Author's Note:
I may have mentioned this before in another story, but I loved the Columbina story and the Nod-Krai storyline.
I'm looking forward to finally seeing Snezhnaya and the Cryo Archon.
However, I decided to write this unusual One-shot for two reasons:
One, to express my strange love for the mad scientist archetype, I adore characters like Van Kleiss, Relius Clover, Tenjuro Banno, Kuroto Dan, Doctor Zandik, Miles Dredd.
Two, to commemorate the passing of Zandik, he was one of my favorite antagonists in Genshin Impact.
Speaking of something lighter, I had a stroke of luck that seemed to fall from the sky.
In FGO, I got Ishtar (Archer), after a very long time I completed the pair [Ishtar & Erenshinkal].
In Genshin Impact, I got [Columbina], the Triluna Goddess, after her I got [Neuvillette], the Hydro Dragon Sovereign.
I completed the beloved Fontaine pair [Furina & Neuvillette].
Ps. Did anyone get my joke?
XXX
Story Title: The Archon House - The Tomb of the Second of Harbingers (One-shot)
Plot: Although they've saved Columbina and defeated the Doctor, aka Zandik, Traveler and Paimon's adventures in Nod-Krai aren't over. One of the two heroes' strangest and most controversial adventures involves building the Doctor's tomb. Apparently, a hero can respect a villain, even a despicable one.
XXX
POV Narrator
Located on the edge of Teyvat is the region of Nod-Krai, a rather unique place, which is not ruled by any Archon.
Among the several islands that make up Nod-Krai, there is Ashveil Peak, an island that is home to the Special Territory Research Institute, the place where the Infamous Doctor conducted many of his experiments.
Near the base of the late mad scientist, there are the two famous adventurers in all of Teyvat, Traveler and Paimon, who have a habit of saving every nation they set foot in.
Paimon, she is the White Flour, who accompanies the hero everywhere, helping him as best she can, often through emotional and... comical support.
Physically, Paimon has a small and graceful body, which gives her the appearance of a fairy.
She has thick white hair cut just above her shoulders, dark purple eyes, and pale skin.
He wears a white long-sleeved sweater, a midnight blue cape dotted with stars, white socks, and white boots.
Rose gold embroidery and decorative cuffs are applied to the sweater, boots, and sleeves. A gold triquetra is embroidered on the front of the sweater.
Paimon's accessories are a dark blue star-shaped hairpin and a rose gold tiara that levitates above her head like a halo.
As she moves, you can see a trail of small floating constellations.
The famous hero, known far and wide by the pseudonym of Traveler, who has so far traversed seven nations of Teyvat.
His real name is Bruce Bel Bahamut Belmont, he is a Planeswalker from a distant and entirely different world.
When Traveler first set foot on Teyvat, he had the misfortune of encountering a certain Space Goddess, who separated him from his twin sister, sealed away nearly all of his powers, and sealed him away in oblivion for a very long time.
Eventually, Traveler somehow awoke/freed from oblivion, ending up in Mondstadt, where he met the Fairy Paimon, beginning a long journey to regain his powers and find his twin sister.
Physically, Traveler has the appearance of an effeminate boy in late puberty.
He is 175 centimeters tall and has an androgynous build, which makes it very difficult to determine his gender.
Traveler's face features soft, delicate features, thin eyelashes, and facial features reminiscent of Artoria Pendragon or Morgan Le Fay, some of her ancestors through her maternal grandmother.
Her skin color is bright, milky white, smooth and free from imperfections.
Traveler has beautiful, very long black hair, styled in a variation of the Hime cut.
The hairstyle consists of a front fringe, straight side locks, length up to the cheeks that hide the ears.
The Traveler's long hair is tied in two braids: a front braid that covers the left side of her face and a back braid that falls behind her head, past her shoulders.
The back braid is thick and intricate, as if Traveler were a relative of Rapunzel; the braid reaches knee-length.
This braid is decorated with seven long red strands made of an unknown material.
At the end of the braid is a large, thick, ring-shaped silver accessory, decorated with runes of an alphabet unknown to Teyvat.
