It was a fine morning. Aether was sitting on his bed.
It has been one month since he joined the knights of favonius. Now he is an outrider just like Amber.
Aether trying to remember what Jean told him when he returned from liyue.
" I am sorry about what had happened to you. Everything was fabricated. Yeah... there is no doubt that both the Qixing and Futui had their separate roles in it. You made a wise decision by doing nothing. Now what, no one can blame you anymore."
Aether let out a sign "Better leave those sad things behind... time to move on..."
A day off for him.
Sitting and waiting for his Order 'Adventurer's Breakfast Sandwich' (Breakfast at Good hunter).
Aether thought of finding some information about his sister. He had already tried asking the people of Monstadt about Lumine. But unfortunately no leads showed up. He is left with no other choice but to travel to other 7 nations and look for clues.
While filling his head with clues, his order arrived. He was just about to eat. Just then...
Amber who came from behind " Hey man, what's up?"
Aether " Just trying to eat breakfast."
Amber causally took a bite of the food in Aether's plate and gave it back to him. She sat next to his chair and ordered 'sticky honey roast'.
Aether "So what's your plan for today. "
Amber "Nothing big, cleaning and laundry... What about you?"
Aether "I have been thinking of visiting Sumeru. I hope to find some clues about my sister."
Amber, again stealing food from Aether's plate "Good idea... Speaking of Sumeru, I had a friend there. Her name is Collei. A forest ranger. She stays in the Gandharva Ville. If you find her say 'Hi' for me."
By that time, her order 'sticky honey roast' came by. When Aether looked up on his plate, his sandwich is already gone. Aether let out a sign.
.....
After the breakfast, Amber went back to her house. Aether flew out into the sky in the direction of Sumeru. He flew past both Monstadt and Liyue. He landed near the Statue of the seven near the Gandharva Ville. Aether looked up on the statue. He realized that the God of wisdom must be small compared to Venti and the Geo Archon.
He saw a woman walking through the forest road. Aether just walked over to her.
Aether " Hey excuse me... "
Mysterious woman stopped and looked at him "....."
Aether " My name is Aether. I am from Monstadt. Actually I am looking for my sibling. Her name is Lumine. Have you ever heard of this name ? If you can provide a small bit of information, that should be more than enough..."
The Mysterious woman stays silent. She turned her back on him and walked away as if he never existed.
Aether confused "Hey wait, hey..."
That woman refused to look back and walked away. Aether stood there completely clueless. Aether felt it completely weird. He decided not to persue her anymore. Aether pulled out the map he borrowed from Katheryne. He studied the map and decided to go to Sumeru city.
He flew over to Sumeru city. It was a majestic, vertical metropolis built directly into the roots and branches of a colossal Divine Tree, surrounded by lush, humid rainforests. For Aether, arriving here after the rocky peaks of Liyue, feels like stepping into a living, breathing emerald sanctuary.
Aether walked around the city. He asked for information about his sister to the merchants, scholars, mercenaries etc. But none of them could provide any vital information that he needed. By the time he finished his enquires it was already evening.
Aether flew back to Monstadt. Back to his room.
Took a long bath. Sat on his chair near the window. Cold wind blew in.
Aether trying to dry his long golden hair. His eyes fixed on the stars in the sky.
Suddenly he heard a voice inside his head. " Analyzing Input... "
Aether look around. Noone around him. He looked confused.
Again" Processing...."
Aether stood up "Hello... Anybody here..."
Suddenly his vision blurred for an instant. Then suddenly strange lines, dialogue boxes, data charts, pie charts, tables, his own body etc began to appear inside his head. He looked around. He could see his sourrounding as if he is looking through a robot's eye.
Aether tried to rub his eyes. Nothing changed. As he looked around, he could see the maginified image of some of the things around him with a details description of each.
Aether "What the hell is this?"
Voice " Task Complete. Ready to function."
Aether holding his head "Who are you? What are you doing to me?"
Voice " I am your inner self. Name-missing. You are yet to name me. As for your second question, I am trying to be helpful. "
Aether " What the...? How did you get into my head?"
Voice " I was always there inside you. Now that I received adequate energy, I am fully functional now."
Aether punched himself on his face in hope of waking up in reality.
Voice "Exerting Physical torment on yourself - not recommended."
Aether wiping off the pain from his face. He closed his eyes for a moment and opened it gently. No change at all. He looked himself in the mirror. He noticed that his eyes were glowing with slight golden light (recembling that of a robot).
Aether tried to calm down. "How long were you in my head?"
Voice " Data incomplete. Not answerable."
Aether "How am I able to use you?"
Voice "Maintaining your energy level- recommended."
Aether "You mean to eat properly..."
Voice "Not necessary. Your body has been automatically absorbing energy from your sourrounding. The elemental and abyssal energy has been coverted into usuable form."
Aether "That sounded so complicated... What am I going to do with you?"
Voice "I may found useful in analysing and processing infromation, storing memories, battle assistance, calculating and solving problems and many more."
Aether "wow..."
