Chapter Text
The moon hung high in the night sky, its silvery light cascading over Liyue Harbor, lending the city an ethereal glow. Lanterns adorned every corner, their warm light flickering like tiny stars, as laughter and music filled the air. The citizens of Liyue were celebrating a hard-earned victory. Food stalls lined the streets, and the tantalizing aroma of grilled meats, steamed dumplings, and sweet desserts wafted through the crowd, weaving a tapestry of joy and relief.
At the grand Yujing Terrace, a lavish feast had been arranged, drawing the most prominent figures of Liyue to the table. The aftermath of the death of Rex Lapis, the clash with the Adepti, and the awakening of Osial was now a chapter of history. Tonight was about unity, triumph, and resilience.
A long, ornate table stretched beneath the stars, laden with delicacies that shimmered under the lanterns’ glow. Momon stood at the end of the table, his tall, imposing figure shrouded in his black cloak. Beside him, Mona sat engrossed in the book he had given her, her eyes scanning the strange text as she muttered arcane theories under her breath. The occasional frustrated sigh escaped her lips, though her determination to unlock the book’s secrets burned brightly.
In front of Momon, Paimon was the center of attention—or rather, the center of chaos. Plates piled high with dumplings, bowls of noodles, and skewers of grilled seafood surrounded her. “Mmmph! This is sooo good!” she mumbled through a mouthful of food, crumbs scattering as she waved a skewer for emphasis. “Aether, you have to try this crab roe dish! It’s heavenly!”
Aether, seated beside her, chuckled as he sampled a neatly arranged plate of sliced fish. “Paimon, slow down. There’s plenty of food—no one’s going to take it from you.”
“That’s what you think!” Paimon retorted, already reaching for another dumpling. “What if someone sneaky tries to grab the last of the almond tofu? I can’t take that risk!”
Momon’s gaze lingered on the scene. Behind his ever-present mask, a deep, unspoken longing stirred. He studied the vibrant expressions of those around him—the way Aether’s golden eyes softened in contentment, the way Paimon’s cheeks puffed as she chewed with abandon. Even Mona, oblivious to the feast, hummed thoughtfully as she traced a passage in her book.
For a moment, Momon’s gaze fell on the untouched food before him. The fragrant dishes beckoned with their colors and aromas, but he knew the truth of his nature: an undead being, stripped of flesh and sensation, incapable of tasting or savoring the joys of the mortal world. The mask, as always, concealed his face.
Ningguang’s voice broke the moment of reflection as she raised her glass from her place at the head of the table. “To all who are gathered here tonight,” she began, her voice calm yet commanding, “this celebration is not just a feast—it is a testament to our perseverance. Liyue faced trials that would have shattered lesser nations. But together, with the courage of our people and the guidance of allies, we prevailed.”
Cheers erupted from the attendees, the clinking of glasses punctuating the applause. Momon glanced across the table, his sharp gaze taking in the faces of those who had fought alongside him: Beidou’s hearty laugh as she toasted with a mug of ale; Keqing, seated gracefully yet with a determined spark in her eye; and Ganyu, who offered a gentle smile as she sipped her tea.
“Momon?”
Momon tilted his head slightly at Mona’s outburst, his glowing red eyes barely visible behind the mask. “Hmm?” he responded, his deep voice rumbling with faint curiosity. He turned to face her and noticed the exasperation etched across her face as she held the book out, her grip tight, almost as if she wanted to throttle it.
“What even is this language?” Mona asked, her voice carrying both frustration and desperation. “This scripture is so weird, I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s like the text shifts when I focus too hard. How am I supposed to make sense of this?”
Momon sighed, leaning back in his seat, his gaze briefly flickering toward the moonlit festivities. “Mona,” he began, his tone steady but carrying an edge of mock exasperation, “you practically harassed me to give you that book. And now that you have it, your next move is to annoy me further by demanding an explanation?”
Mona flushed, her cheeks puffing out slightly in indignation. “I wasn’t—harassing—I was persuading!” she protested, crossing her arms and tapping her foot on the ground. “And how was I supposed to know the book would be written in… whatever this is?”
Paimon, her mouth still half-full of sweet flower dumplings, piped up. “Huh, maybe it’s a magic language that only super-powerful people like Momon can understand?”