The back braid is simple and elegant: it covers the Traveler's left eye, then becomes thinner and continues until it reaches the heart area.
This braid is decorated with a purple ribbon and at the end there are four silver beads.
The right eye is visible and shows a light gray coloration, although it can appear silvery in the right light; the pupil is amethyst purple.
For the occasion, Traveler wears a black and white halterneck vest under a white coat with blue details. He wears gray pants and black boots.
He has a single-tailed cloak behind his back and an Inteyvat flower pinned to the left lapel of his coat.
Her accessories include some white and blue feathers decorating the Inteyvat flower and the cape, white guards on her forearms and a golden guard on her right shoulder.
"Traveler, aren't we doing something terribly wrong?" Paimon asks, her voice hesitant; she's not sure they're doing something right.
"I'll echo the wise words of Stan Pines, my adoptive mother's ex-husband: Everything's legal when there are no cops around," Traveler declares, having no problem with his actions.
The pair of adventurers continued walking until they reached the top of a small hill that offers a good view of the Special Territory Research Institute.
At the top of the hill there is a deep rectangular hole, recently dug.
Near the pit is a white coffin of some high quality, the coffin is open, showing that it is empty.
Where there should be a gravestone, there is instead a pedestal with the inscription: "Heretic of the False Moon, Doctor Zandik, the greatest and most ruthless mind in all of Teyvat."
Above the pedestal is a life-sized stone statue of the Second of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers.
"Of all the things the two of us have done, this is probably the most disturbing and morally questionable." Paimon said, flying close to Traveler, as if afraid the Doctor's statue would come to life.
"Since when is providing a proper burial an evil thing?" Traveler said, knowing when to use society's rules to his advantage.
"Traveler, Paimon is by your side day and night. In good times, when you find a corpse or end up surrounded by corpses, you burn them and walk away, or you just cover them with rocks." Said the White Fairy, knowing how her best friend treats corpses, using them as tools for his magic or quickly disposing of them.
"Digging a hole, buying a coffin, building a posthumous statue, and dressing up, all for the Doctor, is something alarming according to Paimon," Paimon said, his voice worried.
The Fairy is tempted to call Columbina, Lauma, and Nefer to see if there is anything wrong with Traveler.
"What are you afraid of?" asks Traveler, slightly amused by Paimon's concern for this little funeral.
"Paimon wonders, do you by any chance suffer from Stockholm Syndrome?" asks the White Fairy, expressing her concerns.
"Do you even know what it means?" asks Traveler, wanting to know how well Paimon knows this subject.
"Stockholm Syndrome is a paradoxical psychological phenomenon in which the victim of kidnapping, abuse, or violence develops feelings of empathy, attachment, and even love toward their attacker as a defense mechanism for survival, leading them to justify him, identify with him, and resist rescue efforts." Paimon offers a textbook definition, as if he'd studied psychology books.
Traveler responds to Paimon's words by giving her a little applause.
"When did you learn such definitions?" asks Traveler, curious about the fairy's educational development.
"Paimon travels with the smartest man in the world, learn a thing or two from him," the Fairy said modestly.
"I am definitely the smartest man alive now." Traveler said, looking at the posthumous statue of the Doctor.
Traveler's stoic expression remains firm, but his visible eye looks sad.
"If Paimon needs it, he'll spend all his emergency savings sending letters of distress to Mavuika and Raiden Shogun. Two female warriors who are Archons should put Traveler right, either with their presence or with their swords." Paimon thinks, a forced smile on his lips, hoping the women can somehow help his best friend.
"I'm the only person among the living and the dead who will bother to give you a funeral, Doctor. In the next life, you owe me a big favor," Traveler said, standing in front of the pit.
Using his magic, Traveler summons into his hands a kind of katana whose hilt is combined with a Delusion.
The katana is called, Yatsufusa - March of the Dead, a destroyed artifact that Traveler obtained decades ago, while visiting a world other than Teyvat.
When Traveler and Paimon remained in Inazuma, Traveler decided to reforge Yatsufusa, using his new knowledge of Teyvat mysticism and adding the prototype of a Delusion created by his own hands.
