๋࣭ Ancient Scrolls - Blog Posts

♤ Deus Vult - II

Translation: God wills it

Includes: Self Awareness, Yandere, (Implied future) Harem, Religious, and Cult AU

Warning: Yandere, talks of religion, mentions of death, implied k/idnapping, implied dru/gs, paranoia, obsessive behavior, existentialism, manipulation, weird (sensual?) behavior, off-putting behavior displayed.

Word count: 4.9k

A/N: Finally, after 2-3 months… it’s done! Hope you guys like it and that it makes up for the wait.

This was written with mature audiences in mind.

Zhongli was a man of traditions, he liked things done a certain way — the way they had always been done. Today, as Teyvat awaited your awakening, this particular trait found itself shining more than ever.

Were these truly the finest silks the land had to offer? Maybe the scholars were wrong and this shade wasn’t your favorite, did he have time to reread that passage and confirm it? Are the flowers truly at the center of the tables; they don’t quite look right to him.

A perfectionist in every sense of the word, Zhongli’s thoughts raced around his head with such intensity it made him overthink the very act of breathing.

It wasn’t like the others were much better, the Crux had run into trouble — albeit carrying important passengers such as the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma, even the Raiden Shogun (much to a certain poet’s annoyance and distaste) and the ever-loyal Kujou Sara, even the Anemo archon himself, who is known for his care-free nature, was running around the premises fixing a few of his last-minute arrangements, all while the Ordus Favonius finalized the preparations for your escorting with the help of the Millelith and other high-ranking officers from around Teyvat. The halls of the palace, courtesy of Zhongli and Albedo who spent weeks using their powers and knowledge to create the most serene and prestigious building they could humbly offer you, were all but bustling with chatter and high energy — maids and servants of the highest caliber ran around cleaning and fixing what was out of order, chefs and cooks from all corners of Teyvat prepared their dishes and finished their courses.

It had been a long, long time since Dragonspine had been this lively.

His thoughts are broken by a high-pitched voice, one he’d grown to associate not with its owner but rather her companion, shouting his name. As a man who’d lived over six millennia, it took the former archon much self-control not to turn around and tape the floating “emergency food”’s — as she had been so nicely nicknamed by the Traveler — mouth shut and trap her in a crystal for a good hundred years; there wasn’t a moment to spare, not to mention they should be watching over you and not prancing around.

“Zhongli, Zhongli!” Paimon’s voice rang and the aforementioned turned around and found himself standing face to face with Lumine and her friend, both looking excited and slightly panicked, a mix that set off alarm bells in the, slightly irritated, god's head.

“Hmm? Traveler, Paimon,” he acknowledged them, raising an inquisitive eyebrow as he took in their heaving chests and panted breath, what exactly could be so important as to have them leave their post - thought the former-archon, “shouldn’t you be looking over Rem*?”

There’s an accusatory tinge to his voice that has their floating companion’s eyes widen and let out a nervous laugh that has his heart stop in his tracks – a laugh like that from Paimon meant something, good or bad - big or small - happened, things shouldn't be happening –– not now.

“About that,” Paimon explains, a long pause hangs in the air before she whispers hurriedly, “they’re with Mister Albedo right now, you see– they’ve woken up and, well, there seems to be a tad bit of a problem…”

Albeit a whisper, it seems everyone must have heard, or maybe it was due to the sudden change in Zhongli's demeanor that caught their eye, because as soon as the words are uttered silence fills the once noisy halls. Questioning gazes are sent between guests and the people around the premises: had they heard right? Were you truly awake? Others note the last few words; a problem? Were you alright? Had they brought in the wrong person?

Some continue working while others are too stunned to continue their tasks, opting to gossip amongst themselves.

“They’ve woken up?” Zhongli asks again as if in utter disbelief, attempting to confirm what he’d heard; he’d waited for this day for so long, to have this news delivered to him, and yet he found himself doubting the words spoken to him. He turns a blind eye to the gawking gazes from the workers and focuses on trying to control his thumping heart.

“Yes.” Paimon laughs again, clearly uncomfortable by the atmosphere that now presented itself in the room, almost hoping everyone would turn around and go back to their tasks rather than ogle at the trio but she couldn't bring herself to blame them for their interest.

“Very well…” He pauses, trying to collect his thoughts and not to turn into the giddy mess his body wanted to become, “everyone; let’s hurry up, there’s no time to waste,” Zhongli says, his voice commanding - he doesn’t even spare anyone a glance, too doused on the adrenaline pumping through his veins as the news settled in, “do not disappoint our providence.”

After that, it doesn’t take long before Venti, who’d overheard the news from his hiding spot as he tried to rid himself of some responsibility, and himself are running down the intricate hallways to find you. The next few hours after your awakening had been meticulously planned, they were originally meant to meet you with their fellow archon, and yet they can’t help themselves but be drawn to you.

Beelzebub would be mad, not only was she behind schedule but she wouldn’t witness their god’s first waking moments but honestly, Barbatos didn’t mind nor did Morax.

When they arrive at your chambers, a temporary accommodation - of course (as they all wished you move into their respective regions), they’re greeted by your puzzled stare. Your figure was almost lost in the sea of silks and pillows that had been laid around you but your aura was too strong, it was impossible not to recognize who you were.

“Your highness,” Venti awed, his eyes widened in admiration and disbelief – so many years chasing after you finally felt like they'd paid off, “you’re here, finally!”

It takes Zhongli, his long-time friend (and technically co-worker) to slap a hand on his shoulders and force him to stay put for him not to throw himself into the bed beside you and drown you in thousands of years of pent up love.

