Chapter Text
Crepus started his day bright and early. He had a lot to get done today afterall. Looking to his bedside, he gently adjusted the vase the Sweet Flowers were sitting in, making sure they were in direct sunlight. From there he got dressed, pulling up his hair into a ponytail as he went into the bathroom.
It took only a moment as he came back out with a glass of water, drinking it as he looked out the window. Already he could see everyone hustling a bustling, ready for another day in Mondstadt. He recognized a few of the faces from years past, but neither of his sons passed by the main street.
Holding back a sigh, Crepus finished getting ready. Adjusting his newly acquired sword, he swiftly walked out of the room. Only to immediately walk back in to retrieve his vision that was lying with yesterday’s clothes. How vision holders managed to remember them everyday was beyond him.
After grabbing a quick breakfast, making only idle chatter with Margaret, he set out. As he walked around outside he found himself enjoying the gentle breeze that Mondstadt offered its citizens. Such a peaceful place, well most of the time, the occasional downpour somewhat ruined it, but Crepus enjoyed it all the same.
Slowly but surely he made his way over to the Knights of Favonius headquarters. He could hear the sound of music wafting from Barbatos’s statue but he didn’t care about that right now.
After awkwardly greeting the knights in front of the headquarters Crepus walked in. It took the man a moment to remember where the library was, but when he did he headed straight for it, poking his head in after a moment of deliberation. When he confirmed that this was indeed the library he fully entered the room.
The distinct smell of books and something floral encompassed the entire room. Somehow Crepus couldn’t even smell it until he stepped into the Library, which was strange with how strong the smell was. Not that he would necessarily complain about it, it was nice.
“Is that who I think it is?” A familiar voice sounded from behind a stack of returned books, “Well hello Vindr! How may I be of assistance on this lovely day?”
Lisa walked out from behind the stack, several books in one hand. Her other hand was adjusting her hat carefully. Her smile was friendly and kind as she looked at him.
“Hello Lisa,” Crepus greeted in return, “I was just wondering if you have any books on visions? How to use them at least,”
Lisa glanced down at the anemo vision hanging from Crepus’s belt, “Of course, there are. But what specifically would you like a book on? That is quite the broad subject,”
Crepus smiled awkwardly, “I have no idea. I know that they are blessings bestowed on by the gods, but I have no idea how to activate mine or anything of the sort,”
Crepus remembered how easily Diluc got his to activate. Just the week after he nearly managed to set fire to the entire vineyard. It was only by Adeline’s careful watch and a nearby water bucket Kaeya had that nothing was burnt.
Crepus had been inside dealing with a mountain of paperwork in order to ship wine to Liyue Harbor as well as the taxes involved. By the time he had heard and managed to race out the small fire was extinguished. If memory serves, Adeline had Diluc pull out weeds for the rest of the day for giving her such a freight.
“I see,” Lisa placed a finger on her chin, walking towards her desk, “I think I have just the beginner’s book for you,”
Crepus followed her down the stairs and into an alcove of books. Humming to herself, Crepus watched as Lisa’s fingers grazed over the spines of several books before stopping on an unlabeled one. Pulling it out, she quickly opened it, nodding to herself, before offering the book to Crepus.
It was clearly a well worn and loved book, the spine broken in, and the edges slightly damaged. The titled read: Visions, what they can do, and the theories behind them.
As Crepus took the book, examining it, he said, “Thank you,”
Lisa was quiet for a moment before she spoke, “You are welcome now there is something you should know before you take that book to heart,”
He frowned, looking up at the electro vision holder with a raised eyebrow, “And that is?”
“There is no exact science to these, no way to focus and they come alive,” Lisa explained, adjusting the books in the shelves, “From my own experience and the research papers from the Akadeymia, it depends on person to person. Like for vision holders it is as instinctual as breathing. It’s why someone who has theirs forcibly taken from them experience a loss akin to that of losing a limb. Or even worse,”
“So I should take this book with a grain of salt?” Crepus surmised, “Still. Any little bit will help me understand it,”
She smiled, “I hope it does. Though between you and me? Recruits who receive their vision typically practice with it outside and to the left of the main entrance,”
Crepus nodded, moving towards one of the many tables in there, “Thank you again,”
“Of course,” Lisa herself started walking back up the stairs, “Just let me know if you would like to check out that book or any other book,”
With that Crepus was left alone. He sat down with the book, carefully opening the clearly loved book. Checking the check-out slip, it had been checked out so many times that both sides of the cardstock had names on it. What got his attention was on the front side the name “DILUC RAGNVINDR” was written neatly.
If memory serves, the timestamp right next to the name lined up to around the time when Diluc first got his vision.