Aether shook his head, amused by the back-and-forth. “Mona, you should have expected this. If the book came from Momon, it’s bound to be more complicated than anything you’ve studied before.”
“Of course, it’s complicated!” Mona snapped, turning to Aether. “But how can I even begin to study it if I can’t decipher one single word?!”
Momon sighed again, his demeanor that of a parent humorously indulging a particularly excitable child. Reaching into his inventory with a flick of his gloved hand, he produced a pair of sleek, rectangular glasses. Their design was simple, but they carried an air of utility and precision. “Here,” he said, handing them to Mona. “But I want them back when you’re done.”
Mona’s eyes lit up, sparkling with anticipation. “Oh, are these the glasses you used for translation in Mondstadt? At the library?” Her voice practically vibrated with glee. “Yesssss!” Without waiting for another word, she snatched the glasses from his hand and eagerly placed them on her face. As soon as she looked back at the book, her breath hitched.
“Oh, by the stars!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. “I can understand the language now! It’s like… the words are unraveling themselves right before my eyes!” She clutched the book tightly, her eyes darting over the pages with newfound clarity. “This is incredible! I need a pen, paper—no, a whole journal! I have to transcribe this script and start studying it immediately!”
Aether blinked, caught between amusement and disbelief. “Uh, Mona? Maybe pace yourself?”
“Oh, let her have her moment,” Paimon chimed in, hovering closer to get a better look at the book. “It’s not every day you get magical glasses that let you read a whole new language!”
Momon, observing Mona’s near-manic enthusiasm, couldn’t help but chuckle softly to himself. “Oh boy, she’s about to learn the ‘English’ language,” he thought.
As Mona scribbled furiously on a conjured piece of paper, muttering excitedly under her breath about syntax and morphology, Momon’s mind wandered. He gazed at the distant moonlit harbor, reflecting on something peculiar he had noticed since arriving in Teyvat. This world truly operates by its own laws, he mused.
It was strange, really. Momon had been speaking Japanese—his native tongue—all along. Yet, he realized early on that the people of Teyvat, from Mondstadt to Liyue, weren’t actually speaking Japanese themselves. Their lip movements, the cadence of their speech—it didn’t align. There had to be some form of automatic translation at work, something woven into the very fabric of this world. Perhaps it was tied to the elemental ley lines or a divine mechanism of Teyvat itself, ensuring seamless communication among all its inhabitants.
Momon leaned slightly toward Aether, his tone firm but not unkind. “Anyway, Aether, about that guy at the ruins. Who is he? Your sister didn’t seem too fond of him.”
Aether straightened up, his expression conflicted. “Oh, you mean Dain? Yeah… I met him at a restaurant not long after you left for Mondstadt. He said I resembled someone he used to travel with—someone who turned out to be my sister. We kept talking, and then we saw a commission about a ruin tied to the Abyss Order, which Dain was investigating. That’s how it all started.”
Momon nodded, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Look, Aether, I understand that anything concerning your sister is… delicate. But you can’t just walk into danger blindly. And you definitely can’t trust people too easily.”
Aether flinched slightly under the rebuke, his gaze falling to the ground. “Yeah… I know. Sorry.”
Momon’s voice was calm but firm as he pressed on. “It’s not about apologies—it’s about survival. Now, something about that man bothers me. Did you notice that he carries the same curse of immortality as the rest of the Abyss Order? That means he’s been alive for over 500 years… since the fall of Khaenri’ah. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered it. “What are you getting at?”
Momon nodded, continuing. “The Abyss monsters and Dain were once citizens and protectors of Khaenri’ah, right? But here’s the thing—your sister. Lumine. She’s leading the Abyss Order in a war of vengeance against Celestia. That means she was there during the Cataclysm… 500 years ago.”
Aether’s breath hitched as realization struck him. He clenched his fists, processing the implications.
Momon’s voice was calm but laced with intrigue. “Yet, she doesn’t bear the curse of immortality. No deformities, no signs of abyssal corruption. That suggests she’s naturally… immortal. And, Aether, I believe the same goes for you.”
