The morning sun hung high above the green fields surrounding Mondstadt.
A gentle breeze swept across the grasslands, carrying the scent of flowers and the distant sound of birds. The countryside was peaceful, almost unnaturally so.
Two figures walked along the outskirts of the city.
One wore the familiar uniform of the Knights of Favonius.
The other carried a bow and wore the unmistakable attire of a certain energetic Outrider.
Aether and Amber were supposed to be patrolling the area.
But only one of them was actually paying attention to the task.
Amber occasionally glanced toward her companion.
Aether was walking beside her, but his thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
His eyes remained fixed upon the road ahead.
His expression was unusually quiet.
There was none of the determination that usually accompanied his movements.
No curiosity.
No excitement.
Not even his usual calm confidence.
Instead, his mind repeatedly returned to the same person.
Lumine.
His sister.
The sister whose existence he had only recently discovered.
The sister who had stood before him in the ruins.
The sister who had looked at him like a complete stranger.
The sister who had warned him to stay away.
And most importantly—
The sister who had called him her enemy.
Aether's hands tightened slightly.
Why?
That question had been following him ever since their meeting.
What did I do?
He remembered her expression.
There had been no hesitation in her eyes.
No affection.
No recognition of the brother she supposedly had.
Only cold determination.
Aether lowered his gaze.
If she's really my sister...
Then why does she hate me?
His thoughts became heavier.
What happened between us?
He had no answers.
His memories were still incomplete.
His inner self had recovered fragments of his past, but the important pieces remained hidden behind corruption.
He knew he and Lumine had traveled together.
He knew they had crossed the stars.
He knew they had arrived in this world together.
And then—
They had been separated.
Everything after that remained a mystery.
Aether sighed quietly.
He didn't notice that Amber had stopped walking.
She watched him for several seconds.
"Aether."
No response.
"Aether?"
He blinked.
"Hm?"
Amber placed her hands on her hips.
"You didn't hear me the first time, did you?"
Aether looked at her.
"Sorry."
Amber narrowed her eyes.
"You've been saying that a lot lately."
Aether looked away.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
"I am."
"You aren't."
"I said I'm fine."
"And I said you're not."
Aether sighed.
Amber crossed her arms.
"I've been watching you for a while."
Aether raised an eyebrow.
"Watching me?"
"Yes."
She pointed toward him.
"You aren't paying attention to the patrol."
Aether glanced around.
The countryside was empty.
"I am."
"You just walked past three suspicious footprints."
He looked down.
There were indeed several footprints in the dirt.
Amber continued.
"You haven't complained about the weather."
Aether looked at the sky.
"Is that supposed to be important?"
"Very important."
She held up another finger.
"You haven't complained about being hungry."
Aether paused.
"...I didn't realize that was part of my personality."
Amber smiled.
"It is."
She then became serious.
"And you haven't smiled properly since we came back from that mission."
Aether said nothing.
Amber stepped closer.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Aether."
"I'm fine."
"Aether."
He sighed.
"Amber..."
She didn't move.
"I won't leave you alone until you tell me."
Aether stared at her.
"You really are persistent."
"That's one of my best qualities."
Despite himself, Aether almost smiled.
Almost.
But the sadness returned.
Amber noticed.
She followed his gaze.
Aether was standing beside the edge of a small cliff.
Beyond it stretched the enormous blue sky.
Clouds slowly drifted across the horizon.
Aether stared upward.
Amber approached from behind.
For several seconds, she simply stood there.
Then she gently wrapped her arms around him.
Aether froze.
His eyes widened.
"Amber?"
She didn't let go.
"What are you doing?"
"Hugging you."
"Why?"
"Because I felt like giving you one."
Aether remained completely still.
"But why?"
Amber smiled.
"Because I think you need one."
Aether's shoulders slowly relaxed.
A strange warmth spread through him.
It wasn't the warmth of the sun.
It wasn't the warmth of a fire.
It was something quieter.
Something human.
Something comforting.
For a few moments, Aether forgot about the Abyss.
He forgot about Liyue.
He forgot about the Fatui.
He forgot about the mysterious memories inside his mind.
He simply stood there.
Amber eventually spoke.
