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Chapter Text

“Father actually gave me a month away from my duties. A rare gift… though I fail to see it as such,” a young blond man muttered to himself.

This was Aether—though his true name was Samael—the eldest of the Archangels. He wore black underclothes with a pair of matching gloves, layered beneath a long-sleeved, gold-accented white coat that reached his ankles. A golden necktie, shoulder pads, knee guards, and boots further added to the absurd amount of gold in his attire.

Leaning against a tree atop a cliff near Whispering Woods, he gazed over the city of Mondstadt. The cool breeze rustled through his golden hair as he took a bite of an apple. Below him, the city bustled with life—merchants called out their wares, the Knights of Favonius patrolled the streets, and children’s laughter rang through the air.

“Mundane. Predictable. Boring,” Aether mused, his sharp golden eyes drifting upward as he twirled the apple’s core between his fingers.

His siblings, the other Archangels, had been thrilled when he announced his visit to Teyvat. His younger brother Jophiel nearly tackled him in excitement, his twin sister Michelle beamed with joy, and even the ever-serious, workaholic Gabriel had given him a rare nod of approval. Their reactions had been mildly annoying, but he couldn't bring himself to be irritated. It had been ages since he last set foot on Teyvat—since the war against the Vidyadharas and the Sovereigns.

At the time, he thought this trip would be a rare moment of relaxation. Instead, he was realizing that relaxation did not suit him.

Exhaling softly, he tossed away the apple core. Watching humans go about their daily lives was tedious. The battlefield had always been his stage. Stripped of war, of conquest, he felt… aimless.

“Perhaps I should not have come,” he murmured.

Stretching his arms, Aether stepped toward the cliff’s edge. He was done watching. If the city of Mondstadt could not entertain him, he would seek entertainment elsewhere. His gaze shifted toward the distant ruins of Old Mondstadt—a place said to be crawling with monsters.

A fight. That’s what he needed.

With a powerful leap, he launched himself off the cliff. As he plummeted, golden wings of pure light emerged from his back, unfurling just in time to carry him skyward. With a beat of those radiant wings, he soared toward the ruins, eager to find something—anything—that could remind him of his purpose.

_______________________________________________________

The ruins of the old city of Mondstadt, once ruled by Decarabian, the God of Storms during the Archon War, stood in silence as remnants of an era from the distant past. Their towering stone structures had been worn down by time and the relentless wind. Broken bridges lay scattered across the ruins, and nature had long since reclaimed what was once a grand city. To most, this place was nothing more than a graveyard of the past—dangerous, eerie, best left undisturbed.

To Lilith, it was just another adventure.

She stepped carefully over the uneven stone flooring, adjusting the strap of her bag as she surveyed her surroundings. Dressed in the signature colors of the Adventurers’ Guild—white, green, and brown, with accents of blue—she looked every bit the seasoned explorer. A Pyro Vision hung from her belt, pulsing faintly, and in her right hand, she held a Favonius Sword that had seen its fair share of battles and adventures.

“Alright, let’s see…” she muttered, unfolding a slightly crumpled map. Her sharp amber eyes flickered between the parchment and the ruins before her. “If the records are right, there should be a hidden chamber somewhere around here.”

A smirk tugged at her lips. Most people wouldn’t bother exploring these ruins—not just because they were old, but because they were crawling with monsters. Hilichurls, Slimes, and the occasional Eye of the Storm made the ruins a deathtrap for most. But Lilith? She thrived in places like this.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, wild air. The scent of damp stone and old moss filled her senses. This was her stage—not the safety of city walls, not the mundanity of routine, but the thrill of discovery and adventure.

A sudden sound of footsteps in the distance made her grip tighten on her sword. She narrowed her eyes, listening intently. Something was moving.

“Hilichurls, maybe?” she sighed, rolling her shoulders. “Can’t go on an adventure without a warm-up fight, huh?”

As her Vision glowed, flickers of Pyro energy sparked around her hands and onto her sword as she readied herself. The unmistakable sounds of approaching creatures grew closer. Whatever lurked in these ruins, she was ready for it.

After all, that was the whole point of coming here.

