Chapter Text
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.
Besides he doesn’t want to take a dive into Liyue Ocean. The last time he did it in Snezhnaya the current send him far from the shore. It's better to do it in still water. Although the ocean current is not what Ajax is actually worried about.
It won't be a problem if not for the fact that some fishermen somehow mistaken him for a mythical siren, and thus proceed to crazily chase him with their boats and nets.
'What a bunch of nutcase', Ajax sincerely hope they have a good catch of normal fish this year.
The chase itself has been fun. Although as much as he appreciates it he can't let himself be caught. What will Her Majesty The Tsaritsa says if she receives news that her youngest harbinger got mistaken as a siren and is being worshipped in some small village? Ajax cant even imagines how awful the rest of Harbingers will react to that hypothetical news.
(Signora's reaction will be so annoying, Childe might finally abandon restrain and kill her on the spot. Though the point is moot now that she is only an ash.)
Shaking his head to clear his thought, Childe looks around him, making sure no one is around before stepping into the water.
It is different from the first time he did it, where he choose the first deep pool he can see. Rushing and desperately trying to calm down, less he slaughters an innocent due to his turbulent emotion.
He slowly swims until he is floating above the deepest part of the pool. Childe let himself float a bit before taking a deep long breath and allowing his body to sink naturally.
Like all the times he does this before, he is relaxed, not minding the increasing pressure underwater. Instead, he relished in it.
Ajax makes sure his heartbeat becomes calmer the deeper he goes, almost like meditation, taking care to not waste any oxygen. The vision at his waist pulse softly, glowing with hydro energy and painting the water around him into a more vivid color.
Arriving at the bottom of the lake, touching the deepest point of it, there Ajax is alone with no one to bother him except for a few curious fish. As usual, the view under Luhua Pool water is clear and breathtaking, matching the surface beauty. The scattered ruins and rocks give Ajax a nice place to sit and lean on. Some fish looks at him and his vision curiously.
There are no other aquatic creatures besides them. Luhua Pools is loyal to its stories as a garden filled with affection, everything here can give a sense of tranquility and gentleness, even deep underwater.
The water pressure is comforting, almost like an enveloping hug, and Ajax let himself relax despite the danger that might happen if he loses control of his heartbeat and vision.
He might accidentally drown for real then.
The thought of disappearing under Liyue water, without anyone knowing nor without making a last hurrah on the battlefield unsettled him.
It become the last anchor he hold down there. A thought that he clings on to make sure that he doesn't lose himself in the comforting embrace of deep water.
There's still so much to do left. His siblings need him, his vow to Her Majesty The Tsaritsa still holds, and he hasn't seen Zhongli since before going to Inazuma. Even if they're not on speaking terms at least Ajax wants to see him again (and again, and again, and—) before heading to what might be his last battlefield.
Although, saying that is an exaggeration. Something that only comes to his mind because he's hopelessly and pathetically romantic at heart. It shouldn't matter if he never sees Zhongli before going to the battlefield. Because Ajax will always come back even if he must drag himself bloody and in pieces. He will always have a chance to meet that frustrating man.
Because he won't rest until The World and The Gods lie defeated beneath his heel.
Besides, He has a hydro vision to help him. Breathing underwater is a skill that has long been mastered by him, although he still can't do it infinitely. Where normal people or even other hydro vision holders will be unconsciously unnerved by the possibility of water replacing their breath, it is not the same for Ajax.
To him the few moments of nothing but just water surrounding his body are strangely soothing.
It reminds him of the time in the abyss. Where he, still much weaker then, use his vision to jump into the water and hide from the abyss creature.
Sure, the water in the abyss is no ordinary water. It was poisonous after a long contact, yet it is still a better option than being found by other abyssal creatures stronger than him. Creatures that will take every opportunity they can to eat and devour him.
Moreover, even though there are also some aquatic creature that swam in the poisonous water, Ajax at least still have a better chance to fight and escape with his vision. Easily making a weapon or distraction with the water around him. He even starts developing his lovely narwhal there.
Surrounded by poisonous water and creatures, Ajax finds a place of both safety and desperation. Constantly diving into the water of the abyss gives him the drive to learn control better, so the water and whatever creature hiding there won’t harm him. He also learns how to heal from poison while at it.
All while Master Skirk will always watch him carefully from the shore. She will assess his progress, reminds him when it's time to leave, and sometimes even gives him more inspiration to become stronger.
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.
There’s no sibling to distract him.
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 familiar water, where it feels more safe, much like a creature of the depth he truly is inside.
Ajax will try to stay under as long as he can, prolonging his stay until his body can't take it anymore. Using his vision is a last resort when his body doesn't have much energy left. He will reluctantly control the hydro around him to send him up. When he emerges, everything will be muffled either from lack of oxygen or an after-effect from the underwater silence and pressure.
There'll be dizziness, but it is worth it for the few moments he becomes one with his element. There's only him and the water and no one else. Free from thoughts of his next missions, about Zhongli, about Liyue.
But of course, nothing lasts. Not for him. Ajax is never that lucky.
One of Zhongli's Adepti saw him.
One moment he is peacefully closing his eyes and enjoying the flow of water and fish around him. There are still two more minutes before his body will scream at him. Ajax is wondering if he can push it into 3 more minutes. His peace is interrupted by a sudden grab on his waist.
Before he knows it, there's a sudden pressure of air and he is being dragged up to the surface forcefully. By the time he registered that he is somehow being hauled to the land, Childe is coughing and sputtering, because he didn't expect to breathe yet.
The rude intruder that caused his current suffering is reeking with Anemo. They seem to be screaming at him.
It is Adeptus Xiao, Childe realized while gasping due to sudden oxygen. Some involuntary tears are dripping from his red eyes, triggered by the body's reaction to the sudden difference in air pressure. His hearing has still yet to come back, and he is having a hard time comprehending what the person in front of him is saying.
By the time Childe can take a breath without coughing his lungs out, The Guardian Yaksha is snarling at him— like, like he just kicked his plate of almond tofu.
Actually, Adeptus Xiao looks as if he is trying not to kick Childe himself back to the lake.
"What are you doing foolish mortal?!"