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

Chapter 31

  I was under a canopy of ivory stars. The moon looked massive tonight, fair and milky and closer to me than it should be. It seemed to swallow the sky.

  I heard footsteps. An echo of elegance. As I turned around, I met the gold eyes of a male. Eyes I had met before, though his presence was foreign. A long, blonde braid swayed in the absent wind. A pearly crown glistened on his head. An envelope lay on his open palm.

"What do you think?" He asked with a silken voice. I didn't know if he was referring to the sacred sky before me or his own celestial presence, both of which left me awestruck.

"I don't know what you mean..."

A velvety chuckled escaped his lips, as if pleasantly amused. I heard footsteps as he walked to stand next to me.

"This night sky- you've not seen it in a long time."

I realized he was right. It was too clear and crystalline. Too saturated with color, unlike the static ocean of blue following me all throughout Teyvat. There were too many stars, each twinkling for dominance over the other. They all craved the attention I gave them.

"This is Khaenr'iah..." I whispered softly, bringing my arm up, as if I could brush the canopy of lights in the sky with my splayed fingers.

"It's home, for us both." The male spoke in my ear, his voice like the soft trickle of a stream. "Your people call for you. Take back your name. Your nation. Your identity"

His voice had a pleading sort of power to it. It grasped for me with tendrils of softness and love. It soothed me with affection and intimacy.

"I love my home." I expressed softly, looking into his magnificent eyes. "I love Khaenr'iah."

"Then why do you push it away?" He responded immediately, eyes soft as he played with a strand of my hair. "I want you, (Y/n). Pledge your allegiance to me..."

My heart fluttered at the look he gave me. How long I had waited to be loved like this, to finally have my true home back. I was a Khaenr'iahn. How could I continue to try to run away from something so beautiful, yet oppressed?

"My people suffer." I said with tears in my eyes. They blurred the serene presence in front of me and brought anguish to me heart.

"I promise I will redeem them." The male spoke, gently brushing tears away. "Help me do that." There was that pleading look in his eyes once more. "Just pledge your allegiance..."

I opened my mouth. Then, I closed it.
Something nagged at the back of my mind, holding me back. My mouth was figuratively sewn shut. I couldn't say the words.

"Don't resist me..." he pleaded, running his icy fingers down my cheek. "We can do this together, my mage."

I found my voice. And my mind.

"No!" I pushed the figure away. "You're the Abyss Order. You're him. The One."

"Nothing I said was a lie. And yet, you continue to resist me." He sighed.

His image slowly began to fade, as that of a ghost. I could see the moon's silver glow shining right through him.

"See you soon..."

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I didn't want to believe what I had known all along. (Y/n) was Khaenr'iahn the whole time. Her blood ran dark with Khaenr'iah's curse, and yet...she wasn't affected by it. She wasn't a monster. She wasn't slowly dying as the bane took its toll on her. At least, I didn't think so. I panicked as I took in the possibility.

"Morax, how is that possible?" I murmured, my face nervous and questioning.

"I don't know..." he began, but then his eyes narrowed. "There is a very powerful force at play here. Perhaps even Abyssal magic."

"You could sense it too? It didn't belong to any of the archons, but I thought my powers had grown dull ever since my gnosis was taken. I thought I was mistaken."

"No, you were very right. It's very easily missed, but there is a hint of magic at play that could combat the curse upon them. It's what has kept her and her family alive all this time."

"Morax, we have to get her. If the Abyss Order knows..."

The man sighed, his face conflicted. "Venti, I have a nation to look after. I would love to help, but I'm in the middle of something big. I'm stepping away from my role as Rex Lapis."

I had known for a while now. Morax had discussed the prospect with me the last time we met up. I just didn't think it would come so soon, at such a critical time.

"If I have to do this on my own, I will." I sighed, crossing my arms.

The both of us paused, deep in thought. I could see the desire to help in Morax's eyes, but above that, I saw a loyalty to his people. To his plan for their future.

"I'll tell you what." My friend began, a bit unsure of himself. "Once I take on this human form for good, I won't be needing my gnosis. And I happen to know someone in the business looking for gnoses..."

"No." I said firmly, my heart stinging. Bitterness filled my head as I thought of the Cryo Archon who had stolen what was rightfully mine. I didn't dare admit that sometimes the theft was a blessing in disguise, but I also didn't make a habit out of teaming up with scum.

"She'll be a big help. I heard she has connections everywhere, including the Abyss Order."

"Morax, don't be dense." I snapped at him, shutting down his idea.

He shrugged, as though he knew something I didn't. "If you change your mind, let me know. Unfortunately, this problem with the Abyss Order may be bigger than the both of us."

I sighed, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Alright. Tell me where she is now. I'm going to find her."

"(Y/n)'s on her way to Mondstadt. She's trying to get to a friend by the name of Kaeya."