Chapter Text
Part XXVII. The Rite
Ajax wishes he could say he has a plan for encountering the Traveller but he’d be lying.
“Fuck, AR. How am I supposed to keep a close eye on the Traveller if I can’t be seen near the Rite?”
A soft chime sounds out. “User Ajax should consider a disguise.”
…A disguise! That’s brilliant!
He looks around the living room, spots Zhongli’s coat, and throws it over his loungewear. It’s one of Zhongli’s casual coats with more dark brown than gold, and subtle gold detailing lining the cuffs and the collar, but it still clashes awkwardly with the loose, shapeless grey shirt and sweater he has underneath. He hastily ties the coat shut with a dark belt and hopes that it will be enough to hide his sloppiness.
“Character Traveller is getting closer to the destination. User Ajax will need to hurry.”
Ajax curses. He grabs his generous pouch of mora, shoves his socked feet into a pair of decent boots, and rushes out the door, pausing only to lock it behind him. On his way to the Rite, he makes a quick stop to a stall to buy a wide-brimmed hat made of straw, picking the first one he sees and tossing way too much mora at the vendor before rushing off, new hat plopped on his head.
There. Now he’s more inconspicuous! Sort of! Good enough!
“Man, we’re lucky that Zhongli lives in Yujing Terrace,” Ajax mutters as he continues to dash to the area where the Rite takes place. He can see the large colourful banners waving in the distance as well as the glinting metal from the sun reflecting off of the large brass censer. Almost there.
He manages to squeeze through the thick crowd of excited onlookers and tuck himself by a huge ornamental rock, chosen for its strategic location by the fence (which he can hop over to make his escape onto the streets below.) The rock also serves as a nice perch for him to scramble on top, and he scans the crowd looking for…well…he’s not entirely sure?
In the game, the Traveller can either be female – Lumine – or male – Aether – depending on which avatar the player chooses. Both avatars sport bright gold hair and gold eyes, with the male character wearing a dark outfit and the female in all white.
Ajax wonders which version of the Traveller he will end up meeting. Lumine and Aether were twins in the original game. Depending on which avatar the player chooses, the other character becomes “missing” and the rest of the game is centered around the player trying to find this long-lost sibling. Originally, before Genshin Impact 1.0’s story took a massive nosedive, there were growing hints that this lost sibling was the mysterious antagonist pulling the strings behind the scenes. After the nosedive, that plot thread has been promptly abandoned, leaving the missing sibling a plot element that got a passing reference once in a blue moon between useless, money-grabbing quests.
Luckily, they’re in a world that’s substantively more fleshed out so there’s a strong likelihood that the missing twin will become the hidden antagonist. And speaking of elements being more fleshed out, the Traveller’s original personality was non-existent as well. It was purposefully designed that way so that they can act as blank slates onto which players can project themselves. Now that they’re outside the confines of the original game, what type of personality will they have?
In the original game, the Traveller is also accompanied by this companion that acts as the guide to Teyvat – this floating fairy thing of unknown origin who calls itself Paimon. Paimon is yet another frustrating mystery that was never solved in the original game, but Ajax has theories. Theories like how every powerful creature with connections to Celestia is named after one of the demons from Hell, so Paimon being named Paimon is suspicious, to say the least.
But Ajax can ponder those things later. Right now, he has a job to do.
“How hard is it to spot someone with a floating creature by their side?” Ajax mutters to himself. “Hey AR, do you know where the Traveller is?”
“The Traveller has just arrived on site.”
“Wait, seriously? Where?”
From under the brim of his hat, Ajax squints out, trying to focus on the individual features among the sea of people. Maybe, he should look closer to the entrance – wait! There! Holy shit. Holy shit!
Paimon’s floating pink figure is the first thing that catches his eye. And beside her is…
“Aww yeah!” Ajax says, fist-pumping. “We got Lumine! Sweet!”
In the original game, Ajax had gone with the male avatar – Aether. The game had only shown Lumine in a few flashbacks here and there, so to finally, finally be able to meet her in this world feels oh-so-satisfying, like finally scratching an itch that had been bothering him for ages.
“AR! AR, I’m so happy right now,” he gushes. “I thought I would never get to meet Lumine between the game ending and the – uh – the death thing. This is amazing! Wait, where is she going? She probably shouldn’t stand so close to the altar…”
“User Ajax should climb down from the rock. The Millelith are starting to look.”
“Ah, right, right,” Ajax says, coughing as he does just that. He has to be inconspicuous.
No matter, now that he knows where she is, he can relax a little. His spot is also perfect for him to view the show that will happen soon.
In the original game, “Rex Lapis’ death” had been blamed on Tartaglia. Understandably so, because Tartaglia had flaunted his status as a Harbinger and had acted a right terror during his stay in Liyue Harbour (though knowing that there is an entire backstory to explain this behaviour makes Ajax’s heart ache.) Now that this is no longer the case, Ajax wonders how this whole death thing will play out.
He suspects he knows the answer, especially with the quest update: “Keep a close eye on the Traveller to ensure that they do not get into any trouble with the Qixing or the Millelith.”
“The Millelith will totally blame the Traveller for Rex Lapis’s death, won’t they?” he murmurs to AR as he watches the Qixing slowly line up behind the altar. It looks like Ningguang is in charge of the summoning this year. “I can understand that logic – a new person shows up in town and suddenly, your god is dead. Super suspicious.”
Though this is Rex Lapis. Isn’t this assumption completely downplaying the Prime Adeptus’ fighting prowess?
Whatever. People will latch on to another reason if it makes sense at first glance. For the purpose of completing this mission successfully, Ajax has to get ready to intercept the Traveller before they disappear off to parts unknown.