Crepus frowned, he had always thought that using the vision came naturally for his eldest. The only thing that Crepus ever saw the boy struggle with was dialing back his flames, and even that stopped with in the first year. Did Diluc really train that hard to master his vision?
He shook his head, gently replacing the old slip back in its pocket as he opened up the first page. It doesn’t matter right now, worrying about it will only cause him more strife. He wasn’t the perfect father, he knew that well, he tried the best he could though, even if currently it appears like it wasn’t even close to enough.
The book goes on to explain what a vision is- how they are gifts from the gods. Even going into theories onto how exactly they work and how gods know who had earned their vision. According to the book they are made out of the condensed essence of the god who gave it, indestructible creations with adaptable power.
Crepus had to admit, it was interesting, the one he found most likely was that the gods were watching, just waiting for someone to resonate with what they are the god of, or even who needs that thing. Like how Barbatos is the God of Freedom and Anemo or Morax the God of Contracts and Geo.
Either way, as Crepus read through the book, it didn’t give him much information on how to activate his vision. Most of it just called it instinctual, or that at first it will come during times of high stress. While Crepus could go and fight Hilichurls for that stress, he wasn’t exactly keen to.
This was a second chance, and he couldn’t exactly go and waste in on such a stupid thing. Not when he had yet to even see Diluc or how his estate had been faring. Even how Diluc and Kaeya became as estranged as they are now.
With a sigh, Crepus closed the book. This was getting him no closer to understanding his vision or how to use it. To think, he wanted one so much when he was younger, but now that he does… Well, he couldn’t care less really. Not when his family is in the state that it is.
Slowly he got up from the table. Being mindful as to not make a lot of noise for the few others that were in there. Taking the book to finish later, he carefully walked up the stairs back to the main desk where Lisa was sitting.
Lisa looked up from her own book, giving the man a warm smile, “Hello Vindr, was that book useful?”
“Ah yes it was,” He placed it gently on the table, “I haven’t finished it yet though. Is there any way I can check it out for a day or two?”
She took the book, writing its label and his name in a book next to her. Then, like she already knew the state of the library slip, she pulled out a new one, carefully writing ‘Vindr’ and the date down.
“Since you are so polite you can have it for a week,” Lisa smiled, offering Crepus the book back, “Though make sure you return it on time!”
For some reason Crepus felt a chill run down his spine, like the air was charged. As he took the book back,he said, “Of course, you said that the training area was to the left?”
She nodded, seemingly satisfied, “Correct, you can’t miss it. There are training dummies and usually at least one person training there,”
“Thank you again,” Crepus turned to leave.
Over his shoulder he heard Lisa call back, “Don’t overdo it!”
With that, he left the library and headed straight towards the training grounds. Luckily for him the training area was clear of any people. So, Crepus sat his book down on a nearby crate looking around the training area.
Well… it has been quite some time since he had trained with a sword. Even before he had died. He kept in shape sure, but never really used a sword in day-to-day life. Even when he used his Delusion he never needed to get very close to the enemy.
So, setting his sword down on the same crate his book was, Crepus set to work with the very basics. That being stretching and warming up. His old joints creaked and popped, making Crepus wince but continuing nonetheless.
Once that was done, he pulled out his sword and turned his attention to the dummies on the opposite side of the training area. Perhaps if he started running through the movements he remembered then this vision of his will activate.
After about an hour or so, when Crepus was taking a break he heard footsteps approaching. Looking up he saw none other than The Acting Grandmaster.
“Ah hello Grandmaster Jean,” Crepus said, not bothering to get up as she approached.
“Acting Grandmaster,” She corrected, looking around the small training area, “Lisa told me you were trying to activate your vision? Any luck so far?”
“Sadly none,” Crepus started fidgeting with his vision with one hand, “You have an Anemo vision do you not? How does it feel when you activate yours?”
Jean thought about it for a minute, “Like… a gentle breeze? Or just a breeze in general depending on what I am feeling. It’s hard to describe,”
Crepus resisted the urge to sigh, “Well how did you activate yours in the beginning?”
“It just did,” She frowned, “Sorry that I’m not much help. I was fighting the abyss and Fatui when I received it,”
“You are completely fine,” Crepus couldn’t help but sigh, thumping his head against the crate he was leaning on, “Just… I don’t know when exactly it came to me. Guess an old dog like me can’t learn all the tricks eh?”
Jean’s frown deepened but before she could there was loud commotion behind her. Both of the Anemo vision wielders turned/ stood up to look. A knight fell down right in front of the small entrance, quickly scooting out of the way as a man made himself visible. A man with wild red hair, adjusting his gloves with a glower.
“Knights are as incompetent as ever I see,” D- Crepus’s son spoke, his voice deeper than Crepus had ever heard it, his red eyes looking directly into Jean’s.
