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misaeo3o · 1 year

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For a tomorrow without tears.

aether!fatui AU || a product of my aether hyperfixation and imagining him as the main character of everything <33

It was a horrible day for a snowstorm, but fitting nonetheless. Dark and gloomy, with the weather getting harsher by the second. The news spread so fast, starting only as a rumor until an official announcement was released.

“The passing of Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter - La Signora.” Aether whispered under his breath.

Aether had just finished preparing himself and is now planning to head towards the church where the funeral takes place. Boarding the carriage his assistants prepared for him.

He was already running late and if this storm doesn’t stop then he may have to take matters into her own hands and walk there himself. He tidies himself up and prepares for the short journey, relishing the sights along the way as he looks outside the window. Visible puffs of air form around his mouth with each breath he takes.

It was only four days ago when he received a letter penned to him by her majesty the Tsaritsa herself. He received what it seemed like a grand and fancy looking letter when he woke up. Thinking it would just be another one of their friendly letter exchanges he quickly unsealed it and took out the piece of parchment. As soon as he opened it up, he could tell something was different in this one.

“Mm, it seems Her Majesty didn’t use the perfumed paper she loves so much. How curious. What could this letter be about?”

Aether started reading, carefully taking in the contents of the letter while making tevyat fried egg for breakfast. This was however, not a great idea since he would soon unintentionally char the egg out of shock and disbelief. He was almost finished with the letter until he read the final paragraph. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Signora has..”

“…passed?”

–

Everything felt like a fever-dream after that. Those four painful days knowing that she wasn’t alive anymore. It had only struck him now that he wouldn’t be seeing his dear comrade Rosalyne in their not-so-occasional meetings ever again.

She wasn’t so much of a friendly fellow to them but he wouldn’t consider her a “stranger.” She was caring. Caring enough to greet him in hallways or in the streets, even if it wasn’t always delivered with a smile.

Aether was one of the few people in the Fatui who still believed communication and connections to be important. Take note that by “connections” he means “making friends” and not whatever dubious things the Fatui does.

Only a few high-ranking officers bothered to make relationships with other people he noticed, and the Harbingers were quite the unapproachable ones. Wordless and nonvocal in every meeting they had. Such is the case with Signora, although she leans more to being unfriendly rather than unsociable.

“What about her possessions?” He thought.

Who was going to happen to them? Her clothes and dresses, the many catalysts she used, her jewelry and accessories. Aether reminisces of the small tidbits of facts that he had observed from her. How Rosalyne still continued to pamper herself everyday even if the one she loved passed many years ago, and the way she would show just a bit of compassion towards members, and-

“ We’re here. ”

Oh.

“ Thank you. ” Aether stopped and turned to smil at the cicin mage which accompanied him throughout the whole ride. He stepped out of the carriage and started to head into the cathedral. He wasn’t quite familiar with the layout of this place as it was - from what he recalled - newly built, so he followed the voices which echoed onto the hallways and sure enough they were there.

The timing of his arrival however, could not have been more unfitting; announcing his presence right now would only interrupt Pulcinella’s speech. So he chose to sit by and watch until he could find the right time to enter.

“ We are gathered here today to remember our dear comrade. In honor of her sacrifice, all work should halt for half a day as the nation mourns her passing. ”

He starts.

“ Hehe, merely half a day… People say the Northland Bank’s true currencies are blood and tears… But Mayor, even speaking as a banker, that sounds a little unconscionable. ”

“ Rosalyne died in a foreign land, but you heartless businessmen and dignitaries always with a convenient excuse to remain in the comfort of your homeland. You couldn’t hope to understand. So why don’t you keep your mouths shut! We don’t want to make the children cry… ”

“Quarreling like a bunch of children.. and on a day like this? How unbecoming.”

Aether sighs in disbelief.

“ Hey, c’mon now, even I don’t think this is the right time or place to have a fight. ”

“At least there are a few sane people left in that room.”

He shifts his attention to the ginger-haired man. Childe was quite a charming young man, so full of energy and potential. Aether admired the small glint in his eyes that appeared once in a while throughout the time they talked to each other. Although Aether was confused how he could maintain such composure knowing that he was a Harbinger, he felt relieved that someone like him could be his colleague. He had hoped that his time here in the Fatui would help him improve and develop more as a person.

“ Utterly risible! ”

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden show of disapproval by Sandrone.

