After The Battle

I slowly opened my eyes with a grunt. My vision is still blurry and I think it'll take a few seconds to become clear. I also feel… warm? Like there were multiple bodies surrounding me… Actually, I think there are bodies surrounding me.

I tried to stand up but I couldn't. My vision was starting to get clear so I tried raising my head up. I immediately caught sight of Ganyu's blue hair and horns. I also got to inhale the smell of her hair. It was very comforting. I looked to my left and saw Noelle hugging my left arm. It was also the same to my right with Havria hugging my right arm. I couldn't help but smile at this scene before me.

"Ngh…" Ganyu was the first to start stirring up.

"Good morning, dear~"

Her eyes widened, but she quickly recovered into a sweet smile.

"Good morning to you too, dear~" she said as she hugged me tightly. I wanted to hug her as well, but my arms were trapped. I could only chuckle.

"How long was I out?"

"Hm…" she let go of me and put a finger under her chin as she began to ponder. "I'd say you were out for one whole day."

"Wait… doesn't that mean that the wedding will be held the day after tomorrow?"

"Mhm."

Haah, it really took me that long to recover from using my full power along with the power of multiple adepti huh? Good thing that I'll be able to reduce the burden once I start using my full power more from now on. As for the marriage, it's a good thing that I woke up just a day before the marriage. If not, it would have seriously pissed me off.

"Also, something changed about you, dear."

"Hm?" I hummed, confused by what she meant.

"Your left eye changed appearance."

My eyes widened at that. I asked her if she could fetch me a mirror or her phone and she happily obliged. She took out her phone, turned on the front camera and then faced the screen towards me. To my surprise, my left eye changed into a yellow color with a… familiar pattern. The shape of my pupil was the same as that of the Unknown God that sealed me. The same can be said with the pattern on my iris. Well, there is a slight difference though.

The lines on the pattern on my iris align with the points of the shape on my pupil. Kinda like a fancy target mark. In comparison, the pattern on the Unknown God doesn't align. I don't really know why this happened… Oh wait, was it because of Gluttony fusing with adeptal energy and even absorbing some divine energy? I even feel like Gluttony is split into two parts now… Gah, I'll just worry about that later.

"Hm… It looks cool, right?" I asked Ganyu as she put away her phone.

"Mhm, very much so."

It does look cool. Although, it looks like a contrast. The right with the pink colored eye from Gluttony looks like darkness, while the left with the yellow colored eye from divine energy looks like light.

Due to all of the noise, Havria started stirring awake. I faced her direction and gave her a warm smile.

"Good morning, hon~"

She looked really happy to see me awake. She put her hand on my cheek and… suddenly pinched it.

"Hon, don't do that again will you? You haven't even gotten married to us yet~" she said with a smile that was both comforting and terrifying. Then, I felt some pinch on my other cheek.

I looked to Noelle's direction and saw her wide awake, giving me the same smile Havria is giving. Shit...

"Ganyu, help… me…" When I looked back at Ganyu, she also had the same expression as them.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. Barbara and the others got really worried, you know? Especially when they saw the hole on the clothing on your left shoulder. Luckily, you didn't have any internal injuries. Even though I saw you cough blood the other day, maybe Gluttony healed it. Anyways, do that again, and we'll make sure you won't hear the end of it~" said Ganyu, still maintaining that same smile.

Ah, those smiles are terrifying me… I might have my own type of adeptal and divine energy now, but that still won't save me from the wrath of these girls. Well, this is what I get for making them worry I guess.

---

After about an hour of scolding me, we began eating breakfast together. While we were eating, Ganyu told me stories of what happened during the duration of my rest. She told me that the other adepti were quite shocked at the extent of my powers. Xiao even started questioning my existence. Something about saving lives using other's.

"To be honest, his face was hilarious." Ganyu said with a chuckle.

Haah, that was to be expected really. Especially now that I've fused and absorbed some adeptal and divine energy into me. Actually, I think I should limit myself to not using that part of Gluttony. Sure, I said that I will use my full power from now on, but using that will just give me more problems.

Ganyu also told me that Rex Lapis showed himself to her, the adepti, and the Qixing's dreams. Ganyu pouted as she said that it was unfair that only I and Havria knew that Rex Lapis was alive.

"Ahaha, sorry about that. It would just be unfair for him if I just told you, wouldn't it." I said as I pat Ganyu's head.

"Ehehe, oh by the way, we need to attend the Rite of Parting this afternoon."

"Eh… do we really need to?" said Havria with a pout.

"We have no choice really. Our lover is the savior of Liyue after all. Not showing up will just be disrespectful." said Noelle as she poured Havria some tea.