The crowd goes quiet as Ningguang takes the stage. She stands before a beautiful altar made of stone and gold, bracketed by two of her faithful secretaries. Laid out on top of the altar are a beautiful selection of candles on jade and gold holders, pools of delicate shimmering silks dyed in rich colours, and pots of glittering gemstones, shining mora, and fragrant food piled high. At the center of the altar sits a large jade censer with curling white smoke drifting lazily from its openings, emitting the delicate scent of silkflowers, glaze lilies, and earthy sandalwood.
“The hour is upon us,” she says simply, her regal voice carrying across the terrace.
The two secretaries bow and retreat, leaving her to stand alone.
She brings her arms up and gold light begins to gather at her feet, swirling around her as it picks up speed, rustling the silk of her dress. The light rises up and up, gathering around her upper body while tiny golden crystals materialize, rising up to join the maelstrom surrounding her. She spins, extends her arms out, and the golden maelstrom leaves her to circle the jade censer at the altar before slamming inside, lighting the great construct up in a brilliant flash of gold.
The crowd murmurs in awe as the light grows and grows until a large gold beam shoots through the air, rising high up into the heavens. The clouds grow dark and heavy, swirling around the spot where the light had touched as the wind picks up around them, and the air grows thick and charged like on the eve of a violent storm. Ajax’s hand flies to his hat to keep it from whipping off, his eyes flitting upwards in anticipation.
Then, the clouds turn into an ugly, dusty brown and the winds whip up to a frenzy. Red bolts shoot down from the sky, cracking against the stone as the crowd cries out in alarm. In the next breath, a dark figure comes hurtling straight down far too quickly for Ajax to make out what it looks like. It crashes into the altar in a thunderous bang, sending clouds of dark dust and debris flying into the air. Ajax ducks on instinct, throwing one arm over his face.
All is quiet save the sound of soft clicks of tiny rocks and pebbles settling back down onto the paved ground around them. Slowly, Ajax lowers his arm.
A giant serpentine body lays sprawled over the now broken altar, its once-proud figure in a sad limp. What were once bright golden scales have become dulled rust in colour. Likewise, the geode fins running down the back and the great antlers perched atop his head have all lost their majestic glow, reduced to tarnished gold. From his spot by the rock, Ajax can make out Rex Lapis’ face; he can see the way the once fluffy mane has matted to the side of its head and the way those eyes are open but so very vacant.
It’s all very convincing. Terrifyingly convincing.
Of course, the effect is completely ruined by the way Rex Lapis’ tongue is lolled out in a rather cartoonish manner, very reminiscent of the way an animal would play dead in the most dramatic fashion ever.
“I – I can’t believe Zhongli went with the mleh, wow,” Ajax mutters, trying to fight the way the corners of his lips are twitching up. “Way to oversell the death.”
Nobody shares his mood. Obviously. Ningguang crouches over Rex Lapis’ body while the crowd murmurs in confusion and fear.
She gets up and her expression turns fierce.
“Rex Lapis has been killed! Seal the exits!”
The crowd cries in alarm to the sound of Millelith swarming the Terrace, spears in hand.
“Killed? But how – ”
“Murdered!”
“Who would dare?”
“Okay, time to go,” Ajax says. He dips behind the rock and watches the way the Millelith are moving. It looks like they are nabbing anyone who’s gotten close to the altar. Lumine and Paimon are glancing around nervously, positively radiating suspicion.
“Oh god, she’s going to run, isn’t she?”
She does just that. But she’s clever about it. Ajax watches the way Lumine carefully walks through the moon door along the path that leads to the garden before heading towards the tall cliff walls that line the side of the space. He grins.
She’s going to scale the walls and rooftops like a badass, isn’t she? Hilarious. Better intercept her near the bottom of the stone stairs.
He vaults over the fence and shimmies from the ledge to a nearby roof, keeping his body low to avoid detection. He sprints, his shoes clicking against the ancient tiles as he runs across the length of Yujing Terrace until he sees the stone staircase. There, he waits.
Not a moment too soon. Lumine hops down and heads towards the stairs, her steps slow and careful. She watches the closest Millelith turn away and continues sneaking forward.
Unfortunately, she does not notice the broken tile under her feet.
The Millelith turns around. “You there! Stop!”
Ajax winces. “Ooooh, so close!”
Lumine breaks into a run with Paimon zipping quickly behind her.
“Arrest them! Quickly!”
“Not on my watch,” Ajax mutters and jumps down from his hiding spot.
Lumine manages to escape down the first flight of stairs but before she can go further, a group of Millelith is coming up to intercept her.
“There’s nowhere to run! Surrender now!”
She does the exact opposite of that and draws her sword.
Nope! Can’t have that! No getting into trouble allowed! Ajax gathers his Hydro into a tight ball as quickly as he can, letting the tendrils of power wrap around and around each other like a ball of yarn.
“Hey, you there, uh, girly,” Ajax says, biting back the cringe because really? Girly? “Hold still.”
And then, he chucks his ‘water bomb’ at the Millelith.
This version of the water bomb is nowhere near as violent as the initial one he had tested way back when he had ventured into the Guyun Stone Forest. Whereas that prototype had released a huge tidal wave that knocked everything to the ground to be washed away to parts unknown, this mini ‘water bomb’ merely possesses a fraction of its strength. Still, the rush of water that explodes out of it is enough to knock all the Millelith to the ground as a violent deluge sweeps out and rushes towards them like a broken dam.
Ajax hops over the stone fence and lands next to Lumine. “C’mon, don’t just stand here. This way!”
Lumine spares a quick glance at him and nods.
Together, they flee from the scene of the crime like a bat out of Hell.
They finally slow down when they’ve gotten far enough away. The Millelith haven’t really chased them, the water bomb seemingly having done the trick, but just in case, they’ve been navigating through the winding back alleys to stay out of dodge.
Ajax ducks under an awning and behind another building. He pops his head out and scans the area for any sign of life. Nobody. They’re completely alone.