_______________________________________________________

The ruins of Old Mondstadt stretched endlessly before Aether, their crumbling walls whispering stories of the past. He walked with an easy stride, golden eyes scanning the remnants of the fallen city. The wind carried the distant howls of monsters, but he barely paid them any mind. He was here for one reason—to fight.

Aether sighed, rolling his shoulders as he stepped over broken stone slabs. “There has to be something worthwhile here,” he muttered under his breath.

Ahead, a group of Hilichurls lurked around a campfire. At the sound of his approach, they turned, gripping their clubs and crossbows, raising them in unison as they sensed his presence. Aether tilted his head, unimpressed.

With a swift motion, he summoned his sword, the blade forming from particles of light that gleamed brilliantly under the sun. He didn’t need his powers for this. In a blur, he cut through them with precise ease, slicing them apart before they could react. His movements were fluid, efficient, effortless.

A sharp whistle cut through the air—a crossbow bolt, aimed at his back. Without looking, he caught it with his bare hand. The Hilichurl archer barely had time to process what had happened before Aether vanished from sight. A split second later, he reappeared behind it, delivering a powerful kick that sent the creature flying into a crumbling stone pillar.

More enemies emerged. Slimes of various elements bounded toward him from a nearby lake, sensing his presence. He cut them down without hesitation, his blade slicing cleanly through their gelatinous bodies. It was all too easy. No challenge, no thrill—just the same mindless foes over and over again.

“This is getting ridiculous,” he muttered, flicking the slime residue off his sword.

Venturing deeper into the ruins, he hoped to find something more formidable. But the further he went, the clearer it became—Old Mondstadt held nothing but more of the same. Hilichurls, Slimes, the occasional Mitachurls, all falling with minimal effort. Even when he let them surround him, choosing to fight with only his fists, they barely put up a fight. Not even the larger enemies could pose a threat.

He exhaled sharply, disappointment creeping into his expression. He glanced up at the sky. Celestia, his home, awaited his return, but something held him back. A strange, nagging feeling told him not to leave just yet.

Then, a sound.

His ears twitched as he caught the distant clash of steel and the unmistakable bursts of Pyro flickering beyond the ruins. Someone was fighting.

Curious, he moved toward the source of the noise, keeping his presence hidden in the shadows. As he drew closer, he caught sight of a lone figure—Lilith.

She moved with precision, her sword cutting through her enemies with controlled strikes. The Pyro Vision on her belt pulsed in sync with her attacks, sending bursts of fire into the Hilichurls surrounding her. Aether’s eyes gleamed with interest as he observed her movements. She was skilled—not extraordinary, but skilled.

He crossed his arms, leaning against a broken pillar as he watched. There was something entertaining about seeing a mortal fight, especially one who carried herself with such confidence. He could tell she wasn’t a knight or some noble warrior—she was an adventurer, someone who fought not for duty, but for the thrill of the unknown.

Still, he was starting to grow bored again. She was handling herself well enough, and he saw no reason to intervene. He turned to leave—

A gust of wind howled through the ruins.

Aether stopped in his tracks as the shadows twisted, and from their depths, an Eye of the Storm emerged.

Lilith’s expression shifted, her body tensing as the airborne monster loomed over her. She readied her stance, gripping her sword tightly, but Aether could already tell—she was at a disadvantage. Humans weren’t meant to fight creatures like these alone.

Something within him stirred, an instinct he couldn’t quite place. Before he could even rationalize it, his feet were already moving.

With a single leap, he landed between Lilith and the creature, his sword raised. “Stand back, mortal,” he declared, a smirk tugging at his lips. “This fight is beyond you.”

Lilith blinked, startled by his sudden appearance, but Aether had already focused his attention on the enemy. Unlike before, he refrained from using his powers, relying solely on his swordsmanship. The Eye of the Storm howled, sending powerful gusts of wind in all directions. Aether dashed through the tempest with ease, his blade slicing through the air. He landed precise strikes, forcing the creature back.

The battle lasted only moments. With one final slash, Aether brought the monster down, its body dissolving into nothingness. He exhaled, spinning his sword before sheathing it with a flourish.

Turning to Lilith, he straightened his posture, tilting his chin up ever so slightly. “You should be grateful,” he announced, his tone dripping with pride. “You were hopelessly outmatched, but luckily for you, I, Archangel Samael, have graced you with my presence. No need to thank me too much, mortal one.”

