NOCTURN BRIDE • genshin Impact | ✓

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

no words were exchanged as silence threaded across the atmosphere. though, the sound of both of their hearts dancing and thumping in irregular rhythms; similarly to a beat of a waltz, proved that time was still running. that time was still present and every second was ticking away.

"barbatos, please let go." letting out a subtle sigh, the apostle's slender finger caressed the bard's head. a gentle yet unmeaningful touch; a cold touch that told him enough, that she was no longer living, and that she was no longer alive because of him. "there are others i need to meet."

"then, take me with you!" barbatos let out a cry. though it was a slight optimistic request, he could not bare the thought of the apostle meeting someone other than him. it was too absurd. "i promise i won't be a burden! i will be your loyal messenger, or even-"

"enough." a stern voice strummed throughout the tranquil ambience. rather than a statement, it was more of a command. asserting her authority of power, the apostle would be damned if he were to follow her. her possession with an obsession over her; not that she hated it, in fact, it was ideal! though, it did become bothersome at times. "i will not repeat myself once more barbatos."

"then will you come back once more?"

"of course! how could i ever abandon you?" a sudden change of tone — from a stoic and ungentle one, it became tender. sickly sweet, it was too sweet. the kind of sweet that'd make his stomach churn and twist in knots of butterflies, the sweet that would act like a sort of sedative drug. "i'm not like you barbatos... i would never leave a poor soul alone."

because in the end, she wanted to witness chaos and catastrophe in teyvat.

"promise?" almost as if he were a little kid, barbatos lifted up his pinky finger, a gesture of keeping a mutual agreement. "you'll come back and see me..."

the apostle didn't respond to his request, an indefinite yes nor no. though, she her vixen pair of eyes glowed illuminatingly. a wavering tide of emotions came crashing as her lips parted, uttering a line before her presence faded into nothing but mere flakes of winter.

"i'd rather die countless of times."

it was cold. just like how her response was to barbatos; somewhat of a final farewell, not like it was. her truly grand finale would occur in the eyes of everyone, for it would be a tale that would make her live on. her legacy as the "evil apostle" that'd brutally slaughter the folklores that kids admire and look up too.

"now, that was a harsh farewell wasn't it?"

turning her head around, the apostle was greeted, none other by her playmate — someone who held a mischievous personality like her — unpredictable, like the storm.

"not the worse." batting her eyelids innocently, the apostle tucked strands of her hair behind her ear. "better than a wordless one, it's the least i could do."

"was it worth it?" scaramouche asked. with his playful grin, he couldn't help but let out a manic-like laughter. he wasn't stupid not to know, asking such a question: "was it worth it". it was more of a "was what worth it"; the fact the apostle had threw away her emotions, simply because of revenge? or the fact she couldn't control herself for she was under celestia's control. maybe the way she detested how twisted and weak mortals were — she didn't want others to be like her — to go through such agony and pain. "he must be deeply hurt."

until now, the apostle is still a weak being. and she will always be. if one were to ask her once, she will be certain. twice, she falters. and any more, she doubts.

and the question of worth, was a question she simply could not answer.

"soon." with a gentle sigh, the apostle's hand fumbled through strands of her hair. she saw her breath condensate into mist in the cold atmosphere, admiring the way it diffused into the cloud of smog. in the past, she was worth loving. but now, she is worth suffering for. "it will be all worth it soon."

"hah! how amusing... though your words are true." pulling the apostle closer to him — with their faces only mere inches away — he couldn't help but admire the scent that the apostle emitted. it was... alluring. like a sort of love spell casted upon her that'd make others fawn over her unconditionally. "if you may, allow me to satisfy my curiosity?"

"hm~ whatever could this almighty scaramouche would desire?" letting out a tease, the apostle bit the nib of her peach tinted lip, staring back into the depths of his lilac eyes. "my body? or perhaps my knowledge regarding teyvat."

"and if i were to say both?" notoriously, he lifted his hand that held onto the apostle's hips; viscously, not wanting to let go. his fingers curled, gripping onto it tighter, almost as if he were marking his territory. his face leaned forward, closer into her ear as the apostle could feel his breath clash across her skin. "what would you do about it?"

"nothing i suppose~ you aren't that bold." the apostle gave a haughty laugh, before retracting away from his embrace. "so, what do you want?"

"you." scaramouche clicked his tongue in annoyance as she refused his embrace. releasing a subtle tsk, before his playful demeanor regained its consciousness once again. "just kidding! anyways, i've come to offer a deal."

"do entertain me." a deal? what could this small lad possibly offer the grand and deity-like apostle? perhaps a few inches of height, or maybe his velvet and exquisite fandango hat. getting amused, the apostle nodded her head, raising her eyebrows, before gesturing him to continue. "go on."

"the fair lady has been reduced into ashes."

"and how is that related to me by any way?" it was a slight surprise for the apostle. she had to acknowledge, signora was not a weak lady; sure she was prideful and narcissistic at times with the arrogant attitude of hers, but her cryo delusion and cursed pyro fires that had made her earn the title of crimson witch of flames. ruthless when it came to offense, but professional when it came to politics. "its not like she's my lover to begin with."

"huh, and i thought the both of you were close to begin with." the balladeer sighed, expressing his sarcastic disappointment before plastering his signature vixen grin onto his lips. "i thought i'd just tell you that before i get to the main point."

"we were nothing more but acquaintances." looking up, the apostle couldn't help but admire the false stars in the sky of teyvat. celestial beings that illuminated in the dark abyssal nights. "anyways, get to the point. i don't have forever in my hands-"

"i have the gnosis."

"what?" there was a quiet and subtle pause, that sounded ever so loud. a piercing ringing of tinnitus as the high pitched buzzing never ceased. the apostle didn't move for a brief moment, too stunned, lips twitching as her fingers tremored. "are you planning to be an archon and-"

"alongside you, yes." a twisted smile could be seen across scaramouche's face. grabbing the apostle's wrist, he leaned his head onto her shoulder, tightening his grip. "i'll make sure you never leave my side."

for he would build a new world for her.

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( CHAPTER XXIII )