#Abyss dragon Ajax

[anonymousreader4d7]

Abyss Dragon Ajax Art

Hi everyone! I've been reading this awesome Genshin fic lately, a Zhongli/Childe fic called After Everything by Amanveth (I HIGHLY recommend it, it's SO good!!!) and, a bit of a spoiler for the most recent chapters, it's been building up to a reveal of Childe/Ajax's true form gained from his time the Abyss that changed him. I was super excited about all the hints we were getting, and I kinda ended up chatting to the author, because I could tell I was gonna want to draw his true form. So, ahead of time, she gave me descriptions and reference images of what she had in mind, helped me compile references, and gave me feedback as I drew Ajax's true form. And what an absolute beauty he is - I know Zhongli/Morax is going to be blown away, because I certainly am!!! So, yeah! Have Abyss Dragon Ajax, After Everything Version!!!

Amanveth mentions this in the fic, and I'm sure they will again, but his bioluminescent markings actually shift and ripple, like light on the surface of the water, as well as varying brightness, but I don't know how to make gifs, lol... He has little webbed paws too, by the way!!! You can see it if you look closely!!! I just think he's so cool and pretty, you know? I'm pretty pleased with how he turned out, and so was Amanveth - I'm posting this now so she can link it in the next chapter (planned for tomorrow) when she finally reveals his true form in the fic!!! I've been super excited to work on this, and it's so cool to know it's getting displayed in the fic itself! Thanks for working with me to let me do this for you, Amanveth!!! ;D

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

omg I've been hyperfixated on western dragons for ages, the fic you wrote is so auffghgg i love it big smooch

anyways back to the brainrot/req, western dragons are usually portrayed as possessive and selfish, so how about western dragon reader getting jealous/possessive over legacy when he comes back from fontaine cause reader can smell another dragon (neuvilette) on him?🤔 sorry if that made no sense lol

don't worry anon, this makes so much sense and I LOVE it

you're never exactly happy when Ajax and Foul Legacy have to leave on their little business trips- yes, you completely understand why. Ajax is a Harbinger, and when he goes, Legacy has to go too- but you don't like it. being away from who you consider to be your two greatest, most precious treasures makes you irritable and reclusive, barely even going out to soak up the sun your body desperately needs. you only perk up when you hear familiar heavy footsteps, scrambling to your feet and abruptly tackling Foul Legacy, earning you a surprised screech and an armful of happy armored moth. you let out a few purrs as you wrap your scaley tail around his leg and snuggle your head against his chest- but then you stop, nuzzles slowing to a complete halt, and you tilt your head back and delicately sniff the air

dragon. he smells like dragon. and not just any dragon, a different dragon, one that's not you- some pompous water dragon, if your nose is telling the truth, and your eyes narrow as you let out a low growl

Foul Legacy whines apologetically when you cross your arms and pout, tail lashing back and forth and pointed ears lowered. you drag him into your favorite patch of sun and stubbornly curl around him, trying to be as close as possible so you can erase every trace of that other dragon that might still cling to his armor. Legacy doesn't mind snuggling beside you, running his claws over the patches of scales that still litter your skin, and gradually you begin to calm and settle in for a quick nap with the Abyssal monster you've loved so much. for at least the next couple of weeks you almost always have a hand on him, holding his shoulder or wrist or lacing his fingers with yours- Ajax and Legacy are your beloveds, and no one else's. especially not some high-and-mighty water dragon from that city of metal and steam!

[avemstella]

So as u probably know I went insane with the fake Rome lore in my Furina fic and since posting that thing I went 'holy shit Ajax is Greek' and how both of them are tied together by the Primordial Sea. I have so many thoughts.

[thormanick]

So was anybody going to tell me the Ballad of the Fjords has Ajax-related (mostly the original one) lore that I can read even without owning a weapon,

or was I just supposed to, you know. Just stumble into it on an accident-

[arainaizevran]

durge... 2!

here's ajax in wotr yayyy :3 he's a bloodrager with abyssal bloodline, follower of calistria (goddess of revenge), chaotic neutral. going demon -> golden dragon mythic path!

portrait by droodle-bug my beloved

[stainedglassthreads]

Goooooooood I hope that the Archon Interlude involves connections to Enkanomiya because like!! There's so many connections between Fontaine and Enkanomiya and there is! SOMETHING.

Enkanomiya is the first place where an Abyssal Lector displays the ability to take human form during a World Quest. Enkanomiya contains books that talk about how the Dragon Sovereign of Water will be reborn as a human. Vishaps and marine-based animals feature in both Enkanomiya and Fontaine. The Abyss as an oceanic zone, descending deeper, deeper. Condemnation by the Heavens for the sins of your God.

Enkanomiya has weapons that look a lot like the weapons Childe makes--has people with Greek names, just like how Ajax and Teucer are Greek names. Enkanomiya has a strong theme of sin and condemnation with Aru ritualistically condemning his people before we can fight the Bloodbranch Vishaps. Children who are figurehead rulers are condemned by the masses and executed for the sin of ignorance. Oceanids that don't realize they're really Oceanids and Sinshades who don't realize they're really dead.

Enkanomiya casts the Traveler into the role of Hero and Fontaine is all about performances!

