ᨰׁׅꪱׁׅ꯱ׁׅ֒hׁׅ֮⨍υׁׅᥣׁׅ֪ || 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 𝕀𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕥

【 Sumeru 】

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Aether and Paimon do not waste any more time when arriving to Sumeru, heading straight to see Nahida. [N] on the other hand, spontaneously goes around gushing about various things that instantly took his interest within the Dendro City.

The young child soon manages to draw unwanted attention and slow the traveller down a bit on his haste to quickly go meet up with the god of wisdom. "[N], you're going to have to calm down and lay low. You're drawing wanted attention!" Aether scolds the young boy.

[N] looks over at Aether and blows a raspberry at him before going back to bouncing all over the place and disturbing few citizens passing by. Paimon goes on to chase after and bicker with [N] while Aether only sighs and continues on, ignoring all the questioning gazes directed at them.

A pair of eyes from one of the people in the crowd intensely stares over at Aether and Paimon before drawing their attention to [N].

·＊★＊·

Aether and Paimon usher their why to the Sanctuary of Surasthana and are finally relieved that they managed to make it.

"Wait!" [N] suddenly yelled and the traveller along with his emergency rations look down to the ground to find a pair of blinking eyes filled with worry within Aether's shadow.

"I don't think we should go inside... I-I don't like this place..." [N] stresses with his mouth soon appearing when he starts talking. Paimon and Aether look over at one another in confusion.

"If we don't head in, we won't be able to help free you from this artefact, [N]. Is there a reason why you don't like this place?" Aether asked, curious.

There's a moment of silence.

When [N] was ready to speak, the entrance doors of the Sanctuary open with an echoing creak. [N], Paimon and Aether are startled and turn over to see the Archon of Sumeru herself, standing before them.

"Aether! You have come here at just the right moment! I am in dire need of your help!" Nahida states when stepping forward.

"Talk about a coincidence! We are also in need of your help," Paimon tells the Archon, "it is about this ancient Artefact we found."

Aether pulls out the artefact as Paimon mentioned it and presents it to Nahida. The young Archon's eyes bulge in bewilderment for few seconds before she's quick to usher Paimon and Aether further in the bounds of her Sanctuary.

·＊★＊·

"I deeply apologise for hastily dragging you both in here all of a sudden," Nahida says with an apologetic grin, "however, it just so happens that the artefact you currently possess, involves a step forward in solving my current dilemma."

"Really? What's the situation?" Aether asked the young Archon.

"The the artefact you have there, is a prison for a god the original Seven had vanquished years ago." Nahida explained, shocking Paimon and Aether.

"If you don't mind Paimon asking, why's that?" The little pixie queries, intrigued.

"Apparently, from the information I managed to gather, this god - known as Paidí Astéri - was imprisoned to prevent further havoc he caused throughout Teyvat. They were detained at some point during the fall of Khaenri'ah." Nahida explained.

Horrified, Paimon screeches, "So [N]--! Paidí Astéri! Is some dangerous and evil god that can't be trusted!!?"

"Well I am not a hundred percent sure that is the case but that could be a possibility. This is all I could find of him, I am sure if we could ask of his true intentions now, we could better assess the situation," Nahida claims, confident.

"So how does this, all benefit your situation?" Aether queries as he calls back to Nahida's supposed dilemma.

"I had gotten word from the Geo Archon himself, that he is currently searching for the Borstal Astrolabe. So all of us Archons are on the look out for the artefact - however, it looks like I already got my work cut out for me." Nahida giggled.

"So what's going to happen once we give over the Astrolabe?" Aether asked Nahida, conflicted.

"You don't plan on handing me over, do you!!? We made a deal! You liar!" [N] abruptly screeched with his sudden appearance, "you broke our promise! Liar! Liar! Liar! Liar! Liar! Liar! Liar...!" [N] loudly throws a fit. Aether tries calming the boy down to no avail.

Nahida looks over at the situation and clears her throat when walking over to [N], crouching down closer to the shadow.

"So you are Paidí Astéri? You are quite different from my perceptions of you." Nahida calmly tells [N]. She was expecting some cunning and malicious man that could manipulate the situation to his own benefit.
Ironically, she wasn't expecting a literal temperamental child.

"Paidí Astéri? My name's [N]! Urgh! What's with everyone using that dumb name? I HATE it!" [N] states and sticks out his tongue in disgust - his mood quickly changing, as if he hadn't just thrown a temper tantrum.

"[N]? I presume that is your actual name." Nahida says thoughtfully and the sentient shadow on the floor nods.

"[N], you mentioned making a deal with Aether and he supposedly broke it. I would like to know what was the deal you two made." Asked Nahida as she looks over at the traveller and shadow.

"Yes! Aether promised to set me free before I help him with a favour! But he broke his promise and lied!" [N] accused when quickly pointing at the traveller.

Aether defends himself with saying, "I told you it's not like that! I never broke it!"

"Liar! Lair! Pants on fire!"

"Alright calm down you two! This is all getting out of hand for Paimon." The white haired pixie interjects, gently placing a hand over her head.

Nahida nods her head in agreement with Paimon. "Paimon is correct. Furthermore, I am afraid we will be unable to free [N] anytime soon as of now."

☀︎ to be continued . . .