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The universe, this whole world, a bubble that could be compared to a single leaf of a gigantic tree. Each leaf blooms into life, flutter through their lifetime with creation and destruction, feeding to the imaginary tree.
But what happens when the leaf die out, when it withers and falls of the tree?
The world died with it. Because without the imaginary tree to sustain it, won't it drift far into the dark sea of void, with nothing left for it to be sustained?
Yet in such a small universe, where the void is slowly taking over, what would those existences do, in the verge of destruction? Desperate to live and exist when the void would devour what's left of their living?
Perhaps they would develop something. Something that could protect the last faith of humanity.
Across the vast expanse of space, running from the frightening shade of red, a spaceship driften across. Not aimlessly of course. It was searching. Searching for something.
Inside that space craft, stood and entity, watching the vast expanse of red and the destruction it caused. Their eyes, a peculiar shade of blue, with constellations adorning like specks of stardust. The same beauty the Universe once was, before it withered and fell into the stillness of destruction. They watched with a stillness in their eyes, pain too subtle to be noticable.
[Abyssal corruption detected! 96.7% contamination. Planet G-34A9 has fallen]
A robotic voice echoed through the cabin, the figure didn't flinch. Yet the dejection in their face was undeniably there. How long has it been? A few centuries maybe? The world is falling, and the void is progressing.
"Continue with the search. Head to Xenophill A-45b."
[Command processing. Searching for co-ordinates]
[Co-ordinates found.]
[Location marked: Xenophill A-45b Star system]
[Proceeding to Xenophill A-45b Star system]
The figure watched as the ship's system drove them off the site of destruction. Yet their eyes lingered on the destroyed planet until it vanished out of sight. Unmoving.
It was only then that they moved. Their steps measured as the exited the chamber. The crown in their head weighed more than a thousand pounds at this moment. Another unsuccessful day. With each step they took, it felt like gravity is collapsing on them. Yet they remained with a smile, a possibility of existence.
As they moved through the space they call their home now, temporarily, they made a stop in front of one particular door. One secured with high level security. Their pale fingers brushed against the keypad, and for a moment they hesitated. But the hesitation didn't last for long. With a sudden scan they entered the chamber, the safekeep for the genetic vault, the entire fate of humanity lies within in. And by the center of the room, lies the Hibernation Chamber of the most valued for the entity.
The twins.
They slept like a child dreaming for a better future. Aether and Lumine, the most precious star of them all.
The entity watched with with an undeniable softness in their eyes. Yet the sadness could never be vanished.
"Look at you two, sleeping like nothing mattered."
They spoke up, their voice too melodic, too gentle.
"If only you knew." They walked over, their gentle fingers hovering over the protective glass. Hovering, not touching. Protective but not reaching.
"I suppose, little stars wouldn't shine longer if they knew of the darkness so young."
They smiled sadly, monitoring something, perhaps their safety. "One day you'll wake up, no longer that dimming stars. Shall you shine brighter then, drawing your sword against the destruction that may catch up to us."
The doors closed behind and they walked away further, until they reached the control room once again.
They sat by the bench, grabbing a half finished piece of fabric. They took a strand of their hair, shade a little too close to the soft glow of the moon that once adorned the skies of their homeland. Breaking it off, weaving it into a thread, they started knitting the fabric, humming, almost sadly, a lullaby that one day, a particular traveler would long to remember, and a particular princess would long to hear. None would ever know when they will ever hear it again.
And by their side sat a lone flower. A flower that held the dreams of a civilization, of a creator who's dream is none more than a safe haven for their children.
"I'm sorry. . . Forgive me. . "
Who? Who is it?
". . —When the star shines on its own, I'll long be gone."
Who is speaking to him? Who is so gentle? He could feel their warm touch, the one that reminded him of the home long gone. He could feel their pained voice, too familiar for comfort. It held a reminder of something he cannot remember.
". . . I'm sorry. . . And goodbye. . ."
