Fugitive of Inazuma (Genshin Impact)

❀ III ❀

A/N: This is one of those chapters I feel that's kinda...eh. It's not that great, but maybe someone will enjoy it. Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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Izanami was flabbergasted to say the least. A complete stranger knew her name. "How do you know me?"

The boy smiled. "Venti told me about a girl who lives in Liyue who has fox ears and tail. He described you quite well, but I never expected to meet you this far from Liyue Harbor."

"Venti...?" She mumbled to herself. Then, she remembered who that was. It was the name the Anemo Archon called himself. "You know Lord Barbatos?"

"Yeah," he replied, his smile vanishing. "He told me about what happened to you. I can't even imagine what it's like to be threatened by the people that once loved you..."

"I see..." She muttered. She wasn't bothered by Venti telling others about her backstory, but she wanted him to be more careful. If the wrong person heard, her happy life in Liyue would vanish overnight. "What brings you to Liyue, Traveler?"

The boy bashfully rubbed the back of his neck. "We got a little lost on our way to the city."

"We?"

Just then, a small fairy-like girl appeared out of thin air. She wore a brilliant smile as she hovered beside the blonde. "Paimon told you we were lost!"

"I know," he groaned.

"I know Liyue pretty well," Izanami spoke up. "I can take you to Liyue Harbor if you'd like."

Paimon's eyes glistened with joy. "We would love some help!"

The blonde boy nodded in agreement. "It would be nice to know where we're going. I'm Aether, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you, Izanami."

"It truly is wonderful to meet you, Aether. I've heard of a tale about a traveler with blonde hair who helped Mondstadt. You must be him."

"They didn't mention Paimon?" The fairy asked with a pout.

The shinigami giggled. "They did mention the traveler having a wonderful companion."

Paimon smiled with rosy cheeks. 

"The trek to Liyue Harbor from here is quite treacherous and long. It'll take a couple days by foot," Izanami explained. "But I do know a quicker way to the city that could get us there in a couple of hours."

"Really?" Aether's eyes widen in curiosity.

"That is if you don't mind a bumpy ride."

"We need to make it to the city before the Rite of Descension. The quicker we get to the city, the better. I can handle anything."

Izanami looked away, having forgotten completely about the Rite of Descension. It was a few days away. She heard many people talking about it when she went to Liyue Harbor earlier, but she dismissed it. Knowing Zhongli planned to fake his death during the rite, she didn't particularly care about it. The ex-archon would be "dead" to the people of Liyue in a few days. She didn't agree nor disagree with his plan and decided not to say anything. "Why are you in a rush?"

"I must speak to the Geo Archon before he disappears again. It's really important," Aether replied, clenching his fists tightly.

The shinigami bit her bottom lip. It would be difficult for him to speak to Morax since said archon would be "dead" and she couldn't tell him about Zhongli. Either way, she wanted to help him and didn't pry. "I understand. I will take you to Liyue Harbor." Walking out into the middle of the shallow river, she checked the area around her to ensure there was enough room. When she was in the clear, she transformed into her fox form. Her nine tails flared outward as she stretched them.