Chapter Text
The air was filled
with dust particles, the smell of dirt, gravel, and other stuff. Machine sounds going around as people happily move from one place to another.
This sounds where normal to Khaenri'ah, this is there daily life. But this is not normal to the esteemed sir Flins.
"Oh? This is something..." Flins look around, checking the interior of the building his inside currently.
"This doesn't seem to look like any parts of Nod Krai"
[You're correct, this is not Nod Krai]
The purple head turned to the side upon hearing a familiar female voice, there, someone he had gotten used to materialize. Floating beside the man.
Pale blue slightly wavy hair, reaching just at her lower back, wearing the same outfit his wearing. Transparent slightly
"DK, it seems your here as well" Flins gave a slight nod to the girl.
[Specifically, your in Khaenri'ah, a few years ago before the supposed catalyst happened]
DK continued, slowly floating around. Checking the place as well, touching some of the pieces, feeling it's textures. Before facing Flins again.
[Do you remember what where you doing before ending up here?]
"I was simply doing my job as a Ratnik, stop to take a small break and upon opening my eyes. I am here" he simply explained, Flins had never done anything that could lead him in his current situation.
No, in fact as if something decided to just bring him here in this place, a few hundred years in the past. In Khaenri'ah where no one truly knows what is inside the only nation with no God.
Of course Flins is not mocking or saying that a nation can't thrive without a god, his simply confused.
[Well something happened and now your here, don't worry. I'll help you with your predicament]
The girl pointed out, before ruffling the boy's hair. Then going back to lazing around the air.
"Much appreciative" Flins nod, giving a small happy smile, walking to take a sit on a chair "can you give me some pointers during this time?"
[Currently your in the era of the Eclipse Dynasty, a few years prior after the fall of the Crimson Moon Dynasty]
DK created a hologram, showing what happened prior to the current timeline
[And because of this, there is no ruler ruling Khaenri'ah. Fortunately or unfortunately, you seem to have been the one to become the new ruler]
"Pardon me?" The immediately caught Flins attention, DK simply nodded.
[It's as i said, you had somehow become the King during this timeline. Prior to a few weeks ago, the people of Khaenri'ah held a voting pull on who may there next ruler be]
[And by miracle, your name was part of the voting. It still haven't been announced to the entire nation on who there new King is though]
Flins did not answer, he simply place a finger underneath his chin, thinking of the situation thoughtfully. "Is there a way for me to return to the present?"
[There is a way, but unfortunately, based from my information it seems that you must stay here a few years then it will somewhat bring you back to the present time]
[It also appears that the present time seems to have been frozen in place for whatever reasons, likely to not have conflict while you're here...]
"So there's no other way for me to do but act like a ruler?" The purple head dreadfully asked, already imagining those stack of paper works he must do as King.
[Sadly yes, but don't be discouraged, I'll help with those papers. I can already tell you don't want to do any of those]
"You know me to well" Flins compliment, DK simply let out a fond sigh, shaking her head slightly.
[Rest for now, in a week. You'll be pick up by the knights of the castle and formally addressing you as the new King]
"Of course, a good night rest will help in keeping one be active tomorrow" he had already went ahead to find the bedroom to sleep, leaving the girl behind to do what she needs to do to help out.
[Didn't have anymore questions and had already gone to bed, this Fae...]
DK opened up a tab, checking and reading out information about the current timeline. Staying near the man sleeping, watching protectively.
[So it seems this timeline is supposed to be when the 'Mad King' will be the one announced as the new ruler]
[But instead someone else become the King]
Slowly glancing to look at Flins, she contemplates on what to do. Slowly descending to the floor and leaning against the side of the bed, closing her eyes.
[Maybe we can fix the wrong doings of that madman and save the Five Sinners, save Khaenri'ah as well...]
Slowly she disappeared in a sea of particles, leaving everything quietly as Flins sleep for the night.
[Did you get a good night rest?]
"I did, thank you" Flins sat down at the table's chair, lifting his lantern to eat the food in front of him. Savoring the flavors with each bite.
[Since you will become King, you need to learn how to do it]
DK place more pancakes on the table, turning off the stove and sitting down opposite of the boy.
"Indeed, the etiquette I still remember from my time being one of Snezhnaya's nobles may not correlate with the one here in Khaenri'ah" lowering his lantern, before directly looking at the girl in front of him.
"Which means I need to learn some new etiquette, I believe?" Flins asked kindly, DK nodded slightly.
[You don't need to know everything, just the basic of being a ruler. I'll teach you how to do those basics later on, for now. Won't you want to explore the place?]
"I can't deny that my curiousity is quite piqued" Flins slowly stand up attaching his lantern to the side of his waist, not letting go until he heard the small *click*.
Indicating his lantern had safely attached to his belt before letting go and walking to the front door of the building. Not looking back whether his companion will be following, not when he felt the slight caress of his hair.
A clear indication of them becoming a small purple gem accessory and placing themself on his hair to accompany him.