Good.
“Okay, we can stop. We should be safe now.”
Lumine and Paimon practically droop in relief.
“Paimon’s exhausted!” Paimon says through heavy pants (and wow, Ajax has completely forgotten the way she refers to herself in the third person. For some reason, hearing it spoken in person sounds a lot more awkward than listening to the voice actor.)
Lumine side-eyes her floating companion hard.
“Just what muscles does magical floating use exactly,” she asks, completely dead-panned.
Holy shit! Ajax thinks with utter glee. She talks! And she’s so mean! This is the best day ever!
“So insensitive,” Paimon snaps back. “You have no idea just how tiring floating aroun - Wait!”
They turn towards Ajax.
“Just who are you exactly?”
“Ahaha,” Childe rubs the back of his neck, trying to keep his voice gentle and non-threatening. “Please call me Childe.”
Neither of them looks convinced. “Childe? What, so we're supposed to dote on you?”
…What? What the Hell kind of a response is that?
“No, no, it’s an alias of sorts.”
Apparently, that’s the wrong thing to say because Paimon and Lumine look even more suspicious.
“What kind of person needs an alias?” Lumine asks, her eyes narrowing. “And what’s with the outfit?”
“W – what’s wrong with my outfit? Okaayyyy I see that you have drawn your sword – please, please don’t do that! I’ll take off the hat if it makes you feel better, okay? I come in peace, I swear!”
He pulls off his straw hat and holds it in front of him like the flimsiest shield known to man. “There. Better?”
Lumine relaxes her stance ever so slightly. “Orange hair, blue eyes,” she murmurs.
“Paimon hasn’t seen any Liyuan who look like you do!” Paimon points out.
“Ah, I’m not from Liyue. I’m from Snezhnaya. I’m a diplomat!” He raises his hat to block his chest when Lumine brings her sword up once more. “What now? I already took off the hat!”
“Diplomat from Snezhanya,” Lumine says. “Just like the one from Mondstadt who attacked V – Barbatos. She also has an alias. La Signora.”
Paimon gasps. “You’re a Fatui! One of the Harbingers!”
Hooo boy. Okay. This was not how Ajax had anticipated the conversation to go, but like Hell, he’s admitting he’s a Harbinger.
“Ah, no, no, I am a diplomat! A diplomat! The alias is given to me by Her Majesty the Tsaritsa! I’m not looking for a fight.” Technically he’s not lying! “La Signora gave you quite the bad impression, huh? Look, between you and me, I can’t say I’m a fan either! But enough about her, I’m here to…uh…help! I’m here to help!”
Lumine, who still hasn’t unsheathed her sword, doesn’t budge. “Go. Leave. I don’t need help from the Fatui.”
Wow. Rude.
“Come now, don’t be like that,” he tries to coax. “I’m not here to give you any trouble.”
And then, inspiration hits him. “I just wanted to find out who killed Rex Lapis!”
That seems to do the trick. Lumine blinks in surprise, the threatening aura around her dissipates. “Rex Lapis…you believe that we were not culprits?”
“I was there. I saw everything,” he admits. “I’m…ah…I guess you can call me a big fan of Rex Lapis after seeing him at last year’s Rite of Descension, so seeing him like this on that altar. That’s just not right. I don’t know who’s behind this but I want to find them.”
“What has this got to do with helping us?” Lumine asks.
“I’m hoping you’ll be able to help with the investigation,” Ajax answers, thinking on his feet. “Even though I’m a diplomat, because I’m from Snezhnaya, the Qixing are rather suspicious of what I do so I don’t have the freedom to move around without being dragged before the Qixing for questioning. Even if I answer honestly and tell them that I am trying to find the real killer, they’re not going to believe me.”
“They’re not going to believe you if you manage to find the real killer either,” Paimon says, nodding in sympathy.
“Exactly. So, I propose a deal. You help me with the investigation and I will help you clear your name.” He holds out his hand. “Deal?”
Lumine stares at him for a few quiet seconds. Finally, she dismisses her weapon in a shower of light. “Alright, deal,” she says and shakes his hand. “What do you propose we do next?”
Ajax looks around. “Come to the Northland Bank. Staying here isn’t an option. As the old Liyue saying goes: "The walls have ears."”
They venture to the bank together with Ajax’s hat firmly back on top of his head. “This way, please,” he says, waving Lumine and Paimon in before stepping forward himself. He gives Vlad a look, holding one finger across his lips in a shushing motion when he sees the guard eyeing him up and down in obvious confusion.
“Here, let’s go to the back to the offices where we can talk a bit more freely.”
They are able to move to Ajax’s office without running into anybody. He was expecting Ekaterina to be at the front desk but it appears she’s away, probably for lunch or maybe to gather intel. The whole city has probably already heard of the news of Rex Lapis’ shocking death at this point.
“Okay, now we can talk,” Ajax says once he closes the door shut behind them. “Please, have a seat. Oh, have some cookies. They’re gingersnaps.”
Paimon lights up and goes for the tin with reckless shamelessness.
“This place. Where are we?” Lumine asks while her companion gorges freely beside her.
“This is the Northland Bank. This bank was opened here in Liyue by Snezhnaya. Though everyone knows Liyue is the most enterprising in Teyvat, Snezhnaya is not short of change either. Would you like some more, Paimon?”
He gives her another tin, this time filled with the tea cakes that Hu Tao is so fond of. Judging by her squeals of happiness, that gift is also similarly well-received.
“Yeah well, poorer nations don't seem the type to have diplomats that come around acting the way yours do towards the Knights of Favonius,” Lumine points out.
“I can’t speak for how the diplomats in Mondstadt have acted, but we here in Liyue have been nothing but respectful,” he says with a shrug. “Anyway, let’s talk about how to clear your name.”
