With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 2: The Crux Fleet

Things are never that easy. Everything comes at a cost. Objectives change and things rarely go his way.

Aether was used to these kind of things, considering that it's happened on numerous adventures.

So it shouldn't have came to a surprise when Beidou wanted him to compete for his "ticket to Inazuma".

Of course the formalities with her were very brief. As a pirate captain, she wastes no time for those.

He couldn't say the same for Kaedehara Kazuha. He was an enigma to Aether. The man was admirable as he spoke with much thought.

A true poet, whose words all flow like a maple leaf in the wind. His very own words are like a poem that sings so vibrantly.

However his manner should not be mistaken for weakness. Dressed in light samurai attire and brandished a katana, which use to belong a close friend.

He seems to be peaceful, yet Aether could see the pain and sorrow that Kazuha has carried. It's woven in the patterns of speech. 

Kazuha and Beidou watched Aether partake in the Crux Fleets little tournament . Despite the immediate skill gap between Aether and the other competitors; although, no disrespect was meant to be thrown towards the vision-less fighters.

This sparked great interest in Kazuha because of his attention to detail.

Kazuha took note that the traveler practiced a great deal of restraint during his many duels. Aether didn't make any lethal blows with his sword or use his harnessed powers of the elements on his opponents.

Since Aether didn't have a vision, it was technically fair game. However; he chose not to.

Kazuha was a lot similar in some ways. He didn't show any excessive force to his opponents. Doing do would unnecessary as well as divulging how strong he is.

This was something he kept in mind even as his friend was slain by the Shogun. Even when he was pursued by her army.

So when someone stole the vision that had no owner Kazuha decided to experiment with the Traveler. How would the Traveler handle this? What was he capable of?

Aether didn't know of Kazuha's test until the thief was apprehended. At which Kazuha was very forgiving with the thief with the exception of some very gruesome threats.

He wasn't after the thief, he was curious of Aether.

Could he who has the ability to control the elements without a vision, also re-activate the vision of Kazuha's fallen friend? 

[Meanwhile in Inazuma...]

A man by the name of Thoma was running very fast uphill towards the Kamisato Estate. Thoma would have wondered why the the run was so painful if not for the one thought that filled his entire mind.

The Traveler is coming.

Everyone knew about the Traveler. Even the people of Inazuma, a country of high solidarity, knew of his great deeds and conquests in Tevyat.

This information was crucial to Thoma and even the princess herself.

Ayaka Kamisato had to know that the he was coming to Inazuma.

He may be the solution to all their problems.

He opened the front doors with immediate  haste, despite that fact such manner lacked any elegance or properness. Surely the princess won't mind after hearing his news.

That and she was polite to boot.

She was startled as Thoma blasted into the room, almost knocking down the sacred screen Ayaka has in place for all those not aquantied with her.

She dropped her tea and raced over to where Thoma was. She was preparing to catch the breathless comrade, in the event that he would fall.

"Thoma! Is something the matter?"

He was keeled over catching his breath so the best he could do was raise a hand from the knee and signifiy to her that he needed a moment for his body to stabilize.

After a long awkward amount of heavy breathing from Thoma, he began to spout his mind to her.

"Malady, I bear excellent news!"

She was still confused as to what news could have been so important that he needed to spend all of his strength to get here.

"I'm sure you are aware of the one who quelled the dragon who was nicknamed 'Stormterror'?"

Ayaka didn't understand why Thoma would bring up such irrelevant topic shortly after notifying her of a much more important issue. But she played along and answered his questions in an attempt to be kind to her friend.

"Well yes. Of course I do Thoma."

"So you are also aware that the same traveler stopped the Fatui and the ancient god Osial from destroying the nation of Liyue?

"Correct, I am aware of this Traveler. Pardon me if this may seem improper or distasteful; but, if I may be so inclined to ask: what is the importance of this Traveler?"

Thoma's face was something of a surprise as a grin from ear to ear was displayed.

"He who saved Monstadt, the City of freedom, and Liyue, the land of contracts, is making way to nation of eternity."

Ayaka's heartbeat accelerated and her face glowed with excitement. In order to maintain her elegance she used her fan to cover her own face from Thoma. At which she would speak from behind.

"Not that I doubt you Thoma, but are you sure of this?"

He nodded his head and revealed a tattered letter to Ayaka.

She gracefully took it from him an examined it's contents. As she read through it her heart began beating even faster.

Captain Beidou along with the legendary samurai Kazuha are bringing The Traveler to Inazuma on the Crux Fleet.

All this time, having Thoma really did pay off. He played the role of being a fixer within Inazuma and established connections outside of their country. It so happened that he managed to get into contact with Beidou shortly after she harbored Kazuha away from Inazuma. It so happens that she made a deal to bring the Traveler to Inazuma, as per his request. 

All this gave Kamisato one thing she never thought she could have.

.

.

.

Hope.