brutish and merciless man help carry the small adepti children with such care and gentility as if he was scared they would break under his touch. 

It was adorable, especially in the way Morax’s eyes slightly widened when they fell asleep on his back and against him during the times he fell asleep against a tree (which was often). 

Ajax pretended not to notice the way the sight of it made something clutch his heart with a certain intensity he could not name. 

They were nearing the familiar bamboo forest near Qingce Village, as they made a short trip to the village (Ajax had to stifle a laugh when he saw the look of wonder and amazement from the children’s eyes as they saw at the small village) and then headed on out to their home in the mountains…when they were struck with a certain problem. 

They had taken in children, but did not have anywhere to house them. He guessed they could find a place for them to be, however, they did not know if they wanted to be left alone or with company. 

And, it wasn’t as if Ajax wanted to leave his kids alone, he just had no clue where they would stay for the time being, before they could find a place they wanted to stay in permanently. 

Guizhong asked each of them, once they had reached near their distinct abodes and most of them decided to stay in Guizhong’s abode, where she had 2 spare guest rooms….Ajax doubted that, as he had seen Guizhong’s abode, and well…there was no such thing. 

However, he suspected that she would likely alter her abode in order to fit the extra rooms for the kids.

Sky Bracer had offered his own abode, but he was profusely turned down, since his hands were always full with Ganyu, since he was the least busiest out of the adepti, making him the de-facto babysitter of the young girl. And well…she was a handful.....and that was putting it lightly. 

The children agreed, Bosacius and Menogias decided to room together while Bonanus and Indarias roomed together, since they had already become somewhat familiar with each other and have even striked up a small friendship amongst them. 

However, Xiao had merely stayed quiet as he stared up at Guizhong. 

She smiled and patted his head gently, “There is no need to be afraid little one, speak your mind freely now.” 

Xiao merely stared towards where Ajax was, eyes expectant yet hesitant. 

Ajax blinked. 

What?  

Now this was a weird development. 

Never in his entire life had he ever expected Xiao of all people to ever want to share a space with him. In fact, he was certain that the brat would rather die by his own hand than to even stand to breathe the same air as him for too long. 

Guizhong turned towards him, pleading eyes. 

He felt the strong urge to decline, but with such eyes staring back at him, it was impossible to do so. His conscience was strongly pleading with him to do what was right. 

Having the brat stay over at his house would not be the end all be all. 

Ajax sighed softly, passing a hand through his hair before he nodded, “I do not mind if he stayed with me….it really would not be any bother.” 

Guizhong grinned as she brought the shy Xiao over, who walked bashfully, hiding behind Guizhong, with the pair of brand new shoes they had bought from the market. 

______________________

They got to Qingce Village, as the children looked all around them, astonished about what was around them, wide eyed and mouth gaping like a fish. 

Ajax was certain they had never seen a village like this before, at least when it was in its full splendor, as it was the mid-day, which tended to be the busiest time in the marketplace for people to come and buy goods. 

If they had seen a village, they had most likely done so in a rushed frenzy attempting to retrieve the dreams for that vermin, and not getting to fully take in the sight or even take a leisurely stroll to it. 

Ajax glanced back at them and noticed the poor state of their clothes and the obvious lack of shoes and the state of them…they were in an urgent need of a bath. 

He looked over to Guizhong before leaning in and whispering, “...Shijie….do you have any yuanbao to spare?”  

Guizhong blinked before she nodded, “Ah…yes! I never go anywhere without my purse….hold on,” she said as she reached into her bag and retrieved the small embroidered purse. 

Ajax smiled, “Thanks, Shijie…Oh! And I promise to pay you back.”  

Guizhong shook her head, a small frown pulling at her smile, “That is not necessary, shidi. You do not have to repay me for anything, I am doing this because I want to and therefore it is a gift. And you do not need to repay me for a gift.” 

He frowned as he stared at the coin pouch, however he did not have time to refuse it as it was promptly shoved into his hands, “I know what you're thinking, shidi! Please do not feel bad over something so miniscule, it is alright.” 

He sighed and stared at the purse in his hands and silently promised to drop by Guizhong’s house later and secretly drop the yuanbao he had spent in her house whenever she was out discussing things with her people. 

Yuanbao had been the currency they used in this period of time in Liyue’s history, and had been pieces or iron or gold which were made into boat-like shapes, although it had been recorded that on occasion they were made into many other shapes. They had been in circulation and made by the mortals, which had then been adopted by the adepti. 

And then, after Rex Lapis became the God of Contracts, which subsequently resulted in active trade with other growing nations and Gods, that resulted in him also being known as the God of Commerce for a while. And because of that, and the growing problem of having each yuanbao being individually minted by blacksmiths, and given the tedious nature of doing so, he came up with a plan. And eventually, made mora which were then adopted throughout the world. 

Ajax recalled, from a lecture Zhongli had given him on the currency they used during the ancient times in Liyue. And a part of Ajax still does not understand how the once called ‘God of Commerce’ somehow failed to save enough money for himself and set up a trust fund and a bank account before he went out and snatched away any shiny antique he came up with….even after the incident at the Golden House, Ajax’s bank account was never quite the same, having been drained more than half. 

And he had billions saved up in that account, given to him by Pantalone, who was very passive aggressive in his letters to the Northland Bank, as he demanded to know just what could have made many of the money they had set up for Tartaglia, that would have normally taken at least 7 to 10 years, to drain half of it. 

He chuckled as he stared at the yuanbao in the purse, they were an assortment of gold and iron yuanbao, mostly given to Guizhong by her followers in their prayer to her, and some were given to her whenever she proposed and worked on yet another technological advancement. 

He looked back at the other adepti, as they all scattered in separate directions. 

Mountain Shaper went with Moon Carver, as they eyed up the newly tailored outfits, with the colors they were always drawn to, which were mostly very earthy. 

Sky Bracer asked the children what they wanted to eat, if they were hungry for anything and, after receiving some replies (mostly from Bosacius who had proven himself to be quite the rambunctious firecracker) he smiled and hurried to buy some food for the kids, even if they did not ask for it. 

Guizhong dragged Morax to some of the people who were fawning and blushing over Morax’s presence much to his dismay it seemed. He had seen the people gushing over him, nearly throwing themselves all over him as they threw gifts and burst into tears at the sight of him…and promptly started to inch away slowly from them, obviously uncomfortable with their adoration. 

However, Guizhong had noticed and gave a certain stare and that had him surrendering and slowly greeting devoted followers who were bowing before him, in that awkward way he did. 

It is quite the sharp contrast to how Zhongli was a suave gentleman, as he flirted playfully with the many A-yi’s and even store cashiers, with the very smooth way he did, as he charmed them into bringing the price down on an antique he really wanted….Ajax remembered how much he wanted to laugh at the sight of Zhongli haggling in such a flirtatious way, before he felt the bitter jealousy start to prickle underneath his skin. 

Madam Ping stayed to watch over the children, as they sat down near a small patch of grass near the village, watching with amusement as Bosacius chased after Menogias who really seemed to not want to play along but did so anyway to amuse his friend. 

Indarias and Bonanus had started to pick the flowers around the patch, and started to make small flower bracelets and crowns out of them, after Guizhong had taught them during one of their breaks throughout the trip back home. While Xiao stood shyly in the midst of it all, while Indarias and Bonanus talked to him and placed the newly made crown on his head. 

Ajax chuckled at the sight of them and continued downtown, in hopes of finding some better clothes for the kids. 

At least temporary ones, before they developed their own style and for them to change in after they showered and settled down. 

But before that, he really needed to buy shoes for them, because the ones they had were old and tattered (weirdly enough, the rest of the kids had shoes, but they were in terrible condition). 

And that only caused him to further wonder why Xiao was the only one who didn’t have any. 

He sighed and continued walking down the busy town. 

Ajax smiled when he came across a shop, selling shoes, with all shapes and sizes, pre-made and laid out in his small cart. And smiled even further when he noticed the clothes there too. 

They were great quality, and seemed to be made sturdily enough. 

He went up to the young man and saw as the man’s eyes nearly bulged out of his eye sockets. 

The young man immediately leapt out of his cart to kowtow in front of Ajax, “M-my Lord! This humble servant is very honored to have my Lord grace my humble shop with his presence!” 

Ajax paused. 

And immediately understood why Guizhong hated seeing people bow down before her. 

It was unsettling and uncomfortable. 

He chuckled nervously before he brought the young man up with his arms, “There is no need to bow in front of me, gongzi. It is quite alright. Please settle down.” 

The young man settled down slightly, but still kept his head down, “W-w-hat would My Lord like to get from this humble shop of this humble servant.” 

Ajax chuckled as he sighed, regretting having come here with his horns on full display, “Um…how much do the shoes and clothes cost, gongzi?”  

The young man shook his head, “No no! This humble servant insists that My Lord take what he needs! This humble servant could not possibly take my Lord’s money! It would be blasphemous!” 

Ajax knew there was no use in arguing with this stubborn man and instead nodded, “Alright, thank you, gongzi. ”

The man shook his head, “No! This humble servant is the one who should be thankful that My Lord is gracing this humble shop of mine with his celestial presence.” 

Celestial my ass.  

Ajax huffed in amusement, if only the young man knew that he was practically raised in The Abyss and wielded horrific powers that were the furthest from Celestia…he would eat his words then. 

He did not say anything else as he stared at all of the shoes, they were in many different sizes, and so he decided to retrieve a couple of pairs, to see which ones would fit the best to the kids and shoved them into his bag, before doing the same with the clothes. The young man did not move from his stand and merely bowed and clasped his hands in praise for Ajax, who merely huffed and dumped out the entire contents of Guizhong’s purse, wincing at the huge amount and promising to give her twice the amount. 

He then promptly walked over to the small patch of clearing and saw as the kids were all sat and practically devouring the food Sky Bracer had ordered for all of them.

Xiao was a bit less manic in the way he ate as he took his own portion and shyly started to eat it in small bites. 

Ajax sighed as he went up to them and smiled, “I bought new clothes and shoes for all of you, please pick whichever ones you would like.” 

More like whichever one’s fit, but he didn’t say anything as their eyes lighted up. 

He carefully placed the clothes onto the patch of grass and lined up the pairs of shoes and watched as they all started to try on different clothes and pick whichever ones they wanted the most and try on different pairs of shoes before they picked their own. 

Xiao once again, was a bit hesitant as he sifted through the clothes and at the shoes, but eventually picked out his own. 

Ajax did not notice how Xiao’s stare became more intense and directed at him as his smile grew larger. 

______________________

Xiao stared up at him, the entire walk back to Ajax’s house. 

They had all decided to go and inform Cloud Retainer of their return, lest they wanted to be met in the middle of the night with devastating pecks to the head as a mad Cloud Retainer scolded them for not informing her of their arrival. 

Ajax had not experienced that ever, and he would admit that it was plainly just his imagination and fear that was making that up. However, given the way Cloud Retainer was, he wouldn’t doubt it for a second. 

They found her back in her own abode, where she jolted out of it and nearly toppled everyone over with the pecks to the head they received. 

They were her attempt at being affectionate, and did not hurt…like they usually did. 

Ajax could have also sworn there were subtle tears stinging the corners of her eyes, but he did not comment on it as he laughed and grinned up at her, “Da-yi~ It is very nice to see you again, after so long. I was starting to miss your painful pecks, even the imprint you have left from your incessant pecking has started to recede.” 

She shifted into her mortal form as she playfully smacked his arm…although was that a small smile, “Insolent brat! You ought to call this one Shigu by now, but it seems that although you have spent many days having the opportunity to reflect upon your actions, you have still failed to do so.” 

His grin grew wider as he dove into her shoulder, catching her by surprise and making her slightly squawk and squirm as he carefully wrapped his arm around her upper back. 

“I am so glad to see you again, Da-yi. We all missed you, I missed you.” 

She stiffened but did not push him off and merely straightened out her glasses and patted his own back slowly, “Brat, one had started to worry that you had gotten yourself killed with how insatiable and battle hungry you are. Although, one trusts that my mark has helped you well.” 

He smiled into her shoulder, and nodded.

It had certainly provided him with much more energy than he normally felt. 

Guizhong grinned at the display and joined in on the hug, wrapping her arm around Cloud Retainer and Ajax as she chuckled when Cloud Retainer once again jolted,“It helped us all very much, Shigu. Thank you very much.” 

Madam Ping came up next, although she merely just threw an arm around Cloud Retainer as she buried her face in her loose hair. 

The others did not join in on the hug, although Sky Bracer did give her a small side hug afterwards, and then bowed to her slightly recounting the details of his long mission to her. The others simply only gave her a pat on the shoulder or even a bow as they too began to talk about the uprising of many gods around Teyvat, which could potentially threaten their safety. 

And also mentioned the new adeptus children they had rescued from the clutches of that evil tyrant, which of course, nearly bulged Cloud Retainer’s eyes from her sockets. And Ajax could almost guess what was going on in her mind. 

‘If one adeptus brat was already a pain in one’s back, then one could not imagine what five more brats would entail….’  

And could almost imagine the internal groans of displeasure rumbling beneath her skin. Ajax laughed, and promised that he would help take care of them to lessen the blow. 

The usual. 

After that was over, the others went to their own abodes and bid each other a temporary goodbye, as they promised to meet up for dinner. 

Xiao followed Ajax down the mountain silently by his side, as they walked to his house. 

Once they got there, Ajax opened the door with ease and waved his hand towards his house. Xiao merely stared up at him, confused. 

Ajax smiled, “You can go in, it’s alright.” 

Xiao blinked before he hesitantly walked in, before Ajax did as well, and before he could continue he put an arm in front of him.

“No outside shoes inside the house, A-Xiao,” he said as he carefully retrieved a pair of guest slippers, which were usually worn by Guizhong, and although they were too big for Xiao, it would have to be done before he could buy him his own. 

Xiao merely nodded, “...Mn..” before he began to take off his own shoes (he had observed how to do so from the other children…Ajax had seen him), with utmost care, as if they were precious stones. 

Ajax sighed, doing so as well, before leaving his dirty shoes there and slipping on his slippers before he went on the wooden floor, seeing as Xiao did the same, following behind him. 

The kid had somehow put his trust in Ajax, something that was very out of character for him to do. 

But since Ajax did not have the heart to deny his request of wanting to room with him, he simply allowed it. 

He promptly showed Xiao around his house, telling him that the shower was outside but the toilet was inside, that he could go outside if he wanted but that he would have to go along with him in case something happened, and that they would have to sleep in the same room but that if Xiao did not want to sleep in the same bed as him he could clear the storage room and make it his own room. 

Xiao only stayed quiet as Ajax explained away. 

They went inside of the room, where Ajax stared at his small bed, and said to the boy that he would get another bed downtown later that day and place it beside his own for now. 

The weather had gotten colder as well, and so, Ajax made a mental note to bring out the cozier blankets for the both of them and perhaps buy some more of those for them as well, and then have a few pairs of warm pajamas made for Xiao and himself. 

______________________

After the short house tour, and after Ajax had showered, after Xiao did (thankfully, he had a few extra spare soap and washcloths after Guizhong had brought some in case something happened to those he had himself), they went up the mountain to the table they usually at dinner at. 

When he arrived, carrying A-Xiao on his back after the boy had started to sway when he walked and slightly tripped, eyes dropping closed. 

He was met with the sight of Morax, leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. 

During the course of his stay here, he had noticed how Morax seemed to be calmest when he was asleep, as that was when his features smoothed down, creating a peaceful and serene expression on his face. 

Ajax sighed, noticing how the rest of them had not gotten there yet, most likely inside Cloud Retainer’s abode, making the food alongside Madam Ping as they prepared it in her ‘Supreme Cuisine Machine’. 

The fancily named cooking device, was made by Guizhong when she heard Cloud Retainer complain about how slow the stove she already had cooked to Madam Ping. Which was overheard from Guizhong who had taken it upon herself to build her a stove that could cook food faster and yet just as delicious. She had then left it upon her doorstep, with a small note which explained how to use it as it was signed off with Guizhong’s signature. 

And so, from then on, Cloud Retainer had used it almost religiously. 

Unfortunately, The God of Stove had left a few weeks prior, which meant that Ajax no longer had the yellow bear as company anymore, and did not get to enjoy food done by his helping hands, which was very unfortunate. And Ajax hoped the God would visit sometime soon. 

The others were most likely still getting ready and or making their way to her abode. 

He sighed and figured it wouldn’t hurt for him to get some shut-eye while he was waiting for everyone to come back. 

He looked towards a sleeping Morax, still against the tree, his arms crossed as his hair was splayed messily down his sides. 

The tree was wide enough for the both of them, and well, to Ajax’s tired brain, the spot next to Morax seemed so inviting and warm even if Ajax knew the man was somewhat cold-blooded.   

Temptation rose inside of him, as he shuffled closer and plopped himself down next to Morax, making sure to take Xiao gently off his back as he placed him beside himself. 

He watched as the boy snuggled against his side, and clutch at his arm. 

Ajax smiled and gently patted the boy on the head before he too began to sink into the tree and felt as his eyes started to close. 

And he guessed it had started to impact him as he started to doze off and his vision started to fade into nothing. 

______________________

He woke up to voices overhead, muttering things that were unintelligible to him as he blinked his eyes open, seeing the world blur a bit before he could make out a couple of figures looking down at him in amusement. 

“Cute…” 

“Why does…..one have….to deal with this migraine inducing sight…” 

“...Aww, is that the little one there too?” 

He blinked his eyes open, hearing a familiar chuckle, “Shidi! You are finally awake.” 

It was Guizhong, who was looking down at Ajax with a large amused grin, next to a similarly amused Madam Ping and not so amused Cloud Retainer. 

He stared up at them, yawning a bit before his senses finally honed in on him, causing him to falter. 

Ajax moved and felt something beneath him, something sturdy and strangely warm, and…now that he finally came to consciousness…was his cheek pressed against something? 

And why was his arm somewhat numb and clinging onto something tightly? 

He followed his cheek and was met with a familiar set of robes, they were brown with golden accents on them, and that’s when he noticed he was pressed against someone’s lap…

Huh?  

He blinked once again, and started to move when he noticed that something else was behind him, on his back, it was most likely Xiao.

Who had most likely buried his face in his upper back. 

He started to get up, and rubbed at his eyes, and looked back at what he was clinging onto so tightly. 

A pair of fiercely molten eyes stared back at him, with a raging intensity. 

It was Morax. 

Ajax had never in his life jolted upwards that fast, ignoring the ant-crawling sensation that went up the arm that had wrapped around the man’s waist, which was pressed against the tree’s bark.

He had…..He had….He had slept in the man’s lap! 

And practically grabbed onto him as if he was a pillow and buried his face near his.....groin… 

The embarrassment welled up deep within Ajax’s gut and he immediately stood up on his two feet, ignoring to see how the sleeping Xiao fell down and rubbed at his eyes, staring confused at what had occurred. 

When did that happen? 

Guizhong grinned at him, as she wiggled her eyebrows at him, “Shidi~ You did not tell me you were planning on sleeping with our dearest Shizun! If I had known that, I would have certainly gotten here earlier with my ink and brushes and painted such an adorable sight!” 

Ah. There it was. 

The innuendos, that were somehow not innuendos and yet they were. 

He felt his face burn as he coughed into his elbow, “It…I guess the trip really took all the energy I usually had all out of me…I hope I did not miss dinner.” 

Cloud Retainer frowned at him, and that’s when he noticed everyone already at the table, talking and chatting away, preferring to not pay them any mind. 

She shook her head, “Insolent brat! Fortunately for you, one has just finished dinner alongside one’s mei-mei. This one was about to bring the food out when one happened upon you insolent brat clinging onto Our Lord, with such a strong grip that it was practically impossible for anyone to tear you away from Our Lord. And then, there were those new brats you have brought alongside you, which ought to bring a migraine to oneself, clinging onto you…What an annoying sight,” she said before she marched off, most likely to go and finally start bringing out the dishes. 

Ajax’s face merely burned, when he must have realized that the rest of them had gotten there after he had fallen asleep, and consequently fell on Morax’s lap, and seen it all unfold. 

And a part of Ajax wonders if the man had woken up before they had gotten there, and why he hadn’t pulled him off himself. 

Guizhong’s grin became devilish as she leaned in and whispered, “Shigu is lying for Shizun’s sake….He insisted we not wake you up, when we attempted to pull you off him…and seemed oddly pleased with having you on his lap…he even kept eyeing us like a hawk whenever we came close to you….the only reason he stopped was because I said something…” 

That made him groan as he leaned into her shoulder, wanting nothing more than to become the dust she governed and be buried several feet underneath the ground…perhaps if he pissed off Morax or broke his contract, maybe he would grant him mercy and seal him beneath a mountain? 

That was wishful thinking, but thinking never hurt anybody, so he continued to do so as he felt Guizhong laugh and undo his hair which was put up into a small ponytail before she passed a hand through it. 

That made him relax. 

Although it was short lived. 

Because he then felt an arm pull him away from Guizhong, it was Madam Ping who was slightly frowning at him. 

Ah…he had forgotten about that.  

Guizhong laughed before she patted Madam Ping’s shoulder, “Aiyah! A-Ping! He’s my shidi, am I not allowed to be affectionate with my shidi anymore?” 

That seemed to pull Madam Ping out of whatever trance she had been in and she sheepishly let go of Ajax, her features relaxing once more, “Oh…my apologies shidi. I don’t know what has come over me, please do not pay it any mind.” 

He shook his head, and chuckled, giving her a side-hug, “S’not a big deal, Dajie, don’t worry about it.” 

She smiled before she said, “Alright then, well, I’ll go and help Shigu out or else I’m afraid she’ll practically tear my ear off from the scolding she will give me if I don’t.” 

She gave a certain look towards Guizhong who merely gave her a sheepish smile and then she was off. 

What had happened there? 

He hoped they had made up, and was sure they had from the look they had exchanged. 

He was happy for them, and was sure their wedding would be a wonderful sight to behold, he could already taste the delicious sweets they would most likely be having at their wedding and the intricately tailored wedding clothes they would be dressed in. 

He smiled and wished nothing more than that day to come, knowing that it would surely be such a joyous occasion. 

Guizhong then turned to look at Ajax, before leaning in and saying, noticeably serious, “Ajax… I know this might be a lot to ask for…but…could you at least attempt to talk to Shizun about....your feelings for him…I do not want to force you into anything you are not prepared for but…I will tell you one thing…..Things might have a better outcome than perhaps you had previously anticipated…” 

She gave him a firm squeeze on the shoulder before she threw him a grin, “Well, then, I’m off to help A-Ping out!” 

Ajax did not know what to make of her words. 

He had simmered down since the big outburst he had against Morax, no doubt. And he was not feeling particularly angry or outraged at the man and his strange behavior. Nor was he feeling nauseous whenever the topic of having to talk to him was brought around. 

He was just feeling awfully tranquil now. 

He guessed seeing Morax nearly dying due to the terrible miasma really set things clear for him that he truly loved the man, regardless of what time period it was. 

And ever since that strange dream he had, a few nights prior, that truly felt real. 

He guessed that in whatever universe, he would always love the man. 

And he had to stop running away from his emotions all the damned time. Especially since things were going to be quite awful in the coming months and even years, with The Archon War and even The Cataclysm. 

And well, now that he thought about it. 

The strange faces he had seen inside of his dream were strangely enough similar to the yaksha children they had practically adopted. 

Which brought with it more questions than answers. 

But, he would not worry about that at the moment. 

What mattered is at least getting things straightened out before the war came knocking and before he did not have time to fully spill out the depth of his feelings for the God. Even if the man rejected him, he would be at peace with himself knowing that he had sorted things out with him. 

And besides, with Guizhong’s cryptic message, he felt a strange sort of hope rise up inside of his stomach. 

He turned to see that Morax was staring intensely at him, Xiao curled up beside him, asleep once again. 

The sight was adorable. 

But he had something to do before he could fully appreciate the sight. 

He started to walk up to Morax before he awkwardly shifted and finally said, “Uh….I uhm…Would you like to..uh….go on a walk with me…tomorrow, I mean..”

Morax seemed slightly surprised as he widened his eyes slightly before he let out a curt nod, “Mn…”

That was all that was needed for him, as he smiled. 

Maybe. 

Just maybe, things would turn out okay as well. 

He hoped they would. 

______________________

They had all been called by an irritated Cloud Retainer who nearly pulled them all to sit at the table. 

It was relatively cramped, given the other new adepti, but it was joyous nevertheless. 

And Ajax nearly laughed when he saw the eyes of the kids light up at the large arrangement of food surrounding the small table, and their eyes nearly bulged out of their heads when they saw the portions that were served to them by Cloud Retainer who kept adding to their plates, adding that they were going to die given how sick and gauntly they looked from how malnutritioned they were. 

The kids were all dressed up in the clothes they had taken, and looked happy as they started to chat and open up more. And as their own distinct personalities started to show up more. 

And hopefully over time, they would start to be comfortable enough with showing their own distinct personalities. 

Xiao even started to open up more, though it was clear that he and Menogias were the most reserved out of the bunch. And while Bonanus was quiet, it seemed as if she just needed time to warm up to them as she started to talk more with Indarias’ insistence. 

Ajax smiled, as he chuckled at a particularly bad joke told by Guizhong who merely cackled as Cloud Retainer’s eye twitched as the bad joke donned on her. 

Cloud Retainer looked annoyed, but merely tolerated it as she rolled her eyes and groaned at the plethora of bad puns thrown her way, by a grinning Guizhong and Ajax (who joined in as well). 

Bosacius gawked when he found out that Ajax was indeed not a full adeptus, but instead a previous mortal who had managed to attain such a gift, and proclaimed that he would like to one day take him on in a spar. 

It seemed as if the little rascal was just like Ajax in the way he seemed to want to get stronger and go against other opponents that were clearly 100x as strong as him. 

Ajax laughed at the bold claim and patted the boy’s hair, saying that in the near future he would take his word and spar with him. 

Menogias merely sighed as he had to settle him down, as the other boy was nearly toppling over from the excitement of a worthy opponent. 

The sight threw Ajax for a loop, as it reminded him of the many times Zhongli had to calm him down from the onslaught of battle hunger that took him over whenever he heard of yet another God or adeptus that was very much alive, wanting more than to take them on and defeat them himself. 

Even the aura that the young Menogias exuded reminded him of Zhongli, as Bosacius own aura reminded him of himself. 

Ah...…how interesting. 

Bonanus crowded around Ganyu the moment Sky Bracer arrived (thankfully having missed seeing the sight of Ajax sleeping on Morax), walking alongside Sky Bracer. 

She pinched the girl’s cheeks and started to coo at how adorable she was, making several flower bracelets for Ganyu who merely thanked her and introduced herself. 

Indarias similarly crowded around Ganyu, as Bosacius followed soon after, as did Menogias.  

They all introduced themselves and then decided on a game to play. 

Ganyu was at an obvious disadvantage, which was noticed. 

And so, Bosacius lifted the girl up with a set of his arms and placed her on his shoulders and then started to run around with a giggling Ganyu as he chased after Indarias and then Menogias.  

Xiao stayed still, as he watched them, staying close to Ajax and Morax’ side, as he watched them, and then after an encouraging push he walked over to the other kids shyly. 

He didn’t have to say anything as they began to play with him too, earning a small smile from Xiao who began to play the game with them as well. 

Sky Bracer took a seat alongside the rest, next to Madam Ping and started to chat about the new things he had encountered and the various music he had listened to from the mortals. 

Guizhong teased Morax about his messy hair, who merely huffed and took it upon himself to mess up her own hair, making her yelp and then laugh. 

Cloud Retainer reprimanded the kids when they began to push each other, causing them to freeze up and immediately listen to her, as Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver sat side-by-side, sharing a nice cup of Osmanthus Wine it seemed, fawning over one another. 

As Ajax himself ate some of the food, he sighed in pleasure as Guizhong began to play with his hair and then promptly brought out a small brush and began to untangle his hair, and then tie it up into a firm bun, using one of her own hairsticks to do so. It felt familiar, just like that dream he had days prior. 

It was a warm and lively atmosphere and Ajax reveled in it and closed his eyes to bask in the warmth of it all. 

He hoped it would stay like this forever, or at least for years to come. 

______________________

Afterwards, he excused himself from the table, as everyone continued on and Morax instantly excused himself as well. 

“I will…walk you back to your abode..” 

Morax said, with that deep baritone voice of his that sent shivers down Ajax’s spine, and yet he nodded. 

Earning a grin from Guizhong who sent a wink Ajax’s way, which caused his cheeks to burn up. 

They went down the mountain, Ajax carrying a sleeping Xiao in his arms, side-by-side, relishing in the sound of crickets and the feeling of the wind brushing past their arms. 

A particularly strong gust of wind had Ajax slightly shivering as he cursed at himself for not wearing warmer clothes. 

He stopped when he felt something cover his shoulders. 

He looked at his shoulders, to see Morax’s coat covering him. 

“It is…getting colder as the days go by….it is better to start wearing…warmer clothing,” the man said as he looked away when Ajax’s eyes met his. 

The inside of the coat was lined with fur from a sheep, as it was soft to the touch and presumably filled up with it as well. 

Ajax felt his heart clench at such a nice gesture and he felt his cheeks redden, “Thank you…” 

The man hummed, as they continued their walk down the mountain. 

After a while, Ajax felt his nerves take a hold of him, as he felt his palms begin to shake and his heartbeat quicken. 

He was oddly nervous. 

But it was to be expected, since he was never quite brave enough to take on such serious conversations, especially ones involving so much of his inner thoughts. 

Thoughts which he usually never allowed anyone to get near, much less hear themselves from his own mouth. 

But, one thing was for sure. 

He would not have such an embarrassing conversation with Xiao present, so he would talk about it tomorrow with Morax. 

Celestia knows how mortified he would be, if somehow Xiao remembered it in the future. 

And so, they went all the way to his house, silent the whole way there as he said, “I…I’ll go tuck in A-Xiao….and then…I can walk you back to your abode..” 

Morax did not say anything but stopped by the door, and nodded. 

That was enough for him as he took off his shoes and carried the sleeping Xiao to his room and tucked him into his bed, before taking a warmer blanket out of his cabinets before placing it on top of the sleeping kid. 

He guessed he would take the floor, and reminded himself to make a makeshift bed onto the floor besides the bed. 

Ajax carefully closed the door, careful not to wake up the kid as he put on his shoes and went back outside. 

Morax stayed true to his word and was waiting for him, silently, leaning against a wall of his house. 

Ajax felt his cheeks heat up, as the sheer beauty of the man was only highlighted with the moonlight, as it was night out already. 

He motioned for the man to follow him and he did. 

______________________

They made their way to his abode, and Ajax was about to take off his coat when Morax shook his head, “No need..” 

Ajax was about to protest but it died when he saw the intensity behind Morax’s eyes. 

Tomorrow, he will set things straight. 

Tomorrow. 

______________________

He walked back to his house, feeling his heart quicken as the warmth from Morax’s coat never left him, not once. 

He opened the door, slipped his shoes on and slipped his house slippers on, going to his room, before retrieving his much warmer pajamas and changing inside of the living room, before going back inside of his room. 

He took out a mattress (that he had around, since Guizhong liked to stay over sometimes, especially during the time where they had to watch over Ganyu), he then retrieved some sheets from his closet before placing them onto the floor and retrieving one of the pillows he had from his bed before closing his eyes and letting sleep overcome him. 

He was nervous. 

As nervous as he ever was, and yet, he felt giddy all the same. 

Just in the same way he had when he was around Zhongli. 

______________________

He woke up in the middle of the night to something squirming and making its way into his bed.

Ajax looked down, alarmed, but settled down when he saw Xiao sneaking into his makeshift bed on the floor. 

He looked, taken aback and looked sheepish as he stopped and sat up, “I…sorry…” 

Ajax shook his head, “Hey, it’s okay…Is there something wrong..?” 

There surely must be, because he seemed to be pretty well off all those other times he had fallen asleep, so what was affecting him now. 

Xiao looked a bit hesitant as he glanced around, before he said, “...Night…mares..”  

Ajax’s eyes softened as he sighed and stood up, getting on his much more comfortable bed before he made space for Xiao and smiled, “It’s alright, you can sleep next to me…if that helps.” 

He knew how awful nightmares could be. He had struggled with them, and knew how comforting the sound and just the knowledge that there was someone next to you was. It grounded you, made everything seem a bit less scary. 

Xiao looked up at him before climbing into bed, before looking still hesitant to do so. 

Ajax laughed and ruffled his hair, “It’s really alright kid, don’t worry about it. I know how awful nightmares can be, trust me…So it’s ok…” 

Xiao relented slightly before he went underneath the sheets himself and snuggled into Ajax’s chest. 

Ajax huffed slightly, before he used his arms as a pillow, despite having one and closed his eyes, dozing off into a deep tranquil sleep. 

______________________

The next day went by rather quickly, as Sky Bracer, Cloud Retainer and Guizhong took all of the kids on a short trip to Qingce Village and then off to explore the nearby wilderness, beginning to start their training and letting them pick the weapon they felt the most comfortable using. 

Something training children for war...didn't sit right with Ajax....but then again...he had been trained himself as a kid....first by his master Skirk and then by the several seniors in the fatui army and then by Pulcinella himself. 

And well....he guessed it was necessary for them to already start to train, in case of an attack.

But still....it was messed up. 

Ajax spent his day cleaning his clothes, scrubbing them clean before washing them with water and hanging them up on his clothesline. And then got to cooking up a small meal for himself, before eating it. 

It was his favorite, Calla Lily Seafood Soup, and he made it with extra seafood, after having bought it from the market earlier. 

Then, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest, when Morax came to retrieve him, after knocking a few times at his door. 

He was dressed in a simple brown and gold outfit, with his usually messy hair along his shoulders, and the familiar smell of silk flowers, glaze lilies, and sandalwood coming from him. 

They began walking, silently and nowhere in particular as they aimlessly walked throughout one of the paths cleared out by the humans no doubt. 

They came across a short clearing, a meadow filled with colorful flowers and short grass. The trees that surrounded it were already starting to change colors. 

His birthday had gone by in a flash, and yet he had not told anyone about it. However, he does believe that at one point Guizhong will scold him and force him to have a celebration sometime soon. 

He made his way to the meadow and abruptly sat down, patting beside him for Morax to sit down. 

The man seemed to get the message as he sat down besides Ajax, not uttering a single word. 

Ajax looked at the man once more before he let out a deep breath and braced himself for any reaction the man was sure to give him. 

He curled into himself as he started out, “I…I pulled you out here and asked you on a walk…because I wanted to talk about something…” 

Morax did not say anything, but Ajax could see out of the corner of his eyes as he stiffened. 

Ajax struggled with his choice of words before he swallowed back the lump in his throat and continued on, “I…I want to apologize for my…behavior these past few days…I had been caught up in my own feelings and anger that I acted terribly towards you…I shouldn’t have let my own feelings on the matter get in the way of our friendship…” 

Morax still remained quiet. 

But Ajax still continued, finding the bravery he needed to push forward, “However….I do not regret what I said, and neither will I take it back…Morax I….I..” 

He turned to look at Morax straight on, eyes digging deeply into him, all of his previously locked feelings finally being unrestrained, being freed. 

“Morax I…I…love you… so much…that it pains me, so much that I could die…I love everything about you, so much…. But…I understand if you don’t feel the same way…I should have never expected you to in the first place…and well, I wanted to tell you this in a much better way…because while I feel that way about you, I do not want my feelings to interfere with our relationship or affect our camaraderie in any way. So, I completely understand if you do not feel the same way, or if you are even disgusted at me, but I would hope that we could remain on amicable terms..” 

He looked at Morax, who had gone wide-eyed, and yet he remained totally still. 

And yet, behind his eyes there was a certain molten intensity as he stared into Ajax, and he could even swear that the tips of his ears had gone pink. 

A minute went past, though, and Ajax was about to wallow in his self pity. 

Perhaps he had been wrong, perhaps it had been too foolish to assume that Morax would even react in a positive way? 

Maybe he really was disgusted by him, and his feelings. 

Heaven knows how disgruntled he had seemed to be by the mortals who were interested in being more than followers to him. 

But, then those were all halted when he felt an arm grip at his shoulder, urging him to look into Morax who had a strange desperation in his eyes. 

“Again. Say…it again.” 

Ajax blinked. 

What?

“Say what again?......I hope to remain on amicable terms with you and not allow my feelings to get in the way of us being on said amicable terms?” 

Morax shook his head, grabbing his cheek with his other arm, as his other one which was on his shoulder began to fall down to get a possessive grasp onto Ajax’s waist, “No, before that.” 

Ajax felt his cheeks blush, and shuddered when he felt Morax’s grip become heavier and tighter on his waist. 

He whispered, his whole body heating up as he said, “...I…I…love you…. ” 

It was highly embarrassing and yet, it felt great to say aloud once more. 

Morax’s eyes dilated and retracted as he stared at Ajax as he grinned wolfishly and his grip tightened, leaving a slight scratch mark on Ajax’s jaw. 

He hummed in pleasure, as he shamelessly lifted Ajax up and settled him on his lap, grin uncharacteristically wild and wide as he uttered, “Again.” 

Ajax felt flustered and shook his head, feeling slightly dizzy at the action, “You…you already heard me…the first couple times…” 

Morax buried his face in his shoulder, causing Ajax to yelp. 

Was this a good thing? 

He didn’t know.

But Morax rubbed his face into his shoulder and once again, causing Ajax’s confusion to rise and his head to spin. 

He slightly pulled at Morax’s arm, “....What…are you doing?”

Morax only paused slightly before he pulled away from Ajax, he looked oddly pleased as he rubbed at Ajax’s Adam's apple with his arm, his grip on his waist even tighter. 

His pupils were blown out as he gazed at him as if he was a delicacy to be eaten, “Ajax ….you have entranced me, pulled me in to you…I am rather taken by you, your beauty, your charm…you are my dearest treasure, my most coveted possession…At first, I did not know what to make of the way you made me feel, the strong need to mark you up, to hold you, to keep you with me forever…But as I talked to Guizhong about it, I realized that it was something less primitive and less in my nature…I am…completely endeared by you…how could I possibly not feel the same way, dearest treasure..” 

Ajax stilled. 

He what…

Confusion filled him up as he sat there petrified. He was afraid that it might have been a cruel dream, played out by him in his wildest fantasies. 

Perhaps he had not woken up after all? 

Maybe he was still stuck inside of a dream? 

The thought horrified him, as he pinched himself harshly. 

He winced, and blinked to see Morax still in front of him. 

And….that’s when the full extent of what had happened came pouring down like a bucket of cold water. 

Morax had…implied that he too felt the same way. 

Morax…loved him…too?  

A giddy and excited feeling coursed through him at this revelation, and yet it still did not feel real, not in the slightest. 

It felt fake. 

Fabricated. 

He did not feel when he had started to cry, as Morax went to lick at his eyes, picking up his tears with his tongue as he hummed, “Please do not cry, dearest…It is alright….” 

Ajax could not stop it as he laughed and sobbed, letting all of the weeks he spent longing and yearning for the man crash down on him, as he found the situation slightly absurd. 

They had been running in circles with each other for months, for nearly a year and a half….

He sobbed into his chest, as it all came crashing down. 

Morax merely rubbed a soothing hand down his spine, licking his tears with his tongue as he hummed lightly, “Please, do not cry…” 

Ajax didn’t want to, but he couldn’t help it. 

Everything was just so overwhelming, so unreal. 

He couldn’t help it. 

He looked at the face of the soon to be Archon he adored and felt his heart clench. 

He was always bound to fall in love with the man and be terribly wrapped around his finger, no matter what. 

He leaned in, in a flash, catching the man’s lips. 

Morax was taken aback, but seemed to be a quick learner as he soon started to move his lips in tandem with Ajax, as he licked at Ajax’s lips and nibbled at them. 

Ajax groaned, as he allowed his tongue to enter his mouth, feeling his nerves on fire as his tongue tickled his mouth. 

He had always been sensitive in his mouth, and so he felt every single touch there even more now that he was an adeptus. 

Fuck…it felt so good. 

He entwined his tongue with Morax’s as he continued his ministrations and felt a shiver go down his spine when his hand started to trail down from his Adam's apple to his neck, and trace something at his nape. His other hand started to go from his waist to his chest and then down to his lower back and then down further until he cupped his ass, squeezing possessively, enough to leave bruises. 

Ajax’s own hands started to wander and feel up against Morax’s body, feeling as the muscles shook beneath his fingers and how firm they were under them as well. 

He breathed in when he felt Morax’s hand start to undo his belt and then trail underneath the layers of his clothes as his cold hand touched his stomach, causing him to shiver. 

They broke the kiss, and Ajax felt dizzy, as he felt Morax dip lower and start to lick and bite at his neck, his fangs breaking the skin upon contact, and sinking into his skin, causing Ajax to slightly jolt and yelp out in pain. 

He felt them sink in to their hilt, and yet, a part of him enjoyed the action. 

Enjoyed the stake of claim on his skin, and reveled in the attention. Reveled in the fact that he wasn't the only one who wanted Morax all to himself, wasn't the only one who wanted to sink himself deeper and further into the man. A enjoyed it and knew that he would feel a sick sense of satisfaction at the red marks and the bite marks all over his body, knowing that he would enjoy the sting of them as he went about his day. 

Celestia knows how much he enjoyed said action whenever Zhongli used to do it, as they made love inside of his apartment, on a lazy morning, as he felt Zhongli taint and mark up his body with praise slipping out of his mouth, as he held Ajax close to him. 

His breath tickled him as he shivered slightly, and he too began to undo Morax’s belt, slipping his hand underneath the layers of his clothes and feeling his abdominal muscles underneath his hands, appreciating how nice they felt. 

Good Lord, Morax was ripped…fuck.. 

Morax then flipped him around, as he sat him down on his lap, and continued to bite at his neck, licking them and pleasantly groaning when he felt Ajax shiver and moan at his ministrations. 

He leaned into his neck, breathing him in and burying his nose in his nape, “You are mine, all mine.. ”

Ajax squirmed but ultimately leaned into the touches, feeling as Morax’s hands wandered up and down his body, his long nails slightly scratching his skin, adding to the scars that were already all over him. 

Ajax moaned when he felt Morax buck his hips up, and continued to undress him as he took off his shirt and bit and licked a stripe down his lower back. 

Ajax stirred and went to face Morax once again, taking his shirt off too as he ran his own hands down his body, appreciating how handsome he looked right now. Eyeliner messily running down his eyes as his eyes were nothing but slits as he was taking in Ajax with a sadistic and feral grin on his face, as if he was eyeing up delicious prey. 

“Beautiful, absolutely delectable…Simply gorgeous, Ajax ...” Morax said as he ran his eyes up Ajax’s body and bit down everywhere he could reach. 

He then laid Ajax down onto the grass, in a gentle manner, different from how rough he had been and traced a hand from his chest to his navel causing him to shiver, “Such a gorgeous treasure, so perfect, just for me. And me only...” 

He grabbed at his hips, with a grip that was bound to leave bruises in the shape of hands in the morning, "I will not allow anyone else to touch you, dearest treasure. You are mine." 

Ajax merely swallowed as he nodded and stared back at the fiery eyes staring back at him, with such intensity, that it left him boneless on the soft grass below. 

Morax began to take off his pants, a feral and utterly possessive stare just for him. 

Ajax felt delighted, and looked at the ethereal man right above him, feeling the need to devour the man in front of him, himself. 

But perhaps, that could be at a later time. 

For now, he let himself be devoured, instead. 

Morax slipped off his underwear, licking his lips and dove right in. 

______________________

Ajax woke up, in Morax’s arms. 

Feeling sore all over, as he looked down to see bite marks and scratches lining his entire body and leaving him throbbing with pleasurable pain. 

Hah…it seemed as if in every timeline, Rex Lapis would still be the same in bed…

Ajax glanced over to see Morax’s arms wrapped around him possessively, as the man buried his face into his chest, breathing lightly and content. 

They had landed themselves in Morax’s abode, where after a few more rounds, had Morax cleaning him up with a small washcloth before they had a nice bath in the springs. 

Then, he had slipped on a pair of pajama pants and had fallen asleep to a very attentive Morax who began to stroke his hair, lightly scratching at his scalp causing him to doze off into sleep. 

He sighed as he looked at him, and buried his head into the top of Zhongli’s hair and promised to wake up in a few more hours.

It was still daylight out, they could laze around for a few more hours. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(19/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_____________________

Chapter 19: Mending Spirits, Uncertain Feelings, and the Taste of Freedom Pt. 3

The journey to get there was even rougher than they had all anticipated. 

And after Guizhong declared herself the winner and Morax the rotten egg (who had unfortunately been last to get there…not because he wasn’t fast enough, but because he had caught the meaning of her words later than everyone else did).

The man seemed taken a back at what she called him, but considering all of the other things she used to refer to him, this one seemed to be the least prodding. Although, he did look confused as to why she had said rotten egg out of all the things she could have said and genuinely seemed to consider the intricacies of such a game and the meaning of the rotten egg for a bit before he gave up; which brought a strong sense of nostalgia. 

Even after hundreds of years, it seemed as if Zhongli never truly changed, did he? 

Always the one to think deeply about the meaning of every little thing, even of things that did not necessarily have any real meaning to it. 

After that, they had continued on their journey to get to the aforementioned cavern Sky Bracer had mentioned, without so much as a peep out of everyone else, just the occasional breath and the heavy sound of footsteps. 

Ajax sighed, attempting to steer his eyes away from Morax, sighing even more when he found it hard to do so. 

Although he was hurt, he could not stop his eyes from trailing back to where the man was, almost subconsciously. 

But even so, he refused to look at the man in his eyes.

He did this lest he fall back inside of them and allow himself to be the weaker one of the both of them once more and rekindle…whatever their confusing relationship was. 

But besides that, even if the more stubborn part of him refused to go outwardly talk to the man about what had transpired, the more human part of him wondered if he had perhaps been too harsh. 

After all, the man he was talking to was not a man at all, but an Archon. 

A God. 

He did not know about the trivialities of emotions, did not know of the proper way to conduct himself in front of someone else, and he did not know how to even give a good apology. 

The man had just started to understand what emotions were, and had just begun to properly face and name them. 

So in a way, it was unfair that he was being this harsh. 

And yet, he was hurting, so he felt the need to hurt others, to lash out at the man, to release his sadness in the way he only knew besides tears….anger.  

Ajax had never been one to particularly show his emotions all that well either, always lashing out using violence and spiting out hurtful words whenever he felt hurt himself. And without Zhongli here, without his rock, the person that tied him down back down to Teyvat, he was a mess. 

A bloody mess of conflicting emotions, thoughts, and actions; until his very own mind was nothing more than mush and static noise. 

And while he knew it was not a healthy thing to depend on the man to sort out his own feelings for him….he couldn’t help it. 

Zhongli was patient, kind, and understanding above all else. 

He would take the harsh words thrown his way to heart, but would never truly reveal the true extent of his own hurt feelings whenever Ajax lashed out at him. Instead, he would merely sigh and pull the agitated man into his arms before he would patiently wait until he calmed down and attempt to make the situation better by talking things through. By communicating.  

But it was so hard not to fall into pieces without Zhongli here. 

The awkward and stiff silence continued, coating the already tense atmosphere in a thin silken sheet. 

Only the chirping cicadas, the whistling wind and the abrupt comments from Guizhong about various random things kept them entertained for the rest of the day. All while Ajax attempted to find some peace in all of it, amidst his troubled mind and heavy heart. 

And well, he guessed he wasn’t the only one.

As Madam Ping herself seemed to be doing the same, silently assessing her surroundings, her expression solemn.....similarly conflicted about what to do as well. 

And while she wasn’t mad like he was, she was still hurt. He could tell from the way her eyes seemed to fill with glistening pearls every now and then before she would blink them back and gather her emotions up before they threatened to spill over. 

Ajax himself felt a wave of sudden crushing emotion wash over him at the sight of Madam Ping’s teary eyes and felt his own eyes sting. 

He guessed they were two peas in the same pod, stuck in the same damned boat headed to the same place, weren’t they? 

He blinked back the tears rapidly. 

It was just the wind that made his eyes water. 

Nothing else and nothing more. 

__________________________

It was about nightfall when they finally arrived at the cavern. It was situated between a valley of sorts, only a small few meters away from it, hidden inside of one of the vast openings at the foot of the long rock formations. 

It was surrounded by that familiar golden light, one that Ajax grew to be pretty nostalgic over. One that made his heart ache. 

The silence was palpable to Ajax’s ears, and after a moment a voice spoke up. 

It was Morax, and he had spoken for the first time since they had left the campsite, “Is...this the location?” 

Sky Bracer turned to look at him, guilt heavy in his eyes, as they swept over Ajax and then onto Morax. He gave a short bow before he nodded, “Yes, My Lord…this is the location where we have been hiding for the meanwhile.” 

“Mn,” Morax did not look at him before he continued walking over to the cavern without so much as a warning. 

This abrupt movement caused the rest of them to march over after Morax, startled at his sudden action. 

After a few seconds, they came face-to-face with the glowing protective shield placed over the cavern’s entrance, blocking everything out from entering. Which was rightly so, considering there were many of those Dream Eaters roaming around, ready to strike at any moment. 

Sky Bracer brought up his fist and gave a firm couple of knocks and waited patiently for an answer. 

There was nothing. 

He knocked again. 

...Nothing. 

And again. 

.....Nothing....

And again. 

.....Still Nothing.  

There was no response whatsoever….

Sky Bracer’s face crumpled up to that of concern and he looked back at the barrier before he knocked once again. 

Again, there was no response. 

“They…usually respond after only a few knocks…” he said, looking oddly nervous. 

Madam Ping’s eyebrows furrowed before she said, “....Do you think something might have happened to them?” 

Sky Bracer seemed to consider this before he shook his head, “No…They would have….sent me something if there was anything wrong.” 

“....Don’t worry, shixiong....Maybe....they are just not here at the moment?” Ajax offered, avoiding Sky Bracer’s piercing stare, instead focusing his eyes onto the door in front of them. 

Sky Bracer shook his head, although a small wistful smile found its way onto his face, and he continued on, “I doubt it, shidi…..They would never leave base without a message...They are not careless enough to do something like that..…” 

They all stopped to consider this.

And he was right. 

Unlike Morax, who was sometimes known to run off without any warnings due to sudden emergencies, as he had previously with that strange shadow. Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver were punctual to a scary degree, always making sure to alert the others of their every move in case something happened. 

Call it paranoia like Ajax and Guizhong did, or being precautious like the rest of them believed. 

But either way, it was uncharacteristic of them to do such a thing. 

Madam Ping’s face grew serious once more as she furrowed her eyebrows even more, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the unmoving entrance, “...If they aren’t responding, perhaps something really must have happened to them, we must look for them at once," she withdrew her spear and held it tightly in her arm. 

Sky Bracer paused for a bit before his eyes glowed and he turned his head everywhere, obviously scanning the surrounding area. After a few minutes, he shook his head, “No, their elemental traces are still here, they do not go anywhere else..…they couldn’t have left.” 

Madam Ping’s face hardened even more, “Either way we must get into the cavern, perhaps they are in need of our assistance inside.” 

Sky Bracer gave a curt nod, before he placed his hands on the barrier and soon enough, spiritual energy started to leave his palms. 

It was clear what he was attempting to do. 

He was trying to break the seal formation they had placed. Sky Bracer was risking breaking the seal they had all formed, one that took so much energy to make in order to protect themselves whilst they rested. 

Sky Bracer’s energy flowed through the barrier, as a bit of sweat started to drip down his forehead, stare intense and concentrated.

And soon enough, small cracks started to form around the seal, indicating that it would soon be broken. 

“Halt!”  

A sudden voice sounded out. 

It was….

Mountain Shaper. 

_________________________

He was strangely in his half-adeptal form, looking alarmed. 

Although, Ajax guessed it had to do with the fact that they were just about to bash through the carefully crafted barrier, which judging from the intricate seal, most likely took hours to construct. 

Mountain Shaper glanced at all of them, and suddenly, the alarm that was once plastered all over his face quickly changed to something….interesting. 

It was one that bordered strangely on embarrassment.  

What in The Abyss?! 

Now. 

Ajax had seen Mountain Shaper show a variety of expressions, from disgust, to arrogance, to hatred, to mild irritation and even to subtle joy. But, never in his time here in this world, had he ever expected to see such a usually arrogant and haughty person to show anything like this before. After all Mountain Shaper prided himself on his control of his facial expressions and emotions; never allowing himself to feel any sort emotions that he considered as inferior or weak. 

And besides that, other than his strange expression, his clothes were also thrown askew as his face was bright red, a strange dark red bruise right below his collarbone. Which looked oddly like a mosquito bite, or...something else. 

Sky Bracer went up to Mountain Shaper and gave a short bow, “Apologies, da-ge….We were all worried that something might have happened to the both of you after there was no answer, so I carelessly rushed to destroy the barrier.” 

Mountain Shaper seemed to be even more agitated as he dismissed Sky Bracer with a wave of his hand, “There is nothing to apologize for, it is....fine…” 

This stunned Ajax. 

He had never seen Mountain Shaper be this kind nor forgiving ever before. 

Everyone else seemed to think the same thing as many of them switched confused glances. 

Sky Bracer himself looked taken aback as he coughed and nodded, “I....see......Shushu…." 

Madam Ping went up to Mountain Shaper, and gave a bow, "May I ask, what Shushu was doing?"

Mountain Shaper's expression seemed to grow to be one of irritation as he crossed his arms, "What one does is not any of your business, Mei-mei." 

Madam Ping gave another bow as she said, "....Please allow this one to explain......We were all concerned about Shushu's well-being.....Is there anyone hurt, Shushu?” 

This definitely caused Mountain Shaper to stiffen, before he suddenly coughed into his arm, irritation gone and replaced with embarrassment yet again, “Ah…No....We were just sparring a bit and we may have lost…track of time.” 

Sky Bracer gave another curt nod before his eyes glossed over with understanding, “I see....Well, in any case, I’m glad everything is alright.” 

Mountain Shaper seemed to choke a bit, “Y-yes…But, let’s carry on for now and discuss more prying matters. We have been planning on the attack for a while; however, we have not come to a full conclusion as of now," he began to walk back in as the barrier suddenly opened up, allowing for all of them to walk inside.

One after another, they began to go to the other side of the barrier. 

Inside, Ajax noticed that the cavern was simplistic in nature. 

It was just like every other cave in fact, hallowed out and surrounded by uneven rock formations. 

Surrounding the cave, there seemed to be a few furnishings littering the ground, which accommodated them. They included what appeared to be makeshift sleeping beds, a small fire, a simplistic pot, several miscellaneous weapons and other items strung about the place. 

It was nowhere near cozy, but it somehow gave the feeling of a warm and relatively safe environment, perfect for when you needed to unwind and rest. 

However, the next thing that really hit him was the smell of the place. 

A sweet aroma came and nearly punched him in the nose. 

It seemed to come mostly from one of the beds that were laid there. Annd on that bed there seemed to be a strange substance on it…

The smell was sweet like honey, yet it gave off strong notes of a flower scent with a bit of muskiness, which was all topped off with a spicy after smell. 

Just what was it? 

Maybe one of them carried perfume or something on them and it must have spilled over and splattered the bed accidentally? 

Was the perfume that strange substance that was splattered about the bed? And if so, then why did it look so weird and not like the usual relatively clear liquid that was nearly like water, and instead sort of gelatinous and sticky....?

He decided to dwell on this later and carried on with the rest of the group.

They went over to Moon Carver who was similarly in his half-human form, looking flustered and a bit irritated. His clothes were similarly thrown on messily as if he had been in a hurry to get them on in time, and….was that a bite mark on his neck?

He looked back and forth at Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, who looked shyly at each other and suddenly it clicked. 

The flustered expressions, the messy appearances, the shy looks, and even the sticky substance on the bed...

Oh..

Oh! 

They had…..ahem… 

Ajax felt his face grow hot as he felt the embarrassment swell up inside his lungs….Now it all made sense why it had smelled like that, it was a mixture of sorts of both of their scents and whatever that jelly stuff they had used was...

Sure, they had ‘sparred.' 

And judging from the obscene amounts of that strange white substance on the silken sheets, it was clear they had ‘sparred’ rather hard it seemed. 

So hard and vigorous that it seemed as if they had lost a sense of time and had failed to notice that someone was knocking on the door. 

Moon Carver began to talk to the others and discussed the plans he, Mountain Shaper, and Sky Bracer had come up with. But, Ajax could not hear a word out of their mouths, much too distracted with the embarrassing truth laid upon his feet (almost literally since it was on their bed). 

His face burned like hot coals and he did not dare to look at either Mountain Shaper nor Moon Carver in the eye as they were speaking.

Guizhong seemed to notice this and while the rest were busy talking, she slipped by them and made her way up to to Ajax who seemed almost frozen still. 

She tapped on his shoulder and said, “Shidi, what is the matter?” Her face looked rather worried, her eyes gentle and warm, filled with nothing but care for her junior. 

He shook his head, “It-It’s n-nothing, shijie…I just…I’ll go outside for now…” 

The smell was overwhelming him, making him remember times with Zhongli and the wa-

Yeah, he really had to leave that place. 

Lest he accidentally embarrass himself further and have to explain why he felt the sudden need to suddenly dip himself inside cold water for a good 20 minutes. 

But it's not as if he hadn’t known Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper were a couple…with the way they always seemed to cling onto each other and always be around the other it was quite obvious they were at least romantically involved. 

And besides, it's not as if he had not noticed the way they looked at each other from time to time. 

But he had never really thought about their physical relationship (though he doubted anyone would think about such a private matter), but anyways, with it being thrust into his face so suddenly, it certainly put things into perspective. 

He cursed his newly found strong sense of smell and he silently prayed to whoever heard him that he would act normally around them after this. 

Ever since he had become an adeptus, it seemed as if all of his senses had improved exponentially. 

So while that meant he would be able to see mostly every single minute detail in battle, taste food in a way he never imagined, hear from very far away, and even be able to feel the sensation of different fabrics more intensely….His sense of smell was the only one whom he did not really enjoy. 

Now, whenever he smelt something gross, it would smell 100x worse than it would if he was human. 

Which made him understand why Zhongli was so sensitive to different perfumes and would always scrunch up his nose at particularly strong smells. 

And, so it felt uncomfortable and like an invasion of privacy to be here smelling someone’s uhhh….

Yeah.. 

Celestia above! Send a meteorite down to come and smite him down at once! 

________________________

Guizhong did not know why Ajax’s face was so red. 

Just why was her dear shidi so embarrassed? 

She had not seen anything particularly embarrassing happen to him, so why was he so bright red? 

“Shidi?....Are you sure nothing happened?” 

He shook his head, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly as he pulled at his collar down in a frenzy as if overheated, and Guizhong could see his pupils dilating (?). 

Just what happened to him? 

She did not understand. 

And she did not further understand why he was covering his nose so urgently with his sleeve, or why he was in such a hurry to leave? 

She curiously wondered if perhaps he smelled something she didn’t and took a cautious sniff. 

Nothing. 

But even so, nothing out of the ordinary seemed to hit her olfactory bulb so she stared at Ajax, “...Shidi…is it....the smell that is bothering you?” 

Her poor shidi looked so tormented and yet managed to nod his head, still covering his nose stubbornly with his hand and refusing to breathe through it. 

She pinched her eyebrows together, “...Do you know where it is coming from?....I can not seem to smell it....” 

Her sense of smell wasn’t as great as some of the other adepti, which probably had to do with the fact that her specific species did not allow her to smell as great as some of the others. 

And she knew just how well adepti like Ajax and Morax could smell, and just how strong their noses. 

Guizhong knew first hand at just how excellent Morax’s sense of smell was, especially since he would scrunch his face up in disgust at particularly concentrated perfumes that would be sprinkled and tried on by various humans down at the marketplace. 

He shakingly pointed towards the messily done bed a few ways away from him, face bright red, pupils constricting and dilating rapidly. 

She stared at the bed, before she felt her face warm up as well…oh.. 

The sheets were somehow thrown in disarray, with one of them turned upwards, which was enough for Guizhong to see splatters of a viscous liquid smattered across them. 

It was obvious what it was. 

And whilst Guizhong was not…experienced in that department, in the slightest. 

She was no fool. 

She knew exactly just what that was, after spending so many years in Teyvat it was hard not to come across such a thing….especially since she spent so much time around other human beings.

And since she was an enjoyer of human’s lovely literature works, and praised their magical way with words and even more fascinating views on life and morals. She too had come across their more salacious works, and out of curiosity she had read them. 

After such a thing, she promptly shut the book shut and vowed to store it in her bookshelf, as though it contained detailed images of the many different uhhmm…poses and acts humans would do in order to copulate and enjoy themselves.....it was rather embarrassing to have it laid out in the opening. 

And so, after such an embarrassing book, she knew exactly what that viscous, semi-transparent, jelly-like white liquid was. 

And the more she inched towards it, the more the smell blasted her nose and made her even more embarrassed. 

She turned towards Ajax, eyes nearly bulging out of her bright red cheeks and mouth gaping like a fish. 

“Is that-” 

Before he could finish his sentence, Ajax pulled a hand over her mouth and nose, and he looked a bit miffed and embarrassed. 

She looked at him and he appeared as if he was about to pass out from sheer mortification. He pressed a finger to his mouth and then promptly pinched his nose, “Shh..” 

She nodded, before she took his hand away and pinched her own nose, before she said, “….outside..” 

He similarly nodded, and nearly rushed straight towards the exit. Guizhong similarly rushed behind him, at the same pace. 

They needed to get out of there as soon as possible. 

____________________________

They made their way to the barrier, rather quickly, determined to get out of there. 

But before they could, they were stopped by Sky Bracer. 

Whose voice suddenly rang out behind them, who nearly stared at them as though they were crazy, “Shijie, shidi…. Why are you both rushing outside in such a hurry….Did something happen?” 

He looked confused if not a bit concerned over them, and Ajax could not bear the way his legs gave out from the utter embarrassment he felt at that moment. 

What should he tell him? 

Oh hey Da-ge, just a heads up our Shushu’s had sex and uhhh the evidence was still left behind. Nothing else, don’t worry. Now, we are just going to head out cause the smell is making me think about my estranged lover. And to top it all off now both me and shijie are embarrassed since we know they both fucked since I pointed it out to her. So, if you'll excuse us, we will go off and clear our heads and attempt to figure out how to ignore this. Thank you, Da-ge! 

Of course he wasn’t going to say that!!!

He glanced over to Guizhong with such a distressed expression, that she let go of her nose and slowly turned back to look at Sky Bracer. 

However, as she did, she noticed that it was not only Sky Bracer looking at them but everyone else as well. 

Damn!

Her eyes flitted at all of them and she let out a small sigh, “...Di-di… we are just going to take a small break from all of this outside…and perhaps enjoy some of the fresh air outside…It is not healthy to be cooped up in such a small place, the air is getting slightly stuffy for the both of us..”

Ajax carefully turned to see them, staring holes into the both of them…all with differentiating expressions. 

Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver both looked afraid and mildly embarrassed as they exchanged glances between the both of them and the bed. They most likely knew what the real cause to their sudden urge to leave was, and seemed as if they wanted to crawl into holes themselves. 

Madam Ping seemed to look confused as she stared at Guizhong and Ajax as if they were acting strange (which they probably were…to be fair). 

Sky Bracer looked more worried than anything, his usual warm smile turning into a small frown that pulled at his lips. 

While….Morax…

Well….he was peering into Ajax with such intensity in his eyes, that it almost hurt to look at….ah… 

And well, he looked to be in a similarly disastrous state as Ajax, with his ears flushed pink as his breathing was slightly shallow and his pupils constricting to an insane degree so much that it looked as if he almost did not have pupils. 

It was pretty obvious he knew what was going on…

Ajax avoided his gaze as he attempted to compose himself and think of anything else but the embarrassing smell that was infiltrating his sinuses. 

Sky Bracer gave a small nod, “I see….then why were you pinching your noses…was there a bad smell of some kind where you both were standing previously?” 

He looked at where Ajax and Guizhong were standing and took a step forward. 

Ajax felt his heart race as he saw the man head over there. 

With each step he took, he felt even more embarrassed for Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. 

If they were found out, they would most likely get punished, especially if they had to admit to the hold thing. 

He took another step forward and finally Ajax could no longer bear to watch such a scene unfold. 

He immediately jumped forward and grabbed Sky Bracer, “No!” 

Sky Bracer seemed surprised as Ajax grabbed him and pulled him towards where he was standing, hand gripping tightly on his wrist. 

Silence seemed to pass, as Ajax’s words fully cemented themselves into everyone's heads. 

Ajax’s face was bright red as he struggled to breathe the air, the smell filling his lungs and making him dizzy…just what in The Abyss did they use for…. 

Ajax coughed awkwardly when he saw Sky Bracer stiffen in his hold, as he stared at Ajax with a deep intensity, whirlpools of water inside of his eyes as if he was fighting against something within himself. 

Before Ajax could react, Sky Bracer leaned in. 

____________________________

Ajax himself stiffened as he saw Sky Bracer’s face lean into his own, until he was inches away from his face, stunned at what was happening. 

Sky Bracer stared at Ajax for a bit more before something in his eyes changed and softened, the intense look gone, as he gave a shaky breath and touched the back of his palm against Ajax’s. 

After a few seconds let out a small breath of relief as he gave a small smile, “Ah...I’m sorry if I startled you, shidi…I was just testing to see if perhaps you had gotten a fever…Do not worry..” 

Ajax felt his body loosen up as he shook his head, feeling his throat dry up, “Uhm…no…I’m just a bit stuffy as shijie said..” 

Sky Bracer hummed, leaning further away from Ajax before he nodded, his smile growing, “I see, well then, I’m glad you are okay shidi…”  

Ajax smiled, “Thank you, da-ge. ” 

“Anytime, shidi.”  

____________________________

Shortly after, that short outburst had been passed off as Ajax and Guizhong feeling a bit stuffy and needing to go outside….much to Ajax’s relief…and Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver’s relief as well. 

And soon enough, the rest of the group stayed indoors as Sky Bracer graciously opened the barrier for them and accompanied them as well. 

He also said that he needed some air, and that it would be best if they were to be all in a small group in case another attack was staged. 

They walked off shortly to a small creek, similar to the one they were previously at. 

However, the only difference is that this one was less filled with plants and instead, was surrounded by short grass. 

They decided to stop there as Guizhong splashed her face with the creek’s water, Ajax following her example as he too splashed his own face. It was refreshing, and definitely needed as his nose was no longer clogged by that smell….

Seriously, whatever those two must have used, was definitely not just normal oil…

It had something else mixed in, and Ajax clearly did not want to know. 

____________________________

Unfortunately for him. 

There seemed to be another problem inflicted upon him. 

His nape started to feel as if it was on fire, shortly after he splashed the water on his face and had taken a seat by the creek. 

It was seriously itchy.  

As if a hundred tiny bees were stinging his skin, as if his skin was being stung by tiny needles, it itched, really bad. 

He gave a small sigh, tugging anxiously at his collar, as he felt his skin start to burn. 

Seriously? 

Why was his weird bug bite acting up again? 

He scratched at his nape, sighing as the pain slightly lessened. 

He seriously had to get it checked out soon. 

Hopefully as, otherwise he was sure Cloud Retainer would tear his eyes out if she found out he did not treat his wounds properly. 

____________________________

Sky Bracer saw as Ajax sighed, before he retracted his hand from his nape. 

And when he looked at where his hand had been, he paused. 

His gaze darkened and soured as he saw the tell-tale sign of a familiar design on the nape of Ajax’s neck. 

It was a mark.  

The seal that belonged to Rex Lapis. 

It seemed as if the Archon of War had laid his claim onto Ajax, asserting his possession over the man, a way of telling all of the other opposition that his treasure was off the market, a brand on Ajax’s skin. 

And from the way the smell wafted over to Sky Bracer and filled his nose from the mark on his nape, he could tell the jealous Archon had sent it just for him. He felt jealousy prick at him as well, and he wished to bite off the mark with his bare teeth and sink his own claim into the beautiful man. 

But even so, his more logical side chastised him, berating him for breaking his self promise. 

He had to let go. 

He needed to let go. 

And eventually, with time, he would eventually let go. 

So for now, he turned his back on Ajax and carefully walked off. 

Leaving the oblivious man to ponder just what was on the back of his neck. 

____________________________

Sooner or later he met up with Guizhong, who was sitting by the creek a few ways away from him, swirling the water with her fingertips and watching as they caused tiny ripples to erupt from her touch. 

Sky Bracer had long since been gone, and while a part of Ajax wanted to ask why he had taken off so suddenly, another part of Ajax knew why he had left so suddenly. 

While things had been fairly amicable with Sky Bracer and him, Ajax could not shake off the feeling that it had caused their relationship to strain. His abrupt confession and Ajax’s rejection had taken a toll on their previously close bond. 

Ajax felt his heart clench at the thought of Sky Bracer pulling away from him. 

He had grown quite attached to the man, but, even so, he knew it was for the best. Even though he appreciated their time spent together and the many days he would casually strike up a conversation whilst Ganyu steadily slept in the next room. The laughter they would exchange, and the way his presence made him feel soothed and at home, even though they had not known each other for that long. And the warm cup of tea in his hands while he heard the man talk about his interest in plants and flowers. Ajax would always feel content while he held onto the warm cup tightly in his palm, hearing the man ramble and listen attentively to his own worries and interests as he passed a hand through Ajax's hair in a manner that could only be akin to warm affection. 

With Sky Bracer, he would feel safe, and wanted nothing more than to live forever in the moments they got to spend with each other. 

But it wasn’t good. 

He had started to depend on the man for something he previously had. He had started to see Zhongli in Sky Bracer, and had begun to lean on the man to support him, he had started to become infatuated with the man. 

It was starting to become an unhealthy codependency; it would become terrible if Ajax did not set things clear and distance himself from Sky Bracer. 

He knew that Sky Bracer would always be his da-ge and would always support him no matter what. But, even so, something about his confession of the way he still looked at him, made him feel terrible. 

The guilt he felt towards Sky Bracer and felt his heart race made him want to drown in a pit of his own sorrows.

It was terribly gut-wrenching.  

He sighed and made his way over to Guizhong, wanting to get over his feelings of guilt quickly. 

She must have heard him walking over since she looked up at him and enthusiastically waved over to him, “Shidi! There you are! I’ve been wondering where you went off to.” 

He gave her a small smile and walked over to her and sat down, “I was just further down the creek, shijie…..You did not notice me going over there?” 

She gave a small sigh, her cheeks red, “..I might have been caught up in my own thoughts and seemed to have forgotten where you had gone off to…” 

He laughed, “Well….I don’t blame you….especially after that…”  

Her face seemed to grow redder as she waved her hands frantically, “Shh! Shh!! Shidi! Please do not mention it anymore! Your poor shijie might not know does not know if she will be able to face them anymore!” 

His smile grew as he laughed, “Well….I’m just saying….I just never knew they would have done something that intense and hard….I could practically smell just how long they must have been going at it….” 

Guizhong’s face scrunched up as she closed her ears with her hands, “Shidi!~ I already told you not to mention it….I don’t want to imagine it!” 

He barked out a laugh as he leaned forward and stared at the water, “Okay! Okay….I won’t mention it anymore, but seriously….I never imagined I would get to see something like that…This definitely beats the intense and way to serious sex talk Madam Ping gave me…” 

They both gave a light laugh, before they quieted down. 

And once again, Ajax was left in his thoughts. He watched as the water flowed and ripped at every slight movement and admired how clear it was. 

Water was such a pretty thing. 

Especially when the moon illuminated it like this. 

He felt his vision slightly stir and he smiled as he began to twirl a bit of water on his fingers, molding and shaping it into a small flower the more he concentrated on it. 

____________________________

Guizhong’s smile grew at the mention of Ping. 

She knew just how serious her shimei could be. And she felt her face burn up at the mention of her giving the talk to Ajax, already imagining the serious expression as she explained the bird and the bees in an utmost scientific way. Her Shimei could be terribly serious at times, the usual warmth in her smile fading out and being replaced with a dull face as she began to talk in such a methodical way, as she usually did whenever serious topics were brought about. 

Although....Guizhong was certain that Ajax did not need to have such a talk, after all, he was already an adult.

But it was still a kind but embarrassing gesture on her part. 

However, soon enough, those tender feelings started to grow ugly. 

Right….A-Ping.  

Guizhong did not know what she was going to do. 

She knew she had to apologize to Ping and properly explain herself, but there was still so much conflict in her heart. Guizhong knew she wanted her....more than anything, but even so, her heart-wrenching fear gripped tightly at her own emotions.

It was that same fear that prevented her from pursuing her sweet shimei.  

It prevented her from owning up to her actions, proclaiming with all of her heart that she simply adored Ping, that she could and would not live without her. 

A-Ping was everything to her. 

She had become someone so precious to her, even more so than that silly old dragon, someone whom she could share a meal with over light conversation. Even more so than her beloved people, which she held so dearly inside of her heart. Even more than the rest of the adepti, whom she had known relatively longer than her. 

Because after all, A-Ping was only one who understood her, the real her. 

Not the person who was revered in those portraits that portrayed her in such a benevolent light.

Or in those lavish paintings made by skilled painters who painted her to be someone dressed in expensive clothes made of pure lotus silk, all drapped over her shoulders, the colors of the rainbow as she was perched on a small rock, a glaze lily delicately perched inside of her palm as she gently sang to it.

And even those overtly benevolent statues of her, made of fine stone and carved delicately as they had her posed in the middle of a dance, her robes swirling and twirling as she was posed with a serene look on her face, many goods set at the base of the statues, ranging from fruits to precious jewels. 

The Goddess she was expected to be, kind and benevolent even to those who simply did not deserve it, simply was not completely her. She was not the understanding and kind shijie who always lent an ear out for those who needed it. 

A-Ping knew Guizhong at her core. 

And that person was nothing but weak, fearful, and hopelessly lonely.

Guizhong was filled with bitter memories, selfish desires, hatred and a longing to be loved. Even if she acquired wisdom in her long lifetime, she had not acquired what she desired the most. 

And she understood that. 

She understood it all.  

And even so, she had opened her arms wide for her, and had accepted her. She had seen Guizhong at her weakest moments, and had leant her own shoulder for her to lean against when she did not feel like being strong. 

She was allowed to be weak with Madam Ping. 

She was allowed to be herself. 

But, Guizhong could not be with Ping. 

Because of a little thing called fate. 

And well…

Guizhong knew she was destined to die.

Just like the dust she controlled, The Goddess of Dust was bound to become dust herself. 

She knew it was foretold by the stars, by her own premonition, even by the ghost of her own self traversing through time and space itself to share her wisdom. 

In each and every one, she had succumbed to her unconditional love for her people, and if not her, someone else would. 

And that thought, terrified Guizhong. 

She would not bear to see those she loved give themselves up for her. 

She could not watch as they faded one by one because of her. And in this world, she would not allow anyone to suffer so much. 

And because of this, she could not possibly bear to allow Madam Ping to love her. 

Guizhong had personally seen just how much the woman would grieve for her. How much it would affect her, if she chose to be with her. 

She saw as Ping went on a streak of self-destruction. 

She saw as she closed herself off to everyone else, secluding herself up in a mountain and endlessly playing the same song again and again on her guzheng, until her fingertips bled and the flesh and even bone chipped off as her heart went cold. 

She saw as she died of exhaustion, never leaving the mountain and instead turning into a vengeful spirit who would come to haunt the small spring inside the mountain, never leaving, never ceasing to exist in a state of pain. 

Guizhong did not want to make her endure such a traitorous end. 

But, even so, she had promised Ajax. 

She had sworn to herself that she would not let her shaking terror get in the way of her happiness. 

Perhaps she would even be able to prevent such an outcome? 

Guizhong sighed and could only hope that fate was on her side for once. 

____________________________

Guizhong stared at the small flower Ajax managed to conjure up in his fingers, snapping her effectively from her endless thoughts. 

It was a flower she had never seen before, and yet, she had seen it. 

Not in this lifetime yet, but in many others. 

After a while, she felt the mood quiet. And suddenly, all that was heard was the annoying chirping cicadas who did not stop making noise despite the calm peaceful atmosphere, always in such a hurry those little creatures were. 

