BREATHE // genshin impact.

━━━ ii.

PROLOGUE, part ii:
「 the encounter that changed fate 」

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The desperate cries did not cease. The archon, disguised as an ordinary mortal bard, had plucked the wrong string for the fourth time that very morning.

His eyebrow twitched in slight annoyance, now deciding to put the lyre aside before releasing a sigh. Sat the green-cloaked bard glumly on the humongous tree of Windrise, not once had a small proper performance of his earned him anything, food or mora, nothing, always caught off-guard and distracted by the sudden wails of an infant. And every time he attempted to find the source, whether trees were climbed and stones turned, he could not locate it. In rare moments, it would come to a halt, but only for it to quickly resume to its usual crying, giving Venti's poor ears no rest. When will it stop?

In all honesty, it was haunting. The cries of someone, or something. And how he was unable to do anything about it, whether to help or soothe it. He was as clueless as he could be as he did not expect to encounter an enigma upon his return.

"Where is it even coming from?" he muttered to himself. He thought about it for a second whilst the crying played in the background like an exasperating never-ending tune, before he simply gave up, nothing coming up to his mind. Letting out an irked yell, his back leaned unto nothing and his body fell from the branch he sat on.

With a silent command, the currents that carried translucent feathers caught him in midair before any harm could happen to him, flipping his upside-down body as he was gently brought back to the ground.

What he didn't realize was a kid, no older than three, perched nearby on one of the tree's exposed roots and had witnessed the phenomenon before him. Only when Venti's eyes met with this child's curious, widened blue eyes did the bard notice who was watching him. But he remained calm, simply displaying a smile with a finger positioned in front of his lips, indicating that it would be their little secret. The small one, in awe, mimicked his actions—bringing his small chubby finger close to his mouth, responding with a keen nod that the bard was pleased at.

What was a child doing out here?

"Are you lost, young boy?" Venti questioned, earnestly. The dangers this world could offer are no match for someone as young as him, if he was truly alone then the bard was willing, out of concern, to guide the child back to his family.

The boy shook his head and pointed to a direction behind the huge tree. The bard could not see what he was pointing to from his current position, so he took a couple of steps forward until he was standing next to the child, finally catching sight of a large group of people by the stream. Venti could tell in an instant that most of them were not citizens of his nation. Their skin colors ranged from that of a strong brown trunk to a pale baking dough, clothing which he recognized were from other neighboring nations, and unique accents that he could make out even from a distance.

"An interesting assortment of people... now that's something you don't see every day. A traveling group, perhaps?" Venti's attention now shifted back to the youngster near him, who stared right back at him in interest. Between him and the child, their complexions contrasted, with the kid having a tanned skin tone, similar to a cuihua wood's inner bark. The archon was not one to judge, especially visitors from afar. And this child was a wonder, with freckles having to decorate from his cheeks and to his nose like twinkling stars. "The winds welcome you to Mondstadt, little one," he greeted.

The boy tilted his head, peering at the green-cloaked stranger in confusion before shaking his head wildly. His tiny hand patted his chest before pointing at himself, "... Khufu. Not little one."

"Is that so? Then it's a pleasure meeting you, Khufu," Venti chuckled amusedly when the child nodded, content that his actual name was spoken. "To the people in these lands I meet, I am a bard in the name of Venti. A tune or two as long as there's a treat, but can go on with songs aplenty."

It was, what it appeared to the Archon, a child struggling to comprehend the many words that pieced each other in Venti's introduction. Perhaps he made it too difficult for them,  understanding a single word just seemed rather easier for a toddler. In spite of that, this was a smart one, because he had at least picked up the stranger's name in the middle of everything.

"Bentu-i? Tin? Ven-tin?" Khufu tried, it was just on the tip of his tongue. "Venti. Venti!"

What a sight. The deity of wind found himself in quite a surprise, he had forgotten the sound of innocence, a pure giggle out of a simple accomplishment, and for Khufu's case, of uttering someone's name. It was then decided. Soon but surely, a ditty would be sung and carried through the winds, a little of something from this precious moment.

The crying of a baby was almost long forgotten, just almost, his perceptible ears could still perceive such an unfathomable sound. Though this time, it sounded puzzlingly louder than usual. Venti hesitantly paid it no mind, already having to understand how the cries were directed to him and could only be heard by him, but he was yet to understand why. Not one of his audience or any mortal being he came across this morning had heard anything peculiar, which left the mystery all to his own. And so, he chose to focus on the child beside him instead, who had formed a frown, an immediate and odd change from the wide smile he had before.

"Oh, what's wrong? Think my name's funny?" Said the green-cloaked bard in a joking tone, attempting to bring back the kid's bright demeanor. But Khufu glanced down, suddenly looking to be nervous and reluctant. What had happened?

The child whispered, "Crying. Again. But more loud."

Venti's full attention was now on the youngster, eyes widened to an extent of shock. And all along had he thought it was only him, but someone else could hear it as well? The archon scrutinized Khufu once again, only this time, with an elemental sight. Mortals of a few were also able to do such a thing, usually those who were blessed by visions, however, he was a divine being, he could see more to what they could not. And sure enough, an aura of sorts was discerned, one that Venti swore felt familiar. Unfortunately, his mind could not recognize it nor remember where he knew it was from.

"You... you can hear it?" Venti couldn't help it, how his tone came out wary, but it felt dubious. This whole mystery was dubious, and it only continued to puzzle him. But what he did not anticipate was how the child had nodded in response and raised his small finger once again, pointing at a particular direction.

Khufu pointed at a mountain. A place the Archon of Anemo had least expected.

Dragonspine.

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