"Let us begin the funeral ceremony." Traveler declares in a solemn voice, raising his sword in the air with only his right hand.
Yatsufusa released black lightning that struck the surrounding ground. Then, from the spots struck by the lightning, dozens of Fatui soldiers appeared like ghosts.
Now in front of the tomb of the Second of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, there are Fatui soldiers of each category: Fatui Pyro Agent, Mirror Maiden, Fatui Electro Cicin Mage, Wind Operative, Frost Operative, Fatui Cryo Cicin Mage, Fatui Skirmisher - Cryogunner Legionnaire, Fatui Skirmisher - Geochanter Bracer etc.
All of them are just perfectly silent and still, as if they were dolls without any real will.
Their appearance out of nowhere and their unnaturally passive behavior is possible because of Yatsufusa, a cursed sword with the power to reanimate and control corpses.
Traveler being a sorcerer with a tremendous talent for dark magic and even born with the gift of being a Devil Forgemaster, has transformed Yatsufusa into a glorified, disposable transport of undead troops.
Inside the cursed sword are several legions of enemies slain by the Traveler, mostly Fatui, later transformed into his corpse dolls.
"A military funeral with full honors, beyond what you deserve, Doctor. But because I don't like to do a job halfway, I brought a special guest." Traveler said, gesturing with his free hand, invoking a magic circle.
From it emerged La Signora, Real Name Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, alias the Eighth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers.
La Signora is a tall woman with lavender skin, light platinum blonde hair, and red eyes. Her hair is tied in two rose-shaped buns at the nape of her neck.
She wears a black earring in her left ear and a black mask covering her right eye.
His attire is an elegant and sophisticated European-style formal suit, featuring mainly black, gray, and red colors, reflecting his former authoritarian personality and his former affiliation with the Fatui.
She wears a black strapless dress that opens in the front, revealing her legs, and is layered over a floor-length translucent gray ruffled skirt. She wears long black gloves and high heels.
La Signora wears a long, translucent white cloak. Unlike a traditional cloak that rests on the shoulders, this one is tied at the back of her hair and falls elegantly down her back.
The back features a distinctive black and red geometric pattern. It is often described as having a "wing" structure, with black feathers and a dark red interior, a nod to its true identity as the Crimson Witch of the Flames.
La Signora who appeared thanks to the Traveler's magic is practically a Revenant.
The True La Signora is dead, killed long ago by the Electro Archon, but Traveler managed to salvage the [Lady]'s Delusion and the remnants of her soul to create a summonable Revenant.
"It's not a big crowd, they won't cry, they won't talk, but at least they're here," Traveler said, approaching the empty coffin.
"Paimon will have to give up sweets, but you can also send emergency letters to Neuvillette and Zhongli, two charming and intelligent men who can't hurt the Traveler." Thinks the White Fairy, increasingly worried about her best friend.
The Planeswalker pulled out three flowers: a cyclamen, a calla lily, a yellow carnation.
A cyclamen is one of the most direct symbols of farewell, representing resignation, farewell, and the definitive end of a relationship.
A calla is a flower that signifies sincere esteem and admiration.
A yellow carnation is the most direct symbol of contempt, often also associated with disappointment or disdain.
"Admiration and contempt, that's all I feel for you, Doctor Zandik." Traveler said with a stoic expression, tossing the flowers to the empty grave.
At this moment, Paimon wishes he hadn't learned the language of flowers.
"Paimon can do without a large breakfast; inviting some fun artists like Furina and Venti will be the cherry on top. Strength, intelligence, and passion—in the form of Mavuika, Raiden Shogun, Neuvillette, Zhongli, Furina, and Venti—should be enough to restore the Traveler to his solid state of mind." The Fairy thinks, ready to fast to get reinforcements.
"I haven't studied the funeral rituals of Sumeru or Snezhnaya, so I decided to mix a little Christianity and Ysatnaf traditions." Traveler said, snapping his fingers, causing gifts to appear in the undead's hands.
A replica of Doctor Zandik's uniform appeared in the Revenant's hands.
In the hands of the Mirror Maiden appeared the flag of Sumeru, the home nation of Doctor Zandik.
