"Alas, the seven nations of humanity should unite against the threat of the Abyss Order, yet the Fatui, who hold the greatest military power among them, choose instead to steal the Holy Lyre, covet divine strength, and exploit Dvalin's crisis to pressure the Knights…" Venti shook his head, sighing heavily.
"Is the Abyss Order really that strong, strong enough to demand an alliance of all seven nations?"
Jiang Bai didn't have an accurate sense of the Abyss Order's strength.
Although he'd seen them controlling Hilichurls and arming them with crossbows, he'd only encountered Abyss Mages personally. Even Mondstadt's recent crisis hadn't seen them directly controlling Dvalin—they'd simply exploited his corrupted state. The name "Princess" had been mentioned, but he had never actually seen anyone higher-ranked within their organization.
Venti's expression grew serious. "The Abyss Order stretches across the entire continent. This recent attempt to weaponize Dvalin was merely a minor scheme—but look at how badly it rattled Mondstadt and exhausted the Knights. Imagine the catastrophe if their true, greater conspiracy succeeds."
"That's a fair point," Jiang Bai nodded slowly.
Taking down the Abyss Order clearly wouldn't happen overnight, and Jiang Bai suspected the real issue lay with the enigmatic figure known only as the "Princess."
Venti turned to Aether. "Traveler, you had questions for me too, didn't you?"
"There's no need to ask anymore," Aether shook his head lightly.
He had intended to ask Venti about his sister, but after their recent adventures, he already knew that Venti couldn't be the Archon who had taken her away.
Though Aether hadn't spoken, Venti clearly understood what was on his mind. He spread his hands helplessly. "Regarding your sister—I honestly don't know which god took her. You'll likely have to journey through all seven nations to find your answers."
Aether had previously shared his reason for seeking out Archons. It was no secret to the Knights.
Aether nodded. To find his sister, he'd simply have to keep searching—perhaps other places would hold the clues he needed.
"By the way, I borrowed the power of the Statue of the Seven without your permission," Aether mentioned politely.
Though he didn't fully understand why he could wield the Anemo element, having spoken to the Anemo Archon himself made him feel justified in using it.
"Haha, please feel free to use it with gratitude! Though if you could buy me a dandelion wine, I'd be even happier!" As he said this, Venti shot a playful glance at Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai crossed his arms pointedly, glancing downward at his broken leg.
Venti quickly averted his eyes.
Paimon watched their interaction in confusion. "Are you two speaking in some secret code?"
Jiang Bai rolled his eyes. "This guy wants me to buy him drinks."
"Ahem! Moving on, moving on!" Venti swiftly redirected the conversation, turning earnestly to Aether.
"Traveler, once you continue your journey, please remember the meaning behind it. The birds, poetry, cities, the Tsaritsa, Fatui, and even monsters—they're all part of your path. Reaching your destination doesn't mean everything ends. Before you arrive, open your eyes and truly experience this world!"
"Venti..." Aether murmured thoughtfully.
Jiang Bai sensed deeper meaning behind Venti's words, though perhaps it didn't apply to him.
If Aether was the Traveler of this world, then what about me?
What exactly am I? Even I don't know…
Venti blinked cheerfully. "That concludes the Archon's solemn advice. Now it's Venti time! If you have anything else to chat about, better do it now. Bards don't stick around in one spot forever, you know."
Aether shook his head. He'd already asked everything important. He could always ask more later.
"It's still early—why not stay in Mondstadt a bit longer? If you want to see the Geo Archon, you'll have to wait until Liyue's Rite of Descension. That's when the Geo Archon appears to guide the nation's future for the coming year. There's still plenty of time until then."
"Mm-hmm! We still need to find Kaeya. He promised to treat us to Sticky Honey Roast, but hasn't kept his promise yet!" At the thought of the meal, Paimon's appetite instantly flared up.
"Then go on, off with you!"
Aether glanced at Jiang Bai. "What about you? Planning to rest here in Mondstadt?"
Jiang Bai pointed at the unreliable god next to him. "You don't need to worry about me—this guy will take responsibility."
Aether still looked hesitant. Venti didn't exactly inspire confidence as a caretaker.
"Stop looking at me like you're leaving me with a child," Jiang Bai waved him off impatiently. "At least he's still a god."
Aether sighed. "Alright, we'll get going then."
"Take care, and remember to pay me back next time we meet!"
Hearing the word "pay," Aether nearly stumbled after two steps, then fled hastily.
They hadn't been paid by Jean yet. Currently penniless, they really couldn't afford to pay Jiang Bai back too.
Stretching lazily, Venti plopped down beside Jiang Bai. The breeze had completely healed his wounds already.
"Alright, my friend, they're gone now. What is it you want to ask?"
Jiang Bai carefully regarded Venti. He was the first god he'd ever met.
Even though this particular Archon shirked his duties, he was still a god who'd existed since Mondstadt's very birth.
Which meant he could answer many questions.
"You've probably figured out that I have amnesia. I don't know who I am or where I came from." Jiang Bai raised both hands—Geo energy condensed in one, Anemo in the other. "Considering my abilities, I'm guessing I'm not originally from Teyvat either?"
Though his earlier conversation with Zhongli had already nearly confirmed this suspicion, he still wanted to hear it directly from Venti.
Venti nodded. "Indeed. You carry the scent of distant stars—and the Abyss."
"The Abyss?" Jiang Bai frowned slightly. "What exactly do you mean? And what is the Abyss, anyway?"
He remembered Adventurers' Guild receptionist Katheryne often saying, "Ad Astra Abyssosque!"—"To the Stars and the Abyss!"—but he'd never actually understood what or where the Abyss was.
"The Abyss exists at the weakened borders of Teyvat, yet it can also manifest anywhere within this world," Venti explained solemnly, his carefree demeanor vanishing.
"You carry traces of the Abyss—not heavily, though. Likely, you spent considerable time there."
"Borders? What borders?" Jiang Bai's confusion deepened.
"It's… complicated. It concerns the fundamental nature of Teyvat itself—something you're not yet ready to understand."
"I really hate people who only tell half the story," Jiang Bai muttered irritably, his hand itching to punch someone.
---
Don't question why the Rite of Descension is still a ways off. Plot reasons, obviously!
T/N: Lumine x Jiang Bai... MIGHHT BE TRUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WERE THEY PAST LOVERS