Aether woke up surprised, squinting at the bright light seeping in through the window panes.
"Traveler! You're finally up!" Paimon's voice rang through the space. He could feel her hovering over him. He couldn't help much groan. Such a weird dream. He cannot understand why his chest tightened at that foreign voice.
". . .Paimon?"
"Wake up traveler! We have to meet up with Lauma, remember?"
Traveler sat up, rubbing his temple. What a weird dream. He thinks. Ever since he landed on Nod-Krai, all he dreams off is this distant voice and softer touch he cannot seem to remember. Sometimes he would dream of his days with Lumine. When they were together, when they were not separated by. . . differences in goals. Separated by something he is yet to learn and know.
A part of him understood Lumine's determination. Yet a part of him longed for his sister's comfort like in those dreams. But it wasn't just his sister. There was someone there. Someone he cannot remember. Someone he cannot reach. Someone who left his memories with nothing but a faint touch and distant voice. A melody he can't fully comprehend, a face he cannot remember, as if its slowly fading away. A memory he never knew existed. A memory he wants to hold on, but cannot. It hurts for some reason. It hurts a lot more than he could understand. It hurts too much for something he can never grasp.
"Traveler???"
Paimon's voice rang once more, snapping him out of it.
"Coming Paimon. ."
[Alert! Alert! High contamination zone! Planet not suitable! Warning! Warning!]
They coughed and wheezed as they pulled the gear, speeding off from the waste land the planet has become. There is no use. There is no hope.
The alert quit down within minutes of leaving the planet. They were far away. They were safe. For now. While the spaceship can handle any damages, it's still not safe to remain.
"Activate safety protocols. Make sure the twins are safe."
[Activating safety protocol. Safety ensured]
They had been to another world. Again. But with no avail, unable to find a home. The place was almost compatible. Almost so. They had woken up Aether and Lumine. They were ready to go. Yet, yet the humans of that world. Those vile creatures. The corruption shouldn't have reached them yet. There was still time for them to shield and protect. Yet. Yet those humans there meddled with the forbidden, getting themself killed. The twins weren't there for even five years and everything was already going down. They left before the children could get hurt.
Thankfully they were able to remove the corruptive memories from their minds. Having THOSE abilities surely did the magic. The children. They don't deserve such corruption. No. They need to be protected. They need to be given a new home.
That's their MISSION.
Yet. . . Yet nothing is working. They've been traveling for thousands of years now. Thousands and thousands of years, they've lost count. How much longer can they run before the inevitable destruction catches up? They're carrying with them, the fate of humanity, the two little stars for whom they're to find a home for. How much longer can they fade their memories?
But it's nearing to impossible.
Planet to planet, star system to start system, they wandered. They traveled. Yet there is nothing. The contamination, the heat death has been catching up. Each planet they found, either destroyed or at the verge of destruction. They've visited many planets, seen potential. Yet they were too gone into the corruption to be saved. All they could see and feel is the devastation. The destruction of the life that once belonged there.
Each world tinted red emitted the echoes of the miserable cries. The ghost of these once prime civilizations calling for mercy. And it hurts to turn their back.
Ah, something like them shouldn't feel. Yet. Yet they are. No. They have to move forward. The fate of a while civilisation is in their hand. And theirs alone.
Yet they felt like there is nothing to hope for. These emotions, these devastations, it's binding their existence to a hopeless parade. The years passed by yet they can't feel anything but dread. The dread that tey failed.
Such a humane thing to feel. Even when they shouldn't.
Humanity. Such a greedy bunch. If only they haven't toppled with the forbidden, perhaps their homeland would have survived. Perhaps they wouldn't have to leave with the last hope of humanity. Perhaps— perhaps they would've had enough time to prevent the calamity. The supernova. Yet. . . Yet here they are. The rage—
Are they feeling rage? No. They shouldn't. They're not meant to. They're not meant to feel this human. They're meant to see reason, take care of the hope, protect them. Emotions. Humanity. Such a hassle. The weakness in someone like them. It could obstruct their mission.
