Reunited

New beginning

The traveler? Why would the traveler even want to be associated with him? He killed Teppei (This is a guy from Inazuma archon quest btw just in case you forget) and the innocent people.  How could the traveler forgive him after all that? 

"I understand how you must be feeling but I want you to start a new beginning. I have already contacted the traveler to venture Sumeru with you. Maybe you'll find that you and him (Yes, traveler is Aether) are more alike than you thought," Nahida reassured.

With that, he had no other choice but to nod his head obligingly. He had no hopes for this new beginning he was going to experience. He could only think of executing the traveler and running away from Sumeru as far away as possible. This could perpetually solve his problems, couldn't it? 

Putting on his clothes, he examined the bright and turquoise vision that was laid on his bed. Visions are a sign of an ambition. He had no more hope left so what could his ambition even be? He hung the vision near his chest and took a small dagger with him to carry out his deeds. 

"I'll bring you to the traveler now, follow me," Nahida said while leading Scaramouche. His eyes met the dark golden eyes of the traveler. They were filled with not only anger, but also guilt in his eyes. 

He shifted his eyes away from hers before Nahida continued, " I will leave him in the hands of both you and Paimon."

"Paimon doesn't like the idea but if Nahida says so then Paimon is okay with it!" 

In response, the traveler nodded his head.

"Scaramouche, I am so sorry for whatever that had happened to you in the past-" 

"I don't need your pity, traveler. Your pity will only be a distraction to me," he interrupted, showing a look of disdain in his eyes. 

"HEY! show some respect to the traveler y'know..." mumbled the talking, flying fairy beside the traveler.

 "Whatever," he grumbled before rolling his eyes. 

" Anyway..." traveler said before Paimon could say anything offensive. " We will be camping at the Avidya forest for three days. In the meantime, we can get to understand each other's backstories while we head towards our destination."

As much as he didn't like the idea, Scaramouche had no other choice but to nod his head obligingly. 

"I'm Aether and this is my emergency food, Paimon! I'm on a journey to venture all of Teyvet to find my sister," traveler tried his best to say it as amicably as possible. 

"PAIMON'S NOT EMERGENCY FOOD..." the talking, flying fairy answered violently, hitting the traveler. 

"I'm pretty sure you know my name and backstory already," he answered, looking away. 

'Well, Scaramouch isn't really much of a talker, huh?' traveler thought to himself before changing the subject. " How about you share your feelings with us on your backstory and we can give our opinions?" traveler suggested.

Upon hearing the traveler's suggestion, Scaramouche gave a look of disdain before looking away from him. He seems not willing to share his feelings on the matter. After all, human emotions was always a nuisance to both he and his plans.  

After the long awaited silence, the traveler could only assume his response to his question. Bonding with Scaramouche was going to be much tougher than expected.

When they reached their destination, nightfall had already arrived. They set up a camp so that they could have a place to rest for the night.

"Here's some Lambad fish roll, a Sumeru specialty!" the traveler exclaimed before passing the dish to Scaramouche.

The faint floral scent wafted around the atmosphere as Scaramouche dug into the delicious-looking dish.

"Nice...It's delicious. A unique dish indeed," he could not help but compliment.(It is true after all that when the traveler cooks, their dishes are always the best! :D )

"Anyway, I like it," he answered. 

A tinge of nostalgia hit both the the traveler and Paimon on hearing what Scaramouche said. It was almost as if they were experiencing déjà vu, no?  The look on his face softening reminding them of that time when the almighty Raiden Shogun tasted Dango milk for the first time.(Raiden's Shogun story quest chapter 1) Like mother, like son, ehe ;)

"Paimon wants some of the traveler's cooking too!" the flying fairy demanded.

Overwhelmed by the familiar sense of fatigue, both the traveler and Paimon went to sleep while Scaramouche laid awake in bed. Should he carry out his plans of killing the traveler right then and there? Why was he hesitating? 

Ignoring those thoughts that ran through his mind, he took out the dagger from his pocket and aimed the dagger right at the traveler's heart. 

3

2

1

Why was the dagger not going through his heart? Was the traveler that strong? The traveler's grip against the dagger was strong. (I'm sorry for the very cliché moment lol)

"Scaramouche, stop..." the traveler managed to say while concentrating on his grip. 

"Why should I?  In the end, everyone will betray me. I don't need a new beginning. After all, humans, they can't be trusted. I bet you're just like them, even if you're not from this world," he grumbled. 

"Ahhhh" Paimon screamed, surprising Scaramouche, letting down his guard. This gave the traveler a chance to throw the dagger to one side of the tent, pinning Scaramouche to the floor. 

"Let me go," he demanded, fidgeting under the traveler's weight. 

"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT! Paimon was so not ready to wake up seeing the traveler's body. Now, we want answers!" Paimon demanded, putting her hands on her hips. 

"None of your business, Paimon," he grumbled. "Let me go."

Respecting his wishes, the traveler let go of Scaramouche to allow him to calmly explain himself.

"You're a hindrance to both my plans and me. Plus, all of you are just going to betray me. This is just how the world is like. Now that I have failed to kill you, execute me here right now," he huffed.

"Scaramouche,  I'm not going to do that. I will never betray you. I know about your backstory and past. Although you have lost your original purpose to store the gnosis, it doesn't mean you no longer have a new purpose in this world. The view you have of humans was only superficial. As you continue this journey around the world, you'll understand that this world is better than what you have expected," the traveler answered.

"What a lie. I have journeyed through this world. All of them betrayed me. I don't need a new beginning! I don't need to mix around with humans. Nor do they need to mix around with me. Just like what I said, they will only make me experience human emotions again, it is nothing but a nuisance," he argued.

"Then tell me what are the meaning behind those tears in your eyes? Why is it that you are arguing back? Aren't those human emotions?"

Tears? Since when... oh... During his fit of rage, he was unaware of the tears that streamed down his face. Anger and sadness, were they the feelings he was experiencing? 

Covering his eyes, he looked away from the traveler, trying to wipe away the tears from his eyes. 

Looking at the sad and miserable figure in his eyes, the traveler could not help but embrace him with a a hug. "It's okay for you to experience human emotions. This is your new beginning, treasure it..." 

Authors note: Some of the stuff here were a reference from  the story teaser, the divine will and Genshin Lore. Art at the top isn't mine btw( Idk the artist's name, sorry) . Hope you have enjoyed Chapter 2! :)