Lilith stared at him, her expression unreadable for a long moment. Then, with a slow blink, she tilted her head and gave him an unexpected remark.

“…You’re a lot shorter than I expected,” she said flatly.

Aether froze. “What?”

“I mean, I’ve read ancient books and scriptures about celestial beings before—seen old cave paintings and murals during my adventures,” she continued, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “They’re always depicted as these tall, majestic figures. But you? You’re…” Her amber eyes flicked over him again. “…not what I imagined. We even look the same age—height and everything! Though, you’re still taller than me… but barely,” she remarked.

Aether gawked at her, momentarily at a loss for words. He was supposed to be the one in control of the conversation, the one standing above mortals with an air of divine superiority. But here was this human, effortlessly cutting through his carefully crafted image with a single remark.

Lilith smirked. “What? Did I strike a nerve?”

Aether’s eye twitched. “…Tch.”

This mortal was going to be a problem.

Chapter Text

“You dare insult me, mortal?” Aether said, irritation flickering in his golden eyes as he stared Lilith down.

Lilith smirked, unfazed. “Or what?” she mocked.

Aether’s eye twitched. He wasn’t used to mortals speaking to him like this—especially not with that infuriating smirk.

Before things could escalate further, the wind around them howled once again. Lilith drew her sword, her gaze shifting behind Aether. He turned to see what she was looking at, and both narrowed their eyes as three more Eyes of the Storm emerged from the shadows.

“Oh, come on!” Lilith groaned, gripping her sword tightly. “Did we just piss off their whole family or something?”

Aether exhaled sharply, adjusting his stance. “Looks like it. Try to keep up.”

Lilith shot him a glare. “Keep up? Please. I’ll clear them before you even—”

Before she could finish, Aether dashed forward, already launching his attack.

One of the Eyes of the Storm dove toward them, spinning violently like a tornado. Lilith sidestepped with incredible speed, narrowly avoiding being caught in its path. Aether countered, summoning four spears of light in the air and launching them toward the creature. The spears struck true, and the Eye of the Storm crumbled apart instantly.

The second Eye of the Storm fired a barrage of wind blades. Lilith ducked and weaved between them with agile precision, her sword glowing as she activated her Vision, imbuing it with Pyro. She leapt onto a fallen pillar and launched herself at the creature, slashing through its swirling form and making it screech in pain.

Aether, meanwhile, switched to his sword, slicing through the third Eye of the Storm in a single, clean motion. As it collapsed, he turned his focus to the one Lilith was fighting. Seeing an opening, he dashed forward and delivered a precise strike, shattering its Anemo core and sending it spiraling to the ground.

Lilith landed beside him, panting slightly but grinning. “Not bad, Blondie. But we’re not done yet.”

Aether slowly turned his head, his expression unreadable. “…Call me that again, and I’ll kill you.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow. “Okay, geez, relax, it was a joke.” She rolled her eyes as Aether scoffed.

With the battle over, silence settled over the ruins. Lilith exhaled, rolling her shoulders. “Well, that was fun and all, but if we’re done playing exterminators, will you leave me alone? I’ve got treasure to find.”

Aether raised an eyebrow. “Treasure? Why?”

“For rent, obviously.”

Aether frowned. “Okay… what’s that?”

Lilith stared at him like he had just grown a second head. “Did—did you seriously just ask me what rent is?”

Aether tilted his head. “Yes? Should I already know?”

Lilith opened her mouth, closed it, then groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Oh my Archons… How do you not know what rent is?”

“I don’t see why it’s relevant.”

Lilith scoffed. “Oh, it’s very relevant, Blondie. It’s literally the bane of my existence.”

Aether’s eyes narrowed. “I told you not to call me that.”

Lilith smirked. “What? Blondie? What are you gonna do, kill me?”

Aether’s expression remained deadpan. “That depends.”

Lilith snorted. “Terrifying. Anyway, rent is when some stingy landlord demands that you hand over a ridiculous amount of Mora every month just so you don’t end up homeless.”

Aether frowned. “That’s stupid.”

Lilith threw her hands up. “Oh wow, look at that, we actually agree on something!”