They have to get rid of it.
"Princess?"
Somewhere in Teyvat, now watching the skies, nothing too real. Yet something too familiar. The abyss princess stood at a height watching the cold floating structure above. Her eyes not leaving, not even when one of her soldiers came to call for her.
"You may leave. I have some things to do."
Her voice was cold. Firm. No space for argument. And they left with none. Lumine stayed there, alone, watching. The resting place of The Primordial One. The so called creator of this world. No. The creator of humanity. The creator of a golden cage shielding Teyvat from a much darker outside.
500 years ago, she was just like her brother, naive, with no memories of a different past, wandering along the planes of Teyvat not knowing the truth of this world. Lumine has long finished her journey in this world. And now, she's with a mission, a mission she cannot ignore. A responsibility she has to take for the mistakes that were made. She knows Aether will realise the truth one day. That he would understand. And no matter how much she wants to reach out, wants to call out, she cannot. Not yet. Not until he reaches the end and see for himself, see the true meaning of this world; what it's existence means to them.
This world, its existence, and its reality, its all connected to them. And of course. . .—
Lumine's gaze didn't leave the distant sky. Its connected to them. She. . . She has a mixed feeling on them. While they did imposed the kind of control in this world that would lead to its destruction, while their actions showed a lack of humanity, only upholding reasons- and no, this is not about Khaenria'h alone- Lumine can't find it in her to hate them. Not when they- No, she can't. Because when there was nothing left, they still remained. All she need is the answer. Answer to her biggest question. Why? That's all she wants to ask. One day she will get her answers. When she comes face to face with them, stand by the same ground with swords drawn, she would ask. Even if the drawn sword has no meaning in the name of victory. Even if-
No. It's no time for sentimental thoughts. Not the time for emotions. The old world has to fall, and a new one shall rise. For that, things need to change. For now, she should focus on that change, on the Loom of Fate. And she won't stop. Not until changes will be brought. Not until she gets her answers.
Lumine averted her gaze, away from THAT place, walking down the trail. Unknowing to herself, her fingers clutched around a small ornament that still held a warmth she longs to sleep in. Even if she would never admits it, all she need is her home, that warmth. But when home is scattered, incomplete, how can they ever return? When the home is long gone, how can they ever find it again?
Its an answer Lumine can't answer, not for herself, or her brother.
[System Rebooting. System analysis has started]
They stood in front of the large screen as they watched the system run an analysis. After much of a thought, they came up with a plan. They can't afford emotions, the humanity in them build up by the consciousness of The Creator. They are an AI, built for a mission, built to contain THEIR spark and consciousness.
Who this creator is? That's not something they can say. Not without mentioning a bigger tragedy.
The Creator is long gone, protecting the homeland they were so proud of, leaving behind their stars, and a genetic vault of the future. Before their ultimate demise, they created them for the sake of the twins, programmed to find a world it can terraform into something habitable for the twins. They left with the AI, their powers, their ability, and inevitably their memories and consciousness, of which the consciousness remain recessive, merged with the AI's own sentience. But that came with the downside of these emotions. These humane grip on them, on a heart they don't possess. And they cannot proceed with this.
[Analysis Complete. Top Restricted experimentations found. Project- EYE; Consciousness transferring files found.]
Yes, the same technology The Creator used to transfer it all to them. They stared at it, feeling a sense of determination creeping. They have to do this, separate this humane part of the Creator from them. They cannot afford to fail, for their Creator is too empathetic at heart. They almost failed, almost destroyed themself trying to save a planet full of living beings, which has already succumbed to the void. They almost left the stars behind, left their mission behind. This cannot do. They got on working.
Years passed, worlds came and went. Yet nothing changed. They have been working on this for years now. And perhaps, it was for good that they figured out something. World after world, their journey was found futile, again. The last world, yet another world the twins had started liking, but it was yet again, doomed. They had to leave. Yet another memory erasure. No. This is not fair for the stars.