Just as he speaks those words, he hears the familiar chiming sound from the System.
“Status Update: MAIN MISSION Objective (1): Ensure the Main Character reaches Hero Status of Liyue has commenced. The Traveller has arrived in the city on time to witness the Rite of Descension. Keep a close eye on the Traveller to ensure that they do not get into any trouble with the Qixing or the Millelith. Complete. SP +10. Relationship Status with Traveller, F point: +1. Relationship Status with Paimon, F point +1.
“Achievements Earned: ‘What am I wearing? That’s my ass-kicking outfit, bitch!’ for managing to complete the Mission despite wearing the gaudiest outfit around. Rewards earned: SP +5.”
Hey! Ajax thinks, offended. There’s nothing wrong with my outfit!
AR ignores him. “Status Update: MAIN MISSION Objective (1): Ensure the Main Character reaches Hero Status of Liyue has commenced. The Traveller has escaped the clutches of the Millelith but she’s not out of hot water yet. Guide her to the safety of Jueyun Karst where she may meet the Adepti. Mission completion reward: +10 SP. Mission failure consequence: -20 SP.”
The Adepti, huh? Here’s an idea…
“Here, I think I have something that will help.”
Ajax pretends to reach into his pant pocket to fish something out. AR, he thinks, I would like to withdraw one Sigil, please.
In the next second, a soft piece of paper materializes into his hold, and he pulls out his hand, carefully depositing the talisman on the table.
“What is it?” Lumine asks.
“I'm not sure, exactly,” he lies. “Sometimes, all money can buy is "things" and not a name for oneself. All I know is that it's a sigil. A sigil to keep the "mighty and illuminated Adepti" from bringing harm to you.”
Paimon looks up. “Adepti,” she says with her mouth full.
“Right,” Ajax nods. “If you head north from the harbor, then west from Guili Plains, you will eventually reach a stone forest known as Jueyun Karst. The people of Liyue believe it to be the abode of the Adepti.”
“Isn’t it just a legend?” Paimon asks.
"You’ve seen the form of Rex Lapis and he’s known as the Prime Adeptus, so clearly the Adepti exist. Given that fact, I’m inclined to believe that Jueyun Karst is where they can be found as well. The locals certainly believe this to be true; they leave offerings to the Adepti at its borders.
“What’s also helpful is that nobody dares venture in for fear of disrespecting the Adepti. Which means if you can get in there, you will be safe. And if you run across any Adepti and can convince them of your case, that should get the Millelith and the Qixing off of your back."
“What makes you so sure that the Adepti will believe that we’re not the murderers?”
“How can a mere mortal kill a god that can sweep aside entire armies? Rex Lapis never gave up his power as a god. The Adepti, of all beings, know this and know Rex Lapis’ prowess best.”
Ajax crosses his arms and frowns. “This level of crude response from the Qixing is beyond what is called for. How suspicious.”
Because seriously. What is Ningguang thinking?
“You think the Qixing did it and are trying to pin it on someone else?” Lumine asks.
“Your thinking is even more radical than my own. I don’t know if the Qixing did it, but I wouldn’t put it past them to use it as an opportunity to interrogate or throw a few people in jail.”
People like the Fatui, for example.
“Anyway, you best head off. It wouldn’t be long before the Millelith comes swarming in to ask questions. The Adepti can clear you of any wrongdoing, so look for them for help. Be sure to reach them first before the Qixing’s messengers do so that you can present your version of the events first.”
With those parting words, he guides Lumine out of the bank before scurrying off back to his office where he promptly slumps into his chair.
“Status Update: MAIN MISSION Objective (1): Guide the Traveller to the safety of Jueyun Karst where she may meet the Adepti. Complete. SP +10. Relationship Status with Traveller, F point: +1. Relationship Status with Paimon, F point +10.”
Ajax snorts. A quick glance towards the empty tins of snacks confirms it. The little glutton can be easily bought with food.
“Status Update: MAIN MISSION Objective (1): You have sent the Traveller on a journey to seek the audience and alliance of the mighty and illuminated Adepti. Wait for their return for further Mission Objective updates.”
“Huh, okay. I guess that’s it then.” Ajax takes off his hat and runs his fingers through his hair, grimacing at the way it’s become matted to his head, no doubt from the way he had worked up a sweat during their escape. “Urgh. I’m going to need to wash my clothes and poor Zhongli’s coat as well.”
A knock interrupts his grumbling. “Come in,” he calls out.
Ekaterina slips into the room and closes the door quietly behind her. She arches her brow and gives him a look over, her eyes flitting to the hat he’s still clutching in his hand. “Do I even want to know?”
“I brought someone here to hide from the Millelith,” Ajax answers, his voice defensive. “I had to be inconspicuous!”
Ekaterina’s incredulous expression grows. “In that? Master Childe, if that is your definition of inconspicuous, then I don’t want to know what your definition of flashy is. Also, is that Mister Zhongli’s coat?”
Ajax tightens the coat around his body. “…Maybe? Is there anything I can help you with or are you simply here to give your unwelcomed critique on my clothes?”
Ekaterina rolls her eyes. “I was about to give you a report on the latest news from the Rite, but it seems like you must have heard already since you were running from the Millelith. I also thought that we had discussed you staying at home today so that you remain inconspicuous, so imagine my surprise when Vlad told me that you were at the bank, and apparently, harboring a fugitive.”
Ajax winces. Right. Everyone did agree that it’s best if Ajax had stayed at home, including Zhongli, who will be so very disappointed in him when he finds out. Still, he tries to give Ekaterina his most pathetic look. “…Please don’t tell Zhongli?”
“I don’t need to. How are you going to get back to Yujing Terrace now that they’ve locked the place down and dressed like this?”
Ah. He, uh, did not think about this. Huh.
Fuck.