It felt nice.  

She sighed as she began to twirl a small bit of fire in her hands, a rare habit, she surmised. It was mostly blue, as fire is sometimes, but even so, at its tips it was the slightest bit orange. 

And she mused just how stark her and Ajax’s elements were. 

“Shijie, why do you not use your element in battle?” Ajax asked, the flower long since disappeared from his fingers. 

She paused, and quickly the flame disappeared, “Ah…that is…,” she paused before she continued, “I…do not like it.” 

Ajax raised an eyebrow, “Why is that?” 

She let out a small sigh, “...I guess that is because it reminds me of…someone dear to me from long ago…He too had the same elemental energy…and well...whenever I look at it, I only see his face staring back at me..” 

Ajax did not say anything and merely nodded as if he was not sure what to respond to such a declaration. 

Guizhong did not say anything after that, and the two sat together on the small rock, taking comfort in each other, without the need to say anything more. 

They sat there until morning came, shoulder to shoulder as they slept soundly. 

____________________________

After heading up to meet up with the others, the atmosphere was not as awkward as Ajax expected it to be. 

Which in all fairness, he guessed had to do with the fact that everyone had brushed off the previous day's past strange series of events and prioritized the plan they had conjured up. 

Ajax stretched his neck and shoulder, and felt a tight knot. 

He groaned in discomfort and attempted to stretch them a bit. 

Who would have known that falling asleep on someone’s shoulder and leaning his head sideways could hurt him?

He sighed. 

It was his own fault, he had just gotten so inexplicably comfortable in the midst of the quiet creek that he subsequently fell asleep on top of Guizhong’s head (after she had fallen asleep on his shoulder). 

And, looking at Guizhong, it seemed as if he wasn’t the only one with pain, as she winced everytime she moved that particular side of her upper body. 

He chuckled a bit and made a mental note to go and fetch some of the ointment Cloud Retainer had insisted on putting inside of his bag. It was great on minor wounds such as this, and provided a nice cooling effect on the skin. 

Thankfully, as soon as he stepped into the barrier after a firm couple of knocks, the smell had long since been cleared out. 

The only bad thing about that was now, he could smell the fragrance of silk flowers and glaze lilies amongst everyone else. 

It was strangely more potent than everyone else’s smells. 

It was a nostalgic scent, one that brought memories of past times. 

And that made him uncomfortably scratch his nose. 

He ignored this new development and instead hurried over to fetch his bag to pull out the ointment. 

Which….was made difficult by the sudden bustling activity inside of the cavern, where everyone else seemed to similarly move about the cavern, gathering materials and packing away their items. 

He barely got through it before he retrieved his bag and swiftly opened it, retrieving the ointment and the bandages Cloud Retainer had provided for him quickly, before he closed it. 

He took out a generous amount on one hand, before he paused. 

Ah… 

He had not considered it, but he would have to… take off his top-half in order to properly apply the ointment and wrap it up. And what was worse was that…he would probably not be able to do it himself. Even if Ajax was flexible in most of his body (which benefited him a lot…ahem ), he was not as flexible in his arms. 

Embarrassment threatened to overwhelm him and he passed through the possibilities of who could help him. 

Guizhong would be the easiest option, his most preferred one in fact, but since she too had strained her own shoulder and neck, she would be in pain while wrapping him up. 

Madam Ping was his second option, but who knows where she had gone, since she was not in the cavern. And besides, she would most likely tie it way too tightly that his blood circulation would cut off. 

His third option was Sky Bracer, but since things had been rather tense between them, he couldn’t bear torture the man who was currently attempting to get over him. It would be like dangling a tempting sweet in front of someone, it would be cruel. 

His fourth and fifth option was Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. 

Mountain Shaper would most likely complain while doing it and would pettily proclaim that he was not as weak as Ajax, and tell him to be careful, in his own strange way of worrying about someone. 

Moon Carver would not complain but instead just do it silently and then soon enough would snarkily comment every now and then. 

And the last option was the one Ajax did not want. 

But as everyone came and went, packing their things and retrieving their weapons, and soon enough the cavern cleared up. 

One person remained. 

His last option. 

Fuck.  

____________________________

Ajax struggled with himself, weighing his options. 

He would either suffer a minor blow to his ego and pride while Morax bandaged him up, or he would struggle to do it himself and do a shitty job. 

Screw it! 

He would do it himself. 

His stubborn nature would always rule over everything else, and his pride and ego would as well. 

Ajax used his other hand to take off the top half of his outfit, first layer and then the second one, feeling the cold air hit his skin and made a shiver run down his body. 

He sat himself down, attempting to avoid making himself known to Morax who was busy packing up the last of his things. 

Carefully, he put the ointment on his neck and did his best to do so on his shoulder, though he was sure that it was not entirely on there. 

He winced at the pain and bit back a groan before he moved to grab the bandages and paused. 

A pair of eyes were digging into him. 

____________________________

He had been at a loss ever since that day. 

Morax had undoubtedly lost himself in the magnitude of his feelings. 

But he could not help himself, especially not after seeing his treasure looking up at him with such worried eyes as he asked him what was wrong. 

It made something stir inside of him. 

It had been festering for many days, ever since Ajax had gotten himself inside of his abode. 

And after his talk with Guizhong, he knew he had irrevocably fallen in love with his beloved treasure. 

His feelings were so brand new, an emotion he had never experienced ever before. It made him anxious, nervous that something would happen to this fragile emotion. He wanted to clutch tightly onto it, and never let go. 

He wanted it all for himself, he wanted the man all for himself.

Something inside of him broke.

An ugly feeling overcame him, as it had before. 

He felt fragile, helpless.  

After an old memory became real in front of his eyes, and as he watched the life drain out of his eyes, he felt guilty. Washing the blood of his former ally off of his skin, feeling it stick onto it no matter how hard he scrubbed himself clean. 

He felt weak to prevent his death. 

He had granted the man pity, and yet, he still chose to end his life. 

He looked at Ajax, looking pitifully at him, eyes wide with concern as he did his best to calm him down. 

Another feeling surfaced. 

He wanted to protect the man. He wanted to prevent anything from happening to him, his priceless treasure, his beloved, his. 

He looked breathtaking, as he stared at Morax. 

But, Morax did not deserve him. 

Even in all of his greed, he did not deserve such a treasure. 

He attempted to prevent his treasure from his own brutal strength, his own ugly feelings, his raging love for him. 

He could not, as his treasure was adamant, trying to get through to such a stubborn adeptus like himself. 

And eventually, after a few words were exchanged, Morax could no longer hold the bitter feeling from taking him, as he looked down at Ajax. 

Morax was afraid. 

He was afraid to lose Ajax, he was afraid to watch him succumb to his death, he was afraid of his treasure being someone else's. 

The irrational part of his mind, the more carnal and impulsive part of him could no longer be held behind any sort of lock and key, especially not after his treasure was leaning towards him, clouds in his eyes. 

His control had waned, and before Morax knew it, he had yanked his face next to his and leaned down. 

His sweet treasure was presenting himself here, all for him. 

He nearly hummed in approval as felt himself being blanketed with the way he smelled, feeling his inner turmoil calm down significantly. He smelled of a sea breeze, salty, musky, and yet a hint of sweet flower was sprinkled in. 

He licked down Ajax’s neck, feeling him yelp and shiver as he continued his ministrations. 

But, his neck was not what he wanted. 

He yanked Ajax around and continued his motions, and traced the spot he wanted the most, feeling as Ajax relaxed into him. 

And then, he sunk his teeth into Ajax’s neck. 

His neck was one of the only things unblemished by the many colorful scars, freckles, and slight hair that covered his body. 

It was untouched, and therefore perfect. 

It would be a great way to showcase that the man was his, and his only. 

He bit down, feeling his teeth sink into warm flesh. And soon after, warm blood seeped into his mouth and he groaned at the taste. 

It was absolutely delectable. 

Bitter yet with a hint of sweat. 

Ajax’s.  

He couldn’t get enough of the feeling as he scooped up every single droplet that dripped out of his neck. A part of him nearly shook with joy as he saw the bite mark on Ajax’s neck, and he felt that strange ugly feeling start to wash over him again. 

It felt content, like it did not want to ever let go of Ajax. 

But, then, the fog cleared. 

Guilt washed over him in waves as he saw Ajax’s nape lazily bleeding with his teeth’s imprints left behind…that unbeknownst to him would soon turn into his sigil. 

He instantly let go of the man, as if he had burned him and muttered a quick apology before leaving. 

He avoided his treasure afterwards, and it seemed as if his treasure did as well. He felt strangely wounded over this, but there were other matters pressing. 

However, even if he told himself that. 

He could not stop his gaze from wandering over to Ajax, the man simply demanded his attention whenever he went, like a fiery sunset. 

He could not tear himself from his gaze, even if he tried to. 

And even if he knew well that they were now a bit at odds with each other, he still could not stop the warm feeling that bubbled up in his stomach from him. 

But soon enough, that strange ire would take hold of him again. 

____________________________

He had gone out after that shadow, and had gotten distracted momentarily. He blinked out of this strange daze and headed back towards their small campsite. 

Just when he overheard voices exchanging conversation. 

He recognized them. 

Morax’s heart warmed at the light and airy voice that he recognized as his treasure and felt his mood darken as he heard that the other voice belonged to none other than Sky Bracer. 

Morax knew he should not have been feeling especially angry at his own comrade, but he could not help it. 

And he could not help it, after finding them both entangled in each other’s arms, looking as if nothing else mattered in the world. 

He saw as Sky Bracer sunk himself deeper in Ajax, and as Ajax calmly passed his fingers through his hair, their bodies pressing closer than comfortable. And his hatred grew as he saw Sky Bracer’s arm locked tightly against his treasure’s waist. 

The bitter feeling rose up and he could no longer contain himself. 

Morax made his presence known by calling out to Ajax, causing them both to detach themselves from each other in a hurry. 

Ajax seemed so frenzied as if he was caught and in a hurry to explain whilst Sky Bracer looked slightly irritated behind his fear. 

Sky Bracer was quick to apologize, but Morax did not care. 

He couldn’t bring himself to care, when the man had carelessly draped himself over what was his. 

It was outrageous. 

The irrational part of him caught on and he sent the man away, wishing to only speak to Ajax alone. 

The man walked off, but Morax could clearly tell that although he was regretful he was caught, he had not been regretful of doing it, and was indeed satisfied with himself. 

He had already come to the conclusion that Sky Bracer loved Ajax the way he loved him. And knew just how much he wanted Ajax, just like he did. 

But he could not have him. 

Because Ajax was his, and he was Ajax’s. 

But even so, a hint of anger took over when he stalked over to Ajax, and leaned over him, asking him what he had done. 

And…

What he did not expect was that Ajax would look back at him with such scorn and bitterness in his face, and yell back at him. 

He did not know what to do. 

Or what to say at Ajax’s bitter words as they all left, one after another out of his mouth, scalding him like hot metal. 

He felt his anger dissipate at Ajax’s words, and felt his feelings heavy in his heart as he gazed at the person whom he adored so much. 

His treasure had been hurt, hurt by Morax’s actions, and the guilt settled in him heavily. As he felt helpless to prevent his treasure from spitting such venom. 

And was even more surprised at the sudden declaration he made. 

Eyes red-rimmed and tears flowing down his cheeks, Ajax screamed, “It makes me think that perhaps…I might have a chance…that I might be able to be yours….that I might be able to be…loved by you…that you…that you…that you might actually…love ME!”  

What?  

Morax was stunned. 

Ajax….

Ajax…..

Ajax....loved him? 

____________________________

Morax did not know what to make of this revelation, just what could he have possibly said? 

Although his treasure had partly admitted to loving him, he had also looked at Morax with such a hurt expression. 

Guilt settled even deeper into his bones, as he could not bear to meet Ajax’s eyes, out of fear of possibly hurting the man more. 

His actions had impacted Ajax, he had even left his own sigil onto his skin out of….possessiveness.  

That was the word Ajax had used against him. 

Morax felt terrible, as he watched his treasure run off, leaving him stumped. 

Soon enough, when he came into the campsite, he felt his heart ache as he watched his treasure laying down, sleeping soundly eyes, nose and cheeks puffy, and adorably red. 

But, those feelings did not last, as Guizhong pulled him aside, iron clad and angry. 

She yelled at Morax, telling him to stop making her shidi sad. 

And that she would pluck every last scale on his adeptal form, if he did not stop making Ajax sad and backed off for a few days until he calmed down. 

The guilt festered, and Morax wanted nothing but to properly convey the intensity of his feelings and apologize to his treasure. 

He had not meant to hurt him. 

But even so, he bitterly took Guizhong’s advice, “I know that you do not mean to hurt him Morax…I know you would not do it intentionally but…” 

She paused, before she continued on, “You must control that side of you….Ajax is not sure that you love him, he is not sure of anything because you have hurt him time and time again…If you want to make it up to him, earn back his trust and controlyourself…I know that is simply part of your nature, as it is in some of us, but this has gone on for too long and I am starting to have my own reservations about the intensity of your feelings.” 

She gave a small sigh as she continued on, “If you do not control yourself Morax, and if you lose your temperament and end up doing something you cannot undo because of your jealousy….,” she looked at him deeply in his eyes, hidden intent behind her eyes, “I will be the first one to seal you beneath a mountain for all eternity.” 

She meant it. 

Morax took her words, and vowed to give Ajax his space, and attempted to come up with a plan to win over his beautiful treasure. 

He would make sure to properly cherish him, to treat him correctly, to be better than he ever was to another person. 

He would make sure he did. 

No matter what it took. 

____________________________

Ajax stilled, staring back at the man who was burning holes into him. 

His long dark hair was messily tied back into a high ponytail, held together by a small black ribbon, eyes glowing ever so slightly in the now darkened cavern, looking rather….down…. 

A small frown sat on his face and his eyes looked rather conflicted, like a…reprimanded animal. 

Celestia above. 

Even after all this time, he guessed that Morax still managed to look cute even in the most odd of situations, which for some reason made him even more mad. 

He let out a small huff and turned around, to not face such an upset expression on the man’s face. 

Ajax fumbled with one of the bandages, managing to mostly get it wrapped around his neck first (after his brain cells eventually caught up with him). 

But, the shoulder was….a different situation. 

He couldn’t get it to wrap around his shoulder, no matter how hard he tried. 

And he really did. 

Attempting to use his other hand to nudge it correctly around his shoulder, but failing and seeing the pathetic bandage fall to the ground with a pathetic bump…. 

Ajax stared at the bandage. 

He did not know whether to laugh or cry at his failure, and instead prompted to try again. 

This time with a different strategy. 

He flung the bandage over his shoulder. 

And well… 

He must have used too much force, as the bandage went right over his shoulder and kept going, stumbling against something. 

Ajax looked back nervously over his shoulder, and nearly wanted to faint when he saw that it was right at Morax’s side. 

Morax blinked when he saw the bandage and looked up at Ajax, an unsure look in his eyes. 

Ajax stared back, unsure what to do as well. 

There was an awkward moment of silence, as they stared at each other, and then at the bandage. 

And then….

Morax carefully grabbed the bandage and stared at it for a while, seeming to debate something before he began to stand up. 

Ajax felt his heart in his throat as Morax walked over, his footsteps lighter than usual as he carefully sat down behind Ajax, who still had his neck craned over to look at him. 

He stared at Ajax before he said, low and cautious, “...Would you….mind…if I…helped you?”

Morax held out the bandage in his hand, looking uncharacteristically careful, as he was face-to-face with Ajax. 

Ajax didn’t know what to say. 

He couldn’t do it on his own, and if he tried to, it would most likely be such a hassle to do, and it would be too loose or too tight in some places. And so, he accepted his ego-devastating defeat and turned his head. 

If he was going to accept help from Morax, he would do so at least sparing his dignity. 

The man had not said anything since then. 

About what he said. 

And, Ajax knew it might as well have been rejection. 

With his silence and the conflicted expression on his face, it was clear to Ajax that the man clearly did not feel the same way. 

Perhaps his assumptions had been wrong. 

Maybe the man only felt some weird possession over him just like he had with Guizhong, maybe he felt protective over Ajax, and he had simply misunderstood his actions. 

And that notion hurt more than Ajax would ever imagine. But even so, he sucked it up and instead blinked back the burn behind his eyes, a numbing sensation overtaking his body and mind. 

If he was numb, then he did not have to deal with the realization that was staring back at him. 

But until he could fully come to terms in his deep denial that the other man did not feel that way, he simply turned away from him and attempted to imagine that it was simply just another doctor or just another comrade that was about to wrap up his hurt shoulder. 

Ajax felt Morax stiffen behind him, before he could faintly feel the trace of the tip of his finger going over his nape. 

He ignored it and felt as his breath tickled his bare skin, causing him to shiver slightly. 

Then, Morax began to roll the bandage up before he carefully began to wrap it up over his shoulder and then under, wrapping his torso a few times. 

Throughout it, Ajax felt the tips of his sharp nails scratch at his skin, causing goosebumps to appear on his skin, feeling his breath come out sharply and uneven. 

Thankfully, it was soon over as Morax tied it and backed up away from Ajax’s back as he stared a bit before he said, “It…is over…” 

Ajax gave a stiff nod, “Mm…thanks.” 

Morax did not say anything else and the sound of his footsteps heading over to the direction he previously was were heard. 

Ajax felt conflicted, his cheeks on fire and his heart racing as he scrambled to get himself together as he packed the rest of his things and retrieved his trusty bow. 

They were already told that they would return as soon as they could, and because the place they were headed off to was close, meant that they would not have to take everything with them. 

And so, Ajax silently put on the two layers of his top half clothes back and strapped on his bow. 

When he had already turned around to face Morax. 

He was already gone. 

____________________________

They were all waiting outside for him when he went out of the cavern, all with differentiating expressions. 

Guizhong waved over to him, with her own neck covered in bandages, which were barely visible under her high collar. 

Oh shit!  

He had forgotten to get the ointment and bandages and give them to Guizhong! 

After the encounter with Morax, he had forgotten to get them and give them to her. 

How could he be so careless? 

He sighed and walked over to her, who was sitting on a rock, her hair being combed through and braided into a long thick braid by Madam Ping who had a light mirth in her smile. 

Guizhong’s own expression seemed a bit more relaxed than usual, leaning back and allowing Ping to comb through her long hair, and melting into the touch. 

Though, if he looked closer he could see a slight smile pull at her lips. 

Perhaps something good had happened? 

He hoped it did. 

Maybe it was better that he forgot about it, because from the way it seemed, everything seemed much less awkward and tense between the two now, a great feat. 

Although, something in him urged that even if the conflict was not completely resolved and he doubted they had fully made up, he was still glad they were on better terms now. 

He went and sat next to her saying, “Shijie, did your neck also get injured?” he pointed at her bandaged neck. 

She nodded, “Yes! I do believe that next time we ought to lay down at least on the rock while we do it….My neck does not think it can take much after that..” 

..Ahhh…

Perhaps it was Ajax’s lack of a pure-minded brain, and his excess of dirty thoughts and his wild imagination, but the way she had worded it sounded like they had not just slept on each other’s shoulders. 

For the first time in his life, he saw Madam Ping’s own eyes look up from Guizhong’s hair and stare holes into Ajax. 

Her stare was not angry, but rather, cold.  

Like those disapproving stares he used to get from Zhongli whenever he would overexert himself and end up all covered in blood at Zhongli’s apartment. 

He could still feel the disbelief on his face and the slight twitch of his eye as he ushered Ajax in and immediately made a bee-line for the bathroom, urging Ajax to ‘please bathe himself.’ 

He did. 

Right after he dragged Zhongli inside the bath and made him bathe himself too. 

Although he had never seen Madam Ping this outraged and simply irritated before. 

At least, not directed towards him. 

Before any more misunderstandings could take place he sent a quick pleading stare at Madam Ping and said, “Shijie… please do not word it as such!...Others might misconstrue what we did by the creek….We simply fell asleep on each other’s shoulders and woke up with pain because of that…” 

This alleviated some of the icy-ness from Madam Ping’s stare but she still sent a small glare his way before her expression lessened and a relieved smile covered her face. 

Guizhong stilled, blinking before the implication of his words seemed to reach her and with flushed cheeks she barked with laughter as she leaned back, “Shidi!~ How scandalous of you, little minx! To imply such a thing!”

He chuckled a bit before he continued, “I’m serious, shijie! People will really think we are going out if you keep wording it so cryptically!” 

Guizhong shook her head, her smile wide on her face, “I doubt anyone would!” 

She then got closer, lowering her voice, “Of course….besides that old dragon and that iron-clad fish… ” 

Guizhong pointed a stare towards Morax and then towards Madam Ping who merely frowned, brought her finger to Guizhong’s forehead before she flicked it, “Ow!” 

She gripped at her forehead, covering Cloud Retainer’s blessing alongside it.

Madam Ping merely looked away, gathering her hair before hastily tying it into a firm braided bun, “...Jiao Ren…not fish,” she sat up before she walked off, polearm in hand. 

Guizhong pouted but did not say anything and instead grumbled, “..So....half-fish then…..hmm....still fish..” 

Ajax barked out in laughter, covering his mouth with his hands, causing Madam Ping to turn back and glare at them both, before cracking a smile and sauntering away to go and discuss further matters with the rest. 

____________________________

They set off in no time, with the rest of them following in silence. 

Nobody knew what to expect on the rest of the God’s army of trapped adepti. 

They had never encountered such a thing, and were especially on edge ever since they set off on this long trip. 

Morax was at the front, covering the rest of them with a firm Geo shield that reached until the very last person, likely to prevent anyone from sneaking up and attacking them. 

Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Sky Bracer and Madam Ping were all behind Morax, all in pairs, looking amongst themselves and looking at their surroundings. As if they expected anything to pop out of the thick covering of trees that surrounded the lush grass that covered the ground. 

Meanwhile Guizhong and Ajax were looking at each other, unsure as to whether to talk or just sit in the tense silence. 

Both of them were the chatterboxes of the group, and while they wanted to talk, and were dying to at least comment on the scenery, it felt very out of place to do so. 

And…a part of Ajax wanted to know if perhaps Zhongli became just like that because of Guizhong’s influence. 

He guessed it might have been the case, given the way the both of them talked so passionately and endlessly about their interests and the intricacies of many different things Ajax normally would not usually care about. 

He let out a small chuckle and returned his attention to his surroundings. 

It would be useless to think of such things now, he had to stay focused. 

____________________________

Eerily, nothing seemed out of ordinary as they made their way to where the traces of such energy was the strongest…which unbeknownst to Ajax….was where the God lived. 

However, what they did not all take into account was how cold it was going to be. 

The place the cruel thing lived in was up in the mountains, the highest top where the snow fell carefreely on the surrounding area, making it blanketed in heavy snow. 

The climb was strenuous as they went up the steep hill. 

Ajax, already used to having such low temperatures, was doing fine, more or less. 

It was colder in Snezhnaya, that was for sure. 

But, since he had not been in his motherland, in a long while. He had become quite accustomed to the hot and humid temperature of Liyue, even coming to enjoy it, as the rain was a nice new change to the usual snow that fell. It was not like Snezhanaya at all, and he liked it. 

And so, he was not used to the freezing temperatures that graced him as much as he used to. 

But, the one thing he appreciated was that, with the movement, it seemed to be enough to keep him warm for now. 

After a while, they came across a clearing of sorts, covered with white and red. 

There were many bodies, thrown about the snow carelessly, some blanketed with a light layer of snow, while others laid on top of the snow, their lifeless faces visible to everyone. And surrounding them all was a dark puddle of blood and entrails. 

They walked around the bodies, though it was difficult to do so, with the fact that almost the entirety of the ground was covered in bodies. 

It was hundreds of thousands of them, all people Ajax had no idea about. 

And alongside the blood and snow, there was that same energy around their bodies and seeping out of every pore and surface of their bodies. 

It was a cruel display. 

And the crueler thing about it was the amount of adeptal energy that surrounded them, a clear indicator that they were all adepti. 

It was meant to display the power that cruel thing had over everyone who dared cross its path, one meant to intimidate the others. 

He walked by them and watched how Guizhong nearly gagged, dry heaving and bending over, at the smell and sight. 

He patted her back and covered her nose with his hands, “Breathe through your nose.” 

She gave a curt nod, eyes red-rimmed and eyebrows drawn together. 

They walked until they hit a stop. 

Up ahead, there were many different adepti all looking back at them, wrists and feet tied with chains as they dragged them along as they walked towards them. 

They did not have any weapons on them. 

Everyone seemed to pause as they saw the recognizable trace of adeptal energy running through them, and seemed to hesitate to initiate the attack. 

But, they did not have time to dwell on such things. 

Morax himself seemed to be the most taken back, as his control faltered and his shield waned. 

It was enough for them. 

As in the blink of an eye, the adepti charged forward, the same malicious energy surrounding them once more. 

It was delicious. 

They were brutal, breaking the weakened shield and charging forwards, in a series of vicious attacks as they brought down the very chains they were held by on them. 

Childe did not have time to bring out his bow as he charged forward, meeting their brutal attacks with his own as he brought down his dual spears and quickly changed them to a polearm and then a singular sword to block the attack. 

They had not anticipated it, as they did not have time to dodge and fell to the ground, as Childe surged forward to kill it, he was stopped by Guizhong, “Do not kill them!” 

He stopped, then nodded. 

He had gotten carried away, with the sweet smell of the energy they exuded, energy that wasn’t theirs. 

He controlled his larger instincts that were screaming at him to take the energy for himself and feast on their excess in energy. 

The thing inside him whined in pain, like a wounded animal but he ignored it, shoving it down as he blocked and knocked each of the next adeptus who flung at him, with a certain lifeless expression in their eyes. 

They really did not want to do this. 

Ajax huffed, using his water to form firm ropes as he tied each of them down, and carried on with the next on, and the next one, and the next one. 

And the next one. 

And the one after that. 

And the one after that one. 

And the next after that. 

And the next.

Until, they were all squirming around on the floor, tied by their elements, desperate to keep their lives and follow the command that the cruel thing had said to them. 

Morax ignored them and walked ahead, his destination towards the huge settlement up ahead, a relatively large building, where the cruel thing must have lived inside. 

They were stopped of course. 

One after another, as the adepti charged ahead of them, all with a lifeless and desperate look in their eyes. 

They each got tied down and promptly knocked out as they hurried up ahead. 

____________________________

Soon enough, he entered the main entrance. 

Morax knocked the door down, only to be met with a familiar pair of eyes, surrounded by other adepti who all looked lifeless as well. 

He had seen him before. 

It had been the shadow who had been staring at them, stalking them through the trees, with an almost childish curiosity. 

But, what he had not expected was just how he really was. 

Barely an adolescent in adepti standards, barely manifested and a bit older than Ganyu. 

Morax stared down at him. 

His hair was a muted shade of green, with a weak lighter color underneath, and Morax had no doubt in his mind that it would shine brighter if he was properly nourished. 

Although adepti rarely need to eat a lot of food to survive, as they did not need to eat food on a daily basis like humans, that did not mean they did not need to eat it. 

His skin was deathly pale and he nearly looked ghostly, he was thin and gaunt, a result that was also from malnourishment. 

His clothes were in terrible condition, tattered and thrown loosely on his body. His wrists and feet tied once again with those shackles he previously shattered. 

The boy looked up at Morax, a conflicted expression passed through him before a lifeless one overcame him and he alongside his other adepti charged forwards.

Morax could tell they did not want to fight, as they were weak in their attacks and merely just wanted to use it as a scare tactic. 

It seemed that this God of theirs had truly been cruel. 

Cruel enough that it garnered their loyalty, for fear of their lives being in jeopardy, if not. 

____________________________

Ajax ran up ahead, catching up to Morax who was dodging half-hazardous but quick attacks from…

He squinted his eyes to see what that shadow was and nearly felt his heart leave his chest when he noticed that familiar annoying face. 

It was….that brat!  

The one and only bratty child who was endlessly loyal to Morax. 

Xiao! 

What a sight for sore eyes! 

The brat sent a glare his way when he noticed Ajax staring at him, despite fighting off attacks from someone else. 

Ajax nearly let out a laugh. 

Even though they had not properly acquainted themselves with one another, it seemed it was bound to have that brat dislike him upon first meeting. 

Although…this time, he could attempt to at least be cordial to that brat. 

Because in the future, he would be someone whom he really wants to spar with! 

____________________________

Morax saw as the boy snarled and retreated from Morax’s attack signaling towards his other adepti to get back. 

They all ran into the main room before Morax had a chance to do anything about it. 

And so, he stepped forward, opening the door with a slight push, despite the attempts of so many to keep them all out. 

And in a flash, he stepped forward, feeling a thousand pairs of eyes on him. 

He looked up to see the devil he had not seen in many years. 

It was someone in his old memories.

The fool that tried to usurp and similarly imprison Morax all those years ago. 

Qiong Qi.  

He stared at the thing before him, unbelieving. 

A deep seeded hatred blossomed inside of Morax as he stared into the man as he was surrounded by adepti all guarding him. 

He was a despicable devil, one that feasted great joy from others pain and suffering and guided those who were cruel at heart. He once believed that Morax was just as horrible as he was, and attempted to gain some allyship with him, which he refused. 

He kept trying. 

Day after day, Guizhong helped him up and he stopped. 

Then suddenly, he found out what Morax’s true colors were, and he disliked it. 

He suddenly changed his usual pleasantries and threatened to take Morax and his new order down, and even said terrible things about Guizhong, mostly regarding his own sick ideals about her.

Morax reigned victorious in the last standoff with that horrid creature, scaring him off and weakening significantly for a lifetime’s worth of energy. 

The creature scoffed and ran off like the weak thing it was and Morax believed he would never see it again. 

But, he was wrong. 

And he knew he should have ended his life when he could, instead of relying on the newly implemented morals Guizhong instilled in him. 

Because even with attempts at reform, trash like him, would never change. 

No matter what. 

Qiong Qi snarled at him as he hid weakly behind his terrified guards, who shook under his gaze as it swept through them, tainted with that filthy energy that he spready with every movement of his hand. 

Morax had not expected such a vermin to become such a big problem, but he guessed that's what this creature liked doing the most. 

He liked causing chaos, war and encouraging terrible behaviors in all those he could. 

All done in order to rule over those whom he considered weaker than him, all in the name of obtaining power and mayhem to all those around him. 

He was truly such a cowardly creature. 

Enslaving and trapping those whom he considered inferior to him, to serve his weakened state and to be at his every beck and call. 

Morax understood why he chose such a method to obtain the energy of humans. Since his original form was weak, it made sense why he would obtain it through the means of dream eating. 

“Morax…So that really is you?” Qiong Qi said, smiling too widely as he sauntered over, eyes wide and manic. 

Morax did not say anything. 

Qiong Qi cackled as he hunched over and smiled, “Even after all this time, you are still so terribly serious, Morax….How sweet.”  

Morax felt his patience thin as he retrieved his spear and flung it at him. 

It was blocked by another adeptus, whom the vermin had thrown in front of himself. Morax watched as blood ran down her mouth as she heaved in and out until she fell to the ground, life draining out of her eyes. 

Qiong Qi laughed as he watched her die and reach for help, “AHAHAHAAHAHAHA....Morax, Morax, Morax! You are still so impulsive and straight to the point, aren’t you?” 

The other adepti trembled as the boy avoided looking at her face, though Morax could see the desolate look on his face. 

Morax gritted his teeth, “Quit your games, Qiong Qi! Stop this nonsense and go back into the hole you were once in, sick vermin!” 

Qiong Qi’s grin simply grew as he stared at Morax before he sighed, “My goodness…this has really gone too far…I’m starting to get bored of all this banter,” he pushed the body of the adeptus out of the way before he headed nonchalantly towards another door, presumably the exit. 

Morax charged forward, taking out his spear from the adeptus and going straight towards Qiong Qi. 

Failing to notice. 

The massive trap Qiong Qi had set just for him. 

__________________________

He fell right into a pit of the energy he detested. 

All at once, he felt his lungs fill up with the toxic energy as he was consumed by it. 

It was pure torture, a never ending one, and all over again. 

He was reminded of everything he had done before, of all those he did not get to save, and those who died before his hands. 

It was a nightmare before his eyes. 

As all he saw was brutality, gore, and blood smattered everywhere he looked, eyes covered the terrain staring holes into him as all he heard was the overlapping screams and pleas of those who had died before him. 

He covered his ears, scratching at his eyes until he felt them pool up with blood. 

But the nightmare would not end. 

No matter what he did. 

____________________________

The rest of them hurried after Ajax, turning to see Morax trapped inside of a weird circle  

He was not able to stop Morax from rushing straight into that strange substance on the floor, and he winced when he saw it expand and overwhelm his figure. 

His pupils widened as he felt his heart in his throat, a terrible feeling overwhelming him. 

Fuck. 

He nearly ran straight into it before he was pulled back by Mountain Shaper who screamed at him, “Do not go in! We do not know if it's safe!” 

Ajax felt his heart race anxiously as he pulled at Mountain Shaper’s hand and attempted to go towards where Morax was, but his grip was iron-tight as he squeezed his hand. 

Ajax shook his head, “But he’s trapped inside! We have to get him out! Let go of me, shushu!”  

Mountain Shaper pulled him back to him and slapped him across his face, “Think logically, insolent fool…You are diving straight first into your death without so much as a second thought…Keep your head clear and remember our objectives….We are adepti, we have to worry about the safety of our people first…We will.....worry about him later.” 

This seemed to get through to Ajax who pulled back and felt the sting of his slap bring settle his nerves. He stopped resisting Mountain Shaper’s grip as the rest of the adepti fought against the others. 

He nearly lost it at the sight of Morax trapped and helpless inside of that ball of filthy energy. 

He had to keep it together. 

Mountain Shaper gave a ghost of a smile before he let go of Ajax and blocked an attack headed straight for Moon Carver’s back. 

Ajax gripped his sword tightly as he went to provide back up to Madam Ping who was busy tying the others up with similar wispy ropes. 

He kept his eye on Morax the entire time, watching how the man sunk deeper and deeper into that pool of filthiness, feeling his heart in his throat. 

He had to deal with this faster if he wanted to get him out of there. 

Ajax frantically blocked off attacks and hurriedly rounded up the adepti, who did not struggle much and remained still as lifeless dolls as they got tied together in one large group. 

Ajax nearly shuddered at how they easily accepted defeat, not fighting for their freedom in the slightest. 

Like they had already accepted death. 

___________________________

Alatus did not know what to do as he gazed at Rex Lapis’ eyes. 

They were bright, aggressive and domineering, fit for a War God, he presumed. 

But at the same time, underneath all of that, there was a subtle gentility about them, a certain distant sadness.  

Alatus did not know what to make of them, as he charged forward on his Lord’s command. 

He had to bring his Lord the head of this Rex Lapis, he had to do it. 

Because if he wouldn't, he would face a punishment far worse than death. 

Even if the man looked so pitifully at him, even if he had freed him from his shackles momentarily, and even if he displayed no violence towards him, merely blocking his attacks. 

Alatus still had to follow orders. 

____________________________

Alatus watched as Rex Lapis rushed straight for his Lord, watching him fall directly into his trap, once that he did not notice out of his own disdain and hatred for his Lord. 

A pang of an indescribable feeling washed over Alatus as he watched his Lord leave, and as that fiery-headed man charged forward desperate to go over to Rex Lapis. 

Alatus paused at this. 

Stopping his movements, and moving away from where his other subordinates were charging straight first into the others. 

He felt his heart in his ears as he stared at the scene before him, and watched as Rex Lapis sunk deeper and deeper into that pool of abysmal energy. 

It was the punishment he feared the most from his Lord. 

One that everybody was terrified of ever receiving. 

One that he had experienced. 

Alatus recalled the feeling of that energy invading his lungs, ears, eyes, mouth, mouth, as it invaded his entire body and caused a great amount of excruciating pain. Pain that you could not escape from. 

He remembered how it felt to remember every single detail of his past deeds, every single inch of pain that passed through his body as he remembered the lashings and brutal torture his Lord had inflicted upon him and his own comrades. 

He remembered the feeling of being on the brink of starvation, as he heaved and felt weak, reaching towards the freshly fallen snow and stuffing it into his face, filling his stomach with it until the pain receded ever so slightly. 

The noise of every scream of his comrades as they were publicly executed, tortured, then brutally killed in front of his eyes, as he was helpless to do anything. 

Helpless to stop it all. 

Helpless to prevent anything. 

Too weak. 

Too fragile. 

Not strong enough. 

He remembered it all, and suddenly, he felt compelled to go towards Rex Lapis. His body moved before he knew it, and he drew his hand inside, clenching his teeth in pain as he felt the energy prick at his hand. 

He reached inside, grabbing Rex Lapis’ hand as he roughly pulled him up. 

The man was heavy, but manageable. 

He pulled the man up, until he was back up from that foul energy. 

But, he had underestimated the amount of force he exerted and suddenly, he fell in. 

____________________________

Morax blinked, coughing the energy out of his lungs, feeling as his own energy combated against it. 

He took in heavy breathes as he gathered himself up, reaching for his polearm, and gripping it tightly onto it. 

He felt a hand hold him up and tell him something. 

But he did not make out what they had said, hearing someone talk and mutter to someone else who said something back to them. 

The next thing he felt was a warm hand touching his palm, and then suddenly he sucked in a breath. 

A rush of energy filled him up, clearing up his meridians and making him cough the energy out violently from his lungs, feeling as if it was swallowed up by someone else. 

Suddenly, his vision cleared up as he saw a familiar fiery head and a pair of eyes peering down at him, holding him up and saying something he couldn’t make out. 

“Mo..” 

“M-rax!” 

“Mo-x!” 

Morax curled his head to look at him, attempting to discern his words. 

“MORAX!”  

He snapped up, looking at Ajax, who was staring at him, frantically pouring energy into him, swallowing the infectious energy and holding onto him desperately. 

As if he was about to fade from existence, if he let go even slightly. 

He seemed to notice Morax came to because he pulled Morax into his arms and held onto him ever tighter, continuing to pour energy and take it from Morax’s meridians. 

Morax felt scared for a second. 

Ajax was taking too much of that energy. 

He knew he had a certain gift from the Abyss, the place Celestia had built to punish those who had sinned under her commands. 

He attempted to pull away from Ajax, but was stopped, “No! Don’t move! I haven’t cleared it all, do not move Morax!....please.”  

Morax shook his head, “No…it is not safe…” 

Ajax shook his head, eyes red-rimmed and eyebrows knit together, “Shut up! Do not tell me anything about being safe right now!...You are hurt, I can help you…just let me help you, dammit!!” 

Morax felt his heart in his throat as he felt the space where his gnosis was warm up, like an everlasting fire glowing brighter after being fed a bit of wood after millennia. 

He carefully cupped Ajax’s jaw, holding it with his free hand. He stroked it a few times, seeing how it seemed to cause further distress in Ajax’s face. 

“It is…alright…You do not need to administer so much energy…I have already taken enough…” 

Ajax faltered and seemed to be at odds with himself, before he gave a hesitant nod, “..Okay…” 

He pulled away a bit, but not before carefully stroking Morax’s hand with his cheek. 

The two pulled away from each other, before they heard a loud sigh.

It was Guizhong, who looked somewhat exasperated, “Celestia above! It is like I am watching a seven hour opera about pining lovers…You two are really driving me crazy with all of your sweetness, I feel my teeth rotting and falling out as they speak!...Shidi, I promise you that reckless dragon is fine, his meridians will begin to clear themselves out soon enough, please do not waste your energy…” 

Ajax coughed, cheeks red, “Shijie! Please don't tease me at such a vital time!” 

She rolled her eyes playfully before she shook her head, “Tease? I am simply stating the truth…My goodness…” 

She turned towards Morax, who had Madam Ping at his side, checking his meridians before sighing in relief. 

“And you….reckless and block-headed old dragon!!  I am seriously going to get a huge migraine after seeing the things you do! How many times do I have to tell you that you should analyze your surroundings better before rushing in no matter how you may feel. I swear my veins were about to pop out when I saw where you had landed yourself…Celestia above, Shizun.”  

She looked outraged, as she pointed a finger at Morax, who merely blinked at her before he nodded, “...I will make sure to not rush into situations anymore…” 

Guizhong sighed, “No matter…We must hurr-” 

She stopped. 

She turned towards the space where Morax was once inside. 

Everyone’s attention turned towards the adeptus who had pulled Morax free. He too was similarly trapped inside, drowning in the pool of energy. 

____________________________

Ajax turned to look at him. 

Of course, it was that brat Xiao! 

Even before becoming loyal to Zhongli at least officially, he already was…huh…

He guessed it would always be like this. 

Guizhong stared at it and stepped forward before being pulled back by Madam Ping who shook her head, “No. Do not attempt to pull him out, shijie… This energy…is especially concentrated here…You will not be safe if you come into contact with so much of it at once.” 

Guizhong frowned but nodded, “Okay…But…we have to save this kid…We have to free all of them, they are only loyal because this tyrant is tormenting them so much! They are loyal out of fear…not love or respect...” 

Madam Ping nodded, “I understand…but we cannot risk that tyrant getting away while he gets distracted here…But.....I promise you that we will free them, shijie…We will..”

Guizhong nodded, but struggled to tear her sight from the trapped adeptus. 

Madam Ping looked at all of them, who nodded. 

She was right, they had to kill the source of it all. 

Because the source was the cause of everything. 

____________________________

Morax stared at the youth who had saved him and felt his heart soften when he noticed who it was. 

It was that shadow who had followed them. 

A hint of a smile grazed his lips as he saw him. 

Even despite everything he had been subjected to, he had still found it in his heart to help free him from that terrible plague. 

Morax looked at him and vowed to set him free. 

To guide him and take him as a disciple. 

This one had great promise. 

There was no doubt in his mind that he would be an excellent warrior in no time. 

____________________________

That coward Qiong Qi had not reached far. 

Only reaching a few miles away until they reached him, cowering in fear and begging for mercy as they easily took down his guards one by one. 

“Morax! Please! You do not understand! We could be great together! We could easily bring everyone down to our feet and rule over the entire world! Please! You do not understand what you are doing!” 

Morax huffed, grabbing him by the throat before he brought him down like a doll onto the floor, slamming his body down onto the snow. 

Even if he had a few tricks up his sleeve, he was no mastermind. 

Just a cowardly evil vermin, a plague that infected everyone around him. 

Nothing else, nothing more. 

Qiong Qi gargled his own blood as he screamed, Morax’s grip tightening around his throat. 

“Shut up,” he gripped his throat tighter until there was a firm crack and then, blood sprayed everywhere, covering the snow outside. 

Qiong Qi’s body twitched on the floor as his head got detached from it, and was being gripped inside Morax's arms. 

His lifeless head stared back at Morax, caught between a scream and a laugh as he let go of the head and watched it roll onto the ground. 

Morax stared at it for a bit, before he took out his polearm and sliced both his body and his head into halves. 

His entire body was covered in blood and the dirty energy was seeping like mold out of the body of a lifeless Qiong Qi. 

Morax turned away from it, gripping his polearm by his side before he started to walk back to the previous domain of the dead Lord. 

The rest of the adepti did not question his brutality and merely lifted the guards and hoisted them back towards the domain. 

It would be easier to explain it to them if they were all in one room. 

____________________________

Morax stood face to face with the pit that had once consumed him and slowly started to pour his own energy into it, feeling as it rushed through his meridians and out of his palm. 

The energy fought back, but it was no match to the overwhelming power that flowed out of his hand. 

The rest of the adepti stood besides him, helping pour their own adeptal energy to clear the huge pit of foul energy. 

It started to clear slowly.

And as each particle of that energy started to fade, Morax saw as the boy’s body was being cleared of it as well. 

In one swoop of his hand, he picked up the boy, and poured his energy into him, feeling as his body fought against it. 

Ajax pressed his own palm to the boy’s forehead, consuming the rabid energy inside him and clearing it out slowly within himself. 

It was a slow and tedious process. 

One that left all of The Adepti’s meridians left of little to no energy. 

But, it was all worth it as the boy gasped, opening his eyes in shock and gasping air. Like a human breathing for air after being deprived of it after so long. 

He looked frantically around him and moved around so much that Morax had to hold him down, “Calm down….you are free now.” 

The boy stared at him, for a bit before saying in a voice so faint it was almost incorrigible, “...free…dom..?"  

Morax nodded, “Yes, I have slain Your Lord.....You have been released of your shackles now,” he gripped at the shackles surrounding his feet making them turn into dust with a mere press of his hands. 

A strange light flashed within the boy’s eyes, hope.  

Before he could say anything, there was a sudden large wisp of air as suddenly, a strange object fell from seemingly nowhere, and right into the boy’s palms. 

He grasped at it, and he stared in disbelief at it. 

Ajax stepped closer and his eyes widened. 

It was a vision. 

An anemo one at that. 

Which could only mean that the Anemo Archon had appeared already.

He guessed the brat was the first one to receive such a gift.

Lucky bastard. 

The boy looked up at Morax and then to everyone, disbelief still painted on his face as he grasped at the vision granted to him, staring at it with curiosity, “I…am…free?”  

Guizhong chuckled as she smiled, “Yes, you are free from your shackles, young one….You are allowed to do as you please from now on.” 

Alatus stared up at everyone, before giving a deep kowtow, “Thank…you.”  

Guizhong’s smile saddened as she went to bring him back up, “There is no need for thanks, young one….Be at ease now.” 

Alatus stared at her wide-eyed, as he shook her off, but did not say anything. 

Guizhong smiled, “...Young one, say....what do you plan to do now that you have obtained freedom?” 

Alatus seemed confused before he shook his head, “I…do not know.” 

Morax had a hint of a smile before he said, tone low and warm, “....Well…if you are not sure…then…what do you say about a contract?” 

Alatus blinked, “A...contract?” 

Morax nodded, “Yes, a contract…It is a mutual agreement between both sides, where we both receive mutual benefits to obtain our separate goals.” 

Alatus gave a small nod, “I…understand…But…what does it entail…?” 

“...Serve me and you will obtain the freedom and purpose you so desire. Fight for me and you will see change and peace wash over the world in a few seconds. I have seen great promise in you and you have impressed me…Our contract will allow you to train under me and protect the people in my growing nation. In exchange for what you will give me, you will be granted anything you desire as long as it is under moral guides….What do you say?” 

Alatus blinked, his face filled with something akin to worship and admiration before he bowed before Morax, “This one accepts.....My Lord have saved me from misery, one will follow My Lord until the end of my time and fight for My Lord with every last breath this humble servant can give!” 

Morax smiled, eyes and hair glowing as he said, “Then it is set in stone. Go against it and you shall suffer the wrath of the rock.” 

Alatus nodded furiously, some tears stinging his eyes, “Thank…you…My Lord.” 

Morax touched his head, “Now then…what is your name, young one?” 

Alatus did not dare raise his head, but he shook his head, “This lowly one does not deserve a name…My only title given to me by Qiong Qi was…General Alatus.”  

Morax’s eyes flashed gold as he touched Alatus’ head once more, yet his hand remained, “Then…from now on, Alatus, your name shall be…Xiao….Even if you are gone from the mountains which have housed you, you will always be a mountain demon..”

Xiao raised his head up, blinking back tears furiously as he looked up towards Morax as if he was a venerable saint sent from the heavens himself. 

But Ajax guessed it made sense, since he too would have reacted in such a way if he were to be saved back in The Abyss…Perhaps that’s why he had so much endearment towards Skirk and still has endearment to her even now, despite the terrible way she had treated him. 

He could not blame the brat for reacting like that. 

He laughed, and wondered how long it would take for the brat to finally be strong enough to go against him fully in a fight. And the ridiculous idea that he would get to train Xiao crossed his mind and he nearly burst out laughing right then and there. 

Or the idea that Xiao would send him dirty glares if he got close to Morax…hmmm…he looked forward to that. 

He really wanted to tease the brat, especially after meeting him in such a hurried way back in his own world. 

He sighed and watched as Morax looked like a proud father looking at his son (Xiao)achieve an incredible goal for the first time…

Wait.

Did that mean…

Ajax was technically....

His….father too?!!

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(18/30)

More chapters here! <333

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_______________________

Chapter 18: Mending Spirits, Uncertain Feelings, and the Taste of Freedom Pt. 2

The trek was long, and very tedious. 

Since the surrounding area had not been mapped out nor fully cleared out and aligned into a dirt pathway, it had been rocky and filled with surrounding shrubbery and grass. Which undoubtedly, made it hard for them to travel through, forcing them to forcibly make way for a path through the terrain. 

They crossed countless rivers and made a painstaking climb on the uneven mountains ahead of them. 

There was no sign of the others whatsoever, only remnants of their adeptal energy swept through the vast land. 

It was a small sign they were stepping in the right direction, but it went on for miles. 

It had been 2 days since they made their way onto the voyage, getting little to no sleep in between taking breaks whenever the direction of the residue energy changed. 

Even if they were granted with the endless power of their adeptal energy, although they did not require sleep, that did not mean that they did not enjoy it. 

So, a quick 20 minute nap was sufficient to get replenished and get on the move again. 

However, ever since then, they decided to get proper rest and keep watch during the night to see if any new information would be sent out by the rest of them after Guizhong scolded Ajax for the heavy bags under his eyes and urged Morax to settle for the night. 

He agreed, in a curt nod of admission, as Ajax attempted to ignore the way his heart clenched whenever the man would look away from him. 

Guizhong would stare at both of them with a pained expression, bordering on annoyance, though he ignored her and settled down on the small clearing of grass. 

Even in the midst of this petty debacle he was holding against Morax, he still felt deeply for the man.

But he was still driven more so by his ego and pride, so he would ignore the pleading stares from Guizhong and the awkward glances from Madam Ping. 

If Morax would give him the cold shoulder, so would he. 

And so, he feigned ignorance and pretended to not feel the way Morax would quietly shuffle over to his makeshift bed and pull up his jacket to cover him properly or the way his hands would curl through his hair. 

He blamed it on his dreams. 

He was merely dreaming, dreaming such a bittersweet lie. 

Because otherwise, if he were to admit to the gentle touches, if he were to admit they happened, if he were to admit they were real….his heart would not be able to handle it. 

____________________________

In less than a few days, he had learned more and bonded with Madam Ping than he had before. 

She was a better hunter than he could ever imagine, throwing her spear precisely at the moving fish in the small river they were situated by. 

They had decided to go hunting for some fish, as they had run out of provisions. They had all expected a relatively short voyage, but the adeptal energy kept turning and switching directions, and without the rest being with them, they all had no choice but to comply and follow it. 

Besides, they had not packed much, since they knew that they could easily gather food if need be. 

Madam Ping was very good at catching fish with her spear, easily spearing fish with practiced ease; as if she had done so very often, and had grown quite the talent. She had only expected to be the only one sent out to hunt, as according to her, Cloud Retainer had always sent her out to gather the meat, while she herself would gather the herbs and vegetables. 

A part of Ajax wondered how they acted with only them two together, but presumed it was quite the same judging from the amount of tales Ping shared with them. 

Mostly about how Cloud Retainer would train her in her free time and would mercilessly correct her form with swift kicks and hits. And from the way she would act very standoffish but would worry endlessly whenever Ping got hurt. 

He supposed it was similar to that of a mother and daughter, although Cloud Retainer would surely have at him if he ever said that in front of her. 

It was tough love, he was sure it was. 

Guizhong huffed, the bottom of her pants and sleeves rolled up as she waddled around in the relatively small river. She had been noticeably struggling to catch any fish, as many of the fish immediately swan away whenever she came near them. 

At first, she had been willing to help out but a part of Ajax could see how she struggled to catch any fish because she felt bad about having to essentially watch as they suffocated to death when they were taken up from the surface. 

Madam Ping made sure to reassure her and promise that they would not let any part of the fish go to waste. 

That seemed to work a small bit as Guizhong gave a small grin and gave half-assed attempts to catch any fish. 

On the other hand, ever since they had been engaged in more and more battles, Guizhong had been gifted her own shuhe. 

And part of the reason why was because the outfits she wore before were not exactly fit for war, as they were easy to slip in. 

It was a simple light blue one, with a dark blue belt, wrapped around tightly on her waist, with her own pair of boots. Her hair had been tied back into a firm bun, held together by a long blue ribbon. 

He had never seen her in a shuhe before, but she pulled it off well. 

Ajax felt proud as he looked at her. 

She has really come a long way, hasn’t she? 

He speared through some of the fish, and let out a small sigh, heading out towards another side of the river. 

_________________________

Guizhong sighed, pouting as she made her way towards Madam Ping, her sword in its casing, tied to her belt, “Shimei~ I can’t seem to get a hold on this! It’s very frustrating ….May you please teach me how to do it?” 

Madam Ping chuckled as she cupped her chin and rubbed a bit of mud from her cheek, “Shijie, you have to be patient. Wait until the fish come to you and then strike. Do not chase after the fish, you are scaring them off.” 

Guizhong’s cheeks were painted with a soft blush as she pouted deeper. She dropped her face into Ping’s shoulder and groaned, “A-Ping~ I am doing that! They just do not seem to be drawn to me, as they are to you and Shizun. It’s not fair…” 

Ping glanced to where Morax was, who was easily spearing fish with his spear, in a quick and ruthless motion. 

It was true indeed. 

Madam Ping’s shoulder shook as she laughed, grin wide and free, “Shijie, here. Let me teach you, give me your hand.” 

Guizhong groaned for a bit before she reluctantly pulled away and placed her own hand onto Ping’s. Madam Ping then placed her hand on her sword, placing her own on top of Guizhong’s before they went over to wait for the fish to come to them. 

It was a few minutes before Guizhong spotted a fish coming over to her, causing Madam Ping to lead their hands to the fish and then it was speared through the sword. 

Guizhong smiled, “Ohh! I see!” 

Madam Ping nodded, “Have you learnt it already my Lady?” 

Guizhong blushed further as she bashfully nodded, “Y-yeah…Yeah! I did! Thank you for teaching me, A-Ping.”  

Madam Ping only smiled as she patted her head, “Alright then, if you already learned it…I’ll go teach shidi how to do it.” 

Guizhong nodded, although she seemed a little dismayed, “Oh, yeah…alright then!” 

Madam Ping gave her head another pat as she went over towards where Ajax was. 

Although, it seemed as if her help was not needed as there were 3 fish caught in his hydro spear, lifeless and no longer wriggling. 

Madam Ping smiled at him, looking a little proud, as he placed them on the small cloth they had laid out on the land. 

“ Shidi, you did not tell me you were a well-established fisher?” 

Ajax turned to look at her, and gave a small grin, “Yeah, I used to go fishing with my family quite a lot, although it was slightly different.” 

She curled an eyebrow up, “How so, shidi? ” 

He felt his grin wipe off his face, recalling his trips ice-fishing with his family, short sweet memories with a now bitter aftertaste. 

“We went ice-fishing, where we would all carve a small hole into a spot of ice and throw in a reel and wait for a fish to bite…I don’t know if I have ever mentioned this but my hometown is very cold, even in summer we still have snow.” 

She nodded, “Yes, you have mentioned it before; although, something tells me you did not learn this particular skill back in your hometown, especially since this method is different from the method you have spoken about.” 

He gave a reluctant nod, “Yeah…back when I was in the f-military back home, we used to be left with little provisions…so, you pick up a few tricks when you are left with a spear and a group of starving people,” he gave a bitter chuckle recalling a particular rough trip where he struggled to spear any fish, resulting in a fit of frustration. 

Her smile faltered and she gave a small sigh, “Yes…I understand…..I also had to learn such tricks before I joined the adepti…I-.” 

He gave her a sympathetic smile as he patted her shoulder, “It’s alright. You don’t have to say anymore, if you don’t want to, da-jie.” 

Madam Ping gave a weak smile and nodded, “....Alright then, shall we head back to where Shijie and Shizun are?”  

He nodded, and they started to pad through the water, feeling as their feet touched the heavy rocks and moss underneath them. Ajax had never seen such clear water in his life before, it was more reflective than any mirror he had, and he could see every dip and curve of himself and Madam Ping. 

His hair had grown longer than he had thought, reaching past his ear and settling nicely on his neck; becoming a short shag sort. It wasn’t exactly long enough to put into elaborate hairstyles whatsoever, but it was just long enough to tie back so that it did not get in his way whenever he had to do anything. 

He had fortunately encountered a salesman who was selling small ribbons, and so he had bought one made from a sturdy rope-like material and tied his hair back nicely. He had not considered cutting his hair ever since he came to the past, always having to do other things. And so,his appearance was never his priority, it did not really come to mind even when he was alone or shopping with Guizhong. 

Of course, he knew he had a handsome face, people had told him so. He has used his charm and pretty looks to get him the upper hand in situations before; Celestia knows he used that boyish charm on Zhongli (Of course that was never really necessary as Zhongli had already been ensnared in him when he arrived on the docks of Liyue Harbor from Snezhnaya, but he didn’t know that….at the time at least). 

But even if he knew he was considered attractive and even when people would throw him compliments and even attempt to flirt with him, he never truly believed it himself. 

To be truly beautiful was to be someone with integrity, someone with a strong sense of justice, a strong sense of selflessness, a strong sense of morality, a strong sense of kindness, and a strong sense of generosity.  

He was none of those things. 

He was not truly beautiful. 

Perhaps in the physical sense, but other than that, he was not truly a beautiful person. 

Truly beautiful people shined and stood apart from others, looks had nothing to do with that. 

It was very absurd to hear that he was such a thing, because to him, the most beautiful people were often shrugged off just because they were not physically attractive. 

Zhongli, Guizhong, Madam Ping, Katya, Lumine, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Sky Bracer, Moon Carver, Ganyu, even Xiao were all beautiful. 

They were all people who each had all of those qualities, even in the smallest ways that went unnoticed. 

And yet, each of these people often denied their beauty, and preferred to shut off the rest of the world because of the cruelty bestowed upon them. 

Now, his face was also different in a way, more tense and yet the most relaxed he has seen his face in a long time. He looked as though he had aged far more than he had previously and the horns on top of his head, the different eye colors, and the subtle scales on the sides of his neck and on other places in his body looked out of place on him. 

He nearly faltered as he gazed into his own reflection. 

He looked like someone completely different. 

Not like the young man he had seen reflected back at him whenever he would get ready in the morning and would secure his mask on the side of his head. 

He looked on the brink of exhaustion, as bags were beginning to form under his eyes, his forehead had lines they didn’t before, and his body seemed to be a lot more filled in then it was. 

Now, he had always had a lean body, ever since he was born and was naturally on the skinny side. However, his lack of proper meals and his disregard for his overall health made him a lot thinner back when he was in the army and serving under the Tsaritsa’s command. 

But, shortly after he had met Zhongli, he started to gain a lot more weight and so his muscles seemed a bit more filled out because of their daily lunch. And then after he came to the past, he was eating a lot more (especially after Cloud Retainer would pile food after food onto his plate, complaining that he did not ‘eat enough’), and so, with the better well-rounded diet his muscles were starting to grow in size and while he was still lean, he was a lot more muscular than before. 

His abdomen was a lot more prominent now, and he could see his thighs and forearms starting to gain more and more muscle as the days progressed. 

Madam Ping tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jolt. 

She looked at him owlishly and she blinked before she gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, “...You have changed in appearance…quite drastically. I understand how you must feel, especially since you are not used to seeing yourself like this…but, do not let it get to you all that much, you are still you even with the changes…What matters to us is you and not the state of you, always remember that.” 

Her eyes were filled with a deep understanding as she gave a small smile. 

He nodded, “Y-yeah..” 

_______________________

“I did it! I finally did it, A-Ping!”  

Guizhong enthusiastically lifted the fish in the air, watching as it swayed in the air, eyes filled with a thousand twinkling stars. 

Ajax laughed and heard Ping stifle her own as they made their way over carefully towards Guizhong. 

It was not a long way, since they were practically reaching the shallow water she was previously squatting down in and attempting to discern where the fish went. 

Guizhong took the fish from the spear, swiftly killed it before she placed it on the small mat. 

Madam Ping reached Guizhong first as she patted her head softly, “I can see that, shijie. Good job, I’m proud of you. ”  

Ajax stifled his own laughter, seeing as Guizhong turned the colors of Jueyun chili and babbled incoherent words. 

Madam Ping coughed into her fist and withdrew her hand from Guizhong’s head, her own face hot as firewater. 

Celestia above, those two were really too obvious! 

They stood still for a moment, the awkwardness palpable on Ajax’s tongue as both of them did their best to scramble their thoughts back together. 

Sensing that neither of them would break the awkward silence he walked up towards them and grinned at Guizhong, “Great job, shijie.”  

The spell seemed to snap and both of them straightened out and Guizhong’s pupils dilated slightly and she looked even more flustered than before, “Ah! Shidi! When did you get here? I-I did not see you coming! Do not sneak up on me like that!” 

She came towards him and hit him playfully on the shoulder, “Aiyah! I can’t believe it! My two juniors are tormenting their shijie! I’m an elder, you two should respect me and not embarrass me!” 

Madam Ping grinned hard, as she gave a curt bow, “I hope you forgive this lowly one….Da-yi..”  

Guizhong frowned as she attempted to bite back her own laugh, and ruffled Ping’s hair roughly, “You insolent brat! I am not your Da-yi!”  

Ajax let out a laugh as he wrapped his shoulder around Guizhong’s shoulder, “Alright, alright! We deeply apologize, shijie! Forgive these lowly ones for their insolence just this once.” 

Guizhong could no longer hold in her laughs as she burst into a fit of giggles, nearly hunching over from it, “It’s alright, shidi, shimei! I was just messing with you both....although I’m sure you figured that out!"She wriggled her eyebrows and grinned, "....Did I sound just like Da-yi?”  

Madam Ping nodded, grin wide, “Yes, I was beginning to think that perhaps she had disguised herself as you and had taken your place!” 

Ajax nodded, “I was about to flinch to the side....she sure gives us some brutal pecks…I’m pretty sure I have an indent in the middle of my head from the amount of times she has pecked my head..” he rubbed his head in painful remembrance. 

Guizhong laughed and hung her own arm over Ajax’s shoulder, “Pftt-” 

Madam Ping wiped amused tears from the corners of her eyes and shook her head, “Shidi! Do not say such…pftt….th-things!....I hear that if you mention Shigu's name four times, she’ll appear in your dreams and peck you so hard you'll see stars! Please be careful.” 

Guizhong only shook with laughter as her laughs became silent and rested her face into Ajax’s shoulder. Ajax merely grinned further and similarly shook and grabbed onto Guizhong for dear life. 

Madam Ping merely shook her head and attempted to look away from them and calm down her own laughter, “Come on, you two settle down! Shiz-….wait …Where is Shizun?” 

Guizhong wiped her amused tears from her eyes as the information fully processed in her mind. She seemed to pause and her face seemed to pale, a sharp contrast from her tan skin. 

Ajax also stilled as he slowly let go of Guizhong and wondered just where in the Abyss Morax had gone.   

When he and Madam Ping had arrived to where Guizhong was, Morax was no longer a short ways away from her hunting fish in the deeper waters. He was not there at all, no trace of his equipment, just a small pile of fish on a small cloth. 

Where was he? 

______________________

The wandering shadow returned the day they had stopped to settle down for a few hours. He had felt it come back the moment they had all decided to go and hunt for some fish. 

However, Morax had also felt that strange energy following them for the past few days, and yet, it was strangely not taking any action. 

Almost as if, it did not want to cause harm but merely watch them go about their days. 

It watched as he was in charge of watching over the rest of the adepti as they slept during the night, as he carefully treaded the tips of his fingers through Ajax’s hair or whenever he would go out hunting for food. 

It piqued Morax’s curiosity, and he was eager to find out exactly who the shadow was and what exactly it wanted from them. 

But instead of feeling any aggression towards the mysterious shadow, he could not feel anything other than a strong sense of curiosity. 

He kept a sharp eye on the strange entity and carried on with his daily tasks, sensing as it would dart from the corners as soon as his eyes strayed towards it and feeling as it got closer and closer. 

He was in the middle of spearing a fish with his spear, watching as it swayed in the air before he placed it on the small cloth they had placed on the rocks above the water….when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. 

It was the shadow, and it was going in the direction of their small campsite. 

He hurried over there, making sure to not cause a disturbance as he attempted to seem as if he was merely carrying a few logs of wood to use for a small fire. He spotted a few of them before he hauled them up onto his shoulders and walked with ease towards the camp. 

The thing ran behind a big tree and Morax feigned ignorance and pretended to not notice how its eyes appeared this time.

They were yellow, just like his, and yet, different.  

They were not gold like his, not molten lava or geo crystal flies, but yellow like amber and a small campfire. 

They were not the familiar warmth of Guizhong’s eyes, the sharp seriousness of Cloud Retainer, the gentleness of Sky Bracer and Madam Ping, the sarcastic ones of Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, nor the empty longing in his trea-Ajax’s eyes. 

Its eyes were devoid of hope and life, as if it was hopeless in its predicament and had lost all hope for its life. 

They were similar to what his Ajax’s eyes used to house, and yet, his treasure’s eyes conveyed a simmering determination even in the whirlpool that was his eyes. 

The shadow moved slowly towards him, as if it was testing the waters, testing Morax to see what he would do. 

It was slow in its steps, and Morax could hear the slight draw of what seemed to be chains as well as the putrid smell of blood and that same tainted energy. 

Golden eyes carefully watched the shadow move slowly towards him, making sure that he did not make the slightest movement in case the shadow bolted once more. 

A cold finger touched his back, causing him to still. 

He had already estimated that the figure was smaller in stature than him, but it was smaller than he had anticipated; Like that of a small child. 

A small child or a very small adolescent, that was very malnourished judging from its very frail finger which felt like a bone. 

The finger stilled on his back and did not move. 

Morax took this as a sign to speak and he started slowly, “Who are you?” 

The finger remained on his back but the shadow did not speak. 

Morax started out once more, “Do not fret, no harm will come to you here.” 

The finger retracted but Morax could still feel the presence behind him, hesitating.  

To do what. 

He did not know. 

He continued, attempting to make his voice as gentle as possible, “Are you...hurt?” 

The being took in a shaky breath and seemed to finally give an answer but then, in a quick wisp of air, it was gone. 

But what the careless shadow did not know was that Morax knew what it was, even in its attempt at silence. 

It was a Dream Demon, an adeptus. 

The same one that caused the dreams of the people back home to become corrupt. 

And he knew exactly who its cruel God was. 

_________________________

The shadow’s heart beated rapidly as his wrists burned. 

He was foolish to let himself come close to Rex Lapis. 

If the God wanted to, he could have killed him before he could blink, and yet he did not. 

The stinging became worse as he placed his over hand to scratch at his tied wrists. 

His hand moved up more than it used to, and it felt lighter than it used to. 

He looked down, eyes widening, his hands were free from the shackles and heavy chains he used to weigh him down. 

He was free from his shackles. 

They were no longer there. 

Had…no it could not be. 

Gods were all the same, they were cruel, brutal and horrifically merciless. They did not feel emotions, they did not understand feelings, they did not feel sympathy or empathy for anyone. 

And neither did he. 

And yet, he knew that deep down he did. 

So if Rex Lapis was also an adeptus just like him, did he also feel? 

Did he not? 

And if he did, then why did he free such a worthless being like him. 

“Get back here! It is almost time and yet you are defying my orders and fooling around. Remember how I treat those who defy me, worthless dog,” a voice yelled at him, rough and violent, jolting him back to his own reality. 

He looked back at his wrists, the shackles were not there, yet he could feel their iron grip on his wrists once again. 

He was not free. 

Freedom was far away, the small taste of it carried away by the wisping wind. Freedom is a myth told by those with an foolish eagerness for something they cannot have. 

It is not real. 

And it would never be his. 

_________________________

“Where is Shizun? Did you see him leave, shijie?” Madam Ping asked. 

Guizhong shook her head, snapping out of the momentary shock, “No…I did not see him leave, I was too busy attempting to catch fish that I missed him completely.” 

“Did you see anyone else here, shijie? ” Madam Ping asked again, concerned about starting to show up on her face more. 

Guizhong shook her head once more, panic starting to set in her features, “No. I did not see anyone else here, it was just me and Sh-” 

Guizhong’s eyes widened and her mouth opened. 

Then, in a flash, she seemed to visibly panic as she looked around in a frenzy, “Shizun! Shizun! ” 

There was no sound, Guizhong seemed to panic more and more. 

Ajax had only ever seen her like this whenever Ganyu used to sneak out of the house, but even then she was less panicked as she knew the small girl could only get a few meters away from the house. 

She looked utterly mortified and her eyes darted from corner to corner, scanning the forest landscape desperately. 

Madam Ping placed an arm on her shoulder and gave her a small shake, “Shijie! Please calm down. You know Shizun would not leave us behind without so much as a message. He is not the type to do so anymore.” 

She blinked as her expression curled up and her eyebrows knitted together, “Yes, I know! But that foolish dragon would leave us behind if it was an emergency! What if he…” 

She did not continue but it was clear as to what she was referring to. 

But it couldn’t be true. 

Rex Lapis was a God first and foremost, a powerful Archon, who could defeat anything in his way and clear landscapes with a simple exhale. 

He could not die. 

And besides that, what she had said was true. 

Ajax had never seen Morax leave unless it was an emergency, he was feeling something, processing information, or injured. 

But, while it was not exactly out of character of him to do so, it still raised concern. He was reckless here in this world, he did not take precaution for anything he did, in battle, in daily life, and even when it came to matters of the heart. 

He threw caution to the wind and dove in for anything he felt was important or vital. 

He could be injured, he could be fighting something off he presumed was extremely dangerous to their safety. 

He was a self-sacrificing block headed idiot like that. 

Anger started to well up in Ajax the more he thought about it, a defense mechanism for the greater amount of concern he was feeling for the man as well as the overall mixed up emotions he felt for him in general. 

Madam Ping shook her head, and patted her shoulder, “He must be alright. If not, we can go searching for him, I can trace his energy.” 

Ajax felt the anger wash out like water to a fire as he let out a small breath and nodded, “Da-jie is right. We can go and look for him that way,” he turned to look at Madam Ping and continued, “Lead the way.”   

Ping gave a sharp nod, as she gathered all of the supplies and fish and began walking, Guizhong right behind her, tense as a taut-bow. 

Ajax felt something dull in his stomach and a sharp pain at the side of his chest. 

He could not let his emotions get the better of him, if he did he would go off the deep end. He had to think more logically, he had to gather himself up and carry on. 

He sucked in a deep breath before he let it out once more and followed them closely behind. 

_________________________

Madam Ping’s seemed to glow softly as she traced the elemental energy throughout the forest area. Her eyes darted from place to place as her eyes scanned for any sight of geo energy. 

She let out a soft sigh when she spotted something and came to a stop, Guizhong clung onto her sleeves tightly. 

“What’s wrong, A-Ping….What did you find?” 

Madam Ping shook her head and patted Guizhong’s head softly, eyes filled with relief, “He is at the camp we laid out earlier.” 

Guizhong seemed to settle down as she let out a long sigh and gave a small smile, “I see…that is a relief…Thank you shimei.”  

Madam Ping paused before she bashfully turned away and gave a soft nod, “Mn.” 

Guizhong grinned and she looked as if she was about to tease her junior before, a loud rustle was heard amongst the trees. 

The mood seemed to sour once more as they all froze, unblinking as they followed the area from which the noise was heard. 

Madam Ping came in front of Guizhong, holding out her spear in a fighting stance as her eyes frantically swept the forest, attempting to find the culprit of the noise. 

Guizhong frowned slightly before she withdrew her own sword from her holder and held it in her left hand, similarly scanning the forest. 

Ajax felt his vision shake as he drew out his dual blades and patiently waited for any other sudden movements. 

He briefly saw a greenish-black shadow out of the corner of his eye, but as soon as he turned to look at it properly it disappeared into a wisp of air. 

Was that….

It couldn’t be. 

Was it….him?  

That annoying adeptus brat with a strange protectiveness over Lumine, Ganyu, and Zhongli? The one who somehow made it his life’s mission to be very bitchy towards him whenever he had the chance to? The same one who hated his guts despite Ajax not having done anything to specifically attack him (although, he had nearly drowned Liyue Harbor…..so maybe that was it……oops). 

Was that….

Xiao?  

Now, it could be someone else, perhaps another annoying adeptus brat, but that color was something he had not seen in any other person before. 

But even so, he could not mistake that same wisp of air he always disappeared into whenever he did not want to face a situation. The color was the same and the familiar smell of almonds and dandelions that always followed him around was the same as well. 

So, it had to be him, right? 

But, even so, Ajax did not exactly remember how he even came into the picture. Or how he even became part of Morax’s yakshas . 

Maybe it was around this period? 

He was not entirely sure. 

Whenever the history of the brat was mentioned, he merely zoned out and gazed at either Zhongli’s plump pink lips or the storyteller's dramatic expressions. 

He was not sure. 

Although, something in his stomach had a strong inkling that it was the brat. 

He gave a long sigh internally and withdrew his weapons at once. He was already gone, so there was no point in still holding them. 

Madam Ping gave him a strange stare and he shrugged, “I…don’t think it meant any harm..” 

Guizhong nodded, drawing her own weapon back into its holder, “Yes, it did not seem to harbor any ill intent towards us…I got the impression that perhaps it was a bit scared of us…” 

Madam Ping still kept her spear at the ready but drew it back at her side and merely nodded, “Let’s hope that whatever it was, it did not cause any harm towards Shizun.”  

Guizhong shook her head, “It could not have, shimei. Its energy reserves came across as very weak to me, but it seemed to be more of a result from the lack of training, not so much as from fatigue…to me at least.” 

Madam Ping gave her claim a thought before she merely continued forward. 

Guizhong did not comment any longer and followed her, Ajax following closely behind, occasionally looking back to see if the brat came back. 

He did not. 

_________________________

Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as soon as they spotted Morax inside of their small settlement, standing still and staring unblinkingly at one of the trees that sheltered their campsite from the sun. 

Guizhong rushed towards him, and slapped his shoulder, “You silly old dragon! Making all of us worry about you disappearing so suddenly!” 

Morax did not flinch or react when she hit him and still stared in a daze at, not the tree, but at behind the tree, as if he was waiting for whatever was hiding behind it to come out any moment now. 

Ajax stared at the spot he was staring towards, and there was nothing. 

Could he have also seen him?  

The question remained unanswered as Guizhong shook him harshly and grabbed his face and brought it towards her own, “Shizun! Are you alright? What has happened to you? Why do you look so strange?” 

Morax hummed, “Mn.” 

Her eyes traced his face and body for any signs of struggle or harm, but once she saw there was nothing she let go of him and sighed, “Shizun? Are you sure you are alright?” 

He gave a curt nod this time, “Mn. Alright.” 

Guizhong looked at him for a bit, attempting to fish out any semblance of a lie before she gave up and sighed again, “Okay, but you have to promise you won’t go out disappearing without notifying us, silly dragon! We were all terribly worried….Shidi looked as though he was about to pass out from the mortification!” 

That, of course, was a lie. 

Sort of. 

Although he was worried (even if his pride did not let him say it out loud or even admit to it fully in his own head), Ajax doubted he looked as mortified as Guizhong claimed, but then again, he did not have a mirror to look at what expressions he was having, but whatever, that was besides the point. 

If someone did look like they were going to pass out from mortification, it was her. 

Morax looked towards Ajax and his eyes seemed to soften ever so slightly (but perhaps that was simply a trick of the light), before the same dull expression took hold of him once again, “Mn…Sorry.” 

Guizhong groaned with exasperation as she placed her hands on top of her face, before she whispered, “...You two are going to be the death of me….”  

Ajax pretended not to hear either of them and sauntered over to the small campfire Morax started to build and began to make a fire. 

While the others had departed to start on the food itself, washing the fish, cutting the fish up, washing the vegetables they had found and cutting them up as well.

Luckily for him, he had gathered enough wood to light a considerable sized fire, so he got out the fire drill he had acquired from the village and began to drill into one of the pieces of wood. 

He was not used to this method of lighting a fire, but with no other choice, he continued his motions before he saw a chip of fire come out, and then soon enough he gathered some of the other pieces of wood and finally lit the fire. 

He silently praised his achievement and wondered if the first people to do this felt as accomplished as he felt. His hands slightly burned from the vigorous motion but the raging fire was enough for him to forget about the pain and begin to gather some more twigs and fallen branches to use as fuel for the fire in case it was dying out later on. 

