Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dottore was a very busy man.

If he was not in his office, then he would most likely be found in his lab. And after erasing all of his segments, he became even busier. Constantly running around the lab, searching for materials needed in his next experiment. His hours of sleep diminished rapidly, and though Dottore will claim that he has no need for sleep because he has “gotten rid of this need”, one can never fully “get rid” of what has once existed.

It was days like this that made his hard work pay off. With the cold winds of Nod-Krai grasping at him, Dottore stood unbothered in front of yet another one of his creations, the very machine that caused the fall of the moon. Yet this machine would also be the catalyst for the birth of a new one, ironic, is it not? The marionette stood behind him, making snarky remarks.

“Sandrone, I do not have the time to care enough about your thoughts on me, so if you have nothing else to do, please leave.” He felt her silently scoff before saying,

“My, my doctor. Are you really this heartless, hmph, the fact that you assume such stuff is truly saying a lot about you. I’m here to make sure that those…followers of the moon doesn't try anything funny.”

She walked up to the core of the machine, inserting one of the small fragments of the moon before turning to face Dottore.

“I’m also making preparations for the ascension of our dear colleague.” Sandrone shot Dottore one last glare before leaving with her robot.

The scholar stepped out to the railing, over viewing Nod-Krai. The day of the ascension was nearing and he felt like something was missing, no, more like he was forgetting something really important.

—---------------- —--------------------- —----------------- —----------- —---------------- —---------------------

Zandik was a very busy man.

As the 78th member of the genius society, he had a lot on his mind. After all, he was a genius. Such stuff that kept him included: Visiting Herta ( at least trying to find her), talking to Ruan Mei about her progress on her path to divinity, saying hi to Screwllum just because he can and dealing with the daily shenanigans of the space station. Overall, there wasn't much time for wasting. One thing that he had always had time for was watching over his segment. He never really visited or said hi, just watch over him.

The genius had sent his segment to Teyvat 1 Amber era ago, in hopes that he’d destroy the Stelleron. But the stellaron seemed to have been intentionally created by the Primordial ones to have control over, well, everything. The memories of the people were one of the most fascinating things on that planet. The members of the garden of recollection have already set their sights on it. He had watched over for so long to ensure that it went all according to plan, though it seemed like some issues had appeared. Zandik thought of going to help, but The Herta told him that it was too early, that he had to watch it play out.

He looked at all the documents on his table, pushing them aside in one swift movement. He had no time to focus on paper work.

Screwllum appeared in front of the room, leaning on the door frame.
“Zandik, we had a report of the situation of the Stellaron and…” The Intellitron didn’t finish his sentence, he didn’t need to. The Stellaron had already shown signs of sudden spikes of distortion and power. If it continues to be tampered with, then it will inevitably destroy and corrupt the already unstable planet.

“Are you sure your segment has enough time?”

Screwllum was right, his creation did not have all the time he expected.
“No, and I should be doing something but, I feel we must give him more time, and if he fails to do so, I will step in.” Zandik finally looked up from his pushed away papers.

Screwllum nodded in understandment, then left without another word.

Zandik sat there, not knowing whether to visit or what? What will he even say? Hi? He practically abandoned him with only one goal then said ‘Bye!’ with no guidance at all. And it wasn’t like he could just show up without his segment’s colleagues getting suspicious. He had to think through a flawless plan to show up on Teyvat. Well, it wasn’t like he didn’t show up in teyvat before. He made friends alongside the other members of the society! It just…he never cared to help, what will even happen? He was a genius! He should know! Zandik studied time, altered the very fabric of time, yet never predicted a future conversation with your segment that you abandoned for 500 years! Zandik paced around the room, a rare sight but never non-existent.

A small crow perched on his shoulder, the same one that always stayed in his lab. He never knew why and how it got in the room but it never bothered him. The genius looked at the crow, then had a sudden idea, probably one of the dumbest ones he ever had, but it never hurt to try. He rushed to tell Screwllum about his plan.

Chapter Text

Dottore stayed in his lab, the smell of bleach stretching across the room. He stared out the window, unable to remember what the ‘important thing’ was, nor did he remember who gave the task. Already feeling a headache coming, he thought about resting, but then remembered he had to complete some paperwork for The Jester. What a waste of time, He grumbled to himself, but at last, it was orders from the Director. His mind slowly floated to his past, before the Akademiya. But the more he thought about it, the weirder it got. He couldn’t seem to remember anything from before the Akademiya, not even his ‘parents’. The Harbinger seemed to only remember one word that someone had told him,“Stellaron”. Maybe it was something unimportant about Sumeru, yet he felt something was off, the entire world felt off.

The way people talked, acted and overall existed. Ugh, probably paranoia again.

He looked down to the stacks of paperwork. Right, he still had paperwork to do. He plopped himself back into the chair, mumbling about work and rest. He set down the last paper onto the stack. The doctor rose from his chair, walking over to the half broken coffee machine that one of his ( now dead) segments made. He sat back down, drinking it in one go. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. Ever since the disappearance of The Balladeer and the erasure of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata…the leylines started acting weird. It showed signs of unstable power, and not just in Natlan. It was almost like the leylines were…destroying the world? No, but aren't the leylines the very foundation of Teyvat? He sighed, trying to get his mind to rest, and it did. Finally some well-earned sleep, maybe for a few hours, then he will con-

Knock…

Dottore was about to throw hands, and even though it was tempting to launch his cup at the door, it wasn't the wisest choice. He reluctantly got off his chair, again, and reached the door. He turned the door knob and there stood The Ninth. He was caught off guard for a moment. Wasn't he supposed to go to Natlan? He quickly snapped out of that thought when he felt a hand reach his own.

