A week had passed since Aether's arrival in Liyue. That same day, after Lumine had finished his talk with some people he recognized better than anyone else, for their reputations had spread even to other nations, the blonde had forced him to pay a visit to Baizhu, an herbalist and owner of Bubu Pharmacy.
When he examined him, the man was shocked, for the consequences caused by the electro and pyro effect had wreaked havoc inside him. The external wounds were almost nil, just a couple of scratches that would not take long to heal, but the internal ones were another story.
Baizhu prepared a concoction with various medicinal herbs that was reluctantly consumed by the blond. Seconds later the side effects on the internal healing took effect. Aether felt weak and his insides burned, it was as if an embracing fire was consuming him. He groaned in pain and writhed in place.
─ Is he going to be all right?
Lumine watched her brother with concern. She walked over to him and wrapped him in a hug.
─ Of course. That reaction is normal, it's a sign that the medicine is taking effect. It's good that you came all the way here, if the internal damage hadn't been treated in time he might have had very serious after-effects. ─The red-haired man looked at the brothers and sighed.─ You will have to take it for a few more days. You will most likely start to feel more tired and with some discomforts; like nausea and dizziness, but all of that will be normal. Your interior has an electro elemental charge that needs to be drained to avoid any organ being affected by it...
In the middle of the speech, Aether arched forward, holding his stomach tightly. He walked over to a wastebasket in the pharmacy and emptied what little contents were in his stomach.
─ Aether!
Lumine followed closely behind him, stroking his back and holding the golden strands with her other hand. Baizhu nodded.─ Your brother must have gone through a great battle in which he directly received several charged attacks. Anyone else wouldn't be able to withstand something like that, but I can see that he's special?
That was all Aether could remember of that day. Shortly thereafter he lost consciousness and awoke in an unfamiliar room.
His stomach felt empty, but it burned, and his body was too weak. However, she did not wish to be a burden to her sister; as long as she could stand up, and remain stable, she would do everything in her power to help her.
Lumine had told him that the Liyue Lantern Festival was near, and in the days leading up to the celebration there was always plenty to do. He knew his sister like the back of his hand, he knew that if there was anyone who needed help, no matter how small, Lumine couldn't refuse and would end up helping.
He tried to stand up, but his head was spinning. She looked at the concoction on the nightstand and a grimace formed on her lips. He didn't want to taste that stuff again for the rest of his life.
With some difficulty, he stood up and dressed. Lumine had taken it upon herself to find him some clothes that would make him feel comfortable. Although he never liked to be too covered up, as it caused him to feel closed in, that day he decided to wear a sweater.
The weather had changed, normally the days in Liyue were hot, but the sky was overcast and the grayish clouds were the anticipation of some small storm. With his body weak, even a slight breeze seemed to affect him more than usual. He felt he had already caused his sister too much trouble and should be a little more considerate of her. At least he would take better care of her health, so Lumine wouldn't have a head full of unnecessary worries.
His thoughts were abruptly cut off by his stomach's protest for some food. She walked around the small place, noticing that it was a normal lodging area. Everything was clean and tidy, very typical of her sister.
He walked to the kitchen and rummaged through some things in the cupboard. But because he had gone several days without eating, at the first bite of food his stomach churned and he was attacked by intense retching.
─ This is bad....
The blond put on a blank expression, staring at the apple he still held in his hand. He then remembered those days when he had first arrived in Teyvat and how even just foraging for food was very complicated. He had gone entire days without taking a single bite and every time he had the opportunity to do so the food did not last long in his stomach.
That happened hundreds of years ago, he never thought he would experience the same feeling again. But he refused to give up, he took a seat and, with great care, he tasted bite after bite, until the whole fruit was gobbled up.
He felt truly exhausted.
─ If only you were here, maybe everything would be easier? ─He also remembered the day that strange being crossed his path. Someone who, despite his completely indifferent attitude, and the murderous aura he emanated, helped him to move on.
Aether looked at the remains of the apple and sighed. Seconds later he tossed it into the trash can and gently slapped his cheeks with both hands.─ No time to think about that!
He tidied up the mess he had made and, with determiantion, set off in search of his sister.
The streets of the city looked lively. But the look on some people's faces let him know that he wasn't entirely welcome, were they always like this? The blond couldn't imagine what Lumine had gone through to adapt to this place and gain people's trust. In the past maybe he would also offer his help selflessly, even more so if things had been the other way around, if it had been him in his sister's place.
He didn't even want to imagine something like that.
But now, after having ruled the abyss for so long, his attitude had changed. He was no longer the Aether he once was and, above all, he didn't like to be seen in an inferior light.