All I want is for Childe to come back with info from Skirk and then he and the Traveler both just kind. Trip and stumble into Enkanomiya and/or the Abyss. And we make some progress with *gestures generally at Childe's whole Thing*

[narwhalandchill]

(HEAVILY suspect genshin 4.2 AQ weekly boss leaks, massive spoiler if its legit etc etc but take with a Colossal grain of salt, also general 4.0 & 4.1 spoilers jic, i am going moderately insane)

i would like to formally apologize in advance for the person im about to become if childes whale (or 'it' more likely than not) is genuinely going to be the 4.2 AQ weekly boss what the fuck. What the fuck

Listen. Listen. Listen.

ive been saying for YEARS that this fucker is a bigger deal than just he hee minor miniboss turned neutrally aligned friendly rival on the fatui harbinger gauntlet. ive been coping ive been starving seeing him get literally no relevance or new abyss lore for years as fanon butchered his character beyond recognition. but i knew. i knew they werent putting those lore breadcrumbs in there for nothing and like. im trying not to lose my mind just yet its still highly suspect claims but. itd make so much sense. itd explain everything.

the oratrice was not wrong. if the primordial anti-french bathwater is connected to the whale all along its no wonder it deemed childe guilty as the one with 'its' traces remaining on him all this time especially as the latent yet-untapped power resulting from that past encounter has clearly begun to surface. theyre registering as one and the same to the oratrice. and for the whale to end up as a weekly boss its Very clear theres an explicit link there.

and like? if the whales been behind fontaines rising sea levels and tied to the primordial water all this time lurking somewhere just underneath the nation of hydro im just. was childes instinct to come to fontaine specifically due to his worsening mood rly much coincidence at all or was 'it' beginning to call for him due to sensing that hed soon be ready to awaken his potential? his stories suggest quite clearly that this was what happened when ajax was 14 as well - the abyss called to him as did he to it, frustrated as he was with his ordinary life, seeking the potential he had within. ready to nurture his trouble-mongering nature into a true force of chaos and a nexus of strife. isnt this just the same thing all over again?

and the celestial star-cruising whale is his constellation. that kind of link isnt giving me a "chance encounter you happen to get latent powers from". and for skirk to explicitly state that awakening 'it' was a feat unheard of before ajax. that no one had ever done it before. theyre deeply intertwined if not outright the same entity on some cosmic level - just different incarnations somehow. shits getting Real and i fucking knew there was something up YEARS ago

anyway hooooly shit i am going to fucking lose it i really really hope its real. and like sure sure knowing its coming is technically a spoiler but also not really? bc now its just the how and why and when. is skirk going to finally show up? is childe going to summon 'it' either on accident or on purpose? would he utilize the imminent threat the whales presence poses to force both furina and neuvillette into emergency mode given how abyssal creatures are literally kryptonite for dragons and celestia-approved divine beings alike? is that why traveler ends up having to face it instead? bc those 2 would literally get irreversibly corroded by the abyss from one hit?

alternatively, will childe want to fight it? bc ppl dont talk about this for some reason but hes always had a voiceline about what we now know 100% was 'it' and bro genuinely wants to go back to the abyss full send just to throw hands with the whale to prove hes surpassed the past terror that gripped him upon their first encounter and that hes overtaken it with his own power. which with the new lore drops of their deep connection definitely isnt giving childe replacing and becoming the new incarnation of the abyssal star-whale at all nuh-uh. surely. (i want it so bad)

anyway. holy shit. heres hoping this doesnt just age like shit DUFYDUGHFGDJSHDK i really want an AQ final fight thats not just harbinger of the week for the 4th time in a row. theyre fun and all and like yeah arguably childes ties to it kinda make it a harbinger fight but also not? bc this is about his abyssal links nothing to do with being in the fatui. and its the whale anyway not him per say

anyway heres hoping we get that 3rd final boss fight to the death with him in the celestia arc for once and for all when hes finally reached his peak. first we fight him at his incomplete level in liyue. then his abyssal whale. then 3rd time him in his final form thank youuu

but like. still emphasizing. this is NOT reliable leaks or confirmed yet so hold your horses. very sussy whisperings from some ppl who do have somewhat of a truthful track record but nothing concrete. i just went insane enough with the very idea that my brain made me type this madness out regardless

[thewarinourstarwars]

Hold My Heart

Pairing: Chilumi

Fandom: Genshin Impact

This can be found on Ao3

Summary:

"She took him to the Serenitea Pot, the home she had carved for herself in this world. How long had it been, since she’d last had a home?

When Yanfei had given it to her, she’d hoped that Aether would be the first person after Paimon to share it, as they had always promised they would share their new home wherever they found it.

But instead, she’d brought Childe home."

OR

Skirk hands Childe over to Lumine, and as a result she is able to return his vision to him.

Lumine blinked. It was as if the world itself had ripped open, and out of it emerged the ethereal girl, wielding a fistful of the void between the stars in one hand, and dragging him by the other. 

He was no longer transformed, wearing the dark armor of the Abyss that he had learned within its depths. Without the power of the Foul Legacy behind him, he looked as deflated as he had after facing the Ruin Factory. Tired, faded, and so gray. Teppei’s ghost flashed before Lumine’s golden eyes. 

He could not suffer the same fate. Not if she had anything to say about it. 

“Ajax!” She cried as she reached out to the ethereal warrior. 

The warrior blinked back at her, as if surprised. “You know my disciple, then?”

. . . her disciple? Then this is. . . 

“You’re Skirk, aren’t you?” Lumine remembered what he had confided in her, about his descent into the Abyss and the mysterious girl with a sword who was one with the shadows. She was the one who had taught him to survive there, who had taught him the legacy that would likely someday kill him. 

“Hang on a moment, will you?” Skirk seemed annoyed. She threw the fistful of void at the Primordial Whale, and it vanished, closing the tear in the world. Only the Primordial Sea remained, sparkling violet and turquoise and silver. 

Within its depths, it was just the four of them—the Hydro Sovereign of the Depths, the ethereal warrior who lived within the abyss, the boy who had fallen through the world and came out determined to topple it, and the otherworldly traveler. 

“That’s better—my master’s pet escaped again, I see.” Skirk sighed, as if this were a mundane occurrence and not nearly the very end of Fontaine itself. “I do wish he would keep a better leash on it.”

Lumine and Neuvilette exchanged a glance. Even the ancient dragon reborn looked terrified of its implications. 

“At least he doesn’t lose track of it the way his other student does.” Skirk shook her head. “I’ve never met Rhinedottir, mind you, but she takes after our master in the worst ways.”