“Dear, you look distraught, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I just thought that you already left for Natlan?” He asked, while his husband wandered inside his temporary lab.

“Mm, I’m going to Natlan in a week. I just thought, since I’ll pass Nod-Krai on my way, why don’t I pay you a visit?" He tilted his head to the side,

“ Do you not enjoy my presence?”. Dottore paused at that question, he really wanted to just rest on his chair but Pantalone’s presence made it better.

“I do enjoy you not interrupting my dear sleep.”. The Doctor tried to stay mad at Pantalone for ruining his already ruined sleep schedule, but it was hard when it was his beloved banker.

Pantalone chuckled a bit, “Are you sure? ‘Cause it seems like you're quite happy to see me.”

Dottore rolled his eyes under his mask, "Well, I never said I didn't like you being here.". Pantalone walked over to him then gently took Dottore's mask off, reavealing a face fulled with scars, but he didn't care. He placed a small kiss on his lover's cheek.

" You know, if it wasn't for work or trips, we can talk some time off to walk around Nod-Krai." Pantalone smile faded when he saw Dottore's face,

"Dear, are you alright? You seem so distant." Dottore looked at Pantalone, not knowing if he sould tell him. "I've been thinking...about something, something I can't seem to remember, it feels important and yet" He stopped for a second, "Yet I can't recall what it is." He walked back to his chair, staring out the window. Pantalone gently placed his hand on Dottore's shoulder.

"Is it something about your past?"

"..."

"Dottore?"

"Yes, it is, but not about Sumeru, well not really" He turned to face his husband.

"The one thing I remember is the word Stellaron." Dottore tried to smile, but he could see the concern and confusion on Pantalone's face. "Don't worry too much about, Mhm 'kay?"

Pantalone looked skeptical but nodded. He walked back to the door, "I'll back tomorrow, you seem like you need some space," Dottore watched as the banker stepped out of the room- and proceeded to bump into someone

"Ah, sorr-" He looked up to The Jester standing with slight worry in his face,

"No, no its okay, but since your both here, the wild hunt is at it again, with a much larger group." Dottore grabbed his sword and went to stand beside Pantalone,

" Where?" "The area near the station beside the machine."

Pierro, stepped to the hallway, " It's best if we hurry."

Both nodded then rushed out of the room. By the time they got there, it has already gotten worse, Sandrone was trying to fend them off, but she was failing badly. Columbina appeard beside her, casting her wings open, protecting Sandrone from the attack. Dottore sliced the monsters one by one, but they kept on growing. Where are all these monster coming from? He focused on the fight, but he can't shake off the feeling that it has something to do with the leylines.

BANG

The sundden force push him to the ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw Sandrones robot in peices and Sandrone herself was bleeding on the floor, and a unfamiliar figure walked towards her, then stopped. At that point Dottore already got back up and had more time to inspect the person. She had her hair in a very curly ponytail, and-wait, what was that in her hand? She pushed her glasses up to her head.

"Hello!"

The other harbingers took one step back, 

"Who are you?"

Chapter Text

"Hold up."

Screwllum stopped Zandik mid sentence, "You want to do what?!?" Zandik looked at him innocently, "What? Do you not like my plan? I thought you support me no matter what!". Screwllum stared at his colleague, wondering how dumb can a genius be.

"Let me get this straight. You've altred the fabric of time, changed the flow of time TWICE, sealed an entire planet into the void, And after all that, instead of visting your segment like a normal person, you decided to send a crow that you trained for like, 2 days, to guide him?"

Zandik smiled, "Yep, hehe, you like it?" ...

"Zandik I am this this close to punching you in the face and throwing you on to Archaristal-IV myself. DO YOU THINK I LIKE YOUR PLAN?!!?" Zandik has never seen Screwllum loose his composure so easily. 

"I just thoug-" 

" NO! YOU DID NOT HAVE A SINGLE GOOD THOUGHT WHEN YOU SUGGESTED AND CREATED THIS PLAN!" 

A knock came from the door. " Uhm, is every thing alright? Screwllum, I've never seen you yell that much.." The future Aeon stood at the door.

"IT'S ZANDIK! HE HAD THE DUMBEST IDEA A GENIUS COULD POSSIBLY CAN!" 

The scholar opened his mouth to say something, before quickly shutting it up after seeing the look on Screwllum's face. Ruan Mei stepped foward,

"Now, now. I don't think it is necceasary to yell? I mean, it can't be that bad, right?...Right, Zandik?" Ruan Mei looked at the intellitron. Screwllum walked over and explained their colleague's plan to her. With every word, her face turned from confused to rage to the are you serious face in less then 3 seconds. 

"Zandik...Why?" She looked at her fellow genius, who was hugging the crow like a child. " I don't see the problem, so i think it is fine!"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess" Screwllum walked over to his desk. Opening a hologram of text, he scrolled for a bit, then stopped. 