Ignoring the feeling of a pair of eyes staring holes into the back of his head. 

It was merely his imagination. 

Yes, merely a figment of his imagination, his foolish hope. 

Nothing else. 

Nothing more. 

_______________________

The sky was starting to set once dinner was ready. 

Madam Ping had taken it upon herself to make dinner and throw in the ingredients (which Guizhong and Morax had graciously chopped and washed), while Ajax helped keep the fire going by adding more fuel to it.  

Guizhong had long since taken a stroll down towards the river, holding one of Cloud Retainer’s novels she had stol-borrowed, her face serious and dismayed (?). 

While Morax had long since gone out to see if any other traces of adeptal energy were around the area, or if perhaps they had sent another message. 

Madam Ping decided to make a simple soup with the fish, carrots, and radish they had gathered into a fish and vegetable soup. And, she also decided to dry the remaining fish in order to be able to eat them on the go during the trip, using her hydro element to take away the remaining water from the fish and fully dry them. 

She was mostly quiet during the cooking, but had made small talk about the many different species of fish that were found there and the sharp contrast to the ones that were found in Ajax’s homeland. 

She cooked up the pot of soup rather quickly, and the delicious smell took him back to Snezhnaya and its own food. 

Back in his home land, since there was a seaside beside it, there was also an abundance of fish and other sea creatures. And so, because of that the locals of Morepesok had to improvise and had long since been accustomed to making food that incorporated the many sea life around them. 

So, Ajax was used to eating nothing but sea life, and had grown to be fond of it. 

He loved the smell, the taste, and the fond memories that brought back whenever he ate it. Memories of his past comrades all gathered around to share a simple meal, memories of him and his acquaintances sharing a meal after a long work day at the bank, memories of him and Zhongli…

His train of thought came to a halt at the mention of the man and he steered clear of the memory of Zhongli nearly gagging at the sight of seafood.  

It was a hilarious memory, but with it, he recalled the overwhelming fondness that came over him and the irresistible urge to kiss the man at that moment. 

It was bittersweet and lonely without him here at his side. 

Madam Ping continued on mentioning some of her favorite dishes incorporating the many distinct fish species and inquired that she had never truly eaten octopus before and was eager to try it. Ajax cracked a smile at that and told her that he would make some later on when this was all over. 

She gave her own smile and quietly excused herself, and when she was asked where she was going, she merely gave a hopeful smile, “I am….going to fetch my Lady…I have to….discuss ….something with her…cover the pot and fetch our Shizun, will you, shidi?”  

He was about to open his lips to respond, before she was already walking towards where Guizhong had gone off before. 

Ajax to go and fetch….him.  

A bitter feeling surged inside of his veins, urging him to steer clear of the man, to run away and hope to the stars that he would get the message one way or another and come and get dinner somehow. 

But this was not make-believe. 

This was not a dream, it was real. 

He was not sure if she had done it intentionally or not, but given the way her expression was serious, she had something urgent to talk to with Guizhong. 

And so, with enough decency to leave those two lovebirds spend a bit more time alone, he sucked up the remaining bit of his pride and ego and went in search of Morax. 

He had gone South from the campsite, and had seemingly left a small trail behind, judging from the remnant geo energy that trailed along. 

His heart weighed heavy in his chest, but he carried on and walked on and on to reach Morax. 

_______________________

Ping had seen something off with her beloved shijie.  

Her lady, her world, the benevolent Goddess she had promised to serve and protect. 

She had been…upset.  

As if something had taken a bucket filled with clear water and had poured it over her bright flame, extinguishing it completely and leaving her dull and desolate. 

Over the past few days, she looked as if she was fighting against something inside of herself and desperately losing. 

She smiled but it was dimmer, it was not honest or true to what she was feeling inside of herself. It was different, and Ping wanted to know why. 

Just what in the world had made her so upset? 

She attempted to leave it be, in hopes of her beloved shijie coming up to her and expressing what she felt. 

But as the days passed, not a single word came out of Guizhong regarding her behavior. 

Madam Ping felt helpless to fix the situation. 

It felt as if she was pulling away from them, from her.  

All of them felt as if they were all pulling away from each other. Morax and Ajax looked as if they were pulling away from each other, Sky Bracer pulled away from Ajax, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper looked as if they were pulling away from the rest of them. 

Ping felt desperate to keep them all together, to sow them together and prevent them from falling apart, to keep it all from crumbling apart. 

But it seemed as if the more she pulled them closer, the more they pulled away from each other, from her. 

She was hopeless to fix everything, and it did not help at all that they were in the middle of an ongoing war that was bound to turn worse the longer it carried on, as all wars went. 

The only thing she thought she had a grasp of was their bond, as The Adepti. 

As the ones who served and protected the people they were assigned, the ones who risked their lives for each other, the ones who depended on each other. 

The people she swore to give up her own life for if need be. 

She thought she had control over their bond, she thought it was enough to pull through hard times. 

But now, it seemed as if it was bursting through the seams and falling apart. 

Her guzheng and guqin both stayed stored away back home, her remaining semblance of control and peace gone and back home. 

She no longer had control over the hard strings underneath her fingers as she plucked them with care and made melodies out of them. She had nothing to calm her jittering nerves now. 

Nothing at all. 

She dug her nail beds into her palms, feeling them prick into her skin and pull her back towards reality. 

She couldn’t let herself fall into despair, not like all of those years ago. 

She would never let that thing get her again, she would never let herself fall, she would never do it. 

Never again. 

She steeled her nerves and took in a deep breath, pulling her back down towards the ground she was settled on. 

She decided to go and confront Guizhong directly, after she was done making dinner. The encounter with whatever that shadow was, fully cemented the idea that she was running out of time to convey these thoughts and feelings that were nearly bursting through the surface. 

Life was precious. 

And time was moreso. 

Ping excused herself from beside the fire and left to go in search of Guizhong. 

_______________________

It was not long before she saw the familiar color of her brown hair, waving in the wind, tied together by a long blue ribbon that waved alongside her hair, all guided by the wind. 

The spot Guizhong had found herself was in a small clearing, near a creek. 

The creek was teeming with life, the various plants around it vibrant green and the multicolored flowers decorated the small creek, the water was crystal clear and most likely derived from the snow that had melted down the tops of the mountain and came down, trickle by trickle. 

Guizhong herself was sitting down on top of a gray river stone, idly turning the next page, carefully stroking one of the flowers and speaking to it in a soft voice. 

She looked beautiful. Perched up on the stone, her long hair waving as the wind swept by the trees, eyes concentrated on the book, enthusiastic and yet gentle, her toned arms on display as she had rolled up her sleeves and discarded her wrist cuffs back at the camp. 

Madam Ping felt the words die in her throat. 

It was as if she was a wandering traveler through a dry desert that had encountered an oasis filled with fresh water and nourishing fruits. She shuffled closer, thoroughly enchanted by her beauty. 

By her willingness to show kindness even to the most minuit of beings.

She felt her heart in her throat as she gazed at her, her heart stammering a mile per minute, face warm and nerves alit. And yet, in the deepest part of her, there was a feeling that was astonishing. 

Fondness, warmth, joy, fear, frustration, desperation, sadness, anger, and love.  

It was as if she felt everything and yet nothing at all. 

She took a step closer to Guizhong, eager to spill all of herself and in front of Guizhong to see and yet equally terrified at the notion. 

The step caused some of the grass to rustle, and the sudden noise startled Guizhong as she looked up, her face tense and alert. 

Once her eyes landed on Madam Ping, however, all of the distress quickly gave way to a smile. 

She grinned wide and toothy as she waved over to Madam Ping, shutting her book in the process, “Ah! A-Ping! What are you doing here?” 

The emotions seemed to swell and threatened to spill over but she restrained herself, ‘Later,’ she thought. 

“Shijie… I have…I have something I would like to talk about….with you.” 

Guizhong’s expression seemed a little dull but her smile still remained, though Ping could tell she was a bit anxious. Nevertheless, she gave a nod, “Go ahead, A-Ping. You know you do not need to ask to talk to me about something….Whatever it might be, I’m always here for you.” 

Ping’s heart seemed to clench, it hurt. 

She carefully took a seat next to Guizhong, making sure to mind her space before she began, “Shijie….promise me, that you will be honest, okay?” 

“Of course, I promise, shimei.”  

Madam Ping took in a deep breath before she exhaled, feeling the wind pass by her, “I….Have you been alright?” 

Guizhong went silent, the only noise was her soft breaths, which seemed to quicken in their pace. 

Something was definitely wrong. 

There was a long silence before a soft sigh was heard, “I…Those two….are so frustrating…aren’t they?” 

Madam Ping turned to look at Guizhong, her lips curled into a soft smile, “What do you mean, shijie?”  

Guizhong gave a light laugh before she continued, “...They are running in circles around each other, never quite touching and yet coming close to it, just like a planet and the moon that orbits it…And yet, both of them, never say anything, and only end up hurting each other instead.” 

Madam Ping nodded, “Yes, I have noticed that they….love each other as well.” 

Guizhong shook her head, “No, A-Ping….The love they have is different. It is not something so easily described with words such as love or like, it is a deep connection that transcends time and space itself. They both love each other so much, A-Ping. I can tell by the way they look at each other, by the way they act around each other, by the things they tell me….That type of love will never be mine, I do not deserve it…..What they have was a love that could have been mine once…you know.” 

Madam Ping’s heart clenched at Guizhong’s silent omission, finding it hard to restrain her emotions behind the carefully constructed cage she had locked them away in. 

“Why do you say that it can’t be yours, shijie?”  

Guizhong’s eyes were glassy as she shook her head, “Because it can’t be, A-Ping…..I don’t deserve it….A long time I believed that someone might have liked me, but whenever he showed me it, I shut him out and waited until that feeling died within him….because I was afraid to face him and because I did not and will never love him, at least not in that way, even if I tried to. Back then and even now I considered him family....he was family to me, even before I knew what that word even fully meant.” 

Ping shook her head, "That is not true, Shijie....You cannot....change your feelings, just to appease others...that's...that's..not how it works..." 

Golden tears fell down her eyes and coated her face, “Don’t you understand, A-Ping! I do not deserve to love another like that, I do not deserve what they have. I am not worthy of such affections, such fondness, such love!......I am afraid to feel that way. I am afraid of feeling that like towards someone, I am afraid of losing those I care for, I am afraid of losing myself in the feeling that I will not uphold my duty as The Goddess of Dust and Adeptus. I don’t deserve it, I can never have it.” 

Ping felt her heart shred into a thousand pieces, while she wiped Guizhong’s tears away, feeling her own eyes begin to fill with tears. 

Guizhong grabbed her hand and stroked it, “But even so, I crave it. So much, and have looked for it in others….And I think I might have found it…..but I deny myself…I deny….you..” 

Ping froze. 

She knew.  

How could she have possibly known?  

Madam Ping remained silent as Guizhong’s grip on her hand faltered and her hand unceremoniously fell from Guizhong’s face, stained with golden tears that twinkled on her skin. 

Guizhong’s tears poured out of her glowing eyes as she sobbed free and unrestrained. 

Pent up emotions finally pouring down after being withheld for so long. 

Ping saw as her vision turned blurry and her eyes burned as she felt warm tears start to fall down her own face. They were bitter tears, a realization that Guizhong would never be hers, even in her dreams. 

She belonged to the world. 

She would never belong to her.  

She was foolish for ever thinking so. 

They sat in silence for a few seconds longer, as Guizhong’s sobs started to become harder and Ping’s own started to become audible. 

Guizhong stared at her face, with a heartbreaking expression, eyes red-rimmed and puffy and nose a pink color. 

She cupped Ping’s jaw and gave a wobbly smile, lips red and beautiful, “I…..I’m so sorry, A-Ping… ” 

Then in the blink of an eye. 

Guizhong took a hold of Madam Ping’s face, before she dived in, lips crashing into Ping’s own. 

It was a searing and painful kiss, not in the slightest bit pleasurable. 

Just a mash of lips and teeth clashing against other teeth. 

But even so, it was a kiss nonetheless. 

Ping felt like she was doused in cold water, as she jolted up and her hands came and rested on Guizhong’s waist before she kissed her harder, sobs escaping every time they would part. 

The kiss slowed down, and soon enough all of its former harshness was gone, leaving only gentleness in its wake. 

They kissed soft, slow, and chaste. 

It was all so entirely Guizhong.  

Her smell, hair, skin, lips, cheeks, tears, hips, waist, chest, arms, legs, eyes, voice….it was all her. 

She was caught up in a sweet dream, a sweet lie.  

It did not feel real. 

And never in her entire life, had she felt the desire to cry harder than in this moment. 

After a few more seconds of this sweet lie, Guizhong parted and collapsed onto Ping’s shoulder, sobbing and holding onto her tightly as Ping attempted to bite back her own sobs, burying them into her soft brown hair. 

It was cruel. 

And yet, it felt good. 

Their situation was miserable, the worst they had found themselves in and it hurt far more than when she was hopelessly watching Guizhong far away, love buried deep in her heart. 

And yet, she felt so good being wrapped in Guizhong’s arms and holding her waist secure and tightly into her arms, feeling her body pressed tightly against hers, feeling every dip and curve of her. 

But even so, she silently prayed to the wind. 

And wished, 

Guizhong had never kissed her.  

Perhaps then, it would hurt far less. 

But even as she believed it would be easier that way, she still indulged in this sweet lie and silently pressed a gentle kiss upon Guizhong’s head as she fell asleep in her arms and whispered, “I know I can’t but I….I love you…so much… ” 

_______________________

He groaned for the fifth time in the past 20 minutes. 

Apparently, the old man had gone off far away, further than he had anticipated, at least. 

But the traces of his geo energy remained on a clear straight path, oddly enough. 

Ajax groaned once more, wondering if those other two had already eaten without them, or if they were patiently waiting for them to get back. 

Thankfully, it was already pretty dark out when he went to get Morax for dinner, so at least he did not have to worry about the hot sun beating down on his skin….he did not want to get sunburned. 

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a straight indent….what the heck? 

Did he get hurt earlier?

Did he just not notice? 

He rubbed it, feeling the strange indent on his neck, he traced it further and found out it was in the shape of something. 

It seemed to be a strange triangular shape of sorts but inside of it there were spots where there was no raised skin. 

Just what fuck was it? 

He decided to go and look at it further once he got closer to some water, and shrugged it off. 

Maybe he had been stung by some strange bug that no longer existed back in the present time? 

He continued walking, seeing the trees form a nice shade that surrounded the narrow path that Morax had created in his wake. The wind hollowed as it rushed through all of the trees and surrounding shrubbery, forming a nice synchronized dance that only they knew. 

It rushed through Ajax’s hair, making some of it cover his face, forcing him to tie it back. 

He narrowed his eyes, in order to protect himself from the rushing wind and hurried his pace. 

If he did not hurry up, night would come upon them and make it nearly impossible for them to make it back. 

A few more minutes passed and Ajax started to feel hopeless, perhaps his sight was wrong? Perhaps his senses had dulled after so long? 

Maybe he actually had passed Morax a long time ago? 

What if the old dragon was back at camp? 

What if they were all worried about him and actively looking for him? 

He stilled his racing thoughts and took in calming breaths.  

In and out. 

In and out. 

In and out. 

In and out. 

In and out. 

In and-

“ ...Ajax… ” 

A voice snapped him out of his momentary meditation. 

Perhaps his search for the old dragon was finally over. 

And yet, when he blinked up to see the face he had become accustomed to seeing. 

It was a different face staring back at him. 

It was…Sky Bracer?  

What?  

Sky Bracer was face-to-face with him, and he was in worse wear than Ajax had remembered seeing him in prior. 

His clothes were tattered up, his face was badly bruised, his lip was busted and bleeding, his arm was bandaged up and through the white bandages there seeped out blood. 

Just what had happened to him? 

“Ajax….is that really you?” He said, leaning against a tree for support. 

Ajax rushed towards him and held Sky Bracer up by flinging his arm around his shoulder. The man winced at the contact but allowed himself to be held up by Ajax. 

“Yes, it is me. Da-ge, how did you end up like this? Why are you here?” 

Sky Bracer seemed relieved and let out a small sigh, “The others are getting weaker by the day….their army is advancing, it’s far greater than we have anticipated…That thing is consuming people’s energy through his Dream Demons….he is enslaving them and using them to commit such horrible acts….it is…terrible…” 

Ajax nodded, “I see, then, why are you here, Da-ge.”  

Sky Bracer winced, before he suddenly sat down onto the grassy ground, “The others can’t keep fighting….for much longer…they are getting weaker as the days pass….We have not heard from you all whatsoever, so I took it upon myself to come and get you guys instead….Words cannot describe how delighted I am to have stumbled upon you, shidi. ” 

Ajax felt his face warm up at the flattery but decided to ignore it and focus on the other information that had just been dumped upon him, “Okay, then, but are you sure you are alright? Please do not take this as an offense, but you seem to be in no condition to be guiding us, much less fighting, Da-ge.”  

Sky Bracer chuckled before it turned into a cough, “I…I’ll be fine, please do not concern yourself with me, shidi… Once I get enough rest, it’ll heal up before you know it. But, for now, we cannot waste time, we have to get back as soon as we can.” 

Ajax nodded, attempting to help him up once more, “Okay, but let’s get you patched up first, Da-ge…I don’t want your wounds opening up mid-battle…” 

Sky Bracer shook his head, declining Ajax’s help and lifting himself up wobbly by way of the tree, “I do not need medical attention at this moment….I don’t know if I ever told you this shidi, but I can heal on my own….we all can…But right at this moment, my energy reserves are drained far too much….I know this is too much to ask, but may I please borrow some of yours.” 

Ajax did not hesitate, holding out his palm, feeling the warmth of Sky Bracer’s palm as it touched his, “Thank you, shidi.”  

He shook his head, concentrating his energy onto his palms, and feeling it rush through his veins and into his open palm. It flowed instantaneously into Sky Bracer as the man eagerly accepted the flowing adeptal energy, breathed shallow as it entered him at once. 

It was a far more intimate affair than Ajax had previously experienced before. 

But he guessed it must be that way when we are palm-to-palm and close enough to feel the breath of the man who admitted to falling in love with you. 

And that awkwardness was even more enhanced by the sudden painful intimacy he felt when he placed his arm around Sky Bracer’s waist whenever his legs wobbled slightly in order to hold him up properly. 

This went on for a few more minutes as Sky Bracer’s closed eyelids twitched and his expression seemingly soured. 

Ajax knew what it felt like to have so much energy flow through you at once, and sympathized with the burning pain that must have jolted through Sky Bracer’s whole body at once. 

It was a pain you couldn’t escape, and it was awful. 

Similar to the pain he would feel whenever Cloud Retainer used to nearly fold him in half whenever she would help him stretch before training. 

His muscles were never the same afterwards, but the good thing about that was that he was way more flexible than he was before…huh… 

In an attempt to soothe the man nearly writhing in pain, he intertwined their connected hands together and moved his hand up further to trace patterns on his back making sure to do so in a slow and hard motion. 

Ajax closed his own eyes and concentrated further, when he felt it begin to waver, making sure to continue to soothe Sky Bracer as his hand went up and up and began to play with a couple of his surprisingly soft hair. 

A strange contentment welled up inside of Ajax as he felt the other rest his face into the crook of his neck. 

It felt intimate and safe.  

Ajax shivered at the contact and felt his whole body tense up before it relaxed under Sky Bracer after his free arm wrapped around his waist and held tightly onto him. 

He had not embraced another properly in a while. 

And especially not for this long. 

The feeling of his body being pressed against another brought a sense of nostalgia and warmth; like a cozy afternoon wrapped around a heavy blanket as you hear the pitter patter of the rain hitting your window. 

He felt safe and protected.  

It was a nice feeling and he felt all of his senses being drowned out by the pleasure of it all, and he melted further and further. 

But, as all things.

It came to an end, as a baritone voice cut through him like a knife through cloth. 

“Ajax. ” 

He dazedly opened his eyes to see Morax standing a few meters aways from them, still and serious with a complicated expression sprawled across his face. 

His eyes and hair glowed like molten lava, and they hid a bitter disdain and anger that was all attempting to bubble up and burst at any moment. One of his eyes was twitching, a vein was popping out in his face and urging to burst through his skin. And his gaze was narrowed and his mouth was drawn into a deep scowl. 

Ajax had never seen him look so angry.  

Like a greedy dragon sizing up and getting ready to attack an intruder attempting to usurp its treasures from under its nose. 

Ajax felt as if he was a kid again, caught stealing candy from his older brother’s secret stash all over again. 

Shame filled him, and the urge to explain himself welled up in him. 

His mouth gaped open like the fishes they had caught but no words seemed to come out. 

Sky Bracer stiffened in Ajax’s hold, he looked deathly serious, some of the scars that aligned his body before were mostly healed up. He went close to Ajax’s ear, before he whispered, “I will…handle it shidi…Do not worry.”  

Before he knew it, Sky Bracer stepped in front of Morax and bowed down, “My Lord, please do not misunderstand…Shidi was helping restore the energy in my reserves and soothing my nerves. I was weakened severely by the enemy forces, and I came here to guide you all back to the place we are currently battling against the enemies….it was fate that I came across shidi….That is what happened, My Lord….So please do not misconstrue what you just saw….for the sake of Ajax…” 

Morax stared apathetically at him, the same furious expression never leaving him as he gripped onto his spear which was at his side with a serious grip. 

He looked as if he wanted to rip the man into a million pieces, and yet, he seemed to resist his deepest desires and huffed, “No matter….Go back to the others, Sky Bracer…I must speak to Ajax, at once.”  

His tone was flat like it always was, and yet there was a simmering fury hidden behind it, ready to pop at any moment. 

Sky Bracer gave a small sigh before he mouthed a small, ‘Sorry shidi’ and excused himself, “Yes, My Lord, I will head back towards camp at once!” 

Sky Bracer hurriedly walked away, glancing back nervously towards Ajax, as if he was afraid of his safety. 

A few seconds passed, and once Sky Bracer was out of sight, Morax stepped closer to Ajax. 

Ajax instinctually stepped back, feeling his nerves on fire and a huge lump in his throat.

He stepped closer towards him, and he stepped back. 

And then Ajax felt his back hit the same tree Sky Bracer was once resting upon. 

Morax came towards him, but did not touch him and merely stared him down, the same furious expression taking over his facial features. 

He started off slow, but his voice still was seething with poorly concealed anger, “What were you doing, Ajax?”  

Ajax felt outraged, the previous anxious feeling turning into anger. 

He pushed Morax back, and felt his own eye twitch, “No..."

He continued, "No!...You of all people can’t ask me that…..You....left me Morax….You left me back there, why? Why did you say those things? Just what in the damned Abyss do you want from me Morax?!”  

He huffed, feeling his breathing getting more rapid, feeling his entire body heat up from the rage he was feeling. 

How dare he come up to him and say those things? 

And for what? 

Ajax was not his. 

He did not love him. 

So why did he act like that? 

Why did he run away? 

Just what-

Morax’s face faltered and his furrowed expression unraveled, as if someone had pulled the string from a loose bow. 

His eyes softened and all of the rage that was once all over his face, faded out and turned strangely somber, “I….”

Ajax’s own rage welled up further and his mouth spat venom, “See! You don’t know! You don’t know and yet you are acting like this! Do you….Do you know what that’s doing to me? Do you know how I feel whenever you act like a possessive idiot in front of me? Whenever you look at me as if I’m your entire world, as if nothing else matters but me….Do you know what that makes me think?” 

Morax stayed quiet, causing Ajax’s heart to clench and his anger to simmer down further. 

His anger had only been a small part of the other emotion he was feeling. 

He was hurt.  

Ajax felt his eyes begin to sting with tears he refused to shed in front of the man who had caused them, “It makes me think that perhaps…I might have a chance…that I might be able to be yours….that I might be able to be…loved by you…that you…that you…that you might actually…love ME!”  

Morax’s face was startled, shocked and his body went rigid. 

It was enough for Ajax to turn around and run towards the direction of the camp. 

Why was life so hard for him, and so easy for others? 

Why did he have to deal with such bullshit his entire life? 

Whatever Morax had to say. 

He did not want to hear it. 

In case he got hurt, in case this version of his love did not love him in this reality, in case his love back home had fallen in love with him by pure chance. 

Perhaps it had been a once in a multitude of universes that Zhongli had been his. 

Maybe it did not reign true in this world. 

________________________

Madam Ping reached the campsite, Guizhong carried her back as she headed towards the camp. 

The exhaustion from the weight of the truth must have worn her out. 

Guizhong had always been, after all, terrible with her own emotions. Though she carried her heart on her sleeve, she was terrible at handling her own feelings and they always overwhelmed her at every chance they could. 

She looked back to see her shijie and felt her heart clench and her fingers tremble as she brushed a loose strand behind her ear. Her heart was heavy, and many questions rose to the top of her mind. 

She had no idea as to why Guizhong had kissed her, and had even less idea as to what it meant. 

She had apologized before she had done so, but then, if she had, then why had she done it? 

Had she done it as an act of pity, as a sweet reminder of what Ping could have but would never be able to attain. Was it a goodbye, was it a promise of new beginnings, was it plainly done out of guilt….she didn’t know. 

She carefully laid her down, attempting to be as gentle as possible so as to not wake up Guizhong. 

Ping appeared to be successful as Guizhong stirred slightly but did not wake up. 

Even if her goddess did not love her, she would make sure to take care and protect her until her last breath. That is after all what she swore to do, the day she had signed the contract, the day she had swore to be besides Guizhong until she no longer could. 

Because otherwise, she had nothing else. 

She traced the slope of her nose carefully with her finger before she placed a small kiss at the top of her head and placed her own small blanket on top of her. 

It would almost be night, and Guizhong would surely miss dinner. 

But if that meant waking her up from a sweet dream, Ping did not want to. 

She would wake up in just a bit. 

For a bit longer, her beloved Goddess could rest. 

Time was not forever, but she would make sure it would last. 

__________________________

But then, 

Another thought flashed into her mind as she saw the desolate campsite…..

Where was Ajax and Shizun?  

__________________________

Sky Bracer struggled to keep blocking the enemy troops, one after another. 

His energy reserves had long since gone weak, mostly due to the rushed purification of people’s dreams and the ongoing battle against his fellow adepti.

He saw as the others turned absolutely bewildered as they saw the faces of other adepti, and then the bewilderment turned into horror. 

Their fellow adepti were chained up, wrists cuffed together by a heavy iron chain, some of their faces despaired and others void of any emotion. 

Their leader enslaved them, forced them to carry out his bidding and then if they were no longer useful to him, he would cage them up inside of cages void of any oxygen or light all made out the same putrid miasma they were all covered with. 

It was horrific. 

As the days passed, wave after wave of those dream demons came and fought with an inch of their life for their cruel god. 

Sky Bracer vaguely wondered if someone like that was even considered a god. There was nothing good about it, nothing good at all. 

It did not deserve the title of god. 

To him, it was a cruel thing that set out to force its power onto everyone around it. 

Willing or not. 

Sky Bracer had not seen this level of inhumane treatment ever since the early days of his existence. But even back then, it was everyone against everyone. A bloody war for different ideals, morals, and goals. 

But it had not been as cruel as this. 

After a particularly harsh wave, they all settled down in the same cavern they decided to settle in, a steady wall made from adeptal energy surrounding it. Mountain Shaper sighed heavily, wrapping his arm up with a few bandages, biting his lip to stop him from crying out in pain. 

They were all in their partial human forms, as it was easier to protect themselves by using armor and it made it easier for them to fight against the Dream Demons. 

Mountain Shaper’s arm took a heavy hit, after a surprise guerilla attack from the opposition, which had sprained it in the process. 

And because all of their meridians were slowly depleting their energy, it was reckless and unwise to attempt to heal their own wounds. 

If they were to get attacked again, it would be better to save their energy to at least protect themselves. 

So, despite his pride, Mountain Shaper accepted the bandages and salve that Sky Bracer had handed him. 

Moon Carver rubbed soothing circles on Mountain Shaper’s back, as it was now devoid of any of his previous armor. Sky Bracer attempted not to feel the slightest bit jealous at their sweet display of affection and felt his eye twitch. 

He had known that the both of them had entered a secret relationship a while ago. 

They had called it, ‘Cultivation Partners’, but Sky Bracer knew better. 

And he was sure the rest of the adepti knew of that as well. 

They just never said anything about it. 

Because of the rules and because of the taboos surrounding two men getting in a relationship together. He had heard the sneers of the village people as they judged those who were. 

Though he had not entirely gotten why they judged them so heavily. 

Sometimes, he did not understand why humans were so hateful towards each other. 

The two of them were so blatant with their affections towards the other, but had mostly kept it under wraps and rarely showed affection in front of others. 

Sky Bracer had never truly been close to them, since they mostly kept to themselves and kept everyone at a distance (something that Sky Bracer did not understand but respected). However, ever since they had come here, they had been more lax in their affections towards each other and talked to Sky Bracer more than they had ever. 

It was nice to have company, and it was even nicer when they would all talk about normal daily things; it gave the illusion that everything was alright and dandy, when it really wasn’t. 

However, even then, it was hard not to bite back his bitter jealousy at the way they looked and acted towards each other. 

He had long since accepted that Ajax would never be his own. 

He would truly never get to stroll down the beach and collect conches with him, he would never get to hold his hand, kiss him, pleasure him in ways he never knew, would never get to have that warm smile to himself, would never get to be able to sit in the fact that Ajax loved him. 

He was not his. 

He was Morax’s. 

And that stung, hard.  

Morax was always one to hoard his treasures and was always possessive over those he cared for. Celestia knows how many times he used to stare Sky Bracer down secretly after he had first come into the group, after he so much so as looked at Ajax. 

But back then, he had merely chalked it up as just a platonic feeling or even a familiar feeling towards Ajax. He could have never expected that the feared Archon himself would ever fall in love, with the one person he loved as well. 

And besides, even if the Archon did not feel that way towards Ajax, he would never get to have him

He had already been thoroughly in love and infatuated with Morax before he even got a chance to hope it could ever be his. 

And he would be a liar if he were to say that he did not feel just as possessive and even a bit obsessive towards Ajax. 

It was hard not to be when he was the most beautiful person Sky Bracer had ever seen in his entire lifetime. 

His vibrant curly locks of red hair that shined like fire in the sun, his freckled cheeks that looked as if the sky had fallen and decorated his face like a painting, his toothy grin, his facial expressions, the way he talked by way of using excessive hand motions, his light and airy voice that portrayed a boyish charm to it, the way he laughed so freely and loud, the color of his eyes, the color of his horns, the color of his lips and the color of his reddened cheeks whenever he would get embarrassed or flustered. 

The way he showed kindness to everyone he came across, his selfless and genuine nature, his rather brutal way of fighting, his interests, his crying face, his toned abdomen, his muscled arms, his v-line, his alluring smell, the way there appeared to be stars in his eyes whenever he mentioned his ideals or the way he strongly believed in fairness and how he would joke around and tease whenever he saw the atmosphere to be too serious and tense for his liking. 

He loved everything about Ajax. 

And he knew Ajax loved him too. 

It was just in a different way to his own. 

And he had to accept that. 

He had to accept that and move on with his own life. 

It would be utterly hopeless for him to cling onto his feelings for someone who did not feel the same way. But even as he declared to let go of his gripping feelings to Ajax, he was lying. 

It would never be easy to let go of such a treasure, of such a beautiful person. 

And he was positive he would never truly feel the same way as he did for Ajax. 

Never in his life would he ever feel so strongly for another, even at Ajax’s insistence that he would find another. 

Something in his heart told him he would never find another like Ajax. 

Perhaps he would get someone similar to him, but a replacement would not help his aching heart. It would just be a cruel reminder of what he could have had. 

He breathed in a deep sigh before he shook off his negative thoughts. 

If he kept these thoughts up, if he kept these feelings up, he would live the rest of his life in misery. 

Moon Carver stopped soothing circles into Mountain Shaper’s back and walked over to Sky Bracer,  “...Go back and warn the others….this has gotten worse than we had anticipated.” 

Sky Bracer had no room to complain or protest, he nodded, “Yes, Da-ge.”  

They were in the middle of a war. 

He had no time to think about Ajax, or anyone else. 

He was an adeptus, he had promised to devote himself to his people, and he would die by those rules. 

_________________________

The effects of the lack of energy in meridians started to kick in as soon as he was nearing where the adeptal energy was the strongest. 

Exhaustion was near him as he started to lose his elemental sight, unable to see the traces of their energy. 

And just in the nick of time, he saw a figure in the distance. 

Red hair, pale skin, wearing a mostly dark outfit. 

Was that….

“Ajax,” he muttered through his exhaustion. 

He knew he must have been in terrible condition, given the way his shidi’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull at the sight of him. 

He hurried over, and Sky Bracer explained everything to him quickly and felt his whole body attempt to give out as the seconds passed. 

He would not hold up any longer, he had to do something about it, and fast. 

Sky Bracer, despite his better judgment, asked to borrow some of his shidi’s energy. His precious shidi agreed and soon enough he was palm-to-palm with Ajax. 

Though he did not want to touch Ajax, lest his heart be swayed once more by the man, it was inevitable. 

The energy rushed through him made him nearly tumble back. 

It was fierce and warm, just like Ajax. 

And just like Ajax, it was overwhelming him, causing him to feel every inch of his body being forcefully healed by the onload of energy. 

Ajax seemed to sense his discomfort because he began to rub his hand up and down his back as he intertwined their fingers where their palms connected. 

Sky Bracer hesitated and struggled to either pull away or pull him in. 

He did nothing as Ajax continued his ministrations and he gave in to the warmth. 

He was never bound to win against Ajax anyways. 

Just like Morax and even Guizhong, they would always be weak for Ajax. 

He was their weakness and strength. 

And Sky Bracer hoped he would not be their down-fall. 

Ajax’s hand went up further and further until it reached his head, where it began to card through his locks, sliding easily despite Sky Bracer’s lack of a brush. 

He shivered slightly when he felt the man’s nails scratch at his scalp lightly, and he could no longer hold in the urge to latch onto the man. 

It was a comforting feeling, being pressed against another. 

Sky Bracer had always liked physical contact so he practically melted into Ajax’s warmth and suddenly arm around Ajax’s waist and dropped his face into the crook of his neck. 

He was now fully pressed up against the man, and it was absolutely delightful. 

A feeling and memory that Sky Bracer would treasure forever. 

A nice dream. 

Something he could fall back on whenever he felt especially lonely during the odd hours of the morning. 

He inhaled the man’s scent and felt any pain he was feeling wither away and be replaced by a calm serenity he had not felt since the day he had finally placed his feelings out for the man he was holding in his arms. 

But he knew the moment would come to an end. 

He knew the moment he felt a familiar figure approaching that it would probably be the last time he would ever hold his shidi in such an intimate manner, and for that long. 

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall deeper into the lie….

….When Morax eventually came and the expected rage was evident in his face and his body language, Sky Bracer knew it was his time to go and apologize. 

He attempted to explain himself to Morax, to explain that they were just friends, that his shidi was just helping calm him down and restore his meridians. 

But, despite his best attempts, Morax did not believe him. 

Morax did not believe him, and even if Sky Bracer felt absolutely terrified at the prospect of Morax killing him with his bare teeth while another sick part of him felt oddly…. satisfied.  

At emitting such a reaction from the man.

He sighed and continued walking towards the small campsite. 

He thought he had already relieved himself of these feelings , but it seemed to him that he clearly had not. 

“Other’s love are not your own, fool….You must get over him….he is not yours…he never was…” he whispered, his eyes pricking with bitter tears, to nobody in particular. 

The wind listened and wept alongside him.  

_________________________

Soon enough, Ajax had arrived at the campsite. 

Guizhong waved over to him, smiling brighter and more wide than she had before. She seemed to be in a good mood. 

Perhaps she had already resolved everything with Ping. 

At least she hoped they did. 

“Shidi! We have been waiting for you and-wait…where’s Shizun?”  

Her face was puffy and her eyes and nose were pink, a clear sign she had been crying earlier. But, he could not bear it in himself to ask what had happened. 

He shook his head, feeling the tears prick his eyes as he attempted to bypass her and get to the safety of the lake they had been in before. 

Perhaps he would swim for a while, and let the fresh-water mix in with his salty tears. Maybe then it would feel as if nothing was wrong. 

As if it was nothing more than the surrounding water filling up his eyes. 

He saw Guizhong frown out of his peripheral vision and she grabbed his arm, “Wait! Shidi, are you….What’s wrong? Did something happen? What…” 

He could not reply to her as he grabbed in and pulled her into a tight hug, before he buried his face into her shoulder. Sobs wracked his entire body as the tears fell freely and onto his hands soft trinkles, golden in color, and salty. 

He could hear Guizhong shake her head as he heard from a distance Madam Ping asking her something. 

Guizhong patted his head, as her other hand patted and rubbed his back. He shook his head as she whispered, “Shidi….what’s wrong?...Why are you crying so harshly, shidi?”  

He hiccuped and sobbed into her shirt, feeling it dampen underneath him. 

She gave a short sigh before she said, “Was it ‘him’...?” 

He had no reason to lie to her. 

He nodded, causing her to let out a deep sigh, “Just wait until that old dragon gets back here! I will give him a piece of my mind!” 

She grabbed his hand and started to lead him somewhere, “Come! Sit here and have some soup with your dear shijie….A-Ping has just begun to reheat it back up…I’m sure it's at a good temperature right now.” 

She guided him down onto a small clearing, where she laid a blanket down and slowly poured him a bowl of the fish and vegetable soup and handed him a spoon. 

They had bought some of the cutlery used by the townspeople which were all made of polished wood. They were light and so they were ideal for travel. Each of them carried their own bowl, spoon and pair of chopsticks (though Ajax avoided using them unless he had too). 

She sat down next to him and rubbed his back soothingly as he attempted to calm down enough to eat some soup. 

It was delicious, but the flavors were slightly dull due to the abyssal mood he had found himself in. 

Guizhong poured her own bowl of soup before she poured one for Madam Ping and handed it to her almost…awkwardly.  

Something had definitely happened between them when he was gone, but whether it was a good or bad thing was to be discussed. 

They ate in silence as Guizhong whispered curses at Morax as they ate their soup all laid out on a small blanket. 

“That stupid dragon…”  

“Just wait until he gets back here…”  

“....he will be sorry he was ever immortal when I’m done with him…”  

Ajax stifled his laughter with his arm, when he saw Guizhong somehow managing to look threatening while stuffing her face with spoonful after spoonful of soup, chewing angrily, like a disgruntled cat. 

Madam Ping nearly chortled her soup after Guizhong said the last part and that fond look in her eyes seemed to be more prevalent. 

He really hoped everything had been alright. 

________________________

After a while, he felt slightly better. 

Though, exhausted was probably the better term for it. After having exhausted himself with the emotions that he felt, he was starting to come down with a nasty headache. 

He had informed Guizhong about it, and she had fussed over him, and shortly handed him a small spoonful of Cloud Retainer’s medicine. 

It tasted awful. 

But, after just a few seconds, he felt his headache start to recede. 

Cloud Retainer really was a genius in her field, wasn’t she….

…..Sky Bracer came a few minutes later, eyes red-rimmed and puffy, he refused to look at Ajax. 

He poured himself a bowl of soup and silently ate it, resting upon a tree. 

Guizhong looked between the two of them and sighed, “It seems as if today is an especially emotional one, isn’t it?” 

Ajax cracked a small smile, laying on the blanket they had lad out earlier, relaxing under Guizhong’s hand braiding a strand of his hair, “You can say that again.” 

Guizhong continued to braid his hair, twisting the strands of hair together, “Perhaps it is something in the air that is making us so dreadfully sad….” 

Ajax chuckled, “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t…” 

She merely hummed, undoing the braid she had just made and going to braid it once again, while Ajax felt himself drift away. 

_________________________

The morning after, there was a strange tension in the air. It was stronger than ever, and it coated the air in a thick fog. 

But even so, nobody talked about what had happened. 

They all just silently shared a short meal, consisting of a couple of youtiao Madam Ping had carried along with her in her small bag and a bit of apples Sky Bracer had scavenged from the many trees. 

It was an awkward meal, one that carried along with it the sounds of the many mouths chewing and swallowing. 

After that was done, Sky Bracer had quietly begun to pack up and silently mentioned something about leaving. 

They all did as he did, and soon enough they were walking through the rough terrain, on their way to meet up with the others. 

Morax remained silent, having arrived in the early hours of the morning, not daring to even look at Ajax, hanging his head low like a reprimanded animal. 

He had heard Guizhong scolding him the moment he came back, when they thought everyone else was asleep. But, he did not make out her words, just her angry tone as she attempted not to yell at him. 

Whatever she must have said must have been harsh, because he had not said one word since they had breakfast. 

He just trailed behind them, at a distance, quiet and desolate. 

Ajax could not bear to pay his strange silence any attention, he was still exhausted from yesterday’s ordeal and wanted more than anything to collapse on his comfortable bed back home. 

Celestia knows how much he missed Zhongli’s bed. It was a nice and soft mattress that was always a welcome sight to his sore muscles. And the extra soft and luxurious silk blankets were equally as welcome after a tiring day at the bank. 

He sighed and continued on, walking alongside Guizhong as she stared and gawked at the scenery. 

_________________________

They had arrived at a different plains sort of area, devoid of mostly any trees except for shrubbery and grass. 

And at a closer inspection, it was a beautiful meadow, filled with a variety of flowers and sweet aromas. Ajax wanted nothing more than to lay in the middle of it and feel as the waves of wind washed over him as the grass carried the sea breeze. 

But, even if he wanted nothing more than to lay on the field and relax, now was not the time to do so. 

Sky Bracer cut through the especially rough areas of grass, making a clear path ahead as Madam Ping and Guizhong trailed behind him. 

The silence was palpable, and after a few more minutes, he finally decided it was enough. 

He sped up and went next to Guizhong before he tapped her on the shoulder. 

She turned around and gave him a small smile, devoid of any semblance of joy, “Is anything wrong, shidi?”  

He shook his head, whispering, “No….I just…..Can I ask what happened?”  

He glanced between Madam Ping and Guizhong, and she seemed to get the message of what he meant because she let out a bitter smile, “I….believe I might have….hurt her…”  

Ajax raised an eyebrow, coming closer to Guizhong, meeting her steps, “ ...Why do you think so?”  

“I know I did….her expression looked so torn…and well….I-I crossed a line…”  

He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at her, “...Crossed a line…?”  

She nodded, looking towards Madam Ping for a moment before she sighed, “Yes….I.....kissed her…I kissed her right after I said I could never love anyone and right after I apologized…..I don’t deserve her, shidi…”  

His eyes went wide as he took in what she had said. 

Guizhong had kissed Madam Ping?!

Never in his life would he ever think that Guizhong would be the one to initiate contact between them. 

Mostly because he had presumed that Guizhong was in deep denial of her feelings for Ping….but it seemed to not be the case at all. 

But even so, it did seem as if Guizhong was aware of her feelings, but did not want to allow herself to feel loved by Madam Ping. 

Which was utterly ridiculous. 

If someone deserved to be loved, it was Guizhong. 

And yet, somehow, she herself believed so heartedly that she did not deserve it. 

“Shijie….if anybody is deserving of love, it is you….Why do you continue to deny yourself of such a thing even now? And if you wished to put an end to that relationship, then why did you kiss her…you are merely just confusing her further, shijie.”  

She shook her head, “I…don’t know, shidi….I selfishly acted on my impulses….I wish to make things right with A-Ping….its just that….my mouth betrays me…..I do love her….the same way she does….I am just afraid to do so….I’m terrified of what would happen if I lost her too….”  

He let out a sigh, placing a hand on her shoulder and offering her comfort, “I understand, shijie….But you’ve got to let go of those thoughts of yours…if you don’t do anything now, you might…regret it…please do not let your thoughts get in the way of being with her….”  

She stared at Madam Ping for a minute, who was talking to Sky Bracer about the scenery before them and gave a small frown, “.....You are right….I….My thoughts will only get in the way of my happiness….thank you..”  

He shook his head, “You don’t have to thank me, shijie…it's what I’m here for.”  

She gave him a grin before she stuck her tongue at him, no longer whispering as she said, “You are starting to begin to sound like A-Ping, shidi!~ The both of you are toosappy and sweet, I am afraid my teeth will start to rot out!” 

He stuck his tongue at her too and frowned, causing her to chuckle. 

“But really, thank you for that, shidi… It means a lot.” 

He smiled, “Of course shijie… Just promise me you’ll make things right by Da-jie, okay?” 

She grinned at him and gave a nod, before she raced ahead, “Last to get to the first tree is a spoiled egg!” 

Ajax ran behind her, ready to take on her challenge, and similarly determined to win. 

With a confused Madam Ping, Morax and Sky Bracer running to catch up with those two reckless fools. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(17/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

____________________

Chapter 17: Mending Spirits, Uncertain Feelings, and the Taste of Freedom Pt. 1

The plan was set. 

They were all to split up into smaller groups and then go on the offensive and strike the opposing side back, until they were all nothing but piles of mangled limbs and internal organs. 

However, nothing could have ever anticipated him from the sight that was about to grace his eyes. 

As they were passing the woods to get to the main point, there were many bodies strayed about throughout them. They were all swelling up with miasma, and that made something in Childe rattle and eagerly attempt to lap up the sweet energy that was ever so slightly calling out to him. 

Childe however, did not have any time spared for him to properly savor the miasma, and he didn’t  want to waste his breath on such morsels of energy when he had such a big feast waiting for him. 

And so, he held back his instinct that drove him to gather the energy and ingest it into his body, and the delicious burn that would come to consume such a corrupt energy. He couldn’t do it now, he would have to wait. 

And so, his nails gripped his palms, until blood drew and he carried on with the rest of the group; watching curiously as a few stared at him as if he was a ravenous animal. 

He ignored it and pressed on. 

After they had passed through the woods, the scene was not like anything he had ever expected. 

A lain battleground, covered with grime, soot, blood, and other unpleasant bodily fluids sprayed freely onto the dirt ground. It was a macabre sight, utter debauchery, and the smell was terrible to anyone’s noses. 

But it was far from the real place, the real battle. It was merely the aftereffect of what Cloud Retainer had come to report. It had to be. 

And the promise of an even bigger and plentiful meal made his excitement burn. 

It sent shivers of anticipation down Ajax’s spine, the energy would most likely burn, but oh , it would be so pleasant. So, painfully sweet, as it entered his nostrils and mouth and burned his palates, and his olfactory bulb, and then slowly sent shivers down his spine as he collected the energy that would make him stronger. 

His Foul Legacy had gone without sustenance, for a long time. 

Ever since he had been basically chained to the bed because of his damn impending transformation, he was not allowed to swallow and sip on the abyssal energy that erupted from all of the other abyssal creatures. 

Because of his lack of food, his abyssal form had weakened his form a bit, even if his transformation had made him have the strength of an adeptus. 

But, even as he ignored the creature inside of him rattle and shook with enthusiasm as it smelt the wonderful scent of pure miasma. It was not abyssal energy, but it would most likely be enough for him to sustain himself for a little longer. 

But, he had no time to dwell on the sheer excitement he felt. 

Before he could blink, he saw something hurling towards them, it was a figure of some sort. 

It landed, splat in front of them, and upon closer inspection it was…Sky Bracer.  

He was in worse wear than ever, bruises, cuts covered his entire body, alongside a huge gash across his right arm. He seemed to be unconscious, and seemed to be roughed up significantly. 

Guizhong gasped as she ran to his side and scooped him up in her arms, before she motioned towards Cloud Retainer. 

She did not need to be told twice as she rushed towards him. 

Cloud Retainer seemed to be distressed as she bent down and pressed two fingers to his wrist, and after a few more seconds, all of the tension left her face. She relaxed and even let out a small sigh of omission, “His meridians are normal, they are just dried up. One should be able to fill them up using one’s own reserves.” 

Morax stared at her for a bit before he shook his head, “Cloud Retainer, your reserves are weakened and depleted. It will be worse for you if you gave him your adeptal energy as it is. Hand him to me.” 

He spoke with pure conviction, and Ajax was sure he would be able to coerce anyone into doing anything with the amount of power behind his deep voice. 

She complied and the moment he was handed to Morax, he placed his hand on Sky Bracer and immediately, his hair started to glow as a warm energy was produced by his palm. The gentle light poured into Sky Bracer’s palm a second later, and he opened his eyes in a frenzy. 

His distress seemed to die out once he saw everyone and he let out a small sigh, “Lord Lapis….I have failed you…I let the enemy get the best of me….I do not deserve to be guided by you, My Lord.”

Morax glanced towards Ajax and then back to Sky Bracer, and for a strange reason he looked upset.  

He did not say anything and placed his palm on his mouth, “Do not speak, your body is weak. Do not waste energy and stand up if you wish to fight.” 

Morax did not spare him another look as he got up and marched towards the direction of the terrible energy along with Cloud Retainer and the others. 

Sky Bracer’s eyes softened significantly, and they got slightly glassy as he stood up, his legs wobbling as he did so. Guizhong came to hold him up, but he slightly declined her offer and pushed her off gently, “No need, my Lady. I am well now, do not worry.” 

He offered her a gentle smile, but she did not buy it. 

She stared at Ajax, who seemed to take the message and moved to hold him up. Guizhong sent him a small smile as she hurried off to catch up with Madam Ping who was waiting for her. From the look in her eyes, she seemed to have known that they needed a bit of privacy. 

That was the thing with Guizhong, she always knew. 

He tried to push off Ajax but he shook his head, “Don’t be stubborn, Da-ge. It’ll only be worse for you, please go back home.” 

Sky Bracer shook his head and gazed at Ajax with such earnest fondness in his eyes, before he cupped his jaw and gently stroked it. He let out a small chuckle, deep and rich to his ears, causing waves of nostalgia to swell up in Ajax, “Did I worry you, shidi?.... There is no need for you to worry about me. I am alright now, Shizun has helped me already. I can fight with you all once again, I promise to not hold you all back.” 

His manner and the small smile on his face caused emotions to well up in Ajax, as he stared at the man back, but he swallowed whatever he felt, forced it down and sighed. 

He couldn’t do this to him, especially when he had a feeling the man before him felt too much for him. Feelings that were obvious to Ajax, feelings that were written all over his face. 

But he couldn’t, he already had his own love. 

And he hoped Sky Bracer would one day find his own. 

But, Ajax knew that he was not the one for Sky Bracer. 

They needed to have a proper conversation about this. 

He placed his hand on Sky Bracer’s and withdrew it from his jaw, “Then, stand up and fight with us, Da-ge.” 

Sky Bracer seemed taken aback from his subtle rejection but took it elegantly as he let out a small chuckle and ruffled Ajax’s hair, “You’ve found your love and purpose haven’t you, shidi? I can see it in the way you gaze upon him , I can see it in the way you smile so earnestly towards him, the way you seem to brighten up whenever he is mentioned. I am…sorry for imposing on you for so long. You….just seemed to captivate me, pull me in with your being…..I am not the one for you, am I?” 

Ajax stared back at Sky Bracer and felt his chest tighten up. 

He was gazing towards the sky, golden tears falling freely down his eyes, a heartbroken smile on his face as he attempted to do his best to not cry. 

Ajax pulled him into a hug, feeling the adepti’s tears fall onto his shirt as the man seemed to almost breathe him in desperately. Sky Bracer held him in a tight embrace, tight and almost suffocating, but just as warm as ever. 

“I can never be the one for you, can I?......I….was never supposed to be, I knew that. I knew it from the moment I saw you, and yet, I couldn’t help the way my heart jumped with joy as I was bewitched by your smile….” 

The man said, his voice stained with grief and heartbreak as he did his best to contain his tears and make his voice even through his tears. 

Ajax rubbed soothing circles onto his back, giving the slightest modicum of comfort to someone who was irrevocably in love with him. Someone he would never truly love. 

He wished he would be able to, but he couldn’t. 

And that hurt him deeply. 

But somewhere in the depths of his mind, he couldn’t help but think that it was strangely nostalgic. The way he traced imaginary circles and shapes onto his back, just like he had done in that dream of his. 

A dream that felt too real. 

Too much. 

Too painful. 

To be false. 

Sky Bracer pulled from his embrace a couple of seconds later, as the sound of the wind brushed by their ears and by the leafy trees creating a soothing breeze. 

His tears had dried up, leaving slightly puffy and red eyes in their wake. Ajax wiped off the excess tears that desperately clung onto his lashes, and Sky Bracer let him, leaning into the touch, allowing it. 

Then, he grabbed Ajax’s wrist and brought it up to his lips before he placed a chaste kiss to his knuckles. Ajax felt his heart in his throat and he motioned to go and pull the man in an embrace, but he pushed Ajax away, shaking his head, “Thank you, Ajax….you have given me enough…I don’t know how much my heart could bear if we continued…..I…..am…glad you have found your happiness in him , he is worthy and noble….There is no doubt in my mind that he will treasure you well.” 

Ajax frowned, at the way he seemed to force the words out of his mouth and sighed, “He is, thank you, Sky Bracer….But I don’t have to be the only one with someone by my side, you deserve to find your own as well…..And I will help you find one. That is the promise I will give to you.” 

Sky Bracer’s eyes widened as he took in the earnest promise and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he leaned back and let out a true laugh for the first time, unrestrained and free. 

The tension seemed to leave his shoulders, and he seemed relieved.  

He gazed at Ajax, with slight mirth and smiled, toothy and wide, “Of course, shidi. I believe you will….Now, let’s carry on, shall we. The others are waiting for us now.” 

_________________________

They rushed towards where the energy signature was the most prevalent and it was certainly better than Ajax had anticipated. 

There were plenty of monsters, all those he had never seen before with their own weapons and they were absolutely merciless. 

If they were all humans fighting against those things, Ajax knew they would have been dead already. 

Morax had dived straight first into battle, garnishing his signature spear as he slashed, swiped, and killed everyone, rough and brutal in his style. He was a far cry from the more subdued and elegant Zhongli, who carried his spear with practiced elegance and focused more on defending himself and giving precise and powerful strikes towards his enemy to subdue rather than to kill them. 

However, this form of him was ruthless. 

Power seemed to surge through his every strike as he slashed and gutted enemies before he used their own entrails to suffocate the next set of them, not because he needed too, but simply because he wanted too. He even snapped one of the monster’s jaws in half after grabbing both sides of their jaw and splitting it right in the center, as they lay whimpering in death. 

He was drenched in blood as he fought mercilessly, and a small amount of primal fear rose up in Ajax, as he gazed at how his Morax fought to kill every single one of them. 

Was this what they had always meant by: The Wrath of the Rock.  

Was this what they had meant whenever he heard it being written in historical textbooks and all of those Rex Incognito books he had read and was this sheer brutality spoken about in those plays Zhongli and he attended to. 

No wonder, everyone always obeyed, no questions asked. 

Just how the heck Guizhong stared at him and decided to approach such a brutal man was beyond Ajax. 

But then again, even though Morax was brutal and absolutely merciless in battle, he was never fond of killing people. Ajax had surmised as much as Zhongli had always winced when he was ever being threatened by a hilichurl or one of those Treasure Hoarders, he would always just subdue them and bring them to the Qixing. 

He would never once even kill any creature that ever dared to fight him. 

Not at all. 

And even now, as merciless as he was, the look in his eye was not one of enjoyment. It was one of pure possessiveness over his land, his rage at their reckless actions, and a subtle tinge of disgust as he practically dismembered every single one of them. 

Even if Morax was the God of War, he did not wish to be. 

Even if he was brutal and absolute in his strikes, he did not wish to fight, and looked more annoyed at them infringing on his territory than anything else. 

The rest of the adepti were holding up their own, but they weren’t as brutal as Morax. But even they did not seem to be enjoying seeing their enemies slaughtered right in front of them and even seemed disgusted by the utter display of violence in front of them. 

Cloud Retainer was more subdued in her skill as she just did the bare minimum to get their lives over with and not waste her energy longer than she had to, she was quick and speedy on her feet as she brought her opponents down in a flash. 

Moon Carver was more powerful in his strikes but he was just as subdued as Cloud Retainer and he used a more brute force approach in his fighting style, using a broadsword. Mountain Shaper seemed to take strategy into account as he moved fast and diligently and instantly knew his opponents weaknesses and used it against them, as he used his bow effectively and efficiently. 

They were almost the opposite of each other, complimenting each other and making up what the other lacked in skill. 

Hmm.  

Madam Ping was more absolute in her strikes and preferred to use her spear to strike her opponents fast and effectively, just like Cloud Retainer. However, her skills were a bit rough compared to Cloud Retainer’s smooth elegance, but it was to be expected with the amount of years Cloud Retainer had of experience. Guizhong however, took a more far ranged style of combat and unlike Mountain Shaper who used his sword when his enemies got too close, she would prefer to stay far away and would help her fellow adepti out whenever the enemy got too close to them. 

But none of them seemed the slightest bit pleased whenever someone’s blood and miasma sprayed all over their faces….

What a peculiar bunch. 

Now, while Ajax at his core liked to see people suffering (Celestia knows he was not as crazy as Dotorre when it came to that ), he did enjoy the thrill of battle and if that meant having to kill someone to get that pump of adrenaline or getting stronger, than he was alright with it. 

And while some had deemed him bloodthirsty, he often objected to this notion. 

Sure, he could get a little overboard with his methods and sure, he enjoyed towering over his opponents and harshly beating them in battle, he did not enjoy killing innocent lives. He never did. 

However, these demons and monsters were hardly considered anything but innocent. They intended on killing and doing unspeakable things to the people of this village and the next if they had won. 

So, excuse him if he preferred if they were all dead beneath him. 

And besides that, that thing inside of them was largely to blame for the way he went overboard, that and the immediate fight or flight instinct that rose up in him whenever he came across those things. 

Sky Bracer rushed into action as he similarly used a sword to lay his enemies down to rest, and his own style was elegant and smooth, yet he also preferred to defend rather than rush in for the kill. 

Childe’s own excitement went into overdrive as the smell of miasma coated his lungs, the burn was even greater here. And the smattering of the black miasma covering the ground and onto the surrounding air, was delicious. 

He went over and consumed the energy, calling it all over to him before he inhaled and swallowed it, feeling it burn and although the taste was bitter, there was a slight sweetness covering it. And unlike abyssal energy, it was much stronger, and it felt a bit more heavy in his lungs, but it was nothing he could not handle. 

The demons seemed to stop in their tracks as they felt him calling their energy towards him, and their eyes all intensely stared at him, and he felt their rage simmering just under their skin. They were enraged, angry that Childe had practically consumed the last bit of their fellow comrade’s life. 

They all rushed forwards and went straight at him, while Childe grinned, mad with joy as he felt his Foul Legacy start to come out to play. 

It had been a while, and he felt as if though, the creature had every right to enjoy its meal properly. 

He felt his limbs start to dislocate and relocate and his very tendons and muscles stretch to fit such a huge form before he felt himself tower over the trees themselves. He grinned and let out an inhumane chuckle, as he walked over to them and saw how their very puny bodies shivered with fear. 

He withdrew his sword, feeling his delusion bursting into life as he formed his weapon, and grinned. 

Before they knew it, he had slashed their bodies right in half, watching as their life drained from their faces and swiftly caught up to those who foolishly attempted to get away. 

He saw as heads rolled off, as limbs were discarded and thrown across recklessly with abandon as he went over and consumed the miasma, and the taste was definitely better in this form. It was much sweeter and denser in this form. 

If only his master could see him now, she would be proud and would join him happily in such an abundant meal. 

Waves upon waves of them arrived as he slashed right through them, joining Morax in his pursuit and slashed everyone who got in his way. 

Eventually, the god himself came out, and instantly his excitement grew even stronger. 

As the god before him was covered with miasma, in fact, he was made out of the ugly thing. Completely drenching and infecting everything that he touched, from the air to the ground. 

Childe felt a shiver run down his back, he would have never had to feed for months on end if he had a go at that thing. 

Morax pointed his spear at the man, “How dare you trespass on my land! You are a fool to think you would get away with such a foolish act, untouched! You have suffered Celestia’s punishment, and yet you continue to plague everything you touch! Parasite!” 

The God blinked at Morax before he grinned, “Rex Lapis, we meet once again….After everything you’ve done, I did not expect you to remember me…” 

Morax did not twitch and instead raised his spear up towards the man’s throat, “It matters not to me that we have met. You trespassed on my land! Therefore, you shall suffer the wrath of the rock!” 

The God’s grin before larger, “My, my, Rex Lapis. How cruel have we become, ey?...Leaving a friend behind, after so long. Leaving a friend behind to fall into such despair and agony….do you have any idea what it feels like to be consumed and spit out by miasma, feeling your skin dissolve and become reborn and your every muscle being stretched and reworked all over again…”

Morax seemed to hesitate but he did not back down, as his eyes continued to glow, “We were never friends, we were simply allies. I owe you not one thing, you decided to get yourself drowned in that pit.” 

The God let out a large chuckle, bordering on hysterical, “It was your fault! It was your fault! You pushed me in! Do not lie to me, Morax! Do not lie to me! You did it! It was your fault! It was your fault! Why did Celestia save you and not me! Why did she have mercy on you and not me! Am I not worthy enough! TELL ME! ” 

Morax pressed his spear further into his throat, a single push and it would go straight into it, “You decided to lose yourself in madness, do not drag me into it. Stop this, at once.” 

Morax withdrew his spear and let it come to his side. 

He was being benevolent. 

He was allowing the God to go freely. 

The God laughed further as he drew his own weapon and held it in his hand, “You still remain the same, don’t you, Morax? Always so high and mighty, acting benevolent even as I have watched you take and take from the world, take goods and murder innocent people for the sake of power…ha…ha…ha.. ” 

The God pointed it straight at his own throat before he brought it down. Everyone watched in shock as the God slouched down, and life drained out of his tainted eyes. 

His energy was dispersed, and he fell apart completely. 

Morax’s eyes seemed to fill with what seemed to be guilt, before it was gone and he turned away towards Cloud Retainer. 

Guizhong turned towards him, and something in her eyes seemed to be imploring him to do something. He did not question her about it, knowing what she wanted to say already. 

Cloud Retainer gave a curt nod, “Make sure there are no survivors.” 

Everyone followed her orders and they all went towards different directions to look for any remaining survivors. 

Childe hastily scarfed down the excess energy, and felt his previous lost energy be regained once more, as he turned back to his normal form and he chased after Morax. 

_________________________

He was in his domain as usual, and it was uncharacteristically left wide open, the seals having been broken but not redone. 

As if he had been in a haste and had gone in without thinking about the potential way someone could come in and steal his treasures. 

He went over to check if the man was still there but he wasn’t. There was little to no trace of him, the only trace being a trail of blood and his leftover clothes thrown carelessly all over the floor. 

It did not take him long enough to find the man. 

He merely needed to follow the trail of blood as he found himself in the public bathhouse once more. 

In it, he found the man in it, scrubbing recklessly at his skin. 

The closer Ajax got to him, the more he saw exactly what he was doing. 

He was scrubbing with abandon at his skin, his long sharp nails marring his skin open and making more and more blood fall into the hot water below, as blood washed all over him. 

He rushed over to the man in an instant as he grabbed at his wrist, “Don’t do that! You’re hurting yourself!” 

But the man did not listen, and continued to scratch himself recklessly, as he continued. Ajax felt his panic increase as he grabbed his other wrist and snatched them from his skin, “Stop that, Shizun! You are only hurting yourself!” 

The adeptus merely froze at his words, face blank, as he gazed blankly at Ajax. It was like he was not there anymore, as if he was somehow looking at something else instead of Ajax entirely. 

It was horrifying. 

Ajax felt his heart stammer in his chest. 

Just what in the abyss was going on? 

Morax finally seemed to have a moment of clarity, as instead he grabbed at Ajax’s own wrists and his grip was bruising in its strength making Ajax cry out in pain. However, he did not loosen up his grip and instead tightened it up further, before he dragged Ajax inside of the water. 

Ajax was surprised at first, and was submerged in the warm water, but quickly rose up to the surface to meet Morax’s intense stare. 

It was burning, intense, and it sent shivers down Ajax’s spine. 

Before Ajax could react, Morax grabbed him by the neck, “Why have you come here?”

His grip on his neck was not tight at all, and it was surprisingly familiar. However, it seemed to be a threat given the way Morax snarled out the words with such poison. 

And yet, Ajax knew he did not mean to harm him at all. 

He was scared, and looked fragile, as if one sligh movement would tear the man into pieces. Ajax had never seen the man look so torn up before, he had always seen him so put together so steady, so firm, as if nothing could deter him anymore. 

But, he guessed it wasn’t the case here. 

This man was much more vulnerable, more susceptible to falling down, more fragile. He was unsure how to handle his feelings, especially these. 

Anger. 

Fear. 

Guilt.  

He placed his hand on Morax’s cheek and nearly smiled when the man allowed him too, “..What is wrong, Shizun?” 

Morax seemed surprised by his words and flinched, retreating his own hands from Ajax’s neck as if he had been burned. He shook his head and looked away, “You…should…leave…” 

Ajax was confused by his words and shook his own head, going closer towards him, “No. I-I wish to help you. I want to help you….What’s wrong?” 

Morax seemed to hesitate before he shook his head stubbornly once more, “No! You should leave….You…do not understand…I…” 

“You’ve helped me before! Why shouldn’t I do the same! Tell me, Shizun, why shouldn’t I?” 

Morax looked down towards the water, growing still as he closed his eyes and contemplated for a bit before he said, “You…are not like me….I…am undeserving of your help…it was a mistake to take it in the first place.” 

Ajax shook his head, “Don’t tell me such words, Shizun! Do not tell me you are undeserving to someone like me!” 

Morax shook his head, “No…you deserve…everything…I do not deserve your help…you…are too good for me..” 

Ajax felt himself grow even more outraged at whatever he was spewing. It was utterly ridiculous. 

He was far more worthy than Ajax would ever be. 

He was everything Ajax would never be. 

He was forgiving and kind-hearted, a soft hearted person with a heart made up of pure gold. Unlike Ajax, he would never hold a grudge against anyone, nor make someone else suffer purely out of enjoyment or even power. He was noble and fair when it came to fights, he was a better man than Ajax could ever be. He was not power hungry, and wanted the best when it came to his people and although greedy, he never took anything that wasn’t rightly earned. 

“No…you are wrong. It is you who is too good for me. If it weren’t for you, I’d….I would have already lost myself a long time ago, you…saved me.” 

It was true. 

If it wasn’t for Zhongli, Ajax would have lost himself to his power-hungry drive, would have probably gotten himself killed while he was on the quest for greater power. He would have been dead if it wasn’t for Zhongli. 

Zhongli brought the best out in him, made him be better for himself and for Zhongli. Made him want to improve and work on himself, made him open up to people once more, made him know what love was, how it felt like to be cared for so deeply, to be taken care of even in your weakest moments. He taught him how to be human again. 

He taught him how to be someone he believed was long dead, again. 

He had believed he had killed off Ajax in his mind ages ago, killed him off and locked him away under the cold waters of Snezhnaya, along with Skirk and her brutal beatings of the kid. He believed that Ajax had already died, that he was nothing more than just Tartaglia,  Her Majesty’s favorite and esteemed vanguard, or even Childe, the charming man from Snezhnaya with nothing but pretty lies under his sharp smile. 

Zhongli had been his rock, someone who had taught him how to love again. Taught him just exactly how it felt like to be appreciated by someone, to be treasured, to be adored so sweetly. He had treated him like shiny rubies, as if he had been priceless, as if nothing in the entire universe could ever compare to him. 

He had made Ajax believe that he was worth something. 

Even when he knew he wasn’t. 

He had made him believe he was special , and treated him like the human he was. 

Not a monster, not a Vanguard, not a Harbinger, not a Fatui, not a toy salesman from Snezhnaya. 

But a human.  

Someone with thoughts and ideas, brimming and urging to come out if given the opportunities. Just another living being with fears, morals, wishes, desires, and ideas. 

He had given Ajax the sanity of what it felt like to live a simple and earnest life, what it felt like to be normal; when he had nothing like normality in his life. 

He was not worthy to be with Zhongli, in this life or the next. 

He was a pitiful creature from the Abyss, someone who was abandoned by his own family, left to die in the cold and foxholes of war, someone who was used like a pawn over and over again by his own Tsaritsa, someone who was easily replaceable. 

He was just a dirty monster from a small village, he was nowhere near worthy to be with someone so grand like a God. 

Especially if the God in question dazzled like gleaming gems whenever light him, illuminating everything in his path as he lay hope and determination in all those who listened. Especially if the God himself had even paid him any modicum of attention, even if he did not deserve such a thing. 

He had been blessed by Celestia, had been blessed with fate for having such a person by his side. 

And yet, he had foolishly let go. 

Morax stared back at Ajax, wide-eyed and in stern denial as his hair glowed, lighting the water below lightly, like Xiao Lanterns. 

It was an incredibly endearing sight, especially as the man blinked and his lips lay parted slightly. His long hair was down messily sprawled across his shoulders, glowing just as his eyes did, and his skin slightly flushed from the heat from the water. The moles on his clavicle looked just as attractive as they did the first time he had seen them, and the way water slid down his tan skin, down every curve and dip of his muscles and strong arms, down towards his well-built abs. 

Ajax leaned in forwards, feeling the heat from the steam get to him, making his judgment cloudy and his impulsivity at full drive. 

He loved this man in front of him more than words could ever know. More than the world could ever know, more than fate itself would ever know. 

He leaned in, the smell of osmanthus, sandalwood, incense and silk-flowers fanned at his face, it was nostalgic, and yet slightly altered by the oils poured into the water. The heat pooled into his cheeks as he leaned in further, hearing faintly as the water splashed around him, and his heart beat sporadically in his chest. 

Before he knew it, he was mere inches from Morax’s face, feeling his warm breath tickle his cheek, and saw the water dripping slightly from his long eyelashes, his eyeliner running down messily down his eyes, and the slope of his nose as well as the curve of his lips. 

Before he knew it, Morax’s pupils dilated, before they retracted once more into slits, changing rapidly as he stared at Ajax. 

His hand came up and cupped Ajax’s face roughly, his nails lightly scratching at his cheeks. It stung, but he did not seem to mind it, as the excitement swelled up inside of him. 

Morax’s eyes dilated once more, before he yanked Ajax’s face up, presenting his neck right towards him. 

Ajax inhaled sharply, surprised, but did not move as Morax leaned down.

His lips touched the skin of his neck softly, sending a violent shiver down Ajax’s whole being, jerking him upright a bit. Morax did not mention it, and instead went down his neck, inhaling deeply, as if Ajax was a stick of incense. 

He seemed pleased at this and hummed, before he licked a stripe down Ajax’s neck, causing Ajax to yelp in surprise. 

Morax ignored this and continued to lick Ajax’s neck, as if he was a delicacy. And Ajax suppressed the shivers that went through him as the man’s warm breath tickled his breath. 

And before he could even start to wonder what was happening, the man grabbed him by wrist and yanked him around. 

Ajax yelled in surprise at this once more, but Morax ignored this as he began to smell and lick at the back of Ajax’s neck, humming contently more than ever, grabbing Ajax’s neck and starting to strangely massage it with his left hand. His other hand is still on his wrist, holding it tightly. 

It was a bit strange, at first, but Ajax found it quite pleasant after a while, and all of the tension left his muscles and he leaned into the man. However, before he knew it, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck. 

He winced a bit, before he turned his head to the side and saw that Morax had bitten the side of his neck. It was oozing blood lazily as the man leaned in and scooped up the blood from the wound with his tongue before he began to suck on it as well. 

Ajax groaned at the sight, feeling his cheeks burn up. 

The way the adeptus had bitten him, was possessive in its nature, a way of marking up something that he deemed his. 

It was utterly possessive.  

But before he could say anything else, he felt the man pull away. 

He glanced back at the man, whose mouth was stained with his own blood, and he saw his pupils go back to normal as he gazed at Ajax surprised. 

He glanced at himself, before he glanced at Ajax and his eyes widened in surprise as he let go of Ajax. 

“I am…sorry…”

And he was gone. 

_____________________________

Morax avoided him as if he had a terrible disease afterwards, not daring to even speak to Ajax, even as he desperately attempted to speak to the adepti. 

Ever since he had been left alone to simmer about what had transpired, he had never been able to let go of what happened fully. 

His mind had been on auto-pilot and before he knew it, the full extent of what had happened rushed into him, and it hit him hard . 

Just what the fuck had he done! 

He had let temptation get the best of him and apparently, so had Morax…

Although, he was not entirely sure it was desire, or even lust for Morax. As the man had seemed more hungry-ridden when he made his move on Ajax. It had not been a romantic thing, or even a sexual thing, it looked as if he was starving . As if he was going to devour Ajax whole. 

That was definitely not romantic or even desire laid bare before Ajax. 

It was pure hunger.  

But even that, he had a hard time believing? 

Had Rex Lapis been known to eat humans before? 

No. 

He had not. 

In all of the history books he had read, there was never any accounts of Rex Lapis ever feasting on humans, much rather it seemed he adored eating human meals and his diet consisted of a large amount of protein and vegetables (?). 

He was definitely not hungry in the eating sense. 

Then, what was that then? 

This weird realization had his mind reeling, as he had no idea what to make of what the man had done. 

Was it a....possessive thing? 

Had he done it solely to mark Ajax up as his own possession? 

Had he overheard his conversation with Sky Bracer and become jealous? 

Had his instincts just taken over him and he had not been aware of what he had been doing? 

Just what the fuck had happened? 

The more he thought about it, the less it made sense. 

And so, he resigned himself to equally ignoring the man during dinner and making sure to cover the mark that was on his nape. 

Everyone did not seem to notice their strange behavior, at least not caring enough to even address it. 

Or perhaps they just decided to feign ignorance on the matter, in order to spare their pride? 

Well, either way, Guizhong had not been in on the plan (if they even had one). As she kept throwing strange looks his way. 

However, she seemed to respect his silence, and did not question him about it. And would silently stay by his side during midnight strolls and during spars she would indulge him and would be the one to talk instead. And then after a short while, he would spill his heart out to welcoming arms, all while excluding the truth. 

But, eventually, the truth he had been safely guarding in his arms, all came spilling out from its tightly sealed container. 

All during an awkward run inside of the bathhouse. 

____________________________

It had been his mistake. 

And now, Guizhong was cornering him, and was barraging him with question after question about just what in Teyvat had bitten him on the neck. 

“Seriously, shidi. You could be seriously infected with miasma if one of the demons bit you back there! Why didn’t you mention it when we talked!” She frowned, finding no problem whatsoever that she was merely in a towel…or that he was entirely naked and inside of the water.

Guizhong had no problem bathing in the same area as him, and neither did he, since he respected and only viewed Guizhong as his family more than anything. But, rather it was entirely because he did consider her family, that was the problem. 

It was very uncomfortable seeing a friend you consider a family member bathing in front of you, so he was not comfortable bathing right in front of Guizhong. Especially because she would always ask him questions upon questions about how human anatomy looked like. He knew it was done out of innocent curiosity, but either way, he did not want her to ask if his pubic hairs were the same as his hair….for the sake of his sanity and dignity. 

Their times had coincided, purely because Ajax had been reckless and too caught up with Morax and he had not checked who would be bathing around that time. And so, one thing led to another and an awkward encounter later, here he was. 

Usually, he would make sure everyone was gone before he bathed himself, but sometimes he would be caught awkwardly scrubbing himself and washing his hair with the soap provided while either Sky Bracer or Mountain Shaper stared back at him. 

Usually, Sky Bracer would avoid looking at him, but would be blushing regardless. Mountain Shaper always looked utterly disgusted whenever he would have to bathe with Ajax, and would glare daggers at him while he hurriedly washed himself. 

He sighed and covered the mark on instinct, already feeling his cheeks heat up from embarrassment, “Ah…no…this is…not what you uhhm think..” 

He had no idea what to tell her? 

Oh yeah, sorry dear Goddess of Dust but this here mark of mine is from our beloved Shizun, who bit me on my neck, when we were both naked and in the bathhouse. That is all. Have a good rest of your night! 

Yeah right. 

