Oath [BL; Book 2]

34

[A/N: Happy Lantern Rite 2024! This chapter happens after all the events of Lantern Rite. Xianyun came home (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡ at the cost of losing my 50/50 and spending every primo I got after....]

"Hehehe!" Paimon giggled happily, Lantern Rite was so exciting this year! And last year and the year before!"

"Are you saying that because you actually enjoyed it or you're just happy you got to eat a lot, Paimon?" Aether laughed giving her another snack.

"Paimon's saying it because she really enjoyed it! Hmph!" She huffed and he bribed her with another snack. "We should go see Gaming later! He wanted to buy us some dim sum. Let's not mask him wait."

He teased her again, "Right, because you're hungry!"

"Ooo, you!" She huffed again. "Paimon's not sharing her snacks!"

She disappearing into wherever it is she goes and he chuckled not minding. Walking around the wharf he was able to meet a few familiar faces and even got to sit and chat with Zhongli for a while as they watched the busy streets of the harbor. The festivities would end soon and he would wait again for next year wondering if there will be a next year for himself.

Curious he sipped his tea and looked at Zhongli who caught his gaze too. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

"If it is on your mind then it's something. Care to share your thoughts?"

Aether smiled, "Haha, you're so perceptive." He decided not to be hesitant and boldly asked, "Will I be okay?" Holding the tea cup on the table he narrowed his eyes watching the tea inside swish around the cup. "I mean, am I going to...?"

"Nothing of the sort," Zhongli was quick to reassure him, "we took careful measures to ensure your life is out of harm's way. Though, that doesn't fully cure the problem at hand."

"Haa, so I am - I mean, should I even be here?" Aether asked, "Around people? What if they get hurt because of me?"

"We've learned this karmic debt you've inherited from the stubance is a different form entirely, this is nothing like what Xiao endures as his was due to defeating such entities. Rest assured you cannot pass on the karma to others, though, I do believe it will bring more harm to you than others." He added, "You should worry for your own safety Traveler. Were you aware of this?"

"...." He had a slight smile, then sighed looking away at the people that passed them unbothered by their being there. "I would be lying if I said I didn't know, but I didn't think it was this bad."

"Ah, so you've known, for how long?"

"Hm, since drinking that weird water? It felt different somehow, aside from tasting like mineral water there was... a burning." Aether said explaining what he felt, "It felt like I was drinking fire and.. I hadn't been hungry for a while after that, it was like I was... feeding off of it? Is that even possible? Or... was it feeding off of me instead?"

"You have many questions, it is normal to be curious of what is happening to you, however I don't possess the answer you're in search of. The only knowledge I possess is your current predicament. Aside from that and your well being, I hold no other reason to search for the answers along side you." Zhongli made that clear, Aether understood and chuckled, "However, I may push you in the right direction. I am acquainted with someone who also came from another world."

"Another.. world?"

"This person is the being responsible for the substance you ingested, thus their knowledge is to be heeded. Should you wish to speak with them, they are also acquainted with Xiao. I greatly suggest you speak with him on the matter, to push for a cure... hm, if one is at all possible."