“I’ll, uh, scale the cliffside?”
Ekaterina once again proves that she’s the best because she sighs. “You still have some clothes in your old hotel unit. Change into something that goes better with that hat and drop by Bubu Pharmacy to buy some medicine. If the Millelith decides to stop you, show them the medicine and say that you’re delivering a parcel to Zhongli’s house.”
“Ekaterina, you’re the best,” Ajax gushes. Subterfuge. Of course, that’s the solution. Spoken like a true expert spy!
“Yes, yes, I’m aware,” she answers with a wave of her hand. “Now, why were you harboring a fugitive? Who even is that person?”
“She’s the famed Honourary Knight from Mondstadt, you know, the one from all our intel? The one who helped stopped the dragon?”
Ekaterina nods. “Yes, I recognize her. Why help her though?”
Ah…it just occurred to Ajax that he’s never actually revealed the existence of the sigils to Ekaterina. He had been exceedingly careful and secretive with sending the original talisman to Il Dottore out of fear that it would get stolen but now that the man knows how to replicate it perfectly, that fear is no longer present.
He also doubts there’s much La Signora can do when she finds out about the sigils through Ekaterina.
“I’ve been working on something with Il Dottore,” Ajax begins as he asks AR to summon another sigil in his mind. He reaches into his pocket and plucks the paper out, laying it carefully across the table. “I came across a talisman during a debt collection mission. I showed it to Zhongli and he identified it as a Sigil of Permission. Apparently, very rare. Near priceless. They were created by Rex Lapis during the Archons War to hold Adepti powers and allow the user to channel them. You can imagine that something so precious is only gifted to people who are favoured by Rex Lapis and the Adepti. Naturally, I requested Il Dottore to try and replicate its effects.”
Ekaterina picks up the talisman with careful hands. “Replicate?” she asks. “Whatever for?”
There, he hesitates. Does he tell Ekaterina his plan to unseal Osial now or is it too soon? Come to think of it, does Ekaterina even know his real mission to steal the Geo Archon’s Gnosis? He hasn’t told anyone and he’s not entirely sure if La Signora has either.
Here’s another thing to consider: if he tells Ekaterina and she’s forced to tell La Signora, would he be in breach of the Tsaritsa’s orders to keep his mission a secret?
Fuck. Okay. Best not to risk it.
“To enhance Snezhnaya’s repertoire of arsenal for battle of course,” Ajax answers. “Il Dottore specializes in Archon energy and research so it makes sense to see what he can do. Imagine, if our army is kitted with a stack of these talismans, how much additional firepower we would have in addition to our technology.”
“The talisman here is a replicate? One of Il Dottore’s work?”
Ajax grins. “Yes. Il Dottore gave me a few prototypes to play around with. I decided to give one to the Honourary Knight and directed her to Jueyun Karst where the Adepti are located. If the Sigil is good enough to fool the Adepti there, then Il Dottore’s replication work is absolutely perfect.”
Ekaterina blinks. “Master Childe, that’s…actually very clever.” She hands the talisman over and adds, “of course, you would only use that cleverness for battle-related matters. Why am I not surprised?”
“Hey! Getting stronger is a noble goal, and I, Tartaglia, am always looking to grow stronger!”
The sigh grows wearier. “Of course, you are, Master Childe.”
He follows Ekaterina’s advice and treks back home to Yujing Terrace. He’s lucky; nobody looks at him twice. The Millelith are much too focused on trying to find the mysterious female outsider that has escaped, so he makes it home in good time.
His luck continues to hold when he comes home to an empty house. Good. He doesn’t have to face a disappointed Zhongli.
He quickly stashes his hat, showers, and goes about doing the laundry in the backyard, making sure to toss in his sweaty loungewear and Zhongli’s coat in the laundry hamper as well.
One of the luxuries of owning a Hydro Vision is that he can cheat; using his Hydro mastery, he makes sure the soapy water permeates through the fiber, lifting off every last bit of sweat, oil, and dirt, leaving behind perfectly clean clothing. A couple of equally efficient rinses with clean water and the clothing is as good as new.
He just finishes lifting the clean water from the clothing, gathering it into a floating ball above his palm when he hears footsteps behind him.
“Childe? I am back. How was your day?”
Ajax turns around and grins, his control over the water perfectly maintained. “Welcome back,” he says. “My day’s been quiet, thanks. I’m just finishing up the laundry. Here, let me use this to water the plants and I’ll come right over.”
“Thank you for doing the laundry,” Zhongli says when he brings the basket over. They head back indoors and beeline for the living room where they can start sorting out their various clothes and fold them for easy storage. “I’m glad to hear that it’s been peaceful for you. Have you perhaps heard of the things that have happened today?”
Ajax looks up from the loungewear he’s folding. “No? Why? What happened?”
Zhongli’s brow furrows. “Yes. Something terrible has occurred. During the Rite of Descension, a calamity has struck…”
It’s a bit surreal listening to Zhongli recap what is, in effect, his own death: especially with how factual he sounds. His body is still, his expression near serene save for the smallest frown marring it and Ajax isn’t entirely sure what’s going on. It’s almost as if the man is…being very, very careful? Like he’s handing delicate porcelain?
But why would he look like that while recapping Rex Lapis’ death to him?
…
Wait.
Wait, Zhongli knows he’s been praying to Rex Lapis every day to fend off the Abyssal Taint’s effect. Zhongli also knows the embarrassing fanboy reaction he’s had at seeing him during last year’s Rite. Of course, he’s acting like this; he’s trying to be delicate for Ajax’s sake.
Shit. Shit, he needs to act upset. Can he sell it? He’s not that good of an actor though.
AR, he screams internally. AR! Help!
“Would User Ajax like to purchase the ability, All The World’s A Stage for 25 SP? It grants the User enhanced acting ability up to three uses. Duration one hour per use.”