He was definitely not going to tell her that. Unless he either wanted his head to get sawed off by Cloud Retainer once she heard of it, or Guizhong’s excited screams as she would beg him for answers and would tease him relentlessly about it. 

And he definitely did not want to deal with Madam Ping’s sex talk, which she had shortly after she found out about his crush. A talk in which she went into full detail about safety and ‘how to properly prepare oneself before penetrative sex’, her words, definitely not his. 

Nor did he wish to deal with Mountain Shaper’s attitude or his light jabs at his sex life or Moon Carver’s judgemental stares. 

Neither did he wish to see how Sky Bracer would react to the news….yikes.  

The poor adeptus would probably flush before he would avoid the topic entirely. 

And he most certainly did not want Cloud Retainer’s judgment nor her own sex talk that she would certainly give after she got over the initial shock. 

No thank you, he would rather not deal with any of that. 

For now. 

Guizhong eyed him suspiciously, before she stared intently at his bite wound, then after a moment her eyes widened, and her mouth opened. 

Fuck! 

How in Celestia was she so damn sharp! 

He was so screwed! 

“Did Shiz-”  

He rushed and covered her mouth, stopping her from finishing her sentence. 

He shook his head, “No! No, it's not! What made you think that, hahahaha...” 

His nervous laughter had him wincing, but he continued it as Guizhong stared at him unbelieving. After a few long while, he felt dread seeping into him, as he realized that his shijie was never going to let this one down on him.

He couldn’t lie to her, even if he wanted to. 

He let go of her, and sighed. 

Guizhong huffed a chuckle before she continued, thankfully quieter this time around, “So…it is…isn’t it..” 

He nodded, giving up. 

She stared at him for a bit before she gave her own sigh, “I should have known he was part of why you were acting that way. I should have known he would not be able to control that side of him any longer…it was my mistake for thinking that he would be able to.”

What? 

What did she mean? 

His face seemed to convey the same thing as she chuckled before she continued, “Morax…can be possessive over the things he deems treasures to him, I’m sure you’ve noticed…and that can get out of hand if it's with other living things….Celestia knows how many times I’ve had to withhold that silly dragon from killing anyone that was even daring to lay their hands on me…” 

Ajax felt something in him deflate slightly, at the confession. So, although his deduction had not been incorrect, it made him feel a bit strange. Morax also felt that way towards Guizhong, so it didn't mean anything, he wasn't special. 

She noticed his expression and patted his shoulder, “But…even if he acts that way around me….It’s…different….with you…you know. With me he acts that way because I am like family towards him, someone that he deems to be his own flesh and blood….But with you, he acts that way because…I don’t know how to say this, shidi. But, I’m getting tired of seeing you two waltz around each other…But he…he…” 

There was a loud sound coming from the other side of town, as screams and shouts were heard. 

He glanced towards Guizhong, before he felt a massive surge of miasma rush through the air and come straight at her. 

It was stronger than any he had seen before in his life. 

And, it seemed to have a mind of its own, and Ajax pushed her out of the way, taking the energy in his hands and feeling it. 

It was violent, ugly, and inside of it, there were screams. Screams of pain, suffering, and once Ajax felt it fill into his lungs, it was putrid. 

Ajax felt his own abyssal energy come out and felt as it fought desperately with the other invading energy. It was extremely corrupt, a raw form of pure terror and calamity. 

He groaned in pain as he fell to his knees as he faintly heard Guizhong’s own panicked voice, “No! Don’t come any closer!” 

He managed to yell out, before he felt himself fight the energy that was attempting to take control over him. He felt it intrude and attempt to change his every tendon, attempt to break his mind, shatter it and worm its way into his memories. 

But he did not let it. 

And then, after a long struggle, he managed to smash it and tasted it. 

It was overwhelmingly sweet. 

Like distant wishes, fleeting joy, bubbling laughter, and then a strong sense of nostalgia washed over him like tidal waves. 

He spat it out once more. 

But this time, it was a warm amber color, similar to adeptal energy, yet it was less brighter. He held it in his arms, and inspected it fleetingly. 

It seemed to be….someone’s memories? 

As if someone else had taken a snapshot of someone’s memory and kept it inside of this small glowing orb. 

Ajax was stunned, yet strangely fascinated at what it might be. He attempted to inspect it again, but it seemed like the glowing thing did not want to be handled by Ajax any longer, as it rattled in his hands, before it flew out. 

He attempted to catch it, but the thing was far too quick for him. 

However, it seemed as if he did not need to worry about it because he saw as the thing darted straight into Guizhong’s arms. 

Guizhong let out a gasp as she caught it, before she carefully cradled it as if it were something precious, “It’s a…dream!” 

What?  

________________________

“What?...What do you mean it's a dream shijie? ” 

Ajax glanced towards the shiny orb being carried in Guizhong arms. It seemed oddly still in her arms, a sharp contrast to how unsettled it had been in his own. 

But then again, he guessed that everything seemed to calm down in Guizhong’s arms. 

She took the dream into her hand before she seemingly widened the dream, making it so that it was visible to the eye. 

It looked to be someone happily strolling through a large garden, frolicking through the many leaves and flowery fields, laughing whilst making small flower crowns as many large fish flew through the surrounding air. The person in them smiled at the fish before they got on them and began to fly through the skies. 

It was…interesting.  

Ajax has never had such imaginative dreams. 

But then again, he guessed that had to do with his lack of imagination, or perhaps that was due to the black and white view he had of the world, preferring to stick to what he had seen rather than what he had not. 

Before arriving in the new world he was in, his dreams mostly consisted of childhood memories, his younger siblings, Zhongli, finally dueling with Capitano, fighting and occasionally they even incorporated his close acquaintances…which just consisted of Paimon, Lumine, and Katya. 

Now, his dreams were mostly of the adepti, with many of them depicting Zhongli. 

However, although he did dream, he mostly had nightmares. 

Call it a character flaw, but ever since the Abyss, Ajax would not stop having nightmares about being stuck down there again. Those nightmares always started off generally normal, before he would sink into the ground and end up stuck in the Abyss with no vision, no delusion, weak and fragile. 

However, compared to how his younger self used to deal with them (preferring to go out and kill something to calm himself down), he now just woke up and went out and trained. And, when he was with Zhongli, he would usually just sneak through an open window (which Ajax knew Zhongli left specifically for him), before he would slip inside of the bed and snuggle into his arms on the days where he foolishly stayed in his own apartment. 

Guizhong closed the dream, gathering it up in her hands, familiar adeptal energy leaving her fingertips as she did so. 

Ajax had never seen her use her powers so brazenly before, but then again. He had never truly read about what the Goddess of Dust Guizhong could do and what she couldn’t. In terms of what her abilities were, but then again, if he thought about it…there weren’t many records about them. 

The only history textbooks that ever mentioned her, had to do with the Archon War, Rex Lapis, or about the Adepti. 

They never truly went in depth about her. 

And if he thought about it further, he was sure that about 40% of what he knew about her, he had learned from Zhongli himself, and the remaining 60% he had learned from Guizhong herself. 

So, perhaps he had been naive as to what exactly she was able to do. 

She inspected the dream for a bit before she looked back at Ajax, “Yes, this here is a dream.” 

“Ok…but aren’t those supposed to be in someone’s head, and not sort of floating out in the open?” 

Guizhong shook her head, “No, you are mistaken….Dreams are amalgamations of people’s hopes, fears, and wild imaginations.…They are forms of energy, just like elemental or even adeptal energy are. However, unlike those, they are not made to be cultivated or harvested… Shidi, are you familiar with dream demons?” 

Ajax was sure he had heard them briefly mentioned before in one of the many excursions with Zhongli. They were one of the many vermin that were involved during the times of the Archon War, but he did not really know how they worked. 

Ajax shook his head, “No, I’m not really all that familiar with them…What are they?” 

Guizhong nodded, “Well, dream demons are specialized demons that harvest the energy from human beings and other living things, which are many times in the form of their dreams. However, since normal dreams are unable to be harvested, they have since developed the ability to corrupt dreams. They damage dreams, and turn them into extremely strong and oftentimes violent nightmares, which are then easier to harvest for the dream demon. However, the side-effect of such a process causes their unfortunate victims to…..lose their sanity.” 

Oh.  

Guizhong’s expression then turned contemplative as she stared at the dream; similar to all those times she had attempted to figure out how to make a new contraption work (Ajax swears he could still hear the scratching of her pencil as she reworked and reworked her newest design of her brand new machinery). 

“However, this particular dream…has not been harvested yet, as you can see….which is…rather odd.” 

Ajax raised an eyebrow, “Odd in what way, shijie? ” 

Guizhong paused before she continued, “It is odd because dream demons are rather notorious for being thorough and efficient when looking for energy to feast on…I have never seen a dream demon leave potential food behind, especially since there are many other demons willing to feast on whatever energy they can get their hands on.” 

That made sense. 

If the dream demons were so notorious for being so efficient and thorough then why did this particular one leave the dream be? Why not ingest the energy and move on? Why did it leave it? 

Did it perhaps run away because of something else? Or could it be…something else? Something neither of them knew about? 

“...So, you think there is something else going on here, shijie? ” 

Guizhong nodded, “Precisely…..However, it's a bit more than that. I think that whoever left this dream here, did it on purpose.” 

Okay, what?! 

“A dream demon left it here…on purpose?” 

“Yes…it may sound quite outlandish, but I believe this to be the case…A dream demon no matter how powerless it may be to another foe or outside force would never leave behind potential nutrients. They are known to be very greedy, to the extent where they would rather let themselves be killed than waste a perfectly good meal.” 

“Alright, then why do you think they left the dream here then?”

Guizhong paused for a bit, before she stared at the dream. After a few seconds she took out a familiar pouch (it was the money pouch that was elegantly embroidered by Madam Ping) and carefully stuffed the dream inside of it, “..That’s what I would like to find out as well, shidi…Now, let’s carry on and report this to Shizun…I fear that this may get out of hand, so we might as well report it now…” 

Ajax nodded, “Lead the way then, shijie.” 

She grinned before she grabbed his hand and intertwined it with her own dainty fingers. Guizhong’s hand no longer felt as soft as they used to, and now it felt rough with calluses made from wielding her sword so often. 

Ever since the invasions had become more prevalent, as the war was starting to reel its ugly head to them, she had been using it far more often than before. 

Which ended in her hands forming ugly and painful looking blisters, which were then taken care of, via a salve made from herbs, from which Cloud Retainer slathered on thick onto Guizhong’s hands. Causing the poor goddess to yelp and bite a cloth to withstand the pain, which hardly helped as she was forced to feel the already painful blisters being popped and then smothered with herbs and wrapped tightly with a new cloth.  

Ajax knew how painful Cloud Retainer’s medicines and many ointments could be. And he dreaded going to her for any type of salve, anticipating the burning sensation of the salve on his wound before she even put it on. And well, it was not as if she was gentle about it either, preferring to just smooth it on roughly before tying the bandages around it. 

And Celestia knows how many times Ajax begged for her to be gentler, only for her to scoff and say, “If you are already surrendering yourself to such a miniscule amount of pain, then one thinks that perhaps you are not worthy to be a warrior.” 

Which would promptly have him quiet and pliable in her hands. 

But ever since then, Guizhong has also gotten stronger and far more skilled. 

Ajax sparred with her shortly and saw fist-hand at how skilled she had become. 

_________________________

It was midnight, past the hour to even train properly, past the hour to even be out, past the hour to fight, but Ajax did not care. 

He put on his old uniform, putting on layer after layer. After so long without the itchy fabric against his skin, it was quite uncomfortable, but familiar. He wrapped his torn scarf around his neck, feeling the fabric brush up against his skin, it was the last gift he had ever received from his mother.

She had gifted it to him when he was around 7 or 8. 

Then after, when there were more and more children, there were no more gifts. 

His family never truly said him the same way again. 

He was merely Ajax’s replacement. 

An empty husk that stood in Ajax’s place, with his face, his voice, and his body. 

Only his younger siblings would ever consider him family after that, but he guessed it had to do with the fact that they had not fully remembered what he was like before falling down into the Abyss. So, to them, his odd behavior was just how he normally was and had always been. 

But to the rest of his family, he was unrecognizable, a ghost, a stranger inside of their house. He acted nothing like the Ajax they had known, he was different. As if he was a foreign entity attempting to pass off as human, trying to pass off like Ajax. 

He held the scarf near and dear to him because of that. 

It was the last time his mother would ever regard him with warmth and mirth in her eyes as she wrapped the scarf around him, chuckling slightly when Ajax snuggled into it on instinct. 

It was the last time he had ever truly been loved. 

And then shortly afterwards, at 14 years old during a quiet family dinner, it was the last time he had ever felt like himself.

Until Zhongli that was. 

But even then, Ajax never truly felt like himself. 

Even now, he felt as if he had come and replaced Ajax back in the Abyss, and had now become quite talented at impersonating Ajax. 

So in a way, he wanted to feel like Childe all over again. 

The person he used to act like before landing in this world, the person he used to be before Zhongli had ruined it. 

He wanted to feel what it was like to not have a care in the world, to not be in this nightmarish situation all over again, to a time where he was nothing but a loyal dog to his Tsaritsa. A time where he would do nothing but kill and go on diplomatic missions for Her Majesty. 

A time where his only worries would be what magical story he would come up with in his letters to his siblings, and what treats and souvenirs he should get for them. Where he would do nothing but check in with Ekaterina and encourage her to take a break every once and a while, much to her refusal and denial. 

It was much simpler back then. 

He did not have to deal with these sudden barrages of emotions. He did not have to deal with a life or death mission laid upon his shoulders, one that could very well cost him the adepti’s lives.

Back then, his life was much more mundane, a simple thing, insignificant, and perhaps even worthless. 

But even so, perhaps he wanted that worthless life back. 

If it meant that he could leave this fucked up place, then he would take it in a heartbeat. 

But, he couldn’t. 

He had promised Zhongli, he had promised himself. 

He had made a vow with himself, he had given his word to Morax and the rest of the adepti to fight alongside them until his very last breath. He had signed a contract with them. 

He had formed an unshakeable bond with all of them. 

He loved them. 

He cared for them. 

He couldn’t leave them behind. 

But even so, he wanted to. 

So, he allowed this momentary slip of weakness, and pretended it was all fine. 

He pretended to believe that his strange encounter with Morax was nothing but a slip of judgment on his own part. He pretended that he didn’t feel a certain way when he looked at Morax. He pretended that Zhongli was not dying back home. He pretended that they were not on the verge of war. 

Now, times were fine. 

They were calm, and peaceful like they always were.

He could happily march into town and chat with the locals like it was just another day. He could stroll alongside Guizhong and Madam Ping and talk about the new season that was steadily approaching. He was able to bicker with Cloud Retainer about the intricacies of weaving and how it should be properly done. He was able to stress about where Ganyu had found herself yet again alongside an equally worried Sky Bracer. He was able to train alongside Morax and sneak small peaks at his perfect form and the way his shuhe sticked slightly onto his sweaty body, giving away each individual muscle that was mostly hidden beneath layers of clothes. The days where he was allowed to train with Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver, days which would always end with them going out on a walk through the forest to forage for ingredients, all while silently pretending not to hear their ongoing bickering. 

It was all fine. 

He could go and do as he pleased, even if deep down he knew it wasn’t like that. 

Pretty soon they would enter a war, pretty soon he would have to complete his plan. Pretty soon he would have to meet Xiao, that insufferable brat. Pretty soon he would have to figure out a way to save all of the adepti, and how to save Guizhong. How to save Zhongli. 

So, with all of that in mind, he went out to relieve pent up stress in the best way he knew how to. The only way he knew how to. 

Fight.  

He was going to fight, whatever creature decided to cross his path, whether it be rift-hound or even those atrocious slimes. Whatever it was, he would fight it. 

He slipped his mask on carefully, recalling the very moment the mask had materialized out of thin air the moment he had transformed. He recalled the way she slowly picked it up after he had turned back and the way her frosty fingertips passed through his hair when she laid it upon his head, after he had transformed the first time. And the way she smiled sinisterly once she saw him eagerly grab at it and closely inspect it. 

Sometimes, Childe wondered just what exactly had happened with his master, Skirk. 

Had she fully escaped or had she still remained down there? 

Had her appearance changed, or was she still the same as he had remembered? 

Has she died already?

Has she missed his presence ever since he left? Or was she somewhat glad for him deep down? Or did she want to drag him back by his legs in order to curb her own loneliness? 

He did not know, and he wasn’t so sure he wanted to either. 

But anyhow, in no time he saw a group of slimes, and off he went, carrying his hydro dual swords and got rid of each one in no time, ignoring the slime they left behind. But, it wasn’t a challenge enough for him, they were too easy. 

He cleared about 50 more slimes before he even began to break out a sweat, apparently his newly founded adeptal energy granted him more stamina then he had previously thought. 

There were no hilichurls in this world, a fact that did not surprise him. 

While he was not from Khaenri’ah, he somewhat felt connected to the place. They had granted him his Foul Legacy, they were the people who built them. He knew of the tale of the misfortuned people who had found themselves being on the end of Celestia’s wrath themselves. He knew of their eagerness to rule over themselves, to be just as powerful as the Gods themselves, to be just as powerful as an Archon, and were ambitious in their research on various topics. 

But Celestia was not fond of them, she was not glad they were ambitiously reaching for the stars themselves, as it was against her heavenly principles. She vanquished the researchers and royalty down beneath the earth and into the place where all of her previously discarded monsters roamed, The Abyss. As for the civilians, she infected them with something and caused their very minds and bodies to begin to decay, until they were nothing but mindless hilichurls. And caused every single one of their ingenious inventions to go rogue and kill everything in their tracks. 

And as the forbidden records hidden in Dotorre’s library explained, only 2 survivors are known to originate from the place, someone he had met briefly a few years back and someone he knew nothing of. 

But even then, the infection had not passed by them, as was shown in the way they deliberately chose to cover their faces. 

But even if that was the horrible truth, that was so foolishly hidden from everyone, he still chose to kill them. A mercy kill, as they no longer had to go on as mindless hilichurls and in a way get their dignity back instead of suffering through the humiliation of being trapped in a body they had no control over. Nobody knew how to liberate them from their shackles any other way, and although Dotorre had attempted to figure it out, experiment after experiment, it merely killed them. 

He hoped that this time around, they would be granted mercy. But, even then, he was not entirely sure if he would be able to stick around to even meet them. The Archon War and The Cataclysm were decades apart from each other, and his mission only required a gnosis in return for Zhongli’s life. 

He knew that, and yet he felt pity for them. 

Ambition can be deadly, he presumed. 

As his own ambition grew stronger and stronger, he knew in the bottom of his heart that if he continued to harvest it, it would eventually end in his own demise. 

So perhaps, he was more like them than he had thought. 

Too ambitious, too greedy for power, too eager for all that the world had to offer. 

He found another rip, and from out there came out a few riftwolves, eager to be slain by his spear no doubt. He slain them a bit more, all whilst eagerly soaking in their abyssal energy, feeling his body shiver as he swallowed it down. 

But as he swallowed the last of the energy, and felt his body repair itself from any minor injuries he might have gotten, he felt someone behind him. 

Driven by pure instinct, and adrenaline, he turned around and pointed the end of his spear towards the direction of whoever was behind him. 

The person flinched, and a calm hand settled on the spear’s blade, “Shidi! It is just me!” 

His pupils settled on the figure before him. 

It was Guizhong. 

Her hand was slightly cut open, and had a surprised expression on her face, her warm eyes blown open. 

And as he stared at her, he noticed that the tip of his spear’s blade was pressed up against her throat. 

He recoiled back in a panic, and instantly withdrew his spear from her throat. 

One small movement and her throat would be slashed open with his spear, one small movement, and he would be stained with her warm blood as she lay dying on the floor. 

She huffed, and went closer towards him, frowning deeper when he took a step back. 

“Shidi! I’m fine! It was just a small cut. Look,” she showed her bleeding palm, it was indeed a small cut, not enough to need any severe medical attention, but just a bandage would suffice. 

He still was unconvinced as he shook his head, guilt starting to sink in. Even if it was a small cut, he had still injured her, he had hurt someone who had taken him in. Someone he loved dearly. Someone he looked up too, someone he cared about so much. 

Her frown became deeper as she sighed and reached her hand out. He flinched but relaxed once it landed in his hair, and he let out a small sigh as she began to card her fingers through his hair, “It’s all right, shidi. It’s not like I’m a delicate porcelain plate, I can withstand small cuts like this and still stay in one piece. Besides, it was my fault I snuck up on you like that…I should’ve said something.” 

He shook his head, taking her hand from his hair and into his own, “No. It was my own fault, shijie. I’m sorry…I…should've been more careful…Let’s get you bandaged up, I have some supplies back at my house.” 

He grabbed her hand in his and was about to turn back to his house, when he saw Guizhong still. 

He was about to ask what was wrong, when he saw a large grin begin to form on her face. And before he knew it she had enveloped him in a tight hug, “That’s the first time I’ve heard you speak so much in weeks! I was beginning to worry you were taking too much after Shizun and becoming a silent dragon! He’s not the best influence when it comes to effective communication you know!”

Each and every day that went by, he was reminded of Hu Tao when he spoke to Guizhong. 

They were eerily similar, perhaps that's why Zhongli took up a job at that Funeral Parlour. Perhaps the way the fire-cracker of a boss that was Hu Tao reminded him of Guizhong, perhaps that’s why he tolerated her antics so much. Maybe that’s why he looked so fond of the kid…

He felt all of the tension leave his body and snorted, “You are exaggerating. I do talk, it's just that, a lot has been going through my mind…” 

Guizhong finally heaved a sigh and Ajax shivered when he felt her breathe tickle his neck, “I could tell....that’s why I came to your house to get you to go on a stroll with me…But then I noticed you were missing and so I looked everywhere, until I found you here.” 

She finally pulled away, before she grabbed his face, surprising Ajax. She stared deeply into his eyes, before she said, “What is wrong, shidi? What has that old dragon done yet again? Hm? Why have you been so deflated lately, while the rest of the adepti had not said anything. They are worried about you, Cloud Retainer even asked me to check in with you….in her own unique way of asking for things. Everyone misses you, I miss you. What’s going on?” 

She quieted down, and stroked his cheek gently, “Will you tell me…Ajax ” 

He closed his eyes, gathered all of the air his lungs desperately needed before he sighed, “I…It’s my own problem to deal with, shijie… But I can assure you it has nothing to do with Shizun , he hasn’t done anything to me. It’s my own internal feelings…about my old life.” 

It was not a lie, and yet it was not the full truth either. 

Her eyes sparkled, as a deep understanding plagued her eyes, “I…see..” 

She looked at him once more before she let go of his face and grabbed his hand, a steely unshakeable determination swelled up in her eyes, “Let’s go sit down, we may talk more there, alright?” 

He nodded, and let himself be guided once more by her warm hand. 

Eventually, they came across the Huaguang Stone Forest lake, and sat down by a small clearing. Ajax felt the cold air sweep past his hair and watched as the tall grass seemed to dance freely, waving its hands around elegantly, as if doing an elaborate dance, doing every single movement with fluidity and sheer elegance. 

Her gaze fell upon the vast lake before them, and that’s when she began to speak, “I…have always wondered how you are always so put together despite having landed in such a foreign place, far away from your homeland, far away from those you loved. And I was so fascinated by how even if you fell down, you always seem to pick yourself up, with more strength and willpower than before. But despite everything that’s happened, I was struck by how little you seemed to miss your old life, how quickly you adapted to this place and accepted everything that was thrown before you with open arms and an open mind. Ever since you came here, I have seen you as someone so undoubtedly strong, so untouchable, someone with steel nerves, who can conquer anything….And yet, now I see that is not the case….I have been blinded by how you portray yourself from the outside to see that even despite all of your glory, you are human. You are a living being, with feelings and emotions, just like all of us. I have failed you, and for that I am deeply sorry.” 

She moved before he knew it and gave him a small bow, causing the guilt to become bigger. 

He moved towards her and shook his head, and saw her blood drip down her fingers. 

He kow-towed before her, keeping his head down as he said, “No! You haven’t failed me, shijie! I’m the one who is failing you! Please, don’t apologize! As I said, it is my own problem, there is no need to apologize!” 

He felt her hand on his shoulder, attempting to bring him back up, but he shrugged her off causing her to scold him, “Shidi! Do not bow down before me! Do not do such a thing! Stop it!” 

He shook his head, “No! I have taken advantage of your kindness for so long, shijie…You deserve better than a monster like me. I can’t even deal with this on my own, how am I supposed to serve you if I can’t even do this!” 

He felt a hard strike at his head and he stilled. 

He looked up to see Guizhong, absolutely fuming. 

It was the angriest he had ever seen her, her face was scrunched up, her teeth were bared, and were sharper than before. 

And for the first time since he had gotten there, on top of her head were a set of strange looking feather-like appendages, that were a plethora of different colors, that strangely glowed like fire. Her ears were sharper than they were, and from her back there sprouted two large wings that glowed like flames, as well as strange red markings that looked like scratches on either side of her face and her eyes were glowing reddish-orange. The moonlight hit down, highlighting the color of her wings even more. 

It was fascinating, and even the slightest bit intimidating. And it was like nothing he had seen before. 

This was his shijie’s half-adeptal form. 

Her face contorted even more before he swore he could see tears in her eyes, and before he knew it they fell from her face, golden as they went down her face. But it wasn’t sadness, it was pure anger and fury, “Do not ever say that again, shidi . Do not say that about yourself, ever again. You are not a monster, you are my shidi , my family, my friend. You are anything but a monster, understand that please. Do not think of yourself that way, you are so much greater than you think.” 

He sat still, struck with her new form and her words. 

But he shook his head, stubborn as ever, “No. No! I am not worthy of your kindness shijie! I am a monster from the Abyss, and yet I dare to go towards the light that I am banished from touching! I am not worth it! I never was, I don’t understand why y-why she sent me here, why you accept me so easily! I don’t…I don’t get it.. ” 

He trailed off as he felt his emotions mix up inside of his chest. And he felt his own tears prickle and sting at his eyes, but he refused to let them fall down. 

Her eyes softened, as she saw him and he finally let out a sigh, before she rushed to embrace him in her arms once more. And he felt as her wings brushed up against his side, they were soft and slightly warm, “You were sent here for a purpose, Ajax. If she sent you here, then she knows you are worthy, that you are meant to be here. She trusted you, and so I do as well. We all do, why can’t you understand that?” 

He shut his eyes and shook his head, but did not say anything. 

She didn’t either. 

Afterwards, it became a regular thing for Guizhong to come along with him during those odd hours at night, and together they would come and train on most days, and on occasion they would talk afterwards about small things. 

He enjoyed it, and even got to grow closer to Guizhong even more than before. 

He corrected her form when she used a sword against the training targets they had, and sparred with her on occasion. 

And when they talked, he found out more about her. 

Her favorite food was Lotus-Flower Crisps, because she enjoyed the crispiness of it once you bit down, the lightness of the dish as well as the subtly sweet flavor. He found out that she did not really enjoy hearty meals with lots of meat, and was a big fan of vegetables and fruit.

He found out that she was a huang , a phoenix, and that although she was originally born as an adeptus, she did not really enjoy her true form as much as the one she had made herself (she did not say who she based it off, and Ajax did not have the heart to ask). She said that in the early years of their settlements, before Ajax or even any of the other adepti, when it was just Morax and her, she took the form of the phoenix often. But, said that she stopped appearing as such, due to the amount of humans that would either attempt to kill her for her feathers and the amount that ran away in terror at her form; she had helped them with harvesting and taught them how to grow their own crops. She also mentioned that she used to have a sibling, a brother she had called him, he was a feng , a powerful phoenix who was one of the first to figure out how to turn human. She did not mention how he died, and Ajax did not dare to ask her. 

She said that she ascended and became a Goddess, shortly after meeting Morax, and had been granted that power, for a reason she was not entirely aware of. 

She loved her people, even if they hated her or even attempted to hurt her, and admitted so with a heavy heart and a dismayed expression. She truly was a benevolent Goddess, no wonder he had heard her being referred to as a compassionate Bodhisattva.  

She also mentioned that when she had first met Morax, he had almost killed her. She recalled with a wistful smile, and she told of how even if she felt great fear at him, she could see his reluctance as he attempted to end her life. He did not and let her go, which encouraged her to keep on attempting to befriend him. 

She recalled how even if her life was long, she had many things she wanted to do, and how she regrets many of her choices. 

He listened to her, and told her about his siblings, his family and how lost he had felt before he found someone that changed that for him. 

She listened carefully, and smiled when he mentioned that person who was special to him. 

It was as though she knew whom he was talking to. 

And yet, she did not say anything about it. 

__________________________

They arrived at Morax's domain in no time, and after a soft knock from Guizhong, the sealed door sprung open, the golden light dispersing as it did. 

They rushed inside, and saw Morax laying down, twiddling with something inside of his arms. The closer they inspected, they noticed it to be a small geo crystal fly, that was slightly fluttering about and around his arms. 

He clutched the small geo butterfly before he crushed it in his palm, and out from his palm there scattered dust onto the floor. 

Ajax could not stop himself from feeling pity for the small creature.

Morax looked lazily at them, his gaze sharp and unreadable, he glanced towards them, “Guizhong…” he looked towards Ajax, and for a split second he could swear he saw his gaze flash with something akin to regret, “Ajax.....What business do you have with me?” 

Guizhong looked the slightest bit irritated, if not annoyed and she crossed her arms, “Don’t give me that distant attitude, Morax. We are closer than that, stupid dragon! Ever since you ran into your old pal you’ve been acting so distant and cold, quit it. You can talk to us if it was bothering you, didn’t I tell you that communication is important!” 

His seemingly nonchalant expression faltered as his eyes widened ever so slightly as Ajax attempted to not think that it was the cutest thing he had ever seen him do. 

He was just so caught off guard, so much so that it was plainly adorable. 

Guizhong continued, “I can lecture you about it afterwards, but I digress. That is not why we are here. We have to tell you something important, alright? So quit acting like that, silly dragon.” 

Morax’s eyes were still widened but he gave a curt nod to continue. 

Guizhong gestured towards him and Ajax nodded. 

Fuck, how should he explain this, without it sounding awkward…

“We were uhh…” 

He looked at Guizhong for help, and she nodded before she said, “Right! We were bathing together when we heard some screams coming from town.” 

Ajax felt his will to live slip past his fingers as she said that, ahh….his dignity and pride was gone…noo… 

Just why did she have to word it like that, now Morax was sure to kill one of them. Just he wasn’t entirely sure who, but he hoped it would be him. 

He pretended to not sense the burning stare that was directed his way and merely looked at Guizhong as she continued, “Then, something strange was rushing towards me. And then my poor shidi rushed in and fought against it and he cleared the corrupted energy off of it! And it turned out to be a…” she reached towards her bag and grabbed the dream before she held it up in her arms. 

The dream was exactly like how he remembered it looked, and Morax’s eyes grew into slits and he went forward and inspected it. 

“A dream? Extracted from its host….The dream demon, have you found it?” 

Guizhong shook her head, “No, we have not. Which is why we have come to you. We are not aware if there are more out there, and this one seems to come from our own people. This could get out of hand if we are not careful, Shizun.” 

He nodded, “Mn…I-” 

In an instant, there rushed a familiar face inside, carrying something in her arms. 

It was Madam Ping. 

She was carrying a similar corrupted dream in her arms, she bowed down before him, “My Lord! This is urgent! I-” 

She stopped when she saw Guizhong and Ajax and blinked, once, twice, but before she could respond, Guizhong went on, “It’s another dream? There are more?” 

Madam Ping nodded, “Yes, my lady! There are many more all around the town square, they are all being fend off by the rest of us……what is that in your arms?” 

Guizhong giggled a bit before showing it to Madam Ping, “It’s a normal dream! Our shidi has cleared it up, isn’t he awesome! He did it so quickly too! Much quicker than we are able to!” 

Madam Ping blinked, before she turned to look at Ajax, “You were able to turn them back to normal that quickly?” 

He nodded, feeling eyes on him once more, “Y-yeah, I was able to.” 

She nodded, “How interesting, so your abilities are far more than I had first assessed…I wonder if you are able to clear up any sort of corruption using your abyssal energy? Have you experienced any side-effects yet, shidi? ” 

He shook his head, “Not that I have noticed, no.” 

She seemed to take in this information before she nodded, “I see. Well, even so, make sure to not ingest so much of it at once, we do not know what the side-effects could be, or how dangerous they could be. But even so, we could use this to our advantage.” 

He wasn’t sure what to say so he didn’t, so he just nodded, “Sure, I’ll help with anything, Da-jie just tell me what and I’ll do it.” 

Her gaze softened and she smiled, “Alright, shidi.” 

The corrupted dream rattled in her hold, and he reached out to get it, “Give it to me, Da-jie. I’ll clear it right up.” 

She hesitated a bit but eventually reached out to give it to him. He accepted it in his own arms and repeated the process he had before, and felt the energy coat his lungs as he inhaled it and tasted the subtle flavor. 

Once it was done, the dream was just like the other one, and this time it depicted something…interesting.  

It was a.......

....Wet dream. 

In it it depicted a man laid on his back whilst another man licked a stripe down from his nape to his stomach, where he went down further, as the other man writhed underneath him. 

While it wasn’t the most explicit and risque thing that Ajax had ever seen, it was certainly quite the spectacle, as it appeared to be the beginning of such an act. 

The entire room went silent, and Guizhong quietly closed the dream up, hurriedly. 

Ajax swallowed nervously, feeling his adrenaline pumping and his heartbeat being able to be heard inside of his eardrums. 

Guizhong glanced towards Ajax nervously before she coughed, “Well…that was certainly…something..” 

Ajax nodded, “Yeah….it was..” 

Madam Ping went still and Ajax could see how the tips of her ears went pink as she looked away pointedly. Guizhong’s own face was slightly pink as she stared at the dream in surprise. 

Whilst, Morax looked…fascinated and even intrigued as he still stared at the dream, even in its orb-like form. And out of the four of them, he seemed to be the least flustered. 

Ajax guessed that he must be beet-red, as he felt his own cheeks heat up. 

There was another awkward silence, and Ajax nearly choked when he saw Morax turn towards him. 

Morax’s gaze then suddenly ripped from the orb to Ajax, and suddenly he felt the heat spread all over his body. 

Morax’s pupils were blown out as his gaze raked Ajax’s body up and down, slowly and tantalizingly so. 

Guizhong and Ajax had not had enough time to dress properly, so Ajax had strapped on his old uniform, and well….looking at it closely, he noticed that he had not put it on full. 

His top jacket was missing, and in its stead was his sole undershirt, which just had his chest harness, alongside that intricate and purposely done cut that showed off his abdomen. Which now in hindsight, was a lot more inappropriate than he had remembered it being. And his pants were no better since there was strategic leather that wrapped around one of his thighs and his waist, which somehow accentuated it.

Whoever designed his uniform was definitely a pervert…

He felt his cheeks heat up even more as he swore he could see Morax moving closer towards him. His uniform was so revealing, and it showcased every dip and curve of Ajax’s body, and Morax seemed to know that as he drank in everything he had to offer. 

Ajax swallowed and warning bells rang inside of his head as he told himself that he would have to do something to get Morax back to normal. 

Thankfully, Guizhong interrupted them and yanked Morax back by his hand, before she brought his head down and whispered something unintelligible to him. 

His pupils turned back to normal as his expression turned less primal and the same nonchalance took over in place, “Let us go and find the dream demon.” 

They all awkwardly nodded as they barrelled out of Morax’s domain. 

_________________________

The scene before them was pure chaos, as the adepti captured each dream inside of a strange bag that had presumably been made by them. 

Cloud Retainer looked irritated as she forced each dream to enter the bag, but she managed to give a short bow before she said, “My Lord. You have arrived, one sees that you have brought the rest.” 

Morax nodded, “Mn…Where is...the dream demon?” 

“One has not found it yet, the rest are looking for it…However, it is not as easy as one had previously anticipated it.” 

Morax raised an eyebrow, and Cloud Retainer nodded before she continued, “The rest have conversed with the humans that have not been affected, and they say that there have been reports of an unknown god who has been sending dream demons to corrupt humans to take their energy for himself….My Lord, forgive this one, as one has not found out who this unknown god might be.” 

He shook his head, “No need for apologies. You have said enough.” 

She gave another curt bow before she finished gathering the remaining dreams into the bag, and she swiftly closed it. 

Madam Ping sighed, “There seems to be another god, this all has gotten more complicated than I had anticipated to be.” 

Cloud Retainer pecked her on the head, “Foolish child. It would never be that simple, there is always a bigger fish at the end of the small pond.” 

Madam Ping sighed once more, “You are right, it was foolish of me to presume it would be that simple. But even so, do we even know where this god is headed, or where he went off to?” 

Cloud Retainer turned back into her human form and shook her head, “No, whilst there have been reports of this god going south, there are also many humans who say that he went north. There is no way to tell the true direction of where he went off to? We may only now follow the trail of corruption that has been laid down before us all, only then would we find what awaits us.” 

There was a small bout of silence, as the realization of yet another battle and yet more brutality shed upon everyone. 

Ajax gave a small huff, “Da-yi , could you explain that again? I didn’t quite understand it, with all of the metaphors and stuff.” 

Cloud Retainer’s eyes seemed to sparkle with fury as she smacked the back of his head with her palm and huffed, “Insolent child! Who is your oldest auntie? If one does not get what one means then it is not worth explaining. Stop your dilly-dallying and your disrespect and help bring this bag all the way to one’s domain.” 

He gave a small laugh but was glad the tense atmosphere had cleared up, “Alright! Alright! I’m sorry…Da-yi.”  

Cloud Retainer glared daggers at him, but did not say anything as she huffed and wordlessly grabbed the bag at one end, and waited until Ajax grabbed on himself. 

And up they went, the rest of the adepti trailing behind as Guizhong attempted to stifle her own giggles inside of Madam Ping’s shoulder as they walked up and heard Cloud Retainer arguing with Ajax. 

All while Morax followed behind them all, silent and observant. 

There was something else with them. 

__________________________

Morax noticed amidst the banter, a quick shadow darting out of sight as soon as he turned around, before it had dissipated into a cloud of dark-greenish energy. 

And yet, as he gazed at the spot where it had disappeared, he couldn’t help but feel as if the shadow was not hostile, but instead, curious. 

Curious at the rest of the adepti, curious to see what they were doing. 

But careful to not interrupt, careful to not trespass, careful to not interact with them. 

How curious. 

__________________________

A day later, they had all gathered supplies and were all ready to go towards the direction of the last sighting of the god and his dream demons (after they had painstakingly asked some of the locals). 

Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, and Sky Bracer had all left before them, to scout out the area before fully alerting the rest of them. While the rest of them stayed behind and gathered up enough supplies and tools to go out and look for the god. 

Ajax had cleaned many of the corrupted dreams with the help of Cloud Retainer, and soon enough everyone’s dreams were back to normal. Guizhong then gathered up the dreams and returned them to their rightful owners, earning the many thanks and offerings of her newly-loyal followers as they bowed to her (causing Guizhong to shake them off and pick them up). 

For whatever reason, Guizhong seemed to despise people bowing down to her (that much was evident with how upset she looked when Ajax did it). 

She wanted her people to interact with her just like they did to everyone else, but a part of Ajax knew that besides her wanting to get closer to them that way…Guizhong did not think she was worth all of the praise and offerings, and even seemed slightly embarrassed whenever someone revered her so greatly. 

Ajax stifled a chuckle when he remembered just how alarmed Guizhong had seemed as she attempted to get the people who had kow-towed in front of her to get up, panicking when they refused to get up. 

She was a great adeptus, a Goddess of Dust, someone who had so much unconditional love for her people, and yet, she clearly did not want to be any of those things. Ajax knew just how much she wanted to hold rancor and hatred in her heart, but could not, even to those who had hurt her in the worst possible ways. 

She carried her love around for everyone, even to those who did not deserve such a blessing. 

She always thanked her followers more than anything and bashfully accepted each and every single one of their offerings with as much care as the next. 

Celestia knows just how many times Ajax had seen her cradling something even as insignificant as a small flower in her hand with so much care and love. And Lord knows how many times he had seen her cast a special protective barrier around the new thing that was gifted to her, before she would display it proudly around her domain, keeping each and every offering and sharing every single story with such great fondness in her expression as she recalled them. 

Ajax wished he could be a fraction as humble as she, but he was an arrogant bastard. An arrogant bastard with an ego that superseded everything in the universe. 

He sighed and saw as Cloud Retainer grumbled complaints as she sat down and begrudgingly let Ganyu braid flowers into her long hair. Quietly complaining that it had been Guizhong and Ajax’s fault for teaching her this strange torture method. 

Ajax muffled a chuckle behind his palm as he attempted to not see how despite her complaints she was enjoying Ganyu’s attention, and even relaxing more than he had ever seen her do….she had even braided A-Yu’s own hair…although her braid had been messy and lop-sided. 

She had been in charge of ‘watching over the helpless and useless child’, her words. 

But, even if she said that with dread, he could tell she had warmed up to the child a bit. 

She had been sent to get rest after having overexerted herself over the past few days, and after Madam Ping checked her meridians. 

Apparently, after she had helped Ajax clear up the dreams, she had used up most of the energy inside of her meridians, yet according to her it was nothing but a minor inconvenience. 

But a glare from Madam Ping, and a quick jab at one of her pressure points had her in bed for a few hours, much to her dismay. And after that, Cloud Retainer hesitantly obeyed, yet with many complaints. 

Ping could be quite the scary person, when she wanted to be. She was usually a very quiet if not calm person, so seeing her get mad was just as terrifying as Guizhong…although, Guizhong was much more petrifying. 

And Ajax made a silent vow to never get on their bad side, ever.  

It had been awkward spending time with Morax ever since…whatever that was. And whenever they had found themselves in the same place, their eyes always refused to even look at the other. 

But then again, Morax always seemed to be distracted by…something . 

Always looking towards the corners of every single tree, and at the side of every mountaintop and cliff. As if he was looking and waiting for something to pop out of them, and yet, nothing ever did. 

It raised more questions than he bargained for, but he didn’t dare to ask him why. 

Their relationship was fragile and rocky at the moment, going through a turbulent storm. It was muddy, messy, and all over the place. He feared if he attempted to poke at it, it would come crashing down. 

They both needed some time apart, to come to terms with their own things. 

And besides that, Ajax needed to get on his task, he had no time to dilly dally with some god, not here. He had his own god he could do that with, he just needed to get to him. 

So, although many questions had been racing through his mind about the bite, the strange looks after looking at that dream, after all of the strange encounters. He had no clue as to what to make of it. 

Did the Archon….no.  

It was unlikely. 

And even if he did, he was too delved deep into his own admission of denial and was unsure about how to navigate his own feelings. He did not even feel as if he deserved Ajax, but Ajax wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. 

Did he mean in a friendship? Or was it something more intimate? 

But even if it was the latter, he couldn’t have something like that here. Not in this condition, not in the middle of a war. Not when he had his own love to get back to.

It was a whole web of complicated circumstances, a web of his own complicated feelings on the matter. 

He sighed deeply, as he gathered a sack filled with different healing salves and ointments. Cloud Retainer had sent him to gather some of them up, and had told him where to find them. Even if she was not coming alongside them, she was just as demanding as ever. 

He scooped them up and neatly placed them inside of the sack, making sure to get some bandages up as well, in case one of them got injured. 

He was concentrating on gathering up the supplies and he did not hear the sound of someone approaching behind him. 

He jolted up and faced Madam Ping. 

Her face was pensive as she stared at him, her own sack neatly strapped across her shoulders, “Are you ready, shidi? ” 

He grinned at her, before he closed his sack up, “Yep, I’m all done, dajie….Why have you come here? Is there anything else you need?” 

“No, I….heard from shijie…about what happened with your…neck..” She looked flustered as she gazed to the side, her face slightly pink. 

Ah… 

So, Guizhong had told her…fuck.  

Had she told anyone else about it? 

He trusted her enough to not blab about to everyone, but she and Ping always were close, so it would make sense for them to talk about these things. 

He nodded, “Oh…” 

She tore her gaze from him and sat her bag down onto the desk of Cloud Retainer’s office before she retrieved a small vial of something. It was a strange looking liquid that seemed to shine slightly. 

“This is uhh…supposed to help with minor wounds…I made it myself out of some of the crops I harvested from Shigu's garden….Here.” 

She handed it to him, and he awkwardly caught it before he examined it, “Ah…thank you..” 

She nodded, before she closed her bag and slapped it back on across her shoulders. Her face went pensive again, as she stared at him. She then retrieved something from her sleeve, it was a sigil of sorts, “...You’ll tell me if it gets out of hand, okay?.....I have witnessed Shizun get…out of control. I know what he is like when he is not in his right mind…call me over if it gets bad, alright?” 

He gave a weak smile, as he stared at the sigil she had placed in his hands, it was glowing slightly and the penmanship was elegantly done as each stroke was done with dark ink; it was no doubt made by her. 

“...I…thank you, da-jie. I appreciate the sentiment…But…I think I have it under control myself. And besides, it’s not what you think it is….it’s…complicated. ” 

She stared at him a bit before she gave a soft nod, “Even so, you have my sigil…If you ever require my assistance, use this…alright?” 

He stared at the sigil before he placed it carefully inside of his sleeves, heart heavy. 

He let out a long sigh before he gave her a large grin, “Alright, I promise…But other than that, was there any other reason you came here to see me, da-jie?” 

She gave a stiff nod, “Yes, we have received word from the rest….There are other adepti.” 

He paused. 

What?  

Ever since he had come to this world, he had believed that the only adepti were only born out of that mountain. If there were other adepti, then, what did that mean? 

“What do you mean?” 

Her face grew solemn, as she frowned, “They…are all imprisoned, enslaved by that god….held against their own wills and forced to commit atrocities…”, her hands shook as she clenched her fists. 

He did not know of Madam Ping’s past, but he knew it was not the greatest either. She refused to talk about it, and never fully explained to everyone else what had happened. 

She had been born out of the same mountain as everyone else, but had gone off on her own, and nobody knows what she had done during those primitive years. But, ever since she had come back, she had silently devoted herself to serving Morax and served him with ferocious loyalty. 

And according to what he had heard from some of the adepti, Cloud Retainer had found her a while ago, badly beaten and bruised, almost to the point of death. She took her in, and she never left afterwards. 

There had been gossip around the real reason she had stayed, but the general consensus was that she did because of someone special. That she had simply found her true purpose, and had devoted herself blindly. 

Ajax had a suspicion it had to do with a certain Goddess, but he never inquired about it. 

While they were close, he had no need to find out what her past was, and what she did and didn’t do. The thing that mattered to him was who she was and their bond, not what she used to be like. If Madam Ping did not wish to share her past to him, then he did not need to know it. 

She closed her eyes, and sighed, “No matter. I mustn’t dwell on this longer….it’ll only upset me further.” 

He reached out and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, “Hey, it’s gonna be fine, da-jie…we will free them. I know we will.” 

She placed her hand on his own, and gave it a firm squeeze, “...Yeah…we will,” she gave a soft smile before grabbing his hand and taking it off her shoulder. 

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath before she said, “The others are waiting for us down at the mountain, let us go now.” 

Ajax nodded, threw his bag over his shoulder and followed Madam Ping out of the door. 

________________________

They met up with the others, who were waiting with their own supplies and weapons at the ready. Most of them seemed to be caught up in conversation with each other, but even as their conversations were lively, there was a strange tension in the air. 

It did not wash past Ajax, and recalling what exactly Madam Ping had told him, he knew why it was so tense. 

Guizhong attempted to light it up, as she always did and was busy talking with Ganyu while they both eagerly decorated Cloud Retainer’s hair, which was now elegantly braided (Guizhong had most likely redone the braid when Ganyu was distracted) while Cloud Retainer pouted and read a book on what appeared to be about apothecary. 

Morax was the only was who was silent, as he remained quiet, pensive as ever. 

Guizhong spotted them first and waved them over, “Shimei, Shizun, are you both ready? We’ve been waiting for you!”

Madam Ping gave a curt nod, which seemed to widen Guizhong’s smile. 

Ajax also nodded but said, “Yes…Did we take too long?” 

She shook her head, “No, not at all. We just finished packing up as well, you’ve arrived just on time.” 

Cloud Retainer huffed, “That is all wrong…insolent brats! One has been waiting for you to give one's blessings but, it seems as if you do not need my blessings after all.” 

Madam Ping shook her head, “Not all all. We were just caught up in an important conversation, s’all…we will be honored to receive your blessing.” 

Ajax nodded, “Yes, we would be honored, Da-yi.” 

Cloud Retainer seemed annoyed but nodded and waved them over. Once they were over there, she placed her hands onto their temples, and Ajax felt warm as a glowing light entered his forehead. He felt slightly dizzy as she retrieved her hand, but comforted. 

It was rare for Cloud Retainer to show affection (at least gentle affection), even if it was in the form of a blessing, as she seemed to avoid touching others for too long. And she herself seemed to detest physical affection, for reasons that Ajax did not know. 

However, when she did touch you gently, it felt like it was a gift from above. Her touches were the most gentle thing Ajax had ever felt, careful and warm as if she was afraid that you would break if she were to touch you too roughly. 

He glanced over at Madam Ping, who had a small almost swirl-like red pattern right in the center of her forehead, from once Cloud Retainer’s hand had touched. He looked over to see that Guizhong also curiously had one on herself, but instead of being a swirl it was in the shade of a flower. 

Ajax wondered what his might look like, and decided to look into the water to see what it might look like, later on. 

She gave them a firm pat on their shoulders before she sighed, “It is a shame that one has not been given the honor to fight alongside you both on this particular mission….Nonetheless, with this token on your foreheads, you are sure to have one's blessing wherever you go.” 

Madam Ping gave her a deep bow before she pressed both of her hands together, “Thank you, for this blessing…I will treasure it wherever I go, Shigu.” 

She nodded passively at her, and waved her off. 

Ajax grinned at Cloud Retainer before he gave a bow as well, “Thank you for your blessing, Da-yi! I’ll make sure to take care of it for you!” 

Cloud Retainer frowned at his choice of words before she playfully slapped the side of his head, “Insufferable brat!” 

Ajax only laughed as he rubbed the side of his head, earning a chuckle from Guizhong. 

Their voyage would be a long one. 

He was certain, as the direction of the God was a long way from their small settlement. 

But although it would be lengthy, he knew they would get there in no time. 

__________________________

Yet, amidst the lively chatter as they walked out of their growing nation, they missed someone curiously peaking at them from amongst the shadows. 

He had never seen anything like them before, and their warmth beckoned him, even as he was cursed to forever roam in the shadows, cursed for eternity to forcefully serve someone he did not like. 

Freedom was a distant word, foreign to his mouth. 

His shackles itched, as he saw the ugly marks on his wrists from the metal, and felt the voice demand him to head back. 

He darted from their view, once he saw golden eyes stare holes from the shadows he hid behind. 

Freedom was a distant word, foreign to his mouth. 

He would never attain it, it was not his to attain. 

He heard the voice yell out for him, and he listened. 

The shadow was gone in a wisp of dark green air, and it was no more. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(16/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

____________________

Chapter 16: Realizations, Transformations, and the Meaning of "Home" Pt. 5

A long time ago, a new star started to form, shaking everything in its wake. 

It was a small star. 

But from within such a minuscule star was an over-eager attitude, gentle to all those who deserved it, caring beyond all belief, loyal to a fault, stubborn as a mule and positively charming.

A vibrant fiery star that burned brighter than all those around it. 

And from the tiny speck of light, formed a constellation. 

Monoceros Caeli. 

They had called it. 

And from that constellation, a human boy was born. 

And as fate would have it, the boy born on that special day, under such a bright star was destined for things far greater than fate itself would have ever known. 

The human was born, a small warrior in the makings, from a big family in a small neighborhood against the sea, Morepesok. 

He was everything the star was, but his smile could not bear to be compared to the delicate light that shone from the small speck in the sky, it was beyond that.

It was brighter, and so was he. 

______________________________

Unfortunately for the star, fate was a cruel double-sided sword. 

“GET OUT! Get the FUCK out!”

His father screamed, throwing the nearest vase he could get his hands on and throwing it at his head; a vase he narrowly avoided. It crashed on the wall, breaking into tiny shards which did not scar him at all, “No son of mine would ever be like that! What have you done with my son, you freak!” 

It was to be expected, he had not expected his father to be able to face something as disgusting as him. He knew it was no good, he knew what to expect. 

And yet, it still pained him. 

He scrambled at the doorknob, holding a small pack at his side filled with just enough supplies to last him a couple of weeks in such a cruel cold winter. He hastily opened the door, feeling the icy air hit his face. 

He glanced back at his father, drunk with rage, his face contorted with disgust. And yet, in his cold green eyes, he could see a small sting of disappointment and sorrow. 

Sorrow at loosing his son, Ajax's heart ached and he clenched his teeth to prevent them from chattering. Whether it was from the temperature or the immense sadness he felt, he did not know. 

He looked towards his mother, a small part of him wishing for the warm acceptance and welcome in her gentle amber eyes. But there was none of it seen in her frail body, as her face was hidden beneath her arms as she sobbed into them. The weight of the truth seemed to weigh down on her the greatest. 

His siblings stood by the door to their bedroom, staring at him with confused expressions, a frightened look evident in the way they clung onto each other. They all knew they would no longer have their dependable older brother, the last one remaining, after all the rest had left home. He saw the way they were desperate for him to stay, but he couldn't. 

What was done was done. 

He could no longer look back, only forwards. 

He bit back at the sting of guilt he felt, as he rushed out of the door and ran as fast as his dingy shoes could bear. 

The cold air stung his fingertips.

The weight of the truth, of his reality finally hit him as he felt his tears freeze over by the cold wind, his shaking form barely evident with the amount of adrenaline running through his veins, icy in its feeling. 

He knew he would be chased away from his home, he was well-aware of it. 

He was a monster, a disgusting creature, a disgrace, a freak.  

He shouldn’t have those kinds of feelings towards other men. He did not understand why he couldn’t only feel that way towards women. He had gone out with other women, and he had liked them just fine, but he had never loved them. 

He had never loved anyone. 

The only one he had ever had those feelings for. Feelings that drowned him before he even got the change to swim

The feelings that everyone always seemed to talk about having. 

He had them for his best friend since childhood. He had loved him, loved him even after he irritated him to no end, felt so strongly for him ever since the boy had cheered him up all those years ago, with a smile and a small starconch. 

He truly never left the boy’s side, always staying close to him. The boy had managed to pull him out from the darkest stage of his life, he saved him. 

He had saved Ajax from drowning in himself, his own emptiness, his own bitterness, his own disdain for the world. 

And before he knew it, the boy’s family became friends of his own; they were closer than ever. 

Best friends till death. 

‘Nothing could ever tear them apart’, he had foolishly thought, after spending the evening with the boy down by the oceanside, feeling the cold wind bite at his warm cheeks. 

He was wrong. 

As they aged, the boy started going out with girl after girl, and each and every time, it shredded his heart into pieces. His smile became wider, his attitude was better, and he gushed relentlessly about his new girlfriend; forcing him to listen to each and every thing. 

And afterwards, Ajax was forced to comfort the crying boy, who would clutch and claw at his shirt each and every time the relationship had ended. 

The boy was too good for them anyways, too kind-hearted, too compassionate and far too generous. 

But, Ajax never admitted to it, at least not outloud. 

He would only circle reassuring circles into his back as he sobbed out curses and silently whispered intelligible curses. He was forced to listen to it all, only humming until the boy calmed down; his own heart yearning and breaking into scattered pieces on the floor. 

And then the next week later, he would quickly move on and gush to Ajax about somebody else, and he was forced to compliment the next girl he knew would undoubtedly break his heart. 

Ajax distanced himself from the other boy, and at 15, he joined the wrong crowd. He began to avoid the boy at all costs, and began to sink into his own self-hatred and rage. 

He began to fight, pulling punches against everyone and anyone who crossed his path; even going as far as to take part in illegal fights for money (yet the money was never any real concern for him). He never denied anyone who challenged him, and always submerged himself into the rush of adrenaline and the dull pain he felt whenever he felt their fists and legs stab into him. 

Years went by, and their relationship never truly was the same. 

And before either of them knew it, they were adults already. 

And Ajax’s feelings never waned, they couldn’t. 

They couldn’t especially not after the man smiled like that, too bright and warm. 

His friend announced his engagement and warmly gushed about his fiance, the one and only for him, the love of his life. 

And Ajax was forced to meet the woman himself. 

She was boisterous, loud, and cheerful; just like him. And, just from looking into her fond eyes, he could tell she loved him so much. 

They were perfect together, complimented each other so well. 

Ajax would never compare. 

They got married when Ajax was 29.

The ceremony was lovely. 

The bride looked gorgeous with her dress, her blond hair was neatly decorated in a small braided crown, with a beautiful beaded kokoshnik. And the groom looked just as excellent, with his own tailored outfit, his own blond hair styled impeccably. 

He didn’t care to stay for the small gathering they were having afterwards, he couldn’t care to do so. If he did, he was sure he would burst into tears. 

He distanced himself from the man, and slowly entered a mourning period of sorts. 

He never left his own room, only writing letter after letter depicted his sorrow and endless feelings for the man. Each letter was stuffed into the fireplace, to burn and he would move onto the next. 

But, unfortunately for him, one of his many letters had slipped past his fingers and landed underneath his bed. 

His mother had found it, after she had cleaned out his room, claiming that it was too cluttered. 

He was 30, when they found out and questioned him about it. 

With no meaning to his already miserable life, he admitted to it. His family shut him out, kicked him out, and the disappointment in their eyes was enough for him to grab his things and leave. 

He had awaited for the day they would find out, and had safely stored up a pre-packed bag he had made the day after the wedding, knowing his secret was bound to come up to the surface. 

After hiding it for most of his life, he was sure it was bound to come out. 

But, now that was shivering in a stranger's house, hidden beneath a thin blanket, he felt a deep sense of regret and loneliness. 

Why couldn’t he just shut up when he had a chance to? 

If he had not written his most kept secret, one that he kept close to his chest, one that he would take to the day of his death, he would have been fine. 

He would have a warm home to come to after a long day, a warm house with warm food, a family always there for him, joyous laughter and memories. 

And now, he was out into the world, a lone man, with no one to turn to. 

He was alone in the world now. 

But, all the same, he couldn’t do it anymore, the secret was eating away at his very soul. It was eating away at him, it was urging him to spill it all out. 

So, he shivered into the thin blanket and let sleep overcome him.  

_______________________________

The following day, he set off in earnest, waving goodbye to the old lady (who had accepted him in her cottage, after she saw him shivering outside), leaving a small beaded necklace behind as a small thanks. 

He had no idea as to where he was headed, most of the land outside was foreign to him. After all, he worked as a ice-fisherman along with his father and mostly sold to the market in the nearest town over. 

And so, the work was inside of Morepesok, and even then, he had never considered leaving his homeland for some other foreign land ever before. However, he couldn’t stay there any longer, if the rest of the townspeople found out about his deviant interests….he would get promptly executed. 

The people in his small town had just started to worship a new deity that was sent down by Celestia herself. She was still small and barely a wisp of pure energy, but they still worshiped her beyond comprehension, even going as far as to kill anything that got in the way of her mandate, even if the small wisp had not even fully developed yet. 

They still worshiped her, and put her supposed ‘principles’ above all else; principles they themselves had formed in her name. 

It was foolish, but who was he to say anything about it? 

He huffed out a sigh before he marched towards a random direction, only stopping when night fell or when he ran out of rations. 

Before he knew it, he had crossed countless mountains, rivers, and small developing nations. 

He saw beautiful scenery, grass that varied with its intense colors and vibrancy, people of different places with different eyes and hair, and languages that were incomprehensible to his ears. 

And that was how he had landed in a small developing town, in a land far from his, with temperate weather, welcoming people, and omnipotent adepti.  

He had first learned about the adepti through word of mouth, from a person that originated from Morepesok just like him, who could speak Liyuean and understand it. 

They were powerful mythical beasts, who had formed as a result of the pure elemental energy that had been sent down by Celestia herself. They were born to serve their people, to guide them, to protect them, to help them in their conquest for more knowledge and technological advancements. 

They were fierce warriors capable of blasting holes through the ground themselves, capable of demolishing anything they came across if they had so desired it. And at the center of these warriors was a brutal and unforgiving leader, who did not spare anything, no sympathy or empathy for the people he was sworn to protect. A leader who had an intelligent and gentle right hand, who had nothing but empathy and kindness to every single being that she crossed paths with. 

These were the kinds of tales that were gossiped amongst the small group of foreigners that crossed over to run away or to sell their wares. 

Ajax was not so certain he wished to meet these omniscient adepti, even the most gentle of the bunch. He had settled down to live an ordinary life, to live out the rest of his days in utter peace and quiet, he did not want any sort of excitement to cross his path. 

He did not want something as stupid as love to ever impact him, ever again.  

And so, he threw himself into the market and sold countless knick knacks and toys made from dried bamboo strips and jewelry crafted from preserved conches and sea glass. 

He did his best to stand clear from forming any meaningful connection with any of the people living in the town, and only sparked up small talk with the merchants every now and then in order to not go crazy with the lack of human contact. 

Now, the one thing he had appreciated about Liyue was how far advanced they were in their technology, as opposed to his small town. 

They had formed irrigation systems, wagons for transportation, weapons he had never seen before, projectiles, fireworks, paper, iron tassels as money, etc. 

They were highly developed, all thanks to their beloved Bodhisattva, Guizhong.  

She was gentle in all accounts of her told by word of mouth. A goddess bestowed upon the people who offered great insight and great kindness. She was everything humanity needed, and never deserved. 

She personally developed new ideas and was a prodigy in the field of engineering, always popping out with new blueprints to fix the inventions they already had. She stubbornly refused to believe that the inventions were great like they were, and always sought out ways to improve her work. She was impressive, a genius, a being filled with nothing but positive regard to those who did not deserve it. 

Ajax had heard the stories from countless people, of the way she forgave those who did not deserve it. The way she could change people just with a simple smile sent their way. The way she could make even the most vile being believe in the existence of goodness all over again. The way she could instill hope in those who were too stubborn to admit they had it. 

Ajax hoped he would never meet her. 

It wasn’t anything against her, she sounded great, and was part of the reason he was able to settle down in their small village. However, as good as she was, he did not want to meet her. 

He was afraid she would grant him foolish hope, as she did with her countless devotees. 

He was vile, putrid, a being incapable of change. 

Even her benevolent presence could not grant him forgiveness in the eyes of Celestia. 

He silently prayed to Celestia above that he would never meet her. 

____________________________

Business was going slow as per usual, a couple of foreigners had arrived after hearing about the new settling village and came to see what the buzz was all about. 

Ajax had set up his stand as usual, setting a nice blue colored mantle across the small cart, and carefully peppered his various jewelry and toys on the table. 

His cart was not the most popular one in the market, but it did attract customers, so he wasn’t complaining too much. He had a decent line of customers at his stand, all eagerly eyeing up the assortment of goods he had, bags at the ready to buy whatever peeked their fancy. 

He had picked up jewelry making after his mother. 

During the less colder months, she would walk where the sea met their land, and would pick up any sea conches and sea glass she could spot and place them in a small bag. Then, she would force Ajax and his siblings to help her craft jewelry out of the materials she had collected. 

She taught them the art of jewelry making, and used various techniques passed down by her own mother. It was a tedious task, as they each carefully made holes in the various stones and shells using a small knife to drill into them until they could each be threaded into a necklace or an earring. 

Then, after she deemed each of their work acceptable, she would carefully place them back into her bag and would later sell them at the market. 

It was one of the things he had taught him as a young kid, before she had ignored him and carried on with her chores. 

Each of the foreigners picked up different items as they all hurried to pay for each item, as Ajax accepted their money and carried on to the next person. 

Most of his jewelry was gone by the afternoon, he guessed he had calculated how much the foreigners would appreciate his jewelry. Usually, the everyday townsperson would brush off his cart and move onto the next.  

But, he guessed that had to do with the fact that people preferred to spend their time looking at more practical items.

The people who came to his small cart pushed off to the side where foreign travelers who wanted a souvenir, children accompanied by their exasperated parents, and those who wished to give something to someone whenever a special occasion arose. 

Otherwise, his cart mostly stayed unoccupied. 

He appreciated the good sales he had managed to produce from his hard work, and was about to start packing up to go home when he heard a voice greet him. 

“Hello, Gongzi! How much are these?” 

He looked up, to meet a beautiful woman with a chipper smile. 

She was average in height, and looked to be no older than Ajax. Her skin was slightly tan, presumably from working under the hot sun for hours on end. And on her body, was an extravagant white qixiong ruqun with dainty blue iris flowers embroidered on. Her long brown hair was tied up into a bun, held by a strange looking hair stick, one that housed strange geometric looking designs, something foreign to his eyes. 

Her eyes were a beautiful grayish-brown, and seemed to produce nothing but kindness and gentility as she stared at Ajax as if he was the most important thing to her; but even so, not an inch of humanity was painted in her eyes. 

There was something off about them, inhumane, foreign, he couldn’t place them. 

But, a customer was a customer, so he brushed off the thought and hurriedly looked at the piece she was pointing towards.

It was a pair of rings. 

One of them was made using a bit of wire he had bought not so long ago, and had carefully shaped it so that it could form a ring, and then, he carefully threaded a couple of blue shells and light blue sea glass through to the center and then closed it. The centerpiece of that ring was a light blue piece of sea glass, and surrounding it were a couple of blue shells that surrounded the piece of sea glass. 

That particular piece was a part of a set, along with earrings and a necklace, but those were bought separately by a lady who did not have enough money to buy the ring. He smiled at her, and quietly packed the necklace and earrings before he handed them to her. 

He later told her that he would make her a ring just like it if it sold out, otherwise if it didn’t he would store it for her. She waved a hand at him and promised to come back at a later time to commission him for the ring. 

The other one was made using a couple of cor lapis he had been gifted by one of his acquaintances. It was a gorgeous orange that had an iridescent shine to it whenever the sunlight would hit. And while it was very hard to cut and then drill a hole through it, it was one of his best sellers he had to say. The other pieces of jewelry he had made using the very same stone, had sold out as soon as he could blink. 

He had also used a piece of wire to thread them through in order to create a ring out of them. On the ring itself, he placed a large stone in the center and placed smaller stones around it. 

It was a gorgeous piece, one that he would take for himself…if he didn’t have to sell them in order to sustain himself. 

“Oh, these. They are worth about 50 iron tassels each.” 

The woman did not budge when she heard the price (whenever he told the prize to the customers, they would usually attempt to haggle and bring the prize down, or they would ask to see a cheaper option). But, this woman simply nodded before she looked at them carefully and smiled.

She looked back up to him, and gave a large grin, “I’ll take ‘em!” 

She opened up a small embroidered bag, with disorderly embroidery on it, which seemed to be done by a novice. The stitching was off a bit, and it seemed to be hastily made, as if the person ran out of patience and quickly went to have it done. 

He hoped whoever had gifted the bag to her, would reimburse her for the terrible embroidery on her bag. 

She took out 100 tassels and handed them to him. He carefully took them, counted them and carefully handed the rings to the woman, “Thank you for your patronage. Come again next time, Miss.” 

The woman nodded, and once she got the rings she carefully inspected them, with a sheer admiration in her eyes. 

She turned back towards Ajax and asked, “Did you make these yourself, Gongzi?” 

“Ah, yes. I make each and every piece here myself.” 

The admiration swelled up in her eyes as she gazed at the rings, “I see! Just where did you pick up the ability to do them?’ 

Celestia above! He did not want to tell this random lady his entire life’s story, but her persistence and genuine curiosity made it difficult to reject her. 

So, he didn’t. 

“My mother taught me, it is a skill that was passed down through the generations….at least that’s what she told me,” his tone was filled with bitterness, as the memory of his mother shutting him out passed through his mind. 

The woman seemed to pick up his sadness as she smiled sadly before she placed the rings into her embroidered bag, “Well, if that’s the case. I will make sure to properly take care of ‘em, I promise you Gongzi.”

Her strange promise unsettled him.  

And it even unsettled him further when he saw the slight sadness that colored her eyes, he felt a strange unease crawl up his back. Her eyes were piercing through him, filled with sympathy and a dull-understanding. 

He didn’t like the pity that came off of her in waves, so he simply gave a large grin and waved her off, “You don’t have to promise me anything, Miss. They are yours and your husband's now.” 

Her expression filled with mirth as she shook her head, “I see, thank you…but I don’t have a husband. I am just….saving them for someone is all.” 

That was equally as strange. But, then again, it was not any of his business what his customers did with his jewelry or his knicknacks, as long as they paid him, he did not care. 

He nodded, “Alright, well in that case, may your friends enjoy my jewelry.” 

She gave him a strange look before her smile filled with mirth once more, as she nodded, “I’m sure they will….Well, goodbye then, Gongzi! I hope to see you around sometime!” 

He waved her goodbye as she marched off happily, immediately fluttering to another stand, with her chipper attitude back in full force. 

He felt strange after the interaction with the woman, but he shook the memory off and made a mental note to go and look for some more materials. 

He was running out of shells, sea glass, and bamboo wood. So, with that in mind, he packed up his cart, placed it inside of his home and hurried over towards the beach.

_________________________

The other thing he enjoyed about the settling village was the gorgeous beaches that surrounded the land. 

They were untouched by settlers, unscathed by human hands, and filled with gorgeous sea life and vibrant flowers. The beach's sand was white, and peppered near the shore were countless sea conches, sea glass, and seaweed. 

He walked towards the shore and breathed a sigh. 

The air that washed over him was pleasant, as the slightest smell of sea filled his lungs. It smelled soothing, like the lullabies his mother would sing to him as a small child. 

He loved the beach near the village. 

It offered a break from the mundaneness of his life, the boredom and bitter loneliness that covered his person at all hours of the day. As felt the cool water wash over his legs, and heard the crashing waves, all of his loneliness would simply float away with the water. 

It was a sweet escape from his life, an escape from his thoughts, an escape from his mind. 

He breathed in once more, before he opened his eyes and hurried to collect the multi-colored sea glass that washed near the shore. 

They were beautiful, colors that he had never seen before, some darker than others, some brighter than others, others iridescent in their color. 

Something about the countless sea glass laid on top of one another, and the feeling of them on his hands made something in him feel at ease. It was soothing to him, and he loved the way his eyes took in the different colors all over the ground. 

He picked up the most vibrant and eye-catching ones, ideas floating through his mind on his next piece. And tossed the ones that were too dull towards the sea, watching the way they would skip for a bit before submerging. 

After collecting some of them, he began to look for sea conches, closer to the sea line. 

There were many of them, sprinkled about the sea line, some blue, some purple, some white, and some a combination of colors. He carefully picked up some of the ones that caught his eye, before he threw the ones that were broken and carefully placed the ones that were still living back in the ocean. 

After he did that, he bid the ocean farewell, and moved towards the woods. 

The woods that housed bamboo were a few ways away from the village, and so, he began towards the forest. 

The road towards that particular forest was rocky and steep. He had to climb up and down several mountains before he could get to bamboo. 

He hated how far he had to travel to get his bamboo, but, considering he could not spend another tassel on the bamboo sold in the market, he began to climb. 

_____________________________

Unfortunately for him, he had miscalculated how steep and torrid the path would be. His poor shoes were barely clinging on for dear life, as he felt sweat drip down his eyebrow, and the weight on his shoulders was beginning to feel uncomfortable on his shoulders. 

The ground was slippery, narrow and unstable, one misstep and he could fall down and injure himself. 

And so, he carefully took each step, and swore lightly when he felt the ground slip underneath him. 

But, even though the dirt loosened, he kept going. 

And going.  

And going.  

And going.  

And- 

He stepped on a loose rock, and before he could say anything he felt the adrenaline come through his veins as he felt forwards, sliding down the mountainside. 

He attempted to cling onto any loose branch, but it all slipped through his fingers as he kept falling. 

He tumbled down the mountain, and felt as his head hit against a harsh stone. 

And then everything went dark. 

“Gong-” 

“Gon-” 

“Gongz-”  

“Gongzi!”  

He heard a distressed voice come towards him, it was a gentle feminine voice. It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t really place it. 

His head throbbed with pain, as he felt groggy, as the pain of all of his muscles and tendons collapsed all at once. 

And yet, he couldn’t scream, only letting out a small groan as he felt the pain settle on his muscles. 

He only managed to open his eyes, to see a pair of familiar eyes staring widely at him, with a pair of eyes he didn’t recognize. 

And yet. 

Somewhere, deep in his heart, he knew it would be alright. 

_____________________________

When he woke up, he was greeted by a dull headache and a familiar face staring back at him. 

His head was throbbing, and a sharp pain stung his lower back and feet. It was enough to jolt him awake. 

The pain had him groaning, and twisting in the sheets. The sound was enough to make the face staring at him place a hand on his shoulder, preventing him from moving. 

“Don’t move, you’ll hurt yourself more.” 

It was clearly a woman’s voice, and her voice was light, stern, and filled with the slightest bit of concern. 

He could not make out the face of the woman, as his vision was still blurry, but even so, he could tell he had not seen her before. 

When Ajax’s eyes finally focused clearly on the woman’s face, he finally made out her face. Her hair was tied back and held by a fancy hairpin, but it was an odd color, a dark blueish-green. Her features were sharp at the corners, giving the illusion of a soft handsomeness to her. Her eyes were sharp and assessing, and they had no humanity inside them. She had a blank expression as she stared back at him, but he could tell she was slightly concerned. 

He attempted to sit up, but the movement seemed to be too strenuous to his weak state, and he yelped out in pain. His body was not prepared to move that much since his terrible fall, it seemed, and it was evident. 

The woman frowned and placed her hand on his chest and led him down slowly onto the bed, “Do not move…You took a nasty fall and injured yourself pretty badly…It was honestly a miracle that you did not perish from the impact….How are you feeling?” 

She was hesitant with her words, strangely cautious around him. He shrugged off her expression and attempted to form a sentence, “…aw-ful…” 

Her frown deepened as she grabbed his wrist gently and placed two fingers on it, she hummed a bit before she placed his wrist back down to his side, “That is to be expected, you fell 30 meters from the mountainside. It is very strange for a human to be able to even survive a fall that high and only come out of that with minor injuries.”

Ajax nodded as well as he could and she continued, “It was good that shijie was able to get to you in time. Otherwise, I am not so sure you would have lived, human.” 

He was not sure what to say to that, so he didn’t say anything. He was going to thank her for saving him, but he was sure it was not her that saved him, if her words already did not indicate that she was not his savior. 

Not a moment longer, another woman came bursting in the strangely shaped door, “A-Ping! How is he? Is he up-” 

It was the strange woman from the market. 

However, this time, two large horns protruded from the top of her head. 

Ah….

She seemed to notice him and rushed over, “Ah! Gongzi! How are you feeling? Are you well, do you need anything? Do you feel pain anywhere? Do-” 

The other woman placed a placating arm on the woman’s shoulder and sent her a look. It seemed to be effective in shutting the woman up, as she quieted down and cleared her throat. 

An awkward minute passed as the three of them stared awkwardly at each other, not sure what to say. 

Finally the strange woman spoke up, breaking the silence once and for all, “Right! Where are my manners? I have not introduced myself yet. I’m Guizhong, but you can call me jie-jie!”  

Guizhong gestured to the other woman, “You may call me…Madam Ping..” 

Ajax nodded, and was about to introduce himself when something suddenly struck him. 

All of a sudden, his brain seemed to finally start working again, as he thought about the information presented to him and paused…wait …

What did she say? 

………

……

…

He groaned loudly internally as the information all came crashing down on him. Of course he had to meet the one person he wished to never meet! Celestia truly and undoubtedly hated him and cursed him with terrible luck! 

He stiffly nodded as he stifled back a grimace, “...…name..…Ajax. ” His voice was sore and dry, as he attempted to force out the words from his mouth. 

Guizhong smiled as she took in the information, “Ajax? What an interesting name! I’ve never heard of anything like that before….Are you perhaps a…foreigner?” 

He nodded, earning a small smile from her, “How interesting! There are not many foreigners inside of our small village, especially none with such a vibrant hair color! Tell me, did you inherit such a beautiful hair color from your mother or father?” 