" Uh, Ruan mei, did Herta send one of the Stelleron hunters to check on the situation?" Ruan mei nodded, " Yeah, why?" Screwllum scroll a bit more, 

"It's cause it looks like Sliverwolf had succesfully run into Zandik's creation and his fellow harbingers. Also causing a ruckus while studying the leylines." Zandik ran to the hologram, " Wait, what? Did she interfere with their work or just crossed paths?"

"Well..."

"Someone get Herta, mabye she'll know what to do?"

The three geniuses ran down the hallway to find The Herta's room. Ruan Mei knocked gently on the door, afraid that Herta might be sleeping. Thankfully, she answered the door. " What is it?"

"Herta, di-, wait, what are you doing?" Her lover asked with slight confusion. " Oh! I'm packing up for a trip to Archaristal-IV! I'm visiting old friends, ya know? Like, um, I think it was Alice and Nicole!"

"You mean the hexinzerkel members?" Zandik stepped foward, "Yes!" Herta fixed her makeup a little, "So, what is it?" Screwllum sighed, then told Herta about Zandik's plan and Sliverwolf's interference.

"Well, I can go see what is up with Silverwolf 'cause I'll be going there to, to Nod-Krai! And also, Zandik, you can propell the crow throught the non-heating projectile to Archaristal-IV!" Ruan Mei's face shifted from happy to confused. " Wait, you agree with Zandik?" 

" Not neccasarly agree but, it never hurts to try~! Ofcourse, I'd always have solutions for such situations, afterall, I am The Herta! I, as the member....." Herta procceeded to self-glaze so badly Zandik's ears wanted to jump into the deepest parts of the abyss and never come out. 

"Have fun, atleast...see you at Nod-Krai?" Zandik looked at the other emanator. " Why, ofcourse!" With that, she walked out with the luggage in hand and an outfit that was definitely NOT going to protect her from the winds of Nod-Krai. The three of them returned to their own rooms, except for Zandik. He found the non-heating projectile that was aimed at Archaristal-IV. He gently place the crow at the telaporter's front. He reached into his pockets, pulling a small necklace and hanging it around the crow's neck. 

"Off you go, bud. Find, uh, let's see," He pulled out a small hologram, searching for a name. "Oh, um, find Dottore?. Uh yeah" He clicked the small button on the machine, sending the crow to the planet. 

Chapter Text

Dottore took a step back. The girl scanned the crowd, then looked at Dottore. She squinted her eyes a bit before saying,

"Haha, don't worry, I come in peace! My name is Silverwolf!" Columbina gaze lingered on Sandrone,

"Why are you here?" "For reasearch about the leylines, of course!" Pierro stepped foward, sword in hand. Sandrone was still on the ground, barely concious.

"Who do you work for?" Silverwolf laughed, "Oh, well, you probably don't know them. I work with the Stellaron hunters!"

Dottore thought that his ears were playing tricks on him. Did she just say...Stellaron? "Im sorry, what?"

She smiled, "See, I told you!" The 'Stelleron hunter' summon something that look like a 3d hologram and then zoomed in. "You know, it wasn't that hard to hack into the system of that giant machine behind us, then a small button then...BOOM! Hehe" Dottore droned out all that she said. If she was telling the truth, could she have something to do with the person? Silverwolf summon a portal surronded by little cubes. "Anyways, I need to report back to Kafka and Bladie~, See you all!" With that, she disapeared. Columbina also disappeard in a flurry of feathers. Pantalone walked over to Dottore. 

"Dottie? Are you alright?" He could only nod, not knowing what to say to him. Pierro rushed over to Sandrone who was able to get up, but had very nasty scar across her legs.  Pantalone and Dottore stayed back, with the same thought in mind. Dottore tried to focus on the bleeding person but his mind kept on going back to the Stellaron.

A few minutes later, after everything settled down, they went back to Dottore's lab. Pantalone's hand never leaving his. 

"Dottore, do you think..." Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden weight landed on the doctor's shoulder. He looked at what caused it and realized it was a crow. "Huh?"

Pantalone stares at it in awe as it jumps around on Dottore's shoulder, pecking his head. Dottore on the other hand, did not quite enjoy that. He tried swatting it away but it kept presisting. "Dear, mabye just let it be and- huh? What's that around it's neck?" Dottore finally grabbed the bird and inspected it. Indeed, there was a small necklace on it. "Mabye that's the owners thing or something like that. 

"Why will it have that?"

"Are you seriously asking why, Pantalone?" 

"Yes!" Dottore sighed, focusing on the necklace. He flip it and it had a small number. "78?" The regrator leaned over, "and what about the other side?" He flipped it back and it had 2 letters. G and S. The two men stared at the crow as it flew around Dottore's head. The crow stopped, then flew to the table and picked up the pen. Considering the fact that crows are naturally intelligent, Dottore wasn't surprised that the bird started writing with the pen. 

"Ge-ni-usssss, socie-ty?" Pantalone looked at the paper and the shaky...claw-writing. "Why did you say it like that?" Dottore side-eyed his husband. "Because the crow wrote in a very slow pace!"

"Whatever" He stared at the word. Genius Society, huh. He couldn't seem to associate it with anything, but it felt...close. 

