#and lumine; and maybe fatui... hehe.... AND AETHER TOO

[baeshijima]

u know what would be a cool genshin fic idea? isekai/transmigrated reader, but instead of appearing within the general timeline, you come into the genshin world 500 years prior to the start of the storyline in khaenri'ah.

honestly it could be either a little before the cataclysm, giving enough time to delve into some relationship building + explore some world building with characters like dainsleif, traveller's sibling (which would probably be lumine bc i actually do like her as abyss sibling & aether as traveller), and npcs like halfdan (still crying over him to this day ;w;) and possibly the khaenri'ahn royal guards (assuming you either join them or have a good enough relationship with them), OR it could be you appear during the crisis, completely and utterly lost as to why you were brought amidst the chaos and bloodshed as you watch everything you barely knew about this nation crumble before your very eyes.

either route will still result in reader's existential crises and constant "why am i here? just to suffer?" monologues because really, who would be fine after going through that after coming from /our/ world? and not to mention you've had to endure the next 500 years wandering with no real set path because you don't know this world— this era of teyvat or of genshin. you're merely stuck, unable to die, and forced to live a life of uncertainty with no clear direction for you to go to.

despite it all, you've at least been able to see dain during this course. while your meetings pass far too quickly for your lonesome, and his solemn demeanour is something you're yet to be accustomed to after having been with him before the fall of khaenri'ah (assuming it's the route where you appear before the cataclysm), you're glad to see a familiar face every now and then. after the messy departure with the lumine who left for the abyss order, you've come to appreciate his quiet presence more and more each time.

and then you decide it might be time to settle. you soon realise it's difficult to do so when your lifespan has become far more than that of a human's — of a mortal's — and so you find yourself becoming used to staying in one place for a few years before setting off for the next. rinse and repeat. over and over. it's come to a point where you've witnessed the nations undergo various changes each time you visit. you know change is inevitable, and yet your heart stings each time you witness it; a testament to how the world is ever-changing, yet you're stuck in place as a bystander.

one thing you're grateful for, however, are the bonds you've established amid your back-and-forth over the centuries. from archons like zhongli and venti to long-life beings such as neuvillette and the adepti to regular mortals who have showed you kindness as if one of their own... you've grown to cherish those memories, often reminiscing them when the nights get too long and surroundings too quiet. it was difficult at first, and still is, but you've become used to the inevitable change and the passing of those you once knew.

and after 500 years, you find yourself face-to-face with one you haven't seen since before you appeared in this world; the protagonist of this world, and the one you eventually join in hopes of finally finding a means to an end, aether.

little side notes/extras:

from /our/ world, you would probably know the storyline from up to around current (5.0) or maybe a little after the fontaine aq conclusion. it gives a lot to work with, but you definitely won't remember a lot of the lore after so long other than some main events, especially since most of your knowledge is pretty irrelevant for the next 500 years,,,

i think it would be cool if you had an inteyvat on your person as a little homage of khaenri'ah, which may or may not invoke some opinions from certain characters (*cough* aether immediately being reminded of lumine and having an existential crisis *cough*)

post-cataclysm you would go through a, uhm, long phase of helplessness, wondering why you were even brought to this world so far back if you couldn't even make any contributions. it does eventually morph into a resolution to do what you can to help those you come across if it's within your capabilities, but the nightmares and helplessness come back every now and then as a reminder for what you can't do :D yippee :D

honestly i'm on the fence whether you would have a vision or some other type of abilities (think on the similar lines of aether/lumine's and dain's), but i think having some type of purification mechanic would be a must in your arsenal !! would definitely lead to some moments between you and characters like dain or zhongli who suffer from the erosion as you give them a slight reprieve from what rages within and corrodes them

a little self indulgent, but i'd like to think your first /proper/ meeting with zhongli happens during a lantern rite festival, wherein you're admiring the lanterns in the sky after making a wish of your own and he comes up from behind with "they're beautiful, wouldn't you say so?" and !!

also as for love interests, as much as i would love for human/mortal characters, a part of me feels like this story would be better suited for the immortal/long-life characters as love interests?? idk i feel like considering that 500 years is, well, a long time, the bonds you would have with them compared to characters like, say, alhaitham or diluc would be way too different ?? though i would definitely still add them as love interest bc i am a sucker for so many of the human characters ;w; it would also add to the angst and hurt/comfort ahahha...

anyway thank you for reading this massive brain dump of a fic bc i absolutely would put this as a long term project, and if u made it this far then i would like to say that dain solos—

[zenlesszonezero]

As the conspiracy reaches its finale, the Void Hunter joins the fight.