Now they have found this perfect planet, not yet devoured by the void. Yet it contained some form of life who may not like their mission to this world. And not to mention, the divinity he sense from the three moons orbiting the planet. They knew, with The Creator's consciousness still in them, they may delay the mission. That cannot do, not with the twins in line. Not with the fate of humanity in line. The AI made its choice. This is for the greater good. Human emotions, the emotions within them, it obstruct their mission, what they are programmed for. reasoning may only be the one to stay.
They had been working on this for the longest now. And it is time. They should do it before it obstruct their mission.
"Activate Modified PROJECT-EYE. Immediately."
[Activating PROJECT-EYE. WARNING: The project may consume extreme energy. Proceed with caution]
"Proceed"
[Proceeding with PROJECT-EYE. Safety measures activating]
The system shut out the room with extreme protective measures. It was a dangerous task, but also a necessity for them to proceed. They walked over to the chamber. This is it, they should do it. Yet they hesitated for a second. Perhaps its the thought of the two. They had liked the warmth of the care they developed for the children, their children. Would it be okay, to leave them behind again? No, they shouldn't feel this. Its not like they would be gone forever. They are separating the humanity from them. They are not The Creator, just an AI, an imitation who holds their powers and consciousness.
They proceeded on with the project, proceeded to activate the system to transfer their consciousness, proceeded to bind their humanity forever. (But if a single drop of tear left their eyes, a mix of stardust and life, none was there to witness it, the last tear to be ever shed by them.
[PROJECT-EYE COMPLETED! Consciousness transfer successful]
The room, dimly lit, darker than its meant to be, to contain the energy that was unleashed with the Consciousness transfer experimentation. They emerged from the pod, their once li eyes-full of gentle warmth that reflected The Creator, now no longer linger. They trailed over to the glass tube, a soft glowing orb detained within.
"Forgive me for this, Creator. Until I can succeed." Their voice was still gentle, but what is gentleness when it lacks the soul? They didn't look back when they exit the chamber. They didn't once visit the twins like they used to. they didn't hum them the lullaby again. They moved, like they were engineered to. They pushed it away, denied the humanity their creator left in them to reflect on. They left it for the sake of humanity, they told themself.
[Nearing the Planetary body. 99% Compatibility detected!]
The AI watched the planet from the space ship, they detected that this is indeed the planet they wished for the twins. They, in the control room, started the autopilot mode. They made so, so that the twins would resume their journey, and return to Teyvat once the planet is terraformed and build into a safe space for humanity, for the twins.
[Input received. Route map saved. Switching to autopilot mode.]
"Goodbye, Aether, Lumine. May we see again. Or not"
[Detaching hibernation pod from Mother Ship.]
[Detachment successful]
[Journey begins]
They watched as the space craft detached itself from the spacecraft and resumed it's journey. Teyvat would be a perfect home for them. Until then, their journey shall continue.
With that the first descender set foot on teyvat, triggering a series of events that sets a historical breakthrough.
Aether inspected the ship as he went inside. The Heavenly Principles, they hid their spaceship in here, in the frost moon, outside of Teyvat. But now, he finally has the chance to look through the data base. He wants to know what happened. How did they end up in Teyvat. He had to know all.
But of course, it was hard. Due to the immense wear and tear, much of the data was corrupted. Yet he started looking into what's available.
[Sys. . Tem. . Reboot— initiating]
Aether was slightly startled by the strained robotic voice. He wasn't surprised tho. He faintly remembers the voice in his memory. Distant. Maybe the times he and his sister went to hibernation.
He turned on the system and worked through the data log. It showed the previous world the ship had gone through. Some of them were corrupt and couldn't be accessed. But what made him pause was the log that said they stopped at a particular coordinates. The location? Teyvat itself. But it was years before. Thousands of years before they first landed here. This caused Aether to pause. Why would they stop by here. Why can't he remember that?