Aether ignored her sarcasm. “Why do you keep paying them, then?”

“Because that’s how the world works!” Lilith snapped. “You either pay up, or they kick you out on the street! And then if you try to sleep on the street, some knight or guard or whatever tells you that’s illegal too! So you can’t even be homeless in peace!”

Aether blinked. “That… doesn’t make any sense.”

Lilith pointed at him dramatically. “Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time! Rent is a scam! But do the landlords care? No! They just sit on their fancy chairs, sipping expensive wine, laughing while the rest of us scrape by with whatever crumbs we can find.”

Aether shrugged. “So kill them.”

Lilith froze. “Wait. What.”

“If they’re a problem, get rid of them. Simple.”

Lilith gawked at him. “Oh my Archons, you are actually insane.”

Aether crossed his arms. “I fail to see the issue.”

“The issue is that you don’t just kill people because they charge too much for rent!” Lilith shouted.

Aether frowned. “Sounds like a valid reason to me.”

Lilith let out a strangled noise. “Yeah, well, that’s because you don’t live in the real world! If you start taking out landlords, the authorities will come after you!”

Aether tilted his head. “And?”

Lilith slapped her forehead. “And then you die! You can’t just go around murdering people because they annoy you!”

Aether’s expression remained neutral. “I’ve already died once. It’s not that bad.” His voice was almost nostalgic, briefly reminiscing about his final battle alongside the Four Shades against Nibelung, the Vidyadhara King. If not for Amon, he would have actually died—permanently.

Lilith’s eye twitched. “No. Nope. I refuse to unpack that statement right now.”

Aether hummed. “If the issue is money, why not just take what you need?”

Lilith’s eyes narrowed. “You mean steal?”

“Yes.”

She gave him a long, hard look. “You’re a menace to society, you know that?”

Aether didn’t seem offended in the slightest. “You’re not the first one to say that.”

Lilith exhaled sharply. “Look, I could steal, but then bounty hunters would start coming after me, and I don’t want to deal with that every time I try to buy groceries.”

Aether thought for a moment. “Then… why not find a different place to live? One without rent?”

Lilith let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, sure, let me just pack my things and move to rent-free land, where the houses grow on trees and nobody demands payment. What a brilliant idea.”

Aether’s expression remained neutral. “If it doesn’t exist, then make it.”

Lilith squinted at him. “Do you hear yourself when you talk?”

Aether didn’t answer. Instead, he looked off into the distance, lost in thought. “Humanity is flawed.”

Lilith threw her hands up. “Finally! You get it! Took you long enough.”

Aether turned to her suddenly. “If you need Mora to survive, then I’ll help you find this treasure.”

Lilith blinked. “Wait, what?”

Aether nodded. “I’ll help. If it keeps you from struggling, then it makes sense. Also because I’m bored, and I don’t want to disappoint my siblings by coming to Teyvat only to leave after one day.”

Lilith stared at him, surprised. “You have siblings? Hmmm… Alright then, but I’m keeping most of it.”

Aether shrugged. “I don’t need it.”

Lilith let out an exaggerated sigh. “Of course you don’t.”

She shook her head and started walking. “Alright, come on, Blondie, let’s get this over with.”

Aether’s eye twitched. “I told you—”

“Yeah, yeah, ‘Call me that again and I’ll kill you,’ I heard you.” Lilith waved him off. “Now hurry up. We’ve got a treasure to find.”

Aether scowled but followed her without another word, still deep in thought. Humanity is flawed…

Chapter Text

The ancient ruins loomed before them, half-buried in time and mystery. Crumbling stone pillars jutted out from the ground like the bones of a long-dead civilization, while faded carvings lined the walls, whispering of a forgotten past. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of moss, a testament to how few had dared to tread these halls in centuries.

Lilith took the lead, stepping over loose rubble with practiced ease. “Alright, treasure should be deeper in. Stay close and try not to break anything important,” she quipped.

Aether scoffed, striding past her as if he owned the place. “I have walked through the ruins of empires far greater than this. If anything, you should be keeping up with me.”

Lilith rolled her eyes but didn’t argue—at least, not yet. They had bigger things to focus on, like the ominous stone doorway ahead, partially collapsed and covered in vines. She studied the inscriptions, tracing the ancient script with her fingers.