Soon the young man step foot out to explore Khaenri'ah, sightseeing on what the nation without a God could possibly have to offer to the Fae.
Immediately stepping out, Flins could feel how different the atmosphere is. The weather of the nation was quite refreshing, not really dry consider it was underground.
The machines around the nation seems to be keeping everything and everyone cool, despite living underground. The streets where also bustling with people going about there day.
[A nation without a God was thriving beautiful in the past... But ultimately ended in its demise]
"Indeed..." Flins muttered quietly, he could tell this nation was more advanced than anything else, including Nod Krai. "Despite being underground, it had prove it could thrive..."
The man continue his walk, before stumbling upon a shop selling trinkets. The Fae's interest immediately was caught by the shining trinkets.
[You're so easy to lure... Someone could just leave behind a trail of shiny items and you'll pick it up without hesitation until you fell to a trap]
Flins didn't argue with that sentence, and simply picked up a small intricate brooch with a gem in the middle of it. He doesn't mind the design and more focused on the gem at the center.
"That would be 10,000 mora sir..." A small voice spoke out
He turn his head slightly to look at the young boy selling the trinket, his head bow lowly. Seemingly hiding his face, but the Fae could already see those eyes, deep obsidian with a blood red cross.
[Someone from the Crimson Moon Dynasty...]
"Of course, here" Flins grab his pouch giving the mora to the boy "what's your name?"
"Orlog, sir... Thank you for buying" the young boy muttered quietly
[He seems way younger from what I know off...]
"I'll come back again when you have more things similar to this brooch, I am one who likes to collect shiny things after" the Fae gave a slight gentle smile, making the boy look up slightly. Nodding and easing a bit.
"Y-yes sir! I'll prepare you all kinds of shiny gems for you when you'll be back!" Orlog eagerly agreed, seeing this was his first customer. And hearing the man will return to boy more, he needs to prepare to earn more mora for his family.
Flins give one last nod before walking away, already taking off the gem out of the brooch and putting it inside his lantern, while the brooch inside his pouch.
"Tell me, what was supposed to happen during this time?" He muttered quietly, looking around to try buying more things he may want.
[Originally, someone else would have become the King of Khaenri'ah. That person will be labeled as a madman, a greedy and power hungry person]
Flins gave a slight nod "intriguing..."
[That person wasn't always like that, he started kind. Really want to help the nation, but power slowly took hold of him and he becomes someone different]
[Fear that the people of the Crimson Moon Dynasty will try to take the throne from him, he commanded someone to execute them all... Until it happened, the calamity where all the people suffered]
"All because a King lost himself..." He ended for DK.
[Correct, but now you're King, I hope we could at least save this nation. Let it blossom to something different]
"I'll try to help, after all. Even if this nation didn't have a God, it's no different to Nod Krai where there's no God ruling it as well" the Fae nodded slightly.
[Yeah... The reason Celestia punished such nation was because that madman's trusted people tamper with forbidden knowledge... Causing a rift to upon up and bringing down monsters outside Teyvat]
Flins pause slightly "is that why Khaenri'ah was destroyed?" He quietly ask.
[Celestia believe it was the only way... For they believe that Teyvat's rules and laws should be followed, Khaenri'ah mess with something they shouldn't and had put the entire world of Teyvat in danger...]
[Just like how they believe that Egeria shouldn't have took primordial water and used it to make the people of Fontaine... Believing it's against the course of life or law of Teyvat]
"Hmm..." The Fae continue his walk, buying some snacks at a stall and taking a sit somewhere less crowded to eat in peace "Celestia is truly something..." He muttered quietly.
[It is, isn't it? Even i am still piecing what Celestia truly is, are they good, are they bad, are they in the between?]
"One can't tell when one don't know them at all" Flins commented, raising his lantern slightly to eat. Occasionally looking around to make sure no one is seeing him do such thing.
"Can you tell me about the Crimson Moon Dynasty and the Eclipse Dynasty?" He ask quietly,
[It's said in the name, during the Crimson Moon Dynasty, the moon they have was blood red. That time they established an orphanage to foster transcendent children from "beyond this world", hoping to achieve a goal where that kid can ascend to godhood]
[They also heavily favored alchemy and employed Beastmaster Knights who used Riftwolves, which is also known as Dark Sprites as war beasts. No one knows how they truly fallen but believe to be because of the Eclipse Dynasty]
"Did the Eclipse Dynasty do something to make it fall in ruins?"
[Possibly, it said that the Eclipse Dynasty was the final ruling house of the underground nation of Khaenri'ah. Originally it was supposed to be ruled by King Irmin, this dynasty heavily prioritized mechanical engineering and harnessed forbidden knowledge "secrets from beyond the skies" to develop technology that challenged the Heavenly Principles.]
"And now I'm the King instead of this Irmin guy" Flins put his lantern away, before standing up.
