A New Harbinger [Rewrite]

Chapter 1 - Stranger

  The sun was setting on the horizon. Aether groaned in frustration. Paimon had been complaining all day about this stupid commission.

  "This is taking forever! I say we give up and head back to Wanmin Restaurant."

  Aether glared at Paimon from the corner of his eye. She was still hungry. He nearly spent all his mora feeding her. Aether was getting sick of it. But he didn't do a thing. Paimon was all he had left.

  "Just be Patient okay? We're bound to find them soon. After all, we've nearly searched the entire harbor."

  He huffed. Aether glanced around, his eyes landing on a stack of boxes. One of them was tipped over to the side. He squinted, looking at the box closely.

  The tip of a Snow White tail poked out from the box. Aether physically brightened. He quietly snuck up and scooped the cat out of the box and into his arms.

  "Found them Paimon. Let's get you back to your family."

  Paimon floated in front of Aether as they walked. Holding the commission paper and reading the details aloud.

  The pair stopped to check the map. Right before a woman's shrill scream pierced Aether's ears. He turned around to see a lady running up to him, looking overjoyed.

  "My baby! You found him!"

  The woman took the cat from Aether's arms. Hugging it and giving it kisses on its forehead. The golden haired traveler grabbed Paimon and covered her eyes. She didn't need to see it.

  She handed over his reward after thanking Aether voraciously. He smiled again, Paimon talking for him like always.

  As she left, Aether's smile dropped. He yawned again, looking over to the sunset. Then back at Paimon. He needed a break from her.

  "Paimon. I'm going to take a walk for a while. I'll be back later. Wait for me at Wangshu Inn okay?"

  He didn't wait for a response. Turning away and walking off from his floating companion. Letting his thoughts wander.

  He soon found himself standing at the same place where the Rite of Dissension took place. Aether's face dimmed. Even though the events were so long ago, they were crystal clear in his mind. Back then he held no anguish against Teyvat. He had no reason too.. and yet now..

  "..Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world."

  He mumbled to himself. The words Lumine had said laid in the back of his mind. Bubbling back up every single time he was left with his thoughts. What did she mean?

  "True nature of this world? Why Lumine? Why did you leave me, for them?"

  His voice was bitter. Tears running down Aether's cheeks. His hands clenched into fists. Angry would be a good word for it. He was angry.

  Angry that Lumine abandoned him. That she left him there, without showing an ounce of love. What was she hiding from him? What did she know that he didn't..

  It hurt so much. Aether didn't know how to describe it. He looked up at the darkening sky. The stars slowly coming to life above them. Standing there, silently crying for family that left him behind.

  "You look exhausted. Had a bad day?"

  The voice resounded behind him. Aether jumped, drawing his sword and turning around. A hooded figure was behind him. Their face concealed by the shadow cast over it. They laughed and walked up to the golden boy.

  "No need to draw weapons. I'm simply here for a chat. And maybe, to help you out."

 Aether glared at them. Put sheathed his sword. He rolled his eyes and turned back around. Too tired to be polite.

  "I don't need your help. Im fine."

  The figure laughed again. They stood next to Aether, looking at the sky as well.

  "You don't look fine."

  Aether glared at the from the corner of his eyes. Biting his tongue and staying quiet. The figure shook their head.

  "You'll never get anywhere if you don't stand up for yourself. Eventually your fuse will reach its end, and you'll burst. Your emotions won't be able to stay bottled up forever."

  They laughed again. Though it was more like a chuckle. It reached up and grasped Aether's shoulder. The other jumping, still on guard.

  Aether reached for the hilt of his blade again. Looking at the other warily. They felt off, something wasn't right about them. Yet the other's voice was familiar all at the same time.

  "I can help you know. Give you an out. But only if you'll take it."

  Aether's mind was running rampant with suspicions. This almost felt too good to be true. Nobody had ever offered to help him instead. He didn't believe it.

  "Of course. It's your choice whether to believe me or not. But, if you're interested.. I'll be at Northland Bank tomorrow."

  With that. They let go of Aether's shoulder and began walking away. He stood there, frozen in thought for a minute.

  Then it occurred to him, he forgot to ask for their name. Aether turned around.

  "Wait! I didn't ask for your-"

  But, they were gone. He stared at the staircase. No sign of the other person. Aether sighed in frustration, he was too late.

  With that, he began walking back to Wangshu Inn. The encounter played over and over in his mind. The offer sounded tempting. But he didn't even know what it was yet.

  As he stood in the elevator, Aether looked across the land of Liyue.

  "What have they ever done in return for me.."

  His voice was hollow. Exhaustion clouded his mind once again. The elevator stopped, and Aether pushed everything to the back of his mind to rot with his concerns about Lumine. There was nothing to worry about, he told himself. All he needed to do was find Lumine and they could move on from this cursed world.

  At least.. that's what he tried to convince himself. The person's voice rang out in his head again.

  "I can help.. Give you an out.. But only if you take it."

  It was so tempting. To escape from the life he was currently living. The palm of Aether's hand rested on the door. With a heavy heart, he pushed it open.

  "Guess I'll see what they're all about tomorrow.."

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Word count; 1,061