“Huh. Looks like a riddle. ‘The path ahead is sealed by wisdom and trial. Prove your worth or be swallowed by the past.’”

Aether folded his arms. “So, a test of intelligence? This should be effortless.”

Lilith smirked. “I dunno, that sounds pretty hard for you.”

Before Aether could retort, the floor beneath them trembled. A deep, mechanical clunk echoed through the chamber as the doorway slid open—only for a barrage of arrows to launch from hidden slits in the walls.

Lilith’s reflexes kicked in instantly—she ducked and rolled to the side, dodging the deadly projectiles with ease. Aether, on the other hand, didn’t even flinch. The arrows that came his way bounced harmlessly off a barrier of golden light, dispersing into nothingness. He glanced at Lilith with a smirk.

“For someone who claims to be an expert, you seem to be struggling.”

“Oh, shut up.” She dusted herself off, glaring at him before stepping forward. “Let’s just get moving before more traps decide to wake up.”

The deeper they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls narrowed, pressing in on either side, forcing them to walk shoulder to shoulder. Strange glyphs shimmered faintly along the passage, glowing with residual energy as if responding to their presence.

Aether studied them with faint recognition. “These markings… Celestial script, but corrupted. Twisted. Something darker is at play here.”

Lilith glanced at him. “What, like cursed?”

“Worse,” he murmured. “Forgotten.”

Their footsteps echoed softly, swallowed by the dark. For a while, neither spoke, letting the tension settle between them. Finally, Lilith broke the silence.

“You know,” she said, stealing a side glance at him, “you never asked for my name.”

Aether didn’t look at her. “I didn’t need to. You are an ordinary mortal. What does it matter?”

Lilith scoffed. “Wow. You really are full of yourself, huh?” She extended a hand. “Lilith. Adventurer, treasure hunter, occasional troublemaker. Try not to forget it.”

Aether paused, eyes dropping to her hand. Slowly, he clasped it—formally, without warmth, like one would accept a diplomatic truce. “Samael. First among the Archangels, warrior of Celestia, and far beyond the concerns of mortals.”

Lilith smirked. “Cool. I’ll call you Aether.”

Aether’s expression darkened. “…That is not my name.”

“It is now.”

Before he could rebuke her again, a distant sound interrupted them. A low, bone-rattling growl echoed through the ruins, deep enough to shake dust from the ceiling. It wasn’t the creak of ancient mechanisms or the groan of shifting stone—this was alive.

Lilith’s muscles tensed. She drew her sword from its sheath, the blade glinting in the faint light. “Guess we’ve got company.”

Aether tilted his head slightly, golden energy crackling to life along his arms. “Finally, something interesting.”

_______________________________________________________

They rounded a corner into a vast chamber—at least, what remained of it. The ceiling had partially collapsed, sunlight pouring through cracks in the stone, illuminating a titanic figure slumped in the center. It was some sort of construct—part dragon, part statue, its body pieced together from ancient stone and pulsing core crystals. Its eyes lit up the moment they entered, glowing with a sinister crimson hue.

“Let me guess,” Lilith muttered, bracing herself, “guard dog?”

“Trial beast,” Aether corrected, already levitating a few feet off the ground. “Left behind by those who once served the divine. This should be over quickly.”

The construct reared back, letting out a metallic roar before launching forward with surprising speed. Lilith rolled aside, slashing at its flank while Aether sent a spear of light through its shoulder. It howled, flinging them both back with a burst of kinetic force.

“Over quickly, huh?” Lilith growled, flipping onto her feet. “This thing’s tougher than it looks!”

Aether didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on the creature, expression unusually focused. “Its core. Aim for the chest.”

Lilith nodded and dashed forward, weaving between the creature’s heavy strikes. She slid under a sweeping claw and launched herself up, driving her sword toward the glowing crystal embedded in the monster’s torso. The impact sparked a burst of light—and pain. The beast let out another roar, staggering back.

Seizing the opportunity, Aether summoned several more spears of light and rained them down from above, each strike chipping away at the beast’s outer plating. Lilith followed up with a brutal slash to the knee joint, forcing it to buckle.

After a few more tense exchanges and near-misses, the beast finally collapsed with a pained groan, its body disintegrating into stone and ash.