Yes, yes, buy and activate!
“Understood. All The World’s A Stage has been purchased. Activating the ability in 3…2…1…”
Ajax feels a rush of tingling power flowing down his body from the root of his hair all the way down to the tips of his toes. Sad, he thinks to himself. I need to act sad. Devastated? No, that’s a bit too much, but shocked for sure. Horrified.
Immediately he can feel those very same sets of emotions slam into his heart and oh. Oh, that hurts. His heart hurts.
“Childe?” Zhongli asks, “Are you alright?”
“I – I don’t know,” he stutters out. “What you just – that’s a lot and I’m trying to – ” He shakes his head, a hand reaching over to rub at the spot where his heart is. “Rex Lapis is dead?”
The serene expression cracks and Zhongli reaches out, placing a hand on Ajax’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Childe. I know you wanted another opportunity to meet him.”
“I – just. Who could’ve done it?” he asks, his voice quiet. “Rex Lapis was a god. How is that even possible?”
Perfect. Ajax thinks to himself. Now, disbelief.
He needs to sell that too for the sake of his future mission to release Osial. He needs to convince Zhongli that he’s not entirely sold on the idea of Rex Lapis’ death in order to make it make sense why he would release Osial to flush out the real Rex Lapis.
I am a fucking genius, Ajax thinks to AR. Witness this pro-gamer move.
“Very good, User Ajax,” AR answers with only just a slight hint of exasperation.
Zhongli seems to want to guide him to the conclusion that more is at play because he says, “the Qixing were interrogating all those who attended the Rite. Word on the street is that someone escaped. The Qixing are calling that person the assassin but…”
“But?” Ajax probes.
“As you said, Rex Lapis is a god. One who has never relinquished his power.”
“…So how can a mere mortal kill him? The more I think about it, the less any of this makes sense.”
“Yes. I quite agree.” Zhongli pulls away gently. “Given the heightened tension outside, perhaps it is best if you remain at home for a couple more days in case the Qixing become overly suspicious.”
“They’re going to come knocking on our door, aren’t they? Given the thing with Barbatos…”
“They might.”
They do that very evening, though this time, when Zhongli and Ajax go to answer the door, it’s to the sight of two Millelith and, of all people, Secretary Ganyu.
“Good evening,” Ganyu says with a slight bow. “I apologize for interrupting your evening, but we would like to have a word with Mister Childe, specifically about what happened today.”
Childe nods. “Okay. Yeah. Um, let me go get changed into something more proper –”
“No, no, you do not have to go to the Administrative Building,” Ganyu corrects. “It is sufficient for us to simply have a chat here. I do not anticipate that it will take long.”
Oh. That’s different. Did something happen to garner this change in attitude?
“Of course, please come in,” Zhongli says, stepping aside and letting Ganyu and the Millelith enter. “The living room is this way. I shall go prepare some tea.”
“Mister Zhongli, is it? There is no need, but thank you for your hospitality. I do not wish to take up any more of your time than necessary.”
“Alright then,” Zhongli says. “I shall retreat to my study. Please find me once you are done, Childe.”
“So, Mister Childe,” Ganyu begins once they have seated at the living room. The Millelith remain standing behind Ganyu, but their stances are noticeably relaxed. “Would you mind telling me where you were between the hours of 8 o’clock and 16 o’clock today?”
“I was at home.”
“You didn’t venture out at all?” she asked, surprised. “Today was the Rite. It was the one opportunity to see R –” her voice breaks, and she clears her throat. “To see Rex Lapis.”
“I didn’t want to risk it, not after the last, uh, interview with the Qixing.” Ajax shrugs. “I figured that I should stay put this time around and that there’s always next year if I wanted to see Rex Lapis.” He grimaces. “Looks like that’s not going to be the case, huh?”
The room descends into an awkward silence. Ajax tries not to fidget with the sleeves of his sweater but it's so hard when Ganyu is, for some reason, looking at him all tender and sad, her eyes shining with sympathy.
W – why is she looking at me like that for? Ajax asks AR. She’s looking at me like I lost a loved one!
“I am sorry that you didn’t get to see Rex Lapis one last time,” she says. “I’m – I’m sure he would have wanted you to be there.”
Not really? Zhongli was the one who told Ajax to stay at home.
“I don't know about that,” he says instead, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t think a random foreign dignitary mattered all that much to him…but I wanted to be there.”
“No, that’s not true at all,” Ganyu insists with a fierce shake of her head. “Lord Rex Lapis wanted you.”
Another awkward silence stretches out between them.
What do you want from me, lady? Ajax screams in his mind. I gave you all the answers you wanted. Why won’t you just leave?
“…If you say so, Miss Ganyu,” he says instead. “Is there anything else you would like to ask?”
“No, we’re done here.” She gets up and brushes the wrinkles from her clothes. “Thank you for your time, Mister Childe. Please know that for as long as you stay in Liyue, you will be safe. That is what Rex Lapis would have wanted. And that is the least that us Adepti can do for our Lord Lapis to honour his last wishes.”
Last wishes? “Ah…okay? Thanks?”
They shuffle to the door, but just as Ganyu is about to step out, Ajax calls out, “Wait. Miss Ganyu. I have a question if you please.”
She pauses. “What is it, Mister Childe?”
“If you don’t mind me asking, where is Rex Lapis’ body? I want to – uh – go visit. To pay my respect.”
Not really. He wants to know if the Qixing kept the body in the Golden House like they did in Genshin Impact 1.0. Also, he wants to take a closer look to see those antlers up close and personal.
Her expression turns pained and sympathetic once more. “I am so sorry, Mister Childe. That information is confidential. However, if you would like to provide some sort of tribute or offering, I am happy to take it there for you.”