Voice "Will you be needing a demostration?"
Aether remained silent for minute. "Okay..."
Voice "Please command me..."
Aether thought for a moment and " Show me any memories that includes my sister."
Voice "Command received... searching for memories... Data identified."
Then a memory played in his mind. In that memory, he saw his sister and himself standing on a platform flooded by clouds. Just then someone who identified herself as the Sustainer of the Heavenly Principles appeared before them through a portal. Then she attacked them. At the end of the fight, she used her creepy powers to separte them.
Aether watched those memories very curiously. He asked his inner voice to pause those memories here and there so that he could take a good look at both his sister and the enemy that separated them. When he asked for more memories, his inner voice replied that the other data were missing.
A slight disappointment washed over his face. His curiosity has increased.
Then suddenly, a knock on his door.
Aether opened the door.
Kaeya standing infront of his room.
Kaeya "Hey man, Jean wants you in her office."
Aether "Oh okay, Just give me a second." Aether tied up his hair very quickly.
Then they together went to meet Jean.
Jean was waiting for him. She looked worried.
They arrived in her room. They greeted Jean. Jean then handed him a letter.
Jean "I am sorry, I had to open the letter which was meant for you for safety concerns."
Aether while unfolding his letter "I don't mind"
The letter
To Aether,
I trust this letter finds you in good health.
Our previous encounter left me with far more questions than answers. I've heard many stories about you—the traveler who stands against impossible odds, the swordsman who refuses to bow before injustice, and the warrior who continues to grow stronger with every battle. Whether those stories are true or merely exaggerated rumors is something I intend to discover with my own eyes.
There is no better place to settle this curiosity than upon the arena.
I hereby invite—no, challenge—you to face me in a duel during the Crux Clash Tournament. Among countless spectators and skilled fighters, we shall test our strength openly and determine just how capable the so-called traveler truly is. There will be no hidden schemes, no interference, and no excuses—only two warriors crossing blades.
Do not mistake this challenge for revenge or personal hatred. I simply seek a worthy battle against someone whose name has reached even my ears. If you possess the courage and confidence befitting your reputation, then I expect you to stand before me.
Enclosed with this letter is a map marking the exact location where the Crux Clash Tournament will be held. Follow it, and you will have no difficulty finding the arena.
Should you choose not to come, I will simply assume the tales surrounding your strength were nothing more than empty words.
I sincerely hope you prove me wrong.
Until we meet on the battlefield,
Tartaglia
"Childe"
Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers
Attachment: A detailed map marking the location of the Crux Clash Tournament, along with the date and time of the event.
Aether's inner voice after analysing the letter "A direct challenge from Childe. Want to accept it or not?"
A moment of silence.
Aether "Jean, I would like to take a leave tommorow."
Jean with a smile "Approved."
Inner voice "Challenge accepted... Conserving energy for the incoming battle..."
........
The next day
Aether went to meet Childe in the destined location. By the time he reached there, the Crux Clash Tournament had already began. Most of the people recoginised him but none paid any attention to him. He went straight to the orgranizer of the event and tried to sign in. But then he realized that someone had already sighned him up.
The organizer introduced herself as Beidou. "You are Aether right. Your name is already on the list. "
Aether " When is my fight? "
Beidou "After two more fights, your turn will arrive sir."
Aether "Who is my opponent?"
Beidou "Let me check.... Mmm.... Yeah, your opponent's name is Childe."
Aether "Thank you for the information."
Aether then walked away and find himself a lonely spot a little away from the crowd. Childe is yet to arrive. But there is still time, so he decided to wait.
........
??? "Who was that blonde hair?"
Beidou " Oh that one, His name is Aether. And he is here to fight a futui harbinder. "
??? " Oh that's interesting..."
Beidou "I am also looking forward to this fight. I am actually curious about what this guy is made of. Make sure you don't miss this one, Kazuha."
Kazuha with a curious smile"Yeah, sure..."
...
After some time
Aether was standing alone facing the vast sea. A unfamiliar voice called him by his name.
??? " Didn't thought that you will really come, Aether."
Aether turned and looked at the voice.
Aether's inner voice scanned the person infront of him "Alert: Corrupted human."
??? "How very rude of me? Let me introduce myself to you. The name is Childe, My collegues call me Tartaglia. And more importantly, Eleventh of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. Nice to meet you" Childe extends his hand for a handshake.
Aether looked calm and shook his hand.
Aether "So you are the one who challenged me.... May I ask why?"
Childe came closer to Aether and said with a smile on his face "Why? Of course, to test who is better between both of us. I have full confidence that I can beat your ass. But still I would like to give a chance, a chance to try me. Last time, you have no idea how much I have to endure from her magesty, Tsaritsa. You ruined all my plans. And for that, I will make you pay for it."
Aether stood there without saying anything. Then there comes the call for their fight. Childe with a smile on his face walked infront of him.
Aether walking slowly to the venue.
His innerself "Threat level high, Should we fight or leave?"
Aether "...We fight... "
Innerself "Roger that"