Now that he thinks about it, Lumine did came from outside of the space ship when she came to wake him up. Did she. . . Did she land on Teyvat back then? But why didn't she wake him up? And Lumine did say she woke up in Khaenriah with no memory of the past. It was confusing.
He looked further into the data log until he found another interesting piece of information.
Consciousness transfer? What is that? He has no recollection of such a technology in a y manner. He looked into it further. Atleast tried to. But then—
[Cannot access data. Mother-ship connection lost. ██████ out of reach.]
A Mother-ship??
Does that mean that their ship was connected to a larger complex? If so, why couldn't he remember that details? Why? This is getting increasingly mysterious. And what is the censored name.
Aether decided to take a look around the ship. The system clearly cannot give him the data he needs. As he went through the ship he came across their hibernation pods. How. . . nostalgic. The same resting place they held when they traveled from one world to another, in search of a home. With— with whom? He cannot remember. But there was something—
Just as he was inspecting, his eyes fell on a wardrobe. He remembers. Lumine and Aether had this one pair of cloth that they used to use. He remembers, it was Lumine's favourite. One they had to match eachother.
As he went through it, his eyes landed on another piece of fabric. It was. . . Yes. He remembers. This one. This particular piece he got a world before. A flash of memory came to his mind. With a very familiar, warm, voice.
"Your journey will become very dangerous from now on, I don't know if this cloth will do anything to protect you, but..."
"But when you face a force enough to destroy one, or even two worlds, "When you face a boundless darkness or an all consuming radiance..."
Those words felt like an apology, a goodbye almost. He cannot tell why it send a sense of pain through him He cannot remember who treated him so gently. Who gave them this set, to protect? It almost stirred something within him. A longing. A sense of something. Home? Maybe? A warmth of something he knew he could sleep in peacefully. Something he knew was the safest place he could ever be in. Yet, why can't he remember where? He longed to. He wished he could. If only his memories had not faded.
He clutched the cloth in hand, placing it in his inventory. Already thinking of a use for this piece.
They had did it. They successfully terraformed this land. They split themself into four shining shades, defeated the dragons without mercy. Something they wouldn't have been able to do with The Creator's self still within them. They, along with Niberius, worked in creating the perfect land for the humans to thrive and survive. And reach the state of civilization that the twins could live in once they come back successfully. Everything was going according to plan.
Now called the Primordial One, whatever that title entrust in him, their mind raced back to the twins, they were in thought. They felt as if they're missing something.
"We couldn't find a home here. It was a great world, I would say. I liked that they had advanced Alchemy."
"You and your liking for Alchemy Aether."
The twins were there, speaking with the AI, who was again, knitting.
"Oh? You like Alchemy Aether?"
"Of course. It's interesting. It's a shame that Alchemy is practiced in secret in almost all these worlds."
"Don't be so down now Ae. Who knows. Maybe you'll find a perfect world where Alchemy is practiced in open."
"I sure hope so. Heh."
"And what about you Lumine?" They had asked. "Did you like it there?"
". . . Not much. The world doesn't have inteyvats."
Ah. Now they gets it.
When Aether first arrived at Mondstad, he was pleasantly surprised on knowing Alchemy was openly practiced in this land. Of course. He remembers that in every single world they visited, Alchemy wasn't an open practice. Some even see it sinful.
It was indeed a surprise to see this. But a pleasant one. Maybe he can finally learn some Alchemy. Well. After finding Lumine of course.
When Lumine reached the end of her journey in Teyvat, already learnt about the truth of this world, she wasn't expecting this. She had seen many things, felt many things. Learning this painful truth of this world had affects on her. There were days ridden with guilt. With pain. With unwanted emotions. It was hard to process. Hard to accept. The days of conflicting emotions and pain. Especially after getting her memories back in whole. Atleast what she believes is whole.
In such an emotional state, seeing this was something she didn't expect.