"You know..."
Her voice was gentle.
"You don't have to deal with everything alone."
Aether remained silent.
"You have me."
She paused.
"And you have Jean."
Another pause.
"Kaeya, Lisa, Diluc..."
She smiled.
"And probably a dozen other people who would come running if you asked."
Aether lowered his head.
Amber continued.
"So don't convince yourself that you're alone."
Silence.
Aether finally spoke.
"My sister."
Amber became still.
Aether continued.
"I met her."
Amber slowly released him.
She stepped around him until she stood in front of him.
"You met her?"
Aether nodded.
"Yes."
Amber waited.
"What happened?"
Aether looked toward the ground.
"She hates me."
Amber's expression softened.
"She told me not to interfere with the Abyss Order."
He paused.
"She called me her enemy."
Amber listened carefully.
"She said she didn't want me interfering with her plans."
Aether looked toward the horizon.
"But I don't understand."
His voice became quieter.
"I don't remember doing anything to her."
Amber remained silent.
"I don't remember hurting her."
His hands tightened.
"I don't even remember what happened between us."
Amber watched him carefully.
Aether continued.
"She's working with the Abyss."
His expression became increasingly troubled.
"I know that much."
He shook his head.
"But why would my own sister hate me?"
Amber didn't immediately answer.
Instead, she stepped closer.
She gently placed both hands against Aether's cheeks.
Aether blinked.
Amber smiled.
"Cheer up."
Aether stared at her.
"Amber..."
"You look like someone just stole your favorite meal."
"I don't think food is the problem."
"Then we'll find something else."
Aether gave her a confused look.
Amber continued.
"Maybe your sister is trying to avoid you."
"Why?"
"Because she doesn't want you involved."
Aether frowned.
Amber shrugged.
"Think about it."
She lowered her hands.
"Maybe she knows she's involved in something dangerous."
Aether listened.
"Maybe she doesn't want you dragged into it."
"But she threatened me."
Amber nodded.
"That part isn't exactly reassuring."
Aether looked away.
"She said I'm her enemy."
Amber sighed.
"People sometimes say harsh things when they're trying to push someone away."
Aether remained quiet.
Then he asked,
"What could possibly be more important to Lumine in this world than her own brother?"
Amber smiled.
"So her name is Lumine. Nice name if you ask me."
Aether remained silent.
"But you Know, you just sound a little too selfish."
Aether immediately looked away.
He didn't respond.
Amber laughed softly.
"Hey."
Nothing.
"Aether."
Still nothing.
She waved her hand in front of his face.
"Why are you making that long face?"
Aether didn't answer.
Amber sighed dramatically.
"Alright, alright."
She grabbed his wrist.
"Stop spacing out."
Aether looked at her.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
Amber started walking.
Aether followed.
A Walk Beside the Sea
They eventually reached Starfell Valley.
The grasslands stretched toward the coast, where the blue sea shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight.
Amber walked toward the shoreline.
Aether followed.
When they reached the sand, Amber stopped.
"Break time!"
Aether looked at her.
"We're supposed to be patrolling."
"We are."
Amber pointed toward the ocean.
"We're patrolling the coastline."
Aether looked unconvinced.
Amber smiled.
"Besides, we're allowed to rest."
Aether shrugged.
He didn't mind.
Amber began walking along the shore.
Aether walked beside her.
The waves gently rolled toward their feet before retreating back into the sea.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Amber suddenly said,
"You know what I remembered?"
"What?"
"A story."
Aether looked at her.
"A story?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"I used to read it when I was little."
Amber's voice became enthusiastic.
"It was about a girl who lived in a forest."
Aether listened.
"She was incredibly curious. She wanted to see everything in the world."
Amber gestured dramatically.
"She wanted to climb mountains, cross rivers, explore ruins and meet mysterious creatures."
Aether smiled faintly.
"Sounds familiar."
Amber laughed.
"Maybe that's why I liked it."
She continued.
"The girl eventually discovered a magical creature living deep within the forest."
"What kind?"
"A tiny creature with bright wings."
Amber spread her fingers.
"It could fly faster than birds and knew all the hidden paths through the forest."
Aether listened.