He did not know what to reply to that, so he just stayed quiet. His hair was a sensitive topic for him, it was an odd color, even in the place where he lived. 

He was the only one who had it in his entire family, a rare genetic trait he had inherited from his father’s side of the family. He felt even more like an outsider because of it, but it also meant that nowadays his stall was visited a bit more because of his appearance, and what he knew was good looks. 

He could count on one hand the numerous older ladies who had stopped near his stall and offered to set him up with their daughters and granddaughters. Not to mention the amount of women who also shamelessly offered to do a bit more than just date him…

An awkward minute passed and the silence was thick enough to slice with a knife. 

Guizhong stayed quiet as she stared nervously at Madam Ping who stayed in the corner of the room, with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall. 

Madam Ping lifted herself from the wall and walked over to Guizhong before putting an arm on her shoulder, “We should leave him be for the time being, shijie. He must be tired from such a fall, it’s best we come back later once he’s well-rested.” 

Guizhong nodded as she waved goodbye to Ajax and shut the strange looking door behind her with a flick of her wrist. 

And the two odd women were now out of the room, leaving more questions raised than answered. 

Ajax groaned into the mattress as he felt the full weight of what had just transpired on his shoulders. 

He had recklessly fallen on a trail he had been on several times, he had fallen 30 meters from the mountain, he had somehow managed to survive it all with minor injuries and was discovered with the beloved Bodhisattva Guizhong and was somehow being taken care of by her. 

Just what sort of shit luck has been bestowed upon? 

Surely nothing could be worse than this! 

_________________________

Well…needless to say, he was wrong. 

It could get worse. 

It most definitely could get worse. 

A few weeks had gone by. 

And since then, he had started to know about Guizhong and Madam Ping. 

As well as the rest of the adepti, although, when it came to them, he mostly just heard what Guizhong had to say about them. 

Apparently, the rest of the adepti were extremely discriminatory against humans and steered clear from them at all costs. Although, that did not stop Guizhong from trying to coerce them to interact with humans more and more. And it wasn’t like they listened to her anyways. 

They did not wish to meet with the new human that their Goddess had picked up and decided to take care of.

That much was evident. 

And it wasn’t like Ajax wanted to meet them either, he was already involved with their beloved Goddess, he most certainly did not want to be involved with infamous warriors that could most certainly make his life worse. 

When he was younger, he was sure he would have been over the moon with their presence. And would most certainly ask to spar against them, wanting to test the limits of his own power. 

But, ever since he had stopped competing in illegal fights and stopped displacing his anger towards any unsuspecting person. He no longer felt the drive to test the limits of his body, no longer felt the need to beat every single person inside of the rink. 

He just wanted a simple life, Celestia above! 

Everyday they would come into his room and check on his injuries as well as bring him something to eat or drink. He could not exactly complain too much about the treatment, he did not want to think about what could happen should he refuse their generosity. 

He knew that neither Madam Ping nor Guizhong were threats to his safety, but even so, he was still equally cautious. As both of the adepti had lived years and years, far more than he has and ever will. 

And with that, they had also killed hundreds of people, at least Madam Ping had. He found out that Guizhong was not much of a fighter, and preferred to help from the sidelines. But even so, they still had the blood of others on their hands, directly or indirectly. 

And even if he was not weak himself, he would surely not be able to go up against adepti. 

He no longer had a goal he wanted to accomplish, no real purpose. His business was merely a distraction from the dull normalcy of his life. 

He never really had a purpose either, not since he was a kid. 

He had given up on real wishes and dreams a long time ago, mostly all of his drive and ambition had simmered down the more he aged. He was nothing but a boring man in his early 30’s, wanting nothing more than for death to take him once and for all. 

He had given up on his life a while ago. 

And so, he did not mind the fact that they were taking care of him, not at all. He had missed the feeling of someone taking care of him, without any ulterior motives. He liked their company, even if their conversations were many times sparse and awkward. 

It was a nice breath of fresh air from his mundane life, and a much needed break from it as well. 

Guizhong was very lively and cheery, and everything people had described her as, and even better too. She was brilliant, crafty, and extremely kind-hearted; he had never met someone with such a heart of gold before her. 

She was pure in her intentions and wanted nothing more than peace and serenity at the end, and showed Ajax with pure pride in her eyes the new flower she was working on. 

Madam Ping on the other hand was more subdued, calm and quiet. However, she was better than what people described her as. She was just as kind-hearted as Guizhong, but just in a quieter way. She was patient, and she played peaceful and melodic music on the nights where Ajax could not sleep. But even so, she was a fierce warrior and guarded herself from those far better than Guizhong could. 

His life was strangely peaceful now, as the pains in his joints and back started to slowly lessen more and more. And he found he could move around a lot more, without that much pain and strain. 

He was improving, and it should have made him feel relieved. 

It didn’t. 

He did not want to leave this comfortable and soothing environment, a contrast to his lonely and miserable house, which felt more like a prison half of the time anyway. 

__________________________

He met the strange man he had seen with Guizhong, not soon after she had come in to fill him in on the news of her new plans for the future. 

She had finished talking to him enthusiastically about the new buildings and machines she was working on and how they would have the potential to benefit more and more people; when, someone burst through the door. 

He was half-naked, his strange shirt ripped in half, blood seeping through it staining the shirt a dark red. It was clear he had been in a fight, and a potentially deadly one judging from the large flash across his chest.

His face was frantic, feral, and vicious as he scanned the area, obviously looking for someone. He was dressed in a strange ensemble of clothes; it was a white tunic-like outfit, with strategic cutouts to showcase dark geometric patterns on his skin. 

His hair slipped past his shoulders loosely, the tips of which glowed a dim yellow-ish light. On top of his head, there was a pair of horns, long and sharp. His eyes were serpent-like, and glowing like lava. 

It was evident he was another adeptus.

But, something about him felt different; it was unlike Guizhong or Madam Ping. 

He felt omnipotent, omniscient, powerful and domineering. As if he could snap and crush bones with the slightest tap of his fingers if he so wished it. 

His gaze slightly softened when his eyes landed on Guizhong, none of the harshness was there when he saw her. 

But that changed when he spotted Ajax. 

In an instant, his expression grew cold as he quickly yanked Guizhong away from the bed and behind him. 

The man snarled as he swiftly came close to Ajax before he grabbed him by tightly the throat, eyes pinning him down, as he growled out, “Who are you?” 

Ajax was startled by the man, but did not say anything. 

His might and power were all-encompassing, as if he was being pinned down by divine power; he had never felt anything like it ever before. 

Even if the man before him would kill him, he would be fine with it. It wasn’t like he was actively pursuing death, not at all, he just wouldn’t mind it if he did die. 

Perhaps death was a much better outcome than the painful emptiness of his chest? 

He fell limp in the adeptus’ grip and felt himself grow light-headed as the adeptus squeezed his throat with one hand. In a few moments perhaps he could taste the sweet release of death, if only the adeptus would squeeze hard enough for his neck to crack…

Guizhong grabbed Morax’s hand and attempted to yank it off of Ajax’s throat, her eyes filled with fear, “Morax! Stop! He’s the human we rescued, remember? The one you carried here!” 

Morax’s expression faltered and he withdrew his hand from his neck, as if he had been scalded by hot iron. 

His dilated pupils turned back into their regular slits and he gazed back towards Guizhong, bowing his head slightly in regret, “..Sorry.. ”

Guizhong sighed heavily before she patted his shoulder, “You shouldn’t be saying sorry to me, silly dragon! You should say sorry to our poor guest, he’s probably frightened out of his mind because of what you did!” 

The adeptus no longer looked scary, in fact he looked sort of endearing with the way he bowed his head down; he looked exactly like his younger siblings whenever they got scolded by their mother. 

Ajax felt amusement bubble up in his chest and let out a small chuckle at the display. The small chuckle then evolved into laughter and soon he was clutching his chest as he let out broken laughs. 

Morax turned to face him, a bewildered expression on his face as he saw the man burst into a fit of laughter. Guizhong lifted an eyebrow, seeing the way the adeptus’ expression had twinkled as he saw the cackling red-haired man. 

For a moment she knew exactly why her poor Shizun had such a star-struck expression on his face; he looked…gorgeous…. his head was thrown back in laughter, his smile wide and free, his laughs themselves were loud and contagious. 

A moment passed and Guizhong let out a small sigh before she came close to him. 

Guizhong turned towards him and gently inspected his throat, she winced when she looked at it. 

Ajax guessed it must have been bad, if it warranted such a strong reaction from her. 

She turned towards Morax and sent a glare his way before she carefully applied some ointment to his throat and sighed, “Next time, don’t be so aggressive towards mortals, Morax. Haven’t I told you before that their bodies are not as resistant as ours, just another press of your arm and you would have cracked his neck in half….Now sit down…I need to check your wounds.”

Morax did not say anything, but seemed to take her words to heart as he sat down obediently on the nearest chair. 

Ajax felt Morax’s gaze seering into him, even after that. 

It burned. 

_____________________________

The months went by, and the more he got to learn about Morax. 

He was clumsy, he could not watch his strength even though he tried to, he had the emotional intelligence of a firefly, he was extremely loyal to a fault, and he always got injured in battle. 

And on top of all of that, he was also Rex Lapis, the same Rex Lapis everyone always talked about in hushed whispers. 

At first, Morax was extremely awkward and cautious around Ajax, but soon enough he started to divulge more and more information about himself. 

And before Ajax knew it, he started to grow fond of Morax, and soon winter strolled by. 

He could walk by then, and properly thanked Guizhong after mustering up enough courage to say it outloud. She refused to accept any payment and did not want him to pay her back anyways, but he still accepted that he would be forever in her debt. 

However, he could not muster the courage necessary to leave the comfortable shack in the woods, not at all. 

He was too comfortable for his own in the shack, he was growing attached to the adepti there; he did not want to leave. 

So he didn’t. 

And instead started to live in the small shack alongside Guizhong, working nearly everyday, and even teaching her how to make the jewelry she so loved. Madam Ping taught him how to play her guzheng, and was more and more open to share more of herself to him as well. 

And then in spring, he finally realized the extent of his feelings towards Morax. 

The man had dropped by the shack, and was awkwardly holding a pile of various flowers. His face was blank, but Ajax had become fluent in Morax to know that he was nervous. 

He came up to the work bench Ajax was busy chipping away at the various sea glasses on it, and he placed the pile of flowers messily to the side of his work. 

They were gorgeous, and they were clearly picked with their beauty in mind, but were still more or less covered in the dirt they used to reside in. They were a variety of red tulips, yellow tulips, calla lilies, red carnations, white roses, and some glaze lilies as well. 

Ajax blinked at the flowers before he looked up towards Morax, “...Are these….for me?” 

“Mn…for you, all for you,” Morax pushed them awkwardly closer to him. 

Ajax felt pure endearment swell up inside of him as he gazed at the Prime Adeptus, a strange giddiness rose up in his chest and the same all-encompassing warmth sent shivers down his entire body. 

Oh.

Oh no.  

The burning feeling rose up in his chest, and he resisted the urge to lunge forward and embrace the man in a searing kiss of passion. 

He had fallen in love. 

____________________________

Before they knew it, they had begun a relationship. 

They had kept their relationship secret, but it was quite obvious in the knowing looks Guizhong sent his way and the way that Madam Ping would keep handing them scentless oil and ointment for pain that could be used for internal reasons…ahem…

The years progressed, and before they had known it, Ajax had become one of the adepti. 

He had wanted to be transformed into one of them, immortal. So that he could stay with Morax forever, and so that he could serve him in battle as well. 

Ajax was strong in battle, a force to be reckoned with. He had managed to fully harness and develop his skills in battle after having trained with Morax himself. 

Most of the adepti had reluctantly accepted him (more like tolerated him), but there was one among all of them that absolutely despised his guts. 

His name was Xiao, and he was one of the newest upcoming Yaksha. 

He had been rescued after Morax had pulled him out of his previous Lord’s cruel control, and ever since Xiao had become fiercely loyal to Morax. 

Basically following around like a stubborn puppy, and because of this he grew intensely protective over his Lord. 

He had not trusted Ajax, not at all. And had voiced how much he disliked him, even if Ajax did his best to make it up to him. 

Xiao would always challenge Ajax to a duel and would always without a doubt grumble a complaint after he would lose. But for some reason, his stubbornness prevailed and he would find every way to gain approval from Rex Lapis at all turns. 

Even going as far as to brag like the brat he was, whenever Rex Lapis paid him any attention. 

However, after some time, Ajax gave up competing with Xiao for his lover’s own attention. And soon realized that Xiao was not doing it in order to spite him (though that was part of the reason why), he was doing it because he thought that Morax would abandon him and leave him to the cruel god.

And soon, Ajax realized that the Yaksha reminded him of his younger self in a way. And so, he started to grow fond of the Yaksha, and would even go as far as to make sure he was doing alright and that he ate properly. 

And soon enough, many other Yaksha started to join, and soon enough Xiao was not the only one. He was surrounded by many other comrades that he could fall back on, and Ajax was happy to see him get along with others as well. 

And after they had joined, there was a little girl that was found, all alone. 

And soon they had taken her in, Ganyu was her name. 

And soon enough, there were more of them. Ganyu grew up to be a formidable soldier in her own regard, and was a better bow wielder than Ajax was. Ajax had even taught her how to make bracelets and such out of flowers and had even taught her how to make jewelry from sea glass and shells too. 

But then, as soon as happiness strolled around for them all. 

Disaster seemed to come as well. 

It was 2 years after they had visited Khaenri'ah, after having marveled at the great technological advances of the people and how far they were coming from a small growing village to this. 

Guizhong and Ajax had danced away, to the many welcoming people in this relatively big town. 

Guizhong had talked with some of the humans and shared ideas to do with their technology and even put some of her own knowledge on it. 

Soon after, Guizhong handed them matching rings, rings which Ajax instantly recognized as those which she had bought from him years ago.

She had sought to have them married, years prior to when they knew of their love for one another.

She truly was all-knowing, wasn't she? 

They did, and after the first traditional ceremony from what they were starting to call Liyue, they did a traditional ceremony from Ajax’s own homeland. 

These were happy times, and Ajax could still taste the tears from his own eyes as he cried in joy and happiness. He was happy, and he was content. 

Somebody loved him. 

Many people loved him. 

He was worth love, he had earned it. 

He could still taste the Osmanthus wine and the various sweets and savory meals he had at his wedding. 

But happy times did not last. 

They never did. 

A war broke out between the Gods. 

They were somehow corrupted by a miasma of sorts, and death after death followed soon after. 

Death after death. 

Soon enough, there were no more Yaksha but one. 

Soon enough, Sky Bracer was gone. 

Soon enough, Azhdaha had gone mad, and so had Osial and Beisht. 

And then, Guizhong had perished. 

Her death hurt them the most. 

She had saved those two rings for them to use on their wedding. She had for some reason anticipated their marriage and had specifically bought them all those years ago for that reason. 

But now, she was gone. 

There was an era of total quiet, no one ever uttered her name. 

Morax fell into a deep grieving period, Ajax could no longer reach him. 

He would lock himself in his domain, refusing to come out. His hair grew unkempt, and his deep grief caused the very ground to shake. 

Ajax was not doing any better, but he at least managed to come out to eat like they did before. But this time, the only one who accompanied him was none other than Ganyu. 

Everybody else was drowning in sorrow and grief. 

Madam Ping had isolated herself in a mountainside, after Guizhong’s death. She refused to come out and only the bitter sound of her guzheng could be heard throughout the night. But after some time, she bid farewell to everyone and disguised herself as human and sought to live her life as a mortal after she gave up her immortality. 

Nobody stopped her, and Ajax bid her a tearful goodbye as he saw her carrying her guzheng and walking down their mountain to civilization. 

Xiao had gone down a self-hating spiral, and there was nothing anybody could do to get through him as he slashed through the many miasma ridden monsters, one after another. Ajax had last seen him going out towards Mondstat, where the activity had increased significantly. 

Mountain Shaper had isolated himself as well and only came out to serve his people.

Cloud Retainer did not isolate herself and instead acted indifferent to the entire situation, though Ajax could see the grief that stung the corners of her eyes. She continued with her duties and seemed to drown herself in her medical studies even further. 

Ganyu was the only one who stuck around much, always sticking around Ajax, as if she was afraid he would leave too. On most days, they would go down for a stroll downtown or visit the graves of their family. 

Ganyu attempted to get Xiao to come back once, but it was futile, as he stubbornly refused and Ajax had found her crying shortly after. 

It was just the two of them now. 

But after a while, the skies seemed to clear up once more. 

They were managing through the pain and grief in their hearts better, and everything started to go back to somewhat normalcy. 

They named the place where Guizhong died, Guili plains after the new name Morax chose for himself after he decided to start anew again. 

Zhongli.  

It was the place where Guizhong died, and it was horrifically ironic because that was exactly the place where Zhongli had first met her. 

Zhongli had followed Guizhong’s dream and built Liyue Harbor, with the help of Ajax and many others. 

They started to work together, and everything started to look better. 

Everything was in harmony, and Ajax relaxed to the feeling of the cool sea breeze down by the beaches in Liyue with Zhongli by his side, stroking his hair lovingly as they remembered their lost family members. 

But, it was foolish to think that such momentary peace would last forever. 

The humans rebelled against the Gods, and Khaenri'ah became a target for Celestia. It all started when the humans started to seek out more and more knowledge, when they had begun to develop their own machinery on their own, proclaiming that they did not need an Archon to guide them. 

But it all came to a halt when they had made their own element, Celestia grew furious. 

They had outrightly defied her, and her mandate. 

As punishment, Celestia sent utter hell on them. 

The citizens of Khaenri'ah were cursed with abyssal taint, similar to the miasma they had seen all those years ago. 

Their machinery turned against the rest of the people from the following regions, and there was another war waged against them. 

Everyone did their best to defeat Khaenri'ah, blindly following Celestia’s mandate. 

But Ajax knew better. 

He knew it was unfair of so many to suffer just because they wanted independence from a system that was invented sorely to keep them under control. 

He sided with them. 

Zhongli attempted to get him to understand the severity of his decision, but it was hopeless. 

He knew he could no doubt get killed by Celestia herself or in battle. 

But he couldn’t help it. 

Ajax had to trust what he thought was right, and in that moment he knew it was to side with the people of Khaenri'ah who were getting punished by a cruel God. 

He bid Zhongli goodbye, with a final kiss and left to Khaenri'ah.  

____________________________

He died in battle, against the Archons and their armies. 

He was killed after attempting to get the upper hand, after he had harnessed the power hidden by Khaenri'ah, The Legacy. 

It was harnessed by many Heralds, and he took on such power. 

He tried his best to save everyone he could, but in the end it was hopeless. 

His chest was speared through by Liyue’s own army. 

He lay dying, as blood oozed lazily from his wound, and his vision became blurry. 

He only saw as Zhongli rushed towards him, accompanied by the rest of the adepti. 

Many of which were crying, and many of which seemed to be in complete shock. 

After he had left, he knew many of them were angry with him. 

Xiao was furious at him, storming towards him the first night he left and nearly killing him, frustrated tears in his eyes; yelling at Ajax to come back, to not abandon them. 

But he had already made up his mind, and he saw the exact moment Xiao tore off the attachment, the exact moment Xiao’s rage and hatred hardened. 

Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper deemed him a traitor, fully attempting to cut off any of the attachment they had felt for him instantly. 

Ganyu was confused at his departure, but he knew even she could understand just why he had left them. He had practically raised the girl, and so he knew some of his own morals had rubbed off on her. She knew it was wrong to kill these innocent people, to punish them for desiring freedom. 

She still defended him, when others talked badly about him. 

And Zhongli. 

Zhongli had been utterly heartbroken at his departure, but he had steeled his own emotions and stepped up as leader when he needed to, though he did not want to. 

Ajax could see it in his eyes that he still loved him, even as he sobbed and held Ajax closely to his chest, as he was covered in his husband’s blood. 

Ganyu cradled him as well, sobbing harshly into his hands. 

Xiao and the others watched him lose his life, and he swore he could see their own eyes start to prickle with tears. 

They sobbed and asked him why. 

Why did he do it? 

He merely grinned cheekily at them and chuckled, telling them that they would understand, one day. 

He too was gone.

Liyue went through another grieving period, as another of their fierce adepti had fallen. 

Many of them despised him and had him completely erased from their history books, but many of them held him tender to their hearts and understood why he had done it and made up stories of a great warrior named Ajax. 

But regardless, his name seemed to just be another whisper, another legend. 

Just another name, lost to time. 

______________________________

But as fate would have it. 

The soul borne under the constellation Monoceros Caeli, was stubborn and refused to ascend into a higher plane of existence. 

It refused and it refused and it refused and it refused and it refused and it refused and it refused and it refused. 

And so, fate was tried with its nagging and prodding and sent it back down towards Teyvat in the same town he was born in all those years ago.

The soul had begged fate to send it back to the same exact place as before with the same appearance, and so fate did. 

And Ajax was born once more, a second chance was granted to him. 

This time, it would be different. 

The soul assured itself that it would be different. 

______________________________

Ajax woke up feeling stranger than he ever had. 

That dream was far too real to just be a dream. 

It felt eerily real, freakishly so. 

Every sensation, and the way he had died felt so real, that it made him feel uneasy. 

Has he already been here?

No, that was ridiculous. 

If he had, he would have remembered, right? 

So, why did it feel so real? 

He shook his head, and settled back into his sheets. That transformation of his must have made him have those stupid fever dreams he always used to have as a kid. 

Because there was no way he had lived through all of this before, if so, he would have surely remembered it all, right? 

Tartaglia sighed as he shifted in his bed, and felt sick to his stomach. 

The transformation seemed to have gotten worse ever since he woke up, and he felt like complete and utter shit. 

He didn’t even have the energy to get up and make himself a proper meal, at all. 

He silently prayed that his condition would quickly leave, so that he could move on with his life. He had many other things he needed to do. Plenty of chores he had forgotten to do, and plenty of other things he needed to do. 

Not to mention the plan he had to set into motion. 

His time was wasting away, and here he was feeling like shit because of some shitty transformation. And he had even run away from the event like a coward, just because of his damn bitter feelings in all of this. 

Zhongli’s life was in jeopardy, the man who was patiently waiting for him back home, he was waiting and he was still alive. He missed him dearly, he really did. 

He missed Zhongli too much, and made his chest ache deeply. 

But he didn’t have time to pity himself.

Not right now. 

He was putting people’s lives in potential danger, he needed to get his act together! 

A sharp pain stabbed him once more and his breath hitched. 

Damn adeptal powers! 

He groaned in pain, and the pain seemed to burst through his entire body, a hot pain seemed to flash throughout his body and he wrenched in pain. 

It was somehow becoming worse, and he felt his throat tighten up as he coughed and his limbs became imobile. 

His body was shifting, turning, and stretching out in unbelievable ways and before he knew it, he felt a strong urge to go towards the nearest lake. 

Instinct drove him out of his door and towards the communal bathhouse and he sank himself inside of it, as he groaned in pain as his body relaxed under the water. 

But, the shifting did not stop as his tendons were stretched and pulled even tighter and before he knew it, he felt his vision black out for a second. 

When he came to, the first thing he noticed was his lack of arms. 

His lack of arms, and the fact that his body was no longer human. 

When he looked down, it was long and length and pale-blue that was closer to being white than blue, with small tufts of blue hair down his back and down towards his strange shaped tail.

The next thing he noticed was how big he was, barely fitting inside of the pool it seemed. 

And the next thing he noticed was an accident, as he had momentarily freaked out when everything had fully clicked and had fallen face first into the water….he could breathe underwater…

Now, he was fully panicking. 

He writhed around, having no idea as to how to turn back, nor as to move around freely. 

Ah… 

He sat in the water awkwardly, for a few more minutes and hoped that someone would thankfully pass over him. 

______________________________

He would not have to wait for long as he heard Guizhong’s cheerful tone turning the corner, “Shidi! Are you feeling alright? Why did you leave without warning us, if you felt bad, why didn’t you say any-.....thing.”

Guizhong’s eyes widened, she was face to face with a gorgeous water dragon. 

It was very big, about the same size as Rex Lapis. 

Its horns seemed to glow a strange opalescent color when the sun hit them directly, and its eyes were a soft and a familiar shade of blue……Shidi? 

“Shidi? Shidi?! Is that you?!” 

Ajax let out a huff, as he found his vocal cords unable to produce sound, but he nodded and hoped that got the message through. 

Guizhong’s eyes seemed to glisten, as her excitement grew and her happiness did as well, “Shidi! You have finally done it! You have transformed! Oh my! I have to tell the others! Hold on!” 

Before Ajax could protest, she had rushed off and he hopelessly huffed inside of the water. 

The others arrived before he could count to ten, and they all similarly gawked at his size, before they controlled their expressions and turned stoic once more. 

Sky Bracer was not like the others as he started to immediately touch Ajax’s back as he cooed, “Oh my! What a gorgeous creature, I have never thought I would get to see such a magnificent water dragon in my existence before! Osial is a sight to behold, but not even he nor Beisht compare to your beauty! Shidi, your scales are simply such a gorgeous color, they are very beautiful.” 

It was hard not to grow embarrassed at Sky Bracer’s sudden touch and compliments and he buried his face back into the water, hoping by some miracle that the water would drown him, though he knew it wouldn’t. 

Cloud Retainer huffed, “You insolent brat! Even as one is your elder, you are still much bigger than oneself!” 

Madam Ping simply chuckled, earning a harsh poke on the head by Cloud Retainer herself….and she was no longer laughing…

Moon Carver's eyes seemed to almost pop out of his eye sockets as he looked up at him (an expression that looked very off on such a usually serious adeptus). Mountain Shaper merely sighed as he saw the display and he Ganyu simply stared up at Ajax, with such wonder in her eyes. 

But for some strange reason, Morax had not arrived yet either, presumably because of his prior duties with his people. 

But he eventually did, and the moment people sensed him, they stopped what they were doing and bowed to him, saying a quick 'My Lord' before they turned towards Ajax once again. 

Morax’s eyes laid transfixed upon Ajax as his eyes seemed to become slits before they blew wide open, and before they knew it, he had transformed as well. 

He was a bit larger than Ajax, but the difference was barely noticeable. 

He circled around him, before he said, “Ajax…can you hear me?” 

His mouth had not moved, but he had somehow managed to communicate! 

Wow! 

Ajax guessed it had to do with the fact that he couldn't exactly move his vocal cords to produce any comprehensible sound in this form. So, he had to result in telepathic communication when he was in this form, which made total sense because Ajax remembered hearing that Rex Lapis communicated mostly through dreams or telepathically. 

He nodded, but no sound escaped him. 

“...Try to concentrate……you will be able to communicate this way as well.” 

Ajax did as he was told and put all of his concentration into his mind and tried to do it once again, “I…see…..how are we able to do this?” 

“This is a part of the abilities born within adepti, it has been a way for us to communicate with each other and our followers since the dawn of time.” 

“I see…then…do you perhaps know how I can…get out of this form?” 

Morax paused a bit, before he continued, “Ah…to get out of this form, you must do the same for communication and concentrate on becoming your mortal form once more.” 

Ajax nodded, and did his best to concentrate. 

Human, right, human.  

He thought about it for a bit and in a flash, he was laying naked in the bathhouse…ah…

He had turned back into a human again, but he was entirely naked. 

Ah… 

Embarrassment washed over him as he did his best to hide himself inside of the water below. 

The rest of the adepti seemed to know what was going on and they immediately turned to give him privacy. 

Morax stared at Ajax, before his brain caught up with him and he turned away from him, “Ah…I seem to have forgotten to mention the…slight....after effect......” 

Yeah, no kidding! 

______________________________

After he had dressed up properly, and killed off his dignity and pride, he was met with the faces of most of the adepti. 

Madam Ping, Morax and Guizhong…ah…the usual trio. 

The rest had presumably returned to their posts, and usual tasks, and the rest had stayed (as they always did). 

Madam Ping grabbed his wrist and placed two fingers to his pulse. She paused for a bit before she let out a small smile, “It seems you are doing better, shidi. You’re meridians are overflowing with energy and are relatively healthy….I’m glad you are okay.” 

Ajax smiled and gave her a small pat on the shoulder, “Thanks, Da-jie. Glad you and I are doing better!” 

She gave a small huff at his joke but smiled nonetheless. 

Guizhong rushed to his side, and pulled him into a hug, “Shidi!~ You are finally a full-adeptus! How are you feeling!” 

He gave a small chuckle before he grinned, “Better than ever, shijie! And ready to get back in battle! I’ve been dying to fight ever since I got practically tied to my bed!” 

Guizhong ruffled his hair and smiled, “I’m glad to see my favorite shidi is doing better!” 

Ajax laughed but leaned into her touch, “Jie-jie, aren’t I your only shidi?” 

She shrugged, “Still my favorite!” 

They laughed, and everything felt a little lighter than before. 

Then suddenly, the laughter then died down in Ajax’s throat. 

Another hand had touched his head. 

It was Morax. 

He gave a firm pat, and his stand stilled, “I am…glad to see you are doing better, Ajax.” 

Ajax felt his cheeks heat up, as he saw the way Morax looked so fondly towards him, so warmly. 

Like he had, in his dream and in his memories. 

He leaned into Morax’s palm, and his eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the familiar warmth pressed upon his head. 

He loved it. 

He loved him. 

So much. 

He needed to save him, no matter what. 

He needed to save his repressed God of his, one he loved so much. 

______________________________

“My Lord!” 

Cloud Retainer rushed inside the house, she looked distressed, more so than ever. 

Her clothes were covered in soot, and dirt, and there were small cuts on her hands and a small one on her lip. 

“My Lord! A god is attempting to usurp your land! He’s spreading miasma all around!!” 

Immediately, the mood died. 

It hardened. 

Morax’s eyes glowed, as did the tips of his hair, “Take me to him.” 

He looked furious, his eyebrows knit together, as a small vein seemed to pop out the side of his face. 

Cloud Retainer, “Yes my Lord!” 

Morax turned back to the rest of them and looked at Madam Ping. 

She nodded, seemingly understanding as she hurriedly withdrew her spear. 

Guizhong hurried as well, but was stopped by Madam Ping, “No, my Lady. It is far too dangerous, please do not come. You could get infected, and it could be deadly..” 

The formal title seemed to stop Guizhong momentarily before she shook her head, determination swelling up in her, “No! I want to help, and I can! I know my limits, A-Ping! I know how to take care of myself, don’t treat me like a defenseless child!” 

Madam Ping struggled to find words but was quickly stopped by Morax, who put a hand on her shoulder, “...Keep your distance..” 

Madam Ping relented and nodded, earning a relieved look from Guizhong. 

They all turned towards Ajax, and were about to say something before he beat them to it, “I’m going too!” 

Morax seemed to stare deeply into him, a pleading stare in him, before he relented as well. 

Ajax’s stubbornness went far beyond Guizhong, he would do anything to fight alongside them all. 

“I will allow it…but only because you are better.” 

Tartaglia grinned, and inside of him, the abyssal monster seemed to burst out of its ties. It had not had a proper meal in weeks, and was more than eager to feast on such delicious smelling energy. 

If he concentrated on it, he could smell the pungent smell of miasma, and he shivered to think how it would taste. 

Truly delectable, he was sure. 

They made their way to the scene, and it was better than Ajax had expected. 

All throughout it, the thick smell of miasma coated his lungs and made him want more. And what was even better were the army of monsters charging straight at them. 

What a great start to a day.

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(15/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

______________________

Chapter 15: Realizations, Transformations, and the Meaning of "Home" Pt. 4

It was tense.  

The air inside of Guizhong’s usually lovely abode was tense and awkward; a slight movement or a drop of a pin two rooms away could break the eerie silence Ajax found himself being the target of. 

Guizhong had insisted on brewing the tea alone in the kitchen, whilst Morax and Ajax sat too far apart from each other on her living room couch. 

The couch itself was comfortable, too comfortable even. It was made from good quality materials, most likely built to last, just like pretty much every other thing in her abode. Ajax could see himself dozing off to sleep on the comfortable cushions that were stuffed nicely with what felt to be cotton or wool. 

If it were a different circumstance, Ajax would have probably already done so; however, given the tense atmosphere, that would most likely be a bad call on his behalf. 

Morax sat on the other side of the couch, staring dazedly at the wooden table below them, decorated slightly by a small incense burner in the center, with small flowers engraved onto the bronze that covered the burner. The table was also nicely decorated, as it was damasked with carved lilies and their leaves on the wood itself, obviously commissioned by a master in such crafts. 

Even if Guizhong was not as posh as the rest of the adepti, and had by no means expensive tastes (not unlike Cloud Retainer, who had nearly every other antique and priceless item covering the entirety of her abode). However, that did not mean that she did not indulge herself in such a luxury every once and a while, and so, she too had many priceless items laid out throughout her house. 

It seemed as if Guizhong specifically preferred to spoil everyone around her rotten, Celestia knows how many expensive shuhe’s her shijie had gifted him throughout his entire stay; each and every one made from the finest materials known to mankind, carefully crafted to compliment his exact measurements no doubt. 

Ajax still remembers the day she had dragged him along towards the market, after hearing that foreign salesmen were coming to sell their goods. She flitted to all of the stands, like a butterfly towards flowers in spring, her excitement at full capacity, as she happily chatted with the salespeople with the energy of a thousand suns.

She was naturally a people’s person, so, it did not surprise him, but she was even more eager that day to buy nearly everything they had to sell. 

She would nearly clear out their full stock of trinkets, if it weren’t for the limit of only 2 for one person. She bought nearly every item that caught her eye, which usually consisted of jewelry, incense burners, knicknacks, trinkets, and even weaponry.  

It nearly reminded him of outings with Zhongli, where the usually expressionless and composed man got outwardly excited, so much so that he would nearly burst out of his own skin whenever he saw a caught the glint of a shiny object. He was not nearly as energized as Guizhong per se, but he was just as enthusiastic about the item nevertheless.

Thankfully, unlike Zhongli, she actually paid for her items with her hefty wallet, which was a nicely embroidered pouch embroidered with tiny yellow poppies. It looked to be Madam Ping’s craftsmanship, as the flowers were detailed nicely and neatly. 

Guizhong’s craftsmanship was slightly messy and her flowers were always embroidered on big, and brightly colored; just like her personality, Ajax guessed. 

Usually though, Dajie would stick with muted colors of blues, violets, and greens in her work. So, Ajax pondered if Guizhong had it commissioned specifically, or if it was simply a gift from his Dajie. 

Ajax vaguely wondered if she had begun to properly court her, or if she was going to chicken out like he always did. He was always seeing them fly in circles around each other, like a planet and its moon, always circling each other but never quite touching. 

It was frustrating to see them act so obvious towards each other. His Dajie always shied away from telling his shijie the truth, and always sheepishly accompanied her everywhere she went, drawn to her like cicadas to light. 

His Shijie on the other hand, seemed to avoid the harrowing truth that was always thrusted in her direction. She always seemed to prance around Madam Ping, with a certain nervousness of her own, and yet, she did not say anything about the subtle attraction between them. 

He was not sure if Guizhong liked Madam Ping in that way, but, either way, he could see the way she cared deeply for the other woman. However, what he did know was that she felt the attraction between the two of them as well; if the way she blushed lightly whenever Madam Ping came back from patrol and embraced her, or the way she would be caught peeking out of the corner of her eye at Madam Ping. If those were not clear indicators of attraction, then Ajax did not know what was. 

She really cared about Madam Ping, but for whatever reason she was almost…scared to confront the feelings head on. 

That was the thing about his Shijie.  

Even if she was one of the most open people he had ever known, easily making friends with pretty much everyone she had come in contact with. For some reason, she seemed to keep everyone at an arm's length, never truly allowing people to fully connect with her emotionally, never fully allowing herself to acknowledge people’s flirtations. 

She would always laugh off people’s advances towards her, and would dance around their words as if she was aware of how much it would hurt her if she accepted them. 

It would have been no different if Morax had ever said anything, because she would simply wave him off and pretend that everything was fine, when it really wasn’t. 

Many of her followers believed that she was simply living in celibacy, and she was deemed the quintessential for purity and virginity for many. While many of her other followers presumed that she and Morax were in an intimate relationship with one another; unsettled by their closeness, that was never the case. 

Guizhong had never fully expressed showing romantic interest in anyone before; however, it was not because she didn’t want to, it was simply because she was terrified. 

She was scared to lose anyone again. 

Scared to love someone that deeply and intimately, just for them to be ripped away from her. 

She had never admitted to this, but for some reason, Ajax had a feeling that it was the case for her. It had been the case for him as well, the all consuming fear of losing someone that dear to you. 

The feeling of someone you love slipping through your fingers like sand, before you had the chance to love them properly. 

Ajax was aware of that feeling. 

Too aware even, but even so, he was starting to grow frustrated seeing them so awkward around each other. 

Ajax sighed before he focused his attention on the many miscellaneous items around Guizhong’s house. 

Around the house were several book shelves, filled to the brim with a variety of different books, all from different genres it seemed. The other shelves were decorated with figurines, expensive looking items, and a mysterious box that reminded him of the box Zhongli had back at his apartment (?).  

Her walls were made from pure wood, as well as the floor, which creaked every so slightly whenever someone walked on it. The style of the house nearly reminded him of the same exact one his own house was styled in, and he pondered if she had based it off of similar houses, or if she had modeled the house after hers.

It was a nice cozy house, but it felt strange with the overwhelming silence that overcame the two of them. Without Guizhong’s banter, without her naturally loud voice, and without his own eager comments, and without Morax’s occasional hums, it was weird. 

Ajax had no idea how to act around Morax; especially not after what had happened. And especially not after the immense guilt that dripped off of him in mounds, as he occasionally looked out of the corner of his eyes to see the man staring directly at him. 

His eyes were equally as intense as they had always been, but inside of them was a gentle regret, solemn in their dullness. 

Ajax felt his chest throb with pain, as he peered into his eyes, they were too much. 

He looked back, as if he had been burned, wincing away from his eyes. 

They were too much. 

His guilt swelled up, his breath came out shakily as he swallowed hard. 

Ajax hoped Guizhong would be back more than ever. 

______________________

Guizhong returned after a few minutes, smiling happily as she pranced towards where they were and placed two cups of tea on the extravagantly furnished table, “Here ya go! Hope you two enjoy it! It’s a new brew I was working on recently! Tell me how it tastes, alright?” 

Her smile was wide and bright, it almost hurt to look at. She looked less tense than before, and looked eager to please as she waited for them to drink the tea. 

Morax hummed, a small smile attempting to curl in his lips, “Mnn.” 

Guizhong’s face grew soft as she patted his shoulder, sympathetically (?).

Ajax shrugged it off and plastered on his signature smile, “Will do, shijie! Also, are you not having a cup yourself?” 

Guizhong shook her head, waving him off, “I had one earlier, so I’m okay...But I think I’ll read for a bit. If you do not mind, shidi.”

She motioned at the empty space between them, and Ajax shook his head, “I never do, shijie! Your presence is always welcome, and if you don’t mind. Could you please tell me how the book goes?” 

She grinned and nodded, before she sat herself down between the two of them, and opened up a small book. It was a fiction book from the looks of the illustrative art on the cover, painstakingly painted on, it seemed. 

He smiled as he brought the dainty tea cup to his lips, and took a small sip.

The taste was extraordinary, sweet but it did not power the earthy taste of oolong tea.

It took him back to a sweet rainy day, cramped by a heater with Zhongli. 

______________________

“Uhh…Xiansheng…” Childe’s voice rang out, hesitantly, as he stood by the opened door outside to the pouring rain. 

Childe had spent the afternoon cramped up in Zhongli’s house, after being invited to have dinner with Zhongli, to get to know the Funeral Consultant a bit more since their meeting. Usually, they would have dinner at Wanmin; however, the restaurant had been unexpectedly closed. 

Neither Zhongli nor Childe seemed to have a clue as to why the restaurant was closed. Even on the weekends, holidays, and major festivals they were always open. And so, it came as a surprise to see them closed so suddenly. 

Childe internally groaned at the sight of the closed restaurant, but gave Zhongli a small smile before he sighed, “Ah…I guess we’ll have to reschedule for another day, Mr. Zhongli.” 

Zhongli let out a small chuckle, making the tips of Childe’s ears red at the deep sound of it, before he shook his head, “I don’t believe we have to, Mr. Childe.” 

Childe sputtered a bit, brain still hung up on the sound of Zhongli’s laugh before he curled an eyebrow up, “What are you suggesting we do, Mr. Zhongli? Because I’m not sure I’m following..” 

Zhongli’s eyes were warm with a deep-rooted affection and fondness he had whenever he looked directly into Ajax’s eyes. It was warm, and Ajax would be lying if he said he didn’t love the way they crinkled when he smiled. 

He smiled, tight-lipped but just as beautiful, “If you do not mind, I would like to invite you for dinner. I may not be the best chef, and I am certainly not as talented as Xiangling or Chef Mao, but I’ve been told I am not all that bad.” 

Ajax felt his heartbeat quicken, as he resisted the urge not to grin stupidly at the man in front of him. 

If he had known that his tour was going to be such a handsome and charming man, he would have not come at all. In just a few days, Mr. Zhongli had wormed his way into Ajax’s heart, inch by inch, but he had somehow managed it. 

And now, Childe was a bit enchanted by the man. 

He had attempted to repress his developing crush, but it was quite impossible when the man in question was gentle, nice, well-mannered, attentive, handsome, and charming to a fault. It was getting tougher to deny his attraction to the man; it had become fairly obvious to those who knew him on a personal level.

Katya had stopped him after a week of meeting the man on a regular basis, her eyebrow raised inquisitive and knowing, “...My Lord, do you like the Funeral Consultant?” 

Katya had always been straightforward and blunt when it came to things related to work, always the first to tell someone they had irreversibly fucked up. And, it seemed to follow in matters related to emotions as well. 

Tartaglia sputtered for a bit, cheeks flushed, eyes wide, “..No?”

Katya glared at him, before she gave a curt nod, “Hm….fine. But, remember to not get too involved with him, we’re on a mission after all. And besides that…..he’s suspicious, I don’t like him.” 

Tartaglia frowned but didn’t comment on it further and simply waved her off. 

He didn’t want to distrust Zhongli, the guy seemed genuine with his actions, so earnest to please Ajax, so eager to be as informative and insightful on matters involving Liyuean culture. 

But, Katya was also right, and she was one of his closest friends; his best even. So, he took her advice to heart, and decided to be less trusting of the man. 

Even if he was specifically appointed by the Tsaritsa to be Childe’s guide for the duration of his stay in Liyue, he could not trust him so easily. 

He trusted his Tsaritsa to never intentionally do anything to put him in harm's way (she might have been cold-hearted and distant, but she wasn’t a bad person), but, at the same time, he did not trust strangers. 

If he had trusted the rest of the Harbingers as soon as he was appointed as the 11th, he would have gotten himself killed by any one of them. Celestia knows just how cruel the rest of the Harbingers were, always keen to one up nearly everybody to keep their position. 

The only one he trusted a bit was Pulcinella, but that was because he was practically raised by the old man. The rest of them…were definitely something. 

La Signora was arrogant, self-centered, unlikable, and cocky; he grew irritated by her posh demeanor and passive aggressive remarks the moment he saw her. He disliked her, and she did as well. The only real reason they were not at each other’s throat was because of their mutual obedience to the Tsaritsa, otherwise, he would have killed her a long time ago. 

Scaramouche was twice as irritating as La Signora, in his own fucked up way. He had the ego of a god, always acting as if he was an untouchable force to be reckoned with, he had a matching short-temper to his stature, and was hated by nearly every other Harbinger (At least Signora was liked by Columbina). He had gotten into a fight with the fucker on his first day on the job, and had the matching electro scars running up his back to match. 

Sandrome was….creepy to say the least. Always quiet and watching, never truly speaking all that much during meetings. He was on decent terms with her, and the both of them acknowledged each other's presence. But, even so, he did not trust her. 

Pantalone was an irritating rich man who was in charge of the economic money-related side of the Harbingers. He did not have a vision like the rest of them, and yet he was just as ambitious and just as cocky as the rest of them. Tartaglia swears that if he had to hear yet another remark on his spendings, and how terrible it was for Snezhnaya’s economy, he was going to personally bury his hydro spear down the man’s throat. He partnered up with Dottore, and is close confidants with the psycho, something that Tartaglia will never understand but not question. He did not trust the man, but did not dislike him, even if his voice was grating to his ears. 

Pierro was more talkative than Sandrome, but was entirely indifferent with everybody around him. But, even so, as their leader he had to at least give a modicum of respect to the man; after all, their Tsarista had been the one to choose him specifically as their leader, so he at least respected the man. But besides that, Tartaglia was drawn to the man because of the way the abyssal energy seemed to taint him just as much, as it did to Tartaglia. He guessed the man felt it too, because there was a quiet understanding between the two of them. 

Columbina was the scariest of them all, if he was completely honest. Something about her demeanor made a very primal fear swell up in him everytime he was in the same room as her. She was just off, more unsettling than Sandrome. And because of this overwhelming fear to run away, he preferred to keep his distance from the Damselette. He definitely did not trust her. 

Il Capitano was intriguing, face always hidden beneath his mask. However, he definitely was respectable, his strong sense of justice had earned him a high reputation and he was overall really strong in battle. Childe would have been lying if he said he did not long for the day the man took him into account, noticed him, praised him…it was kind of pathetic really, if he was honest. 

Il Dottore was a nightmare, a psychopath, and a terrible scientist. He was always looking for ways to better his experiments, looking for ways to “upgrade the human body”, whatever that meant. Always looking for ways to defy Celestia, and break the bounds of what was set in place, no matter what that took. His experiments were cruel, brutal in the way he would mercilessly push everyone to their limits until they would break under his treatment. He disgusts Tartaglia; he doesn’t like him. 

Arlecchino was quite the two-faced bitch, if he was honest. She always acted polite towards everyone around her, but, behind all of that lied a vindictive and power-hungry person. He did not like her, she was unloyal to the Tsaritsa and would most likely betray her trust in the flip of a coin if she was guaranteed a higher advantage with somebody else. 

He shook his head, and got his thoughts in order before he gave a small nod towards Zhongli. And he hoped that he had not spaced out for too long, “If it isn’t too much for an intrusion, than I would love to be in your care for the evening, Xiansheng.” 

He had let the nickname slip out before he had caught himself just in time. Before he had come to Liyue, he had been required to learn at least a bit of the language, so he was not completely ignorant as to what the people were saying. And in this way, he had been allowed to talk openly to the many people in Liyue. 

And because of that, and the way Zhongli had a habit of rambling on and on about the intricacies of the history, culture, and food of Liyue. It was only natural to refer to him as much; sometimes Ajax wondered if Zhongli really wasn’t a teacher by the way he knew so much about Liyue and in so much detail as well. The man was quite literally a walking, talking, living encyclopedia after all. 

Zhongli's smile widened a bit before he shook his head, still staring at Ajax as if he had hung up the sun singlehandedly, “No, not at all. It would be my utmost pleasure to serve you for the evening, Mr. Childe.” 

Ajax smiled, and attempted not to melt into a puddle of his own feelings as he glanced up at the man, “Oh, then when should I stop by?”

Zhongli’s eyes flickered with something foreign before he smiled warmly again, “4 o’clock, if that is alright with you.” 

Ajax felt his cheeks warm at the concept of being inside of Zhongli’s apartment for dinner, “Y-yeah, that would be great.” 

Zhongli smiled before he bid himself goodbye, and Ajax was left alone to deal with the weight of his own emotions and internal conflicts. 

The hours had gone by quickly, and before he knew it, he was having dinner at Zhongli’s apartment. It was an excellent meal; Bamboo Shoot Soup, Lotus Crisps, Adeptus Temptation, and even some Almond Tofu. 

Zhongli had pain-stakingly went out of his way to make the meal for him, and that had Ajax feeling some type of way. And, whoever had said that Zhongli was ‘not bad’ was a liar, because as soon as the spoon hit his mouth, he practically melted at the flavor. 

He had attempted to make several of the Liyuean-styled meals himself, but he could not perfectly obtain the same flavor they originally were intended to have. And while he was a pretty good cook, he did not have their flair in the kitchen. 

And well, Zhongli’s versions of the meals they usually had at Wanmin Restaurant were well-made, and he would have easily mistaken them for Xiangling’s own cooking if he had not been informed that Zhongli had made it. And yet, if he were to really savor the taste, and really really taste it, it did taste a bit different than Xiangling’s or Chef Mao’s. 

Zhongli’s food had a bit of nostalgia attached to it, like a sweet memory lost to time, or the feeling of eating a coveted childhood food for the first time in years. It had the taste of a home-cooked meal, with every ounce of love and care poured into it to match. 

It made a warm feeling wash over Ajax’s chest, he liked it. 

The meal had gone by in the blink of an eye and their conversation with it. It had already been getting late, as he saw the sky grow dark as the minutes passed. He had helped Zhongli clean up (after he insisted on helping), and he was getting ready to leave his apartment. 

He had slipped on his shoes, tightened his scarf around his neck, and had opened the door. 

Only to be met with an unfortunate sight. 

Outside, it was absolutely pouring. 

Unfortunately, he had not brought an umbrella with him, presuming that it would not rain, given the seemingly clear cloudless skies above. Although it had been autumn already, the weather had been mild and rainless, and so he had not anticipated there to be rain. 

He shuffled awkwardly as he heard the sky crackle with thunder, and the sound of rain pitter pattering on the concrete ground below. It would have been soothing, if not for the misfortuned situation he had found himself in. 

He sighed, before he mustered up enough courage to call out to Zhongli who was currently in the kitchen organizing a few things, “Uhh…Xiansheng…” 

Hopefully, the consultant had a spare umbrella laying around his apartment.  

The Consultant walked out of his kitchen, looking towards Ajax, “You have called for me?” 

“Ah....yes,” Ajax swallowed a lump in his throat, “Do you have a spare umbrella that I could possibly borrow?” 

The man looked towards the open door and then seemed to be in thought for a while before he tentatively shook his head, “I’m afraid I do not have an umbrella…I have yet to buy one.” 

Ah…shit.  

Of course he didn’t. The Consultant wasn’t exactly known for being prepared in such ordinary problems, he didn’t bring money more than half of the time for their outings for Celestia’s sake. 

Childe let out a small laugh before he smiled, “That’s alright…In that case I guess I better hurry to my apartment then. Thank you for the delicious meal, see you later, Xiansheng. ” 

He turned to leave, before he felt something wrapped around his arm. He turned around and looked down when he saw Zhongli’s gloved hand holding on ever so tightly on his wrist. 

His gaze left his arm, and met Zhongli’s eyes; they were warm, pleading, desperate. 

He could not bear to say no to him. 

He didn’t think anyone could, not when he looked at him with his eyes. 

Zhongli realized his action and sheepishly released his wrist, taking a step back from him, realizing the extent of their closeness as well, “I would advise you to not venture outside while it's raining without an umbrella, you could potentially catch a cold.” 

“Oh really? Then what do you suggest Xiansheng?” 

Zhongli stilled and he swore he could see the tips hair glowing a warm yellow light (?). 

What was that all about? 

The man seemed to at least catch the implications, but ignored them and gave a small smile instead, “I…I would not mind if you stayed…Until the skies clear up…” 

Ajax was stunned, as he had not anticipated that response from the Funeral Consultant. He felt his palms grow clammy and his cheeks heat up at the prospect of staying indoors with Zhongli just for a while longer. 

He nodded, flashing him a large grin, “Sure......Then, what shall we do to pass the time, Xiansheng?” 

The man’s smile widened, fondness growing inside of his warm eyes, “I was recently gifted a kotatsu by an old friend in Inazuma; it is essentially a low rising table with a heater attached to the underside of it, with a heavy blanket between the wood that makes up the table. It is traditionally used to keep one’s legs warm in cold weather whilst dining, but can be used for sleeping during cold weather as well. I believe that this shall keep us both warm since the temperature has gone down significantly because of the rain.” 

Ajax hummed in agreement; a part of him amused at the sudden rambling of the man, another part eager to listen more of his calming voice. 

A while later, underneath the kotatsu, Zhongli gently placed a small cup of steaming oolong tea in front of him. 

Zhongli smiled at him, “I hope it's to your liking.”

It was. 

The flavor was earthy, a bit of a floral hint as he sipped on it slowly. It was mildly sweet, but Ajax liked his tea like that anyways, a bit sweet with a tang of bitterness coating it as well. 

He smiled, feeling content for the first time in months; at ease in the man’s presence. 

Perhaps Katya was wrong about him? 

He quietly hoped she was. 

The man sat on the other side of the kotatsu rambling on and on about the intricacies of Liyuean folklore, while Ajax kept asking him questions on the subject, eagerly curious to find out more of what the man knew. 

But then again, he would find anything the man said to be interesting, even if he was describing the worst thing known to man in grotesque detail. 

He hoped the rain would never pass. 

______________________

And all of a sudden, the sweet memory slipped away, replaced by bitterness instead. 

Bitterness at his current situation. Bitterness at the time spent apart from Zhongli. Bitterness at his own frail emotions. Bitterness at the man for not breaking their awkward silence. Bitterness at his own inability to do anything right. 

Cold, hard, rough bitterness. 

He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit. 

He couldn’t feel this way, he couldn’t let that bitter feeling in his chest overcome his feeling, not now. 

Guizhong raised her head up, raising an eyebrow at him, face painted with concern, “Shidi? Are you alright?”

Ajax felt his heart clench, as he saw his sweet and gentle shijie looking up at him with such concern in her eyes. He had a major soft spot for the woman, everybody did. 

He gave her a small smile, “Yeah, I’m alright….Just a bit overwhelmed is all…The attacks have been getting more rampant than ever, and I'm worried for the others.” 

He had lied, partially at least. 

That wasn’t the real reason why. 

He had lied right through his teeth, and Guizhong seemed to catch on, but did not say anything about it, merely nodding in agreement, “Yes, I am worried too…I have seen the others stressed out as well. I have no clue as to why they are getting out more, I thought that they had sealed the last rip a while ago. But for some reason, they just keep on opening up…” 

Ajax didn’t know why they kept opening up portals all over Liyue, the Rifthounds kept coming out in eager swarms, being a huge pain in the ass for the adepti. 

It was becoming a problem, one that he couldn't be there to help with, because of the strange transformation his body was going through at the moment, rendering him practically helpless. The creature inside of him was becoming more and more agitated at the inability to go outside and feast on the gallons of abyssal energy for his taking. 

But the more invasions were becoming a huge concern on his part, they were a large signifier that the war was on the cusp of breaking out. 

He had to make a plan, he was running out of time. 

A silence washed over them, before Ajax started out again, “Yeah, and I would be out there helping everybody if it wasn’t for this annoying transformation my body’s going through.” 

It was getting irritating having to go through the transformation; every part of his body ached and throbbed with pain. His molars hurt badly, and he felt the urge to bite on stuff constantly. His mouth was sore and in pain from the sudden expansion of his teeth. His nails were becoming long and dark black, ripping through everything that he touched (he had nearly ripped Cloud Retainer’s sweater when he attempted to pick it up and wash it). His horns had grown longer, and they felt sharper on his head. 

There were weird marks beginning to form on either side of his cheeks, small crescents of red, that would not come off no matter how hard he scrubbed at his face. And his tongue had become too long, freakishly long, like that of a serpent, and it was even forked at the tip. His strength had doubled, and he had broken a chair when he attempted to move it aside…it had instead flown to the wall and smashed into pieces…

And his hands had started to grow strange designs on them, much like Morax’s own, but they were a shade of dark blue, with lighter blue geometric designs on them. However, unlike Morax’s own, they started at his palms and stopped below his elbow. The shimmering scales on his back were a surprise, and he hated the way they itched sometimes. They were glittery, a shiny blue iridescent color that shined rainbows if you were to turn them slightly towards the light. And, he had a larger appetite than he usually did. 

Cloud Retainer had her theories on which creature he was taking after, turning into. But, she never shared them with him, only driving his curiosity and irritation further up. 

Whatever. He would find out eventually. 

Guizhong patted his head, “Aww, shidi! Don’t be so glum, it’ll be over soon. Dajie has already informed me that it's nearing its end, it should be over in a few more days or so, according to her.” 

Ajax huffed, giving her a large pout, “Yeah, yeah. I know, but still, it's really painful, even with the medicine…It feels like my bones are on fire, and my temper has become worse than it usually is..” 

Guizhong frowned, playing with the strands of his hair a bit more, done out of the desire to comfort the man, “I’m sorry shidi, I wish I could help, but I’m not an expert on these subjects. I have never experienced such a painful transformation, even when I was starting to develop fully. So, I don’t think I can help…have you tried to ask Dajie for some stronger medication?” 

Ajax nodded, “Yeah…I have. But, apparently, I can’t because my body would be ‘too weak to handle it’,” he grumbled a complaint, and buried his face into his hands; frustration enveloping him. 

Guizhong gave a sigh, before she shut her book and pulled him in a hug. It was at an awkward angle, but it was satisfactory as he relished the comfort of feeling her warmth. 

She gave some of the best hugs he had ever felt. 

He sighed into the embrace, and wrapped his hands around her tentatively, dropping his head to her shoulder. 

He relaxed in her embrace, and felt his worries nearly slip away. They almost did, almost. 

After a few minutes in her embrace, he heard a familiar voice ring out, “I…I may be.....may be able to help.. ” 

Ajax lifted his head up, eyes locking with Morax’s. 

They were intense, they sent a shiver down his spine. 

________________________

“So, how is this supposed to work again?” 

Morax stared at him, expression blank, “I will lend you some of my elemental energy, and it should soothe your weak mortal form. We both have similar energies....they are compatible with each other…Whoever placed the energy inside of you, wielded adeptal energy quite well…” 

Ajax flinched at his straightforwardness, the way they sounded so professional and to the point. The tone he used when he was usually talking to his followers, or making small trips (at Guizhong’s insistence), in his mortal form to ‘get to know the humans.’ It was unlike the softer tone he had started to use recently to talk to him in particular. 

Ajax didn’t like it. 

But then again, did he have any right to feel entitled to the tone of the man’s voice? 

No, he didn’t. Nobody was entitled to that. And if someone where it would not be, not after he had betrayed the man he was supposed to adore, cherish, treasure.  

But then again, he was wasting his time for his own feelings over a man who was still learning how to be human. He had his own love back in his own world, back home.  

He needed to go back home, more than ever now. 

There was no time to waste, especially not here. 

He shrugged off his thoughts and focused on the man’s determined gaze, “I see. So, it's similar to what Madam Ping did a few days ago? Right?” 

Morax nodded, “Mn. It is similar, but in this case I am not filling your meridians, I am merely using my energy to heal you from the inside, and it will help alleviate some of the pain by numbing the sites where you feel pain or discomfort the most.” 

Ajax had never heard him speak so much before, usually he was a man of little words (quite the opposite in his own world). He wondered what could have possibly changed him to be so talkative? 

He must have been giving him a weird look because when he looked towards Guizhong, she gave him a wide smile and a thumbs up, “Yep! Don’t worry shidi! Have faith in our little ol’ dragon! He's more than capable, right?"

She raised an eyebrow at Morax, and he seemed to understand and nodded right away, “Yes. There is no need to fret, it will be painless....for the most part.” 

Guizhong gave him a glare, “Don’t tell him that! He’ll get nervous,” she turned towards Ajax and patted his shoulder, “It’s going to be completely painless, alright? It’ll be okay.” 

He didn’t really mind even if it were painful, as long as the discomfort went away, he was okay with it. 

Ajax hummed at his response, before he extended his palm, feeling Morax’s palm touch his. He felt his heart in his throat as he felt the familiar roughness of his hand on his own, it was calloused and rough, but steady and reliable. 

He sent a slow current of warm air through his palms, and Ajax felt the warmth go towards every painful spot in his body; from his teeth to his back. It felt soothing, safe, warm, comforting; like a warm blanket on a cold night. 

Morax’s eyes bore into him deeply, they were molten and piercing, yet analytical; as if he was looking for answers in Ajax’s eyes. 

Ajax avoided his stare, it was too much. He looked towards Guizhong, who looked nervous, as if she was dying to tell him something but couldn’t. 

Hm…

Well, it wasn’t at all painful(Guizhong had been right), but it was a bit ticklish. Like a feather brushing past his arms and down his back. 

He jolted up, as a hard shiver ran through his body, making him shake harshly towards the man. 

The archon seemed to notice the shiver, and he went rigid. His pupils contracted and retracted, back and forth. His hair began to glow lightly, warm as always, he was near Ajax in a blink of an eye. 

His eyes were staring intently, fierce desire coated them. His breathing was shallow and heavy as Ajax felt his breath fan over his neck. Ajax unconsciously bared his neck, wanting to feel the warmth on his neck. It felt good. 

He leaned in, his face was now out of sight. 

The man's lips slightly grazed his neck, it felt pleasant, familiar. 

Good.  

Too good. 

Ajax leaned further, releasing the touch, melting into it. 

Being in the Abyss for such a long time and coming out of it and entering the Fatui, meant one of two things: He was always starving for the feeling of someone else’s skin on his. 

And while being here in the village, with all of the adepti meant that he was doused with too much affection (mostly by Guizhong), he still could never get enough of it. Whenever Guizhong pulled away, he would always suppress the whine that escaped his throat, and always stopped himself from lunging forward and remaining in her arms forever. 

Back when he was a child, if he was subjected to the woman’s embrace, he would not be able to let go. Even as an adult, he still found it difficult to let go of the warm hug. 

The same thing applied to all of the adepti that showered him in their own version of affection; even Cloud Retainer’s playful slaps to the head whenever he said something absurd were welcomed. 

But, his sensory deprivation was more evident whenever he was around Morax. For an odd reason, the power he held over everyone was warm, safe. Ajax felt safe whenever he was around, even if he wasn’t the gentle man who talked his ear off, he would still feel that way around him it seemed. 

The man stilled, and in a matter of seconds, they were back to normal again. 

He withdrew his hand from Ajax’s, and awkwardly withdrew his hand, until it rested by his side. 

Ajax felt slightly dizzy….

No, sleepy.  

That was more like it. 

His eyes were becoming too heavy to keep open, he kept blinking but they kept drooping shut, as if someone was purposefully making him sleep. It vaguely reminded Ajax of the drugs Dottore would administer inside of his arm, to subdue the pain he felt when he was running tests on his delusion. 

The world was fading rapidly to black, as the images before him became nothing but a messy blur of nothingness. 

In his drowsy state, he could only make out a panicked voice, “Sh-di!” 

Before he fully succumbed to the darkness. 

________________________

He awoke in an endless field, filled to the brim with flowers. 

Ajax frantically stood up, the place was unfamiliar to him. It was definitely not Liyue, nor any other place in Teyvat.

The flowers were strange, a pale blue color, with blue stems(?). 

It reminded him of the flowers Lumine always had in her hair, for a strange reason they had not wilted. She had never told him of what the origin of such flowers was, but he had a strong feeling he did. 

She called them Inteyvats.  

The national flower of Khaenri’ah.  

A name so foreign to his tongue, yet it resounded deeply in his chest, even if he were not from the place forgotten for over centuries. 

The place which he had never visited, yet a place where he had longed to be. The place where his Master Skirk was from, the place where Pierro was from, from where that Cavalry Captain from Mondstat that he had briefly met with was from; the palace where a part of him wanted to be.

The fields of flowers were gorgeous, touching everywhere the eye could see. The air was fresh and a soft melody could be heard from beyond a distance. 

It was eerily familiar, beautiful, nostalgic. 

His feet drove him to the direction of the sound, until he stumbled upon a path; it was not long, and in the distance he could figure out a small group of figures talking, sitting on a small white stone table. 

He made his way over, curiosity getting the best of him. 

Just as he was a little ways away from them, his heart dropped. 

One of them had turned around to face him, it was Guizhong. 

She was in the middle of laughing as she turned to see him, but her grin only got wider as she marched over and gave him a tight hug, “We’ve been waiting for you! Where have you been?” 

Ajax swallowed, feeling a strange sentimental feeling wash over him. It pained his chest, causing his heart to clench, his eyes to burn up. 

She was wearing an outfit different from her usual ensemble, it was more modern than her usual qixiong ruqun, shorter too, with strange geometric patterns on it. The outfit looked like Lumine’s own, cut from the same style no doubt. 

She looked younger than he remembered, more carefree than she usually was. She grabbed him by the arm and led him back to the group. 

He did not recognize the rest of the people there, but it seemed as if they did, judging from the way they greeted him warmly.

They were all different heights, different hair colors, all foreign to him and yet strangely familiar. 

Two of them were playing the sweet instruments he had heard, while the rest were settled in deep conversation it seemed. 

Whenever he looked at them, his heart ached, like seeing a long lost relative all over again. 

Guizhong enthusiastically waved towards all of them, before she dragged him to sit on the table. She smiled at him before she passed her fingers through his hair, Ajax hadn’t noticed it, but it was freakishly long, reaching all the way past his lower back down by his thighs. He had not remembered his hair being this long, barely stopping a bit aways right below his ears. 

It was messy, undone for a strange reason, the woman seemed to be amused by his messy hair and retrieved a comb from a small bag. She began to pass the comb through his hair as she hummed, sitting down beside him, “He’ll be here soon, don’t worry.”

Her tone conveyed a cheekiness to it, as if it was a hidden joke amongst friends, teasing lilt to it.  He didn’t say anything to her, and let her pass the comb through his hair, feeling strangely pleased. 

A few minutes passed, and he was dozing off to sleep, by the sweet melody of her humming and the sweet instruments being played by unknown people. He felt at peace, content, a strange ease settled into him.

There were sudden foot steps as everyone seemed to jolt front their spots, straightening up and getting down to bow. 

Ajax followed in their steps but as the footsteps neared, a hand reached down and lifted him up as if he was a priceless treasure to be worshiped. 

He looked up to see…Zhongli?  

The man was dressed in his usual attire, gloves and all. 

His eyes bore the same gentility of Zhongli, the same foreign sorrow, regret and fondness he always had whenever he looked at Ajax. 

He gently cupped his chin, looking ever so softly towards Ajax. He gave a soft smile before he carefully tucked a piece of hair behind Ajax’s ear. 

“Dearest, you have yet to put up your hair…Would you mind if I did so?”

Ajax felt his heart become stuck in his throat as he shook his head, his eyes burning with unshed tears. 

It wasn’t his Zhongli, it was just his imagination. 

Just like the others, they were all but a dream. 

This Zhongli smiled at him, and took Guizhong’s spot and began tentatively running his fingers through his hair, separating it into different parts. Once he was satisfied with the sections, he began making a long braid, down his back. 

His movements were gentle, practiced, as if he had done that for Ajax many times. He did not hum, and instead preferred to occasionally stroke the nape of his neck as he grazed his fingers through his hair. 

A few minutes later, he was done. 

His hair was tied up into a long loose braid, tied off with a small hair pin; a red dragonfly. 

“All done, precious treasure.”

Ajax turned to face him, the man’s face was sorrowful, yearning; yet he somehow kept it together. 

The Zhongli here looked exactly like his Zhongli, a perfect carbon copy of the man. 

He smiled sadly at Ajax before he gently laid his hand on his, “...Ajax…how have you been?”

Ajax paused. 

Taking in his words greedily, “Xiansheng? ” 

The man smiled at the nickname before he nodded, drawing soothing circles on Ajax’s hands, “How have you been, dear boy?.....Have you grown fond of them already?”

His voice was far off, distant, bittersweet, as he gazed deeply into Ajax’s eyes. 

Xiansheng 

Zhongli. 

His Zhongli was here!

Ajax swallowed, before he lunged towards the man, enveloping him in his arms tightly, feeling emotion overcome him in waves, “Zhongli! How-when-I-” 

He couldn’t stop the tears from dropping down his cheeks as he sobbed into Zhongli’s shoulder; gripping the man with all the strength he had, hoping he would stay forever if he held on tight enough. 

The man hugged him just as tightly, circling patterns into his back, just like he always did. 

Zhongli pulled away from him, wiping the tears from Ajax’s eyes with pity in his eyes, “My love, why do you cry?” 

Ajax cried harder, “You were gone....You aren’t there waiting back for me at home! I just....I can’t do it! Please, I’m not strong enough! I-”

Zhongli stroked his cheek, “My dear, you are amongst the strongest I’ve ever known, you’ve lived through countless atrocities yet you still stand strong and proud…That’s farther from what I’ve ever been able to do myself..” 

“No! I’m not! I…I don’t know if I can do it, Zhongli! I…love everyone so much! I couldn’t possibly bear to lose anyone here! I…do-” he choked on a sob. 

He was pathetic. 

He had been sent by Guizhong and yet, he could not do it. He was weak, he couldn’t bear to lose anyone. And yet, he didn’t want to lose Zhongli. 

He was selfish, he wanted to go back and run into the safety of Zhongli’s arms. 

He couldn’t. 

He didn’t want to do it. 

He couldn’t face this, he was too weak. 

He c-

Zhongli embraced him, soothingly passing his fingers through his hair. 

A few moments passed before he spoke up again, "What...even is this place?" 

Zhongli stroked his hair, kissing a piece of it before he responded, "We are in your dreamscape, my love. It is made from fragments of your memory; memories that have faded and memories that are brand new. Yet, they all reflect in your dreams." 

Did that mean....he somehow recognized those people? But how? He does not remember ever meeting them, then, why did Zhongli say that? 

He stayed quiet when Zhongli's gap became tighter around him. 

He didn't say anything else; he merely let himself enjoy the moment for a little longer. 

Just a little longer.

Just a bit longer. 

A little longer. 

A little-

His gentle baritone voice started out once again, “…I apologize my dearest soldier. I hadn’t meant to pass on this responsibility to you…I know not why Guizhong passed this responsibility to you….but we are running out of time….I can’t keep this up any longer, my meridians are getting weaker. I can’t stay here for long, and besides you have them waiting for you…My love, you must go back…” 

Ajax gripped harder on the man, “NO! You are not going anywhere! And neither am I! I’m staying!  I can’t do it! Please! Don’t make me go back! I don’t want to! Can’t I just stay with you here! I can’t do it all alone! Please!” 

Zhongli let out a small sigh, his eyes filled with tears as he embraced Ajax; it was tight and Ajax couldn’t breathe, but it was warm and comforting. 

“I’m sorry my love, I wish it didn’t have to be this way,” Zhongli came close to him, kissing him gently. 

Ajax desperately moved against the man, melting into the kiss, feeling it warm him up. He wanted to hang onto him, cherish the kiss forever. It was chaste, but comforting and familiar. 

They departed from the kiss, Zhongli cupped his cheek, his eyes dark and saddened, “Forgive me for this,” he touched Ajax’s forehead. 

His vision went white, he screamed. 

________________________

Ajax woke up with a gasp, sweat dripped down his neck as he frantically glanced around the room. 

It was empty. 

And Zhongli was nowhere to be seen. 

He was alone once again, in his cold room, a far cry from home. A far cry from the bittersweet fields of flowers, a far cry from the gentle flute he had heard, a far cry from Zhongli. 

His anger swelled up immensely. 

He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t do it. Why had the bastard sent him back? 

He couldn’t do it. 

He was useless, he couldn’t. 

He threw the nearest item he found (a small book), at the wall before he began to scream at the top of his lungs, recoiling inside of himself. 

He was pathetic. 

Why did Guizhong choose him out of everyone else? Surely Lumine or even Xiao would have been much more capable at this than him! 

He couldn’t do it.

He screamed louder, and louder, painful sobs wrecked out of his body, he gagged a couple of times, a sick feeling rising up his throat. His chest hurt so much, it was so painful, he wanted it to stop. He scratched at the feeling, not even wincing when his fingernails started to dig into skin.

He was not aware of the quickening footsteps. 

Cloud Retainer rushed to his side, restraining with her bare hands, her eyes wide and horrified. 

He had never seen her that way before. 

Her eyes were wide, as she held his hands in hers, “What in The Abyss do you think you’re doing! You insolent brat! You are hurting yourself! Stop it!” 

He attempted to let go of her tight hold, thrashing around and attempting to break free, her hold was iron-tight. 

He could never get out of it even if he wanted to. 

He fell onto her shoulder as his throat ripped painful sobs out of him, “What are you-....” she stiffened when she saw his face.

It must have been horrible, if she made such a panicked expression; Cloud Retainer was many things but panicked was never really one of them. However, all of the panicked thoughts she must have been thinking, were never said. 

In fact, she never said anything after all, she merely let him rest his head on her shoulder and sob....her arm snaking around his shaking form to hesitantly hug him shortly after, patting his back in a manner unusually gentle for Cloud Retainer. 

She let him sob loudly and grasp at her back, with the sharp ends of his nails, never making a sound. 

He appreciated her silence, it was a nice; if she had said anything else, he was not sure if he would have been able to handle it. 

________________________

He had dozed off after Cloud Retainer had found him; she stayed by his side on the bed, in case he freaked out again. 

He appreciated her presence, comforting but at a distance. 

Cloud Retainer was never the easiest person to talk to, but she did understand other’s limits and never pushed or prodded any further. She just had a quiet understanding in her gaze as she served Ajax a cup of tea and handed it to him. 

She was not an emotional person, unlike many of the others. But, she wasn’t emotionless either, she just repressed it better than most people. 

The second time he woke up, there were muffled voices coming from the living room. 

He sat up on his bed, yawning slightly, he went to scratch at his head when he noticed something; his chest was covered in bandages. They wrapped around him securely, but gave him little wiggle room.

It must have been Shigu. 

His eyes were sore from how much he had cried, and his senses seemed duller than normal. He felt like shit, and probably looked like it as well. 

He didn’t want to leave his room, and tucked himself once more inside of his bed, tuning out the voices. 

The third time he did, there was a small crowd gathered around his bed: Cloud Retainer, Morax, Guizhong, and Ganyu. 

As soon as Guizhong noticed he was awake, she rushed towards him, crushing him into a tight hug. It almost hurt from how tight it was, but Ajax bore it and hugged her back. 

“Shidi!! You were out for 3 weeks! Are you alright!?” 

Her voice was urgent and loud, piercing right through Ajax’s ear, making him wince. He attempted a light chuckle but it came out as a cough instead and he smiled, “I…I’m sorry shijie. I didn’t mean to worry you.” 

She shook her head, letting go of him before holding his hands in hers, “You don’t have to be sorry. We were all worried about you, poor A-yu was wailing nonstop for the first week because of the absence of her favorite gege! Even Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver asked about you!” 

Ajax smiled, bitter guilt swelling up inside of him, like those balloons from Mondstat. 

Here he was selfishly attempting to go back to Zhongli, who was frail and dying. He was practically killing Zhongli himself if he went back to his own time. 

They needed him here. 

They needed him. 

He needed them. 

He loved them, and so did they. 

And just a few moments ago, he was attempting to kill them by going back to his own time. An era where nobody was alive, where everybody had died. 

He had nearly failed them. 

He leaned his face down until his forehead was touching Guizhong’s hands, “I…I’m sorry..” 

Guizhong huffed before she patted his head, “There’s nothing to be sorry for shidi… You just had us worried is all..” 

She had misconstrued his words, but he accepted them anyway, nodding into her hands. 

He lifted his head after a moment and that’s when he felt Cloud Retainer pecking his head, “You insolent brat! Screaming in the middle of the night, waking one up from one’s precious sleep. Do. Not. Ever. Do. That. Again. Or one will have to personally use ones force to restrain you damned brat from harming yourself once more!” 

He winced at her words; she was always the most straightforward and brutal of them all wasn’t she. 

He glanced at Guizhong but she seemed not perturbed in the slightest, a clear indicator that Cloud Retainer had already told the rest of what he had done…..he wasn’t sure how to feel about that. 

But he could never be truly mad at Cloud Retainer. Somehow he found comfort in her words, she was just worried about him; she just had no way of explaining it with her words all that well. That was just her way of showing concern, he smiled at her and waved her off, “I’m sorry A-yi, I promise to not do it again.” 

Cloud Retainer huffed indignantly before prodding him again on his head, “Who are you calling A-yi, insolent brat! Oneself has lived longer than you could have ever imagined! Respect your elders, you sheltered brat!” 

He barked out a real laugh this time, as he attempted to cover himself from the ongoing pokes, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I won’t say it again…..A-yi.” 