“ Though her methods tarnished her honor, Lohefalter’s sacrifice is a great pity. Her loss shall not hinder our progress. But Dottore… What of Scaramouche and the Gnosis from Inazuma? ”

“ Conventional wisdom holds that Divine Knowledge cannot be rationally comprehended. After conquering the Divine Gaze, he will make his next move. ”

And there he found his chance.

“ Such matters are of no importance right now, Capitano. I assure you that we will find the Gnosis. ”

Aether said as he finally found the courage to enter the room.

“ And… regarding your question earlier, we haven’t had the slightest clue where Scaramouche is. Progress has been slow and he has hidden well. We’ve already suspected a few locations though and are currently surveying them.”

He said as he slowly walked towards the coffin displayed at the stage of the cathedral. Having his attention focused elsewhere, he had not noticed the eyes of those that settled into his long golden locks which traced almost his entire body. The light had hit the display just right to showcase the whole scene. It added a bit of a dramatic effect and helped make the mood more miserable. Once again being hit by a wave of grief, he rushes towards it and feels for the edges of the casket - dragging his fingers along it.

"Rosalyne..."

The cold and lifeless body of a woman long-lived had been kept in a secure, specially made coffin. One customized to have no glass surface to peek into. He continued to stare at it with anguish until he noticed the crying figure next to it.

Aether opened his mouth in an attempt to voice out Columbina’s name, only just to quickly shut it again. He had gotten the feeling that she didn't need any comforting speech, so he just got closer and huddled in for a hug. Not anything super emotional or passionate, just a soft embrace around the shoulders.

Just then, a huge figure loomed in towards the coffin.

“ It’s time to end tonight’s foolish theatrics. Right now, you have no captive audience. ”

Pierro speaks up and delivers his message, signaling the others that her Majesty was ready to perform the Encasing. They all stood up and delivered a moment of silence but found it hard to focus as the air suddenly changed moods. At that moment, an abundance of harsh and immense pressure decided to come down all at once and hit them hard right in their faces. They are reminded of the thousands and thousands of screams from victims, of which their lives were ended by their own hands. The screams started to converge and turn into an oppressive melody - one that replayed over and over in their heads.

“Let every worthy sacrifice be carved in ice, and with this nation endure for all time. “

And yet none of them acknowledged it, they simply approached Signora and bowed their heads to her.

“ In the name of Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa, we will seize authority from the gods... ”

They’ve already heard of this before. And they do not intend to submit to this guilt-inducing tune. Not while her Majesty is present.

–

“Absolute peace…”

Aether was sure he heard Pierro utter something.

Rosalyne was given the noblest of burials, encased in layers and layers of ice to signify her Majesty’s granted peace.

He tried to focus on the growing icicles that surrounded the cathedral, to show respect to her Majesty. But he couldn’t ignore the faint murmur of voices that grew louder by the second. He recognizes the tune.

It was Rosalyne’s song.

He was surprised by the sudden act of kindness. Using her song as a last goodbye and a lullaby to send her off in peace.

“ But, Rosalyne, I promise you.. ”

And there he is again. This time Aether made sure to listen closely.

A world without “the Fair Lady” had just begun and together with it, the “Old world'' shall follow. As such are the words of “The Jester.”

Aether joined in on Columbina’s heartfelt humming. Holding her hand as he attempts to harmonize with the choir.

As the final note of the choral reverberated through the air, it was as if the very echoes of their mourning and grieving were silenced. The choir's song had lifted their spirits, and the Fatui was once again called back to work.

But as Aether walked through the solemn halls, his mind wandered back to the moment he had witnessed. There, amidst the aftermath of the Encasing, he saw Columbina and Dottore huddled together, speaking of future plans as though the present were but a fleeting moment.

Their collaboration was a symbol of rebirth, a phoenix rising from the ashes of sorrow. For just as the choir's song had brought an end to their mourning, Columbina and Dottore's discussion signaled a new beginning. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and renewal were possible.

The Fatui realized that like the phoenix, they too must rise from the ashes of their grief and loss, and forge ahead with determination and courage. For in the midst of tragedy, there was still a glimmer of hope, a flicker of light that could guide them through the darkness.

And so, with renewed purpose, the Fatui continued on his path, inspired by the resilience of those around him. For in the end, it was not the darkness that defined them, but the strength and perseverance they showed in the face of it.

“ We shall once again step out into the world to carry out our duties, all for a tomorrow without tears. ”

#genshin au #genshin aether #fatui harbingers #aether genshin impact #genshin fanfic #genshin imagines

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