When he layed his head on the pillow, the crow gently placed it self between him and his spouse. That crow was really presistent, wasn't it. He felt Baizhi shift slightly,arms wrapping his waist. Mabye I can sleep just this one time. Then, he allowed his consciousness slip away...

He opened his eyes to a white ceiling, sitting up, he scanned the room. It looked like a very clean labotary, excluding the random papers on the desk. "...yes, he is perfectly stable and- what? No! Not like Herta's puppets. Think of him more like, a... uh....SON! Yeah!" he crept to the door, there, through the crack, he saw two indivisuals, one that looked like a robot and another who looked alot like...him! "Hello?" The two turned their heads to face him. "So, he is your 'son'?" the robot asked, staring at him. "Yes! Come here!" He walked over, before looking at his supposingly father.

" I don't have a name for him yet." 

"He is, like, 14, and you still don't have a name for him?"  

"Oh my Aeons, Screwllum, relax, I'll call him, um, Mini Zandik!"  Screwllum sighed, turning his gaze to him. 

***

"Dad? Where are we?" He looked up to his 'father'. They were standing in the middle of the desert, staring at a distance rainforest. "You are here for an important task. That task is to destroy the Stellaron of Archaristal-IV." Zandik got to his level, " The journey will be dangerous, and will take a long time. I...won't be there to accompany you. Sorry." He tooked something out of his pocket, "Here, a small parting gift. It's so that even if we are astronomically so far, the Genius society and I will be here in spirit." He gave the small earring to the boy, patting him on the head, before disappearing. The boy stood there, trying so hard not to cry.

Chapter Text

Zandik stood over the hologram, observing Teyvat. Screwllum walked over, bread in hand.

"Want one?" Zandik took the bread, nibbling the skin off.

" Bro, why do you do that?" He could feel Screwllum judging him, but he didn't care. He was to focused on what was going on in Teyvat. 

"Screwllum, do you think the garden of Recolection is able to preserve everyone's memory?" Screwllum sat on the couch near him.                                             "I mean, Black Swan has the ability to do that, but it is not Garenteed."

"We'll keep watching, if it doesn't go as pla-" The door suddenly slamed open, a member of the space station ran in. 

"it-its the IPC! They want, want to study Archastial-IV! And by that I mean take control over it and destroy the planet." Screwllum looked at Zandik, who's game was dating between the progress reports and the door. 

"I'll go, um, Screwllum, can you make sure that the Stellaron does not, you know, go crazy?"

"Sure."

Zandik walked out the door, already dreading the meeting.

        _____________                ___________           __________                             _____________

Herta skipped along side with Alice, the air in Nod-Krai was cold, yet nice at the send time. Alice was talking about how the Fatui was planning to rule Nod-Krai.

"Who is exactly the person leading this?" Herta asked, curious about the faction.

" Sandrone, a very, er, interesting person." Alice stopped when she saw 2 figures walking at the distance place. 

"Speak of the devil! I think that is Sandrone and, Zandik?"

"No, thats-wait," Herta gasped dramatically, " isn't that Zandik's so called son? Wait, wouldn't make me his aunt since, ya know, Zandik and I are basically siblings?" Alice was about to say that it probably did not work that way when the harbingers already was a few inches away from them.

"Miss Alice? It's a surprise to see you here!" Sandrone slipped off her robot, eyeing Herta. Dottore stepped back a bit, which was probably a good choice. 

"Oh my Aeons! Come give your dear auntie is a hug!"

Dottore was confused, was she talking to him? 

"I'm sorry, but are you sure you have the right person?"

"Absolutely! Zandik has been talking about you for ages! I'm here for a visit to check on the Stelleron and also Silver wolf!" Dottore now was convinced that something was wrong.

"Dottore, you have a aunt?"

"Apparently..."

Herta sighed, knowing that he probably did not Remember anything. 

"Don't worry to much about it!" Alice was beside her, trying to explain that it didn't work like that, but once Herta was set on something, there was no going back.

Chapter Text

Dottore walked back to his lab, ignoring Sandrone's constant chirping and the questioning of the supposed aunt. He entered his lab, slamming the door in The Marionette's face before she could get in. Pantalone looked up from the box, noticing his husband was moving around weirdly.
"Hey, you okay?" Dottore could see some clothes and documents in the box.

"You leaving for Natlan?

"Yeah, tomorrow." The bird flew to his shoulder, staring at the doctor intently. He fed him some seeds he picked up on the way back.

"Oh, something happend today." 

"Really?" Pantalone placed down the remaining documents and walked over to where Dottore was standing. "What happend?"

"Basically, there was a woman called..Herta? Can't really remember" Pantalone narrowed his eyes. Dottore was not someone who will tend to 'forget'. "Anyways, she claimed to be my 'aunt', and also I found some leads to that 'stellaron' thing"

The banker scoffed, "Oh? And whats that?"

The scholar shifted a little, clearly hiding something.

" Well, for starters, the stellaron could be and most likely connected to Irminsul and the leylines..." Pantalone listen to his husband go on and on about the powers of Irminsul. He noticed his hand was always fidgeting, not normal for the second fatui harbinger. Dottore has been alot more alert after the appearance of that Stellaron hunter and the bird. 