Crepus could barely breathe as he looked at his son. He looked so much more grown up than last he saw him. Though his eyes were far less kind, hell, Crepus had never even seen his boy glare like that!
“Ah Master Diluc,” Jean visibly loosened, crossing her arms, “Is there a reason why you are traumatizing the Knights?”
“Where is Kaeya?” Diluc growled out, the vision at his side heating up the entire area.
“First tell me why you need him,” Jean retorted, her voice hardening with every word, “Because by the way you're acting? I wouldn’t let him within a 40 foot radius of you,”
Crepus felt himself frown at her words. Why was she being so protective of Kaeya now? By the looks of it, after his death Diluc left the Knights to take over his responsibilities. And if that’s true, why was he on such bad terms with the Knights?
Diluc paused, taking in a deep breath, the air a tad cooler, “Alright then, I had just come back from Fontaine on a business trip when I was given a letter. Said letter told me that my Father’s GRAVE was defiled and that it was under investigation,”
Jean seemed surprised as she spoke, “It was Crepus Ragnvindr’s grave?!”
“How could you not know that? Are you not in control of your captains?” Diluc retorted, his arms crossed.
Jean took a deep breath, then another, all before saying, “I was unaware of whose grave it was yes. Sir Kaeya just informed me that it was a well respected member of our community’s grave. The report containing the specifics is on my desk as we speak,”
Diluc rolled his eyes, “So inefficient. Now where is Kaeya so I can ask him the specifics?”
“You won’t find him here,” Jean just sighed at the man in front of her, “He is with Klee on Dragonspine to visit Albedo. They left this morning,”
Diluc took a deep breath, looking around, “And why would you let the lead investigator go on vacation in the middle of the case?”
“All the leads he had have gone cold apparently, and-” She turned slightly, “.... You know how he is, this is his first break in months. The amount of overtime he has logged in the last few days…”
Crepus just stood there, stiff as a statue, soaking in the information. His son, being so openly and viciously hostile. Almost makes him want to walk up and scold the young right this minute. If Adeline knew how Diluc was acting she would be beside herself!
Diluc sighed before finally making eye contact with Crepus, “And who are you?”
Jean took a step away, using one hand to gestured to the older man, “This is Vindr, he lost his memories. The Knights of Favonius are supporting him while he regains his footing due to a mistake that was made the other day. Vindr this is Master Diluc of the Dawn Winery,”
Crepus, internally shook himself, finally finding his voice, offering his hand, “H-Hello Master Diluc. I was just at the Angel’s share the other night. The wine there was even better than I remember!”
Crepus wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Of all things he could say, he said that. This was the first time he has seen or talked to his eldest in 5 years! First he made a horrible impression on his youngest, and now this?
Jean winced in sympathy as Diluc just stared at the hand, “I thought you said he lost his memories,”
There it was, utterly no recognition. Even at the sound of his voice there was nothing. But why should Crepus expect anything different? No one else has recognized him since he returned.
“The last 5 years to be precise,” Jean stated after a moment, “Doesn’t even remember or have any attachment to his vision. Barbara confirmed he is sick,”
“No attachment? That’s impossible, it comes naturally when receiving a vision,” Diluc looked Crepus up and down with a slightly still confused but pissed off look.
“Looks like I am the exception to the rule then,” Crepus couldn’t help but joke, “Got the vision but can’t see worth a damn,”
Jean smirked, but didn’t laugh, “Well Master Diluc, do you have any other business with me?”
Diluc just huffed, before swiftly turning on his heels and storming away.
“Sorry about that,” Jean sighed, starting to walk away, “I better go and see how the Knights are doing after… that,”
Crepus just nodded, “Well if you need my help, I’ll be here for a bit longer,”
“Thank you,” And with that Jean left, leaving Crepus once again alone.
Crepus just sighed, going to pick up his sword. He then proceeded to just stare at where Diluc had been standing. There were ashy footprints there, like his anger seared the stones a bit. Most likely will be washed away once the rain comes again.
Just what happened to his boys? Diluc went from a happy, boisterous boy to a quiet and angry man. Kaeya went from a quiet, polite boy to a cunning, clearly depressed man. Yet the most frustrating part is that no one will speak of what happened.
Clearly Jean knows, and that bard Venti does too. Of course Kaeya and Diluc as well. Whatever happened had to have been quite serious, the boys after all were inseparable! Even as Knights, Diluc pulled strings to get Kaeya as his underling.
But now? Crepus can’t even believe Diluc spat out Kaeya’s name like it was the worst thing he could say. How protective Jean was when Diluc demanded to see his little brother. Especially when Jean and Diluc got along so well in their younger years.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He has a lot of work to do it seems. First though? He needed to figure out what happened and how to activate his stupid vision. Not necessarily in that order.