A View of the Other Side

If I Fall - Evil Aether AU

The scene begins with a war-torn Teyvat. A barren wasteland devoid of life. Countless weapons and dead soldiers from opposing factions were scattered in the middle of the fields.

"For decades, Teyvat was ravaged by war..."

Soldiers from various factions charged into battle, weapons ready. Blood splattered everywhere, screams from soldiers were heard and weapons swished and clanged.

"In the tip of this war, there were two sworn enemies - me..."

A much older Kiran Harumi is seen. His clothes are in tatters, his Hannya mask gone and replaced with an oni mouthpiece, and his hair is gray. His eyes bore onto the screen.

"And then there was Aether..."

A much older Aether is seen on the screen. However, the bright look on his face was gone and replaced with a cold, remorseless and unfeeling look as his dark eyes stared into the screen.

"But we weren't always like this... I should have known he was slowly losing it..."

A younger Aether and Kiran was seen sitting in front of a campfire. Kiran placed his hand on Aether's shoulder," I'll always watch your back, kid..."

Aether returned the gesture with a fist bump, as their fists met," And I'll watch yours."

Yūrei is then seen, leaning forward with a concerned look on his face," I don't know about you, Kiran - but... He's different."

Aether is now seen fighting Fatui Skirmishers and Abyss Lectors, however, he is seen to be fighting much more violently than how he usually does. He then points his Prototype Rancour on a Fatui Agent's face, sending it a murderous glare.

"Yeah, I picked up on that..." Kiran said, slowly pondering to himself if Aether is slowly losing it. A concerned look was etched onto his face.

"What happened to you, Aether...?"

Aether is now seen fighting Lumine atop an aerial platform as blades clashed with one another, swords swung high and low. It then shows Aether holding Lumine's wrist over the edge, however, a dark look soon overtakes him as he says -" I'm done saving ALL OF YOU..."

"What happened to the Aether I knew...?"

Aether is then seen holding Asmoday's severed head, showing it to the people beneath him as he shouted," BURN IT DOWN!!! ALL OF IT!!!!!"

Yūrei and Itto shared a look before saying," We need to stop him!"

In an aerial platform, Aether and Kiran stared with one another as Aether clenches his hand into a fist.

"It didn't have to be like this... We could have rebuilt the future of Teyvat together..."

However, Aether had a cold, remorseless look on his face as he shook his head," I don't think so..."

Aether and Kiran then glared with one another, as the two then fought above the platform. The blades of the Prototype Rancour and Tsumi no Hōshu clashed with one another, sending sparks.

Kiran sent ice clones towards Aether, who dispelled them with his Pyro abilities. Aether and Kiran then leapt at each other, blades raised high and ready to strike.

The screen goes dark...

"Do you promise to catch me if I fall?"

"... I will."

Inspired by Transformers One. After watching the movie, I became inspired to create an AU where Aether ends up becoming evil and Kiran as his sword enemy...