Music to my Ears [(Y/n) x Venti]

Chapter 28

"(Y/n)?"

I couldn't snap out of it. All I saw was destruction and ruination as the place I had called home crumbled all over again.

"(Y/n)!"

I felt hot tears run down my face, before icing over with the cool breeze. The jewel still shone in my vision, bringing me back to a time I so desperately wanted to forget.

It's all your fault. Make up for your sins and redeem your people. Don't you see? They cry to you now...

I took in a sharp breath as hands wrapped themselves around me. Warm. Comforting.

"Venti?" I called with a voice so small I could barely hear it.

"I'm here..." he said, rubbing my back and holding me firmly.

I counted. Once. Twice. Slowly, my ragged breaths evened out. My vision cleared. I breathed deeply through my nose and let the wind brush against my cold face.

I was here, in the present. Not at Khaenr'iah's destruction. Not with my parents. Not in danger.

  I didn't protest as the bard coaxed me into sitting down, right there on the edge of the harbor. Dazzling water lapped at the edges and noisy gills circled its deep body. Fishermen and sailors busily prepped their boats and unloaded crates. No one had noticed my manic behavior.

  I raked a hand through my hair as a sigh escaped my lips. What is going on with me? I couldn't help the tinge of worry that formed in my chest. I had never experienced anything like this before. And for a second time...

"You alright?" A quiet voice asked.

I nodded, my mouth dry as sandpaper. The truth was, I didn't know myself. I knew something was terribly wrong. It felt like I was being slowly poisoned.

"Why don't we-" he stopped, spotting a white flash on the ground. "What's this?"

My heart stopped as he held up an elaborate envelope with a wax seal I knew all too well.

  "No, don't touch that!" The words escaped my mouth before I could make sense of them.
Panicking, I snatched the letter from his hand and violently threw it onto the floor, stomping on it until it felt like it could no longe hurt me; like the words inside couldn't get to me and didn't have to power to send my heartbeat into a flurry.

  "(Y/n)?" Venti said, calm and collected. "Is that the Abyss Order?"

  I didn't question how he knew. I couldn't. Not when I was hiding and he was now aware or that. Not when those jade eyes looked at me with confusion: with quiet beckoning for me to continue. Not when I knew, deep within myself, that I could never bring myself to.

  I snatched the envelope, smudged and crinkled, and left. I didn't know what else to do. My feet trampled everything in my path as the frantic beat of my heart ushered me on. When I heard Venti's panicked cries, I sped up. Crowds whizzed past me as I staggered on, dizzy from the way my mind spun. I only knew one place to go.

The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Beneath the shade of the building, a brunette was busy arranging its bulletin board.

"Where's Zhongli?" I asked, eyes wild and searching as I tapped her on the shoulder.

  "Pardon?"

  "Zhongli...I need to find him."

  "He's out right now, but I can let you know when he gets back. Until then I can interest you in a limited time deal-"

  "I'm his friend and I really need to see him right now."

  The girl raised an eyebrow, taking me in. Her umber eyes searched me up and down until they dinged wide open.

  "You must be (Y/n)! Zhongli's told me about you!" She smiled slyly.

  "He has?" I asked, really taking her in for the first time.

  "Yep! Of course he told me about the guests staying under my funeral parlor's roof!" She leaned in closer, winking. "Anyway, he's all the way in Jueyun Karst. You'll catch him making his way there if you're lucky."

  "Wait." I paused, studying her attire. "Are you by any chance-"

  "Director Hu Tao at your service. But pleased, save the pleasantries. I know you're in a rush."

  "I- thank you so mu-"

  "Go now! You'd better hurry!" She shooed me away, chuckling as if I was the most amusing person in the world. "Come say your thanks after you find him!"

-
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  A cool breeze rippled through the air, chilling the sweat on my brow. Just ten minutes of jogging and I was already exhausted. My joints ached and my muscles burned with overuse. I let out a raggedy breath as I slowed down.

  "Zhongli!" I called, my voice echoing in the golden wind.

  He turned around and gasped, seeing me slouched over and out of breath. I heard his brisk footsteps my way.

  "(Y/n)? What happened? Is everything okay?" He asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and bringing me to a nearby boulder shaded by the arms of a tree.

  "Something's wrong with me!" I cried out, still gasping for air. "I was just out with Venti and he-he bought me a necklace and..."

  "Calm down." Zhongli murmured, stroking my hair. "Take a deep breath."

  "I've been seeing things. I know I sound crazy and maybe I am but-"

  "You're not crazy, (Y/n). You say you've been 'seeing things'?"

  "This is the second time it's happened, but I'm scared about what this means for me..."

  I gulped and rushed into an explanation of the first time I saw something, when I was traveling with Venti to Liyue. I told him of the hilichurl and his human face and his accusations that cut as deep as a double-edged sword. I told him of how every time I get another letter, I feel more guilt and fear press on me. And I told him of today, of how all these memories kept coming back and taking over my mind.

  "(Y/n), I think these 'things' you keep seeing were sent from the abyss. Somehow, you came into contact with their magic, striking a connection and opening a doorway for them to be able to play with your mind." Zhongli began, then furrowed his brows as if in realization. "(Y/n)...I think they're trying to manipulate you into joining them."

Authors Note:
I know I haven't published in a while and I apologize for that but my schedule has been extra crowded lately. Truthfully, I'm thinking of rewriting this book once I finish the storyline and combining it with the prologue so that it's less confusing. I also have some grammatical errors and plot mistakes I need to correct. Hopefully, that can happen pretty soon!
Also, Happy Early Easter! See you in my next update!