"Maby-." Dottore suddenly stopped speaking. He crouched down to the ground. 

"Dottore?"

"Did you feel that? The leylines," He got back up. A small breeze came from the window, shining in the moonlight.

"You should go to sleep, you're leaving tomorrow." The doctor picked up a couple of Pantalone's documents and place them gently in the box.

---

Dottore stood at the docks, watching his husband as he boards the boat. 

"I'll be back before you know it." He told him the night before. But the unease of something bad happening to Pantalone was always there. He can only hope that nothing bad happened. 

As the boat disappeard into the mist, Dottore wandered back to his lab, the bird flying closely. Then, it happened again. The ground slightly shooked. Not enough to be considered a small earthquake but strong enough to be abnormal. He heard that the traveler was in Nod-Krai. Atleast Sandrone has something to do instead of pestering him.

The walk back to the lab felt awfully long. The bird had stopped flying and had perched onto his shoulder. He paused for a second, having that feeling that someone was watching him. His eyes darted across the land, untill he saw her again. Herta stood ontop of a small cliff watching him, but the moment he fully turned his head to see, she was gone. The bird sunddenly flew off his shoulder, heading towards where the woman was.

"Huh!?"

In a blink of a eye, it disappeard. Dottore was now certain something was wrong. He got back to his temporary lab. Now with the arrival of the traveler, the sudden departure of Columbina and along side with this 'Stellaron', he didn't know what to do. 

Dottore pulled out some documents that he did not complete. He tried to focus on those tiny words on that paper but his mind always floated back to what 'Herta' said. Zandik has been talking about you for ages! Why did that name sound so famillar? It was his name, no? But he can never remember such. It felt more like a different person, a distant memory. Was it his...father? But he never though of such. All he remembered is that he woke up in a lab like room. Dottore was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the bird watching him on his desk. He looked up and saw that the bird had a small slip of paper in it's mouth.

"What's this?" Dottore took the paper and opened it. Inside said only three words:

Herta Space Station

Chapter Text

Zandik took a step back. 

"No, absolutely not" He hated Sugilite from the day he met him. He hated the IPC in general. Sugilite stepped foward, faces inches from him.

"I'm only suggesting! No need to get so...agitated." The stoneheart smiled, knowing full well that Zandik despised him. The genius tried to step back even more, only to be met with a wall against his back, thanks to Sugilite. 

"If the IPC wants to deal with the Stellaron Hunters and the Garden of Recollection, be my guest! But until then, don't even think of attacking Archastial-IV." Zandik was beyond angry. The audacity that the IPC had was truly shameless. Sugilite was taller then him, looking down on him the enitre meeting. The sight of the genius being angry at him has always amused him. He gently tried tilting his chin up, but got his hand harshly slapped away.

"Don't you dare touch me you little bitch" Zandik hissed. He pushed the stoneheart away, rushing to the door.

"This meeting is over, if the IPC wants to futher argue with the Genius soceity, please inform your arrival first, goodbye." He slammed the door in Sugilite's face.

"Tsk, what a pain."

-------

"What was just that?" Screwllum crossed him arm. Zandik was surprised to see him at the door instead of the hologram. 

"It was Sugilite" Screwllum grabbed his arm with surprising force. "C'mon let's go." Zandik didn't know why Screwllum look so angry but followed him anyway.

"Did he do anything?" Screwllum asked, handing him a bottle of water.

" What you think?" Zandik said. He looked at the hologram, sensing another disturbance. He had little time to stay at the Space Station.

"You going today?" 

"Yes"

Screwllum sighed, went to their room and came out with a small bag. 

"If your going right now, atleast be perpared." Zandik nodded, placing his stuff in that bag. He was about to walk to the teleporter until he remeberd something.

"Wait, where's my hairband?" 

"Here," The intellitron handed it to Zandik, always wondered how much conditinor he needed to wash his hair. Zandik stood infront of the machine, bracing himself for what is to come next. He waved Screwllum bye and pressed the machine.

---

He opend one eye. He looked at the briliant blue sky, with the chatter of people all around him and the sounds of machines. He always has been curious about how Teyvat powered without the influence of the paths and Aeons. The breeze was nice, a lot more warmer then he expected. Zandik wandered into the town ahead. So this is Nasha town, huh, intresting. He looked around the lively place, people laughing, children running around, it was certainly a much more relaxed place then he had heard. 

"...indulge you just this once: Ad astra abyssopsque. Welcome to Nod-Krai! Dominion of the Fatui." He glanced over at the voice. There, he saw someone with a blonde braid and beside him was a.....floating pixie? The girl walked out of the stall-like structure. She had wind-crank on her back. Like a puppet.. She also metioned something, The fatui. Zandik was sure he heard that term before when talking about Teyvat. Mabye he'll ask around. But first, he needed to reach Herta. He looked at his phone.

The one and only Herta!: I'm currently at Hiisi Island with Alice and Nicole! <Insert Image> 

Zandik: Kk, coming

Chapter Text

"Oh! There you are!"

Herta quickly waved Zandik over. Sitting beside her was Alice and Nicole, the members of the Hexinzerkel witches.

"(Hello old friend, what brings you here?)" Nicole said in his mind. The angel has always been mute, but found other ways to communicate.