Lumine’s blood ran cold as the winds of Dragonspine. She could hear Albedo’s secret rustling through her ears again, recall the symbol of the eclipse that had haunted her before she’d met Paimon. She knew of Rhinedottir, had come across the rare references to the alchemist who had supposedly been the downfall of Khan’riah, mother to Albedo, Durin, and the Riftwolves alike. 

If this girl was associated with Rhinedottir. . . 

Lumine didn’t like this. Not at all. 

“Oh, right, him.” Skirk glanced down at Childe, who she was holding by the scruff of his neck. “You should take him. I have no need to speak with him.”

With that, she practically tossed him at Lumine. It was all that she could do to catch his unconscious body and not topple over from the momentum. The ethereal warrior’s strength was far more than her petite physique suggested. It reminded Lumine of her own otherworldly strength. 

A look in Skirk’s eyes told her all she needed to know. This woman was not from this world. Just like her. 

No, not like her, Lumine realized as she adjusted her grip on Childe. 

“You should get going.” Skirk glanced around before looking Neuvilette up and down. “And I wouldn’t keep the gnosis, if I were you.”

“Why not?” Neuvilette’s frown deepened. 

“It was made from the remains of the Third Descender, the one who the First and Second Who Came conspired to destroy.” Skirk twirled her sword as if bored. “Well, I must go now. If I have any further messages, I’ll send them through him.”

With that, the world ripped in two again, and the ethereal warrior was gone. 

Lumine looked down at Childe. He was stirring—but not awake. Not yet. His eyelids only fluttered, and the steady yet shallow rise and fall of his chest was the only promise of life. 

But he was alive. 

That was what mattered, wasn’t it? He had survived this adventure, the encounter with the whale. And yet, Lumine found herself with more questions than answers. Much like her investigation into the secrets of the Fortress of Meropide, she was finding that Childe’s story wasn’t complete. 

What was the whale, truly, beyond being a madman’s pet? Why did Childe resonate with it? Why had the Oratrice passed judgement on him for a series of murders that started long before he was born? 

There would be time to answer them, Lumine decided. But first, she needed to help him. 

It would be three days before he awakened. Arrlechino had wanted to take him with her and the gnosis, and yet Lumine insisted on taking him. The Knave merely regarded her coolly upon her insistence, with silky murmurings about something “making sense” to her now. 

Not that it mattered. Arrlechino, it seemed, or perhaps it was truly the Tsaritsa, wasn’t interested in making an enemy of her, at least for now. 

Neuvilette wrote his pardon, and she took him to the Serenitea Pot, the home she had carved for herself in this world. How long had it been, since she’d last had a home?

When Yanfei had given it to her, she’d hoped that Aether would be the first person after Paimon to share it, as they had always promised they would share their new home wherever they found it. 

But instead, she’d brought Childe home. 

She tried not to think about it too hard. 

With the teapot left on the rolling green hills upon the shoreline, no one bothered it while Lumine went about her daily commissions and little adventures, returning to nurse her sleeping comrade. 

It was on that third evening that she sat by his bedside—still no change in his condition as the sun set inside and outside of the teapot. 

Paimon watched as Lumine sat dejected, watching over him. She’d tended to the open wounds, the places where the battle had taken its toll on him. But it would all be for nothing if he didn’t wake up. 

She couldn’t handle another loss. Not like Teppei, Zhiqong, or even her own brother. Teucer couldn’t lose an older brother the way that she had. 

She removed the Vision from her pocket—it was still shining, like the sun upon the waters of Liyue. That had to mean something, didn’t it?

She looked over at his sleeping form. His expression was surprisingly peaceful, like in her dreams when he’d sunken beneath the waves. Skirk had once prophesied that he would know no peace. What a blessing, he had told her. Both of them knew it was truly a curse. 

“Wake up,” she whispered, because how could she possibly give any stronger voice to this? “Please. I love you.”

The Vision shined with the brilliance of a thousand stars all at once as the deep blue glow of the water enveloped the room. When Lumine could see again, Childe’s eyes were open. 

He looked dazed, displaced and disoriented within space and time. 

But he was awake. And alive. 

“Lumine?” His voice wavered. “What happened—did I win?”

“You held him off for as long as you could.” Lumine reached for his back, helping him as he sat up. “You helped save Fontaine.”

“But I didn’t kill it?” The disappointment was evident. 

“It almost killed you.” She couldn’t help the swell of emotion that rose in her admonishment. “What would I have told Zhongli? Or Teucer? Or Tonia?”

He regarded her, but said nothing.

“You told me that the Foul Legacy takes so much. . . and with only your Delusion—“ Lumine’s voice cracked. 

“It was killing you,” she repeated helplessly. “I wasn’t able to rescue you sooner.”

“You came,” he said simply. He snaked an arm around her shoulder, leaning on her. “Maybe next time, we can fight it together.”

“And maybe next time, you’ll have this.” She pressed his Vision into his free hand. 

“You kept it safe.” He accepted it and looked at it as if it were a miracle, or at least not one that he had already earned. 

“Of course I did.” Lumine studied his face carefully. “I love you.”

The shock rolled over him like a tidal wave. He froze, his expression as unreadable as the ocean on a gray, cloudy day. Then he slowly turned, his eyes widening as Lumine saw a light in them for the first time. 

“What?”

Lumine’s heart pounded in her chest as she continued, plunging head-on in. She’d thrown herself into this fight and she would finish it. 

“I love you,” she repeated. It was getting easier to say those words. 

A contemplative expression passed over his face. “I heard them, when I was waking up, but I wasn’t sure if I was still dreaming.”

His eyes returned to her, shining with something new, an excitement that was different from his usual battle-lust. “I love you too. I have since the moment I saw you. I couldn’t tell you, after everything that happened in Liyue. I thought you’d never feel the same way.”