Before Aether could respond, a sharp sound broke through the moment—the loud snap of a book closing. The two turned toward Mona, who had been sitting cross-legged, absorbed in the translation. She pushed her glasses up her nose, her face lit with newfound insight.
“And also,” she interjected, turning to face them. “He’s not from this world.”
Momon froze for a moment, processing what Mona had just revealed. He turned his masked face toward Aether, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of disbelief.
“Well, that’s certainly new,” he said, crossing his arms. “But… I don’t think I was supposed to learn about such a monumental secret this soon.”
Aether sighed heavily, glancing toward the night sky as if the stars above might offer him some form of solace. “I didn’t plan to reveal this either,” he admitted. “But since we’re traveling together and you’ve already seen so much, it’s only fair that you know the truth.”
Momon tilted his head slightly, his curiosity evident despite his composed demeanor. “I’m listening.”
Aether nodded, closing his eyes briefly to gather his thoughts. When he spoke, his voice was steady but filled with a deep-seated sadness. “My sister and I… we’re not from this world. We’ve traveled from one world to another for as long as I can remember. When we first arrived in Teyvat, I was in a deep slumber. My sister woke up before me, and I have no idea how long I remained asleep. By the time I finally woke, she had returned to me, but something was wrong—she was desperate, afraid even.”
He paused, his golden eyes flickering with the memory. “She told me we had to leave immediately. That this world wasn’t as safe as we thought. We headed to Khaenri’ah… but all I found were ruins. A once-thriving kingdom was nothing but destruction. It had been wiped off the map.”
Paimon hovered closer, her small hands clutched together. “Oh, Aether…”
Aether continued, his tone growing heavier. “We decided to leave Teyvat and find another world. But when we tried to leave, our path was blocked by… an unknown god. She called herself the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. We fought her, but she was too powerful. We were defeated. I remember watching her take my sister away from me… and then, nothing. Just darkness. When I woke up again, she was gone. My memories were fragmented, and my original powers… stripped away.”
His fists clenched as he finished. “It wasn’t until meeting Dainsleif that my memories started to come back.”
Momon took in the story, his skeletal face hidden behind the mask, but his mind reeled with the weight of what he had just heard. “Well, damn… that’s one hell of a lore drop,” he thought, though he kept his tone neutral.
He crossed his arms, his gaze steady on Aether. “That’s… certainly interesting and raises more questions than answers. But I’ll respect your boundaries for now. However…” Momon shifted his attention to Mona, his tone growing inquisitive. “How did you know about this?”
Mona straightened, her prideful smirk returning as she tapped her hat. “How? Because I am a master of true astrology,” she declared. “I specialize in hydromancy, reading the reflections of the stars in water. Though the reflections are but illusions, they reveal truths that are otherwise hidden.”
“Isn’t that just a fancy term for ‘Divination’ magic?” Momon asked, his tone calm but curious.
“Haha, yes, yes!” Mona beamed, clearly pleased that he recognized her craft. “I knew you’d understand! But with Aether, it’s different. I’ve tried reading his fate, but all I see is fog. The stars of Teyvat cannot reveal truths beyond this world. They can only illuminate the fates tied to this realm.”
“That’s… incredible,” Aether said, his admiration genuine. “Your magic is truly reliable, Mona.”
“Haha, of course it is!” Mona said, puffing her chest with pride. “But you know, I’ve also tried using my astrology on you, Momon, and—”
“I’d strongly recommend you never attempt that again,” Momon interrupted, his tone colder, sharper.
Mona blinked, confused, and even Aether and Paimon turned to him with puzzled expressions. “Wh-Why not?” Mona stammered.
“Because,” Momon said firmly, “I have countermeasures in place. Divination Countermeasures, to be precise. It’s a spell designed specifically to protect against any form of divination.”
Mona’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what? That’s… that’s even possible?!”
Momon nodded. “Divination can be a double-edged sword. It might reveal valuable information, but it can also expose me—or my allies—to danger. So naturally, there’s magic to counter it.”
Mona’s curiosity overcame her initial shock. “But what would happen if someone did try divination on you?”
Momon’s tone darkened, his next words sending a chill through the group. “They’d die. Horribly.”
Mona paled. “H-Horribly? How horribly are we talking?”