That is true. Haah, ever since getting involved with the matters of this world, I seem to always end up saving a nation. Well, not that I mind really. This is the homeland of my wives after all. Plus, I think the economy will plummet if the nation that creates Mora is destroyed.

When we finished breakfast, the girls started to prepare the clothes that they'll use later. I was sitting on the bed and holding both of my hands up. At my left, I summoned the flames that were fused with divine and adeptal energy, while at my right was the original Gluttony.

The fusion was a muddy gold in color. I should have expected this really. There's no way I'll get a pure divine energy when the base itself is impure. Well, at least it won't stand out to gods that much now… I think. I should limit myself from using this one though. It kinda hurts my whole body when I use it. Especially my left eye, which felt like it was burning. After a few minutes, the girls were finished preparing. It's my turn now.

Darn, my coat got ruined… Luckily I have another one of the same style. As for the shirt, I just picked a plain white t-shirt. I chose blue jeans and black boots. I should buy light colored clothes. Hm, maybe I could buy a white coat with golden linings. I could also use brown boots instead of the black ones. As for the jeans, I could just use grey jeans. The shirt could just be black.

"So, who's going to take a bath first?" I said as I looked around.

"How about we all just go in together?" suggested Noelle.

Well, it would be faster if we just did that instead of taking turns. I agreed and we all went into the bathroom together. Nothing happened inside though. That can wait until after the marriage.

---

While we were heading out of our room, Ganyu told me that Mona texted her and said that she and the others were ready. I was quite shocked that they were coming with us, but I didn't really mind. When we reached the lobby, I saw… a lot of the girls. No, not a lot. I saw them all. Lisa, Jean, Amber, Mona, Amy, Keqing, and Barbara. Ah, I'm sure that I'll be standing out with this many girls surrounding me.

"It's nice to see you again, Honorary Knight."

"Please Jean, just call me Aether."

"Okay… Aether. How are you? Are you sure it's okay for you to move around this much?"

"Yep! I can move perfectly fine!" Although, I am kinda hurting from using those divine flames earlier. I didn't need to mention it since I was already starting to heal.

"That's good to know. With your achievements, the title Honorary Knight isn't even worthy anymore. If only I can officially make you a knight."

"Ahaha, don't worry about it…" That would give a lot of benefits, but the amount of work I'll do will just give me a headache. Not to mention I'll have to stay in Mondstadt from time to time. It's better if I just keep the title of Honorary Knight.

After we greeted each other and they complimented my left eye, we decided to leave the hotel so as to not be late for the Rite of Parting. I was wondering where the boys were, so I decided to text Albedo. He said that they were already at the location and were just waiting for us. It seems those idiots knew this was going to happen.

"Aether~!" Barbara said as she tackled me from behind, hugging me right after.

"Ah! No fair!" said Mona as she hugged my right arm. Amy followed suit and took my left arm. I'm just a few more and I can safely say I'm wearing waifu armor. Not that I'd want that. I don't want them to get hurt after all.

The people were staring at us. If this was the old me, I definitely would have minded this, but now, not all that much. I've gotten used to getting a lot of attention since after I saved Dvalin. I'm also used to the whispering of the common folk. Although, this time it was a little toned down. I wondered why but realized it quickly after. It was because Ganyu and Keqing were with us. I said that I didn't really mind, but this change is welcomed.

When we arrived at Yujing terrace, the preparations were finished. Ganyu and Keqing walked over to Ningguang and when Ningguang saw me, she gave me a smile and a wave. I returned the gesture and she quickly returned her gaze to the people.

After a few words, it was time for Ningguang to call out to me.

"Now, for the saviour of Liyue Harbor. He who bravely faced a god for the sake of our people. Step forward."

Geez, did she really have to say it that way? Well, I can't really do anything about it now. I stepped forward and heard some gasps of surprise. I could even hear people say that I look so young. Ahaha, if only they knew that I've actually witnessed the birth and death of stars.

"Tell us, what is it that you wish for as compensation?"

Hm… I could request posters to find Lumine, but that wouldn't do shit at all. Hm, something that would accommodate my life here in Liyue… Aha! I've got it.

"How about a Liyue Citizenship?"

Ganyu, Keqing, and even Ningguang smiled at my response.

"Very well then, consider it done," said Ningguang.

As expected, it's very easy of a task for her. Well, that should do it for me. While the ceremony was ongoing, I walked past the crowd and to the man who was standing alone, looking down at Liyue Harbor.

"Ah, Traveller. What is it that you need?" said Zhongli.

"Please Zhongli, just call me Aether. As for what I need, I was wondering if you could give me directions on where I would go next."

Zhongli put a hand under his chin and began pondering.

"The nation of eternity, Inazuma."