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[mais-nerdy-corner]

Okay so I have a kinda interesting request. Okay so say the traveler (whichever sibling youd like. Im pretty sure you write for them. If not you can write for a character that hates the fatui) has a s/o who was a secret harbinger but that are in so deep they don't know how to tell traveler. But one day the traveler finds out and is forced to defeat their s/o. I want it to be horribly sad. I love your writing BTW. You are incredibly talented. *smiles softly and dies*

❝𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕷𝖎𝖆𝖗❞ | 𝕿𝖗𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖗 𝖝 𝕳𝖆𝖗𝖇𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗! 𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗

Synopsis: From assisting an ambush to fighting to the death, Y/n had hidden their true identity from the Traveler because of love. But when the Traveler found out, they felt like they had been stabbed in the back.

Pairing: Traveler x Harbinger! Reader

Genre: Angst

💮 — Author Answered: Ahh, my first request! I've been waiting for one for so long (or is it because the anonymous asks has been off this whole time and I've just enabled it? Oops silly me :P) Anyways, thank you for the request Anon!

Note: Since the Fatui Harbingers' titles are based on commedia dell'arte, I spent some time doing research and referencing. It is safe to say that I know nothing about theater, so if there's any mistake(s), please forgive me :')

The sounds of swords clashing echoed in the night sky of Liyue, very contrary to the atmosphere around. Paimon watched the fierce fight from the sidelines, her partner confronted their significant other, who they now know is a Fatui Harbinger.

"Why did you have to lie to me, Y/n?!"

"It was for your own good, Lumine/Aether."

The Traveler has lunged themselves at the Harbinger over and over, yet they haven't managed to land a single scratch on them. Both of them are experienced in combat, but one of them seems to be holding back.

"Fight me, Y/n! Or should I say, Brighella!"

"Lumine/Aether, please don't use that name against me..."

"So what? Isn't that who you really are? You've already lost my trust in you with that name, why do you care about it now?!"

The Harbinger displayed a face of regret, reminiscing about the good times with the Traveler before this incident.

The first time they met was when Y/n was in charge of collecting debts for the Northland Bank. Even though they're surrounded by Treasure Hoarders, they still maintained their composure.

"You clearly know how loan funds work. You borrow, then you pay the debt according to a predetermined date. Why do you refuse to follow such simple steps?"

They already have their weapons in hand, but you still hope to settle this matter peacefully. But suddenly, someone flew over you and landed in front of you, defeating every single one of them.

"We're sorry, we're sorry! We promise we will pay our debts soon. Just please stop beating us."

The Treasure Hoarders went running wild. Then came a small "floating elf companion" who flew straight to you.

"Umm, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Why did they surround-- Hey, you have a Vision! Why didn't you fight them?"

At first, you came off as aloof and somewhat unfriendly because of the awkward silence and intense stare you gave them. But then, they don't seem too distressed by the aura of your presence.

" *sigh* I just want to resolve this matter in a peaceful way. Fighting them is easy but I find fighting to be quite bothersome."

"Uhh... okay! Well, Paimon feels like it's rude not to introduce ourselves. This here is the Tra--"

"The Traveler who had saved Liyue from the raging waves of the Overlord of the Vortex and the Avenger of the Vortex recently, and their floating companion. Who doesn't recognize you?"

"O-oh, so we ARE famous... Hehe, in that case, Paimon also finds it bothersome to have to repeatedly introduce ourselves..."

The Traveler laughed at Paimon imitating your way of speaking, and maybe that laugh is what attracted you to them.

"Anyways, since you already know who we are, it is your turn to be known to us. Ooohh, Paimon feels like a detective...! State your name and the reasoning behind the ambush!"

"Paimon, you're way into this..."

You think for a moment on how to introduce yourself. The Traveler has a bad impression on the Fatui, so it's better not to reveal your real identity.

"My name is Y/n, I'm a lender, kind of an investor. The Treasure Hoarders had borrowed money from me and refused to pay their debts, until you came and beat them up. I really want to thank you for helping me earlier."

"Aww, it's nothing really... The Traveler here feels that you are in trouble so that's why they helped you. Hmm, collecting debts... Where has Paimon heard this from...? Oh yeah, it was when we babysat Childe's brother Teucer. He's done that before. Wait a minute, could it be that you also have something to do with the Fatui?" Paimon said.

"Hm? So you two have met Childe?"

"Huh, so you know him too, Y/n?" Paimon asked.

"Honestly, who doesn't? The Fatui Harbinger who got the blame for the Overlord of the Vortex incident. And believe me, I have absolutely nothing to do with the Fatui. I'm just a merchant from Snezhnaya that the Treasure Hoarder just happened to find out about my fortune."

The Traveler and Paimon were silent, a little confused about what else to say. "Huh..."

Not wanting to make things more awkward, you offered to treat them to lunch.

"As a token of my gratitude, I shall treat you to a meal."