Her glare could have broken through stone, but she relented, and huffed once more before walking out of the room. She had insured his safety and his well-being and had then carried on with her duties, it seemed. 

It was good to see her again. 

She had not walked out of the house, and had presumably stayed behind to wait for Ganyu, who was making her way over to his bed. When Cloud Retainer and him were talking, she was playing with small faux birds made out of entwined bamboo. 

She had grown since the last time he saw her, already being tall enough to reach the foot of the bed.

She peaked up, her wide eyes and staring at him. As if she couldn't believe he was in front of her, her eyes were adorably wide and doe-like, almost like a deer. When she spoke, her voice was very quiet and shy (a characteristic, she would never loose, he thought), "...A-yi was sad when...gege was gone...and A-Yu....was also sad..." 

He felt guilt stab at his side and carefully ruffled her hair, it was getting long enough to reach her shoulders now, "I'm sorry, A-Yu, I hope you can forgive this foolish gege. He's been quite careless with himself, but he pleads you to not worry about him, alright?" 

Ganyu she shook her head stubbornly, "No....gege needs to be okay..."

He blinked in surprise at her stubbornness, and let out an airy chuckle. She pouted at his laughter, and he ruffled her hair once again to comfort her, "Okay! Okay, this gegewill be sure to take care of himself, alright?" 

She gave a small smile before she yanked on his hand. He was startled, but he allowed her to yank his hand off the bed; he felt something being tied to his wrist. 

After a while, Ganyu let go of his hand, a clear indicator that was done tying whatever she had. He carefully lifted his hand up; it was a small bracelet made out of glaze lilies. 

She had no doubt been taught by Guizhong herself. 

Her posture was shy, as she waited in anticipation on his next few words, twiddling with her fingers.

She reminded him of Teucer and Tonya, back when he used to frequent his home often.They always looked for his approval in everything they did, always running up to him and giving him a big hug, barging about their test scores and accomplishments, waiting for his approval. 

It had been almost years since the last time he'd seen them...Did they even remember him still?

He felt his eyes burn, before he blinked the feelings that were attempting to rise up his chest and gave a small chuckle instead, before he patted her head, "It's beautiful. Thank you, A-Yu!" 

He saw a slight pink flush crawl up her cheeks, a clear sign at her embarrassment before she smiled. Her voice was softer, and barely audible as she said, "Gege...is....welcome.." 

After that, she made her way out of the door, catching up with Cloud Retainer who was impatiently waiting for the girl. 

He clutched at the dainty bracelet on his wrist and felt tears prickle his eyes, fuck. 

____________________________

It was just Morax and Guizhong in the room now. 

Guizhong’s eyes were flitting back and forth from Morax and Ajax; like a bee attempting to find the right flower to pollinate. 

While Morax’s gaze was dead stuck on Ajax, eyes eerily still on him, making him take the appearance of a statue.

Ajax couldn’t bear to look at him, he was scared he was going to crumble apart if he saw the man. 

Guizhong was the one who broke the silence, “.....Shidi…How are you feeling?...”

“Fine…but my muscles hurt a bit.” 

Guizhong nodded. 

The room went silent again before Z-Morax spoke up again, “I overestimated how much your body could bear before he did the procedure…I apologize, I should have known that your body has been worn out throughout the past few days, and should have looked for an alternative..” 

The apology sounded sincerely regretful, but it was most likely created by the help of Guizhong.

He shook his head, still not meeting his eyes, “It’s fine, Shizun. You couldn’t have known it would have knocked me out for 3 weeks. So, don’t worry about it, that's what an adepti's duty is. We are brought here to risk our lives to reach our ultimate goal, a little pain or discomfort is nothing to worry about.” 

His voice sounded closed off, holding the man at an arm's length. 

Morax hummed, but did not reply again. 

Both of them left shortly afterwards, Ajax relished his spare time alone.

It was comforting, and the sheets were a distant odor of fragrant sandalwood and silk flowers…he burst into tears before he knew it, dozing off after he sobbed into the sheets. 

________________________

A month later, Ajax finally had enough strength to go out to dinner with the rest of them. 

Each of them acknowledged his presence before they continued on with their discussion on Guizhong’s new invention. It was a genius invention; a machine that could plow and plant the various crops at the same time. 

It was awesome, and Guizhong was just figuring out the blueprints and how to implement the various factors in the machine. 

Ajax knew she would eventually figure it out, she was a tech genius; the best in all of Liyue. 

The meal was just as delicious; Stone Harbor Delicacies, Crystal Shrimp, Rice Pudding and some Almond Tofu. 

As the night carried on, Ajax felt his head burning with how much Morax and Guizhong were staring holes into it. 

He couldn’t bear to look at Morax, and had not talked to him since their last conversation. He did talk to Guizhong, but it was very brief and always in a hurry. 

He was still forced to stay indoors, but, from what he had heard the outbreaks of Rift hounds were lessening…but, Ajax had a gut-feeling that was not going to last soon. 

Ganyu could now speak basic sentences, and could now walk without stumbling as often (the adepti sure grew fast). 

Time was running out, and he felt it. 

____________________________

Before any of them had left to their own individual domains, Guizhong had called them all to gather. 

They begrudgingly did so (mostly because nobody could ever say no to Guizhong), and gathered around her. 

She had a small sack with her, it was simple in color, a brown color. She grinned widely, a tint of giddiness to it, “I would like to give you all a gift for the new year! It’s a common festival the mortals celebrate at the end of each year, but I had not had a chance to give you all of it because of how busy everyone’s been! And so! I would like to give you them all now!” 

Her radiant positivity made even Mountain Shaper crack a small smile. 

In her sack, she uncovered gift after gift. 

Cloud Retainer received a book, a botanist's research on multiple foreign plants and flowers from different regions and their properties, which she greedily took out of her hands. Guizhong grinned, satisfied at her choice of gift before she moved onto the next one. 

She gave Moon Carver a brand new bow, made from expensive materials, if the shiny leather wasn’t a clear signifier; he took it and gave her a slight bow. 

She gave Mountain Shaper a new incense burner, after Guizhong had remembered him complaining that the one he had was too old; he took it and gave a ghost of a smile. 

Sky Bracer received a new simple hairstick, made out of gold with slight tazzels dangling and moving as he did; he gave her a small side hug, before he thanked her, his satisfaction of his gift clear on his face. 

Madam Ping got an expensive looking koto , made from maple wood, with small designs carved into the wood that made out small tulips. Guizhong had gifted it to her as soon as she saw a salesman trailing all the way from Inazuma selling it on his small stand. Madam Ping smiled gently, her eyes soft and loving, before giving a small hug. The both of them let go of each other, with visible blush on their cheeks (‘Celestia above, if those two could not be more obvious!’ Ajax thought).

Morax was given a box of some sort, engraved elegantly with swirls and patterns that resembled wind and a nice scenery. When he opened it, there was a gentle melody that wrung out with the two dragons swirling around each other as the melody progressed, each different in color and size. It was a music box, and Morax seemed very content with his newly-founded treasure as he accepted it eagerly. He patted her head awkwardly, before she took the initiative and gave him a tight hug. 

Ajax was the last to receive a gift in a small box, just like Morax. He tentatively opened it, and inside, there was a bracelet. 

The bracelet was made out of what appeared to be jade, and in the center of the ensemble of jade beads was a carved dragon. It was beautiful, and Ajax still remembered how the jade had glittered under the moon, cool to the touch and how touched he’d felt that Guizhong had bought something for him as well; he was the one who hugged her the tightest and for the longest. 

He slipped it on, along with his bracelet from A-Yu. 

Afterwards, Guizhong dragged all of them to the village, more specifically the plaza. 

It was filled to the brim with colorful stands, street performers, and melodic instruments playing over the sound of other’s chatter. 

Each of them made their way into the plaza (many begrudgingly), and dispersed as a stand caught their interest. 

Guizhong dragged Morax and Ajax towards the stands that offered foreign goods and attempted to haggle the prices down with the shopkeeper who seemed slightly annoyed at her insistence to make the price for the clock from Fontaine down to only 10 pieces of iron, when it originally was 25. 

After being successful and carrying her items in a small bag (that she got from a shopkeeper from Natlan), she hurried off to another shop. 

She flitted from shop to shop, the nice lanterns alighting the nice as it got too dark to rely on the moon alone to light up your way. 

Ajax saw his precious adepti chattering, laughing, and chasing each other about the marketplace….

He felt out of place. 

A bitter feeling erupted in his chest; he didn’t belong here. 

He didn’t deserve to be here. 

Ajax wordlessly exited the plaza, making his way rapidly towards his own decrepit cabin. 

He had never deserved them.

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(14/30)

More chapters here!<333

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

___________________

Chapter 14: Realizations, Transformations, and the Meaning of "Home" Pt. 3

Morax did not understand why there seemed to be a tight and bitter knot in his chest, alongside the bitter taste in his mouth. He did not understand the feeling in his chest, the tightness and discomfort that swelled up when he saw his precious treasure near his disciple. He still did not understand why he still felt this way. 

He had talked to Guizhong about it, but even after minding her words and attempting to figure out the meaning behind her subtle message, he could not figure it out. 

Ajax was just like any other disciple he had ever had, if not a little special. 

But, even if he paid no attention to his appearance, he was just like any other disciple he had ever had before. He was supposed to be his shidi and nothing else, nothing more. He was supposed to be his youngest disciple and nothing else. 

And yet, there was this ever-growing feeling sprouting inside of his chest like a sick thorny vine, it was slowly ripping his chest apart with doubt and longing. He had no name to the feeling he had felt ever since he laid his eyes on Ajax and slowly got to know him. 

He could admit that at first, he felt a lingering curiosity at what Ajax was; curious about his life, his origin, and what made him function. 

He was curious to see what made him tick, as the mortals once eloquently stated it. 

However, as he got to know the mortal, his curiosity sprouted into a need to hold him close and tightly to his chest. The lying urge to stake a claim on the mortal man, the need to cherish and devour his very attention and touch. The need to place the gorgeous being into his cavern of treasures, for him and him only, for him to admire and hold close. 

He tried to keep these garish desires; however, the longer Ajax stayed in the world he was not a part of, the urges tried their best to break out from the shackles Morax had placed on them. 

Ajax was his precious treasure, his beloved disciple, his strong and valiant warrior who fought for his name on a daily basis and did so with pride. 

But, he was not his.  

He did not belong to anyone, he only belonged to himself. So, then, why did he feel the need to take him as his own, to hide him away selfishly for no one but himself. 

And yet at the center of his core, was but a greedy and selfish dragon who tried to defy his small thread of humanity. Even if he tried his best to play the part of mortality, he could not go against his base instincts. 

So, when gazing upon his precious treasure, his darling mortal leaning into someone else’s touch so eagerly, he felt something scratch at his instincts. 

His mortal was newly recovering from his prior state, and was still burning up. And yet, he was still so eager for Sky Bracer’s touch. They had exchanged words, just like any other ones, ordinary words exchanged during polite conversation. 

And yet…

Morax was not as dense as everyone seemed to think, even if he still did not fully comprehend mortal feelings, and had trouble naming his own. He knew what the shy looks they had given each other meant, he knew what it had meant because he had seen it before. 

He had seen it in the way Cloud Retainer had gazed upon Mei Yingling, a physician of 24 years who had climbed up the mountain before to collect herbs and ingredients for her teas, all of those years ago. 

__________________________

Cloud Retainer was patrolling the outer perimeter of her domain, as there was a recent outbreak of Rift-hounds near the outskirts. 

The day was going by slowly, and the hot summer sun beat down on Cloud Retainer. 

And although she was an adepti, even she could not bear the heat of the sun pouring onto her body, so with much reluctance to leave her place, she merely placed herself into the shade to alleviate the heat she was feeling.

Because of such an abrupt outbreak, their Lord had taken it upon himself to indite a new command that forced every single adeptus to always be on watch at any given moment. And so, because of that, Cloud Retainer had barely been given any time for herself (time which she spent attempting to study human behavior, medicine, and attempting to restrain Guizhong from pulling any more jokes on their poor tired Lord, but she digressed). She had been feeling worn out lately and was now slowly loosing her patience staring at the moving dark and vibrant green grass that covered the outside of her domain. 

A part of Cloud Retainer knew it was necessary for her to watch over her domain, lest she wanted to be wiped out clean by a horde of Rift-hounds before she could even pull out her spear. And yet, another part of her was growing extremely bored and annoyed by doing such a boring and mundane task, wishing to go back into the comfort of the clouds above (although, the shade was nice on her aching bones and tendons, it could not compare to the alleviating feeling of soaring through the air, feeling the wind wash over her face). 

The relief from the shade was instantaneous as she breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes dragged across the small field and clear pond….....until......she spotted something out of the corner of her eyes. 

It was a human; a woman from the looks of it. 

She was dressed in a simple dark green qiyao ruqun, with darker embroidered green and violet silk that made small flowers that were sloppily embroidered on (Purple Irises it seemed) on the hems. She had set out into the mountains with a simple conical hat on her head to protect her from the sun and a wood-woven basket strapped to her back to collect the herbs she needed. Her long dark hair was tied back into a tight bun, with a small wooden hair stick to hold it. And as her eyes wandered lower, she noticed the woman's hands and skirt were slightly dirty from the herbs she was pulling out of the dirt, as she was knelt down. 

Cloud Retainer’s irritation grew, as she saw the woman pull and pull at the weeds and flowers that adorned her domain, it was downright disrespectful!!

She stomped her way towards the woman, being careful to turn back into her mortal form, lest she wanted to scare the woman away from her before she could properly scold her. 

Before, when Cloud Retainer had attempted to scold the mortals before, she had been….too harsh on her approach…and had intimidated them beyond belief before they had run away and told the tale of a scary big bird who had attempted to 'kill' them…

Of course, if Cloud Retainer had a choice, she would.......however, she could not. It was against the rules to ever kill a mortal unless they had explicitly attempted to cause harm to you, and yet, even in that case you would have to restrain them before doing anything else. 

And so, Cloud Retainer merely sighed and carried on.

She made her way over to the woman who was recklessly ripping out the precious flowers and herbs on her domain. 

Those herbs were specifically planted and nurtured by Cloud Retainer’s own hands. They were crafted in order to heal different types of ailments; however, they were not constructed for humans in mind. They were made to be used and grown by adepti hands only, Celestia knows how a human would react if they would intake such a potent herb. 

In small amounts, hypothetically it could heal illness and diseases in humans; however, Cloud Retainer was not going to take that risk (not if she wanted to be on the receiving end of Guizhong's scorching fury). Cloud Retainer knew how selfish and greedy humans were, if they were to find out about such a potent herb, they would go at any lengths to retrieve such an herb, even if it meant waging wars against the innocent and killing their own blood and flesh by their own hands. 

She knew just how putrid humanity really was. 

Guizhong would never change her mind, as much as she desperately tried too.

She had personally seen the way humans treated each other and the nature around them; nature that was so willing to share a pice of itself with the humans, a piece they so carelessly threw and stomped on. She had seen the way they had so recklessly thrown one another out as long as it meant survival, she had seen the way they harmed each other for nothing but their own pleasure, she had seen the corruption in their own kind. She had seen just how pretentious and arrogant they had truly become, and the ugly and disgusting facades they showed each other. 

But even the 'good' humans, were nothing but waste and hypocrites. Willing to act kind and treat others with respect as long as they got the same in turn, and not solely out of the kindness of their own hearts. The good humans were the worst of them all, as they were liars who hid behind their own pretenses of benevolence and goodness, who she saw actively commit terrible things in her own name, for their own 'greater good' and their own selfish and foolish views on 'morality'. 

They were nothing but selfish parasites who drained the nature around them, until there would be no more. And yet, they were expected to protect such complex and foul beings with all of their might.....Celestia was truly a mystery...

Cloud Retainer did not understand just who neither Celestia nor Guizhong saw in them, and she feared, that she would never understand. 

She cleared out her throat, the smaller woman peaked her head up, and gazed up at Cloud Retainer. She looked tired, sweat dripped down her brow, her cheeks were slightly reddened by the hot sun, and her eyes attempted to make sense of the thing before her (which Cloud Retainer guessed must have been due to the blazing sun behind her). 

She gave her no time to react as she took out her spear before she pointed it towards the woman’s neck, “Insolent mortal, you are trespassing holy ground! Get out or face the dire consequences!” 

The woman blinked, once, twice, before she smiled gently, before she kowtowed on the ground, “Oh! Benevolent adeptus! Please accept this offering of mine!” 

She scoured around her sleeves before she pulled out a small glittering jade ring. She then held the ring up high towards Cloud Retainer, head still glued to the ground, “Please! Accept my offer! Please help my mother! I beg you!” 

Cloud Retainer blinked, surprised….before she scoffed, taking the small ring from her hands, gazing at it in her hand. It seemed to be made of real white jade, and had an assortment of engraved patterns no doubt made by a maste, but considering its size, it would be worth nothing. 

It was almost laughable how the woman thought it was worthwhile to an adeptus, “Foolish girl", she lifted the woman’s head with her foot, laughing at the mortals ignorance, “This ring is worthless, and yet you wish to offer it before one’s own eyes? And to tear out one’s own herbs before one’s domain! How foolish you are, indeed.” 

The woman blinked, before she bowed her head downwards, “This humble servant deeply apologizes, one was not aware that a gracious adepti planted the herbs! One was simply trying to get one's attention, but one had no idea that these herbs belonged to such a gracious adeptus!  And…one…knows it is not worth your time gracious adeptus. It is worthless as you said, and certainly not a grandiose offering worth such a prestigious adeptus! But, please, one begs of you! Please, if you will! Help my mother and one will pay you back with my life if one has too!! But please....I…. have nowhere else to go ..” 

Cloud Retainer paused, before she sighed. She has grown rather soft since her early days, and that had transferred over to the way she acted before mortals, ever since A-Qiu had stumbled into their lives. And although she despised humans, even she could not ignore how much she pitied their miserable existence of a mere 100 years or even fewer than that. If this woman were to ask her a mere hundred years ago, she would have disagreed, scoffing and chasing her out of her domain without so much as a blink of an eye. 

And besides, if she would turn the woman down, and leave her begging someone to help her dying mother, Guizhong would never forgive her for it. 

“....One accepts your offer.” 

The girl looked up, her smile bright and toothy, she bowed down once more, “Thank you! Thank you, gracious bodhisattva!! This humble servant swears on my own miserable life that one will spend the rest of it attempting to repay you, gracious and powerful adeptus!!” 

Cloud Retainer scoffed, “Come now, foolish girl. Quit bowing your head down, you’ll get dizzy….Lead one to your ailing mother.” 

The lady hurried up before she followed behind Cloud Retainer and led her down the mountain towards her small hut located near the forest. Inside, there was an older woman, covered in sweat and barely breathing. 

Cloud Retainer pressed her fingers against her wrist, feeling just how weak her meridians really were. Judging from how they were, the woman was most likely suffering from a lung problem of some sort, as her breathing was severely weak. And even if the condition itself was not lethal, because the woman was already very old, her immune system was already weak, leading the condition to worsen if not treated properly. 

Cloud Retainer pressed her finger to the woman’s temple, slowly using her elemental energy to attempt to clear out the woman’s lungs. As she did so, she ordered the woman to use the herbs she had collected to make a tea out of it, which would help her mother’s lungs clear out sooner. 

The woman cried in joy, and bowed down once more before Cloud Retainer.

________________________

Mei Yingling was her name. 

Her most devoted physician, was standing before her, holding out a pile of rocks with the hem of her skirt. 

Her inky spill of hair spilled past her shoulders freely, not restrained any longer by the wooden hair stick that was once wrapped around it so tightly. She was inside of the chilly river water, collecting the interesting sediments and bizarre bugs, getting distracted from the main task, and shamelessly showing them with a large grin on her face to Cloud Retainer (who merely spared it a single glance before she scoffed and carried on with her ministrations). 

They were out collecting lotus roots from the river, after Cloud Retainer offered to make lotus root soup if Mei Yingling brought her a proper offering. 

Cloud Retainer made this offer, knowing that the foolish girl could not attain such treasures that would make a proper offering for an adeptus. However, she was deemed wrong when the girl sprawled out a cloth over a table, lit up some incense, said a prayer, set down some food, and offered up some golden jewels. 

She did not know where the jewels had come from, but did not question it as she accepted her offering as long as A-Ling helped her collect the ingredients. She agreed, grin and basket in hand as she set down the mountain with Cloud Retainer towards the clear waters. 

They had been eventful, collecting and carefully ripping the root from the flower itself, inside the steep waters. Cloud Retainer hated water, and so, she hastily collected the roots with a slice of her spear and tossed them into her own bamboo woven bag. However, the same could not be said about A-Ling who was leisurely strolling through the rocky waters, cutting the roots with utmost care as she collected the many shiny rocks she spotted and tossed them alongside her basket. But, soon she had figured out that whenever she would place the rocks into her basket, because it was woven, there were gaps in the basket, which meant that the rocks would fall through the holes. 

It was a silly sight to see just how oblivious the foolish mortal was. It took her 30 minutes to even figure out that her precious rocks were falling back into the river….at which point she began to forget about collecting lotus roots and started to hoard the shiny stones she found and hold them by the hem of her skirt. 

It was quite the sight…..Cloud Retainer had never expected to see a human be drawn to shiny things as much as she had seen Morax do it (dragons were known to be hoarders of the fineries in life anyway). 

“Jie! Look! Look! This one is interesting I promise!!” 

Knowing that she could not deny Yingling lest she wanted to be further annoyed by her whining. Cloud Retainer sighed before she halted her slicing to look back to see Yingling holding out an luminous stone with two of her fingers, a stone that shined opalescent whenever the sunlight would hit it at certain angles. 

She grinned as she scooted closer to Cloud Retainer…

However, in her overeager and overzealous excitement, she did not foresee the giant rock inside of the clear waters in her way, resulting in her tripping over it and subsequently falling over. 

Unfortunately, Cloud Retainer had been too slow, when she had attempted to hold her still, and in her worry had lost her balance and fallen over as well…which was far more embarrassing considering the fact that she had to have excellent balance…she supposed that she had to practice more after…

Cloud Retainer sighed before she opened her eyes to see Yingling leaning over her, wide-eyed and apologetic, “Ah! I’m so sorry, Jie! Are you okay?” 

Cloud Retainer scoffed before she lifted herself from the rocky ground beneath her and attempted not to wince as she felt her shoulder give in itself. During the fall, Cloud Retainer had fallen badly onto one of the jagged boulders and the added weight of Yingling did not help the impact her body went through. 

She stood up, and started to gather the lotus roots back into the basket, as they had fallen when they had fallen. Yingling began to follow in her stead, before she halted, and rushed to Cloud Retainer’s side, “Jie! You’re injured!” 

She clung to Cloud Retainer’s side, as she hurriedly stared at the blood seeping through the cloth, “You’re bleeding!” 

Cloud Retainer scoffed before she shrugged her off, “Foolish girl, a minor wound like this has no need for such a big reaction. One will attend to it once we set foot inside of one’s domain.” 

It was true. 

Being in constant danger, being in a never-ending war, where one’s own life is not guaranteed. Minor wounds such as teared tissue, or broken bones did not deserve such a huge reaction. As long as one was intact and alive, it did not matter if the rest of one’s own self was torn or tattered horribly. 

And besides that, it was not as if adepti were made to survive. Adepti were made by Celestia to serve the mortals and protect them. They were nothing but tools crafted by Celestia herself to help form the kingdoms she etched into her decree for the new world she created. 

They were meant to serve, kill, and die. 

That was the purpose for their entire existence, adepti had no other purpose other than that. Emotions, feelings, pain and pleasure were all things that were deemed useless and worthless for an adepti to even think about. They were all something that they were supposed to ignore. Those things only got in the way of Celestia’s great plan.

They were worthless to even bear to give a second glance too. 

Cloud Retainer had long accepted that she would never get to experience those things ever since she was sprouted into existence just like every other adeptus down by a mountain. They were created to serve and were all destined to die in battle, like all of those before them. 

And so, wounds and pain were all things that were rudimentary and worthless. Even more so when you were still alive and breathing. 

Yingling gave a long sigh, “...Okay, but at least give me the basket, I’ll carry it. It will hurt your shoulder even more if you choose to carry it.” 

Cloud Retainer glared at A-Ling, “Foolish, even if you were to attempt to carry the baskets. You would not be able to support the added weight and would slow us down from reaching one’s domain.” 

Yingling scoffed before she hurriedly reached over and started to pick out the roots from Cloud Retainer’s own basket, and placed them into her own, “Tsk…so stubborn! Doesn’t it hurt?” 

Cloud Retainer sighed, relenting, “...One has already gotten used to the feeling.....And besides, this minor thing is nothing compared to past injuries one has sustained.” 

“That may be true. But, it doesn’t matter if it does not compare to the pain of other injuries, no matter if they are big or small, they are bound to hurt…Just because it's not as major doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt …” Yingling sighed before she turned around, “Alright. Let’s get a move on, then. Make sure to not place the weight on that shoulder, I tried to take out as many lotus roots as I could but-” 

Cloud Retainer reached her arm out and patted the woman's head, an odd feeling of overwhelming adoration taking over her. Although Guizhong had always expressed great worry over Cloud Retainer’s well being….strangely enough, it felt different this time..

A-Ling’s face flew into bright flames at the touch, her heart beating rapidly in her chest….what…

_____________________________

They climbed up the mountain in no time, just in time for the afternoon. 

Cloud Retainer sighed as she entered her domain, Yingling following her closely behind. She placed the fresh lotus roots down onto the table and sighed as she felt the strain on her shoulder give way a bit, “Jie, I’m going to get the supplies! Please sit down and let me tend to your wounds!” 

Cloud Retainer could not tell her anything as she saw her rushing off to the kitchen, hair now tied back up into a firm bun. 

Feeling too worn out to complain or argue back, she stubbornly sat down onto one of the chairs and began to undress. 

She had worn a simple light blue and white qiyao ruqun with simple crane patterns and white carnations sprawled across the garment. Usually, she would have worn her armor, which weighed more and generally ensured that she was protected from any unexpected attacks. 

However, since it was a mellow day, and they had not heard of any recent Rifthound sightings, she had begun to wear ordinary clothes….It felt strange not wearing her heavy iron armor; however, she did appreciate how light her body felt without the heavy iron suit on top of her. 

She pushed one of the sleeves off of her top and winced when she saw the huge blood spot that covered it. Apparently, the rock had been sharper than she had originally thought it would be.

Cloud Retainer had no time to think about the sharpness of the rock as Yingling came out with something in her arms which appeared to be an assortment of bandages, ointment, cloths and a small pail of water. 

She rushed towards Cloud Retainer’s side as she placed the supplies onto the wooden table and pushed the sleeves of the shirt down further to inspect the wound herself; she was wearing a white qiyao ruqun, with gentle red gardenias embroidered on, causing a sharp contrast to the rest of the garment.

As she took off left side of Cloud Retainer's garment, there was a large bleeding gash, and a grotesquely bruised back. 

She winced as she carefully washed the blood off of the wound before carefully helping Cloud Retainer wrap the wound, before she helped her apply the ointment to her back to alleviate some of the pain in her back.

She was close to Cloud Retainer, too close, as she saw every single line and bump on her face, every single imperfection and scar all on display for Cloud Retainer's eyes. She applied each of the wounds carefully, barely letting the tips of her fingers graze Cloud Retainer's skin, spending shivers down her spine, leaving her to move awkwardly. 

Her face was contorted into that of regret and painful guilt, her eyebrows furrowed softly, her breath tickling Cloud Retainer. Her eyes were as dark as her long hair, her lips were plump and a charming shade of rouge, and her skin was a lovely dark tan color (due to the long hours she had spent under the sun collecting her herbs and ingredients); she was beautiful. Her face was peppered with several moles, each sprinkled on her face as if the stars themselves had fallen onto her face and created countless beautiful constellations on her face, each for Cloud Retainer's eyes to admire. 

Moles were a superstitious thing, some meant good luck and a life filled with great fortune and a long-lasting marriage, others meant a life filled with misfortune and great pain. Yingling belonged to the latter category....Cloud Retainer could not understand how such an altruistic and good-hearted person could, how someone so beautiful could ever have bad-luck instilled every since their conception.

It was unfair. 

“Alright, it's all done," she had uttered, tying the bandage tightly before adding some distance between Cloud Retainer and herself, leaving Cloud Retainer without the previous warmth she had felt. 

Cloud Retainer nodded, before she pushed her sleeve back up, “Many thanks, though it was not needed, as one could have done it by oneself.” 

Yingling grinned, “Yeah, yeah…you're welcome, Da-jie….Now, would jie-jie like some mint tea?” 

Cloud Retainer gave a ghost of a smile before she scoffed, “If one knows the answer already, why ask?” 

Yingling giggled as she gathered up the supplies in her arms, “Just making sure you didn’t change your tastes on me, jie-jie.”  

Cloud Retainer scoffed before she undid her hair and let it flow down her back, “Of course they would not change in the blink of an eye, silly girl.” 

Yingling’s laughs sounded throughout the hallway, as she made her way to the kitchen. 

Cloud Retainer felt warm inside; this would not turn out well. 

___________________________

Over the course of nearly a year, A-Ling had grown attached to her. Since she was the only physician of the village, she was always up in the mountains collecting herbs for the many kinds of teas she would make to soothe the illnesses of her patients. And because she was always up in the mountains, she would always make sure to visit Cloud Retainer’s domain nearly every time. 

She would always stop by, on a regular basis to the point where Cloud Retainer had given her a sigil of permission after nearly 5 months. Strangely enough, she had grown too close to Yingling.

And that….terrified her. 

The tender connection with another living being, the soft connection between her and Yingling. It was like a delicate flower bud in the wake of spring, it was fragile and could be easily torn in half by the gentle rain. 

She looked at Cloud Retainer, a small frown on her face, “...I…I’m getting married soon…” 

Cloud Retainer felt her entire world come to a stop, as she felt the skies themselves shake and rumble with thunder, a sign that the skies would soon begin to cry. 

A sign that she would as well. 

She felt her face twist and contort before she hurriedly retained herself, “Oh…..mortals are always in such a hurry to copulate, aren’t they?........When is it?” 

Yingling stared up at her, her pretty brown eyes gazed up at her, sparkling brightly with tears, “...The 14th day.....after the full moon.” 

“One will-” Yingling rushed into Cloud Retainer’s arms, wrapping herself around her waist, “...make sure to….attend…” 

Yingling sobbed into her arms, Cloud Retainer cradled the weeping woman in her arms, feeling her tears fall onto her clothes. A strong feeling clenched at her heart, and wanted to claw up her throat until she could not hold it in any longer. 

Cloud Retainer had never said anything to Yingling, she had never stated the extent of her feelings, she had never said what she truly felt for her beloved physician.

She had always been terrible at expressing her feelings, and in this situation, that fact sadly remained true.

No matter how much she wanted to scream what she felt, she could not. 

And neither could Yingling.  

They merely expressed their feelings towards each other in a way unknown to others, a way that they knew. It was in the way they smiled towards each other, the way Cloud Retainer laid her head on Yingling’s lap after a tiring afternoon, and the way Yingling would play with her hair and stroke patterns on her face, the way Cloud Retainer would scold Yingling for splashing water on her, and the way Yingling would eagerly wait besides Cloud Retainer as she made dinner, or the way Yingling would wrap her arms around Cloud Retainer whenever she would be reading a new book. 

Zhongli saw it all, and so did the rest of the adepti. 

But, none of them said anything. Even if relationships between adepti and humans were banned, nobody could prove it meant anything other than a sworn sisterhood. 

Even if they all knew it was. 

___________________________

Cloud Retainer and the rest of the adepti arrived at Mei Yingling's wedding. 

After having attended A-Qiu’s wedding, Cloud Retainer knew what to expect from a wedding. But, she was sure she had never seen such a bride ever before, in all of her years. 

She looked beautiful, a small lotus flower in a vast dirty sea, untainted and special. 

She was a rare human, with pure intentions, dressed in the finest silk money could buy. Her hair is dressed up in an intricate dressed pattern of multiple hairpins and clips, all made out of pure gold and red rubies, all hidden underneath a red veil. On her robes, there were patterns of phoenixes and dragons out of golden thread that covered her body, loosely fitted to her form. 

Cloud Retainer felt tears sting her eyes, she closed her eyes, and washed out the voices of the vows being said. If she could close her eyes hard enough, she could perhaps imagine herself in the groom’s stead. 

She did not stay for the celebration party afterwards, merely sparing Yingling a simple glance before she paid her respects to them, and hurried off. 

However, she did not expect to find her beloved physician passed out near the mountainside, that very night, still dressed up in her red robes. 

She quickly made her way to A-Ling before she hoisted her up onto her back and made her way to her domain. She gently took off her shoes, took out every single hairpin and hair sticks interwoven into her hair and then gently removed the makeup off her face using a small handkerchief Guizhong had gifted her the year prior. 

As soon as she did this, she felt a hand come up and wrap around her hand.

She gazed back at Yingling only to see her staring widely at Cloud Retainer. 

Cloud Retainer did not know when it happened but Yingling stood up and her eyes could not leave her face. Her gaze was intense and piercing, as if she was swallowing up as much of her as she could. As if she was ingraining every single swerve and curve of Cloud Retainer’s body to memory. 

Cloud Retainer gently glided her hand up Yingling's jaw and gently placed a small tender kiss on her lips, feeling Yingling melt under her. 

Before she knew it, Yingling was kissing her back, eagerly opening her mouth and swallowing Cloud Retainer, feeling her warm tongue against hers. Yingling groaned into her mouth, and wrapped her hands around Cloud Retainer’s waist, her arms crawling downwards to her hips. 

Cloud Retainer’s own hands wrapped around her neck, holding her close and into her lap. 

That cold winter night, they became one, as they wrapped and intermingled their bodies with each other.

They tore each other's clothes, and Yingling threw Cloud Retainers armor onto the floor that once covered her body. And afterwards, they held each other and shared pleasure, until their legs were shaking weakly against the other. Yingling accidentally undid Cloud Retainer’s long blue hair that was tightly tied into a bun and pulled on it, when the pleasure got to be too much. Cloud Retainer felt every curve and dip of Yingling’s body, while she explored and gently nipped and kissed every inch of her body, and Yingling did so as well, worshiping her beloved. They whispered bitter truths and false promises, until they could not do so much longer.

In the late night, they shared one last kiss before they departed. 

She never saw Yingling again. 

Yinglings husband was foreign, and had taken A-Ling far away from her village and across the many seas. And yet, Cloud Retainer could never understand why she had left her behind, after spending such a night with each other. She had never told her that she was soon to depart to a foreign land far away from the mountainside, far away from Cloud Retainer’s domain. 

She was alone once more.  

Any trace of her smile and chipper attitude completely washed out by the sound of the rain trickling down the many leaves of the trees outside. Inside, the small vase full of red carnations were dull and dying, as they gazed pitifully at her desolate state. 

And on that night, she swore to herself that she would never let any other mortal come between her and her duties as an adeptus. Never again would she ever allow someone else in too close to her. Never again would she ever let herself be consumed by such foolish feelings. Never again would she allow herself to be led astray by a mortal. 

Never again would she ever fall in love. 

After all, she should have known better. She should have known that those feelings of hers were only temporary, she should have known that it would all end bitterly. As, even if she wanted so desperately to be with her beloved physician, she could never be allowed to. 

That was her duty as adeptus; she would live and die alone.  

______________________________

Morax had seen the way Cloud Retainer and that physician of hers had looked at each other so longingly….so delicately.  

It was evident that the two of them were so eager for the other's touch, for the other’s presence, for the other's voice, for the other’s body. 

But just what was it called? 

What was that emotion called? And why did his chest feel tight whenever he would see Ajax and Sky Bracer close to each other? 

He was their Shizun, their master, their archon; someone they would have to serve for the rest of their lives. He should be their mentor, he should be the guiding hand, a reliable figure, the monarch, their god. 

He should not be spending his time on an unnamed emotion inside of his chest, a feeling he was not even sure was going to last, a feeling he should have not been feeling for a disciple.

He had overstepped, he had gotten too close to Ajax, he should have stayed away. 

And yet.  

The more he tried too, the harder it became to distance himself from such a strong and vibrant person. He was a pulling force that was drawing him in, no matter what. Before he had known it, he had sunken into the light before him, he had drowned into the endless tempting sea waters before him. 

He felt drawn in, by the man with fiery red hair and an even fierier personality. His candor, his gentility to everything around him, his shameless smile, the way he would tease and prod the other adepti, the way he would blush so vibrantly when he got embarrassed, and the way he would be so thrilled to fight in a battle with a much stronger opponent, eager to get stronger no doubt. 

However, he knew he would never be his.

He couldn’t be. 

Oh… 

These feelings of his, the feelings and emotions he had been drowning in, had been what the mortals labeled as ‘love’. And from all accounts told through countless dreams and prayers throughout the ages, it was a fickle and painful thing. 

People from all walks of life would pray to Morax, pray to their god, for a countless amount of things. From wanting riches all the way to wishing for any war to be victorious for them. People made prayers and offerings for years, no matter what it was for. 

Being the god of war and commerce, it was expected that many would pray for such things. 

However, a long time ago, a human girl prayed to no god in particular for luck in her love life. Out of sheer curiosity about the meaning of what such a word meant, he accepted her offering and did his best to complete such a wish (however, not without Guizhong’s insight on the matter first). 

Soon enough, more and more mortals began to venerate the unknown god as one of love….and soon the word spread. More and more began to pray to him about such matters, and with no choice but to follow through with their prayers, he began to earnestly attempt to help them. 

And so, he got to see first hand just how twisted and vengeful love really was. People would pray to him about their love problems, ranging from an unfaithful spouse to a jealous onlooker. And he would do his best to help them with their problems, with a giggling Guizhong by his side. 

According to her, it was pretty humorous to see a god that had no clue what romantic love was. 

And she was right, he had no idea as to what love could have been, at least not in the romantic sense. Many scholars had described love to be an intense affection for someone, but had not delved deeper into what it could actually be. 

And while he had cherished and held those most precious to him, Guizhong and his many delicate antiques….it felt different with Ajax. 

It felt all encompassing, all consuming, as if the warm feeling in his chest was about to burst out into vibrant iridescent flames. 

It was different, and it was strange. 

Even if he had grown closer to the man, there was still a huge gap in between the both of them, a strange iciness to their relationship. And that only grew as Ajax stayed longer and longer with them, after having appeared by the mountain. 

His precious treasure was hiding something from him, withholding something from all of them, and he did not know what. He barely disclosed anything about his past, and always changed the subject whenever his past was brought up in conversation. And it was even stranger when he considered all of those times his precious treasure had cried in front of him. 

And the way he looked at his eyes, whenever he did, was something bizarre. It was a strange solemn and desperate look in his eyes, and in the slight slump of his shoulder. And it was even more strange when he had clung so desperately to Morax’s torso, as if he was going to soon disappear before his own eyes. 

It was a manic desperation, almost feral in its appearance. 

He did not understand and it was driving him mad with fury at his inability to understand what was wrong with his precious treasure. 

But then again, he was deluding himself by thinking that Ajax was ever going to be his. 

He had seen time and time again, the way Ajax would practically melt under Sky Bracer’s touch, just like how Yingling did under Cloud Retainer’s touch. Or the way they would call out to each other, in a soft and teasing way, that bordered on flirtation. Or the way, they would get closer and closer to each other the longer they knew each other. 

It drove him mad, it made him want to harm his disciple. It made him want to rip out Sky Bracer’s throat with his bare teeth, it made him want to tear him to shreds until he is nothing but a pile of flesh and bones, all remaining life drained out of him. 

He wanted to lock up Ajax for himself, wrap himself around Ajax’s waist until he became one with Ajax. He wanted to ingrain himself on Ajax, bite and mark him up, to scream that he was his and his only.

But, he knew he couldn’t. 

He had no right to claim over Ajax, like that. Even if his most feral and dangerous instincts were screaming in his ears to do so. 

The last thread of humanity he had withheld him from committing such atrocities. It would be a pity to see the morals that were drilled and instilled within him come pouring out because of something like that. 

And, he would not be able to bear to see himself like that any longer. 

Since his conception, Morax has always hated himself; he was particularly angry at himself and the world for his cruel abandonment and the cruel way he acted towards others. He was drowning in his own miserable existence and the fear and cruelty in others eyes as they saw him. 

He was drowning in his own cruel ways and his own self-hatred, so, he clung onto Guizhong from pulling him out of his own misery. It was part of the reason she had always occupied a precious spot inside of his mind, she had helped him, she had saved him. She gave him a second chance at life, she had taught him that there was more to life than mindless cruelty and violence. 

She had gifted him a brand new purpose for his meaningless life. She had taught him how to be gentle towards humans, how to communicate much more effectively, and how to express himself better. 

And yet, whenever Ajax was involved, his mind went blank. 

He was being too harsh and rough towards his disciples. Disciples he was supposed to protect and guide. Even if Sky Bracer and Ajax were to become closer and closer in the very same way Cloud Retainer and Yingling was, he had no right to come in between them. 

He had no way of proving that they were not jiébài xiōngdì, sworn brothers. 

And because of this, this feeling of his was slowly becoming unbearable. He wanted to get rid of the unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach, as it swelled up whenever he saw Ajax even look at someone else, it was getting to be too much. 

He had to do something about it as soon as possible. 

____________________________

He found himself in front of Guizhong’s residence. He was going to knock before, but it felt like such a hassle, so he just quickly entered it.

He walked into her house, making sure to take off his shoes, lest he wanted to be the subject of her scolding for not taking off his dirty shoes before stepping on her pristine wooden floorboards. He made his way to the living room where he found her laying on her couch, having a cup of tea, book in hand. 

She looked up at him before, she gave a small smile before she set down her book and cup of tea. Morax went towards her, before he sat down next to her and gave a long sigh, “I…have a problem…and I require some assistance.” 

Guizhong sat up, her smile fading, “…How can I help?” 

“I…think I have....fallen in love…” 

Guizhong’s eyes widened comically as she gazed at Morax, with a shocked expression, “....” she went silent for a minute before she grinned widely, “Oooh!~ Our very respectable Shifu has fallen in love with someone! I'm sure they are a real beauty, if they had swayed our poor Shizun's stone heart! Are they?” 

“Mn.” 

“Oooooh, so they are that attractive huh! Well, then hurry up and tell me who it is, old dragon! Don’t keep me waiting any longer, or I’ll burst from curiosity.” 

Morax paused before he felt that feeling come up again, making him feel warm. It was a pleasant feeling, one he had whenever he thought of the object of his affection, “...Ajax..” 

Guizhong’s eyes seemed as if they were going to pop out of her eye sockets as she jumped out of the couch and pulled him up before shaking him and pulling him into a tight embrace, “Finally! I’ve been waiting ages for you to realize!” 

Morax frowned, attempting to get himself away from Guizhong, causing her to pout, “Awww don’t be like that!~ Our favorite Shizun has finally realized his feelings for our dear Ajax! I do not blame you, our dearest Ajax is quite the charmer.” 

Morax’s frown deepened into a scowl and he attempted to pull himself away from Guizhong’s tight embrace, feeling mortified. Which only made her grin wider and her embrace tighter, “Well, now that you’ve realized this, what will you do?” 

Morax paused before he huffed, “...Nothing…what am I to do with these unnecessary feelings that go against the rules.” 

Guizhong sighed, loosening her arms around Morax, and pulling herself away from him. She stared into his eyes before she sighed once more, grabbed his head, and shook him, “Tsk...Morax! Why do you have to make it seem more complicated than it is! If you like ‘em hurry up and tell ‘em. Simple as that, and besides, it was you who made those rules. So, it can be you who can change them any time.”

Morax shook his head, “No, it would go against the contracts I have already made. I would be going against my own contract, I would be breaking it. And I would not want to make him uncomfortable with my volatile feelings, as his Shizun I should be guiding and teaching him the basics to cultivating his adeptal energy once it has been fully stabilized within his body. I cannot be thinking about such feelings, especially not at a crucial time like this.” 

Guizhong sighed deeply, before letting his head go and patting his head, “You two are so insufferable! What am I to do with you both? I’m so tired of seeing you both run circles around each other, with no end to it. Celestia above!” 

Morax could not understand what she meant by that, but didn’t have a chance to reply as she began once more, “But…if you think it is not best to say anything, then I will promise to keep my lips sealed and not tell him of your feelings…But please, don’t overthink this Morax, the outcome might be better than you think..” 

Morax sat in the weight of her words, but once again did not have time to properly understand what she meant before she started again, “Alright! Enough with this desolate mood, it's stinking up my house! Let’s go look at the fireflies instead, they are out at this time of the year. Come on!” 

Morax smiled at Guizhong’s antics, and allowed himself to be pulled along and out the door. 

__________________________

Ajax did not expect to see Guizhong or Morax come into the plains so late in the night. 

He had decided to take a stroll by the river running through the plains, below the mountain. Ever since Morax had rushed out, his mind had been stuck on everything that had transpired. 

He had allowed himself to be led astray by the warmth emanating from Sky Bracer, and had nearly committed a mistake at the expense of Morax. His delirious mind, and his loneliness had nearly allowed him to commit something he knew he would regret. 

Ajax was not as dense as most people believed him to be, he knew that Sky Bracer was attracted to him in some way. It was a subtle attraction that bordered on a crush, but it was there nonetheless. And while he could admit that he was equally attracted to the handsome man, with a baritone voice and a gentle demeanor; he did not love Sky Bracer, at least not romantically. 

He was important to Ajax, that was evident. But, Ajax could not deny the guilt he felt when Morax had walked out, anger washing his every facial expression. 

He was letting Zhongli down, he was betraying him. 

Ajax could not accept Sky Bracer’s feelings, as much as a small part of himself wanted to do nothing more but to embrace Sky Bracer in his own arms. He was doing all of this for Zhongli, he was doing it all for him, because he loved him. 

And yet, he was here, betraying a man that he was not even sure was even alive still, a man that was still dying in his own timeline. A man that was patiently waiting for his return, waiting as he has always been for his arrival, and yet here he was. 

Wasting time and screwing around with the first person who would offer him some comfort. 

…He was pathetic. 

But, even he knew that his self-hatred and his guilty thoughts would not help his tormented mind. He pulled on a light sweater, before he quietly made his way out of the back door, careful not to alert Cloud Retainer of his presence (she was busy organizing his shelves, after declaring that they were way too messy). 

Ever since his body had fallen ill, and had started to fully adjust itself, everyone had started to dote on him. And, as a result he was forced to stay confined to his bed, and so, midnight strolls and the like were banned…so he was forced to sneak out. 

He had tried to go out earlier, but was stopped by a very annoyed Cloud Retainer who practically threw him back onto the bed, her glare sharp, “Do. Not. Get. Out.” 

That was enough for him to decide to wait until night to go and clear his mind properly. Being cooped up in a bed was bad for his psyche and his sanity. It was going to drive him mad if he stayed inside of his room any longer. 

He had stayed in that damn room for nearly 2 weeks already, he was getting agitated for Celestia's sake!

So, he made his way out of his heavy sheets, put on his slippers (Cloud Retainer had insisted on wearing them, since his normal shoes dirtied the floors), and made his way to the back door. After he slipped on his extra shoes, he hurriedly made his way out of the house. 

He kept walking and walking, with no particular destination in mind. He was out to clear his head, and get everything back in order. He had lost sight of the true purpose of his mission and with newly-founded determination he was finally making up a game-plan for the future. 

He was determined to redeem himself after all of his past shortcomings and was determined to set his long awaited plan into motion. He had spent enough time fooling around with the many adepti around his side, and the date of the Archon War was nearing closer and closer. It was dangerous to not have a full-proof plan, especially if he wanted to save his friends. 

And so, with the fresh night air flooding his lungs and setting him back down into his own reality, he set off walking towards the river. 

He had heard Guizhong mention just how relaxing the river could be at night, and had heard her gush so enthusiastically about the time ‘A-Ping’ had brought her to the river in Huaguang.  

“It was a magical sight to behold, shidi! There were loads of fireflies that lit up before my very eyes, once I passed through the tall grass near Huaguang. A-Ping had brought me out for a lovely cup of tea under the countless stars, and it was wonderful. They were like a parade of luminescent lights, just for me at that moment, a sight meant for only me. It was absolutely wonderful! I promise to bring you there once it's spring, and we can sit down and drink some tea!” 

Guizhong’s vibrant smile and eager face was enough for him to agree, “Alright! That sounds like a plan to me, shijie. Let’s go sometime in spring.” 

Guizhong’s laughter resounded through his small cabin’s walls, as Ganyu’s snores filled the room; a warm feeling was all he felt, it was cozy, like being in front of family once more. 

He went down towards the river near Huaguang, itching to see the gorgeous sight for himself. Since Guizhong had mentioned it with such passion behind her eyes, he knew it must have been something truly beautiful. 

Perhaps that beauty would soothe his mind, if for a bit. 

__________________________

He walked toward a clear patch of tall grass, and flew through the tall patches of grass, laughing freely as the countless fireflies flew up, lighting the dark night with a beautiful yellow hue.

It looked absolutely magical, Guizhong had been right.

The fireflies lit up the once dark night, lighting up everything around him, like the millions of lanterns released into the dark sky every Lantern Rite. They emitted a calming light that made the moment all the more surreal, like a bittersweet dream. 

They flew past him, as he ran through the tall grass, feeling the way it tickled his ankles, feeling like a kid once more. The kid he used to be, careless and free, before he was taken by The Abyss, before he was taken in by the Fatui, before anything. 

Just for a moment, he could be that kid again, he could be Ajax in his true form. He could be the boy he used to be, untainted, naive, without a care in the world. 

Just for that moment, he could drown out his worries, and let them swirl off into the calming waters and out through his quickening heartbeat. 

He felt his heartbeat in his mouth as he kept running and lighting the tall green grass, with tiny lanterns as he spread his arms out and swept through the grass, feeling the slight dew stain his long sleeves. 

He had never felt that light in his life, he wanted to feel it for a little longer. 

Just a moment longer. 

A minute longer. 

Forever until he couldn’t anymore. 

Forever. 

And ever. 

Forevermore.  

Just a lit- “Shidi? ” 

He paused, body shutting down and stiffening. He felt his labored breaths in his ears, as he stopped, “Is that you? What are you doing out here this late?” 

He looked towards the direction of the familiar light and chipper voice, it was Guizhong dressed in a nightgown no doubt with…Morax at her side (?). 

What was that all about? 

He gave a small smile, before stretching his arms a bit, “Just stretching a bit s’all. Got tired from being cooped up in my bed all week. What about you, shijie. ” 

Guizhong's smile widened, yet her stance was oddly awkward and slightly uncomfortable, “I was taking our lovely Shizun out for a walk to look at the fireflies, just cooling off a bit. Taking a nice stroll out to calm our minds.” 

Morax’s gaze never landed on Ajax, planted firmly on the ground, “Mn.” 

Ajax felt suspicion rise up inside of his own throat, but forced it down, as he nodded and plastered on a friendly smile, “I see. So, we are both doing the same thing, aren’t we shijie….You know what they say, great minds truly do think alike. Isn’t that so?” 

Guizhong nodded, smile abnormally forced, “Ah! Yes, that is right I suppose. Well…then, would you care to join us shidi . We were just about to go back to my domain for a nice cup of tea, it's getting too chilly out here. And I’m afraid we’ll catch a cold if we are out here for too long. Would you care to join us?” 

The offer was light and sincere, but somehow Ajax felt as if there was something else behind it as well. A strange desperation, but for what reason? 

He did not know, and that made his curiosity rise up once more (he swore, his damned curiosity was going to get him killed or worse one of these days). 

He smiled and nodded, “Yeah, that would be great. I have missed having a warm cup of tea from you shijie, your brewing skills rival only those of master brewers.” 

Fuck.  

He didn’t want to go, but it was far too late. He had already accepted the offer and so hastily as well, his mouth had opened up and talked for him, before his mind had any real input. 

Guizhong smiled before she went over and grabbed his hand, Morax’s hand in her other hand, “Great! Let’s go!” 

And so, she led the two clueless men in her two hands, unaware of the other one’s feelings. 

Hopeless in their yearning, held together by Guizhong’s hands.

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(13/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_______________________

Chapter 13: Realizations, Transformations, and the Meaning of "Home" Pt. 2

“You are too skinny, shidi! Have some more porridge. Here!” Guizhong insisted, bringing a new spoonful of rice porridge, for the 7th time that day. 

Since he was out of commission, they were starting to dote on him, perhaps a bit, excessively. And well, he didn’t really deem it necessary, especially since he was a full grown adult with the necessary capabilities to take care of himself. However, they really didn’t seem to care whether he was a baby bird or a full grown adult; they still doted on him. 

After getting sick so rapidly, Ajax had come to notice just how insistent everyone was on taking care of him. Whether that be Cloud Retainer shoving a mouthful of pain killer down his throat (which left him coughing afterwards as she was too rough), or Marchosius bringing a single Glaze Lily and placing it gently at his side. Even Moon Carver, who was usually nonchalant about Ajax’s entire existence, sought out to bring fresh water to Ajax’s kitchen. 

Ajax was mostly bed-ridden, mostly out of the searing hot pain that coursed through his tendons and the large headache that came after ingesting so much of the pain medicine all at once. Even if he was becoming a full-fledged adepti, that did not mean he was still one. 

And well, too much medicine that was strictly used for adepti, being used on a human….was not too good. 

He had asked Cloud Retainer about the medicine, after noticing the god-awful headache that came afterwards, that nearly made him regret taking the medicine in the first place; it felt like a hangover for god’s sake! It nearly reminded him of the early days in the military, where he and his colleagues would regularly drink firewater until their liver refused to take anymore. And Celestia above, the hangover that would ensue, made Ajax swear to never drink again….that of course was a lie, since he still did it even afterwards. 

She was in the middle of folding his and Ganyu’s clothes (he had insisted on doing it himself, but, as soon as he stood up he collapsed to the floor; Cloud Retainer reprimanded him and took over completely). It was just him, Ganyu, and Cloud Retainer at home. 

That was because there had been a large outbreak of Rift Wolves on the southern border, which prompted all of the adepti to rush to defend them. Leaving only Cloud Retainer behind to watch over Ajax and Ganyu. 

Ganyu was still a mere toddler, but she had grown to the age where she could finally understand basic language. She had stuck around Ajax and Cloud Retainer in his room, but she had waddled off like a penguin after a sharp gaze from Cloud Retainer, after she had fallen asleep inside of the laundry basket once again. 

Since most of the adepti were staying at his house, they had set up a makeshift bed for Ganyu, which mostly consisted of a small mattress and a fluffy blanket made out of wool; which is where he had assumed she had wandered off too. And Ajax thanked the lord above that she was far too young to reach the door knobs still. 

Cloud Retainer turned her gaze towards Ajax, pushing her red glasses up slightly, as her gaze pierced him, “That particular medicine was not made for human anatomy. It was brewed specifically by one’s own hands, and one designed it to be as potent as possible during the early wars that broke out when one was barely a mere 30 years of age. During that time, we did not have time to whine about mere injuries, so one made it as a quick solution to the ache we all felt in our bodies; as it is instantaneous. And so, your puny human body is not constructed to take in the medicine as fast as our bodies absorb it, which is why you have that ‘headache’....Now, one will carry on with one’s ridiculous chores.” 

She ignored him once more, and focused her attention on folding a pair of shirts that Ajax had washed the day prior….after he had a moment alone. And well….that didn’t go as well as he had hoped. Guizhong had found him nearly collapsed onto the garden outside, shaking and barely holding back the screams inside his throat. 

And….just as quickly as his sparse freedom came, it was yanked out of his hands once more; he was officially banned from getting out of his bed, unless he needed to use the bathroom or shower. 

And even then, it was a bit awkward, as they insisted on being in the same bathroom as him, while he did his business…He had refused, yelping out in protest against the idea, earning a confused gaze from the adepti. As if they had not offered to stand around in the bathroom, and stare at him while he used the bathroom…

As if it were a normal idea….they settled to wait outside of the bathroom, until he was done. 

However, they still insisted on helping him shower, which he had initially refused. But after nearly drowning inside of the public sauna, they had to personally wash him up. 

And so, he had to suffer Sky Bracer’s worried expression as he gently wiped the sweat off his body with a small towel and a bucket filled with some water and soap….it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling and Sky Bracer was respectful towards Ajax, and looked away when necessary, not overstepping his boundaries. And did it as quickly as he could; which was greatly appreciated by Ajax, but god was it embarrassing. 

And it did not help that Ajax could see Sky Bracer’s handsome face up close to his own. It looked even more perfect up close, and dear god, was it not great for his damn heart. 

Sky Bracer had been the one to do it, after Ajax sent a look to Guizhong and Madam Ping after Morax offered to do it. The last thing Ajax wanted to happen, was to get an unexpected reaction, after seeing Morax up close and personal. 

Guizhong smiled a bit, before patting Morax on the shoulder, “Hmm, how about we go out hunting instead, Shizun! I’m sure shidi is feeling a bit hungry, and we haven’t had some fowl in a while…” 

Morax frowned, he stared back at a bright-red Ajax, and nodded, “Mn….Let’s go.” 

Guizhong sent a quick wink towards Ajax, before she dragged Morax out, along with Madam Ping trailing closely behind. 

After that, they had come back with a load of fowl for dinner, and Morax dripping in blood; much to the dismay of Cloud Retainer and Guizhong….they had just mopped the floors….

Yes, surprisingly the adepti were terribly keen on cleaning Ajax’s house top to bottom. And were weirdly good at house-work in their own right. Which, Ajax guessed, had to do with the fact they had been living for years at that point. 

Ajax thanked everyone earnestly for their efforts. However, he still largely refused to allow them to do everything around his house, and attempted to at least help around the house once he felt fine enough to walk around for a bit. 

Even though he was kept cooped up inside of his bed, he got up to stretch his legs once the pain killers set in, and walked around his house for a bit, picking up one of the random books that were lying around the house. 

Though he had never known who the house had belonged to, he had a strong guess it had to do with Ganyu’s father. They did not talk much about the Qilin adeptus, preferring to ignore any mention of him whenever the topic was brought up. 

However, even in their strong denial, Ajax had figured out the basics of who he was; or at least, had gotten a vague image in his head of how the adeptus could have possibly looked like. Apparently, he looked similar to Ganyu, he was gentle and mild-mannered, pretty reserved, a strong warrior, and an apparent book-worm. 

And, if he were honest, he would have loved to know the adeptus. Since apparently, he was gentle around humans and was the only other adeptus to fully understand them. His wisdom was written a lot in the tons of books that were scattered across the markets, and inside of the tales told by local villagers when asked about the blue-haired adeptus. 

The books that were littered around his house were filled to the brim with books, all of which ranged from fantasy to anecdotal writings of many of the fascinating things that were yet to be fully explored by humans. 

He had started exploring the many pages of one of the many novels he had picked up, the first page was written in a language he could not understand, it was an ancient Liyuen-script, developed even before the one he saw written in the markets. It was most likely written by someone decades older than Ajax himself, though it looked brand-new. 

The only reason he continued to read it was because on every page, there were illustrations of botanical life, ranging from dandelions to Sandbearer trees. The images were highly detailed, every last stroke of the plants were perfectly drawn up with black ink. And, after a few more swipes through the pages, Ajax had come to the realization that the book must have been illustrated by Ganyu’s father….since eventually, the writing and the illustrations stopped a few pages in. 

Ajax did not have the heart to ask what the pages said, placing the book down on his desk after the realization sank in. 

________________________

Guizhong held out the spoonful of warm porridge, slightly blowing on it in order not to burn Ajax, as Ajax felt his cheeks grow warmer by the second. While he had always known that Guizhong was caring as they come, he never truly realized just how caring she was. 

Ajax was a grown man, in his 20’s already, being spoon fed like a baby bird. 

He leaned forward and accepted the spoonful, as Guizhong tilted the spoon slightly to not spill it, and cleaned the excess rice that stuck to the sides of his mouth with the spoon itself. 

Guizhong did this a few more times, until she smiled; satisfied, “Good. Now, drink your hot tea, I brewed it just for you, it should soothe your nerves a bit.” 

He nodded, and compiled as she held up the cup of tea to his lips, and sipped slightly. After that, she placed the cup of tea down and sighed, “Ai-ya-yai~ I never expected my di-di to get so sick! My poor poor shidi!”  

She embraced him in a tight-hug, nearly cutting his breathing off by the tightness of it. 

Thankfully, Morax intervened, and pulled at her arm, “You are making him uncomfortable. Get off.” 

She relented and patted Ajax’s head, careful to avoid his growing horns. 

After being bed-ridden for nearly a month, that was something else he noticed. Ever since this weird transition from human to half-adeptus to full-adeptus. The small horns on his head had begun to sprung up even taller, growing in their size. But, strangely, not their color. 

They had remained to be a milky white transparent color that shimmered opalescent when the sun hit it. The other thing he had noticed was that his short teeth had grown to be even longer, and they hurt badly. His nails had also begun to grow even longer in their shape, that he had to be careful when moving around too much in his bed, unless he wanted to cut the sheets open (he had, which had him reprimanded by Cloud Retainer who pecked at his head lightly afterwards). 

And according to Cloud Retainer he would, “be able to transform fully after a few months”. Which made him equal parts curious and equal parts terrified. 

But, besides that strange revelation, he had also found himself being able to break things with his bare hands…which he also got yelled at by Cloud Retainer for. 

“Ah, no, it’s fine.” 

Morax stared at him for a while before relenting, letting Guizhong’s arm go, “....Do not be so rough with him...He is still in recovery.” 

Guizhong smiled at Morax before she patted his shoulder reassuringly, glancing back at Ajax, “Sorry shidi…I’m just…worried about you..” 

He shook it off, with a wave of his hand, attempting to brighten up the atmosphere, “It’s no big deal. Cmon’, I’ve dealt with worse injuries on my own. This is nothing compared to that…I’m not made out of porcelain.” 

That was true. 

While the pain he felt was unbearable, and was truly some of the worst pain he had felt. It did not compare to the absolute hell he had to bear during his time in the military. Besides from being preyed on by the lords and ladies that would pass by him, he was also injured severely multiple times throughout his short stint in the military. 

During those days, he was injured on a daily basis if he were to be completely honest. And, well, being in the military in the middle of a global war meant well….he did not get the best treatment whilst he was recovering. 

The doctors would send him off with a broken arm in the midst of battle, and would operate on those who had severely injured themselves without any anesthetic, and did not hand out pain killers afterwards. They were merely treated as animals to the slaughter, and were not given the proper treatment for many severe wounds. 

And, besides that Dotorre, was also quite a bastard himself. 

He would regularly send out notices to his superiors to “Get me some of your soldiers”, which he regularly used for his ‘research’. It was not research, they were plainly an experiment for him, a test to see how the human body would take before it broke in two. 

One of the experiments that the bastard conducted on Childe regarded his Foul Legacy. Childe had been stupid, stupid enough to use his Foul Legacy after being surrounded by a dozen Ruin Guards while out exploring the ruins nearby for some cheap thrill. And well, Dotorre had come to hear of it, and how he had defeated 12 Ruin Guards by himself. 

He had sent people to kidnap him in the middle of the night, and had subsequently dragged him towards his stupid lab. What happened afterwards was a set of trials, where he would send hordes of Ruin Guards, and hordes of Hilichurls to see how much Childe could take before he would break.  

What had prevented Ajax from killing the fucker, was plain and simple. 

If he acted out, it would get him kicked out from the military. And he would have to spend the rest of his days wandering out, killing whatever there was, with no way to support his younger siblings. Being in the Fatui granted Childe an escape, a way for him to let out his murderous urges without real consequence. And he wanted to become even stronger, he wanted to serve his Tsaritsa, he wanted to conquer the entire world. 

He wanted to see the world that had abandoned him kneel down before him. 

Needless to say, he was a naive kid. 

A fool that was too hurt to see that the world did not owe him shit. The world plainly picked out the strongest to survive, and if he wanted to live and prosper he had to be the strongest. 

However, he was desperate to cling onto the army, so he complied and went along with Dotorre’s little experiment. He lasted 4 days before he collapsed, with no food, no water, running on pure adrenaline and fight or flight. 

Afterwards, he was sent to the infirmary, where he found out he suffered burn wounds, a punctured liver, broken leg, sprained ankle, broken arm, cracked ribs, extremely dehydrated, and starving. He had no idea how he managed to survive all those days, or even how he managed to heal so quickly. But, he guessed it had to do with how abnormally quickly his Foul Legacy healed his own body. 

Morax’s stare pierced through him, it was almost deafening how piercing it was. It felt oppressive and tense, it made the hairs on his arm stand up. Under his gaze, there lay a simmering anger that was merely held back by a pretense to hold it together. 

Guizhong was staring at him as well, but her stare was far more worried than Morax’s, “Shidi?” 

Fuck.  

He racked his brain with a good excuse, or anything to get him out of the uncomfortable situation…he breathed a sigh of relief when Cloud Retainer came marching in, arguing with what appeared to be Madam Ping (or perhaps she was just talking (?), he could never tell with her). 

“Insolent child! One is telling you, that’s not going to work! Why do you not have any trust towards your elder?!” 

Madam Ping breathed a sigh, and started off gently, “I do trust you, Shigu. But, I need you to trust me as well, it will work.” 

“Silly child, we have no idea how his body is going to react to this-” 

“React to what?” He couldn’t stop the question from escaping his mouth. 

Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping were in the room now, after having entered the house a few seconds ago. Madam Ping looked tired and exasperated, carrying what seemed to be a bundle of herbs on her back in a bag made out of bamboo wood. Cloud Retainer was in her human form, looking frustrated, her glasses placed neatly on top of her head, carrying a sack of similar looking herbs. 

They both placed the bags onto the nightstand next to Ajax and Cloud Retainer pressed her fingers to his wrist before she could answer his question, “...Much better than yesterday, his vitals are strong and his meridians have fully formed…Are you really sure that it will work A-Ping?” 

Madam Ping nodded, “Yes, it will. Trust me.” 

Cloud Retainer shook her head, stubborn to give up, “One doubts it will work! His puny human body is too weak to handle such levels of energy….Why are you doubting one’s expertise? Have you forgotten one has lived longer than you?” 

Madam Ping relented and let go of Ajax’s wrist before nodding, “No, I have not forgotten. I…I’m sure it will work, Shigu.”  

Cloud Retainer let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing her temples, “Are you positive A-Ping? We have no idea of the after effects of this medicine, we can’t risk his health because of it..” 

Madam Ping let out a long sigh, striding close to Ajax, this time touching his wrist with her two fingers. She closed her eyes for a bit before she nodded, “It will work. His meridians are fully formed and filling with waves of adeptal energy, if we advance the process, he will recover in a short while.” 

Cloud Retainer closed her eyes, and breathed out a sigh, ”Fine, one gives you permission.” 

Ajax was at the center, confused as all the Abyss, as Guizhong and Morax’s stares pierced holes into him, and as Madam Ping and Cloud Retainer discussed something he was not aware of. 

Morax spoke up, “What exactly have you figured out, Madam Ping?” 

Madam Ping immediately gave a short bow to Morax before she said, “Well, I have been discussing with Shigu and Da-jie about another solution to his problem.” 

Morax seemed interested, and allowed her to continue. 

“His meridians are actively filled with more adeptal energy that is being created by his own body. However, it is taking way too long for his body to produce enough energy for his meridians to fill in time, which means that it might take him 2 years for them to fill up completely. Because of the Abyssal energy inside of him already, it is currently combating with the adeptal energy, thus, is preventing him from fully developing.” 

Morax nodded, his stare intense, “What do you suggest then?” 

“I been wondering if perhaps we can fill his meridians for him, artificially, with our own adeptal energy.” 

Morax contemplated it for a while before shaking his head, “No, his body is too weak for us to fill it with our energy. It will surely collapse and overwhelm him.” 

Madam Ping looked disappointed but nodded nevertheless, not saying anything as she bowed her head down. 

“Wait, I think that could work,” Guizhong uttered, drawing attention to herself in a quick flash. 

Morax raised an eyebrow, she continued, “Shimei is not wrong, it could potentially work to speed up the process a bit. Besides, shidi’s body composition is not weak, from what I have seen he heals and recovers pretty quickly, it could work.” 

Heck yah! If he went through this strange transformation thingy meant that he could go out and fight once again, then he would gladly take the risk! 

Morax hesitated a bit, Ajax chimed in, “We could try it out a bit…if it gets to be too much I promise I’ll tell all of you.” 

Morax closed his eyes a bit before nodding, “So be it.” 

____________________________

After the first round of energy transmission (?), although Ajax felt a little bit light-headed, he felt perfectly fine. Madam Ping had transmitted the energy via the palm of her hand on his. He felt a swirl of warmth from her hand trickle up his arm, filling him up. 

After a few minutes, Cloud Retainer stopped Madam Ping, before checking both of their wrists, “That is enough now!”  

Madam Ping opened her eyes, blinking once, twice before retracting her hand from his; the energy cut off. Ajax opened his own eyes, looking wearily around the room, feeling energetic for the first time in nearly a month. 

Morax, Guizhong and now even Sky Bracer (?) were sitting around him, staring intently at Ajax. 

He stared back at them, noticing that Sky Bracer had come back from watching the southern border. His eyes dripping full of pure worry, mouth turned into a permanent frown, staring straight through Ajax. 

He came up to Ajax, pressing the back of his hand to his cheeks, “..How are you feeling, shidi? ”

Ajax blinked up to see Sky Bracer, through his lashes, feeling his face warm up as his handsome face was mere centimeters from his own, “I’m…feeling fine, don’t worry, Da-ge.”  

Sky Bracer grinned as he cupped Ajax’s face and leaned forward, “Are you sure, you are frighteningly red? Are you positive you are alright?” 

Ajax felt his entire face heat up once again, as he felt Sky Bracer’s hand brush against his cheek. He smelled of mint and herbal tea, a soothing smell. His hair was tied up into a firm bun, in the back of his head, but a few strands fell forward framing the handsome cut of his jaw. His hair smelled good too, and looked freshly washed; he must have taken a shower before he came here. 

He was dressed in his night-wear, with a simple white cotton shuhe with small swirling patterns of clouds in blue string. He leaned down further, his eyes warm like honey, before he pressed his forehead to Ajax’s own, his deep voice rang out; making the warm feeling in Ajax’s stomach swirl up once more, “You are burning up, shidi.”  

Ajax felt any words instantly die inside of his throat, as he wanted nothing more but to crawl into himself to hide from the burning embarrassment. However, he did nothing and merely stared back into Sky Bracer’s eyes, as his own trailed down, down, down, until they landed on his lips. 

Fuck.

His heart was hammering in his chest, and he felt strangely drawn in by the man before him. The warmth he provided with his gentle gaze and his soft touch, made a part of Ajax spark up once more; like a lit firework ready to implode into vibrant colors. 

But he restrained himself; he couldn’t do it. 

He couldn’t do it, even if he really wanted to.

He couldn’t. He couldn’t because he knew what that would mean. He knew what that would signify for him and his own feelings. 

If he leaned in, he would never go back, he would have to confront his remaining underlying affections for the Archon, he would have to get over the man officially . It would be the signifier of the end; The end to their short, but ever so tender relationship.  

If he leaned in now, and kissed the beautiful man in front of him, it would signify the end of his endless pining, the end of his gut-wrenching affection for a man that simply did not exist. 

It would signify how he had finally given up on the man dying in his era. If he did it, he would lose himself before he could save the man that plagued his dreams and memories. 

So, he didn’t. 

And instead, simply leaned forward into the touch of the palm on his cheek, relishing the fleeting warmth….before he was pulled back instantaneously. 

He glanced up to see Morax staring at Sky Bracer, eyebrows drawn in, a deep frown sprawled his face; he was clearly infuriated, “Enough.” 

His tone was oppressive, commanding power in every word he spoke, just like he did when he was reprimanding Ganyu when she was misbehaving (which was only once, since she never did anything reckless around him afterwards; growing rigid and stiff like a board whenever he came into her line of vision). 

Sky Bracer nervously backed away, before glancing at Morax and bowing down, “…I’m sorry Shizun…I overstepped. ” 

The entire room seemed to freeze as Morax glared at Sky Bracer, clear intent to harm sprawled across his face. Guizhong placed an arm on Morax, causing him to huff and gently slap her hand away from his shoulder. Morax didn’t say anything else, as he let go of Ajax’s arm and exited the room. 

Once he left, the entire room was tense and painfully awkward to be in; Sky Bracer was sitting on the floor playing with what appeared to be puzzles with Ganyu (though his smile was a bit forced), Cloud Retainer was pacing around the room, looking tenser than normal, Madam Ping looked a bit startled and was attempting to make polite conversation with Guizhong and Ajax as she glanced from the door to Ajax. 

They all attempted to carry on, acting as if nothing was wrong whatsoever. But, well, Guizhong wasn’t good at hiding the nervousness in her gaze. 

She was actually the most obviously worried one out of all of them, her brown eyes big and painfully worried. She had actually been the first who had followed Morax, but had come back a few minutes later looking even more worried about his well-being. 

When Ajax had asked what was wrong, she was still like a fawn spotting a predator in the wild; and whispered a mild, “You….perhaps you should ask him yourself, shidi.”  

_____________________________

He didn’t want to. 

Mainly because he was afraid of the subtle implications of what that had meant.

He was far too tired from having spent the rest of the night racking his brain to figure out what that had meant. Why did he pull him away from Sky Bracer? Why did he walk off afterwards? Why was he so bothered by their proximity? 

The more he racked his brain for answers, the less answers there were. He didn’t understand just why he had been bothered by this. 

And well, this wasn’t the first time either, last time he had done the same thing after Sky Bracer had come close to him. 

Did he perhaps hate Sky Bracer? 

No, that couldn't be it. All other times, they were on good terms and regularly talked to each other. Unless all of those smiles were fake, Ajax did not think they were on bad terms. 

Wait.

Was he…..jealous?  

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(12/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

________________________

Chapter 12: Realizations, Transformations, and the Meaning of "Home" Pt. 1

Ajax woke up to a glare of sun, shining down on his face. 

His head was pounding, hurting from the afterglow of his prior shenanigans the day before no doubt. It felt as if a thousand needles had entered themselves into his head at the very same time, stinging the same spot, until he grew nauseous. 

He blinked his tired eyes open and attempted to stand up, only for every muscle in his body to ache and protest against the single movement. He groaned and leaned back down, cursing his life choices. 

Great.  

He had made an utter fool of himself, yet again in front of his Shizun, Morax. And to top that off, he had managed to overexert himself to the point where he could not even get out of bed. 

Now, while Ajax had been under Fatui military training where he was taught self-defense, and how to fight with a weapon. However, during his time in the military, unfortunately for many of the people who had joined it, in dull hopes of bringing enough income to their families or because they wanted the glory and prestige that came along with it. Their higher ranked soldiers that were in charge of teaching the new trainees, were not the exactly the…best…at teaching their classes, and mostly just threw the new soldiers into a fighting pit, telling them that they would hone their fighting abilities that way. 

Of course, even at just 14 years old, Ajax knew for a fact, that it was not a good tactic, especially since their was so many trainees hoping to be as good as their fellow upperclassmen, especially not when their higher ranked soldiers were in fact trained personally (most of them at least), by a Fatui Harbinger. 

And, while he had been trained to fight that way by Skirk in the beginning. Even she grew to see how erroneous and beastly her ways had been, and quickly began to train with him hands-on. Which entitled many days and nights where she would simply insult him enough for him to get agitated enough that he would willingly attack her, during her bizarre training lessons. 

Childe had always thought that she might have felt guilty for having nearly killed him the first day they met; having rebuilt and fortified every bone in his body after breaking them time and time again, after having punctured every single organ in his body, after having spilled half of his blood, and having nearly ripped his stomach wide open with her blades. He thought that her sparring lessons might have been a way for her to repent for her cruel actions, in her own sick way. She wanted to be beaten half to death by Childe, in order to get even with him; though she never admitted to it. 

Skirk was a strange master, but, as strange as she was, she was also fair. If Ajax were to get cut by one of her blades, she would allow him to cut him in the very same place as well. And if his arm would get injured, and he would only be allowed to use one arm for the entire fight, she would as well. 

She was noble in that way, even as beastly and vile as she might have been. 