A part of him felt a strong contempt for all these people, but outwardly the expression on his face showed nothing. He knew that not everyone was like that, he met nice people in a short time, as Lumine's friends were, who accepted him quickly without doing or saying anything unnecessary.
The blond shook his head trying to push away all the negative thoughts he had at the moment. Things had changed once again; he was no longer the ruler of the abyss, he was now back to being Aether, a simple traveler of worlds. He was aware that if he wanted to start from scratch and try to free himself from his sins, he had to leave Teyvat.
Compared to Lumine, this world had absolutely nothing left for him. He only hoped to make a full recovery as quickly as possible so that he could return to his real world to start a new life.
─ Aether! ─The squeaky voice of the little fairy who always accompanied her sister caught her attention.─ What are you doing here? Your wounds haven't completely healed yet, you should still be resting.
─ I was tired of spending all day doing nothing and feeling like a burden.─ He resumed his walk again, this time following the direction from which Paimon had come, Lumine must be nearby.─ Where is my sister?
Paimon brought a hand up to his head, gently denying.─ She's at the Wanmin restaurant, Xianglin asked for her help to make some deliveries.
The blond nodded, but then stopped his steps and looked at the Albina with confusion.─ Where is that place?
Paimon simply smiled and walked over to him, leading the way.
Aether felt exhausted, but didn't show it. His breathing was slightly ragged and a slight discomfort settled in his abdomen, still he didn't utter a single complaint. He had expected the restaurant to be further away, but was actually relieved to realize that it wasn't.
The blonde hair came into his field of vision. His sister was sitting at one of the tables talking animatedly with the exotic cook he had met at the Wangshu Inn.
─ Lumine, I'm back. Look who I've met on the way!
The named turned in Paimon's direction and her eyes widened as soon as her gaze met Aether's. She quickly stood up and approached them.
─ Why are you here? You should be resting. ─She felt a dejavu.
The blond smiled and denied.─ I'm fine.
─ But...
─ You don't have to worry. Besides, I was tired of lying in that bed all day, I figured you would have a lot to do these days and I wanted to help.
Lumine denied.─ It wasn't necessary. The festival is tomorrow, I've finished all my errands for the day and was just taking a little time off before heading back. I was really hoping you would rest properly so that tomorrow you could enjoy your first rite of the lantern.
─ You don't have to worry, I'm really fine.
Paimon interrupted.─ So, since you're here, why don't you stay and keep us company and we'll try a delicious meal together?
Aether grimaced as neither of us was looking. Her stomach protesting negatively at that idea.
The doors at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius were opened. A blond-haired young man walked calmly until he reached the office of the Grand Master Intendant. He knocked on the door once, so that the people inside would be aware of his arrival and, without waiting for any approval, he entered.
─ Albedo, just in time, is there any news? ─Jean watched him closely, he looked really exhausted.
The young alchemist observed those present and then sighed.─ Nothing good, in fact.
Everyone's expression changed. The youngest approached Diluc and held out the blood-covered garment the latter had handed him for analysis.
─ What are the results? ─The redhead accepted the object, while observing it seriously.
─ The blood shows a high degree of contamination, what exactly is it? I don't know, maybe some method used by the mages of the abyss. But of one thing I am sure.─ The blond laid some papers on Jean's desk and then folded his arms.─ If that boy's body is not purified in some way, sooner or later it will return to the abyss and something even worse could happen.
Venti, who until that moment had been silent, sitting thoughtfully in a corner, stood up and walked over to the desk, looking intently at the papers.─ How will we do something like that? I don't think it's as simple as Dvalin's case.
Albedo denied.─ I don't know for sure. It is necessary to have direct contact with him to analyze it better, but, with all the information received from Master Diluc, I don't think it is as easy as saying so.
The room was silent for a moment, being interrupted by the characteristic laughter of the former archon. Everyone watched him with confusion.─ Maybe we should just be patient, something tells me that the solution to everything will be simpler than we are imagining.
Jean sighed.─ Then we just have to wait.
Since everyone had learned of Venti's true identity, and despite still being the same old troublemaker, they trusted his word.─ If that's all, then I'll retire first.
Diluc didn't wait for an answer, and made his way towards the door, after all, that meeting was only planned to receive the results of the analysis done by the alchemist. However, he was quickly stopped by Albedo's calm voice.─ Master Diluc should also be calm and take a rest. Captain Kaeya's body is responding positively to the treatment, if he continues with the required care, he should be able to wake up at any moment.
The red-haired man's hand tightened around the knob, but he said nothing. And, pretending a disinterested attitude, he left the place.