In the hands of the Fatui Electro Cicin Mage appeared the flag of Snezhnaya, the place where the mad scientist worked for years.
The three corpse women placed the gifts in the empty coffin.
"A little parting gift from me." Traveler said, pulling an old travel journal from his pocket.
"I always repay my debts, your knowledge in exchange for my knowledge. This journal contains my discoveries and adventures from a year-long journey to another world, for you to study in the afterlife," Traveler said, placing the journal in the center of the no-longer-so-empty coffin.
This gesture was interpreted alarmingly by Paimon, she knows how possessive Traveler can be in his acquaintances.
"Perhaps Paimon doesn't have time to wait for reinforcements. I should ask for help from Columbina, Lauma, and Nefer. They're the only beautiful women in Nod-Krai, by Traveler's high standards." The Fairy thinks, unsure why Traveler is doing so much for a deceased enemy he despises.
"To make your passing easier, here are two gold coins from the treasury of Ysatnaf's family castle." Traveler said, tossing two gold coins of extremely high monetary and historical value into the coffin.
"You can close the coffin and put it in the hole." Traveler said, making room for his minions.
La Signora had the honor of closing the coffin, then two Undead Fatui lifted the coffin and lowered it into the pit.
"I think it's time for a farewell speech," Traveler said, looking down at the coffin.
"Doctor, Zandik, Luminary, False God of the Moon, you have many names, but one essence: That of a mad scientist." Traveler said, making it clear how he sees Zandik.
"You have no morals, no honor, no empathy. You've hurt so many people, some of them almost my friends. I will never forgive you, especially for what you did at Columbina. You will forever have my contempt," Traveler said, his voice as cold as ice.
Hearing these words, the White Fairy begins to feel more relieved and calmer.
"But the reason I despise you is the same reason I admire you. To further your research and achieve your goals, you are willing to destroy and use everything and everyone around you, something I cannot do because of my personal code and my beliefs about the importance of family and brotherhood among comrades in arms." Traveler said, sounding almost envious or jealous of the deceased mad scientist.
These words made the Fairy feel anxious and worried.
"A triple attack combo, with a bonus from Witch, Princess Knight, and Maid-themed Cosplay costumes, should be enough to catch the Traveler's attention," the White Fairy thinks, looking for ways to enhance the women's charms, which should, in theory, distract the Traveler from whatever is on his mind.
"By the standards of the Clock Tower of Brittany. You, Doctor Zandik, are a first-class Magus, while I am a second-class Magus, professionally speaking." Traveler said, showing no emotion.
"When the situation calmed down in Nod-Krai, I had no hesitation in exploring and extracting all your research information from the Special Territory Research Institute. Your blood-stained discoveries are priceless, immoral, but incalculable," Traveler said, pulling a handwritten notebook from his coat, handwritten by Doctor Zandik himself, from his half-destroyed office.
"I've learned how to build a Delusion. They're cursed, but powerful, tools. Once I get home, I'll set up a private lab for mass development of Delusions with less negative impact on users." Traveler said, a small smile on his lips.
"But the creation of a Delusion cannot compare to your masterpiece, an Artificial Moon Marrow. You have created a divine construct, this will earn you a place on the Throne of Heroes." Traveler declares, expressing enthusiasm as he grasps the notebook with both hands.
"I will continue your research, Zandik. You have my word that I will create Seven Delusions superior to the Visions, then forge an Artificial Eternal Moon's Marrow, Artificial Iridescent Moon's Marrow, Artificial Frost Moon's Marrow." Traveler declares, his good eye beginning to twinkle with excitement at his future projects.
"But my true goal will be the creation of Seven Artificial Gnoses! The Archon Artifacts are extremely powerful and unique, I want to add them to my private collection!" Traveler declares, with a mad and greedy look.
"But I'll have to settle for retorts, because I can't rob the Archons of their Gnoses, as I've grown fond of six of the seven Archons." Traveler admits, placing the notebook over his heart.
"Venti, Zhongli, Raiden Shogun, Nahida, Furina, Mavuika. I'd also add Neuvillette, Skirk, Columbina to the list, since they're also important and powerful people. These nine individuals, somehow, have managed to enter my twisted and crazy heart." Traveler confesses, grimacing, no longer able to put on a mask of external stoicism.