Well, fuck. Looks like that question’s a bust. And now, he has to prepare some sort of offering, or else he will look like a real ass. “I would love that, Miss Ganyu. Thank you.”
With one last goodbye, he watches her leave and closes the door behind him.
“What was that all about?” he mutters out loud.
He doesn’t have time to ponder the weirdness of the visit (or the weird expression that crossed Zhongli’s face when he had recapped what happened with Ganyu). Shortly after dinner and Ajax’s nightly performance, Zhongli comes knocking on Ajax’s bedroom door.
“My apologies, I should have sorted these earlier today,” he says when Ajax opens the door to let him in. “There is a letter for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I shall leave you to enjoy the rest of the evening in peace. If you need anything at all, feel free to knock on the door to my study.”
Ajax quietly shuts the door behind him before looking at the envelope more carefully, but he thinks he knows who it’s from. After all, how many people in Teyvat actually write to him?
“Another letter from Tonia,” Ajax says.
A ping sounds out. “What does Character Tonia have to say?”
Ajax sinks into his chair before his desk and carefully pulls out the letter, unfolding it to read the pretty cursive of his not-sister’s writing.
Overall, it’s a sweet letter filled with excitement and happiness to hear from her brother. (Ajax would be lying if his heart didn’t hurt when he processed that line.) She received the gifts and loved all the goodies she got. The young brothers Anthon and Teucer (another pang, stronger this time) also love their toys. The rest of the letter is filled with questions about what Liyue is like and whether he’s been on any adventure as of late.
Then, Ajax gets to the last part of the letter, below his not-sister’s signature. There’s a little blurb there written in a different handwriting with letters that are sharper and more slanted. Written in a more mature hand:
Thank you for the headache medicine, son. Stay safe in Liyue.
Love,
Your father
Ajax puts the letter away and leans back against his chair, groaning low and pained as the ache in his heart flares and flares and flares.
The fucking father wrote back. Great. Just what he needs. More complications and another healing scab being ripped right open.
“What have we gotten ourselves into, AR?”
He’s met with silence.
“AR? You, uh, there buddy?
More silence. Then, a ping sounds out. “I – that is – why did he – why would he – ?”
Ajax frowns and sits up. What the actual fuck? “AR? You doing okay?”
“I – My apology, User Ajax. I seem to be experiencing some sort of…disruption to my processes. I – I should be alright now.”
“You sure? You don’t sound so hot, buddy.”
“Y – yes. Yes. My processes are being stabilized. Please do not worry about me.”
Ajax snorts. “Of course, I’m going to worry about you. You and me, we’re in this together.”
“Thank you, User Ajax. Your kindness means a lot.”
“Hey, we’ve gone through enough bullshit together. You can drop the ‘User’ and just call me Ajax, you know. Unless it’s against your parameters or if you don’t want to. Completely up to you.”
“I don’t mind,” comes AR’s response. “There is no such parameter where I have to call you ‘User’ either. Alright then. Ajax, it is.”
“Great,” Ajax says with a weak smile. He glances at the open letter and shakes his head. “How about we call it a night? Let’s deal with this tomorrow. Given the insanity that we have coming up, something tells me that we will have to pace ourselves to preserve our energy.”
“I think that is a wise decision, Ajax.”
Extra I: Ganyu
The news of Lord Lapis’ death hits her like a hammer blow to the chest.
“No, that is impossible,” she says, but Lady Ningguang wouldn't lie, let alone when it comes to something so serious. “Lord Lapis cannot – how did it happen?”
“We don’t know,” Lady Ningguang says, her voice quiet and sympathetic. “The summoning went perfectly but when Rex Lapis appeared, he was already…I’m very sorry, Secretary Ganyu. My interactions with Rex Lapis have been brief and they have always occurred at an arm’s length, but I know you have a longer history with him. I can’t begin to imagine your loss.”
“I should have been there. Had I stayed in Liyue Harbour, maybe I could have stopped this horrible thing.”
“Please do not think for one second that it is your fault,” comes Lady Ningguang’s stern response. “You were running errands for those who decided to take the day off to enjoy the Rite. You were singlehandedly propping the Qixing up. Out of everyone, you are least at fault.” Her expression gentles and she sighs. “There is not much we can do now except finding the truth of what happened. For now, we have stored Lord Lapis’ exuvia in the Golden House and have placed it under heavy guard. We have also sent the Millelith out in search of the mysterious stranger who escaped Yujing Terrace. Please take the rest of the day off and rest.”
Rest? How can she even think about resting at a time like this?
“Please. There has to be something that I can do to help.”
“I was afraid you’re going to say that,” Lady Ningguang mutters. “If you insist, then there is one task I can ask you to do. We are speaking to different suspects, ranging from those who attended the Rite to those who may have a motive to be a threat to Liyue. One of the persons on that list that we haven’t gotten to yet is the Fatui Diplomat Childe of Snezhnaya. I know you have previously mentioned that he should be classified low on the suspect list by orders of Rex Lapis but, well, better safe than sorry.”
Diplomat Childe! Oh no. He is – was – and Rex Lapis’ had loved –
“Please, let me talk to him!” she blurts out.
“He’s all yours.” Lady Ningguang gives her a look. “After your talk with Diplomat Childe, take the rest of the day off. Please.”
Armed with two Millelith beside her (though their presence is completely unnecessary. Ganyu can more than take care of herself), they arrive to the handsome abode listed in the file as Mister Childe’s temporary accommodation.
It is not lost on her that this abode belongs to one Mister Zhongli, consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlour. Although she has only interacted with the man once or twice, and very briefly at that, the mortal has left a deep impression on her, one that exudes elegance, grace, and intelligence. He is a learned man, a virtuous man, one who clearly cares deeply about Liyue’s history, culture, and people, so much so that he alone has the know-how to remember the ceremony required to bury the Adepti. It is no small wonder that he is so well-respected in Liyue Harbour.
