What is mine, stays mine.

Rite Of Descension

He doesn't know how long it has been since he last saw Lumine. But maybe this time... he could at least find a trace of her. Aether was hopeful as he walked through the streets of Liyue with his floating companion.

"If you want to find the Geo Archon, this is the only chance you will get all year," Paimon said, this was an important opportunity for them. One that they could not miss out on. "Guess it is a good thing that Venti brought it up earlier, otherwise we'd have missed this year's Rite of Descension."

"Do you know when it is?" Aether questioned, an eyebrow raised. He asked, despite knowing exactly what the answer will be.

Paimon chuckles nervously and averts her eyes to the food stalls, "Uh... It might be today, or it might be tomorrow..."

"Look, we are already in Liyue so let's ask some locals!" Aether is about to sigh, this was going to take forever now... "Oh, also, about the Geo Archon 'Morax'... Did you know? The mora we use is named after this God! But it is seen as impolite for foreigners to refer to the Geo Archon by that name. So, we should refer to them as Rex Lapis, as the people of Liyue do." The two ventured out to the streets of Liyue, talking to locals and asking them about the Rite of Descension.

"The Rite of Descension... That reminds me, isn't it today? Once a year, Rex Lapis bestows upon us his divine prediction, guiding us on how to run Liyue for the coming year. Last year it was the Yugeng of Liyue Qixing that was given the honour of asking for divine prediction..." Linglang, a local they met on their way says.

"Liyue Qixing?" Aether questions, not knowledgable on the customs of Liyue.

"Ooh! Paimon knows this one!" Paimon declares proudly and begins explaining. "Mondstadt is to freedom as Liyue is to contracts. Liyue has a strong focus on business and trade. The Liyue Qixing, the seven leaders of the seven enterprises of Liyue, hold control over Liyue."

"That is what an outlander would say." Linglang frowns, a bit offended. "But true control over Liyue will always be held by Rex Lapis. The Qixing is merely compromised of mortals. Rex Lapis is a god! Mondstadt's god is nowhere to be seen, whilst our god is forever with us. Stay long enough in Liyue and you'll see. Given you just left your godless city, its time you experiences what it's like to be in a city whose god has walked with it for all of its history." She seems very proud to be a citizen of Liyue and a believer of Rex Lapis but to Aether, she just sounds like she is mocking the people of Mondstadt and Venti, which he frowns at deeply. Mondstadt was a great city and they met a lot of lovely people there. To mock them just because what they desire is freedom... that is not right.

They talk to a few more locals. Though the majority is quite nice, Aether still feels a bit salty over that one encounter. Even so, they go along with their way and eventually find out that the Rite of Descension will take place at Yujing Terrace, to the high ground.

After trying to climb up the walls to get there and getting a few weird glances from the locals, Aether and Paimon finally reach the high ground.

"Paimon heard that the best time to make a wish is today, during the Rite of Descension! Would you like to give it a try Aether?" Paimon says, floating.

"A wish, huh..." Aether murmurs, his mind wandering off again, a feeling of sadness settling deep within his heart. Lumine... where is she now? Approaching the censer, the two draw the attention of a woman named Changshun.

"Oh, you want a little Adepti luck too?" She chuckles cheerfully, "Seems you know a lot! Making a wish during this time is sure to get you the blessings of the Adepti and even Rex Lapis himself. I've already made my wish, so please go ahead!"

"Thank you!" Paimon beams at the woman.

I wish I could find my sister soon... is the only thought in his mind. There is nothing else he could wish for, after all. Even if he had all the power and the riches of this world, Aether would still pick Lumine over them all. Aether places his hand on his chest and closes his eyes. The image of Lumine smiling among those flowers she loved so dearly flashes before him but Aether pushes the warm tears that threaten to fall back. No, he would not cry now, that would make Lumine sad, too. The censer lights up and the two had now made their wishes.