Breathing heavily, Lilith leaned against a nearby pillar. “Alright… I’ll admit it. That was fun.”

Aether hovered down to the ground, inspecting the creature’s remains. “That was merely the warm-up.”

“Of course it was,” she muttered, sheathing her sword.

Behind the fallen construct, another sealed doorway rumbled open, revealing a smaller chamber filled with relics, old tomes, and—at the center—an ornate pedestal with a glimmering artifact atop it. It shimmered with a strange light, pulsating like a heartbeat.

Lilith’s eyes lit up. “Jackpot.”

She strode forward, picking up the artifact carefully. It was a crystalline orb, warm to the touch, humming with dormant energy. She turned to Aether, her tone serious for the first time since entering the ruins.

“Whatever this thing is… it’s not just valuable. It’s dangerous.”

Aether’s gaze sharpened. “Then we must ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow. “Like mine?”

He didn’t answer, which said enough.

She tucked the artifact into her bag with a shrug. “Well, too late for that.”

Aether sighed, exasperated. “You are insufferable.”

“And yet, here we are. Best friends already.”

“Hardly.”

They turned to leave, the echoes of their footsteps fading back into the depths. Whatever mysteries lay ahead, one thing was certain—they made a hell of a team, whether they liked it or not.

Chapter Text

Mondstadt was unusually crowded that morning. Between merchants setting up stalls and nobles parading about in velvet-lined carriages, the city felt alive with excess and noise.

Aether stood out like a sore thumb—or rather, like a gilded blade in a peasant’s haystack.

“Who is that?” someone whispered.
“A foreign noble, maybe?” another guessed.
“His clothes are so unique. A noble from Fontaine? I hear they dress like theater actors.”
“But why is he being dragged by… her?”

Lilith remained oblivious—or perhaps purposefully ignored the stares and whispers. With the artifact wrapped in cloth, she weaved confidently through alleyways, dragging Aether by the wrist like a stubborn toddler.

“I can walk on my own,” Aether muttered, yanking his arm free. “And I don’t run peasant errands.”

“Then pretend you’re on a sightseeing tour. You did say you wanted to understand humanity better.”

“I meant observing them. From a distance. Preferably from my personal balcony.”

Lilith rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

As they neared the black market, Aether felt a familiar change in the wind—an old, divine sensation. And just as Lilith paused, distracted—probably sizing up a pickpocket she was about to out-thieve—he slipped away into the crowd with effortless grace.

_____________________________________________

A short while later, atop the Mondstadt Cathedral, Aether found the source of that divine pulse.

“Enjoying your unadorned life among the mortals, nephew?”

The voice was playful but wise. Aether turned to see Venti—Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, his nephew by divine lineage—lounging lazily on the ledge, lyre in hand and a smirk on his lips.

“You’re a god,” Aether said flatly. “Yet here you are, hiding among your subjects.”

“I prefer living among them,” Venti replied.

Aether scoffed. “Mortals are barely worth a passing glance, let alone cohabitation.”

Venti’s smile thinned. “That’s where we differ.”

Aether stepped closer, arms crossed. “You lower yourself for the sake of sentiment. Just like Astaroth.”

“My father wanted peace,” Venti said, his tone deepening. “Freedom. A land where people choose their destiny—not have it dictated by divine decree.”

Aether chuckled coldly. “Still incredibly naïve. Celestia’s authority is absolute. Sitting in taverns playing to drunkards doesn’t make you free.”

Venti looked out over the city. “And yet, the people here laugh, sing, dream. That’s more than most can say under Celestia’s shadow.”

“Hmph. Unlike you, your cousins earned their titles. Morax shaped Liyue with unbreakable contracts. Egeria ruled Fontaine through order and law. They carved nations from chaos—I respect that.”

Venti tilted his head. “And what about my brother, Curson? You always speak highly of his strength.”

Aether’s face hardened. “He should’ve taken the Gnosis. His power eclipses every combatant in the Archon War. But he gave it away to Baal. Weakness disguised as mercy.”

“Or maybe he saw strength in letting someone else lead,” Venti said gently. “Baal rules with grace. Curson’s strength lies in destruction, but hers... is in compassion.”