"I'm here to visit a.....old aquataince" Zandik watched as Herta stood up and ran behind a small ledge on Hiisi island, then returned with the bird. 

"Here, look!" He gently grabbed the blank peice of paper from the bird's mouth. 
"What do you want me to do?

"Write your adress, so your seg-I mean son will know where to find you!"

"What! No, I'm going to him"

"Yeah, I meant afterwords."

Zandik sighed, taking a pen out of his bag then wrote down his 'house adress'

Herta Space Station

He gave the paper back to the bird, and it instanly flew away.

"So, are you gonna visit him directly?" Alice asked, playing with her dodoco.

"No, I'm going to wander around Nod-Krai and wait..." 

"(For what?)" Zandik didn't answer right away. In truth, he was stalling as much time. He didn't know what to say to his 'son'. It's been 500 years, and what was he supposed to do? Just show up so casually? 

"...for mental preparation?" Herta joked,

"Yes" Zandik stood up,

"I...need to go, bye!" He quickly rushed away.

------------ 

Dottore scribbled notes onto the paper, ignoring the bird that was flying circles around his head. He was about go get his 5 coffee when he heard a small rustling from the window. He glance at it, noticing another small note. He picked it up, scanning the words. It has the same handwriting. 

His name is Apollo

Apollo? He watch the bird land infront of him, eating the seeds that was placed there beside the note. He petted the crow,

"Apollo, a fitting name."

He turned back to his documents, trying to ignore everything. 

"AH!" 

Dottore immediatly got up, grabbing his sword in pure instinct. He turned to face the intruder, only to see...

"Father?"

Chapter Text

He stood there, unmoving

He didn't know what to do.

The very person he always longed to meet, his creator, his father.

And yet now ,standing right infront of him, it felt like looking at a stranger.

"Is it really you standing there? Or am i dreaming once more?"

His sword clatterd to the ground yet his gaze never leaving his creator's eyes. He felt like a child again. Standing infront of his father, curious of the world.

"υιός!" His father stepped foward, a careful but gentle, small smile appeared on his face.

Dottore wanted to reach foward so badly, but he couldn't. Apollo landed on the doctor's shoulder, staring at him intently.

 Zandik was hestiant, not wanting to mess up. 

"I...wanted to help with the....stellaron.." 

"After 500 years?"

Dottore wasn't angry, just confused. He too many question, so little time. 

"I'm not asking for you to forgive me, but please, hear me out." Zandik paused, 

"I'll be honest,when I first created you, the initial purpose was to destroy the stellaron, for the pawns of Nanook had corrupted the planet. I sent you down here in hopes to erase the core of the corruption." His gaze lowerd to the ground.

"And even after all these years of watching from afar, I still can't help but wonder what your world has been, things you've had to suffer, and the strength you hold within." 

"..."

"You don't have to continue this path, leave the stellaron to the space station and live the life that you want."

'It's not the stellaron, I'm wiling to help destroy it. It's just, I never understood why..." Dottore didn't know what to say, what did he not understand? Well, everything. So why can't he get the words out?

"Savante..."

Chapter Text

The next few days was a blur. His father told him that he'd be wandering around Nod-Krai for a while and will look closer into the stellaron situation.

"The roots of the stellaron lies in the heart and bottom of Sumeru. Reach that and detroy the root will slove the Stellaron problem and make Teyvat at it's best again."

"But what about all the memories of the entirety of Teyvat?" Zandik told him all he knows about Stellarons. They were fragments of the imaginary tree, after the disturbance cause by the Aeon of Destrution, Nanook. It was powered and activated by someone's desire and wishes and their power to use the Stellaron. His father said that the Heavenly Principles were the one's who brought it to Teyvat in the first place.

"But if destroying the Stellaron is the only way to solve it, does that mean restarting Teyvat?" Dottore asked.

 "No. The irminsul that the Dendro archon is able to access is not the Stellaron, it was separated from the Stellaron a while ago by one of the members of the Garden Of Recollection. Think of it as a databank. It stores all the memories of the entire planet. It's also kinda a one-way thing. So if the Stellaron get's destroyed, it won't affect the databank. But if Irminsul was to be tampered with, say a cremator were to destroy or erase memories, the Stellaron gets stronger." Dottore suddenly thought back to the erasure of Rukkadevatah and The Balladeer. That will explain the disturbance of the leylines.

"Then will the Heavenly principles do if the Stellaron that they brought got destroyed?"

"You know the four shades? They aren't just the four shades of Phanes, they are lord ravagers."

"Lord Ravagers?"

"Emanators of destrution. Istaroth, the shade of time, is the lieutenant of Celenova, the frontline general of the Antimatter legion. The rest....I'm not to sure. But you know what? Just focus on the crisis of Nod-Krai first, I'll take a closer look at the Stellaron, 'kay?"

Dottore nodded, taking some time to just process everything.

--------------

"Don't know, Don't care. I have more human interactions with the B.O.S.C.O robot then him." Sandrone said. Arlecchino came to Nod-Krai just a few days ago, helped Columbina and the Traveler out and was able to have a nice tea party with her colleague. According to Sandrone, Dottore has not been seened or heard of for the past 2 weeks. Personally, Arlecchino thinks thats it should stay that way, but she higly doubted that it was.