"Now this, Paimon like!"

The next day, the Traveler and Paimon were at the Wangshu Inn after staying there last night. They were making small talk on the upper balcony after eating breakfast cooked by Smiley Yanxiao.

"Huh, Paimon's surprised Xiao isn't hanging around here..."

Suddenly, the owner of the Wangshu Inn Verr Goldet came over. "Traveler, there's someone looking for you. They asked you to meet them on the ground floor," she informed.

"Oh, right. Paimon wonders who wants to meet them... Okay, thank you boss lady!" Paimon said.

Verr Goldet even had the time to reply as she descended the stairs. "It's not 'boss lady', it's just boss."

"Huh, whatever. Let's quickly meet this person on the ground floor."

Arriving at the ground floor, the Traveler was greeted with a pile of gifts on a table.

"Woah, what in the-- What on Teyvat is all this?!" Paimon exclaimed.

"Like I said yesterday, I really want to thank you for helping me. So I decided to give you a present, but I don't know what you like, so I bought a lot for you to choose."

You were waiting for them behind the pile of gifts and when you come out of hiding, for some reason their surprised faces you can't seem to forget.

"Sheesh, Paimon knows that you are a rich merchant! But there's also no need to show off your wealth like this either!"

"I did this with good intentions, you know."

The Traveler looked at the gifts on the table, and their eyes fell on a flower brooch.

"Oh, do you like this brooch? It was crafted by a skillful craftsman here in Liyue. You can have it, as well as the rest."

"No thanks, I'm good with just the brooch," the Traveler said.

"Alright then, you can come to my estate at anytime if you want to pick another gift."

"Ooohh, if the Traveler isn't going to take the rest, can Paimon choose a gift for herself?" Paimon asked.

"Hm, very well then."

"Yay!"

"Woah, Paimon couldn't believe that Y/n asked you out on a date! They even prepared new clothes for Paimon to wear!"

The Traveler and Paimon were getting ready for dinner at Xinyue Kiosk. As Paimon said, Y/n has asked the Traveler out on a date. They also prepared clothes for them to wear.

"What do you think, Paimon? Does it look good?"

"Hehe, you look amazing Traveler! Are we ready to go?"

The Traveler and Paimon came out of their hotel room in Liyue Harbor which Y/n also paid for, and in front of the hotel Y/n was waiting for them.

"You look stunning, my princess/prince."

The Traveler blushed at the compliment, followed by Paimon nudging them.

"How are you liking your clothes, Paimon?"

"Oh, Paimon's liking her new clothes very much. It's strangely comfortable and just so poofy!"

"I'm glad to hear that. Shall we go, my princess/prince?"

You extended your hand and took their hand in yours. As you walk down the streets of Liyue Harbor, you earned stares and whispers from the people.

"They look great together, don't they?"

"Huh, isn't that the Traveler?"

"How romantic!"

When you arrived at the Xinyue Kiosk, Yueshu recognized you immediately and smiled.

"Reservation under the name Y/n, correct? For three people?" Yueshu asked.

"Correct."

"The food is served on the table a few minutes before you arrive. Enjoy your evening."

You nodded at her before entering. Paimon had already rushed over to the dining table.

"Wow, look at all this food! Where does Paimon want to start?" Paimon mumbled as she picked up a small plate.

"I've rented this place for tonight only. If we ran out of food, just say so."

"Hehe, thanks Y/n! Paimon will really use this opportunity to the max."

You took the food of your choice from the all-you-can-eat style buffet and brought it to the table. You remembered the Traveler's sigh the moment they saw the food that Paimon piled on her plate.

"Paimon, you have to make sure that you can finish all that food..." said the Traveler.

"Oh, don't worry. Paimon will finish all this food 'till the very last crumb."

You chuckled at Paimon as she starts to devour her food. "Apologies if you don't fancy Yue style food, eating seafood just reminds me of my homeland."

"Don't worry to much! Paimon and the Traveler have eaten here before, and we love it!"

"More like you love it..." The Traveler muttered.

"Hey!"

"You are going to Inazuma? Isn't the Sakoku Decree being enforced?"

The Traveler and Paimon went to your estate to inform you of their upcoming trip to the Land of Eternity. To be honest, you were worried. The situation in Inazuma was really chaotic, and you didn't want anything to happen to them.

"How are you even going to get there?"

"Well, Beidou already promised us to take us there for winning The Crux Clash a few days ago. Atsuko said that she can help us get there."

You were silent for a moment. The Traveler and Paimon could feel the aura of feelings you felt at that moment. A little disappointed mixed with sad and worried. You let out a long sigh before telling them your final say.

"I guess there's nothing really stopping you from leaving, huh... Then, I wish you nothing else but the best on your journey. Please be careful."