Momon tilted his head slightly. “Well… let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Their body might rupture from the strain of the backlash. Or their head might explode. Maybe they’d bleed from every orifice—eyes, ears, mouth—the works.”
Mona’s face turned ghostly white, and she visibly recoiled. “That’s… that’s horrifying!”
Momon shrugged. “A necessary precaution. It ensures that anyone foolish enough to pry into my business pays the price. So, unless you enjoy the idea of a gruesome and tragic end, I’d advise you to avoid trying it again.”
Mona swallowed hard, her face pale as she nodded. “Noted… I’ll definitely steer clear.”
Paimon floated closer to Aether, whispering nervously, “Paimon’s not sure if Momon’s super cool or just super scary…”
Aether sighed, shaking his head. “A little bit of both, I think,”
Momon said nothing, but beneath his mask, he allowed himself the faintest hint of amusement.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Hey, hey, hey, guys! Aren’t you enjoying the night?” Beidou’s bold, confident tone rang out as she strode over to their table, a half-empty tankard of ale in her hand. She was clearly in high spirits, her grin wide as she approached.
“Sure we are!” Paimon chirped back enthusiastically, raising her tiny hands.
Beidou laughed, her energy infectious as she extended her arm and gave Momon a hearty pat on the back. “Woah, your plate’s still full, buddy!” she said, her sharp eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. “You haven’t even touched it. What’s the matter? Food not good enough for ya?”
Momon glanced at his untouched plate and replied calmly, “There is no need.”
Beidou tilted her head, confused for a moment, then shrugged it off. “Come on now,” she said with a mischievous chuckle. “This is a time for celebration! Don’t be so stiff!” Without warning, she plopped herself down on Momon’s lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world, resting an arm casually over his shoulder.
Momon froze for a split second, his mind processing the unexpected action. Emotions flickered briefly within him—embarrassment, surprise, even a faint hint of amusement—but they were swiftly suppressed by his undead nature, leaving his expression stoic.
“What do you think you are doing?!” Mona’s voice rose sharply, her cheeks burning with indignation. She stood abruptly, her hat nearly toppling off as she leaned forward to glare at Beidou. “This is completely improper!”
Beidou smirked, raising her tankard to her lips for another swig. “What’s the matter, big hat? Did I steal your spot or something?” she teased, her words slurring slightly from the alcohol.
Mona’s face turned scarlet, her hands balled into fists as she stammered. “Sh-Shameful!” she sputtered, her voice high-pitched with indignation. “You—you don’t just… sit on someone’s lap like that!”
Beidou raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly against Momon. “What’s the big deal? It’s not like he minds,” she said with a wink, clearly enjoying Mona’s flustered reaction.
“Beidou,” Momon said, his tone calm but firm, “I think you’ve had too much to drink.”
“Me? Drunk?” Beidou waved a dismissive hand, her movements loose and uncoordinated. “Nah, I’m perfectly fine! I just… uh…” Her words trailed off as her head tilted forward, and before anyone could react, she slumped against Momon’s chest, her breaths soft and steady.
“Huh? She fell asleep?!” Paimon exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Momon glanced down at the now-snoozing captain, her hair spilling over his armor. “Yes,” he said dryly, “too much alcohol.”
“Unbelievable!” Mona huffed, her arms still crossed as she scowled at the sight. “How can someone be so… so shameless? Falling asleep on someone like that—it’s utterly disgraceful!”
Paimon whispered to Aether, “Do you think Momon’s mad? Paimon can’t tell—he’s so hard to read.”
Aether shook his head with a small smile. “I think he’s just… patient.”
“This is the Captain of the Crux?” Mona muttered, her voice dripping with disbelief. “She’s supposed to be a celebrated warrior, not… this.” She gestured to the sight of Beidou snoring softly, her face completely at ease.
Paimon giggled, her irritation melting into amusement. “Well, she sure knows how to enjoy herself! Maybe a little too much, though.”
Momon remained silent for a moment, his crimson eyes glinting faintly as he stared down at the sleeping Beidou. Despite her reckless behavior, there was an undeniable charm to her carefree spirit. He gently shifted her weight, ensuring she wouldn’t slide off.