Unlike the higher ups in the military. Which were nothing but corrupt and vile in their own right. They only did whatever was in their best interest; whether that was worldly desires like sex, drugs, and alcohol, or earning money by trading those same worldly pleasures to some of the other higher ups. 

In fact, Tartaglia had seen first-hand just how many higher ups or Harbingers would pick up their favorites from the bunch, and carefully groom them to become weapons or personal servants of their choosing; promising riches, fame, and power....all of which were white lies.

And how the same higher ups that he was told were there to guide him would personally hand their juniors out like a prize to be won to the sick seniors. 

Of course, he tried to stop it as much as he could, and would even pay the officials out for the poor trainees, and would advise them to be more careful. Celestia knows just how many higher ups attempted to ‘buy’ him from Pulcinella for a night or two, or even to use him however they pleased, when he was just 16. 

It was shortly after Pulcinella took him under his wing directly after he had been promoted several ranks up in just 2 years. He was impressed and wanted to guide the boy in order for him to become a great warrior.

Luckily, Pulcinella was one of the decent Harbingers, with enough morals to not be bent by the sheer promise of money. He angrily refused and promptly had the same people, mysteriously disappeared. He was probably one of the few Harbingers Ajax trusted with his life. 

In fact, he was the only one. 

Pulcinella was always disgusted by the other higher ups' antics and refused to budge, he was one of the few people in Ajax’s life that have seen him as nothing but a son. He saw the boy’s potential and wanted to help him achieve success, with no other ulterior motives. He was a good person amidst all of the trash and garbage that hid themselves under pretense of being righteous and dignified, fighting solely for Her Majesty's best interests. 

It was all a pile of dog shit, and those very same people knew it, deep down. 

They were nothing but a bunch of sickos, with a desire to be in a position of power in order to be able to harm others in twisted and disgusting ways. Even years later, Tartaglia still had to face the perverse stares of those who saw him as something else but Her Majesty’s personal Vanguard. 

It was something else, something dark, something unwanted and something that made Ajax uncomfortable. He knew the stares of the lord’s and lady’s that would come and visit the palace, he knew what their lust-filled stare’s meant. 

He wasn’t naive, though he pretended to be. 

They wanted him in a way that he did not, he did not miss the familiar lingering touches they would leave on his waist whenever they would stand next to him, or the filthy stares they would give him. Tartaglia was not ignorant of what it meant, they wanted to wreck him, and merely saw him as another pretty face to add to their repertoire of many pretty faces that followed them. 

They did not like him for his skill battle, as much as they claimed it was for that reason. In fact, they had even offered The Tsaritsa herself a generous sum of mora, in the millions of thousands in exchange for her 11th. 

And well, as icy as Her Majesty might have grown to be, she was notorious for being rather possessive over her Harbinger’s and their individual safety; working as a sort of twisted mother-figure. 

She would promptly leave her throne, expression neutral, and carefully make her way down the steps of her throne in a dignified way, light and airy, her long gown trailing behind her like a waterfall. Then, she would reach out of the lord or lady and promptly freeze them to death with a grip of her icy hand, turning their very lips blue and throats bursting from the icy spikes that burst through them. 

It was a macabre scene, every single icy spike would burst through the poor fool’s throats like a sick needle weaving a dignified gown fit for a queen. He would watch as the blood would weep down their throat, gushing red and silken like honey, slowly and putrid. Then, she would let go of them, throwing them to the side as if they were mere dirty rags to her and wipe their blood on her gown. 

She would spare them but a single repulsed glance; would turn around once more, not caring for the outcry that would follow as the fool’s entourage would chastise her and cry out for the death of their lady or lord. And they two would meet their demise, only not by Her Majesty but by the guards who would drag them out and throw them into a cell. 

For a reason unknown to him, he was strangely favored by The Tsaritsa. 

One theory he had come up with, was that perhaps she reminded him of her late son, something that was an open secret to the inhabitants of the Zapolyarny Palace.

He had seen the portraits and countless paintings of a young boy with blond hair, his face scratched off. As well as the countless family portraits that were scratched out, the only one remaining was Her Majesty’s soft expression gazing at the painter in front of her. 

She looked happy in these portraits, unlike the permanent frown on her face whenever she would request an audience with him. It was an open secret that The Tsaritsa had a happy family, some time ago. But, during the Archon War, her husband and son had tragically died, details of their exact death have remained unknown for centuries. 

Her life was ripped away from her, before she could grasp at it. She was left alone, a God of Love with no one left to love. Her love was ripped away from her, she was devastated, and soon enough, her heart began to freeze over. She was no longer the gentle and benevolent god she used to be, but a cold and cruel one. She did not have any love left for her, so she left none for her people. 

But as much as her people say that she’s unfeeling as she makes herself to be, they are wrong. Childe has seen her benevolence time and time again, her kindness shine through. He saw it in the way she would send physicians to her Harbingers quarters after they had been badly hurt, and insisted on them taking a break after battle. He saw it in the way she would refuse other rich lord’s and lady’s money whenever they would offer to bed any of her Harbinger’s for intel on any of her enemies or financial support. 

And although Ajax had been in 

She was still the archon she used to be, although deeply wounded. 

A part of Childe wondered if she specifically chose her Harbingers. It had to be for a reason, he always thought to himself. But, what? 

He now knew. 

Her Majesty, The Tsaritsa has always been an Archon of Love, even afterwards. She would always love her people, that was just who she was to her core. As much as she tried to cover up her love, it would always seep out through the cracks in her tightly fabricated mask. 

Perhaps that’s why she chose the loneliest people as her loyal Harbingers, people that were abandoned by Celestia, just like her. Perhaps she found solace in them, knowing that she too was just like them. 

Every single Harbinger was abandoned by Celestia, they were left to rot in the dark crevices of Teyvat, with no one left to turn too. 

Ajax was sure as hell that The Tsaritsa knew of his past, knew of every single misdeed he had done, every single lie he had told, his sin. He was sure he did. How could she not? 

It was evident to every Celestial being that Ajax was nothing short of a monster. An Abyssal beast, no longer human, no longer humane, with bloody impulses. Was that why she allowed him to enter the Palace? 

Was that why she welcomed him, and personally buttoned that insignia on his jacket and re-birthed him through a new name, “Tartaglia. You shall no longer be known as anything else my dear Vanguard. You are Tartaglia now.” 

Tartaglia smiled and bowed down before His Majesty, watching as she hummed and passed an ice cold hand through his hair, “Yes, Your Majesty.” 

Did all Archons know of his corruption? Could all beings made from pure elemental energy sense the overwhelming stench erupting from his very pores? 

Did he know he was tainted by The Abyss? 

Was it evident the second they met, was it something he brushed to the side for the sake of cordiality? Was it something he brushed off for the sake of camaraderie? 

If so, then why was he still so gentle towards something that had destroyed his land centuries ago, something that had killed the very beings he loved so dearly. Why didn’t he express his resentment? Or any type of prejudice against him? Why-

“You shouldn’t put much strain on your body. From what I’ve heard from Cloud Retainer, not everyone is used to our strenuous regimen of exercise. Your muscles are probably sore from the rigorous training you’ve subjected your body to, it's best not to stand up for now.” 

He looked up, snatched out of his trance after so long. Morax stood in front of him, tall and domineering in his stance, eyes intense and frown evident. He was dressed in new clothes it seemed, a loose white dachang with white accents on the sleeves. Embroidered on them were small dainty flowers, they seemed to be pink camellias. He was carrying a small tray, with what appeared to be a bowl of something. 

He instinctively sat up once he saw Morax leaning down, but winced when he felt his muscles protesting against the excessive movement, letting out a small groan. He was too sore to even function and the fact that he had slept on a straw mat, with nothing but a small blanket on top, certainly did not help his aching muscles. 

Morax frowned, placed the bowl down, before helping Ajax sit up, “Don’t move too much. You’ll hurt yourself.” 

Ajax didn’t say anything, and just obeyed, sitting up pathetically with the help of Morax. Then, he felt Morax place something onto his back, it was a small pillow(?). It was in an odd shape, a cylinder, but it was soft nevertheless and helped support his aching back.

Morax seemed to pause momentarily before he spoke up, “I brought you something to eat,” he slid the plate towards Ajax. 

It was an odd gesture, but familiar nonetheless. 

He nodded, uttering a quick, “..thanks...”, before he picked up the bowl and inspected it. It was a small bowl of what appeared to be rice porridge, it was a common dish used for treating ailments if his memory proved him correct. It had bits of chopped green onions in it, as well as small bits of ginger, with small bits of chicken as well. As soon as Ajax took a bite, the flavor exploded into his mouth although very delicately. 

Judging from the flavor, it was most likely made by Madame Ping and Guizhong. Although Guizhong was not exactly an accomplished cook; that much was evident when she stayed over at Ajax’s once more to watch over Ganyu once again, and well….nearly set the kitchen on fire. 

However, since then, she has really improved. She could now cook simple dishes, and they were actually pretty good. And well, Madame Ping was always there by her side to make sure she wouldn’t light the kitchen ablaze, so that definitely improved her cooking skills. 

Although, Ajax had a large suspicion that her ‘sworn sister’ was really just there, to hopelessly pine over her shijie.  

Like cmon’!   

It wasn’t as if Ajax was oblivious to the way his dajie would look so reverently at his shijie. Of course, poor Madame Ping had to face the fact that her shijie was oblivious to her feelings. Whenever she would do anything even remotely romantically charged, Guizhong would laugh it off, and pat her on the back regarding her as her sworn sister with pride. His idiotic shijie missed the way Ping stared at her as if she was the center of her entire universe, and the way she would merely sigh at her rejection and carry on playing her zither. 

It hurt to watch. 

He had suspected it for a while; the secret glances his friend had swiped at Guizhong, and the fond expression she only reserved for Guizhong.The way she would go along with Guizhong with whatever she would do. The way she would write countless songs dedicated to Guizhong, though she disguised them as being solely for her training. The way she would earnestly help her on her inventions and give her input as well, and even carry some of the heavy work by herself. 

It was too much, way too much. 

________________________________

He had confronted Ping about it a while ago, the day after A-Qiu’s funeral service. He had seen the way she comforted Guizhong and had cleaned her tears delicately with the ends of her sleeves, her expression loving and bittersweet. The way she embraced Guizhong with all she had, as if she too was going to disappear. The way she had gently whispered sugar coated lies into her ear, a few ways away from the funeral site, and held her close, after she had left the funeral early and too hastily. 

He too had followed after his shijie, in order to make sure she was alright, but it seemed as if someone had caught up before him. He saw as she held her close, trapping her in the frame of her body, stroking small patterns into the back of her white robes. She was crying as well, but not nearly as harshly as Guizhong was. She was practically screaming out in pain, clinging onto her shimei’s clothes for dear life. 

The way she held her close, and the way she looked at her shijie, felt too personal. And all of a sudden, Ajax grew too aware that he was there. It felt as if he was disrupting a private moment, he wanted to leave immediately. He turned around, deciding to ask Ping what had transpired, later on. 

And he did. 

He caught up to Madame Ping, playing her zither in the very same spot he had found her the day prior. She was playing silently, the tone of her instrument melancholic and somber, but bittersweet all the same. 

She opened an eye, and gave a small smile, “Shidi. What are you doing here?” 

He smiled back and shrugged, “Thought you could use some company.” 

Her smile widened and she scooted over, to give him space on the same stone he found her sitting on, “I do.” 

He sat on the stone and hesitated for a minute, deciding how it would be best to say something like this. After all, Ajax had never been the best when it came to maintaining friendships, at least not close ones. All of the friendships he had were a result of something disastrous, and it felt as if he was walking on glass every time he talked to Lumine or even Katya. 

But, he decided to give it his best shot, “So what piece are you working on this time, dajie?”  

She paused a bit before she glanced towards the river beside them, “I’m not quite sure to be completely frank. I am stuck in a conundrum of sorts, one that I can’t seem to leave at the moment.” 

Ajax raised his eyebrow, “What is it about-the conundrum I mean. What is it about?”

She looked back at him, her eyes were hesitant, “Well…I have someone I cherish deeply, but I-I’m afraid their affections lie elsewhere…And, I’m not sure how to deal with this loss of mine, how do I?....Do you know how to?” 

Oh.  

Ajax had not expected that. Not at all. 

Her voice sounded painfully defeated and at a loss, as if she was going through a second death of someone she loved. Her eyes were distant and distinctly hurt, and she looked as if she wanted to cry but ultimately held it in. 

He looked at her and let out a large sigh, “To be honest, I don’t really know either, dajie. It’s actually pretty ironic that you are mentioning that, because I’m going through a very similar conundrum myself. One that I haven’t personally figured out myself. So, I don’t know, you just sort of learn to live with it and slowly that feeling starts to dwindle until it fades away completely.” 

She nodded, “I see…It’s just-I’ve never felt this way before. At least not to this extent for someone else in all of my years of life. I feel as if a piece of me has been ripped away when I think about them being with somebody other than I......I feel awful, so awful I can’t even concentrate on my meditation. This...feeling of mine has completely taken over my life, it's so overwhelming that I’m afraid it's going to ultimately swallow me completely. I….would like to get rid of it.” 

He nodded, feeling at a loss as well. He never expected his dajie to be going through something so painfully similar to what he was going through. He stared up at the starless sky, and closed his eyes before he started out slowly, “Well… just what is it that you like about this person?” 

She too looked up at the starless sky as well, closing her own eyes, “I…I’m not so sure I know. While I like their neverending kindness, I selfishly want it all for myself. I want to hold them as closely to me as possible, I want to hold all of their light to myself. I oftentimes find myself fascinated by their bright smile, their captivating beauty, the way they extend their light to everything that they touch. I like her mind, the way she could think about a new way to improve one of her older designs. The way she never stops pursuing knowledge, and the way she never gives up on what she has set her mind to, no matter the setbacks. The way she laughs, the way she cries, the way she talks.....I’m afraid I like it all..” 

She trailed off, unsure of what else to say. 

Ajax was startled by the bursting confession thrown before him, but welcomed it nevertheless. If at least he could not help himself and his own disastrous love-life then perhaps he could help someone else. 

Now, he was sure that she liked Guizhong. 

He opened his eyes and looked at Madame Ping, “I…Dajie…are you perhaps in love with shijie?”  

She opened her eyes abruptly, panic filling them, her cheeks turned slightly pink even under the yellow light emitting from the lamp posts around them, “I-”

Seeing as she looked like a frightened deer, he patted her shoulder reassuringly, “Hey, it’s fine if you do. I’m not here to judge or anything, trust me.” 

As if he would judge her for liking Guizhong, he was sure that if he was not completely head over heels in love with Zhongli, he would have a crush on her as well. That was perfectly valid, and besides he is 40% sure that Zhongli himself also had a crush on Guizhong himself as well. Having a crush on Guizhong is perfectly valid, he was sure most of her devoted followers had a crush on her as well. 

She didn’t reply at first, but eventually nodded, “Yes..”, she scratched the side of her cheek nervously, “ Is it obvious?” 

He nodded and suddenly felt like teasing the poor senior, “Yeah, too obvious. Really, you should hide your infatuation a little better when you’re comforting her, dajie.” 

Madam Ping’s face looked petrified as she stared blankly at Ajax, “You…saw that?” 

“Yep, clear as day, dajie. It was painfully obvious that you were crushing hard on her.” 

She winced at that, and nodded, short and curt, “I see…I just…” 

“Can’t help it....Yeah, I get that.” 

She nodded, absentmindedly playing with the ends of her billowing sleeves, “Yes. I…I don’t know when it all started. I keep trying to go back to the exact moment where I had begun to like her, but nothing comes to mind. It just…happened.” 

Celestia above, did that hit home for Ajax. 

He leaned back in his seat, laying down on the round rock, feeling how the rock made his spine curve in an uncomfortable way, “Yeah, I get that too. It was the same for you, you know. I didn’t know when I liked him, it just happened. Of course, I found him attractive when I first met him, but I didn’t think much of it. Until, that attraction started to expand towards every word that fell from his mouth to the way he walked.” 

She hummed, “...How long have you liked Shizun?”

That made him pause. 

WHAT? 

This time, it was him that jumped up from his seat, feeling as his face heated up and his heart beat went a mile a minute, “What? No! I don’t like him! Not at all! I…” 

He slowed down as soon as he saw the shit-eating grin on Ping’s face. He gave up denying it and felt his shoulders slump down and his hands come front to cup his face, “I…I’m not so sure either. I just started to feel some type of way,” he sighed, “But, I can’t. I know I can’t. It’s just….complicated.” 

She hummed once again, this time patting his head, “I understand…Love is a complicated thing, is it not?” 

“Yeah, I guess it is.”

She nodded, “If it were easy, we would not be stuck in this predicament.” 

She stopped her ministrations before she carefully plucked at her guzheng, conjuring a melody of notes; they were somber but all the same yearning for someone unattainable. 

They sat there in silence for the rest of the night, listening to the hum of cicadas, the plucking of strings and the melancholic melody that erupted from the guzheng. 

They would always pine for someone unattainable, no matter how much time passed, their love would remain and never fully fade away throughout the passage of time. 

___________________________

Morax never left his side, even after he painstakingly scooped up spoonful after spoonful of jookand gulped it down. He sat down next to him, and watched him as if he was witnessing the most interesting thing happen right before his eyes. 

It unnerved Ajax, just how Morax watched him.

It was a gaze filled with nothing but pure hunger.  

A hunger so vast and so unfulfilled inside of the man before him, a lust so drawn out for centuries waiting to escape. It got to a point where Ajax could swear he had seen the man staring at his lips, looking as if he wanted to rip them out of his face with his own teeth…very strange. 

As he shifted around, he would see the Archon following his every movement like a starving predator waiting for its prey. He tracked his every breath, his every movement with his eyes, that seemed as if they were nothing but slits. 

He could not take it anymore, and hurriedly ate the remaining soup, wiped his mouth and carefully pushed the bowl back to him, “I’m done..” 

The Archon nodded, before he inched closer towards Ajax. 

He came closer and closer, until he could feel his warm breath tickling his cheek. Everything in him seemed to shut down as he saw the Archon’s eyes drinking him in, as if he was a delicacy. He felt himself stiffen as the Archon grew near. 

Then, before he could react, he felt a soft touch on the corner of his lip. He glanced down to see a small grain of rice on the god’s finger, he glanced up to see the Archon lick it off his finger, “You....forgot a spot.” 

AHH-

The Archon nonchalantly retreated back before he picked up the bowl, carrying it off. Ajax watched frozen in place as he watched the god leave, turning the corner to what he presumed was a kitchen or something of the sort. 

Ajax felt as if he was going to die of utter embarrassment, he shriveled up with it in fact. He felt his heart beating out of his clothes, wanting nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow him whole. 

‘What the fuck was that?!’ 

__________________________

His question was not answered for the remainder of the day, as the horde of adepti came to his Shizun’s domain, after having heard of Ajax’s condition. 

Unfortunately for him, his muscles were sore to the extent that, whenever he would try to stand up, his legs would wobble like a baby fawn’s. When he first tried to stand up, he toppled over, which was embarrassing. The second time he tried to stand up, he was caught by Morax, who frowned at him, “It’s worse than I had anticipated…You are falling over like a newborn adepti, that’s not good. I’ll go ask for Cloud Retainer. “ 

Ajax groaned in embarrassment, digging his face into the palms of his hands; both at the slight jab to his ego and the fact that Morax’s hand was nestled onto his waist. However, his groan only prompted Morax to worry further about him, carefully setting him down, and grabbing his face with his hands, “Are you alright?” 

Celestia above! He really needed to stop doing that!

He nodded, face ablaze, “Yeah…I’m fine…just a little sore is all, Shizun.” 

Morax’s eyebrows seemed to furrow, and he started to inspect Ajax’s face, turning it from side to side and leaning in closely. He leaned in closely, that his forehead touched Ajax’s. Morax paused for a moment before he shook his head, “It seems like you have a cold....you are burning up, and are bright red.” 

That was not why he was “burning up”, but he did not know how to tell the poor Archon, so he just shook his head slightly, “No, I’m fine. I’m just sore and tired, I need a quick nap and I’ll be fine.” 

Morax shook his head, gaze firm, “No, you are not. I will be back as soon as I can. Do not move.” 

What was he supposed to do? Disobey his orders? Psht, no. He was weak against this man, that had been an established thing. He gave a curt nod and watched as Morax left. 

A few minutes later he woke up to everyone staring holes into him.

He paused a bit, before he stood up; but, when he did, he felt every single bone in his body burn. It felt awful and he felt awful, it felt as if everything was on fire, he felt his bones itch. What the hell? 

He yelped out in pain and immediately recoiled back down. 

Guizhong rushed to his side, helping him lay back down, “Shidi! Are you okay?!” 

Her eyes were wide and filled with worry, she looked terribly worried. Incredibly worried so much that he felt guilty for feeling like shit, so he gave his best faux smile and nodded, “Yeah, of course shijie. Why wouldn’t I b-” 

He felt another sting to his muscles, and let out a groan, “Fuck.”  

Mountain Shaper was the one who was at his side now, he was in his human form. He placed his hand on his wrist. Then, after a while, let out a small sigh, “His meridians are expanding, his body is going through a lot of stress right now. The final transition from a human to an adeptus is currently expanding his meridians and filling them with spiritual energy, as well as redoing his very skeletal structure-"

Yeah, but wasn't he already an adeptus, he already had the fangs and the horns and the wholeshebang and what not?

"But, aren't I already technically an adeptus already?" 

Mountain Shaper looked irritated at his interruption but continued nevertheless, "No, you have yet not. Although, you may have begun your transition from human to adeptus a long time ago, this is the final evolution of what was already started.….Have you noticed anything abnormal going on in your body? Increase in appetite, fatigue, drowsiness, increased stamina?” 

Well…he had noticed that he had required more food than normal. But that was a given, considering Cloud Retainer and Morax kept pouring more food onto his plate, even after he refused. But, he had also noticed that he had increased energy when he went out on his usual patrols with Cloud Retainer, even going as far as to instigate more fights with the rifthounds that were miles away from their small village. And now that he really thought about it, he did notice he was getting a lot more tired after those small bursts in energy. 

…….Well shit….now what? 

He nodded, and through gritted teeth he said, “Yeah-AH!!” 

He bit his hand in order to stop the scream from escaping his throat as his entire body felt like it was being engulfed in flames, and charred. The pain made him nearly lose consciousness, and he barely registered the concerned voices calling out to him. 

The next he noticed was Morax in front of him, molten eyes intense and pupils blown wide, “Stop! You are hurting yourself!” 

He blinked, drowsy. He looked down at his arm, his palm was bleeding, blood was dripping down his forearm. It was dark and viscous, it looked scarily red on his pale skin. He felt his mouth in pain, as dazedly brought his tongue over his teeth, yelping out in surprise as he felt a pair of sharp fangs protruding out. They were far sharper and longer than he had remembered to be. 

Guizhong carefully wrapped his wound up, with long bandages, her eyes wide and scared. 

The pain came in waves after that, some worse than others. Madam Ping had gone to her own domain and had brought strong pain medicine, used for adepti only. She had made it herself and had personally dried and ground up all of the herbs herself. 

The medicine was bitter, too bitter in its taste. But, it worked because afterwards he barely felt the pain. The waves of pain felt like a cotton ball was being dragged over his entire body. 

Ultimately, they had all decided to take turns watching Ajax’s condition. Some of them would go out to watch over the outer border to see if any incoming attacks were coming, while the rest stayed to watch over Ajax. 

Cloud Retainer and Moon Carver went to watch the outer border, while the rest stayed behind. Guizhong and Morax stayed by his side like rice candy stuck to your gums, constantly fretting over his condition. While Ping, Mountain Shaper, Sky Bracer would routinely watch over Ganyu and made sure to change his bandages and change his cold compress. 

Ajax felt lethargic, every single bone in his body seemed to ache, and even his mouth hurt. However, besides that, he felt strangely warm surrounded by adepti who cared about him very much, who cared about him so earnestly. 

He felt strangely at......

Home.

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(11/30)

More chapters here!<333

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_____________________

Chapter 11: Yearning Hearts, Confused Feelings Pt. 5

Ajax looked everywhere for something to focus his attention on. 

Anything at all; anything to distract himself from the swirling memories in his head. 

But the colorful trees that covered the landscape in its mellow shades of ochre to emerald green, the tall yellow grass waving as the wind swept by it, and the fresh air that washed past him, made the heavy feeling hidden deep inside of chest bubble up like boiling water. With his free hand, Ajax wiped at the tears attempting to fall out of his eyes, with the ends of his billowing sleeves. 

Everything melded together, creating a sick painting right in front of his eyes; like those bizarre paintings Ajax had seen on his voyage in Fontaine. They were mere splatters of pigment on a canvas, but had clear intent to show a landscape in whatever abstract form they referred to it as. Just like those paintings, the colorful world in front of him was melding together, creating the illusion of something that was.

He was growing delirious by the second, barely registering the baritone voice of his beloved god begin, “We are almost there, do not fret.” 

Ajax looked up with his tear-filled vision to see his beloved god’s back, strong and firm; like the very same stone he created with his bare hands. His god's back was covered by a more form-fitting brown shuhe with golden and white designs embroidered elegantly on the ends of his sleeves, and his back. Designs that depicted elegant dragons with powerful long sharp claws and of dainty water lilies covered his ensemble. 

Even without his usual formal wear and even with the slight dirt that covered both his pants and boots, he managed to look regal. And that fact alone made something in him shake with a certain intensity he could not place. He would always look gorgeous no matter what, he would always exude power and elegance no matter what he wore.

He was sure of it. 

The god pulled him a little rougher than expected and he stumbled forward, a soft yelp escaping past his lips, tearing himself from his thoughts. The reason for this was simple, they were crossing a small creek, covered with wild flowers of a multitude of colors and green shrubbery that covered the small creek. His god did not say a thing, merely holding his wrist tighter with his hands, careful not to put too much pressure. If he would, there was no guarantee that his wrist bone would not snap under his strength, that made a shiver pass through Ajax's whole body. 

A few seconds later, Morax came to a stop. His grip on his wrist did not loosen, but merely tightened even more.

Ajax looked up at the god, hoping to see what was the matter, he gasped. Before them was something he had never seen ever in his life; a soft sun warmly blanketed the scenery before them in a golden light, there was a tall tree covered with a strange blue color to it glowing ever so daintily, the rush of a waterfall was heard, and just a little ways ahead Ajax saw a lake, its color a vibrant cobalt blue. 

The god loosened his grip before he turned to face him. 

His long messy hair was tied into a tight ponytail, held together by a small wooden hairpin with flowers engraved onto the wood, his eyeliner was slightly smudged from the vigorous exercise he was probably subjected to, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed and his molten eyes oozed a certain softness. 

Even now, his god was just as beautiful as before; a beauty in his own right, a stunning flower. The feeling in Ajax's became harder to hold back, how desperately he desired to pull in the god and embrace him, never letting go as he breathed him in. How desperately did he wish to kiss the god, until his own mouth became numb, and red. How desperately he wished to wrap himself around the god and bite down gently on his collarbones, hearing as his god cried out in pleasure. 

'I love you.' 

The words he so desperately wanted to whisper into his god's ears, threatened to spill past his lips. The thought he had pushed back into the recesses of his mind, came forth once again, desperately attempting to escape his mouth.

But, he couldn't, not now. 

He pulled his sight away from the god, deciding to focus on the pain in all of his limbs instead, and the soreness that would most likely follow him the next day. He felt the rush of tears sting at his eyes, before any tears could escape, he rushed to close them. Stubbornly refusing for the tears to slide down his cheeks, letting the pain in his muscles overtake his sensations, that way, he would not feel anything else but that. 

A few seconds seemed like eternity, Morax finally let go of his hand, and presumably leaned down, as he could feel the warmth of his breathe on his lips, “Ajax, we are here….are you alright?” his breathe smelled of sweet chamomile tea; it reminded Ajax of warmer days. 

But the gods question remained unanswered, as Ajax's thoughts slipped right out of his grasp once more. The god stilled a bit, before asking once more, his voice soft and gentle, "Are you alright?"

Of course he was okay.

Why wouldn’t he be? 

Morax and Guizhong had lost a dear friend of theirs, and had both seen the horrors humanity had to offer the world, they had both seen their companions get massacred before their eyes, they had to endure so much. Everyone had to endure so much, go through so much, see too much. 

So, why was he pitying himself?

Just because he was homesick and missed a man he himself chose to leave behind and walk away from? 

He was being an idiot, a giant one. 

Everyone around him were going through and had been through travesty after travesty, and yet despite all of their tragedies, they were not wobbling in their own self-pity. They were not breaking down crying just at the slightest provocation, so why the hell was he? 

And yet. 

He could not stop the tears from sliding down his cheeks, as the feeling of bitter loneliness filled his system, like a giant ocean tide. 

He was pathetic. 

He froze into his spot and stood still; too stubborn to say that he was and too miserable to say he wasn’t. 

He let the tears slide onto his lips, tasting the mild saltiness of it, eyes still tightly shut, refusing to budge no matter what.

He did not want to go through this anymore. He didn’t want to be so damn depressed over nothing, Zhongli was still not dead yet, he could still save him.  

And besides, he had everyone here to support him and stick by him. So, why was there still this heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach, eating away at him, until the pain became unbearable? 

“Ajax, are sure you're alright?” Morax’s voice rang in, pulling him back, the way it always did. 

His voice was soft like a whisper, nothing like the stern and loud voice he projected during meetings and during predictions. No, something about this voice sounded softer and ever so worried.  

Just like- 

Ajax would not contain the evident sob that escaped his lips, he curled into himself, placing his face into the palms of his sounds, desperately attempting to shove back the sobs that were threatening to escape his throat. 

He collapsed on the floor, curling into himself further as he brought all of his legs to his chest, burying his face into his knees. 

Thoughts swirled around his head, memories he so desperately attempted to cling onto, no matter how much time passed. Memories of him and Zhongli down by the harbor chatting away about everything and nothing at all, by the many beaches of Liyue collecting starconches, having dinner at the Wanmin Restaurant ordering nearly everything on the menu, going to each other’s apartment and sharing a warm cup of tea. The lingering stares between the two of them, the butterflies in his stomach whenever Zhongli would slightly brush up against him, the excited feeling he would get whenever Zhongli would ask to go out to dinner with him, the kiss shared between the two of them. And the night spent afterwards, where Ajax felt nothing but the searing pleasure and the feeling of Zhongli against him, their hands entwined together, the day after and the brush of a warm hand brushing through his scalp, and the promise to be.

He remembered it all.  

________________________

“Say, Zhongli….this might be a bit imprudent of me but, what exactly are we? I don’t want to misconstrue anything, so….” Ajax had said, lying in Zhongli’s bed, the silken sheets pulled over his lower torso. 

Zhongli’s eyes flitted down towards Ajax, as his eyes tore themselves from the pages of his book. He looked at Ajax, and sighed, pulling his glasses down his face and placing them onto the nightstand beside him, “Well, we are what most people would label ‘lovers’, no?” 

Ajax felt his face heat up as his eyes avoided Zhongli’s intense stare, “Well, yeah….I just-wanted to make sure…”

Immediately, he could feel the intensity of Zhongli’s stare burn a hole through his skull, followed by a warm hand on his head, playing with the hairs tenderly, “Ajax. I love you so much my soul cannot bear to be apart from you,” his hands strayed south and started to stroke his cheek, “I adore absolutely everything about you, from your smile, to the way you talk about your family so fondly, to the kindness you so desperately try to hide away, to the way you talk about your passions so reverently to me, to your thirst for power and battle, and even the way you scream out my name so reverently from your lips,” he traced his lips with his thumb, gaze fond and loving, “Do you believe me, now?”   

Ajax felt himself choke, he had never imagined Zhongli in a million life-times say anything so scandalous! He sputtered for a moment, the butterflies in his stomach fluttered more than he had imagined they would, he swatted Zhongli’s hand away, blushing furiously. Sputtering pathetically at the man before him, “O-kay…..I believe you, shut up please...” 

Zhongli chuckled, the sound warm and fond, “I was just making sure, dearest treasure.”  

Ah.. 

Ajax’s heart soared when he heard the term of endearment, and the giddy feeling he had been repressing finally started to rise up into his stomach. Ajax buried his face into the pillow, and groaned, earning another chuckle from Zhongli (smug bastard). 

Then, he felt a warm hand pass through his hair, and slightly pull at his hairs earning a deep shiver to pass through his entire body. Zhongli chuckled once again, but continued his ministrations and scratched his scalp slightly with the ends of his nails, causing another shiver to pass through his spine. 

Zhongli continued on, before he moved near Ajax and wrapped his hand tightly around his waist, burying his face into Ajax’s chest. Zhongli breathed into his clothes, as if he was attempting to commit the smell to memory and let out a small sigh of relief, causing him to bury his face deeper into Ajax’s chest. 

Ajax eventually wrapped his own hands around the man’s head, feeling slightly embarrassed at the predicament, “Zhongli? Zhongli? We have work in an hour, we can't slack off… ”  

Zhongli did not say anything and merely dug himself deeper into his chest. 

Ajax paused slightly, before letting out a small huff, “Fine. only for a few more minutes, then we have to go to work.” 

Zhongli did not say anything once again, dead asleep it seemed. Ajax to let out a small sigh and place his head on top of Zhongli’s, dozing off into his own slumber. 

After a few more minutes, Zhongli opened his eyes and gazed up at Ajax’s face, the face of his beloved, his soulmate. 

He looked the same as he did all of those centuries before, the only difference was that this Ajax was not an adeptus. 

He did not remember Guizhong, merely regarding her as a Goddess of Dust he read in a history book once. He did not remember Xiao, merely raising an eyebrow at the name once Lumine had brought him up. He did not remember Cloud Retainer, citing her as an adepti he had seen a figurine of down in the market. He did not remember Sky Bracer, the name bringing a confused expression, wondering if Sky Bracer was the name of a dish. He did not remember Mountain Shaper nor Moon Carver, only recalling that he had heard a play about them. This Ajax did not remember their history, did not remember what he so reverently called his family, the adepti.

This Ajax did not remember Zhongli.  

_______________________

Zhongli was not sure what to expect after so long. 

Living century after century was getting tiring, he was getting worn out. All of those beloved to him had long since perished before his eyes, those left had isolated themselves in the mountains. 

Zhongli did not remember the last time he had seen them in person, only appearing to them through his dreamscape. 

It had been ages since they all got together and talked about what business or the trouble they had found themselves in. It had been ages since Zhongli got to enjoy the sweet feeling of sitting at a table where warmth was so easily spread; where he felt welcomed and at home.  

But, Zhongli could not blame them. 

After The Archon War, and then, after The Cataclysm ravaged their land. After suffering loss after loss, death after death, misfortune after misfortune; it hurt too much to be with everyone all over again.

Celestia knows how much it pained him.

And after it, there was a period of time after the many wars where he himself committed himself to total isolation, ignoring those around him, wallowing in nothing but bittersweet memories. 

Being around everyone again, reminded Zhongli of the better times, where everyone was alive. A time where Guizhong would laugh care-freely and attempt to lighten up the mood with her antics, where Cloud Retainer would let loose for once and go along with Guizhong, where Madam Ping would play her zither and gaze fondly at Guizhong, where Sky Bracer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver would share more about what interesting things they had seen. 

A time where his beloved would laugh freely, a wide toothy-smile sprawled on his face, sat next to Morax who felt enamored with the wild spirit next to him, unsure of the extent of his feelings for the man. 

A feeling he soon came to understand as the time passed, and the wounds healed. 

But, Ajax. 

Ah, Ajax. 

He missed him, dearly.  

His beloved, his soulmate, his other-half.  

Morax had spent ages attempting to find something to fill the void he felt ever since he was brought into Teyvat. A huge gaping void filled with endless nothingness, with a feeling he would later recognize as loneliness. 

He was overwhelmed when Ajax came into his world; a splash of color into his mostly gray world. Morax thought he would only ever adore Guizhong; she was the first to come into his life and pull him out of the bitterness that was his hatred for the world. But, when Ajax had burst into his life, everything he had thought he knew was proven false. 

Ajax was a raging flame, eternally blazing with the light of a thousand phoenixes.

He was reckless, impulsive, caring, gentle, loving, emotional, determined, hard-headed, loyal, stubborn, bloodthirsty, and his sense of justice was unlike anything Moraax had ever seen. His hair was bizarrely red, turned into burning embers once in contact with sunlight. His face was distinctly handsome, if not a bit boyish, his jaw shape was sharp, his eyebrows equally as sharp, eyes doe-like, lips plump and slightly chapped, smile too wide, freckles peppering his face, body well-built and scarred over with countless wounds. His voice was light and teasing as he talked carefreely to Guizhong and Morax, excited and eager to inform them of his new discovery. 

Zhongli loved him so much.  

He was everything to him, his hope and the brightest star to him; shining eternally as he saw him from within dark corners. He grabbed at his star and held him close inside of his arms, feeling the warmth and brilliance emitting from him. 

He clung on, no matter what. 

But as time began to pass, the light from his dearest was starting to wane, starting to fade out. He attempted to grab at his dying star, reaching out to claw him back to him, reaching out to keep him forever by his side. 

But, no matter what, his beloved star slipped past his fingers, his bright light fading away until there was nothing left of him; mere memories of his brilliance remained. 

Zhongli was not sure what to do afterwards, caught in a standstill. Wishing to go back in time, to see his beloved star once more. Wishing he had clung onto his beloved a bit longer, wishing he had held him closer than he had, wishing for more time.

The centuries passed, Ajax was merely a name in everyone else’s mouth, a fleeting memory just like the others. The adepti would rarely talk about Ajax ever since, feigning to remember who he was. Some even scoffed at his name spitting at his memory, wanting to forget about the reckless man they once knew. While others blinked back tears at the mere mention of his name, wishing to forget in order to get the pain they felt in their chest to stop. 

Zhongli felt as if his heart was ripped out all over again, everytime his name was brought up during meetings in his own dreamscape, which nearly made the dream collapse and the ground underneath them to shake, earning exchanged glances between the adepti.

Zhongli was sure that after that slip up, they made a pact to never mention his name because they never did. 

At least, not in front of Zhongli. 

Many more years passed, he lost all hope to ever feel that way again, sure he would never feel like that for another ever again. Many suitors propositioned him to a night in bed, where they would feel nothing but the pleasure and the warmth of another, but he refused. 

Ajax was his only.

Ajax would be the only one he would ever love, the only he would ever desire. 

The years passed and Zhongli settled into the monotonous way of his own life. He had made a deal with the Goddess of Love, the Tsaritsa herself, in order to give up his rule over Liyue; the city Ajax dreamed would come into fruition. 

He hoped to live a mortal life, to give up his godhood. There was no war to be won, no threat to his people, and no meaning to his existence anyways. He was going to live a mortal life, and be a nobody, just like he always wanted. He was going to fade into the shadows, and life with the common folk. 

He had even gone as far as to get a job as a Funeral Consultant, which he felt was fitting. He had long since been surrounded by death, and as a twisted turn of fate, had come to know many things about the customs and traditions of a burial. He had gone up to his boss, had talked about what he knew and got the job in no time. 

She was a peculiar girl, too comfortable with death, walking the thin line between death and the mortal realm. However, she provided enough entertainment to distract Zhongli from his own mind and he was reminded of an old friend in her. They were both equally as enthusiastic and cheerful, but in completely different ways. 

He thought he was going to continue his routine forever. 

Until he got a letter from the Tsaritsa: 

Dear Zhongli,  

I hope you have been doing well in these past few years.

From what I’ve heard you have settled into the humans quite nicely, even going as far as getting a job as a Funeral Consultant, how interesting. I am doing great as always, but I willstop with the small talk now and get to business. I have an addition to the contract we have formed, if it would not be too much of an annoyance. I formally inquire, would you be willing to be a guide to my dearest 11th? 

You see,  he is quite the personality and always causes a ruckus wherever he goes, quite the bloodthirsty thing in fact. 

And while, I understand your plan from what he had formally agreed prior, I cannot have him causing such unnecessary ruckus that would draw too much attention to our plan so early on. My dear nation, Sne zhnaya is already in quite hot-water with my dearest 8th’s encounter with the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. 

However, since you do require there to be a distraction from your plan to retire from your position as the Archon of Liyue, my dearest 11th is and will be perfect for the plan. I just simply do not wish for him to tarnish Snezhnaya's sacred name nor earn himself a bounty directed straight at his head. 

He is precious to me as are my other Harbingers. 

And so, would you be willing to guide him around before the time is right?  

Best regards,

Tsaritsa  

Zhongli was not sure how to react to the letter before him, on one hand, he did not want someone like her 11th to be too obvious. If he was as bloodthirsty and problem causing Zhongli did not want him causing a ruckus before the main event had even started. However, on the other hand, if it meant that he would be able to free himself from his age-old shackles and life freely as a mortal, then he would take it. 

He pondered it for a while, before finally coming to a decision. 

A few weeks later, he stood still on the docks of Liyue harbor, watching as a distinctly Snezhnayan-styled boat strolled onto Liyue’s shores. It was quite the large vessel, nearly as tall as Captain Beidou’s own boat, The Crux. 

The boat finally anchored down, and the doors of the boat burst open, revealing several masked Fatui staring at Zhongli head on, “Who are you?” 

The person who said it was a woman, a long reddish brown braid draped over one of her shoulders, dressed in violet and black clothing. Zhongli merely cleared his throat and extended his hand, a professional smile taking over his face, “Hello, my name is Zhongli. I was assigned to be the 11th’s guide, pleasure to meet you.” 

The lady did not take his hand and merely nodded, ignoring Zhongli and marching up to sit onto the harbor ground. Zhongli blinked before he paused, following the lady with his eyes. He had expected that cold of a welcome, and vaguely pondered if it was the right boat he was supposed to be looking for-

Before he could think anything else, a soft chuckle was heard; the voice was light and airy, like spring, teasing and light-hearted and painfully familiar like an old memory, “Now, now, Katya, that is no way to treat our most trusted guide, is it?” 

Zhongli whipped his head around faster than he had ever. 

His eyes widened as he recognized the man in front of him, bright red curly locks that burned like embers, with a small mask tied to his head, wide toothy smile, light freckles peppered all over his cheeks, dressed in mostly light gray and white except for the red scarf around his neck, his eyes that familiar shade of dull blue. 

Ajax. 

It was Ajax. 

It was his Ajax. 

It was his beloved.  

Zhongli’s heart was hammered in his chest, his throat was dry, his palms were sweaty and his eyes watered with unshed tears. 

The man stepped forward, and eagerly grabbed Zhongli's hand. His palm was cold, his fingers were thin, long and calloused, and his fingernails were neatly trimmed. 

Zhongli felt as if he had been thrown into a loop; for the first time in centuries, he felt as if the words were trapped inside of his throat, unable to escape their prison. He was transfixed onto the man in front of him, and he barely managed to keep up with the firm handshake he gave him, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Zhongli. Call me Childe, the 11th of the 11th Fatui Harbingers, at your service.” 

The feeling in his stomach deflated as his heart began to sink, “Childe?”  

The man stopped in his steps, his smile slightly slipping off, “Yes, that is my nickname, doesn’t it fit me quite well? While Tartaglia is my official title, I prefer to be called Childe. Because in my opinion Tartaglia sounds too formal, isn't that right Mr. Zhongli?” 

His heart reached rock-bottom, the tears dissipated, he felt twice as miserable as he initially had felt. He had accidentally mistaken another man for his beloved, of course this man was not his beloved. It couldn’t be, his beloved had long since ceased to exist a long time ago. It would not make sense of him to be alive once again.  

His eyes were the same color, a deep and empty ocean color and the distinct long opalescent horns that shined like rainbows were gone. 

He was not Ajax.

He was not his Ajax. 

Zhongli regained his composure and slapped on his professional smile once more, “Yes, it is quite the fitting nickname Mr. Childe…Now, shall we go?” 

Childe grinned, “Lead the way, Mr. Zhongli.” 

The days progressed, the more of he saw of his beloved Ajax inside of Childe. He saw it in the way he fought, in the way he listened attentively to Zhongli’s ramblings, the way he treated others, the way he gazed at Zhongli, the way he held his chopsticks, to his lust for power and battle.

It was driving him crazy.

Morax was slipping past tightly secured chains. 

His obsession and possessiveness over the man for the last hundreds of centuries had finally come back full circle, unable to be contained behind a placid smile. The aching desperation to hold the man he loved so dearly until he could not take it anymore was starting to leak into the way he purposefully lingered his touches with Childe. The clawing madness that was love for him, started to fizzle out and pour onto the way he ate the man up with his bare eyes.

It becoming harder to restrain himself from the delicious meal in front of him. Especially when the man in front of him would lick at his lips so seductively, and would remain eye contact as he would lean down to pick up an item he accidentally dropped onto the floor, and the way he would slide back up so slowly and teasingly. And the way he would unconsciously lean back his head when he laughed, revealing an unblemished neck, and how desperately he wished to bite into it. He could almost feel his teeth burn whenever he saw it. 

But, it was not his beloved. 

Zhongli knew he should not feel that way for the man, he was merely supposed to be a piece in his elaborate chess game, a small piece of his much larger plan. But then again, the man who was going to be coming to Liyue and indirectly helping him in his master plan was not supposed to look exactly like his beloved. 

It was becoming harder and harder to hold his instincts behind tight bars. 

And sometimes, on calm days, Zhongli could feel the guilt he had been pushing down, come up once again. He knew he was betraying the man that was starting to consider him a friend, no longer business partners after spending so many afternoons together. Zhongli might be somewhat ignorant to the feelings of mortals, still largely unaware of how to act in certain situations, he was aware that revealing the extent of his plan could potentially hurt Childe. 

It would ruin his friendship with Childe, it would push him away; and with him those feelings of Zhongli as well. It would be beneficial for Zhongli to distance himself from Childe; after all, it was blurring his vision of the future, it was blurring his goal. It was hindering his progress to finally fully surrender himself to the mortal world. 

But, Zhongli wanted to keep deluding himself and wanted to keep the only light in his dark room close to him forever. He wanted to bask in the sweetness of having company again, he wanted to pretend he was with his beloved once more, he wanted to pretend everything was fine when it was not. 

However, as all things do. 

They come to an end, and change with time. 

After a rough afternoon, spending time with Childe collecting starconches, and hearing himself ramble on about the many history facts relating to the starconches themselves. 

Childe turned to him and shoved a huge starconch in his face. Zhongli was startled at first, stepping back slightly, blinking at the strange thing in front of him. He slightly adjusted his vision and carefully retreated it from Childe’s hands, the star on the shell was bright and strangely opalescent, glittering rainbows when the light hit it, and the color surrounding the rest of the shell was ocean blue. 

Childe looked up at him and grinned, “Isn’t it gorgeous! I found it buried in the sand near the tide, isn’t it beautiful Xiansheng?”

Zhongli nodded, making sure to pretend to not feel the way his chest hammered in his chest from the sight of Childe’s smile alone, “Yes, it is quite the beauty. I can’t say I have found a starconch this vibrant in all of my life.” 

Childe nodded, and snatched it back from Zhongli’s hands. He held it in his hand for a while before long tendril-like hands materialized in Childe’s own hands. They looked strange and were entirely made out of water. They danced around a few times before they took the form of hands and grabbed the shell, holding it up to Childe’s eyes, “Yeah…You know, in a way, it almost reminds me of Morespesok. Back there, there are quite a lot of these littered near the coasts. It's the only thing familiar about Liyue, if I'm honest.” 

Zhongli nodded, eyes fixated on the water before Childe, “Yes, I have heard the tide carries many of these shells to Snezhnayan and Inazuman shores.” 

Childe nodded, “Yeah, maybe that’s why,” holding the shell in his own hands now, the water-made hands seemingly disappeared into thin air. 

Zhongli blinked before he tentatively asked, “Childe…may I please ask you something?” 

Childe tore his gaze from the shell, eyes on Zhongli, his head tilted cutely to the side and he nodded, “Yeah, sure. Ask whatever question you’d like Xiansheng, I don’t mind.” 

Zhongli paused for a minute, making sure to choose his next words carefully, “Are you able to mold whatever you’d like with your hydro vision?” 

Childe stared at Zhongli, his eyes piercing and hesitant, “...Why do you ask?” 

Zhongli cleared his throat out, “I....had someone dear to me who was similarly able to mold anything out of it, he was quite adept at controlling his element, you see. And so, I was merely wondering if you were able to do the same.” 

Childe seemed to pause himself before inside of his palm there was a small whopper flower made out of nothing but water, “Yeah, what a strange coincidence!” 

Zhongli nodded, staring at the hydro whooper flower inside of Childe’s palm, beginning a strange waltz, “Yes, it is quite interesting……Then, are you perhaps able to mold it into any sort of weaponry.....or can you not?” 

Childe seemed to sprout into life as he immediately materialized a pair of twin blades and held them out in the palms of his hands, “Yeah....Although I usually only resort to using them when I get too frustrated with my bow.” 

Zhongli carefully drew his hands near and touched the blades, they were sharp enough to make him bleed if he pressed slightly harder into the blade. They felt as cool as iron usually felt when wielded, and were surprisingly light in his hands, “Hm...They are surprisingly light.” 

Childe let out a chuckle before he grabbed the blade from Zhongli’s hands and hastily put them away, “Yeah, they are made out of water, after all.” 

Zhongli paid no mind to the slight jab and kept going, “Can you make other weaponry as well, or only twin blades?” 

Childe shook his head, “No, I can. During my Fatui army years, they had all of us fight with different weapons, bows, scimitars, claymores, swords, polearms, and they even had us train with a catalyst. So, I can properly wield most of those weapons.....Right now, I’m wielding my bow, since it is my weakest weapon, which is why it is my primary weapon.” 

Zhongli felt his heart sink in his chest, it wasn’t making any sense. 

Ajax was able to wield all of those weapons, he had seen him in battle personally. Ajax was similarly able to wield his hydro element into whatever he wished; he had seen him tell stories and illustrate them through his vision with the children in Liyue. Ajax looked like Childe, and even acted like him. His dazzling stone was before him once more, his precious treasure. 

But he wasn't. 

And the desperation ate at his chest.

The tight knot he had been attempting to keep tied inside of his chest come undone.

Morax was set free once more. 

He could not take it anymore. 

After they parted ways, Zhongli made his way up a mountain; determined to gain answers for the plethora of strange coincidences. He marched up a mountain, went to the nearest glaze lily he could find, and began to talk to it. 

Even if Guizhong was gone, some of her soul remained in every single Glaze Lily she had ever made, “Guizhong, I am unsure. He reminds me ever so much of our dear Ajax, and yet, he does not remember you nor the rest of the adepti. He is not even an adeptus, he’s a mortal. I….I’m lost, and require your assistance, dear friend.” 

The minutes passed and the Glaze Lily remained still, and Zhongli felt the small smidge of hope start to dissipate away. 

Right, even if a bit of Guizhong lived inside each and every Glaze Lily, that did not mean that she was still living. She had long since turned into the very dust she had governed, she was gone. 

He felt pathetic and felt his patience start to dissipate as well, desperation taking shape as anger,“Answer me!” 

The lily did not respond back, causing Zhongli’s anger to swell up, “Why did you leave me behind! I can’t do it alone! I can’t do this alone! I don’t know how to solve my own problems without your advice!! Why must I be so pathetic.... ”

The flower remained still, he couldn’t take it anymore, he tore at the flower uprooting it, throwing it onto the ground, “ANSWER ME!” 

The flower remained still, and the boiling anger turned into bitter sorrow. He carefully picked up the flower and replanted it, feeling as tears started to form in his eyes, falling down onto the ground below. 

“I….can’t do this alone…please”  

Zhongli sat there, holding his face in his hands, feeling the weight of this pathetic behavior set in. He let out a silent sob as he cried into the palms of his hands, feeling as pathetic as he had always felt. 

When suddenly, a bright light disrupted Zhongli from his pathetic sobs. He looked up, to see a translucent golden light lean over to him before laughing lightly. He blinked once and then twice to see the golden light take the form of his dearest friend, Guizhong. 

Dressed in her favorite blue and while qixiong ruqun, along with her favorite hair stick holding her hair up into a half-up half-down style, a small smile on her face, “Silly Morax…I never left.” 

Zhongli could not believe it, and blinked his eyes once more, but the figure would not vanish. Guizhong let out a small chuckle before placing a small warm hand onto Morax’s cheek and pinched at his cheek in the same teasing manner she used too, “Of course I’m actually here. Where else do you think I would be?” 

Zhongli felt more and more tears fall down his face as he basically threw himself at her figure, embracing her tightly, “Guizhong …” 

Guizhong's laugh was watery as she wrapped her arms around Zhongli as well, “I’ve missed you too, old friend.” 

Zhongli let out a broken sob into her shoulder, feeling as she patted his back softly, “There, there, you silly old dragon.” 

Zhongli chuckled and dug his face deeper into her shoulder, slightly smelling the familiar scent of glaze lilies and fresh herbs on her clothes. 

They held each other for a bit longer, before Zhongli pulled away, and wiped at his tear-streaked face with his long sleeves, “...thank you..”

Guizhong chuckled and waved her hand dismissively at him, “Nothing to thank Morax….Now, go say hi to Ajax for me, won’t you?” 

Morax paused, eyes widening as he gazed at Guizhong, "What…do you- ” 

Guizhong grinned before she patted his head, reaching up with the tips of her toes to do so, “When the time comes, say hi to him for me again, okay?”

Morax froze but nodded as she pressed a hand against his forehead, “So long, old friend.” 

Zhongli woke up in a flash, sweat beading at his forehead, the faint smell of glaze lilies and fresh herbs surrounding his senses. He looked around to see his room, he was lying in his bed. 

When did he get there? 

He did not remember crawling to his house, nor does he remember falling asleep onto the bed. He was certain he had hiked up the mountain and talked to one of the glaze lilies. Did he dream of that encounter with Guizhong? Or was it all real?

Yes, it couldn’t have been merely a dream, if the smell of glaze lilies and herbs was not a clear indicator after all, lying on his nightstand there was a glowing glaze lily humming a faint song. 

Zhongli felt the relief wash over him, and the exhaustion following it soon after. His beloved was still on this earth, he had somehow come back to him, he had been confirmed of his identity, and yet, Ajax did not remember. 

He stared at the glowing glaze lily, watching as the faint golden light oozed out of it everytime it hummed, he felt his determination growing. 

Even if it would take him another century, he would make sure Ajax remembered him. He would make sure Ajax would come back to him, no matter what. 

___________________________

Ajax stood still on the floor, sobbing into himself. 

He missed his own era, he missed Zhongli, and he missed his family. He was homesick and he wanted to leave, he needed to leave. 

He knew it was selfish to think that way, to think about only himself, but he couldn’t help it; at least, not when Morax’s touch was as warm as it was.

Not when Morax’s gaze is as fond as it was. Not when Morax’s voice was as gentle as it was. Not when Ajax was so miserably in love with the man. 

He knew it was pathetic, he felt pathetic, he felt small. 

He felt useless. 

Here he was, sobbing once more at Morax’s feet feeling like he was about to fall apart once again. He was being selfish, Morax and Guizhong had lost a loved one, and yet they were still persevering through their own lives. They were still pulling through, and running the race no matter how tired and worn out they got. So, why was Ajax stopping at the first sign of distress, why was he quitting a race he had not even started yet? 

He had made a promise to himself that he was going to find a way to save them all, that he was going to find a way to get through it all and get to see Zhongli again. He made a promise to himself, and yet here he was wanting nothing else but to break it. 

He was selfish, he was putting others lives in danger just because of his selfishness, he wanted to put their lives in jeopardy just because he was feeling homesick.

What kind of sick monste-

“Ajax, are you alright?” his eyes met Morax’s molten gaze, a shiver ran down his spine. 

Something in Morax's gaze shifted as his eyes carefully inspected Ajax's face. In a flash, Morax grabbed his chin and lifted it up, his face mere inches from his. He stared into Ajax’s eyes, gently wiping the tears from his face, “What is the matter? Why are you crying?” 

He was sitting in front of Ajax, watching him carefully, a dull worry tainting his gaze. 

Ajax felt his self-restraint shatter.   

He pushed Morax’s gentle hand away and slumped forward onto Morax, burying his face into the cloth of his shuhe, choking back sobs. He heard a slight groan as he bumped into Morax but other than that he felt him stiffen underneath the curve of his body. 

Ajax kept his head buried inside Morax’s chest, hands curling around Morax’s waist in a vise grip. Morax did not move, and let him do so, preferring to place a warm hand on Ajax’s hair. 

Morax slowly moved a hand through Ajax’s hair, feeling the soft curls in the palms of his hands. 

He did not say anything, letting Ajax cry to his heart's content inside the safety of his warm arms; only on occasion would he move his hand downwards and trace small words on his back, feeling satisfied whenever he felt Ajax shiver. 

Ajax remained still, harsh breathing eventually calming down and turning soft. His tight grip had settled down after a while, loosening up and falling down onto the grass below. And after some time, he let the entire weight of his body settle cozily onto Morax. 

Morax stood still for a while, before starting to stir from his position on the ground. After being in that particular position, his mortal form’s legs were starting to fall asleep and he felt the familiar ants crawling up his leg. 

He carefully picked Ajax up, realizing he had fallen asleep.

His precious treasure.  

His eyes were shut revealing the sheer length of his long wispy eyelashes, his eyebrows were much more gentle when he was asleep, settling down on his face more loosely than usual. His lips were slightly parted, and bleeding. His eyes were puffy and his nose was red, a clear signifier that he had cried.

The treasure in his arms looked at peace, Morax felt something inside where his gnosis was, stir once more. 

He carefully brought the man up in his arms and began to walk towards his own house. Taking the man to his own house would be ideal, but it would most likely be completely dark out by the time they got to his house, a sign of the setting sun. 

Morax held the precious man in his arms, and felt a swell of indescribable feelings bubble over. 

He stared at his face, and the place where his gnosis was began to hammer away, swelling up and spilling all over. He brushed a slight stray hair behind his ear, and saw how Ajax stirred and slightly batted his hand away…..he felt his chest begin to swell up once again, with that feeling again. 

But just what was it? 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(10/30)

More chapters here! <333

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

______________________

Chapter 10: Yearning Hearts, Confused Feelings Pt. 4

The old man known to all as A-Qiu was pronounced dead this morning. He was found dead inside of his house, holding a small letter in his right hand, slightly wrinkled with age and somewhat tattered. The edges of the letter were slightly frayed and dirty.

To all that encountered the sight, the letter seemed to have been well loved. 

The contents of the letter were nothing but a small note written to the man from someone known simply as jie-jie. It was a simple thank you letter written by an illusive woman, and it depicted a tender friendship between two adventurous spirits, attempting to find more about the world. 

A lot was not known about the man known as A-Qiu in the village. No information is known of his origin, his full name, and no family came to claim his body. He was simply known as A-Qiu to the villagers of Qingce Village. 

If you have more information about this man, please contact the village chief.’ 

______________________

That was what Ajax read a week later on the town's noticeboard(him and Guizhong had set up the board after he had suggested it, mostly because he had seen similar one's in Liyue before, and because of the lack of technology, he gathered it would be a great way to get news and other such information spread around fast enough). 

His eyes skimmed through the contents of the message, feeling his stomach drop and drop, until it couldn’t no more.

He felt awful, and he didn’t even know what to do about it? 

How would he tell Guizhong? Morax?  

The both of them had locked themselves up again in their own respective domains, refusing to come outside, no matter what or who came to call them out.

Guizhong would only come out when it was time to eat, but other than that she would remain indoors. 

She would not smile anymore, and seemed like a lingering ghost, quiet and desolate, a sharp comparison to the chatter of the rest of the adepti. 

None of them even seemed to know about what had happened, and it was very unlikely that Morax or Guizhong told them about their friend’s upcoming cruel fate.

However, even if they did, none of the adepti would know how to respond to something like that. 

While they had all gone through tragedies in their long life-times, they likely had to ignore the overwhelming sadness they felt in order to survive. 

However, the both of them did not yet know A-Qiu was dead. 

It was very unlikely someone had already told them; all of the adepti were known to particularly despise strolling through town. So, none of them would have even had a chance to read the sign, before hurriedly leaving. 

The both of them seemed very fond of the man, and held him close to both of their hearts. 

So, what the fuck could he do? 

He couldn’t properly comfort them, since he had never lost anyone in his life….for sure at least.. 

And so, he did not know how to. 

But what was killing him on top of it all, was the blazing curiosity that was quickly enveloping him in flames. 

Just who was this man? And how was he connected to Guizhong and Morax? Did the both of them know more people that Ajax nor the rest of Liyue were unaware of? 

Ajax attempted to satiate his burning curiosity, but every single time, it only served to produce more and more questions. Making his curiosity burn brighter and his guilt burn holes into the pit of his stomach. 

___________________________

Ajax attempted to question the townspeople about the origins of the man nicknamed A-Qiu. But they would either cower in fear and run away, or reply, “I’m sorry my lord, but I'm afraid this humble servant does not know.”  

And so, after an uneventful day of attempting to search for answers, Ajax decided to clear his head for a while. He walked around the town for a little bit; however, because of how loud the crowds of people were, he decided to take a stroll down the small trail path that connected the village to the outside world. 

He was in the middle of walking when he heard a beautiful sound coming from the within the forest, that surrounded the outskirts of such a path.

He turned the corner and noticed a green-haired woman playing a lovely instrument, strumming and carefully playing such a calming song that was unknown to Ajax's ears. 

He stepped a bit closer to the woman, when he noticed who it was. 

It was Madam Ping, who was in the middle of playing her pipa.

She was propped up on a moss-covered rock, staring fondly at the water and observing how it flowed; imitating the very same flow with her hands as she played the pipa.  

She abruptly stopped playing, and this time turned around calmly. She gazed over at Ajax and sat up, “Shidi? What is the matter?” 

Huh?  

He had not even said anything yet, and she had already guessed it right. 

Since he was not expecting that, he paused slightly before he bowed his face in shame, “Was…it that obvious..?” 

She chuckled slightly before she nodded, “Yes, it was. Your face is in a frown, and your eyebrows are slightly pinched together, besides, you appear very…dejected..” She paused a bit before she gestured towards the rock beside her. 

He awkwardly walked over and sat beside her with a slight thump. She sat down next to him and set her large pipa on the ground, resting against the rock, “So, what is causing you distress, shidi?”  

Her gaze was piercing as he looked into Ajax’s eyes, “I….Have you heard of a man named A-Qiu?”  

Madam Ping’s eyes slightly glazed over as his name was spoken into existence, her eyebrows furrowed a bit before she clenched her eyes shut and calmed her expression down. After a while, she finally looked up to Ajax, something in her eyes was somber, “Yes, he was…a dear friend…Why do you ask, shidi?”  

Ah… 

She already knew…

Ajax felt himself swallow as he thought over his next choice of words, “Well.....I don’t mean to be rude, but, um…” 

He didn’t know what to say, as Madam Ping’s eyes pierced into him. Her eyes were warm and too understanding, too soft, too melancholic, “You….want to know of his link with us, yes?” 

He swallowed once again before he gave a slight nod, causing Madam Ping to nod and close her eyes once more, “A-Qiu was brought up with humans, but was orphaned at a young age. His parents died during a war between our small village with another at the beginning of Qingce Village’s formation....Initially, many of us were strongly against bringing him with us, because it would have been better to leave him with the mortals. However, shijie strongly opposed the idea, yelling that it would not be right for us to call ourselves protectors if we did not protect and take responsibility for our mistakes....His parent’s death was because of our inadequacies and our shortcoming's as adepti, since none of us rushed in to help our people, because we were all caught up in winning over the opposing side.” 

She paused a little bit, a small tear rolling down her cheek, “But, even so, the rest of them denied it. They refused to take him in as our own. We had our rules, we had our principles, and we were stubborn. And when she attempted to talk with our Lord, he merely scoffed at the idea. And, knowing that she was not going to accept that, he put in a new rule to limit the contact with adepti and mortals. With tears in her eyes, shijie accepted the conditions. But, we all knew she really did not....Even our lord knew, at one point.” 

She wiped her cheek, with her long billowing sleeves, “No matter what, she would continue to visit the boy in secret, with every chance she got. And eventually, even our Lord himself, started to warm up to the boy. And before we all knew it, the both of them were visiting the boy in secret, bringing him gifts, clothes, and candy. I knew they were doing it, and I too warmed up to A-Qiu..”

Tears were glistening down her cheeks, creating a picture Ajax never thought he would ever see in his life, “As the years passed, we saw A-Qiu grow into a man, we saw him struggle, we saw his love, we saw his grief. We saw everything about him, and grew to care for him…” 

Madam Ping stopped, tears slid down her face in waves, falling down with a certain smoothness Ajax had never seen, and creating strange pearls as they gathered gently into the water, going down the small creek. 

They were of many different sizes and were iridescent in the moonlight as they hit them. 

Ajax had never seen someone cry pearls in his life, but then again, he guessed the adepti were a strange kind. And so, he had stopped attempting to make sense of any of the strange comings that were ongoing all around him. 

She looked ethereal, but looked strangely at peace with the world, “However, I do not think we expected for life to take him away. I think we all convinced ourselves he was going to live as long as we would, but we were mistaken…It takes a lot to be an adeptus, you stay young while the ones you care for fade into nothing but dust and bones over time. That’s why a lot of us stay away from mortals, we are….afraid....” 

____________________________

What Madam Ping told him seemed to burn into his memory, “we are…afraid....”  

Afraid?  

Ajax had never thought that warriors as strong and diligent as the adepti would ever be afraid of anything. The adepti had always seemed to convey a certain power behind their name, a hidden force behind their every step. Even their voices commanded nothing but pure power and strength. They made mountains out of nothing, crushed boulders with their hands, sculpted out vast rivers and oceans with their bare hands, flew through clouds and valleys. 

How could someone so strong be so afraid.  

Perhaps, that’s exactly what made them as strong as they are; overwhelming fear. 

Ajax knew they felt emotions, it was clear in the way they acted. But, never had it crossed his mind that they could feel fear. 

Was Zhongli afraid Ajax would one day fade into nothing but dust and passing memories? Was he afraid that the name “Ajax” would be just another story in his multitude of folk-tales? Was he ever afraid of losing Ajax? Did he ever think about it whenever they went out for lunch? 

When did he even start loving him? And did that thought alone, hurt? 

Ajax did not know, but he felt his stomach stir with disgust as he thought about it. Was that why he did not chase after him after the Golden House incident, because he was afraid? Afraid of what Ajax would say, afraid of losing him if he did return his feelings, afraid of losing him either way, if he didn’t feel the same? 

______________________________

After much thought, Ajax decided to bring them along the next day to the noticeboard. He wasn’t the best with words, at least not words spoken out loud. So, he decided that it would be best to show them. 

And so, he approached the both of them after lunch, cornering them because of a mention of a new dish he had personally made. Both of them shrugged him off initially, Morax huffing a quick, “I’ll try it later.” and Guizhong politely declined, “I’m quite full already, I’m sorry shidi.”  

He quickly changed his tune, and prompted him to come sort of clean, “Ok, I lied.....I haven’t made a new dish…It’s an emergency...” 

Their expressions became furrowed, “Lead the way.” 

____________________________

He led both of them towards the village, which earned a worried look exchanged between the both of them. They must have been fearing the worst, because their faces became tense and taut like a bow string, when he led them towards it like a starving man. 

However, their faces quickly became confused as they gazed upon the notice board.. 

Morax’s eyebrow raised, as he stared at the notice board as if it was something strange and foreign to him, slightly angry, “What is the meaning of this?” 

Guizhong herself had a puzzled expression as she alternated between staring at the Ajax and Morax, “Why have you led us here, shidi?”  

Ajax felt a lump grow in his throat, as he shakily brought his hand towards the top of the notice board, “I-um…I don’t know how to say this….so please…just-read..” 

Both of the gods stared at Ajax as if he was a crazy man, but compiled and began to read the letter at the top of the notice board. Their eyes widened as big as saucers as their gaze hung upon every single word written. 

Guizhong’s eyes started to fill up with tears as she continued to stare at the paper, devoid of any sort of emotion. Morax just stared up at the paper, with a furrowed brow, his eyes conveying more emotion than he had ever seen, though no tears were shed. 

They went silent for a while, and Ajax felt every single hair on his body stand up, as their gaze landed on him. Their faces were filled with too much emotion, so much so that it hurt to see.

Guizhong was the first to speak, “ …thank you..” her voice was as soft as the cool breeze. She slowly went up towards Ajax and embraced him in a tight hug, throwing Ajax for a loop. Ajax hesitantly hugged her back, feeling as she shook, and how warm tears fell on his shoulder. 

Morax himself just stared at Ajax, with glistening tears starting to flow down his face, almost golden in their luminescence. He did not say anything and only let himself be pulled into the hug by a crying Guizhong. 

Morax was warm and cozy, like home; a selfish part of Ajax wished he was the only one embracing him. But, he desperately pushed down his beating heart, for it did not matter at the moment.

It was about them not him. 

That’s what he had to keep telling himself, lest he be led astray by his pointless feelings for Morax. 

In this era, they were nothing to each other. And yet, Ajax’s stupid feelings kept resurfacing whenever he was around him, no matter the circumstances. And that thought, made his guilt double in size. He knew he shouldn’t be feeling this way, especially for someone who is not aware of the full extent of their relationship. And yet, he couldn’t help but be led astray by the god in front of him. 

He closed his eyes, childishly hoping for it all to be a bad dream. 

_______________________

They all returned at the crack of dawn, tired from the journey back and the emotional exhaustion that came with a situation like that. Guizhong let out a long sigh, stretching out her arms as she gazed up at the sky, “The skies are clearing up again, ha..” 

Ajax looked up alongside her, and she was right. 

The foggy sky now looked clear as the rare crystals Morax swore he did not horde.

_______________________

The very same crystals Ajax had seen being turned into different adornments that covered Zhongli’s apartment like fine china plates.

Inside of said small apartment, on every shelf there was something antique on them, whether it an old book that told many ancient scripts and poems, an antique music box made out of pure crystals and fine wood, or a simple incense burner made out of pure gold and carved expertly. 

The antiques were always a sight to behold whenever Ajax would visit.

And when he started to go out with Zhongli and buy the man many gifts and such antiques that painfully drained his bank account there were even more antiques covering the once nearly empty shelves to the point where they were nearly squishing against each other in an attempt to fit on the poor shelves. 

But, even as the many such antiques that were often coveted amongst the many scholars whom often were jealous of Mr. Zhongli's keen collection and fine eye for antiques down at the shops. 

There was one that always stuck out to him the most. 

There was always something special about the small white jade box with several engravings on it, which depicted raging dragons, dazzling phoenixes, and gentle flowers; flowers which he later identified as none other than Glaze Lilies. The engravings on the box were extremely well done, being done by a master artisan, no doubt (if Zhongli’s fine tastes did not already give it away). However, what was strange about it, was that the box was always tight shut, but seemed to be regularly cleaned if the spotless surface was not an obvious indicator of its care. 

He had inquired about the boxes' continents, which earned a pained expression, “Ah, this is…a gift, from....a....dear friend.....It houses something....special.” 

That was all he replied, which took a clueless Ajax, aback. Usually, whenever he would inquire about a specific thing inside of Zhongli’s apartment, he would go on long rants about the cultural significance, the meaning behind each one, and the history about that specific piece of his collection. But, when it came to that jade box and the continents inside, he was hesitant to explain. 

However, given the tortured expression on Zhongli's face, Ajax did not have it in himself to even attempt to pry at the subject any longer. And instead took his reply into consideration and decided to ask at a much later time, at least when their relationship was a lot more developed. 

He simply hummed, before he moved onto another piece of his collection, “...What about the incense burner?” 

Zhongli’s eyes twinkled and his gaze swept over Ajax for a brief moment before he went over and admired the incense box with fondness, “This incense burner was gifted to me by that very same dear friend. They gifted me this incense burner on a special occasion, but…unfortunately that special occasion never truly came to fruition. It was forged out of pure gold, and its engravings were made by an artisan that specialized in incense burners. Typically, incense burners are gifted on celebrations like birthdays, and the new year. But, it was not the case for me...” 

He did not elaborate on what he meant, but Ajax could not bring himself to ask either. He simply nodded and suppressed the burning jealousy at the mention of someone dear to Zhongli,“Interesting…So, it’s very special to you, then?” 

Zhongli looked back at him, with a certain intensity in his eyes, “Yes. It certainly is.” 

Childe swallowed and moved onto a small hairpin laid next to the incense burner, “What about the hairpin?” 

Something in Zhongli’s eyes appeared distant as he looked at the hairpin made out of a foreign material that shined as bright as a thousand diamonds, shaped into a strange geometric shape, “That is a remnant of someone whom I cared for deeply once, the very same whom handed me all of the other items you have listed off....She handed me this hairpin as a gift before her departure, it is one of the things that remain of her memory.” 

Ajax's eyes stared into Zhongli as he finished, feeling a pang of jealousy wash over him in waves, but, once he gazed into Zhongli’s saddened eyes, he felt those ugly feelings turn into bitter guilt. Zhongli had presumably lost someone dear to him, and here he was, being jealous of someone dead. Someone whom Zhongli cared for and possibly loved dearly. 

Whether that be platonic or not, was none of his business. 

And they were merely acquaintances, if not distant friends at this point. He had not right to feel this way, especially not when it was obvious that Zhongli seemed to grieve very deeply over the person he once treasured. 

Was he that pathetic? 

His hands itched in a desperation to envelope Zhongli in his arms, to hold him close, to comfort him. But, he didn’t and just nodded before he changed the topic, “...I see….So then....shall we head to dinner then. Thank you again, for letting me drop by Xiangsheng .” 

Zhongli chuckled, hiding his smile behind his gloved hand, “Alright, that would be great, Childe.” 

____________________________

The sky was covered with vibrant stars.

Stars that Ajax did not get to see usually, with how busy his life as a harbinger was. He rarely got time to breathe, let alone watch the stars. But, this was a nice change of pace. 

He gazed at the sky, and felt a rush of wind coming forth, causing him to shiver. A clear indicator that summer was near, with its hot days and cold nights. 

Ajax could not wait for the rushing winds that came along with summer, and the cool nights out on the porch listening to the cicadas, the plethora of delicious food he would get to eat, and most importantly the alcohol! 

“Yeah, it is quite clear out,” he said, as another rush of wind came surging forward, causing him to shiver even more. 

However, instead of suffering the cold much longer, he felt something warm envelop his back. He turned around, and realized that he was wearing a golden and brown coat. 

It was Morax’s. 

“Wear a coat next time, it's cold,” Morax replied, as he walked in front of Guizhong and Ajax. 

Ajax felt his cheeks flush and his heart stutter in his chest, he squeaked out a quick, “Ah....thank you..” 

Morax did not say anything but merely nodded as he continued in front of them, spear in hand. 

Guizhong let out a light chuckle, before she lightly ruffled Ajax’s hair. Ajax turned to look at her, and she leaned in close, before she whispered, “...I promise he’ll come around one day…Just be patient, shidi.”  

Ajax gaped at her, and didn’t get to say anything before she turned around and began to hum a tune. 

________________________

Now, Ajax had considered himself to have pretty much stamina. 

He had not become a Fatui Harbinger because of good luck, good looks, or by fate. He had gotten himself placed there by pure will and strength. 

During his early Fatui soldier days, he would have to train for hours on end, with his fellow soldiers. And would sometimes be deprived of food and water for days on end, which meant that he would have to hunt food and find fresh water for himself. His energy would be drained for days on end, because of the hordes of monsters and enemies of the Tsaritsa that swarmed in almost daily. And besides that, when he was in the Abyss, his master Skirk trained him to fight until he could not stand up again. Until, his feet and hands felt as if they had to fall off. 

Down in the Abyss he and his master Skirk had to always be on the move, be on alert, fight for their survival no matter what. 

He still remembers the first fight between him and his master Skirk. 

She threw him down, punched him, kicked him to the point where Ajax was coughing up blood, with a certain aggression that he had never seen before. She was utterly merciless, and did not allow him to tap out, did not allow him to surrender. She just kept kicking at him, slicing him with her swords, breaking and remodeling every single bone and tendon in his weak body. 