The Planeswalker shakes his head, as if trying to get certain thoughts out of his head.
"I've been wandering off into sentimental nonsense," Traveler declares, covering his good eye with his hand, his face returning to stoicism.
"To put it simply, Doctor Zandik, as an individual I consider you despicable, as a scientist/sorcerer I consider you a genius worthy of respect and admiration," Traveler said, expressing his bipolar opinions on a single individual.
"You are dead, the world has become a better place, but I am sorry that your genius has faded, but your research lives on, even under a different ethic." Traveler said, in a solemn voice, concluding his farewell speech.
Using the Geo element, Traveler fills the pit, burying the coffin of the Second of Harbingers.
The Planeswalker turns his back on the mad scientist's grave, then begins walking away.
With a snap of his fingers, the Undead Wisps disappeared, along with the cursed weapon Yatsufusa.
'Maybe Paimon won't have to starve, maybe Traveler will return to his usual self.' The White Fairy thinks, her expression hopeful.
Paimon, keeping his fingers crossed, flies after the Traveler, ignoring the Revenant La Signora that is chasing him at a slow pace.
"Funeral nice... so what are our long-term plans?" Paimon asks, hoping she'll hear the same old speech from the Traveler.
"When the time is right, we will go to Snezhnaya, meet the Cryo Archon, then we will go to Khaenri'ah, finally, our last stop will be Celestia." Traveler declares without hesitation, knowing where he will go, though not what he will do once he gets there.
'No convoluted plan to bring the Doctor back as a Revenant like they did with La Signora, great news.' Thinks the Fairy, feeling much more at ease knowing that Traveler's plans are the same as always m
"I'll cut off Asmoday's head, then perhaps I'll deal with Istaroth, Ronova, Naberio, depending on whether they become obstacles in the final stage of my journey." Traveler said, his gaze menacing, looking up at the sky.
"This is the first time Paimon has been happy to hear you want to behead someone. Even if you mean the Four Shades, aka the Four Great Rulers," the White Fairy said, showing no problem in witnessing the Traveler's plans for revenge.
"Time and Death will be no problem for me once I'm back to 100% of my full strength. Space and Life will be more complicated, but if I have my other half by my side, there will be no problem." Traveler said, fully confident of his victory against the four lieutenants of the Final Boss of Teyvat, if he had his twin sister's aid.
"What about the Heavenly Principles?" Paimon whispered, not knowing how to approach the topic.
"Once I meet so-and-so or so-and-so or whatever it is, I'll slap him in the face, if he has a face. Then I'll tell him my opinion on his leadership and his world," Traveler said, not joking in the slightest about what he wants to do.
'Traveler is without a doubt the bravest, boldest, and craziest adventurer in the entire history of the world of Teyvat.' Paimon thinks, starting to fly alongside his best friend.
"And Paimon is no less mad than Traveler. Because Paimon will chase his friend to the ends of the earth and beyond. After all, we were on the moon together with Columbina." The White Fairy thinks, aware that she has been tainted by Traveler's madness.
"Teyvat is a nice world, and I wouldn't mind returning once I regain the ability to travel across the Omniverse. However, Teyvat has a lot of problems, which could have been solved or avoided long ago if Heavenly Principle had taken a more surgical approach, rather than a divine punishment from heaven comparable to an atomic bomb," Traveler said, not afraid to speak ill of this world's Final Boss.
"In the short term, what would the two of us do?" Paimon asks, purposely ignoring the Revenants behind her.
"For now, we'll go to Liyue. The Lantern Rite is about to start, and I want to participate as usual." Traveler declares, unable to miss the festivities; there's always something interesting happening.
"Finally, a pleasure trip!" exclaims the White Fairy, extremely happy.
"Strangely enough, I have a feeling we're not done with the moon." Traveler mutters, unaware that in the next few days he would witness the destruction of the False Moon and the return of a certain White Horse.
The End (?)
XXX
Author's Note:
This one-shot didn't end as I planned, but it looks pretty good. I hope you enjoyed it.