“You didn’t have to tell me.” Lumine placed her hand around his, feeling the Vision pulsing beneath her palms, reflecting their own twin heartbeats. “This was all I needed to know.”

“What now?” He asked breathlessly.

“You rest.” She gently pushed him back into the bed. “You need to recover, before we can leave Fontaine.”

“We?” 

“I don’t want you to leave,” Lumine said. “And I’m tired of leaving.”

She looked away, to the nightfall outside in the teapot. “I still need to find out what happened to my brother. But maybe we can do it together.”

He took her hand. “Comrade, I think we can do anything, even topple the divine thrones of this world if we’re together.”

[holloska]

*Genshin impact title theme*

YOU ARE LISTENING TO

*hehe~*

103.1

*klee bomb explosion*

GENSHIN IMPACT FM

WHERE WE PLAY NOTHING BUT *Let's Go, Crimson Knight!* *Rex incognito* AND *Letter From Ajax*

*abyss mage noise*

LETS DO OUR DAILIES!

*Imagine Dragons - Radioactive starts playing*

[anonymousreader4d7]

I really need to draw abyss dragon Ajax again

Need ME to, or YOU need to? Either way, the answer is probably he DOES need to be drawn again, XD.

As for why I haven't drawn him anymore lately, I've kinda been hyper fixated on Hermitcraft moreso than Genshin for a while... But I might could be persuaded to doodle an Abyss Dragon Ajax again... (And which particular design are we discussing here too? The one for Amanveth's After Everything? Or my more Foul Legacy-esque one? Because both are definitely very cool...)

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

DRAGON FOUL LEGACY

Fun fact! As you probably know, the vast majority of depictions of dragons have their eyes on the sides of their heads. Evolution-wise, this means that there's something out there that hunts dragons, that has them as prey.

Foul Legacy only has that one (shiny <3) eye though. Which is smack dab in the middle of the facial area. Logically, with conversion to dragon features, this means that the eye would also be in the middle. So in an evolutionary sense, Legacy could be considered a predator to all and prey to none.

(I'd also like to point out that the Rex Lapis dragon form has sides-eyes. Meaning that evolutionarily he's prey to something. How funny, that a god!dragon is prey to something that an abyssal!dragon is not...)

~ Sincerely, a dragon-obsessed nerd :D Sorry, saw a post from you regarding dragon FL and immediately had to drop these tidbits on you. Do what you will with this information :D

MORE DRAGON FOUL LEGACY OUR SCALED GROWLING FRIEND

ironically, the fierce and merciless Abyssal dragon falls for a puny human of all creatures, absolutely smitten with you after you freed him from that ghastly trap. and sometimes he wishes he wasn't- you're so difficult to keep track of! so small amidst the rest of the mortals in the harbor, and Legacy can't exactly just waltz in and pick you out from the crowd. so he uses his human disguise instead, all freckles and copper hair and cool blue eyes that light up when he sees you, gripping you around the waist and twirling in delight. you almost scream the first time, taking him for a complete stranger, but he hushes you gently and brings your hand to his face, pushing into it with his cheek just as Foul Legacy would always do, faint scales just beneath a layer of skin. a sigh of relief escapes you- before you lightly smack him on the shoulder with a pouting scowl, and Legacy's human form lets out a smooth, rumbling laugh as he nuzzles against you

he tilts his head when you stop to say hello to Zhongli, eyes narrowing in eerie curiosity. the elegant man positively reeks of the scent of prey, the other dragons Foul Legacy would occasionally hunt, sometimes for food and sometimes for the sheer thrill. you barely notice Zhongli becoming more and more uncomfortable under his gaze until he hastily excuses himself, pivoting on his heel and hurrying away while your hand is still in the air. Legacy merely hums, smug and quite pleased with himself- you're his treasure, after all. dragons have to protect their treasures. his arms come around you once more, grinning and nudging into your hand as you idly scratch under his chin. you can't keep calling him "Legacy"- it'll draw stares from the strangeness, even as he bunts and purrs against you in his human form

so you give him the name of Ajax, and his eyes light up as if he's found another beautiful treasure

[avemstella]

so that archon quest, huh. Would be absolutely thrilled to hear what u have to say about fontaine act V :] i love all your takes on furina & neuvillette & fontaine as a whole, and of course childe [pretty much an honorary fontanian with how he unintentionally got wrapped up in everything whoops]

Oh boy, I have so many thoughts. To start with some non-spoilerly stuff: I loved it so much. I'm not sure if I'll say it's my favorite Archon Quest yet (I think I would have to go through some of the older ones), but I think it's safe to say Fontaine overall as an arc is my favorite. Even its weakest part (the prison stuff, tbh it was a pacing issue) was still really solid and the ending, while not perfect, really landed. Genshin continued the trend from Sumeru of having the playable characters really take the stage and god there were some great standouts (Navia/Neuvi/Furina to name my favs, but I also loved my fatui and there really isn't anyone I've disliked). And well, the quest (and Furina's chara quest) made me cry like a baby, so that's a win.

Tbh, I think my biggest issue, wasn't even really an issue with the story but just a case of I had a very clear idea of what I wanted out of it (the woes of writing speculative fic pfft) and when it wasn't that I'm like "awww darn". Thats on me, and I genuinely really loved what we got, but it do be like that sometimes haha.

Spoilers below, oh boy (also my Furina fic spoilers too lol).

Eldritch abomination Furina I'll mourn u forever. I can't complain because Furina splitting herself in two to go fuck u to the heavens is such a boss ass move I can't haha. Okay, but I will say, even if I'm probably the only one, I do wish they brought some Remuria stuff up in the main quest. They had the perfect set up with Ajax being there with his Greek myth references and just ahhhh, one can hope they do something with it later. But yes, just know it's my silly headcanon that Focalors just lied about being an Oceanid to Neuvi and is one of King Remus's fucked up Primordial Sea experiments that maybe caused the Abyss rift at the fall of Remuria.