[Yes, I don't know what is happening to this Irmin guy currently now you're the King]
"That's a bit concerning..." The Fae continue his walk, hands clasped behind his back .
[Don't worry, as of now. That guy can't do anything because you're the King. I suggest once it's officially announce your King. Help those from the Crimson Moon Dynasty]
Flins gave a slight nod, inspecting his surroundings. He can tell some of this people are from the Crimson Moon Dynasty, hiding and acting like an ordinary person from the Eclipse Dynasty.
"Shall we return back to the house to continue the discussion?" He ask quietly.
[We shall, I have many more things to say to you without prying eyes or ears]
"Ah- you felt it too, didn't you?"
Quickly, the young man made his way back to the house he had ended up last night. Of course he made sure to look like his oblivious to being followed, he knows the moment he left that house, someone was following him.
For whatever reasons? He doesn't know, simply knows that someone's likely investigating what his doing and wants to get more information about him.
It was reassuring his companion also noticed it and had been actually cautious since they left the house. Whoever was following them, feels powerful and doesn't want to confront him.
"Oh- your back"
"I am back"
Removing their hood, it's the "Rächer of Solnari". Or his name, Rerir...
"What have you gained from spying on our future King?"
Stepping foot on the meeting table, the five future sinners of Khaenri'ah had agreed upon to meet each other and discuss the upcoming future King that will soon enter the castle.
"Quite intriguing and a bit mysterious from my observations" Rerir look at Hroptatyr, taking a sit at one to chairs
"Oh? Care to elaborate" Rhinedottir made a gesture with a raised eyebrow.
"He gave this feeling of a being who's shrouded with mystery... He left his room to look around the place, stopping to buy a trinket from a shop. Taking only the gem at center of a brooch and placing it in a lantern he carries, while placing the frame in his pouch..."
"That doesn't sound interesting at all"
"You didn't let me finish Surtalog, he went to buy some food from a stall then decided to find a place with less people and a bit hidden. He never touch the food he bought but somehow the food disappeared from his plate, how that happened I don't know. It may not be obvious but he held his lantern out just a bit, it was glowing. The light unlike anything of that an ordinary fire."
"Now that's interesting, a lantern light glowing something differently and a presence that feels mysterious" Rhinedottir tap her finger on the table.
"And how about you Vedrfolnir? Any visions about the future King" Hroptatyr ask kindly, looking at Vedrfolnir.
"Hmm all I'll say, he'll bring something good to Khaenri'ah, the nation will be something unlike anything it has before " Vedrfolnir gave a slight nod.
"Not helpful Vedrfolnir" Rerir stare at the guy. Vedrfolnir simply hummed.
"Just continue observing him Rerir, learn as much as you can about the future King" Surtalogi look at Rerir, who gave a slight nod.
"While where at it, what is the name of our future King?"
"Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins"
"So continuing our discussion, I believe you have a few more to say about me" Flins sat down on the bed, the accessory on his head disappearing and soon DK reappear in front him again.
[Right, this time I'll tell you about the future Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah]
The girl sat down beside the Fae, showing an image of the supposed future Five Sinners. Introducing each people
[Rhinedottir, nickname "Gold", Vedrfolnir, nickname "The Visionary", Surtalogi, nickname "The Foul", Hroptatyr, nickname "The Wise", and lastly, Rerir, nickname "Rächer of Solnari"-]
Flins listened carefully, digesting each information about Khaenri'ah and its supposed origins and story. After all, the Fae never once known what truly happened to the nation without a God.
He had ended his life 600 or 700 hundred and had only woken up a few years prior to the current time and Nod Krai, to say he had missed what happened and the supposed calamity that happened.
[I believe we could change the fate of this nation and maybe save the future Five Sinners from falling to madness and corruption]
DK turn her head slightly to look at the Fae, who slowly nodded "I too hope maybe we could help this nation, it would be a shame to see it fall in the future" he spoke kindly and sadly.
"Maybe we can do something with the people from the Crimson Moon Dynasty... It is a shame to see it reduces to nothingness and have its people be afraid" the Fae made a small gesture.
[What do you suggest?]
"Possibly rebuilt the dynasty, gave the people a chance to live without fear and well, go from there" Flins shrug his shoulders, DK sigh softly.
[It's crazy but it can be done, if Irmin had haunted each Crimson Moon bloodline and cause the calamity, maybe you can instead help it flourish once more. Gain an alliance with them and have two dynasty coexist, maybe that could help with stopping the]
"Yes, just like that" he gave a nod "if what you said that the fall of Khaenri'ah is because of the corruption Irmin had done, then we can maybe stop it"
[Then within this week, before you're announced as Khaenri'ah's King we can gain the Crimson Moon people's trust and show them how we wish to help and be at peace with the fallen dynasty. Hope that the two dynasty can coexist with each other]
"Will you help me?" The Fae ask, turning his head to give a small smile to his friend
[Of course, I'll always help you, I didn't come here for nothing dear friend]