“Compassion is not a virtue among gods. It’s a leash.”

A silence settled between them, the wind whispering past the statues and spires.

“They’re growing,” Venti murmured. “Khaenri’ah. The Abyss. Abaddon. One day, Teyvat may fall into darkness again—chaos, destruction, despair.”

Just hearing that name—Abaddon—sent a chill through Aether, memories of the Calamity flaring behind his eyes.

“As long as Abaddon remains sealed, the Abyss is no real threat,” he replied coldly. “Khaenri’ah, though… it was born in rebellion. And it will die by it.” He recalled Michelle’s words—how the Crimson Moon Dynasty had been overthrown by the Eclipse Dynasty. Khaenri’ah repeated history, soaked in the same fire.

“Or it might bring Teyvat to its knees.”

Aether opened his mouth to respond when—

“AETHER!”

The divine moment shattered like glass.

Lilith stormed into the clearing, fury radiating from every step. Without care for hierarchy or holy presence, she grabbed Aether by the sleeve and yanked him toward her.

“Where the fuck were you?! You left me with ZERO clue where you’d gone! Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?! And here you are, chatting with the local drunkard!”

Aether rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

Venti blinked, stunned, as Lilith scolded the Archangel like an angry mother catching her son setting the drapes on fire. Even more baffling—Aether didn’t retaliate. No divine retribution. No nuclear smiting. Just quiet grumbling.

The same Aether who could snuff out stars like birthday candles.

“You’re… letting her do that?” Venti asked, genuinely baffled.

“Don’t read into it,” Aether muttered.

“I’m right here,” Lilith snapped, dragging him toward the merchant stalls again.

“I know,” Aether growled.

_____________________________________________

Even after they left the Cathedral, they kept arguing—loudly. It wasn’t long before they attracted attention.

A small crowd formed. Nobles passing by recognized Aether—and this time, they didn’t just admire him.

A middle-aged baron stepped forward with a polite bow.
“My lord,” he said smoothly, “forgive me, but… is this commoner bothering you?”

Aether blinked.

Another noble chimed in. “If she’s harassing you, just say the word. We’ll deal with her.”

Lilith raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“I mean no offense,” the noble stammered, hands raised. “It’s just… a man of your refinement shouldn’t be manhandled by a peasant.”

“Peasant?” Lilith hissed.

And then it escalated.

More nobles crowded in, some offering flattery, others tugging at Lilith. One man made the mistake of letting his hand wander inappropriately.

Crack.

Aether moved faster than the eye could follow. He seized the man’s arm and twisted until it snapped with a sickening sound.

Gasps erupted.

Another lunged at Lilith—Aether’s hand closed around the man’s throat before his feet touched the ground.

Nobles shouted. Some fled. Knights arrived, swords drawn.

“By order of the Knights of Favonius—stand down!”

Aether’s aura pulsed with dangerous Lux energy. He smiled, eyes gleaming.

“Oh good,” he said. “Now it’s getting fun.”

“No, no, no!” Lilith yelled, grabbing his wrist. “We’re leaving! You’ll level half the nation!”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Whatever am I going to do with you.”

Knights yelled. Vendors screamed. Lilith and Aether vanished into the alleyways—one in a full-blown panic, the other sighing in disappointment.

Chapter Text

The streets of Mondstadt had quieted considerably as dusk settled, the frantic bustle of the day giving way to the softer glow of lantern light and the smell of roasting meats drifting from open windows. The city was slowly shedding its daytime mask, and for Lilith and Aether, this meant an opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

“Alright,” Lilith whispered, her eyes darting toward the empty alley. “The coast is clear. Let’s move.”

Aether adjusted his lavish robes, which still drew the occasional curious glance despite the fading light. “You know, I don’t understand why you insist on dragging me around like some child.”

Lilith smirked, tugging him forward by the sleeve. “Because, dear Archangel, you are the most disobedient child I know.”

Their footsteps echoed softly as they navigated the winding paths toward Lilith’s modest home—a humble building tucked away in one of Mondstadt’s quieter neighborhoods. Nothing like the grand stone spires of the Cathedral or the bustling markets, but clean and warm in its simplicity.

Lilith pushed the door open with a creak, revealing a small kitchen that smelled faintly of herbs and old wood.