But yes, Furina, Furina, I'm crying. She really destroyed the girl failure accusations in the most glorious way possible. She literally didn't fail once (either of her), she plotted out a plan to trick the heavens, give back what was stolen, and save her people and she did it perfectly. As you're probably well aware, I'm a big fuck u Celestia gal, so it was just so satisfying to see her just obliterate the throne (even when I was crying haha). And honestly, super relevant to the state of the real world, but her giving back sovereignty to Neuvi in my mind is a very clear decolonization metaphor. Ages past descenders came to Teyvat, killed the dragons and created their own order, and now Focalors is returning that power back to said dragon (or well, the dragon's heir, it's a bit vague if Neuvi's literally the old dragon's soul reincarnated or just the body).

The entire scene between Neuvi and Focalors was great, though I will admit I have one issue with it (and even then I go back and forth on it haha). Neuvi in that scene doesn't have a big attachment to Focalors. What I mean is that ultimately Neuvi only ever knew Furina (which side note I'll get into this next, but I do view them as the same person, but still), and with Focalors' 'death' he's not technically losing anything, the person he's sad over will still be there. Like don't get me wrong, he's very empathetic and can be sad over this person who is dying for them, but I feel like it could have been even more heartbreaking if he had met Furina/Focalors before the split, or he had interacted with Focalors somehow in the past, and so in this moment he wasn't just watching Furina's sacrifice, but the sacrifice of someone he shares memories with. But that's me being picky haha and not really a critique on the writing.

But yes, Furina! Focalors! As I previewed before, I'm going to come out swinging with a possibly hot take. They are, and always were the same person. Yes, Focalors is the divinity, but as we see after Furina is allowed to rest her persona, Furina is also super mature and knowledgeable. In Neuvi's flashback quotes of Furina, it's her softly giving important advice about living with humanity, which is what Focalors was all about. And much like Furina, Focalors loves preforming, she loves humans, she gets all excited about Furina and her future, and is sad she won't get to experience it.

Not to remotely downplay Furina's suffering (because holy shit my poor girl), but Focalors too played her role. Unlike Furina who had Neuvillette and all her friends post this, Focalors was all alone in the Oratrice, waiting for the day she had to kill herself. Furina, has the promise of a future, despite all the suffering she endured to get there. She gets the reward of a happy life as a human surrounded by people who love her, and while it was touch a go for a bit, she was told one day her play would end. In contrast, while Focalors didn't have the same anxiety that Furina had, Focalors knew from the beginning she would never get to see her people saved. Technically she, like Furina, didn't even know if it would even happen. She put her faith in Neuvillette to follow through, and while she had the utmost faith in him, she could never know for certain. But much like her mirror Furina, Focalors weighed her suffering over the people of Fontaine's, and never once faltered. Furina was willing to possibly kill herself via primordial seawater in order to keep up her ruse, whose to say Focalors wasn't the same. Smiling at Neuvillette until the last moment because she couldn't risk him interfering, hiding away her anxieties and sorrow, so he wouldn't look so sad. Furina's performance ended, Focalors' never will.

Focalors was so certain she couldn't be human, but as we see from the Oceanids it was totally possible. And even more vitally, we see from the other Archons it's possible. They might fumble around a bit (some more than others, looking at u Ei), but they are learning and immersing themselves with their people. While not an Archon, it's the same with Neuvillette. Focalors should have had the same opportunities as Furina and the rest (mostly because she is Furina), but the world isn't kind, and that's why her sacrifice hurts.

If u can't tell I have a lot of feelings about Focalors/Furina and while I can appreciate a joke about Focalors giving Furina anxiety, I'm also like, they are literally the same person working together, she deserves the world (all of her).

But yes, I can go on and on about Furina, but for now I'll move onto our boy Childe. To get it out of the way, a little disappointed that we really got no answers about him. Poor guy didn't really have any lines. Also, not big on Skirk's design, mostly the outfit. Putting her next to Dain and uh, yeah (like don't get me wrong don't mind the color scheme and all, but could she not have gotten some kind of armor. Or look more like Foul Legacy or something idk).

But onto more happier notes, I'm so happy to see Childe finally getting to do well in a fight. I know it's a meme for him to get beaten up, but my dude is the Vanguard, let him win sometimes (he doesn't technically win here, but he was fighting an eldritch whale monster for ages and helped save Fontaine, I'm giving it to him). And Skirk, while her design is mostly less to be desired, I'm winning on guessing her hair and eye color haha. Also, while I'll always love my version, I'm liking her personality so far. Her yeeting Childe, while I admit took me out a bit (I thought she threw him farther into the Abyss and was like, "uh guys, yall worried about my poor boy here???" and then was a bit baffled at them saying he was fine) was so fucking funny. It's cool to learn "Foul Legacy" refers to a literal person, and I found the fact that Skirk's relationship with Foul is basically the same as her relationship with Childe very amusing. And it seems she's Khaenri'ahn, maybe? Also, I thought she was listing off her master's other names at first, so when she said Gold I got super hyped that I guessed correctly about the narwhal being Rhine's in my fic, but then they were like nope pfft. I'll take it as a win.

Sidenote, Alice and Rhine where are yoooouuuuuu.

Ultimately, while I enjoyed the Childe and Skirk stuff, it really just feels like a set-up for later stuff. Which isn't really a problem, but I was hoping we'd get something a bit more concrete. Like, I thought we were going to get answers about the "it" that Skirk saw in him, and it would have to do with the Narwhal, but now it seems those were mostly unrelated??? While I did find baby Ajax accidentally waking up a big world eating monster up kind of hilarious, it did feel a little incidental, if that makes any sense. Like, Fontaine's doom was an accident and not the result of anyone's choices. But that might just be a me thing. (and the quest needed more Arle, where was she??? my not really based on anything theory is that whenever we get Furina (or maybe Nevui's) 2nd character quest, Arle will be the boss fight. A reverse of the normal final Harb boss fight during the Archon quest)

Okay, because I really don't want to end on a downer (as I said uptop, I genuinely adored this quest haha), here are some minor spoilers from the Narzissenkreuz Ordo quest that have me by a chokehold.