The lively festivities around them continued, with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses filling the night air. Momon, sitting stoically with Beidou now snoring softly in his lap, glanced at Aether, unbothered by the captain’s unexpected slumber. Her head rested against his chest armor as if it were a pillow, her tankard still clutched loosely in one hand.
“So, Aether,” Momon said in his calm and composed tone, “what’s the next step?”
Aether looked up from his plate, wiping his mouth with a napkin before responding. “I guess… the nation of Inazuma.”
“Inazuma, huh?” Momon repeated, leaning back slightly. Beneath his mask, a curious thought crossed his mind. Why does that sound so Japanese?
“Inazuma?” Paimon chimed in, floating closer with her usual enthusiasm. “I’ve heard that nation’s borders are closed for some reason. It’s supposed to be really hard to get in or out!”
Mona, adjusting the glasses Momon had lent her, set her book down momentarily to contribute. “People who wish to leave or enter Inazuma legally must pass the strict assessments conducted by the Kanjou Commission to obtain permission,” she said, her voice scholarly as though she were reciting from memory. “And even if one gets permission, there’s the Tenryou Commission. They enforce the Sakoku Decree—a policy issued by the Raiden Shogun herself to isolate Inazuma from the rest of the world.”
“The Sakoku Decree…” Aether echoed thoughtfully. “I’ve heard about that. Isn’t it meant to keep everyone within Inazuma under strict control?”
“Precisely,” Mona continued. “To enforce the decree, the Shogun has surrounded Inazuma with violent, unending storms. As a result, very few ships are able—or even willing—to navigate through them. Even skilled sailors like Beidou would think twice before attempting such a voyage.”
Momon’s crimson eyes glinted faintly behind his mask. “Sounds very dictatorial to me,” he said plainly, his tone carrying a subtle note of disdain.
Paimon hovered closer to Momon, her hands on her hips. “Dictatorial? You mean like a dictatorship? Well, now that you mention it, Paimon does think it sounds super controlling. Like, who would want to live in a place where you can’t leave if you want to?”
“Perhaps those who have no choice,” Mona interjected. “Or those who don’t dare to question the Shogun’s authority. The Raiden Shogun is a powerful Archon, after all. She’s not one to tolerate dissent.”
Aether frowned, resting his chin on his hand. “If that’s the case, then how do we even get there? Beidou’s Crux Fleet might be able to make the journey, but it doesn’t sound easy.”
Momon considered the information carefully. “If Inazuma is as isolated as you all describe, then it’s likely not just storms and policies keeping people out. There’s a reason for this Sakoku Decree—something the Raiden Shogun doesn’t want anyone to see or interfere with.”
Aether nodded thoughtfully. “That’s what I want to find out. If my sister has been to Inazuma—or is even there now—then I have to go, no matter how difficult it is.”
Momon leaned back slightly in his chair, careful not to disturb the still-sleeping Beidou on his lap. Her steady breathing and peaceful expression were a stark contrast to her usual boisterous demeanor. “So, it’s Inazuma then,” Momon said, his voice calm and resolute. His glowing crimson eyes briefly scanned the room before returning to his companions. “Well, when this sleeping beauty wakes up, we shall ask her for a voyage to this nation.”
Mona, who had been lost in thought while still adjusting her borrowed glasses, froze mid-movement. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she turned to Momon, utterly flabbergasted. “S-S-Sleeping beauty?! You’re calling her that?!” she stammered, her hands clenching into fists on the table. “That’s completely inappropriate! You shouldn’t—”
“Sounds like a plan,” Aether interrupted casually, his tone deliberately nonchalant as he ignored Mona’s outburst. He pushed his chair back slightly and stretched, his golden eyes calm but determined. “If anyone can navigate through those storms and get us to Inazuma, it’s Captain Beidou and her crew.”
“Wha—are you two just going to ignore me?!” Mona protested, waving her arms in exasperation. “This is so improper! And how can you be so casual about it?”
Paimon floated over to Mona, her tiny hands on her hips. “Mona, it’s not a big deal! Besides, Captain Beidou is kind of beautiful, don’t you think? Well… if you don’t count her snoring. It’s pretty loud.”
“Paimon!” Mona hissed, her face growing even redder. “That’s not the point! The point is—ugh, never mind!”