"The girl became friends with it."
Amber's expression softened.
"But eventually, the creature had to leave."
"Why?"
"Because it belonged somewhere else."
Aether looked at her.
Amber smiled.
"The girl was sad."
"Did they meet again?"
Amber nodded.
"Many years later."
"And?"
"They met again."
"What happened?"
Amber's eyes sparkled.
"They realized that even though they had changed, they still remembered each other."
Aether smiled.
"That's a nice story."
Amber continued walking.
"I always liked that part."
She looked toward the sea.
"Sometimes people get separated."
She paused.
"But that doesn't necessarily mean they have to stay separated forever."
Aether looked at her.
Amber continued enthusiastically.
"The important thing is that they keep searching."
Aether smiled.
But he wasn't really listening anymore.
He simply enjoyed walking beside her.
He watched the way the sunlight reflected off her hair.
The way she smiled when describing the story.
The way her voice became brighter whenever she spoke about something she loved.
There was something comforting about her.
Something pure.
Something uncomplicated.
For the first time since meeting Lumine, Aether felt his mind becoming quiet.
He didn't know when it happened.
He didn't know how it happened.
But somewhere along the way, he had begun caring about Amber in a way that went beyond simple friendship.
He didn't have a name for the feeling.
Perhaps he wasn't ready to give it one.
For now, he simply enjoyed being beside her.
Amber continued.
"And then the girl realized that the creature had never actually forgotten her..."
Aether smiled.
The moment was peaceful.
Until—
ANALYSING...
Aether's smile disappeared.
His inner voice spoke inside his mind.
UNKNOWN PRESENCE DETECTED.
Aether stopped.
Amber continued walking.
SOURCE: OCEAN.
Aether slowly turned toward the sea.
His eyes narrowed.
The water looked perfectly calm.
Nothing appeared unusual.
But his inner self continued scanning.
SCANNING AREA...
Aether's vision seemed to extend beyond normal sight.
RANGE EXTENDED.
LIFEFORM DETECTED.
Aether's expression became serious.
SIZE: EXTREMELY LARGE.
LOCATION: BELOW SURFACE.
STATUS: STATIONARY.
OBSERVING.
Aether stared at the sea.
Something was watching them.
Amber continued walking.
She eventually stopped.
"And that was the end."
She turned around.
"So?"
No answer.
Amber blinked.
"Aether?"
She looked around.
"Aether?"
He was several meters behind her.
Standing perfectly still.
Staring at the ocean.
Amber placed her hands on her hips.
"Are you even listening to me?"
Aether didn't answer.
Amber puffed her cheeks.
"Seriously?"
Still nothing.
She walked toward him.
"Hey!"
Aether slowly reached for his sword.
Amber stopped.
"Aether?"
He drew his blade.
The sword reflected the sunlight.
He pointed it directly toward the sea.
Amber stared at him.
"What's going on?"
Aether's voice became cold.
"Reveal yourself."
Amber looked at the ocean.
"Reveal... what?"
Aether didn't answer.
He remained focused.
"I know you're there."
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The sea exploded.
Amber's eyes widened.
"What?!"
A gigantic shape emerged from beneath the water.
The ocean rose around it.
Waves crashed against the shore.
A massive serpentine creature lifted itself from the depths.
Its enormous body stretched across the horizon.
Several heads emerged from the sea.
Amber stumbled backward.
"WHAT IS THAT?!"
The creature towered above them.
Its eyes glowed with an ancient intelligence.
Aether remained calm.
His sword was still raised.
The creature stared at him.
Then spoke.
"So..."
Its voice echoed across the water.
"You can sense me."
Amber stared in disbelief.
"You can TALK?!"
The creature ignored her.
Its attention remained on Aether.
"I have been searching for someone."
Aether lowered his sword slightly.
"What do you want?"
The creature's heads moved.
"My name is Beisht."
Aether studied her carefully.
"I am the wife of Osial, Lord of the Vortex."
Amber's eyes widened.
"Osial?!"
She remembered the destruction of Liyue.
The name alone was enough to make her nervous.
Aether's expression hardened.
"What do you want from me?"
Beisht looked at him.
"What is your name?"