I wasn't ready for a sudden Ajax. What does this mean??????

And this one just makes me laugh. Whichever Ordo member wrote this, I vehemently disagree with u and am on Khaenri'ah's side with this one. I'd much rather have bread then some higher power nonsense. In my fic I tend to write Khaenri'ah more akin to a modern nation than a fantasy one, and its nice to see me vindicated pfft.

Other random notes, enjoyed that the Fatui weren't just cartoonishly evil in both the main and world quests. I like some nuance. I saw that Sandrone hint, that was fun. Though it makes me wonder when we'll get Columbina lore (especially because if the theory about Harbinger boss fight order based on the Constellation circle is true, she should be showing up soon. Though also I half think that order will break because if it doesn't, it means Sandrone will probably be the final Harb boss which is an odd choice.) As revealed on Furina's weapon, Egeria being around during Remuria raises so many questions around the timeline of events. Genshin pls tell me when the Archon war takes place in all this pls (if they tell us in some lore I haven't read yet, whoops). (also on egeria, I mourn my version but hey, she exists in my heart and in my fics pfft. I can't wait to write her in smfwtwd and venti fic, though she's getting a new name for confusion and better symbolsism)

the contrast between Neuvi and Furina after the quest is so funny and sad. Neuvi "Furina is the best, I want her to be happy". Furina, "Everyone hates me, Neuvillette most of all, I can never face him again." And the other Archons, they are all like Furina, wow u are so cool (which just highlights Neuvi's utter disdain for them other than Nahida haha).

And most vitally, Furina and Venti should be best friends. Musically inclined performers who definitely aren't plotting to overthrow the heavens. I think they are neat (they also both have Latin names!).

[f-abulas]

:honey and flames:

(warning: mentions of war, cosmic horror, body horror? and…horny? A peak into Yaoshi’s kiss and what brought Childe to be blood thirsty)

Darkness.

warmth.

cold…

wet…

It hurt to breathe. Everything in him screams in agony, making the foxing ears twitch from the noise. He’d been thrown in here, after all he’d done to protect…protect him. The face of his lover, the dragon with those far and distant golden eyes. The one who’d revealed his name to a lowly Foxian like himself. Ajax groans, trying to pull himself up but it hurt. He was dying…

Dying.

The bastard preceptors had found their out. Found a way to ‘save’ their precious High Elder. For the great and mighty Morax must remain pure of the simful, nasty temptations of this world, not corrupted by the Schneznian whore such as himself. Oh how Ajax laughed, broken as it was in his injured chest. The preceptors thinking he the degenerate, not knowing this ‘whore’ had only ever got on his knees for their High Elder. Been left a crying mess from said dragons tongue and mouth…

But he was a fool to have been careless. Being tricked into a blatant ambush, surrounded by beasts of abundance. Again…and again, gold ichor spilling, tinged with red from the open wounds now draining his life away. His tail, the one the high elder loved to pet -nuzzle, kiss- was broken sending needles of pain up his spine.

They had jumped him after he’d fallen to his knees, before tossing him into the arbors abyss. The cowards not wanting to finish the job themselves, they were going to let him rot in this dark… cold…wet place. Heart pounding…consumed by hurt, rage, hate- love- revenge… so badly he wanted to tear his fucking fingers into their chests and rip out their black hearts! Ajax was slipping fast but above revenge, and rage, Ajax and his slowly stopping heart desperately craved—-wanted - Hoped—-Hoped. To see golden eyes, and feel those arms hold him one last time.

One last kiss…

“m…mor ….ax” his voice was broken.

His dragon had said ‘I’ll save you’ and to call his name, but as he did …nothing. Nothing. He was…alone—

“Sweet…little fox…”

His ears twitch, a voice. Soft. Two voices… no …six? Lapping over each other as the echoed around him. That voice compelled his soul. With ever ounce of strength he pushed himself up enough to look and see— Blue eyes hazy but aware, he could see such odd…beauty in a way. The scents hit him first, honey and trees…grass…fresh fruit that was ripe for the taking. It made his mouth water, why he knew not. The image…the voice. The being that spoke…three hands, on each side white as porcelain. Small ‘eyes’ of red embedded in the slits of its arms. Clothes in yellow and veiled, their long hair of gold silk cascaded down gracefully. They perched on the roots of the land, mist surrounding them and a ting of gold.

“Merc…iful…one?”

“Poor little fox.” They smiled so sweetly, nodding. “Come here…sweet little fox, let me hold you?” reaching one of their many hands out towards him. Long, slender fingers made a beckoning gesture. His body lifted, as if by invisible strings. Bringing his broken body forward to them, and in an instant he was… engulfed by the arms. Not soft as a woman, not firm like a man. He didn’t… couldn’t describe this feeling. When those arms wrapped around him, caressing his ripped flesh… Closing the wounds, with those sharpened nails. It was like energy, vibrating through his being with their closeness. The scent and taste of starlight was palpable. It dulled all pain from his mind, like a drug or sweet wine. The merciful one traces a finger along his ears, then cheek. “So bloody….so angry. Shall I give you a sweet, sweet blessing my little Foxian?” They leaned closer, he shivered as those lips brushed his cheek.

A feeling of guilt at his body’s reaction to the touch twisted his gut, only ever used to Morax drawing this feeling …a reaction from him. But in the arms of the Aron Ajax felt elated, he felt as if he was getting drunk off their presence alone. He was feeling…hot…hot…Ajax mumbles an affirmation, so enthralled by their voice. Mind blank and open for their commands...his arms gained strength, the poison he’d been slipped by the preceptors gone. ‘Yes’ he thought, ‘I’d gladly take your blessing.’

