A New Harbinger [Rewrite]

Chapter 3 - Tsaritsa

  Shnezneya was.. Cold. A lot colder than what Aether expected. In all fairness, he went from the warmth of Liyue harbor, to the frozen nation of cryo. He tightened Tartaglia's jacket around his body.

  "I told you it would be cold, comrade. But you didn't listen."

  Tartaglia laughed at Aether. He dragged Aether off to a clothes store. Spending an unreasonable amount of mora on a new outfit for the traveler. Aether insisted on keeping it cheap, but Tartaglia was a force that couldn't be stopped.

  Even still, Aether found Tartaglia's coat comfortable. So, against Tartaglia's requests, he kept it. But the other didn't seem to protest.

  There had been a message sent beforehand. That they were coming for a visit. But it wasn't specified exactly who Tartaglia managed to rope into joining them. So the other's reaction to Aether was going to be a surprise.

  The snow crunched beneath their feet. Snowflakes decorated Aether's hair as they walked. The blond traveler making a mental note to visit the nearest statue of the seven to resonate with cryo later. But soon enough, Tartaglia pushed open the large metal doors to Zapolyarny palace, getting the attention of the other ten beings in the hall behind it.

  "Welcome back Childe. You have brought the new recruit to meet us right? Where are they?"

  Aether groaned in irritation. Of course he couldn't be seen behind Tartaglia. He pushed the ginger out of his way, practically glaring daggers.

  To say the other Harbingers looked surprised was an understatement. Even the Tsaritsa corrected her own posture to make sure she was seeing things correctly. She chuckled, sounding nearly ice cold.

  "Well well.. It seems Childe was right when he said we were in for a surprise."

  Tartaglia smiled proudly before taking his own seat next to the rest. The doors shut behind Aether as he walked farther in.

  He knelt down before the Tsaritsa. After all, Aether thought it was the most polite option.

  "Isn't he the same one who attempted to thwart our plans time and time again.. yet failed at the last moment? Why would we need someone like him?"

  One of the harbingers piped up. Aether didn't recognize their voice, but they sounded feminine.

  "He's the reason Rosalyne died. He beat her in a duel. If anything Knave, he's strong."

  Tartaglia retorted quickly. Defending Aether without even a second thought. Internally, Aether smiled. He actually did care about him.

  "Tell me.. What's your name?"

  The Tsaritsa spoke up again. Aether looked up at her, his eyes looking dead and gloomy. A few of the Harbingers tensed up. The rumors always referred to Aether as a happy, optimistic person. Yet the one before them, was everything but.

  "Aether. My name is Aether your Highness."

  The Tsaritsa lazily nodded. She gestured for Tartaglia to step forward.

  "I'm sure you've already been told. But I want to survey your strength. Childe, since you brought him here and fought him before, it only seems fair that you should be the one he duels."

  With that, the other Harbingers stood up and went to stand next to the Tsaritsa's throne. Aether Rose to his feet, summoning his sword to his aid. He was rather lucky Paimon wasn't awake when he grabbed it before leaving for the frozen kingdom.

  Childe stood across the room from him. Stretching out his arms with a wide grin. The ginger quickly took up his own weapon, a hydro polearm.

  "Since this is a simple duel, the use of fowl legacy won't be needed. But don't take this as me going easy on you Traveler."

  Aether nodded curtly. He quickly took his stance and waited for permission to begin.

  "You have one rule. Don't kill each other."

  Aether rolled his eyes. It was a duel, of course they wern't going to maim each other. Well, Aether wasn't planning on maiming anyone at least. Tartaglia on the other hand, well, he looked reasonably disappointed.

  "Begin."

  Aether jumped out of the way quickly, dodging Tartaglia's first attack. He channeled electro energy into his blade and slammed it into the ground. Sending electrical energy flying at Childe's feet.

  The ginger dodged, charging at Aether once again. Aether quickly channeled Anemo to knock Childe away from him.

  "This sure brings back memories eh?"

  Aether didn't respond. Taking a hit from Tartaglia's hydro swords and retaliating with another Anemo attack. The Tsaritsa watching with great interest.

  Childe quickly ran behind the traveler. Aether looked around the room, panicking. At the last moment he heard Tartaglia's footsteps and quickly turned around. Using Geo to form a last minute shield to deflect the attack.

  Dendro energy overtook the Geo shield and unleashed vines onto his opponent. But Tartaglia easily cut them down.

  "Stop. I've Seen enough."

  The two froze in place. Their attention diverted to the Tsaritsa, who prematurely cut their duel short. Aether sheathed his sword, letting down his guard again.

  "How is it that you can use multiple elements, without a vision? Just what are you, Aether?"

  "I am not from this world, your Highness. While I don't know why, I can resonate with the elemental energy of this world, and manipulate its elements to my advantage."

  The Tsaritsa smiled, standing up from her throne. She walked down to stand before Aether herself. Her heels clacking against the tiled floor.

  "In that case.. What reason do I have to not accept you as a new harbinger? Normally you would be a regular agent, but, with your power in hand, it would be a waste to force you to climb the ranks."

  Aether smiled proudly. Childe hugged him from the side, looking at him with pride.

  "Welcome to the Fatui, Aether. You will not have rankings among the harbingers, instead, we will refer to you as Unknown. The silent Harbinger. I hope you understand why we cannot publicly announce you as such. You are not to be known among our ranks by anyone not presently in this room."

  Aether nodded. He looked behind her to view the other harbingers. Who all nodded silently. Each processing the arrival of their newest member.

  "Everyone is dismissed. I will send Childe a message when you receive your first mission."

  She said coldly. Aether nodded, looking up at Tartaglia. The dawn of a new era had begun. This time, he would get his way.

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  Word count; 1,061