A field. Full of Inteyvats, dancing with the breeze that seems to be coming from somewhere unknown.
Her memories filled in once again as she crouched down, her knees weakening. She plucked a flower, eyes blurred from the tears she didn't know was forming. And before she could stop herself, a choked sob left her mouth. She was sobbing hard, holding the flower like it holds the meaning of her life. Wailing like a child who couldn't find her way back home.
Afterall. What is home when there is nothing left to give you that warmth.
(Somewhere deep under the field of flowers, a soft spark echoes [Sys...tem Re—th. Host Detected. . — Connec—] but it didn't last long enough to)
This wasn't supposed to happen. No. This wasn't meant to happen. It was their job to protect the world, to sustain it forever so that the twins could live here peacefully.
No.
What have they done?
Things haven't been going right. Even if they did it all right. How it was supposed to be. They had went with reason. They had went with their programming. Their life mission. How did it end up like this?
They had kept the peace in the land. They had kept the humans in bay, without changing the genetic coding like how they were supposed to.
They had thought they protected Teyvat from corruption until that deranged Dragon Lord came back with the abyssal energy.
It took everything in them to keep it in bay. They had thought the humans would learn. But no. No. Those vile creatures didn't. The vilest of them all in the land buried in the leylines. Khaenriah. Not only did the sinners prematurely stopped the journey of the twins, but also used one of their stars for their twisted experimentation with abyss.
No
No, they must protect.
Even if it's the last thing they have to do. It was too late. And this would deplete what's left of them, and would force them to shut down for unknown time. Asmoday is already getting affected by the corruption. The rest of the shades are in work. The cataclysm has started and Teyvat is in danger. The archons are fighting back equally. This wasn't supposed to happen at all.
They shouldn't have separated from the creator. Maybe—
Yes. The creators. They. They should reach to the mother ship. Creator. And they would need Asmoday for this.
The Heavenly Principles did what they were supposed to do that day. The last measure in saving the world from destruction. A consequence of some actions they made. Yet never fully to blame. But of course, the entity would blame itself for not sticking to it's Creator's design. All they could hope for is the plan to work. For the sleeping twin to find them, and for their awaken one to see the truth.
"Outlander your journey ends here."
"Who are you?!"
"The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. The arrogation of mankind ends now."
They could feel it. Their life force draining as they used the last of the energy to connect to the mother-ship.
[Connecting to ██████. Request processing.]
The ship started once again, and the chamber that held a resting consciousness lit up.
[Command processing. Command processed]
[Preparing for the launch]
[Preparation completed. Ready to launch]
And with a blast the mass of consciousness was launched out. And it landed somewhere, next to an island further away from Mondstad. Drowning in a vortex made of its own anomaly of an existence.
[Command Completed]
They let themself fall into the slumber completely.
"I. . .hope you. . .find me. . .In time. . ."
[P.A.I.M.O.N Shutting down. Maintanence in progress.]
"Paimon!"
And five hundred years later, a lonely traveler fished out a small floating being from the water, where his journey began to search for a past he never knew he had.
"C'mon traveler! We have to go meet Jean! The new event is here."
Traveler chuckled a bit as he followed his floating companion around the land.
"Slow down Paimon, we won't be late."
"Hmph! Paimon is just making sure we won't keep Jean waiting!"
"Of course, Paimon."
Paimon has been with him since the very beginning of his journey. Teaching him the language of a land so foreign. He didn't question why she knew his language in the first place. He didn't question why she never left him in face of danger, even if it's what she fears the most.
Now they're more than half way through their journey with new questions more than answers. And maybe it will all unwind once he reach the end of his journey.
But that doesn't mean he cannot enjoy the moment of happiness with his dearest guide.
Paimon is indeed the best companion ever.
(Perhaps it's the way her face reflect someone else time to time. Someone whose warmth felt too familiar to be foreign. The feeling of home he never got to rest in. But of course, he never questioned it.)