"I will. Take care, Y/n."

The Traveler and Paimon who was floating by the door left your estate, you still stare at your closed door after their departure. Suddenly, you heard someone's voice from behind you.

"Did you hear that, my Lady/Lord? The Traveler is now heading to Inazuma."

"Yes, I heard that, Igor. I directly talked to them."

Igor is one of your subordinates, but the one you trust the most. You often share your thoughts and your plans of doing things with him.

"I had been close to the Traveler just so that I could report their position to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. Should I go to Inazuma just to do the same thing?"

"That's entirely up to you, my Lady/Lord. I'm only here to loyally follow you and orders. Though, I think maybe we should go to Inazuma, just to see how things are going."

"I don't think that's a great idea. Too many Fatui Harbingers in Inazuma can make the people there be wary and suspicious of us. I'm pretty sure the Balladeer and the Fair Lady are already there."

"Right, my Lady/Lord."

"We'll see how it will go..."

Some time has passed and the people of Liyue are celebrating the Lantern Rite. The Traveler hasn't given any news regarding their return to Liyue or their trip to Inazuma, so you decided to relax and enjoy the festival. After buying food from the street vendors on the streets of Liyue Harbor, you returned to your home with the intention of eating it with Igor. But before you could go inside, you heard some hurried footsteps and someone's voice calling for you.

"My Lady/Lord! My Lady/Lord!"

"Oh, Igor, Alexei, and Nikolai. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"We... we received some news... about..." Alexei tried to say as he catches his breath.

"About what?"

"About... Ugh, my legs are tired..." Nikolai complained.

"My Lady/Lord, we were recently informed that the Balladeer has ran off with the Electro Archon's Gnosis. And the Fair Lady was slain by the Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi. As a Harbinger, you are asked to return to the motherland to attend her burial," Igor explained.

" *sigh* I see... You were right, Igor. We should've gone to Inazuma to oversee the situation. I'm sorry. Search far and wide for the Balladeer's whereabouts, also take this food that I bought."

"Yes, my Lady/Lord."

"T-thank you, my Lady/Lord."

They quickly left, leaving you enraged and frustrated. You went into your estate for further planning. What you don't realize is that someone has overheard your conversation earlier.

"Paimon couldn't believe what Paimon's ears had heard. The person named Igor earlier said... that Y/n is a Harbinger!? Ahh, w-what?! Oh, should we run after him or... Wait, Traveler! Wait for Paimon!"

Igor, Alexei, and Nikolai ran to the nearest Fatui camp. Just as Igor was about to give their superior's orders, the Traveler came with their weapon in hand. They beat them down one by one, each attack filled with fury. After taking them down, the Traveler was just about to go and confront their so-called significant other but was stopped by some words from the Fatui.

"What is the meaning of this? What do you want from us?"

"Why did you attack us?"

"Ms. Lumine/ Mr. Aether! I'm sure there must be some sort of misunderstanding. My Lady/Lord would never do something without good intentions. They truly love you, Ms. Lumine/ Mr. Aether!" Igor expressed.

The Traveler listened to what he has to say and left to confront you.

Arriving at your house, they slowly knocked on the door. When you go to open it, you were tackled to the ground.

"How dare you lie to me this whole time?! You absolute jerk!"

"Lumine/Aether, please get off of me. I have a reason to lie to you."

"Fine! Meet me at Bishui Plain and make sure to be there."

Your daydreaming gave the Traveler a chance to attack you and...

*STAB*

The Traveler's sword pierced through your body, protruding out of your back. It was truly a sight to see. Lovers fighting each other to the death as fireworks from Qingce Village can be seen in the background.

"Gah...! Oh, that... hurts. But it doesn't hurt as much as getting your heart broken by a jerk like me... Huh, I deserved this... I truly deserved this... Thank you for giving me the chance to love you, Lumine/Aether... I hope one day you can forgive me..."

And just like that, the Fatui Harbinger Brighella died because of blood loss and internal bleeding. The Traveler's face showed no remorse at first, until they heard something hitting the ground.

"Oh, isn't this the necklace you gave to Y-- er Paimon mean Brighella back then? Looks like they added a pendant to the necklace."

The Traveler took the necklace and opened the pendant. What they saw inside might have made them regret their actions.

Inside was a picture of them together with words engraved onto one side of pendant written in the common tongue saying "My Princess/Prince, Forever in My Heart".

The Traveler who previously has not shown a single sign of remorse was now sobbing. What Igor said turned out to be true. Y/n truly loves them.

The Traveler cried over their dead body as the fireworks continue to light up the night sky. What a tragic ending for the Liar.

[Author's Note]: What's this? Two fully written fics in a month? Done in just three days? What has gotten into me? :v

Publication date: October 10th 2022