Aether answered simply.
"Aether."
Beisht repeated the name.
"Aether..."
She tilted one of her heads.
"That name is unfamiliar."
She studied him.
"But your power..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I can sense something extraordinary within you."
Aether didn't respond.
Beisht continued.
"I have come to ask for your assistance."
"What kind?"
Her voice became quieter.
"I want you to free my husband."
Aether's expression immediately changed.
"No."
Beisht froze.
Aether continued.
"Do you know what Osial did?"
The creature's heads lowered slightly.
"He attacked Liyue."
"He nearly destroyed an entire city."
"I know."
"People died."
"I know."
"Then why should I release him?"
Beisht remained silent.
Aether's voice became firm.
"I cannot release something that powerful knowing innocent people could be harmed."
Beisht lowered her gaze.
"Osial has been imprisoned for a very long time."
Aether said nothing.
"He was sealed beneath the sea."
She continued.
"I believe he was recently released only because someone intends to destroy him."
Aether narrowed his eyes.
"Who?"
"I do not know."
Beisht's voice trembled.
"I don't know what Rex Lapis intends to do."
She looked toward the distant horizon.
"I fear that I am going to lose my husband forever."
Her voice became softer.
"I have waited for him for so long."
Amber's expression changed.
Beisht continued.
"I tried to contact humans."
"Ships passed near my waters."
"I approached them."
"But they screamed."
"They attacked."
"They called me an abomination."
Her heads lowered.
"None of them listened."
She looked toward Aether.
"Until now."
Aether remained silent.
"You are different."
"I can sense it."
"You possess strength beyond ordinary humans."
Beisht's voice became desperate.
"Please."
Aether's expression didn't change.
"Help me."
"Please."
She lowered herself closer to the shore.
"I have waited for someone who could understand."
"Someone who could hear me."
"Someone who would not immediately see me as a monster."
Aether looked toward her.
Beisht continued.
"You are the only one I can rely upon."
Amber watched silently.
Aether closed his eyes for a moment.
He remembered Liyue.
The destruction.
The fear.
The people.
The ruins.
Then he remembered his own imprisonment.
The chains.
The accusations.
The abuse.
He opened his eyes.
"No."
Beisht stared at him.
"What?"
"I said no."
"But—"
Aether turned around.
"I cannot do that."
Beisht's expression became desperate.
"Please wait!"
Aether continued walking.
Amber watched him go.
Then she turned toward Beisht.
"Wait."
Aether stopped.
Amber approached the enormous creature.
" H-Hello, I'm Amber."
Beisht looked at her.
"Amber..."
Amber smiled.
"Yes."
She lowered her bow.
"If you don't mind, will you tell me what had happened, I am willing to hear your thoughts"
Beisht remained silent for several seconds.
Then she began explaining.
She told Amber about the long years of separation.
About the seal.
About Osial.
About the uncertainty surrounding his release.
About her attempts to communicate with humans.
About how every attempt had ended in fear and hostility.
Amber listened carefully.
Her expression gradually changed.
She began to understand.
"You really miss him a lot, don't you?."
Beisht lowered her heads.
"More than anything."
Amber looked toward the direction Aether had gone.
She sighed.
"I can understand why Aether said no."
Beisht's expression fell.
"But..."
Amber smiled gently.
"I don't think this is over yet."
Beisht looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
Amber turned toward the distant path.
"I'll talk to him."
"You will?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"I'll try to convince him."
Beisht's eyes widened.
"Thank you."
Amber nodded.
"I can't promise he'll agree."
"But I'll try."
Beisht lowered her enormous heads.
"For that alone..."
Her voice became emotional.
"I am grateful."
Amber smiled.
Then she looked toward the horizon where Aether had disappeared.
Her expression became thoughtful.
"Aether..."
She wondered what would happen when he heard Beisht's entire story.
And somewhere ahead, unaware of what Amber had decided, Aether continued walking.
The sea behind him remained strangely quiet.
But the fate of Osial, Beisht, Liyue, and perhaps even Aether himself had just become intertwined once again.
And this time, the decision would not be made by a god.
It would be made by a boy who had already been hurt by the people he once tried to protect.