“So,” she said, turning to Aether with a teasing grin, “are you hungry?”

Aether’s lips tightened. “I’m not.”

His stomach betrayed him with a sudden, loud growl.

Lilith chuckled softly, folding her arms. “Sure you’re not.” She grabbed a chair and practically shoved him down onto it. “Sit. You’re waiting for dinner, whether you like it or not.”

Aether gave a resigned sigh but settled, curiosity flickering in his eyes as Lilith began unpacking a basket of ingredients. Root vegetables, some fresh herbs, a few cuts of meat—all simple things, but the task ahead felt foreign.

Watching Lilith move about the kitchen with practiced ease was strangely mesmerizing. She diced, stirred, and seasoned with a confident rhythm that Aether had never witnessed before. In his long existence, he had wielded swords, commanded elemental fury, and faced gods, but cooking was… different.

He leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to memorize her every movement. “Is there a specific order to all this?”

Lilith shot him a sideways glance. “You mean besides ‘don’t burn the place down’? Yeah, there is. But mostly, it’s about patience and attention. And a bit of luck.”

Aether’s brow furrowed. “Patience? Luck? Those sound like weaknesses.”

“Or a challenge,” Lilith replied with a smirk.

When the meal was finally plated—a modest stew with crusty bread on the side—Lilith set the bowl in front of him.

Aether stared down at it, expression unreadable. He lifted the spoon and took a cautious bite.

The initial taste was bland, perhaps a little underseasoned. “It’s… horrible,” he declared with a straight face.

Lilith raised an eyebrow, watching him closely.

But then, despite his words, Aether’s eyes gleamed with faint appreciation. The warmth spreading from the stew was comforting in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Your face says otherwise.”

He smirked, finally. “I suppose it’s… edible.”

The evening passed quietly. After dinner, Lilith prepared a small space on the worn couch for Aether to sleep. He accepted it without protest, the weight of the day settling on his shoulders.

As sleep pulled him under, a question lingered in his mind—how difficult could cooking really be? Compared to swordsmanship or bending elements to his will, this seemed simple enough.

He was about to learn just how wrong he was.

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Morning light crept in through thin curtains, carrying with it an acrid smell that invaded Lilith’s room like an uninvited guest.

She woke with a start, nose wrinkling as the scent grew stronger.

Following the smell, she stumbled toward the kitchen—and stopped dead in her tracks.

Smoke curled from the stove, blackening the ceiling. The kitchen was a mess: pots overturned, flour dusting every surface like snow, and Aether standing in the middle of the chaos, looking both sheepish and oddly proud.

“Care to explain?” Lilith asked, arms crossed, voice amused despite the disaster before her.

Aether held up a charred spoon like a trophy. “I attempted… breakfast.”

Lilith laughed, shaking her head. “You could have burned the whole house down.”

“I see cooking requires… more finesse than I expected.”

Over the next days, Lilith took on the role of teacher while Aether remained the stubborn student.

“Don’t stir so violently,” she instructed, demonstrating the gentle folding of batter.

Aether watched, arms folded, lips pursed. “If you wield a sword that delicately, you won’t survive a battle.”

Lilith grinned. “This isn’t a battlefield.”

He frowned, unconvinced.

“Cooking demands precision, timing, and care. Just like any fight, but with a softer touch.”

At first, Aether’s attempts were catastrophic. He burned stews, over-salted soups, and managed to break more utensils than Lilith cared to count. Each failure was met with frustration but also a growing spark of determination.

“I don’t see why mortals make such a big deal about this,” he muttered after one particularly smoky attempt.

Lilith caught the corner of his mouth twitching in a smirk. “You’re learning.”

Slowly, the Archangel began to improve. His hands became steadier, his sense of timing sharper. The kitchen transformed from a place of chaos to one where he could experiment, where failure was just a step toward mastery.

One evening, after a surprisingly edible stew, Lilith nudged him.

“See? Cooking isn’t so different from swordsmanship or magic.”

Aether considered it, then nodded. “Perhaps it is not weakness… but another form of strength.”

Lilith smiled warmly. “Exactly.”

And somewhere between the flames and flour, the proud Archangel discovered a new kind of power—one born from patience, humility, and the simple act of feeding another.