Genshin: Aether Oneshots

A Blessing's Curse Pt.1

Atop this mountain, she could see everything. From the fluttering crystal flies dancing across the frigid air to the struggling researchers at the edge of Dragonspine's geographical boundaries. Ironic as it was, it was her vision that gave her this ability. The glowing item was a gift of power to assist with her ambitions. A gift she never asked for.

Solely because of this gift, she remained here alone atop the highest peak. She watched the hilichurls mingle with one another in relative peace. Adventures were usually too busy trying to survive than bother them. She kept an eye on those same adventures who risked their lives for the prospects of glory or merely because they were insane. Others ventured into the unforgiving cold to help those who wanted to understand the world. Those like that strange alchemist that so often spent his time in Dragonspine.

However, none of them ever went out of their way to find her. None but one. She never forgot his name nor the glow he seemed to bring with him every time he visited. His visits were a somewhat recent occurrence, nearly a year and a few months ago. Whether it was already day or well into the night, he shined brighter than anything she knew. Even brighter than the light of her vision.

She always saw him approaching before he made it to the top of the mountain just to see her, so she waited every time. She'd sit amidst the snow like she was now, and listen for his footsteps. Whenever she heard them, his voice was sure to follow.

"You started a fire this time." His voice held hints of approval. "Where's the blanket I brought you before?"

"Lost it," (y/n) mumbled. She hadn't meant to, but it slipped away in the wind, and she had to chase it down the mountain. When she did actually find it, a pair of snow foxes had been using it. She hadn't had the heart to take it away from them. "Sorry..."

Aether smiled at her. "Here, I brought you another one." He draped the slightly chilled cloth over her shoulders. "I sort of guessed you might need one."

"Thank you," she quietly spoke. She pulled the blanket around her, cherishing the gift as much as she did the last one. She would be certain not to lose it.

Aether sat down in the snow next to her and held his gloved hands towards the fire. It was always comforting to have him nearby. He had startled her when he first appeared to raise the Skyfrost Nail into the air. Ever since then, he had come back keep her company and listen to her rare and brief excerpts from the past.

"What are you looking at today?" Aether asked.

Although it appeared that she was looking at the fire, (y/n)'s vision was shinning brightly and her eyes glowed in a color that matched it. "Foxes," she answered without telling him the reason why. She didn't know what his reaction might be if he found out that she had allowed the foxes to keep his first gift.

"Can I ask you something, (y/n)?" She stopped using her vision and gave him her full attention. He held a bit of uncertainty in his tone, and she didn't like that. "If you could leave Dragonspine and go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?"

(Y/n) immediately looked away from him. Aether her story. At some point she was a regular traveler like himself, someone who had a goal. Then she was given a vision and with it she ended up seeing something that she wasn't meant to see. It hadn't been her fault really. Curiousity had gotten the better of her and she was merely punished for it. Staying in Dragonspine was for everyone else's safety, not hers. Her curse would only worsen without the cold to keep it in check.

"The only place I'd realistically be able to visit would be Snezhnaya."

Aether shook his head. "But that's not where you'd want to go though, is it?"

"Not really, not now." She didn't hate the blankets of snow that surrounded her. Sometimes the frosted over trees and deadly cliffs made a beautiful dreamlike scene when the sun shined its brightest. It felt like that whenever Aether visited as well. "Anywhere with vibrant colors and plants. I think I'd like a place like that. Where it's warm enough to feel the heat, but not enough to be a bother. Sounds too good to be true though." She paused and looked over to Aether in realization. "You've been to places like that, haven't you. What are they like?"

"They're just like you're describing them. In Liyue, there are mountain tops that stretch up towards the sky. Flowers grow right out of the rocks even from that high up. Inazuma has trees like any I've ever seen. Some of them glow, others bloom, and some of them change colors with the seasons. And the place I'm going to next is Sumeru. I don't really know what it's like there, but from afar, it looks full of life."

(Y/n) found herself smiling at the thought of Aether exploring these places. She could imagine how his radiance would affect each of the landscapes he described. If only she could see them herself.

"I will find a way to take you there." He gave her a determined look. "Not just to Sumeru, but to Liyue, Inazuma, and the rest of Mondstadt too. I have a friend that's trying to help make a special medicine for you."

"People have tried that before, Aether." But she didn't bother to tell him that. She'd rather him stare at her with that confidence believing he could somehow save her. It gave her a spark of hope, and she wouldn't purposely put out the flame it ignited.

"Hm? What?" Aether paused and tilted his head. (Y/n)'s quickly banished her smile back to her imagination and shook her head.

"Nothing. I like your stories. You should tell me about your travels more often." She didn't ever have much of anything to share anyway.

"Why not start now?" he offered. (Y/n) felt no reason to decline m, so she listened. She heard the details of the misunderstood dragon amd his wine loving friend. She learned of the adepti and their desire to protect their homeland. She even heard about the tyrant who threw a tantrum and was ultimately defeated by the power of friendship. They were all very different and interesting tales that had her wondering to herself whether or not she really could really visit those places herself.
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Part two is right around the corner! Until next time you excellent readers!