" He isn't going to lie low foever...so we'd better stay on guard."

------------

Dottore wasn't sure what to think or do. First there was Columbina and her departure from the Fatui, then there was the Traveler showing up with Ä̸͚s̶͚̲̉m̴̟̅ȏ̸̖̘͝d̷̡̓̾a̴̩͛̅ý̶̼̼  Paimon (yes he actually found out the floating thing's name) and after that, there was one of the Five sinners, Rerir, the Rächer of Solnari then after all that, his dad showed up, who proceeded to tell him about the secret behind the Heavenly Principles. And all he asked for in return was just 5 hours of sleep. Was that too much to ask for? Apparently, Yes! He couldn't even sleep now, with all that was going in his head. Not to mention, he still hasn't received a letter from Pantalone saying he was fine. How could he sleep? 

Caw

Dottore looked up to see Apollo perched on the window ledge, staring at the empty food bowl.

"Yeah, yeah." The half-awake doctor got up, took the bag of chia seeds from his cabinet and dumped some into the bowl.

I should go back to the experimental design bureau, shouldn't I? 

Chapter Text

The scholar walked into the Kuvvahki Experimental Design Bureau, holding some files about the 5 sinners. From what he heard, Columbina, along with Arlecchino and Sandrone with others were able to trap Rerir into the dark abyss that laid beyond the moon gate. He went to his office in the Bureau, passing all the machine's Sandrone has built.

"Lord Harbinger, there is a letter for you from The Regrator." One of the Fatuus soldier told him. He nodded an pushed open the doors to his office. Is was untouched for he perfered his lab over the office but it will suffice. He set the files and paper aside and open the letter:

Dear Dottore,

It's so lonely here without you, I wish to return as soon as possible. How are you in Nod-Krai? Heard about the sinner situation, didn't really think that Kuvvahki can be so...compelling. I hope your not to feeling unloved, I'll try to get to you soon.

 ~Pantalone

The letter was short, but at least it gave Dottore a sense of ease that his dear husband was fine. He gently place the letter back into the envelope and tucked it into his coat. He opened the files containing the breif history of Heavnly Principles, along side with information about the 5 sinners that his father gave to him.

Shade: Istaroth

Aspect: Time

Factions: Antimatter legion, Emanators of Destruction, The Four Shades.

Dottore skimmed through the paragraph, wondering where his dad got all that information from.

Shade: Asmoday

Aspect: Space

Factions: Emanators of Destruction, The Four Shades.

Shade: Naberius/Rhinedottir

Aspect: Space

Factions: Emanators of Destruction, The Four Shades,Hexinzerkel,5 Sinners

Right, Rhinedottir. She was the one who consumed Naberius, the previous shade of life. Also the creator of Albedo and Durin. Dottore had seen those two before in Nod-Krai, along with the Balladeer.

Shade: Ronava

Aspect:Death

Factions: Antimatter legion, Emanators of Destruction, The Four Shades.

Dottore read through the rest of it, the history of Khaenri'ah and the Cataclysm. It also stated about forbidden knowlegde that Nibelung brought.

Forbidden Knowledge, other wise known as the abyss, is another form of Voracity.

~2 hours later~

The harbinger finally finshed reading the entire file, exhaustion washing over him. He stepped out of the room and took a very long walk to the side of Paha Isle. He was deep in thought that he did not notice the footsteps of the person approaching him.

"Savante! There you are." He turned around to see his father and Apollo. " I was looking for you. Herta already left to help with the Irontomb situation."

"Irontomb?"

"Another Lord Ravager."

Dottore still didn't really understand the whole 'Aeon' and 'Lord Ravager' thing but the most important thing was that Herta was no longer going to jumpscare him.

"Did you read the files yet?" Zandik walked with him along the shores.

"Yeah." Dottore wondered, if Rerir was sent to the cosmos randomly or to a specific place.

"Dad, does the Genius Society know where Rerir is?"

"You mean one of the 5 Sinners? Well, I know he has some connection to Voracity, most likely returned to wherever they are." 

Dottore thought back to his colleuges, if they know anything about Rerir so mabye he can get more information. But for now, he'll just sit back and watch it play out.

Chapter Text

Zandik watched as his son picked up stones from the shores. Savante explained that the stones contained kuuvhaki and that was why he was picking them up, but Zandik knew that it was just an excuse to collect stones. His son has always been the curious one, finding and collecting the most random things on the space station, once even got into an argument with one of the Herta puppets. 

"...and now that the moons has fallen, the power of kuuvhaki goes weaker by each day." Zandik blinked out of his thoughts to see his son standing infront of a small plant, with a floating transparent animal(?) beside him. 

"What's that?"

"It's a kuuhenki, an elemental spirit made of kuuvhaki." Dottore picked up some seeds from the ground along side with the stones. Apollo immediately snatched the seeds from his hands and munched it down. They walked back to his lab, Savante telling his dad all he researched about kuuvhaki and Nod-krai. As they were nearing the Experimental Design Bureau ,Zandik was about to ask about where the fourth moon was when the ground shook again, but not from the leylines. Dottore turned his head around to see that across the vast sea, on Hiisi Island, a giant portal like thing appeared. Even though far from the island, it was no doubt the power of the moons.