Rumour has it that he and Mister Childe are…
Which is more than a little awkward considering Rex Lapis has the intention to claim Mister Childe as his mate. Ganyu had meant to speak to Lord Lapis about this; had meant to warn him that his chosen mate may have already entered into a committed relationship with another mortal, but she had never found the right moment to speak up.
Now, she supposes that that is no longer a problem.
She knocks on the door.
It opens a moment later to reveal Mister Zhongli with Mister Childe beside him. Both of them have obviously changed into something casual without the expectation of receiving any guests. Mister Childe, especially, is in a large shirt and soft pants, a far cry from the tailored, detailed outfit he’s seen sporting on a day-to-day basis.
He looks…young. Younger still now that he’s stripped of his finery. And soft.
Is that what had attracted Lord Lapis to this mortal? The dichotomy between strength and softness seen in this youth? Lord Lapis has always appreciated unusual and rare things, after all. His preference for people is the same.
“Good evening,” Ganyu says with a slight bow. “I apologize for interrupting your evening, but we would like to have a word with Mister Childe, specifically about what happened today.”
Mister Childe nods with an air of resignation. “Okay. Yeah. Um, let me go get changed into something more proper –”
“No, no, you do not have to go to the Administrative Building,” she corrects. “It is sufficient for us to simply have a chat here. I do not anticipate that it will take long.”
“Of course, please come in,” Mister Zhongli says and gestures for her and the Millelith to step inside. “The living room is this way. I shall go prepare some tea.”
Ever the gracious and virtuous man. “Mister Zhongli, is it? There is no need but thank you for your hospitality,” she says. “I do not wish to take up any more of your time than necessary.”
“Alright then,” Mister Zhongli says. “I shall retreat to my study. Please find me once you are done, Childe.”
They settle onto the seats in the living room across from each other. The room is tastefully decorated with fine red-wood furniture and beautiful silk banners. A room that screams of quiet wealth and dignity. It’s very appropriate for Mister Zhongli.
By contrast, Mister Childe, in his soft, loose clothes, seems to stick out. But he doesn’t seem to mind at all. He doesn’t spare his surroundings another glance. Clearly, he’s gotten quite used to everything already.
“So, Mister Childe,” Ganyu begins, tucking her observations aside. “Would you mind telling me where you were between the hours of 8 o’clock and 16 o’clock today?”
“I was at home.”
Oh. That’s…not what she is expecting at all.
“You didn’t venture out at all? Today was the Rite. It was the one opportunity to see R –” her voice breaks then. She takes a second to compose herself and continues. “To see Rex Lapis.”
Mister Childe shrugs with a frown. “I didn’t want to risk it, not after the last, uh, interview with the Qixing,” he answers, his voice soft. “I figured that I should stay put this time around and that there’s always next year if I wanted to see Rex Lapis. Looks like that’s not going to be the case, huh?”
Oh. Now, Ganyu just feels wretched. Mister Childe had wanted to go but had it not been for that interrogation…
Perhaps that is the best. Mister Childe is spared from the sight of the broken body of Lord Lapis lying on top of the altar.
Had circumstances been better, however, “I am sorry that you didn’t get to see Rex Lapis one last time. I’m – I’m sure he would have wanted you to be there.”
“I don't know about that,” Mister Childe says timidly as he rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t think a random foreign dignitary mattered all that much to him…but I wanted to be there.”
Nothing can be further from the truth, and Ganyu says it as much. “No, that’s not true at all. Lord Rex Lapis wanted you.”
But judging by Mister Childe’s answer, it begs the question, does Mister Childe even know that he had captured the heart of Lord Lapis? Was Lord Lapis ever going to tell him?
Or maybe, Lord Lapis had been planning to court the mortal slowly.
Lord Lapis had been so happy at that meeting with Mister Childe’s sleeping form curled against him. So very, very happy. And Ganyu can see what that happiness would look like further into the future. Yes, she can picture perfectly how Lord Lapis and Mister Childe would spend their evenings sitting together in a living room, not unlike the one they are currently in, enjoying each other’s company. Or maybe, they would enjoy the serenity over a shared meal and some tea, or over some light music. If Mister Childe knows how to play an instrument, Lord Lapis would have enjoyed that. Lord Lapis do – did – love his music.
The knowledge of what could have been hurts.
“…If you say so, Miss Ganyu,” Mister Childe says after a moment of contemplative silence. “Is there anything else you would like to ask?”
“No, we’re done here.” She gets up and brushes the wrinkles from her clothes. No use in getting maudlin here. “Thank you for your time, Mister Childe. Please know that for as long as you stay in Liyue, you will be safe. That is what Rex Lapis would have wanted. And that is the least that we Adepti can do for our Lord Lapis to honour his last wishes.”
Lord Lapis had chosen Mister Childe as his mate. Lord Lapis had asked the Adepti to keep Mister Childe safe. Ganyu heard Lord Lapis’ last wish loud and clear. She will honour it and, she suspects, so will all the other Adepti.
She’s guided to the door and she’s just about to leave the house when she hears Mister Childe call out, “Wait. Miss Ganyu. I have a question if you please.”
“What is it, Mister Childe?”
“If you don’t mind me asking, where is Rex Lapis’ body? I want to – uh – go visit. To pay my respect.”
Oh no. She can’t even give Mister Childe that.
“I am so sorry, Mister Childe. That information is confidential. However, if you would like to provide some sort of tribute or offering, I am happy to take it there for you.”
Mister Childe nods. “I would love that, Miss Ganyu. Thank you.”
It really is the least she could do. But perhaps, once the truth of Lord Lapis’ death is uncovered, she will reach out to Mister Childe once more and let him say his goodbyes properly. It’s what Lord Lapis would have wanted – a last chance to have his would-be mate by his side.