They smiled against his cheek, red eyes from those many arms all turning to him. Then in an instant, the merciful one placed their lips on his and in an instant they poured sweet…sweet nectar down his throat. Overwhelmed he struggled to drink it all, accepting the dominating kiss. Power…strength…Abundance filled his body, and a whimper left his throat.

He drank….drank

sweet honey at first, he greedily accepted it as that sweetness mended his organs and snapped broken bones back into place. Closed wounds, and filled..filled…

and then that nektar soon became venom. Claws, deadly hook into his heart and he begins to scream… but still the merciful one is now the plague author. Deadly hunger, filling his mind and a lust that pumps into his heart making it pound…images of faces, the Preceptors…the Mara struck, those who tried to kill him, those who opposed Yaoshi…. It feels like fire is now consuming his body and he burns, thrashing in that iron hold. Screams filling his mind, ringing in his ears, death…and bringing them back.

Again and Again and Again!

Finally His screams echo through the space, the flames consumed him entirely. Reap for Sanctus Medicus. Reap…reap…reap!

With Yaoshi’s intervention and blessing he gained a new form, equal to a Mara struck drone but twice as tall. Strength and muscle given, his cells are now twice as fast in regeneration. His magic is heightened but ohhh he craves to fight. Make those screams of the betrayers a reality and in a burst of light, and Yaoushi laughing in delight as their newly blessed Foxian broke free they watch as he slays those ignorant. Pathetic. Useless fools. Staining Lan’s own soil… how fun how fun~

It was a blessing. It was a curse. It brought him life but now he craves the thrill of battle, hungry and hungry for more. But as he stands among the dead, their blood pools around his feet he knows…That he can never come back here again.

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

CN and itysg(ainly) are my favourite fics in the genshin community, you have no idea. I basically made this account to see your amazing art, and now, to leave a msg lol. Now, whenever I pass by Luhua pool, guili plains, see the nail on top of dragon spine, I think of CN, and Ajax, and Morax, and Guizhong, and the little yakshas. When it’s raining in game, I think of Ajax and his hydro constructs. I feel like the story and lore weaved itself into my memory of the game. They feel real, like I’m seeing shadows of memories from the alternate timeline. When I fought the golden wolflord, I thought of the scene with raiden in itysg(ainly). I’m sure that when snezhnaya comes out, I’ll think of CN again. Your abyss lore is awesome btw (I am also a made in abyss fan). Don’t feel pressured to write anything, I am a casual writer too, and it takes so much effort to write even a few thousand words that I just have the deepest respect for authors that go for more than 100k. I just hope that your stories will stay there and not be deleted or hidden lol. Much love, and i hope you have a good day :)

aaa thank you so much!

don't worry, my genshin stories are there to stay,,

[fluffisgreater]

from the depth, to the shoreline

Summary:

Childe like to drown his feeling. Literally. After Osial, he frequently goes to lakes, usually Luhua Pool. Making sure no one is around before stepping into the water. He'll float a bit before taking a deep breath and let himself sink. Before, back in the abyss, inside the water is where he feels most safe, apart from his Master's side. But here in Liyue, there’s no Master. It aches something terrible in Ajax's chest, because Liyue used to be warm. It almost feels like home. But no more. So he returns to the water, where it feels more safe, much like a creature of the depth he truly is inside. When he emerges, everything will be muffled either from lack of oxygen or the after-effect of the underwater silence. There'll be dizziness, but it is worth it for the few moments in which he becomes one with hydro. Free from thoughts of his mission, about Zhongli, about Liyue. But of course, nothing lasts. Not for him. Ajax is never that lucky. One of Zhongli's Adepti saw him.

Chapter 1 : Seeking The Nostalgic Abyss

The winds blow softly, making a hypnotic sound and shaking the red leaves on the trees. Some of it falling into the water and creating a ripple. The motion of water and the reflected sunlight gives an illusion that something is shifting slightly. It enhances the mystery and beauty of Luhua Pool, giving no other obvious change despite currently hosting an extra person in its water.  

Childe— no, Ajax blankly stared at the overflowing blue around him, eyes absently focusing on some fish. His thoughts have been turning round and round, just like the fish in front of him. This fish appears to have taken a liking to him, twirling around and picking at his hair. It's a cute playful fish worthy to be pampered and Ajax usually will coo at it, but his mind is currently elsewhere. He just can't make sense of it.

‘How can Zhongli be Morax?’

Besides the ridiculous development that the God he has been searching for months is actually the same person that has been dining with him almost every day— ’How scary...’ Something in Ajax whispers. It sounds afraid and thrilled at the same time. How can he smile, tell stories and eat with him as if he doesn't have the power to fatally wound Ajax? Ajax bitterly realized how many openings he gave away. Zhongli is always so steady without changing his rhyme. It is a lulling sort of peace. He never did give a reaction when Ajax purposely tried to provoke and needle him at the start of their relationship. ‘What makes you think he won't kill you later?’, the voice whispers sweetly. —Ajax still can't wrap around his head that Zhongli is Morax. Klutzy with mora Zhongli, who can't cook quickly to save his life and always savor his tea like some kind of tea connoisseur? Keeping aside that (endearing) part of him and his own mixed feelings, Ajax it's genuinely confused. Wasn't Morax supposed to be a Warrior God? A fierce dragon that successfully defeated other Gods that threatened Liyue in the past? How can he be that unassuming consultant who seems to have an endless story to tell? From the few interactions Ajax has with dragons in Snezhnaya, they're always callous and cruel to other beings. They're powerful but arrogant, only holding themselves as a special existence. Even among their species they hold those pride and won’t associate with other dragons, seeing only themselves as the most important. It is that arrogance that makes their downfall. Childe always did have the most fun while fighting them. He always comes to that brink between life and death whenever he must deal with them. It is one of the reasons that makes him very excited when he is sent to Liyue. Unfortunately instead of the thrill and satisfying scars, what he got here is a wound that can’t be defended with his blade. It is a wound that does not cause his flesh to separate and tear, but still manages to be even more painful than that.