"Did something happen to the Damselette?" He mumbled to himself. He shooked his head, knowing that it wasn't wise to intervene. 

"Let's return to the lab first." His father suggested behind him.

They quietly walked down the hall, reaching the door. Suddenly, Zandik's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled his phone out and saw that Screwllum was calling him.

"Wait one sec" He told his son. He walked out of the Bureau.

"Hello?"

"Zandik! I have good news, Irontomb won't be disturibing the universe for a while. But how are you doing?" Herta was screaming something in the background but Zandik just brushed it off as usual Herta activities.

"Pretty good, now that I'm away from Sugilite. That bastard...you know what? I'm not going to dwell on such. Anyways, the progress with the Stellaron has gotten a lot more quicker now. "

"That's good to hear. And how is your son doing?"

"You mean our son? You were the one who said that you adopted him and we are together so..." 

Screwllum sighed, wondering how his lover can sometimes be so infuriating. 

"Ok, yes, I did say that but seriously, how is he?" 

"Still as curious as before. I'm just glad that he is happy and has his husband to share that happiness." Savante told him about Pantalone a few days ago. To say he was nervous was an understatement, but Zandik was just relieved that he was happy.

"Wait, he has a husband? I thought he was like, 20 or something like that."

"SCREWLLUM!"

The intellitron laughed, "Ok, ok, chill."

--------------

Dottore heard some rustiling near the window but just assumed it was his father coming back. He went to the other room where Apollo was to make sure that the crow was fed. He went back to his table a couple minutes later, intending to finish up some paperwork from Pierro while waiting for his father. But when he exited the room, he saw a stranger sitting in his chair. 

"Who are you? What are you doing in my lab?" Dottore immediatly unseathed his sword. The white haired man stood up, and walked past Dottore. He stopped at the door, turning back around to face the scholar.

" Hmm, I guess I was right.You really are like your father, aren't you? Always easily agitated when talking to strangers. But I must say, I was quite surprised to see one of Zandik's creations is in Teyvat."

"Who.Are.You." Dottore repeated.

"Well, I'm but a simple stoneheart of the Interstellar Peace Corparation. But at last, I must take my leave. And I'm sure that your father wouldn't be to happy to see me, farewell." 

Chapter Text

Dottore sat on the ground, making a small nest for Apollo out of some small branches and leaves he picked up earlier. He wondered if the kuuvhaki on the leaves will affect the crow then quickly decided that he wouldn't risk it. He replaced the kuuvhaki powered leaves with some of the soft cloth that he had. The door clicked behind him and for a split second, he thought that it was that stranger again. He turned around and let a sigh of relief to see his father again.

"Whats up?"

"The sky."

"What?"

"Nevermind..." Zandik sat down beside him, watching the small crow hop around the newly built nest. Dottore was quieter then usual, silently placing an ample amount of cloth in the nest.

"That's a lot of cloth for a nest"

"Eh, best subsitute for leaves, I guess. Besides, I don't want to leave the lab just to get more leaves. I really don't trust strangers."

"Strangers?" 

Savante got up and walked towards his table. He came back with a small object in his hand. Zandik's face turned from confusion to annoyance upon seeing the item.

"The IPC again? What part of 'fuck off' do they not understand?" Dottore was tooken a back for a second by his dad's vulgarness but quickly brushed it off.

"Wait, does the IPC stand for 'Interstellar Peace Corporation'?"

"Yeah. Which reminds me, did Sugilite or Aventurine show up here?" The doctor just stared at him blankly.

"Uh, yes? I think. But it was someone from the IPC"

"How did they look?"

"White hair, tanned skin, purple sui-" 

"So Sugilite."

"I guess?" The genius sighed, already plotting Sugilite's death.

"Of course it's that bastard, well probably is a son of a whore." He muttered to himself.

"What...?"

"What?"

"Did you just..."

"I didn't say anything, why?" 

"O...kay" Dottore was starting to learn a lot about his dad and he can't really say that it was good. He looked up from the nest to see that the bird was peparing to feast on yet another batch of seeds.

"Oh, uh, don't let him eat another batch of seeds. He already had 2 batches 1 hour ago." Zandik looked at the bird who was pecking at the seeds on the ground. 

"I swear to the aeons, you are a big back Apollo!" He snatched the seeds away from the crow and placed them in a small bag. At that point, Savante has already learnt to stop questioning his dad.

"And another thing, If Sugilite returns, just directly tell him to fuck off. If he doesn't, tell me, ok? I'll deal with it. Anyways, I need to observe the leylines further for more conformation on a thing I suspect." Zandik stood up and walked out of the lab.

--------------

Zandik pulled out his phone again, Screwllum's contact at the very top.

[Zandik] 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Screwy, Can I complain to u?

[My pookie bear]

Fine.

[Zandik]

                                                                    Sugilite is such a bitch! He showed up at Savante's lab and mocked him! He high-key pmo.

[My pookie bear]

First, please use proper language and second, what is Sugilite doing in Archastial-IV?                   

[Zandik]

                                                                                                                                              I don't know! But he is a absolute asshole.

                                                                                                                                                 If he shows up again, Im going to crash out.

                                                                        "My pookie bear" Screwllum has gone offline