Skirk was a ruthless master, stone-cold, and far....too kind. 

She hoisted Ajax by the hem of his shirt, who was on the brink of death. She brought him up to meet her icy gaze before she spat out, “If you want to live down in the place where the light does not touch, you must grow to be strong, boy. Do you hear me?” 

He could not bring himself to nod, but merely blinked in response. She scoffed and threw him down, “Down here, there is no mercy for any creature, living or not. Not even from me…If you want to come along with me, lift yourself up and follow me, boy.” 

He could not gamble on his survival with the creatures who were more cruel than Skirk. He had to stick with someone strong, if he wanted to live. 

Ajax scrambled to his feet and limped towards Skirk, earning a wicked grin from her, “Good, boy.” 

That day, was when she had begun to teach him the Foul Legacy, the first steps into something that would come to better his battle prowess in the future, “This form is one that is equipped by the monsters of this realm....If you want to be strong, you must master it, Childe. Master it, but do not lose sight of yourself in the process, otherwise I can’t guarantee that I will not kill you myself.” 

Ajax didn’t, but that day he was sure a part of him died.

His innocence was lost to the land of darkness that day. 

__________________________

And so, Ajax did not understand.

Just how in the Abyss he could not keep up with the rest of his fellow disciples!!

Ever since he became an adepti, and subsequently became a disciple of Yanwang Dijun, he did not train or do anything of the sort. Partly because they were constantly on alert, because the rift wolf attacks were rampant. And because of the constant dealings they had to do with mortals. 

They barely had any time to train properly. 

However, after the bittersweet funeral service of A-Qiu, and a few days after that, Morax had officially announced training to start again. 

This equally excited Ajax and made him nervous. 

On one hand, he would get to train and spar with the adepti themselves, powerful and strong with their attacks and unyielding with their defensive. It would be a wonderful experience, one that he regretted not doing with any of the adepti prior to his travel back in time. 

He would have loved to spar with Xiao, or even....Zhongli himself. 

But, on the other hand, he was quite nervous about it.

Would his skills as a warrior be up to par with the rest of the adepti?

He knew he was a good fighter, and he was passionate about it. However, he had never stopped to consider if he truly was a good fighter or not. He had never stopped to see if his own skills were up to par, or even good enough. 

Prior to all of this, he was never self-conscious about his skills in battle, but, in the presence of the adepti where they were all training one on one and where they got to see all of each other’s imperfections in battle….it was quite nerve-wracking. 

He dressed up in a tight fitting simple white shuhe with red accents on the collar, put on white cuffs before he strapped them on firmly with red string, put on red pants, before he tied a matching red belt around his waist.

He went down to Huaguang Stone Forest and met up with the rest of the adepti. They were all gathered around Cloud Retainer, all in sync as they started to move in a way Ajax had never seen before. 

They were moving with a certain smoothness that Ajax could not place, with refined elegance, as if they were embodying the flow of water itself.

He recognized it as Tai-Chi, a form of martial arts which mostly just centered on bettering one's own overall health and balance. 

Ajax joined in and attempted to imitate their moves, but his imitation was rough and far too stiff. 

Cloud Retainer stopped, while the rest of the adepti kept repeating the movements.

Ajax swallowed as he saw Cloud Retainer start to come around and inspect them. 

She lightly tapped at Guizhong’s leg and shook her head, “Straighter. Your leg is going to the side, you will lose balance that way and fall.” 

She nodded and made her leg straighter as she continued, earning an approving nod from Cloud Retainer. Then, she came around and gave a slight sigh as she tapped at Ajax’s leg with the back of her sword, “Too, stiff. Let loose of your muscles, you are tightening them too much….Widen your stance, it's too closed, and straighten your legs, or you will fall.” 

Ajax attempted to follow her commands, but ultimately it earned another sigh as she pushed her glasses back up, “Nevermind, this one will show you.” 

She pulled him by the arm and led him away from the rest of the group.

It seemed as if, even though he had been training all his life in combat and has been fighting ever since he was 14, the formation all of his skills were built upon, was one that was very unstable. He knew it would all come down if he did not train it properly, so he followed, as she led him away harshly. 

She sighed, “It seems, one’s work is really cut out for oneself….One will start off with a basic stance, follow along to the best of your capabilities, young one.” 

She squatted down, and spread her legs open, her feet facing forward and to the side a little. Then, she placed her hands into tight fists and put them at the front of her, “This is called a Flat Horse Stance. Now, try and copy it.” 

She sat up straight once again, and stared daggers at Ajax, with a hidden mirth underneath her stare. He squatted down, and made sure to widen his stance as he placed his hands straight out in front of him. 

He looked back up after he did so, earning a light hum from Cloud Retainer, “Alright, now, hold that until one tells you to stop.” 

Ajax nodded. 

After a few minutes, he felt as if his legs and arms were on fire, they were starting to shake a little bit from how difficult it was to keep his body that way. 

He should have not agreed to it. 

Ajax was not sure how many minutes passed, or it had already been an hour, but he remained in that position. Cloud Retainer watched him carefully and would correct his stance whenever his legs would start to cave in. 

“Stop.” 

He stood up and immediately felt like his legs and arms were on fire (so much so, that he was grateful he had stretched prior to this...because if he hadn’t, he would likely be feeling it even more than he already was). 

Cloud Retainer nodded, “Good. Now do this.” 

She turned to the side, before she leaned down, with one of her knees bent and the other pin straight, with her fists to her side. 

Ajax followed her, and did his best to imitate her stance, earning a shake of her head. She kicked his leg slightly, “Straighter. You are bending your leg too much.” 

He did his best to straighten it, until Cloud Retainer hummed, “This is a bow stance. Now, punch with your fist, and alternate between your hands.” 

Ajax nodded and punched with his hands, alternating between his different hands, sweat dripping down his neck, hair starting to stick to his forehead, skin flushed red. 

_______________________

After he was done, he felt as if every muscle in his body was aching. Cloud Retainer had been through the other different stances with him, and corrected his posture. Ajax had never felt that sore in his life, and that's saying something. Usually, he would brush any pain he felt off, comparing it to the absolute hell that was the after-effects of his Foul Legacy. 

However, now his Foul Legacy could not even compare to the pain he felt when he was done. 

He never knew how much martial arts could hurt…

He joined the rest of the group, and this time had an easier time following along. He went next to Guizhong, and made eye contact with her. 

He must have looked awful, because after Guizhong spotted him, she let out a light laugh (earning a good scolding from Cloud Retainer, who yelled at her to straighten her posture more and pay attention). 

But, the worst part of it all was that they were not done. 

Not, in the slightest. 

After this, they went on a run up a mountain carrying a heavy log of wood strapped to their backs, alongside Sky Bracer, who led the group. 

He was soft-spoken but equally strict just like Cloud Retainer. And Ajax was finding it hard to hate his pretty face when he told them to run up and down the mountain a 4rth time.

And besides that the good thing about Sky Bracer was that he would do it with them, with 2x the amount of wooden logs on his shoulders…..and a part of Ajax wondered if he could do that with living beings….not that he would want to know….ahem…

Sky Bracer wiped the sweat off of his brow and hurried up the mountain alongside everyone else, looking just as ethereal as he did. 

That was another thing he did not understand about adepti. 

Just how the heck could they always look so regal even while sweating or even if they fell down. Sky Bracer’s hair flowed like a river as he ran, it looked like wispy waves of translucent water, his eyeliner dripped down slightly, his shirt was slightly unbuttoned revealing a perfectly sculpted out collarbone…..and Ajax tripped when he heard Sky Bracer pant.....as it sounded far too inappropriate to Ajax's ears. 

They ran up and down the mountain 2 more times after that, and took a short break inside of a small creek. Ajax ran into it and sighed when he felt the cool water touch his warm face; shivering slightly as he felt it refresh him. After taking the log off of his shoulders, he felt 10x lighter and as if he could run faster than before, but it quickly wore off and he felt the strain in his muscles afterwards. 

After the short break, they went over to Mountain Shaper alongside Moon Carver who taught different fighting techniques and tips. A few minutes into the lesson, they were thrown into a spar with one another. 

Ajax was sparring with Madam Ping. 

While, Guizhong was sparring with Cloud Retainer. 

Guizhong and Cloud Retainer were first, and immediately Guizhong rushed in with her practice sword and started to strike and slash at Cloud Retainer. While, she immediately parried Guizhong’s attacks with her own sword. 

Guizhong was much sloppier with her swordsmanship, but she was very explosive with her strikes. While Cloud Retainer was more coordinated with her attacks and was more elegant with her strikes. 

The spar lasted a while, but the winner was obvious: Cloud Retainer. 

While Guizhong was a much better warrior than Ajax expected (since he had never seen Guizhong fully in battle, and because she preferred to strike with her inventions). But, she was still lacking in many ways as opposed to Cloud Retainer’s purposeful strikes. However, Guizhong had the potential to be a great warrior, if she practiced some more. 

Cloud Retainer scoffed and withdrew her wooden sword from Guizhong’s neck, “You still have much to learn, young one.” 

Guizhong laughed before she was helped up by Cloud Retainer, “Thank you for teaching me!” 

Cloud Retainer humphed before she turned around, earning a chuckle from Guizhong. She then went up to Ajax and wrapped a shoulder around him, “Wasn’t I awesome shidi!”  

Ajax laughed and nodded, “Yes, you were the best, shijie! ” 

Guizhong stuck her tongue out, sensing the teasing lilt in Ajax’s voice; earning a chuckle from him. 

He was up next, all of the exhaustion in his muscles faded away; when the proposition of a battle was upon him. He stood equipped with a wooden spear, facing Madam Ping. He waited to see if she would rush in, but when she didn’t, he did instead. He planned out fast strikes towards her, and parried her own fast attacks with ease. 

Madam Ping was a formidable opponent, her attacks were strong and fast. If Ajax wasn’t a battle enthusiast, then he would be afraid of getting destroyed by her steady attacks. She was just as fast as Ajax was in battle, and quickly gained the upper hand, as the exhaustion he was fighting down waned down on him. 

She held him pinned down, with her wooden spear against his throat. He laughed out and held his hands out in surrender, “I lost..” 

Madam Ping smiled before she grabbed his hand and hoisted him up, “You were a good opponent shidi. You’re just a tad bit reckless with your attacks but, you’re very quick on your feet. I almost couldn’t block your attacks in time.” 

“I could say the same about you! You were awesome!” 

Madam Ping laughed unabashedly, her eyes glistening with joy, as her teeth flashed through her usual tight-lipped smile. He had never seen her so happy before, but it was something beautiful. 

Ajax felt his heart flutter with joy. 

_________________________

After that, they sparred a few more times: Ajax won against Guizhong, while Cloud Retainer won over Madam Ping. 

Then, they were finally training with Morax himself. 

They were learning how to properly wield each of their individual weapons. Since Morax was the God of War, he knew of the many different ways of how to properly use weapons and minimize injuries while equipping different weapons. 

Ajax was aware that the God of War was very adept at using all of the weapons, but preferred to use a spear as opposed to any other weapon. But, Ajax never knew he would actually see him using every single weapon in person. 

It was another experience to read about it and to see it personally. 

Morax expertly used a spear to destroy the targets he had set up, and destroy countless of poor trees with the swipe of a broadsword, or even cut straight through trees with a sword, or even shoot every target with ease with his bow, and use a catalyst to create countless of different targets using pure geo energy. 

Ajax felt even more inclined to fight him one on one. 

He knew Morax was this all-powerful being, he had heard the tales, he had heard it all. But, he couldn’t have expected the sheer amount of power he really had in his fingertips. 

If he wanted too, he could easily kill anything he touched. 

That level of power made Ajax shiver with delight and he grew jealous of those who got to see Morax towering over them and commanding them to surrender. 

Ajax used every single weapon with ease, earning a proud look from Guizhong as he perfectly wiped through the targets they had set out for him. While the others attempted to keep up with him. 

And he would be lying if he said that he did not like the fond look Morax unconsciously threw his way, making him feel spoiled rotten. 

But, when it came to using the bow…

Ajax attempted to make a perfect shot….it ended up landing in the next tree nearby. 

It took everyone aback, as he punched an arrow and managed to get it straight through the middle….eh…he would take that as a win. 

It hurt his hand, but any win was his for the taking. 

He carefully brought the bow down alongside the bag of arrows and didn’t even get to breathe., when he felt someone yank his hand. He yelped and stumbled until he felt something hard against his face. 

He carefully looked up to see Morax staring at him, with wide-eyed concern painting his features delicately. He didn’t get to say anything as Morax grabbed at his hand and carefully inspected it, “You are injured…”

Ajax felt his face flush at the proximity, but chuckled, “Yeah…I guess I might have overdone it..” 

Morax gazed at him, his slitted pupils raking up and down his body. He nodded his head solemnly, “Yes, you did. That is not the proper way to shoot an arrow.” 

Ajax smiled and slightly trembled when felt the slight energy that poured into his body, and before he knew it, the small cut on his hand was closed up in an instant. He paused for a second before he smiled towards Morax, “..Thank you.” 

Morax shook his head and in his baritone voice he said, “No need”, the tone of his voice made Ajax shiver as he saw Morax’s gaze drop down towards Ajax’s…lips?  

Or was that merely his imagination…perhaps he was staring at his chin?  

Ajax shook down his wandering thoughts and pushed down his hammering heart. 

Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about such ludicrous and salacious thoughts, he was training for Celestia’s sake!! 

Morax’s eyes peered into his own and a certain gentleness was emitted in the way he looked at Ajax, “..I will show you the proper way…” 

“Thank you…I would appreciate that..” 

Morax nodded and grabbed Ajax by the hand. He led Ajax towards a separate training area, while Ajax cherished the warmth that radiated out of the palm of Morax’s hand. 

It was like the warm sun after a nice dip in a river, like a warm blanket, like everything Ajax ever dreamed about. He felt his heartbeat quicken as he attempted to wash down the lonely feeling in his chest with the warmth of Morax’s hand. 

Because after all, no amount of warmth could ever compare to the gaping loneliness Ajax felt. He blinked back the water that rushed to his eyes, as he felt the tenderness overstimulate all of his prior feelings. It was just like that night in Morax’s domain, all over again. 

But, he couldn’t help it. 

The sorrow that he thought he had long since locked behind iron bars came seeping in when he least expected it, and Ajax felt something warm rush down his trembling lip, as he bit back the sobs that were threatening from escaping his lips. He blinked back the tears, and watched as the colorful sky and the beautiful trees warped into a messy painting. 

Gods, he was hopeless...

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(9/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

________________________

Chapter 9: Yearning Hearts, Confused Feelings Pt. 3

Morax came up to them, still dressed in his formal attire looking twice as handsome as he did from far away. He had spotted them a while ago and Ajax could almost see the hint of subtle embarrassment from seeing Guizhong shamelessly cheering for him along with the crowd. 

The crowd of people had not seen Ajax nor Guizhong approaching; too immersed in the sight of their God descending from the heavens. 

However, once the excitement had died down and they started to really pay attention to their surroundings. Once they spotted them together they all instantly bowed down, “Your excellencies! These humble servants apologize that we did not greet you with the respect you deserve!” 

Guizhong nearly brushed them off with a wave of her hand, even going as far as to pick them all up on their feet, “It's alright! There is no need for formalities. We are merely equals here to enjoy the festival just like everyone else, no need for such extravagance.” 

They still hesitated to stand up, causing Guizhong to sigh deeply. Even if she was closer to the mortals than her peers, she still had certain authority over them. She still conveyed power as gentle of a god as she was. She was talked about in kid’s folktales about her befriending every creature and every being that ever existed; however, people were still intimidated by her. 

It always caused Ajax to feel sorry for Guizhong. She desperately attempted to make everyone speak to her without using formalities, to try to get closer to her people. But, they were too scared to say the wrong thing so, they ostracized her from their day-to-day conversation. Ajax witnessed them chatting away about the new blueprints that their beloved god had made, but as soon as the god in question came around they immediately bowed their heads and visibly stiffened. 

But, he guessed that was just the way it was. 

Even if Guizhong attempted to lessen the gap between her and the gods, they would always see her as a celestial being, a divine being, inhuman. They would never see her on the same playing field no matter how gentle or good she was. 

When Ajax had first arrived, they had immediately acted extremely cordial and respectful to him as well. He was brand new and Liyue’s people had already begun to act the same way as they always did around the rest of the adepti, fearful and respectful. 

And, they only became all the more frightened when they heard of Ajax’s love for fighting…

Morax reached them, walking with unnatural poise that was normally not around. He usually walked extremely roughly on the ground beneath him, leaving large imprints on it. However, given the situation, it made sense why he would act with extreme grace and elegance. He was practically walking on air with each step he took, the tassels on his hat moving alongside him. 

He came up to them before he gave them a short bow, “Guizhong, Ajax, you have come.” 

Fuck. 

If it wasn’t already evident from the way he looked from afar. 

He was so handsome.  

His features were perfectly accentuated more with the hair out of his face, the sharpness of his high cheekbones, his jawline, his piercing stare, the beauty of his plump lips, the nice red liner done expertly on his eyes. 

Ajax now realizes that this must have been an attempt from Guizhong to cheer him up; and he would be a liar if he said it wasn’t working. After all, that’s precisely what Madam Ping had said, ‘take it easy’ and he was…in a way. 

The entire exchange with Morax was a bit awkward, if not painfully embarrassing. However, seeing him dressed up like that, it made those feelings disperse as quickly as they resurfaced. 

Guizhong hit him playfully on the soldier, whistling before she laughed, “Shizun!! Dressed like that you are bound to attract worthy suitors!!”

Morax just blinked at her, before he titled his head to the side in confusion, “Suitors? Why would they be attracted to me? I’m their God, they should not think of me in such a way.” 

Guizhong sighed deeply before bowing her head down as a sign of defeat, before she grinned and patted his head (which she had to do on the tips of her toes), “I'm only teasing! Now, come on! Let’s go see the festival's attractions!” 

She grabbed his hand before she turned over to Ajax and grabbed his as well, “You too! Let’s all see what this festival has to offer!” 

Guizhong dragged the both of them to each and every stall of the small village, earning curious looks from the street vendors and the line of customers as well. At first, they had all insisted on moving away, but after Guizhong pleaded for them to treat them normally, they begrudgingly allowed them to wait their turn. 

So, there they were, 3 adepti, 2 of them being gods waiting for some tangren…. 

Ajax was not an expert on Liyue’s culture or food, but from what he had read and learned from Zhongli. 

Tangren was typically bought for kids…

They were made out of melted sugar and molded into different shapes and figures. So, thus, small children were typically drawn to them after seeing their favorite animal on display. But, that didn’t explain why Guizhong had brought them there specifically. 

He had already had tangren when visiting the market, Guizhong had even gone with him and bought him some tangren, after she saw him staring at the detailed figures of faux fish and other sea creatures. She had bought it for him and handed it to him, to which he accepted graciously through his blatant embarrassment. 

He must have looked ridiculous!

He was a grown man, a newly formed adepti, a warrior eating a candy made for children….

He must have made a face because Guizhong giggled before she leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “It’s Shizun’s favorite.” 

His favorite? 

What?  

Zhongli had never mentioned anything about that? Sure, he had mentioned before to Ajax how he used to enjoy sweets in his younger years but, he had never mentioned anything about specifically liking tangren of all things. Perhaps he was embarrassed by liking a treat typically liked by small kids, being the old god he was. 

He curiously watched as Morax clumsily ordered a tangren in the form of a small octopus. The candy-maker was slightly taken aback but complied, accepting the money before she handed him the small octopus-shaped tangren.  

It was very small, but very well-detailed. Every single tentacle was shaped out as well as the individual sucker on each of them, as well as the bulbous head of the octopus and its beady eyes. 

Each eye was topped off by a little bit of soy sauce, adding a certain charm to the candy. 

Morax admired the tangren, flipping it and closely inspecting it with his eyes, before he chomped down on it before Ajax could even blink. 

It must have surprised the vendor because she stood petrified at what had just occurred. Her hard work, expertly crafting the small octopus out of sugar was gone in an instant by a careless Archon. Ajax could even see something die in her eyes when she saw the end product of her hard labor be swallowed by her own god. 

Morax did not notice, looking confused as to why everyone’s eyes were suddenly raised on him.

He had not done anything particularly interesting, so why was everyone staring holes into him? 

Guizhong burst into laughter as she noticed Morax looking around in a frenzy. Ajax cracked a smile at the display and was once again pulled away by Guizhong before he could fully react. 

 _______________________

They went to a firework stand next up adorned with a variety of fireworks set up on display. The cart itself was adorned with bright red ribbons, and even had a little red mantel with golden accents set up on the simple wooden stand. It looked as if careful thought was put into the design of it, it was beautiful. 

The person selling them had a huge grin on his face and it only widened as they went up to him, “Ah, Lady Guizhong, who do I owe the pleasure?” 

She smiled and bumped Ajax to the front, “My new shidi, Ajax! Isn’t he the most precious thing you’ve ever seen!” 

His grin widened and he laughed heartily, “Yes, he sure is. I do congratulate you all for welcoming a new disciple.” 

She nodded, “Thank you! A-Qiu!”  

The old man laughed with his whole chest before he shook his head, “No need, Lady Guizhong....Anyways, what can I get for you all?” 

Guizhong grinned and inspected the array of fireworks set up on display, “Hmm,” she inspected them for a moment longer before she looked up; stars in her eyes, “Which one is the brightest?” 

He chuckled, “Always too eager for your own good, aren’t you Lady Guizhong?” 

She laughed but nodded with the same enthusiasm as before, “You know me old friend, always over-eager!” 

He chuckled and his eyes seemed to space out a bit, as if he was recalling a fond memory in the back of his mind, “Yes, I suppose that much is true….” he smiled with his eyes before he continued on, “The ones in the red packaging are the brightest.” 

“Then, I guess we’ll take those then!” 

The old man laughed but complied as he leaned back and reached his hand under the small cart. He felt around the cart before, with shaky hands, handed Guizhong a bundle of small fireworks. 

She graciously took it from his hands and was about to reach into her sleeves for her small pouch of money when she was stopped. 

The old man’s hand was on her, and surprisingly tight around her wrist, “No need...Consider it a parting gift.” 

She stared up at him with a conflicted expression, her eyes narrowing and her eyebrows furrowing (like she usually did when attempting to figure out a complex math equation in her several inventions). Ajax saw as her whole body became stiff as those boards Morax set during training; petrified as she watched him with a confused expression.

He only smiled at her before he closed the fireworks in her hands tightly, before he looked into her eyes, “It’s about my time to go, dear friend.” 

Guizhong’s smile faltered and completely shattered as her eyes filled up with unshed tears; threatening to spill out. She attempted to blink them away but, as soon as she did, they would keep flooding her eyes again. After a short minute of attempting to compose herself, with a thick voice she said, “I…do not…understand..” 

His eyes became full with nothing with pure adoration and compassion as he patted her back gently with his free hand, “Oh, c’mon! You promised you wouldn’t cry if I were to tell you about this! Are you going back on your word now, Lady Guizhong?” 

She chuckled through her tears and began to wipe at her eyes with her other hand, “Yeah, I know. But, it's just-I..” Her voice trailed off as her expression scrunched up, and before he knew it; soft glistening tears were falling down her face in waves. 

The old man let out a light laugh before he lifted his hand up and gently brushed her cheek, “Please do not cry for me, I will be just fine. After all, we both know there is more to life than death, don’t we jie-jie? ” 

She sobbed harder at the nickname and started to cry louder.

She did not reply to the old man, but eventually she hesitantly nodded. 

He cracked a grin, “See! So, please do not cry for my sake. Waste your tears on something that matters!” 

Morax and Ajax were looking at the exchange, unsure as to what to do. Ajax was not particularly good at comforting people either, especially people who were devastated at unfortunate news. 

Down in the abyss, he got taught from an early age that he should always push his emotions on the backburner, until he got proper time to let it all out, “The wraith butterflies will be attracted by the salt in your tears, do not cry boy, do you understand? 

Ajax nodded as he closed his eyes until the sadness dissipated away into nothing more than an empty feeling.  

He was taught to hold in every single emotion that hindered your survival with all of your strength, even if that meant releasing it in other ways. 

He did not know how to comfort Guizhong of all people. Even if she was so open; she was a closed book, with too many secrets to count. 

_________________________

He had talked to Cloud Retainer about it, after she helped Ajax patch up his wounds from battle (although begrudgingly). She was just about done wrapping the bandages around his torso, after having just applied a medicinal ointment to his back. He had gotten a mean scratch from a rift hound, after it had caught him unguarded. 

He was far too preoccupied with the rush of adrenaline and rush of euphoria to properly acknowledge the rift wolf behind him. One thing led to another and he had nearly gotten his back sliced open by the rift wolf’s sharp claws. 

And so, he was promptly escorted by a worried Guizhong to Cloud Retainer’s domain. She had urgently called out to Cloud Retainer, annoying her enough to come outside to see what the matter was. 

Once she came outside, to see what Guizhong was yelling about; she nearly passed out of fright. Ajax was practically drenched in blood and sweat, and the large gash in his back oozing out blood was not helping his case either. 

He looked terrible; worse off than Morax who only had a slight cut on his forearm and had managed to stay relatively clean (After Guizhong berated him for getting her last aoqun dirty with his blood… or someone else's blood? She wasn’t sure but she didn’t want him to do it). 

Cloud Retainer looked utterly perturbed if not mortified, “Go inside, right now!” 

And there he was, with Cloud Retainer tending to his wounds, or more-so, finishing tending with his wounds. 

He had recently begun to notice how distant Guizhong was, as close as he was to him. It was as if she was far off, even though she was right there besides him. She would always switch the topic when it came to discussing her own past and would divert the attention back to Morax’s past. Always talking fondly about her days attempting to befriend Morax in his early days, or the way she had been inspired by his meteor shower to create her Guizhong Ballista. 

However, even if she was friendly with everyone she met; she was closed off in a way. She wore her heart on her sleeve, but once you closely inspected it; it had locks and chains attached to it, with no key in sight. 

It had been on his mind for a while, and he had to do something to sate his curiosity, “Cloud Retainer, may I ask you something?” 

She was currently organizing her different ointment bottles and sorting them out in whatever sequence she had made up. She paused slightly before she turned around to give him a look, pushing up her glasses in the process (The newest creation from Guizhong, after she had overheard Cloud Retainer complain about her eye-sight. One thing led to another and she was currently testing out the prototypes, they were a simple red color, styled to her face perfectly), “No, you may not.” 

She turned around as fast as Ajax could blink and continued her organization. 

He asked anyway, “Why do you think Guizhong is so closed off from us?” 

She paused her religious organization, causing him to continue, “I mean, why do you think she always refuses to talk about her past with everyone. Or what her concerns are? She’s always putting everyone else before her.....Why? ” 

She let out an uncharacteristic long sigh before she turned around with a tired expression, “Guizhong is someone with a long history. She has met countless people in her lifetime, lived through wars, deaths, massacres. She has lived hundreds of lifetimes longer than yours….The reason she prioritizes everyone else is because she has seen countless people fly by her as she continues to stay still in her own time. While one is not going to say anything about it or say what is the definitive answer to such a question. One will say that she has her reasons. If you really want to find out, ask her."

Cloud Retainer gave him a last glance, filled with something he could not decipher before she continued on, "All right, so, now that this talk is done, one is going to keep organizing one's ointments.” 

Ajax was stunned. 

He had never thought about it like that. While he had anticipated that Guizhong had been through a lot, considering she was an immortal god. He had never stopped to fully realize what that could mean. 

She had seen with her own two eyes the people she loved, she cared about, she held near fade away; just like the dust she governed. 

Cruel irony once again. 

Celestia sure had a sick sense of humor. 

Guizhong had been given the gift of immortality, but at what cost. She had to witness the people she loved the most die in front of her, with nothing to stop it. She was a god, but she didn’t even know the secrets of her own immortality. 

___________________________

They walked in silence after that, not knowing what to feel. 

Guizhong was no longer as cheery as she was, she was dead silent. Her face was unexpressive, her eyes were distant and red-rimmed from crying. After what had happened, they bid the old man goodbye and dragged Guizhong away; her hand was tightly clasping the bundle of fireworks he had gifted her. 

Morax’s eyebrows here drawn in, eyes blazing with heavy concern. Ajax was sure he looked the same, he was overflowing with the feeling. 

They had settled silently on a small clearing outside the village before they sat on a large rock, covered with slight moss. Guizhong slumped down on the rock, still staring into the bundle of fireworks she had, before she began talking. 

At first it was not decipherable, just a jumble of incoherent sounds and vowels stretched together into one. But, after she began to talk louder, it was evident what she was saying, “Why? ”

Morax and Ajax exchanged a confused look, as she started to become louder, “Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, WHY!” 

Her sudden scream had every single hair on Ajax’s arm stand up, every single nerve inside of Ajax was lit ablaze. Guizhong was naturally a loud person, always bright, always shining brighter than any star he had ever seen. But, she never screamed. 

Not like this. 

Never like this. 

She finally let go of the fireworks, and they went tumbling onto the grass below the boulder. She curled into herself and started to pull violently at the locks of her hair, “WHY! WHY CAN’T I DO ANYTHING RIGHT! WHY CAN'T I-” She quieted down before audible sobs were heard. 

Ajax felt helpless as his Shijie continued to scream her lungs out. 

He felt himself being pulled in her direction by an invisible force, and he wrapped his arms around her weak form. He didn’t know what to say but he gently patted her back as her sobs became heavier and her voice was coming out in between gasps, “I can’t…I can’t..s-save..t-them shidi…please.. ” 

He nodded and continued to pat her back and rub invisible shapes into it; just like his mother used to do to him. 

A distant memory from a sweeter short-lived time. 

___________________________

Morax stared at the two, looking offly tense as he continued to see Guizhong wrap her arms around Ajax as if he was about to be blown away by the wind itself. As if he was about to disappear from her arms, if she let go even a little bit. 

Morax felt his heart clench, he didn’t know what to do. 

He was always strange when it came to ‘emotions’. 

He never quite understood them, nor why anyone went through the hassle of feeling them. They got in the way of his own survival and were something that were too much to deal with. They were something he did not understand, no matter how many times Guizhong attempted to describe them.

But even so, he suddenly got the urge to ‘cry’ as well. 

He tore his sight from the duo and switched it to see the darkening sky instead, it had been a while since he had gone outside.

 It was nice, if not a bit gloomy. 

____________________________

Guizhong had stopped crying after a few more minutes, but was in the same state as she was before. 

She was terribly still, her expression far away once more. 

It made Ajax’s stomach uneasy. 

He had not fully comprehended the extent of her and that man’s relationship. He did not know their history nor did he know what he meant to her or what she meant to him. Nor could he possibly fathom the feeling she was overcome with. 

But, it still made him feel equally as terrible about it. 

Morax and him had escorted Guizhong to her domain before they bid her farewell, both awkward in their departure. 

Now, it was just them. 

Walking in the middle of the night, feeling strangely hollow. Morax walked besides Ajax with heavy strides, nearly melodic in their sound as they hit the ground below. His eyes were just as spaced out as Ajax’s must have been. 

Ajax let out a heavy sigh, letting the air he had been holding in come out, relief replacing it instead. Then, after walking a few more steps, he realized that Morax had come to a stop. 

He stopped as well before he turned around, Morax’s gaze was for the first time after, solely fixated on Ajax, only. 

However, there was only a strange sadness in his gaze this time. 

He parted his lips lightly before he closed them again, before he said, “Ajax….how do you cry?” 

How does he cry?  

Ajax was taken aback by the sudden question. He was not expecting Morax to ask him anything, especially not about something like that. 

He blinked before he gave an honest answer, “I….I’m not really sure actually…I think it’s just a thing that naturally occurs, for me at least.” 

Morax seemed to process that before he nodded; slight disappointment filling his eyes, “Oh, then, I guess it cannot be taught..” 

Ajax’s heart clenched, and before he could stop his mouth he said, “I can! I mean, I can’t teach you. But, I have an idea.” 

Morax paused before a soft smile overcame his face, “Thank you, Ajax. ” 

Fuck, he could never say no to him. 

________________________

He didn’t have a damn clue. 

How could he make anyone cry? 

How could he make a god cry? An archon? 

How could he even do it? 

He didn’t have enough time to think when they had already arrived at Ajax’s place. He opened the door, and stepped inside, before he invited Morax inside. 

He silently stepped inside, closing the door behind him. 

Ajax’s thoughts raced through his head, and he started to look for ways to get him to cry. He looked all over his living room, in a frantic haze. While Morax stood still, waiting for something to happen. 

Fuck. 

He couldn’t let him down. 

He didn’t have the heart to let Morax down, he couldn’t bear to see Morax’s disappointment. 

He had to do it. 

He closed his eyes and attempted to look for a solution. 

His bow? 

No, that was too violent and it was best to not challenge the God of War. 

What if he pinched him? 

No, bad idea. 

What if he had a staring contest? 

No, that was childish. 

…Wait… 

He rushed to his room and lifted his pillow; his radiant vision was glowing at his proximity. Ajax quickly clipped on his vision before he rushed towards Morax’s side. 

How could he do this? 

He awkwardly lifted his hands up before he paused, “Um…could you please sit down..” 

It would be much easier to reach Morax’s face, without having to reach up. He was unsure if it would work, but he was eager to test it out. He was quite versatile with his vision and had quickly mastered how to work with the hydro he was gifted by the Hydro Archon. 

He had molded it into playful displays of dancing fish and squid for his siblings and could even shape it as weapons for his use. So, there was practically nothing stopping him from attempting to make him cry. 

He carefully placed his hands tentatively at Morax’s cheeks, feeling as he tensed at his touch. He then conjured up a small bit of water and placed it inside of his eyes, and kept doing it until it started to fall down his face. 

The water trickled down his eyes, and it might have irritated his eyes enough because Morax blinked and some more water trickled down his face. 

He continued to pour the water inside of his eyes until Morax gently placed his hands on his own. It was a silent sign to stop, so Ajax did. 

He pulled his hands away and watched as Morax began to cry by himself.

Fresh water turned into salty water, as it trickled down his face. His soft cries began to turn into sobs as he started to cry even more. 

Ajax sighed slightly before he pulled the man in a tight embrace, earning a relieved sigh from the man. He held him in his arms and gently patted at his head and traced similar shapes into his back, whispering sweet nothings in his ear as Morax continued to cry. 

“...Thank…you..” 

Ajax didn’t reply and only nodded, feeling his shoulder wet with warm tears. And he vaguely wondered if this was what Morax felt when he was crying into his shoulder, the weird uncomfortable feeling of it. And the sweet euphoria of getting the ability to help someone, even if just a little bit. 

If only Morax knew that he would hand him the moon if he so desired it. He would do anythingfor him, in this era and in his. 

He could never say no to him, no matter what. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(8/30)

More chapters here! <33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

___________________________

Chapter 8: Yearning Hearts, Confused Feelings Pt. 2

He was confronted with the same set of eyes he had long since ingrained in head; they were molten lava and they made his spine shiver with anticipation. 

It was dark inside of the domain, the only thing visible was a pair of golden eyes, like burning glass. Before Ajax could explain himself or even let out a breath, a large hand came around his neck. A pair of sharp nails slightly taunted his sensitive neck, a pair of glowing eyes raked up and down his figure, a firm inhale was heard. 

A long shaky breath was let out by the figure towering above him, “Ajax…Why have you come here?” 

Ajax felt the hand leave his throat, and he felt like he could breathe again, “Um, I….have come here to umm…” 

What did he have to say? 

He had come to Morax for comfort, because he was Zhongli; the man he loved, the man he had always held up in high esteems, the man he had respected, the man he admired, the man he ogled at, the man he cared for, the man he hated. 

He had a weak moment. 

That much was evident. 

He wanted to see Zhongli’s face again, even if it felt it would not feel the same. He wanted to see the person he loved so badly. 

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, “I was…worried about you.” 

It technically wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the entire truth either. He was worried about Morax, but he wanted to see him again. Because he looked too much like Zhongli, it was physically painful for Ajax to handle. However, it felt like a rush of euphoria when he laid his eyes upon the love of his life again. 

He felt like falling in love all over again. 

Morax paused and his eyes became slits again, before he said, “I…see.. ” 

Ajax nodded, hoping that Morax could see him in the darkness. He had never fully gotten to ask Zhongli, nor had he looked into it too much. So, he did not know whether gods or dragons had the ability to look in the dark. It was never a topic that piqued his interest, he never got curious enough to know the ins and outs of the physiology of archons or dragons. 

“I…am sorry….I have been told by Guizhong that this is how mortals apologize to each other. I am truly sorry for making you worry about me. I didn't mean to make you worried, I just needed to reflect on my actions…” 

Reflect on what actions? 

What happened? 

Ajax was about to inquire, when suddenly, a shower of golden light illuminated the entire room. The once dark room was washed in a golden light, small particles of golden light were thrown all over the room. 

“I have also been informed that mortals do not see in the dark…is this true?” He was towering over him….shirtless….with low rising loose cotton pants….

Every single inch of his body was on full display, the curve of his collarbones, the curve of pectorals, the curve of his abdomen, every single dip and muscle were contracting as he was breathing.He smelled distinctly of silk flowers with subtle hints of sandalwood, a warm and cozy smell; his signature scent. 

His hair was let down, and the tips were glowing a soft golden light from them. Childe had always wondered why Zhongli had the tips of his hair lighter than the rest of his hair. However, with the amount of strange hair colors he had seen in Liyue and Snezhnaya, he somehow did not blink an eye when he swore he could see Zhongli’s hair glowing like lanterns in the middle of night. 

___________________________

It was Lantern Rite, and Zhongli had begun to show him around Liyue’s various games and food set up specifically for the festival. He expertly explained with gentle care the intricacies of every single ingredient used in Come and Get It.

“So, why do the people of Liyue celebrate Lantern Rite every year? Is there a special meaning behind it, or?” Ajax asked in blissful ignorance of the significance of the event. 

He saw Zhongli’s smile falter slightly, but he quickly held himself together and looked towards the lantern filled sky, with glazed eyes. He blinked the subtle tears, but Ajax could see the water left behind on his lashes, “Ah…well…Traditionally Lantern Rite is celebrated on the first full moon of the year which lasts for five days. It is a festival that was made to honor the death of an adeptus by the name of Sky Bracer during the Archon War. It is said that he lost his life defending the people of Liyue and his fellow adepti, and so, for that, they have vowed to honor his sacrifice and everlasting legacy for eternal peace.” 

Ajax nodded and looked back to see the gorgeous evening sky covered with glowing paper lanterns. It was a beautiful sight, but Ajax could not help but feel a subtle sadness wash over him in gentle waves. 

Sky Bracer, huh?  

He had never heard that name before, but for some reason, he couldn’t shake the heavy somber feeling from rising up in his chest. He let out a long sigh and shook his head, the story must have been affecting him. He could not imagine the pain they must have gone through losing a friend, a comrade for the greater good. He could not fathom it, he could not imagine losing Ekaterina. He would be devastated, and she wasn’t even all that close to him. 

He could not imagine how that must have felt for them. 

He turned over to Zhongli who was looking at the lanterns as well, they were nicely reflected in his eyes. He was transfixed on them, as he took a small sip of his precious Osmanthus Wine, the plethora of lights reflected in his irises. He looked deep in thought, and Childe could have swore he saw the tips of his hair glowing like fiery embers. 

But, he shook it off as the trick of the light from the lanterns. 

He looked back at the sky and watched the almost yellowish round moon, before he whispered to Zhongli, “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it Xiansheng?” 

Zhongli chuckled and Ajax’s stomach fluttered with the comfortable weight of it; like a warm blanket on a cold night. He turned towards Ajax and smiled widely, joy sprawled all over his face, “Yes, it sure is.”

He said something else but Childe could not catch it over the cheerful noise of the people next table to theirs, “Gānbēi!!”  

“Ah, what did you say Xiansheng? I couldn't hear you, sorry,” Childe replied as he leaned in closer to hear Zhongli better. 

Zhongli chuckled and shook his head lightly, “It is nothing important, Childe. I was merely stating how beautiful the decoration is, they certainly outdid themselves this year.” 

Childe nodded and got back to watching the group of cheerful people and the sea of lanterns that covered the sky, missing the soft look sent his way. 

For now, he could let it be that way. 

For now, it was nothing important. 

But, one day it would be important and precious, again.  

‘Not as beautiful as you, my dearest Ajax.’ 

_________________________

“Ajax, are you alright?” 

Morax stared at him, his eyes wide and expression serious. 

Oh, he didn’t realize he had zoned out for that long. He looked around his surroundings and spotted nothing but a few appliances all over the domain’s floor, there was a straw mat with a couple of blankets on top, and a bookshelf with a few tattered books. 

“Oh, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something s’all.” 

Morax nodded, “Does that happen often?” 

“No, but it’s been happening too much as of late,” Ajax chuckled, feeling the awkwardness of the room overcome him. 

It was the middle of the night, Morax was shirtless, Ajax was lonely and was currently inside of his domain, and he was standing face to face with the man he loved the most who did not even know who he was. 

He loved him, and yet, he did not know the full extent of their actual relationship. 

He did not know of their love and respect for each other, their fight at the Golden House, their falling out, his subsequent disease, Ajax being sent back in time. 

He didn’t know because Ajax was too much of a coward to actually admit how he had been sent there. He was too much of a coward to say that he was not from their time, not from their era. He was too much of a coward to try and make the love of his life understand just how much he loved him. How much he wanted him, how much he cared about him, how much he respected him. 

He was too scared. 

What would the adepti say? What would they do? How would they all react, if he was to grab Morax’s gnosis and make a run for it? How does he get back to his era? 

For now, he was just a strange anomaly with ties to the abyss and Morax’s disciple. 

He was nothing more, nothing else. 

He wasn’t special to Morax, and he wasn’t ever going to be. Not to this Morax in this era or Zhongli in his era. 

And yet, here he was. 

Attempting to get Morax to hold him, in whichever way he could. Attempting to get a glimpse of the same intimacy he had from Zhongli’s touch, from his gentle smile, his gentle laugh. Attempting to gain love from a man who barely even understood the basic principle of love. A man who was not even himself yet, a man who didn’t yet understand mortals in their curious ways. 

All in order to subdue the pain he felt whenever he looked at the face of the man he adored so much. 

Ajax felt pathetic. 

He felt the shame creep up his spine and felt himself wince. His heart was thrumming in his chest, he had to get away, he had to go away, he wasn’t fit for all of this. He wasn’t fit for any of it, he had to leave. He had to escape, he couldn’t do it. He wasn’t strong enough, he never was-

“Would you like a....cup of tea?” 

Morax’s voice broke through the fog of his mind, the familiar timbre of his voice rumbled through his entire body. It anchored him back down, even if it didn’t mean too. It always did. 

Morax stepped closer to Ajax and slowly lifted his chin up, closely inspecting his face, “I…can’t help but notice how strange you are acting. As if you are a desperate animal trying to get away from a threat. I don’t know how to properly…. comfort as Guizhong put it, but I have seen a good cup of tea can calm the nerves down. I may not be a master at tea brewing, but I can make a decent cup.” 

Morax stared into Ajax’s eyes and it felt as if nothing else mattered anymore. His eyes swallowed Ajax’s every emotion, every single fleeting thought he had was overthrown by the depth of his eyes. They were melting every single thing about Ajax, his mind was numb. 

He mindlessly nodded and attempted to make the pathetic way he leaned into Morax’s hand the least obvious as it was. 

Perhaps if he closed his eyes, he would be able to imagine Zhongli in front of him. 

Freshly out of the shower as Morax appeared, hair slightly damp, night clothes on, peppering Ajax’s cheek and head with gentle kisses and touches, ‘Good night, Ajax.’ 

He let out a shaky breath and pressed his hand to the back of Morax’s hand, savoring in the warmth radiating from Morax’s body and nodded. 

He kept his eyes closed and felt as Morax’s hand left his cheek and gave his head a slight pat, “...Alright..” 

That was the last thing he heard before audible footsteps were heard walking away from Ajax. 

He opened his eyes and neither Morax or Zhongli were in front of him. Only a lone bed, a bookshelf, and a variety of treasures stacked upon shelves were the only items in the large room. 

____________________________

He sat down on the mat, since the hard rocky floor felt terrible on his legs. 

How could Morax sleep like that? 

He felt the minutes passing by as he idly waited for Morax to come back like a dog waits for their owner. The shame he felt was now starting to fully encompass his entire being. 

He was out here, attempting to find comfort in a god who did not understand human emotions. 

Morax was barely taking his baby-steps in attempting to figure out the complexities of human emotion. He was barely starting to give a name to what he felt, how could Ajax expect him to understand the depth of his bitter loneliness. 

No doubt Morax had felt lonely before, but he most likely did not know it was loneliness. 

How could he ever comfort a man, if he did not know how to comfort himself? 

It was stupidly hilarious to think about and Ajax desperately wanted to slam his head onto the rocky floor beneath him. 

But, he couldn’t as he heard a voice come from above him, “Ajax, I have brought the tea.” 

Ajax lifted his head up to see Morax above him, holding out the tea, he looked vaguely concerned. 

His mouth was curled into a slight frown, and his eyebrows were pinched together slightly, his eyes were filled with endless compassion, a distant fondness....

Ajax couldn’t stop his mouth,

“..Zhongli..”  

The reaction was instantaneous, Morax jerked back slightly before his eyes became slits again, an inhumane noise erupted from his throat.

Before he could react, he leaned down and grabbed Ajax by the collar of his shirt until he was standing upright, his eyes were full with burning rage and something else, his expression inhumane. He grabbed at Ajax’s throat and shoved him back against a wall, his sharp teeth on full display, he was not adding force to his throat but Ajax could feel the threat behind his hand. He leaned near Ajax's ear, before he inhaled deeply making Ajax's spine shiver, his breath ticked his neck as he spoke harshly,“I am not this Zhongli you speak of. My name is Morax. ” 

Everything in Ajax screamed, something shattered deep within him. 

He was Zhongli, he was. 

He knew it. 

He knew he was Zhongli, but it was okay if he didn’t. 

He didn’t know any better, he was a brand new god…

It was fine.  

He was fine.  

The expression on Morax’s changed, the pupils of his dilated and his frown became bigger. Ajax felt the drops of wet salty water hit the hem of his shirt, and the warmth of them sliding down his face in waterfalls. 

Morax let go of Ajax as if he was burned and grabbed his face before he began to wipe at his face, frantically, “Why are you…leaking water from your eyes?... I didn’t mean to make you upset.....I am sorry....” 

Of course he didn’t mean to, he wasn’t aware. 

But perhaps that's what made it hurt worse. 

It did because Ajax started to sob, fully letting go of what had been accumulating for weeks.

He cried harder and heard himself give out sob after sob, he felt terrible. 

He felt Morax’s hands frantically wipe away the tears from his face as they kept raining down on his face. Morax’s frown grew as he saw his eyes fill up with concern; he almost looked human, “Please, do not cry.. ” 

Ajax could no longer support himself and fell to the ground again, taking Morax down with him. Morax stopped cradling his face and stiffened even more as Ajax wrapped his arms around him as if he was a snake. He wailed into Morax’s shoulder, feeling the awkward unsure pats of his hair from a confused Morax. 

He felt the warmth of Morax’s body against him and the way it curved against him, like a puzzle piece. It was so distinctly Zhongli, it tightened a knot around his throat and made him lose oxygen. 

He felt suffocated being around Zhongli’s face, his voice, his touch, his body. 

But, it was never Zhongli himself. 

It was a ghost, a mirage against his fingertips. 

__________________________

When Ajax came too, he was inside of his own bed. 

He felt his heat sting with the morning afterglow of his breakdown. He had been through too much stress and it had finally caught up with his body. And had caused him to collapse with exhaustion after crying his lungs out. 

He carefully lifted himself from the bed, when he noticed another weight on his bed. 

Next to him, was Guizhong who was looking up at him with a concerned expression. 

She gave a slight smile when he woke up and ruffled his hair, “Shidi, you’re finally up. I’m glad you’re okay.” Her voice had none of her prior enthusiasm, but was still joyous nevertheless. 

She gave him a quick hug, “Please don’t do that again. You had us all worried sick, shidi, ” she whispered in his ear. 

Ajax nodded, and felt the sting of other’s eyes on him. He looked over from Guizhong and noticed Cloud Retainer, Madam Ping, Moon Carver, Marchosius, A-Yu sleeping on Sky Bracer’s shoulder, Mountain Shaper and slinked in the corner of the room was Morax.

Cloud Retainer marched up to him, in her usual form, before she pecked at his head in a soft manner, “Foolish boy! Everyone was terribly worried about you! Guizhong nearly collapsed when Shizun told her about your condition! This one was interrupted in the middle of one's calligraphy! And ruined it from hearing about what terrible condition you had found found yourself in!! You will have to do something to make it up to oneself for worrying oneself so terribly!!” 

Ajax found it in himself to laugh as he shook her off, “Alright, I promise…” 

She pecked him once more before she shuffled away, looking positively outraged. Madam Ping came up to him next time and gently patted his hand before she pressed two fingers on his inner wrist, “You are over exerting your meridians with all of the stress you are making your body go through. Please try and take it easy, shidi. ”

He nodded and she slipped away. Marchosius came marching up next looking terribly concerned even in the small form he found himself to be in. He didn’t say anything and just pressed a small crown of intricately beaded flowers into Ajax’s hand, they were a bracelet of some sort, “Thank you, Marchosius.” 

He nodded and waddled back to his place next to Madam Ping who was chatting away with Cloud Retainer on which was better, the guzheng or the guqin. Madam Ping was bringing up good points on both of their qualities. But, Cloud Retainer earnestly declared that the guqin was better because it sounded better. 

“They are much more melodic than the guzheng and not as harsh to one's ears,” Cloud Retainer said, in her own stubborn effort to be correct. 

Madam Ping only laughed and smiled at her stubborn senior, “If Shigu says it to be true, then I guess it must be.” 

Cloud Retainer huffed before she turned over to Guizhong who was making small figures out of the golden dust she had conjured up in her hands. 

Sky Bracer came up next to him, with A-Yu at his side, sleeping on his shoulder, “Shidi, are you feeling alright?” 

His honey-like voice was always a pleasure to Ajax’s ears, he felt himself flush, “Ahh…yes, I am. Thank you…for your concern, Da-ge.” 

He laughed before he patted Ajax’s head affectionately, “It’s alright, shidi. I’m just glad you are feeling better.”

Ajax nodded, “Yeah…” 

Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper came up next. They looked as if they were forced to come along and looked as if they wanted to desperately escape the circumstances of their situation. 

Moon Carver began to speak, “I hope you get better, and that your recovery is quick and effective.” 

That was the best response he was ever going to get out of Moon Carver. It was the closest he was going to get real full blown concern from Moon Carver. So, he took it. 

He nodded, “Thank you.”

Moon Carver gestured at Mountain Shaper who reluctantly came up and handed Ajax a container, before placing it on the nightstand next to Ajax, “I hope you will recover as well.” 

That was also the closest he was ever going to get Mountain Shaper to admit that he cared about his well-being. Usually, he was at Ajax’s throat with taunts and ridicule, so this was a nice change of pace. Not that Ajax did not enjoy taunting his senior back and sparring with him at every turn he got. Mountain Shaper did have a bite to his bark and was actually pretty tough when it came to sparring. 

He used a spear in combat and was just as fast and effective as a certain yaksha who wanted him dead in his own era. 

It was almost as if Xiao was the direct son of Mountain Shaper with the amount of similar expressions and snarkiness they emitted; they also looked scarily similar. It was as if someone had aged up Xiao, made him taller, and made him have different colored hair and clothes. 

They had started off on the wrong foot, but they had grown closer as of late. 

He nodded and swore he could smell the subtle smell of Calla Lily soup from the container Mountain Shaper had laid down on his nightstand. 

Even though he was so moody towards Ajax and so mean towards him. Ajax had a strong inkling Mountain Shaper had grown to be fairly fond of him, if the fact that he paid attention to Ajax’s favorite food and had brought it to him said anything. 

After they were gone, Guizhong appeared again with a remorseful looking Morax in arm. He did not make eye-contact with Ajax and looked terribly sad. He looked as if someone had picked on him. 

Guizhong looked up at Ajax and let out a long exhale, “Shidi, Morax has something to say, right?” 

Morax looked up at Ajax, slow and tentative. As if he was testing out the waters for himself, “I apologize, Ajax. I acted rather terribly towards you, and made your body go through unnecessary stress.” 

Ajax was 80% sure Guizhong had picked out the words for him to say for his apology, but Ajax could never say no to him.

In the present or back then, he could never say no. 

And it was then, he felt his face go warm and his heart clench and unclench with equal parts embarrassment at what had transpired. He had collapsed on Morax, and had fainted because of the stress his mind was going through because of everything that was going on as of late. 

He chuckled and waved him off dismissively with his hand, “....It's fine, I’m just a bit worn out s’all. And besides, you did not do anything, Shizun. I was just reminded of someone I....care for....deeply. I’m sorry.” 

Morax nodded, "It is alright."

After a few seconds Guizhong grinned mischievously, “Well! Now that it's all settled! I have something to show you shidi! But, we’ll save that for later. For now, we’ll talk about the blueprints I have been developing as of late! They are so awesome!” 

Guizhong enthusiastically dragged a small parchment paper and began to showcase every single part of the new machine she was going to build. With an oblivious Morax next to her, attempting (but failing), to follow along with her explanation.

_________________________

He was not expecting Guizhong to drag him out during the afternoon out into the townsquare. She pulled him along before she spotted a crowd of people and immediately dragged her and Ajax towards the crowd. 

The crowd was loud and they were all gathered together, mumbling amongst themselves, “Rex Lapis is showing up today to give out his predictions!” 

“Yes, I’ve heard! But what do you think he’ll look like this time?” 

“I don’t know, but I’ve heard from a little birdie he’s going to be in his human form this time!” 

“Really? I can’t wait!” 

Now, Ajax was really confused. 

What was going on? And why had Guizhong taken him along? 

There was a loud rumble heard from the sky as it thundered and started to turn a strange color. It swirled for a bit as a tall figure came down, it was a large brown dragon with golden scales, that glowed a golden light.

Then, the large dragon swept through the crowd as it landed in the center of the plaza and then a puff of smoke engulfed the dragon. Then in a flash, Morax was dressed in a black zhiju that trailed behind him with every step he took, dragons and flowers littered all over his entire outfit in golden tweed. He had a long black coat made from the finest wool, with similar designs adorning it with the same golden tinsel. He had his hair up in a firm bun with a firm ornamental hat with long golden tassels dangling from the front and back, he came down and stepped on the platform set out for him. He was in full human form as neither his long nail nor horns were present. 

And in this form, he did not look like the unruly Morax, The God of War, but an Emperor.

A dignified and refined emperor with power at his fingertips, cold-hearted and commanding as he spoke. 

He sat down in a chair they had placed in front of him and took out a scroll, and began to read. 

Ajax felt his entire face flush red, he looked so handsome.  

On several parts of his predictions for the future, he made direct eye-contact with Ajax and it made his legs go wobbly like Almond Tofu. 

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(7/30)

More chapters here!<33

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_________________________

Chapter 7: Yearning Hearts, Confused Feelings Pt.1

After that whole debacle, it was decided that each of them would take turns taking care of A-Yu….which really meant that Ajax and poor Sky Bracer. Who seemed genuinely eager to help Ajax out; following instructions to perfection. And damn if he did all of those tasks with the grace of a prince, even with drool all over him from A-Yufalling asleep in his arms. 

Ajax had teased him for that, earning him a flushed Sky Bracer; a nice blush spread over his face, making him look twice as handsome. Causing Ajax’s heart to beat rapidly in his chest, he looked gorgeous. His hair loose to his shoulders, a shy smile spread over his face, his yellow eyeliner framing his bashful eyes, the warmness of his eyes, the way he sighed slightly in his hand as the teasing continued on.

He was the only adepti that even attempted to help and understand, the others quickly gave up proclaiming it to be, “Pointless and counterproductive.” 

However, they did not call it ‘pointless and counterproductive’ as they watched Ajax take care of A-Yu as if they were entranced by the spectacle in front of them, sat around the table. Their eyes all on Ajax and Sky Bracer as they were some sort of entertainment for them. 

Ajax still did not understand why they watched him taking care of A-Yu as something so whimsical; he was starting to feel as if he was accomplishing a great feat, it was terrible for his ego. 

He had never been one to admit it but he loved attention. 

Craved it even. 

Being raised in a house with 3 older siblings and 3 younger siblings meant that he did not get proper attention growing up. He was always seen as the last priority in their family, all of his other siblings got more attention and praise from his parents. He was set on the back burner since he was born. As a kid, he never got any attention from his parents even if he tried to. They would always either ignore him or send one of his older siblings to deal with him. 

He never truly got the attention and love he wanted. 

And so, when he was suddenly praised, admired, and feared; he loved it. 

He swam in the plethora of eyes on him, as if drinking in a good wine on a cool summer evening. The eyes on him felt flattering and fulfilled a sort of need, he did not know he even had; the need to be paid attention too. 

As a newly proclaimed Harbinger, he was overjoyed with the amount of eyes on him. He drank it in and swam in the crowds of eyes. 

Sometimes he wondered if it was because of his time in the Abyss that made him that eager for attention. After all, a part of himself was thrilled to be feared by someone. 

The Abyss did that to people. Drove them mad, made them monsters, made them sub-human, inhuman, beasts, you name it. 

It was an ugly pungent thing that never went away no matter how many baths you possibly had. It was an infection that never truly went away no matter how much medicine you took. He could not wash it away, and it constantly whispered things in his ear at every turn he got. Sometimes he wondered if it was a part of him or if it was a different entity altogether. 

But either way, he was satisfied with the amount of eyes on him. 

The only thing that changed his desire to watch the dreadful fear on peoples faces was Zhongli. 

He walked into Ajax’s life with so much grace and elegance, so much composure, so self-assured and serene. Like he had all the time in the world, like he had seen it all, as if he had made peace with the world itself. 

However, the only thing he wanted now more than ever was Zhongli’s eyes on him and him only.  

A sick part of himself wanted Zhongli’s eyes on him and him alone. He wanted to morph into Zhongli and be one with him, wrap himself around his entire being like a snake and be with him at all costs. 

It was a twisted corrupt feeling he felt during those tense moments with Zhongli. When he was attempting to provoke the man on their first couple of outings, when he was trying to get a reaction out of Zhongli. He wanted to see what the man would do, but, each and every time. Zhongli would just stay still and not react to anything. 

Tartaglia could have brought a knife up to his throat and he would simply look into his eyes and blink with nonchalance. It made him shiver to think about those molten eyes staring deeply into his own, a fierce flame burning behind them. 

But, he also missed the warmth of his eyes. The fondness that would permeate them whenever Ajax was around him, the way he would look at Ajax as if he meant the world to him, as if he was the only thing that mattered. As if he was the light of his life. 

It was thrilling, but nerve wracking to Ajax back then, on those tender moments shared with Zhongli on warm afternoons in Liyue spent at Wamnin. 

He shrugged those thoughts off, they would only serve to bring down his already lowered mood even more.

He hadn’t felt that egotistical since he crushed all of Pulcinella’s soldiers when he was 14, earning him a chuckle and a pat on the back from Pulcinella. That incident was what sent him all the way to the bottom of the ranks as a mere soldier, to which he quickly surpassed. And so on and so forth. 

Part of him never understood why Pulcinella sent him all the way to the bottom, since he was so obviously above their level, as narcissistic as that may sound. Whenever he was sent on missions and expeditions with his fellow soldiers, he was always the one who would immediately wipe out the enemy as if they were bugs under his shoes. Which earned him both immense respect and immense fear. 

However, another part of him understood why Pulcinella sent him down to the bottom, it was a punishment for practically killing his soldiers. He wanted to see if Childe had what it took to be a harbinger, he wanted to see if Childe had the strong passion behind his words. 

But, being 14 at the time, he thought it was unfair of him to do so, since to his defense they did say to ‘show them what he’s got’, and he did just that.

But now being in his 20’s, he understands why Pulcinella did such a thing. He could not imagine such a young kid coming at them, demanding to sign up for the Fatui, and then completely desecrating his entire army in a matter of minutes. He would feel the need to show such a prideful kid a lesson in patience and hard-work. 

He chuckled at his past memories, and focused his attention on the several adepti huddling around Sky Bracer teasing him relentlessly, laughing and having a good time drinking some more tea. Guizhong had brought a couple more teas since he had remained in Sky Bracer’s abode, since they couldn’t have A-Yu getting sicker out in the cold rain when they moved her into Ajax’s house. And besides, Ajax’s house wasn’t even properly conditioned to take care of a sick person, he didn’t have proper heaters or anything to keep in the heat in his house. 

Sky Bracer’s abode had not only a warm fireplace but a heating system Guizhong had come up with and was in the middle of testing out before she released it to her precious people. Ajax was more and more fascinated by Guizhong’s ingenuity as time passed, she was a genius of her time. Her ideas were ahead of the era they were living in, and they could have been completed if she had the right equipment and insight on how many of the machines in the future worked. 

Ajax provided the knowledge he had from the future in order to assist her, earning him a soft pat on the head and a laugh, “Am I wrong to assume that perhaps you are the real genius shidi?”  

Ajax only shook his head and smiled, “No, I am not. I am but a humble servant in your excellency's presence.” 

Guizhong laughed and smacked him lightly on the arm, “You’re just as bad as Sky Bracer with all of the formalities shidi!”  

They both laughed until Ajax’s lungs felt like they were on fire and he felt as if he was suffocating, but it felt freeing in a way, with the huge grin plastered on Guizhong’s face as well as she threw her head back in laughter. 

Ajax has never met someone so joyous and carefree in his life, he felt his heart clench with helplessness. 

Would this smile cease to exist one day?   

__________________________ 

Although the adepti were known for millennia as fierce warriors and protectors; those who guarded the lands of Liyue, a tale as old as time. Although they were wise, knowledgeable, otherworldly…..they were surprisingly lazy.

A notion which Ajax found to be both incredibly amusing and hopeless. Even if they swore with their whole existence that they were different from humans.

They are wrong. 

In fact, Ajax thinks they might be more human than him.

With the amount of variety of emotions and human behaviors that they do. They sure qualify as faux humans at least. But, perhaps that has something to do with how much time they were spending around mortals (begrudgingly so), and Guizhong’s insistence of understanding them and empathizing with them. 

And they had somewhat managed that; in their own unique way. 

Even if they had a large variety of emotions, they still did not know how to read the moods of others. They didn’t even know how to distinguish what they felt, when they felt it. And instead preferred to ignore it or stay in their domains until the feeling left. 

They were much more emotionally constipated than Ajax expected. 

He knew the adepti were originally born in order to serve a greater good, to be there when Celestia could not; however, they had their own feelings. Ajax was sure of that, he had seen how worried they were over A-Yu and how panicked they were to find her a cure. 

Even if they were adeptal beasts, mythical beings sent down in order to serve their people, they seemed much more human than those they were serving. 

The irony was just so hilarious for Ajax to even fathom. 

_________________________

Morax had not showed up around Ajax since the last time they had last had tea with the other adepti, when Ajax had made A-Yu vegetable soup. He had not shown up, which was confusing since he was always practically glued onto Guizhong’s side, or always around her in some way. He hadn’t shown up around dinner time. 

He had asked Guizhong about it and she only sighed and chuckled slightly, “Ah, he’s currently contemplating my words. Don’t worry about it, shidi. He’ll come around, eventually,” she winked and then she was off to talk with an annoyed Cloud Retainer who was currently attempting to open up some walnuts with her beak….and failing miserably. 

He couldn’t decipher her words either, always so cryptic when it mattered. That was just who Guizhong was, always so philosophical and cryptic whenever you would mention anything serious, hiding it behind a laugh or mysterious smile that Ajax could not place for the love of him. 

Ajax would be lying to himself if he said he wasn’t worried. 

However, even if he could admit it to himself. 

His pride got in the way and prevented him from going over to Morax’s domain and demanding to know what was wrong. He couldn’t face Morax himself, without his heart getting confused and starting to beat rapidly in his chest when he saw the man he loves. But, it wasn’t the man he loved, the man he loved was eras after this one, he was in the future but still present in the now. 

It was another confusing part, besides his jumbled emotions. 

Being apart from Morax was starting to make him feel strange, it was as if someone ripped something from himself. It felt strange, since he wasn’t particularly close to Morax, in the slightest. But, for some reason he couldn’t wrap his head around it, his heart somehow confused him with Zhongli and….it couldn’t stop feeling as if a piece of himself was torn.

It was weird, since he usually didn’t even talk with Morax all that much. He was much closer with Guizhong, Sky Bracer, and even Madam Ping (who was too busy practicing her guzheng to join them during dinner and during their gathering in Sky Bracer’s domain). 

Just why was he feeling that way about Morax? 

He looked like Zhongli and on occasion acted like him, but he isn’t the man he loves. He’s a different part of the man he loves, a past self. Another separate part of himself he did not share with Ajax during their short interactions together in Liyue. Perhaps he would have revealed that part of himself after revealing the truth to him. 

Maybe if Ajax had waited for him and not freaked out firsthand, he would have gotten on that date Zhongli promised him. 

But maybe that was just wishful thinking. 

__________________________

Something Ajax did not expect from Madam Ping was how even though she was a fierce warrior, whenever she played music, it seemed soft and delicate as if she was playing the rivers, and mountains themselves with the tips of her fingers. 

Out of the rest of the adepti, she was the one who was the most interested in music and making it herself. Guizhong enjoyed music and sang songs as well, however, she did not play any instruments and nor did she really dedicate much time to singing. The only times she did sing was when she was bored or when she sang to her glaze lilies. Her voice was melodic and soft, something like a haunting memory that Ajax couldn’t bring himself to remember no matter what he tried. 

He swore he had heard her voice before, but he couldn’t remember where it was that he heard her voice. 

Another thing to be added onto the pile of mysteries that surrounded his ties with the adepti. 

He had encountered Madam Ping playing a gentle tune near a river, her eyes were closed and she looked concentrated on her music. The sleeves of her elegant blue and white aoqun with small swirls of water and flowers embroidered with a clever shade of luminous white adorned the chest of her aoqun. Her head was tied into a bun with 2 small braids tied back as well with a wooden hair stick with a small green gemstone embedded on it. 

She plucked at the strings and conceived an elegant and peaceful sound out of the instrument below her hands. She only opened her eyes and stopped her playing once she heard Ajax approaching. She immediately withdrew her spear and held it in a defensive pose, but once she saw it was Ajax, she drew it back and smiled mellowly at him, “Ah, shidi, it’s only you.” 

Ajax nervously laughed and scratched his cheek, “Yeah …is it a bad time..” 

Madam Ping chuckled and shook her head, “No, not at all. What is it you need from me?” 

He sighed and sat down next to her, holding his knees close to his chest, “My…friend has to do something but he doesn’t know how to do it. He feels trapped by it and is not sure what the right thing to do is, and is pretty lost…ha..” 

Madam Ping hummed, a silent gesture for him to continue. 

“So, he doesn’t know what to do. He’s trapped in a situation where both outcomes have the possibility of ending terribly…” 

She nodded and looked towards the river once again, before conjuring up a small bit of water in her fingertips, molding it into random shapes, her eyes closed once more, “When people think about the future, they often forget about the now. We are often too caught up in knowing what the future has in store for us, but we neglect to see the present we are living today. You can’t change fate, but you can change your actions, remember that shidi.” 

Ajax nodded and felt the cool air sweep up and wash over him, filling his lungs and making his worries wash away. He had been penting up his indescribable hopelessness of the situation he had landed himself in. 

He had to steal Morax’s gnosis, save his friends, save Zhongli, and do his best to not get killed. 

It was a lot to take in, and sometimes, he felt helpless to change anything. 

How were they all going to die, and would be able to stop it all? 

Would he be enough to save all of them, would he be able to do it? 

He didn’t know, and that very same thing drove him mad. 

This was 2 days after he had first made vegetable soup for A-Yu, and well, he was feeling down. He was feeling like shit, like utter fucking shit. He didn’t know what to do, and he wasn’t sure if his efforts would even pay off in the end.

And on some nights, he desperately wished to go back to his time, in order to feel the warmth of Zhongli’s palms, their shared laughter, the scolding he would get from Ekaterina, the disapproving gaze he would get from Lumine and Paimon, the new delicious food Xiangling had conjure up, the outstanding performances of Yun Jin and Xinyan, the letters from his siblings, and his Tsaritsa’s icy voice stating his next order. 

He selfishly wanted to run away from it all. 

But he couldn’t.  

That was the problem. 

He was too afraid of what the future would hold, he was terrified even, he didn’t want it to ever come. He wanted to continuously live in the past, for eternity. 

Perhaps he understood the Electro Archon better than he had previously thought. When he had heard what ridiculous doctrine she had set up, the vision hunt decree. He thought it to be stupid and pointless; why would any Archon want their people to suffer so much and live in eternity for the rest of their lives. 

To live forever on pause for the rest of their lives. 

He brushed it off and chuckled heartily, “Why would anyone do that?” He proclaimed to his soldiers who earnestly agreed, calling the Electro Archon ridiculous and idiotic. 

A young god being foolish in her attempt to reach her own selfish immortality, to guarantee her own eternity. 

Nothing else, nothing more. 

Little did Ajax know that he would come to feel the exact same thing as her eventually. He wanted to stop time and forever live with the adepti, he wanted to forever relive the same warmth as before. He wanted to ingrain it forever in his head, he wanted to stop time and save the memory of him and Zhongli together laughing at the dinner table, sharing stories of their interests, their battles, their most treasured memories. He wanted to forever do that, he selfishly wanted to prevent anything from happening. 

The Electro Archon suffered many losses during her time in the Archon War, she lost her twin sister and her beloved friends, it was no wonder she wanted eternity. 

The Electro Archon Baal is both a childish and terribly tragic person. 

Just like him.  

______________________________

Living with Sky Bracer was certainly something else…

While Sky Bracer had many human furniture in his domain, with a variety of different styles and intricate decor. He also only had a few things meant only for one person. 

Which meant that they had to share many things, from the couch, to the bathroom, to the same bed. 

It was something.  

Sky Bracer would be in his mortal form around Ajax for his comfort. After all, waking up to an adeptal beast next to you in bed would be very surprising to say the least. But even so, waking up right next to an extremely attractive guy, did not help either. 

Sky Bracer looked absolutely flawless when he woke up, not a hair in disarray, no drool, he didn’t even snore in his sleep. He woke up looking like a prince, and when he spoke, his already deep voice became impossibly deeper, making Ajax’s heart quiver. He would usually wake up before Ajax and would sit beside him in bed where he would usually scan through a book or two, not wanting to wake Ajax up.

He would then occasionally play with Ajax’s hair when he was especially engrossed in a book, tugging at a strand of his hair or even curling it around his finger. And on some rare occasions he would scratch lightly at his scalp, causing him to shiver. 

Ajax would subconsciously in a half-sleep daze would lean into his touch in an attempt to get him to continue. Sky Bracer would chuckle and continue to play with his hair. 

Ajax would be a liar if he said he didn’t like the affection from Sky Bracer. His palms were warm and would sweep through his hair with utmost care and just enough strength; it was nice. 

It reminded him of the few and far between moments of subtle intimacy from Zhongli. The slight touches and glances, it made his heart ache in desperation. He didn’t want Sky Bracer, even if he was everything Zhongli was. 

He was just a replacement in his heart for Zhongli, as firewater was after the Golden House incident. 

His heart clenched and his stomach dropped, a bitter taste filled his mouth. He really wanted to see Zhongli again, but he couldn't. 

Not until he figured all of this mess out, not until a long while. And that was driving him crazy.

After getting up from bed, Sky Bracer would then excuse himself outside of the bedroom in order to give Ajax room to change, which he appreciated. 

He did not want to catch a glimpse of Sky Bracer’s naked back and think about it for the next three weeks, he would rather not do that. 

Then, he would exit the room and start cooking up breakfast and check if A-Yu was alright. They usually switched turns on who would watch A-Yu throughout the night and would allow the other to sleep in. But, that particular day the both of them had watched her, so they had allowed themselves to sleep in. 

Sky Bracer insisted on being the one to watch A-Yu since he was an adeptus and they did not need sleep. They would actually stay awake for days on end, a trait they had developed as a survival strategy. 

He had heard of the stories where they had to practically fight for their lives, with no sleep. It reminded him of his time in The Abyss. Although he had his master with him, he was on his own for most of his time there. 

They had to constantly keep moving, if they wanted to live. Which meant they did not get much sleep, if any sleep at all. However, they rarely got fatigued; a thing he guessed had to be a result from the constant adrenaline and the miasma. 

That was one of the first lessons he had learned when down in The Abyss. 

A harsh lesson that nearly got him killed on his first day down there. 

He had just fallen down, and fate had the worst possible luck for him, since he was knocked out. He then woke up to a Rift wolf who nearly ripped to shreds. If it wasn’t for his master Skirk who was passing by and took pity on him, he would have been dead. 

It was then that she sternly lectured him on the basics of survival down in the furthest place from light: 

Never fall asleep, keep moving. 

Stay alert. 

Fight to kill. 

Those were the rules that she constantly implemented in his head. He dazedly remembers being terribly sick from the thick miasma that covered the Abyss, and how Skirk took enough pity on him to keep him safe and alive until he got better. 

He still isn't sure why she brought him along with her. 

Perhaps she was lonely and wanted some company for a change. Or perhaps she wanted someone else to take on the monsters when she could not. 

Either way, he didn’t know how to feel about it. 

He was alive, that much was true. But, ever since the Abyss, he felt like something else was inside of him, a separate voice inside of his head, a separate entity apart from himself. 

He was not the boy he used to be, he was a replacement for him; a monster who took him over and completely suffocated him until it became Ajax. 

____________________________

Guizhong had advised him to think his actions over and ‘deeply reflect’ why he reacted in that way. To which he nodded before he slinked away to his domain. 

He wasn’t sure what she meant, nor was he sure he would ever know. 

Both he and Guizhong knew of his past, his past as a feral dragon. 

Before he had mellowed down, he was a cruel and heartless beast. With no empathy or sympathy for anything at all. If Guizhong had not made her way into his life, he would have never learned what it was like to care for someone else. He would have never been taught manners nor the joys of reading literature from the mortals. 

He would have not even desired to be a just and benevolent god. 

If he was his past self, his crueler self, he would have not thought twice before he would have snapped Sky Bracer’s throat with his teeth. Morax would have not thought to use his words to communicate what was the matter, he would have simply initiated a fight between him and Sky Bracer. 

However, he did not fully understand why he had reacted in that aggressive manner with his disciple. He had trained Sky Bracer since he was a newly born adeptus, when he did not know much about the world. He had seen him adapt and master his hold of the sword. He had seen him master his element, he had taught him how to use basic weaponry. 

He did not understand why his instincts rose up; the same fiery feeling filling his lungs up when he had witnessed Sky Bracer’s hand on Ajax’s head. 

Why did he feel that way? 

He had placed Ajax in a special box, and had begun to consider him special, dear to him. But, he had not anticipated to react in a viscous way when he saw his comrade’s hand on his treasure, his precious person. 

He did not understand. 

He had thought his draconic instincts were long buried by now, but for some reason Ajax managed to bring them back up. 

When he saw Sky Bracer’s hand on Ajax, he wanted to rip his arm off, he wanted to rip him to shreds until he was nothing more than a pile of flesh and blood. 

Why? 

Why did he do that? 

Why did he feel that way about Ajax? 

Just who was he to him? 

What was that warm feeling he felt whenever he was around? 

______________________________

Weakness took over Ajax at midnight. 

He was barraged with memory after memory of Zhongli. 

His eyes, his laugh, every curve of his face, his long hair and how silky it felt, his smell, his baritone voice, his gentle touch, his molten eyes, his smile. 

He missed him.  

But, he could not explain why he had dragged himself out of the bed and hastily went down the mountain. 

Before he knew it, he was standing right outside of Morax’s domain’s door. 

He let out a shaky breath, but before his conscience could fully scream at him the severity of his actions. The impulsivity and stupidity of it all, lifted his fist towards the translucent golden door. 

He brought his fist down, but before he could make contact with the golden door before him. 

He was dragged into the domain.