Because the wound is not physical. Surely even if the region is different, Liyue dragon will have some similarities? How can a person like Zhongli— Ah. Of course. Ajax wants to slam his head at the rock behind him. So he did. Letting out a few bubbles while at it. Turns out that having an epiphany underwater is a bad idea. Childe gasp as he burst out of the water and hold his bleeding head. Cursing he slowly trekked back to the land. He can't believe how stupid and careless this realization is. Morax's true form is said to be unknown. Although he is often depicted as a majestic dragon, there's a talk and record that said Morax is part Qilin. Of course, expecting him to act territorial like other dragons is a no-go! Childe wouldn't have wasted a few weeks messing around Adepti's domain if he know this! “Why is everyone obsessed with only the Dragon part? No wait, why didn't I think of that! “ Childe mutters furiously while walking back to the Northland Bank. Ignoring the whisper and suspicious stare thrown at him. Walking back to his room, he take out the files named [Beings to Fight in Liyue], flipping around until he got the section he want to.

Qilin. One of the illuminated beasts in Liyue, a creature with supernatural abilities, including heightened combat prowess, extreme longevity, and the ability to speak human language. The Qilin are gentle creatures who refuse to harm any animal, living a vegetarian lifestyle, with fur as soft as clouds. However, when they do not live in times of peace, they will fight.

“Huh, that makes so much sense.” Childe trailed off. Actually, he remembered halfway that in Liyue, a dragon is depicted as not only powerful but also wise, symbolizing both power and leadership. So even if Morax being part Qilin is not true, it still fits Zhongli's temperament. Still imagining him as a part of a gentle beast like Qilin makes it easier to connect Morax's identity with the man Childe once knew. But what use is knowing this fact now?

Suddenly the files in his hands become less interesting and feel even mocking to him. Childe silently closes it and put it back into the hidden compartment.

The next times Childe decides to sink himself, he stays under the water for much longer. If the first time he sinks into Liyue water was for the sake of ruminating and filtering the information that shook his world, then the times after that are purely for the sake of dealing with his emotion. To put it simply, Childe like to drown his feeling. Literally. After Osial, when he stays too long in Liyue Harbor, there's an urge to search for lakes. Usually, he will end up heading to Luhua Pools. It's because no one loiters there aside from a few treasure hoarders. The fact that the water is clean also makes it an easy choice, he likes to appreciate the view around him.

”Xiangsheng, you’re not joking when you said it's beautiful!” Childe can't help but gasp at his surrounding. He received a smile, before the man standing beside him replied with fondness that can be heard, eyes already looking from the start to see his reaction,  “Of course not, I did say I will bring you to the most wonderful place in Liyue. I’m glad, it seems you have taken a liking to this place?” “Yes! The water is very clean and the pools are fascinating too! Oh, I wish I can share this with Tonia, she would love it. I should’ve brought my kamera.” Childe cant help to lament. His princess always appreciates the scenery he encounters on his journey. This place might be one of the best places Childe has visited in Liyue. A hum of thought escape the man's mouth. His gaze is still fixated on the redhead instead of the beautiful scenery around him,  “Hmn, Tonia is your sister correct? Although I too, didn’t bring any kamera with me, there’s a talented painter named Veemer that recently looks for inspiration from this place. It is said that he likes to wander around here. Perhaps we can see if he got some painting you can buy for your sister.” “Huh.” “Huh?” Amber eyes look at him questioningly. Holding his laugh, Childe said with a grin,  “I mean, of course, you would know a painter that likes to wander around beautiful spots. Sure then! Let's walk around and maybe we will bump into him. You can tell me the stories about this place while at it.” A nod and a satisfied smile,  “My pleasure. Luhua Pools has been said to be an ancient garden made from deep pure affection. Although no one is sure whose affection it is and toward who that feeling is directed. Two statues stand tall near the pools as if guarding the garden. People have said that those statue eyes will light up sometimes—” “Can the statue move?! You think they’ll make a good fight?” Childe gasped in delight at the prospect of a fight. A startled laugh before, “Childe, please wait—”

It's not as if Ajax has other reasons to choose these pools. 

Full chapter on ao3

[nagalias-mindscape]

Slight spoilers for anyone who may have not completed the Archon quests yet for 4.0 of Genshin, but it’s… kinda minor? I think? Also, 100% Fanfic Idea. So even if it was spoilers, you can’t trust what I type. 😜

Fanfic Idea that, until my sister put it into my head, I didn’t realize I needed- Tartaglia, done of being the Fatui Scapegoat and abandoned by those who are supposed to stand by his side (his parents, his coworkers, Zhongli), accepts a very strange proposal given to him by Neuvillette when he drops by the holding cell: stop being Tartaglia, 11th of the Fatui Harbingers and Abyss-Forged weapon of the Cryo Archon and instead simply become Ajax, child of the reborn Hydro Dragon*. Yes, yes- your three younger siblings can be adopted too.

It’s a soft story. One of healing, and Tartaglia finally unpacking the trauma of the Abyss and just-about-literal War he was immediately tossed into once he left the Abyss. The process of unfucking Tartaglia to get to the trauma of Ajax and making him a single person once more (relatively- Neuvillette will settle on Ajax being able to function as a single cohesive individual / unit). Something something about the Foul Legacy being a semi-sentient alter self whose hurting Ajax because Tartaglia is actively fighting it, ect, and the three becoming a more stronger, more cohesive sense of self thanks to someone finally giving a fuck about him.

(Seriously. Why is it so hard to get found-family / chosen-family stories with Tartaglia in it while also not having him be in any sort of sexual / romantic relationship?)

* I think it’s pretty much accepted fanon that the dude is this Hydro Dragon that everyone’s talking about. Even if HYV were to state otherwise, I think fans would collectively go “nah, bro, we reject that reality for our own”.