“Behave yourself,” he mutters just loud enough for Venti to hear, his stone-cold exterior betrayed by the golden glow in his eyes as he took in the sight before him, “your grace," he cleared his voice, "apologies for my companion and his sudden actions, we’re all simply overjoyed for your arrival.”

There’s a silence that seems like it’s meant to be your cue to say something but nothing comes to mind – your mind drowning in what you can only describe as a drunken haze –, something that wasn't particularly helped by the fact you had no idea what was happening.

“I’m sorry but,” you laugh awkwardly, hoping to alleviate the tension in the room, “what’s going on?”

This felt like a dream, a dreadful dream where you were seized in your sleep and taken to some sort of historic chateau and forced to play the role of a sovereign or divinity. You were surprised you hadn’t shrieked at the blonde woman who had been staring at your sleeping form when you’d woken up, you would have thought your reaction would’ve been more aggressive and confrontational - cuss words being cried and more throwing of cushions or even punches and kicks, instead - you timidly inquired about your locations, too drowsy (which would later be confirmed to be due to the liquid Albedo has you ingest earlier) and with little memory to react normally. The woman, whose name sounds familiar - Lumine -, answers with all but too much eagerness, her tone pleasant as she beams about how you’re in Dragonspine and Teyvat before an ocean of thanks are sent your way as she credits her achievements and efforts to you – some sort of deity in her life that had aided her in trying and tough times. Unfortunately, you can’t quite say you remember the woman in front of you — something that shocks her greatly and seemingly sends her into a panic when you inform her.

“Oh heavens,” she mutters, looking around in a panic, her previously joyous exterior now replaced by an uneasy look in her, honestly, soft and lovely face, “Albedo…”

She looks at you once more, golden-brown eyes filling with sorrow as she asks once more; “Are you certain you don’t remember me?”

“Or Paimon?” Her companion, a floating pixie of sorts, asks - her high tones contrasted by the downcast look in her eyes and your heart breaks at the sadness your words seemed to bring.

“I’m sorry but no.” You admit, your memory is all but a gray fog; your past feels dream-like, you remember being a student of sorts and working a job, some sort of family, and few friends, but everything felt like it was coated in a layer thick goo making it impossible to properly recognize or even tell apart what was fantasy from reality. You’re mortified to admit it but you don’t even really remember the faces of your parents or if you even have siblings or relatives at all, even less about any hobbies or interests, the only true indication something was off being the uncomfortable thumping of your heart — if it weren’t for that and your concerning lack of memory nothing would’ve felt too wrong at all.

A blond man came into the room after that, he'd been fetched by the two - who'd rush to find him, he carried a notepad and seemed confused - about what you didn’t know, you had little to no clue what was going on in your head, it was practically impossible for you to try and guess pretty much anything - he came to a halt beside the bed you laid in.

“Your highness, it’s an honor to finally meet you — I’m Albedo, Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius and your humble follower,” he bows, his turquoise eyes analyze you in, what you think is, marvel and affection once he stands back upright, “the Traveler told me you seem to be suffering from some sort of memory loss and since I’m the one who brought you here - it’s my responsibility and duty to look over your health, I'll make sure to see all matters that pertain to your health personally.”

“I… I see.” You murmur, overwhelmed by his looks and the words coming out of his mouth — neither made much sense to you but at this point, your head is pounding and you’re too weary to try and figure either out. How a man could look so handsome and elegant, yet adorable and pretty baffled you – much like the beauty Lumine seemed to unknowingly have.

He took a bunch of tools, none of which you were familiar with or looked particularly modern, and began examining you while the blonde woman left with her friend. It took him a couple of minutes before declaring nothing was wrong other than your seeming memory loss.

“We’ll perform a couple of tests to see what could have happened,” he says, he begins putting his things away before a thought seems to come to him having him correct himself, “if that’s what you want, of course, if you find my analysis wrong - please tell me.”

“I think you're right,” you nod, “...and it'd be nice to fix it.”

It’s then when the two figures come into the room followed by Lumine and you find yourself where we started a while ago.

“It seems they’re suffering from some sort of amnesia,” Albedo explains to the two confused men, “their memories aren’t clear and it seems like they don’t recall much.”

“And how did this happen?” Venti asks, his voice shaking — did his god not remember him? All of the sacrifices and vows he took in their name?

“We’re not sure, it might have to do with them being asleep for so many years,” the alchemist sighs, “or it could be that they were away from Teyvat for too long, it’s possible that when they came back their memories were affected — whatever the case is, I’m sure it’s not irreversible.”

The archon nods, though it’s clear they’re attempting to mask their disappointment.

“Well, if that’s the case,” the shorter god exclaims, clapping his hands in an attempt to cheer up the mood, “then we better fill them in!”

“Right,” amber eyes break away from you, finally allowing you to breathe, “if I’m not mistaken, dinner should be ready too, I’m sure you must be hungry.”

Zhongli turns to address you, his eyes take a sudden glow; one filled with love and admiration and you’re taken aback, you instinctively want to shield yourself away from the intensity in his eyes but force yourself to nod - albeit stiffly.

“I… I guess.” You mumble – you hadn’t been paying much attention to your body - you weren’t starving but eating something would be nice, you think to yourself.

“Lumine,” Venti looks at the outlander, “go tell the others to set the table while we prepare our highness for dinner.”

"We haven't introduced ourselves," the taller male realizes, his eyes widening in embarrassment, he coughs into his hands before bowing – similarly to how Albedo had done, "My name is Zhongli, though you might have remembered me as Rex Lapis or Morax – I'm the former geo archon in charge of Liyue, and the oldest of your followers. I want to humbly thank you and, if you would allow me, serve you for as long as I am of use to you."

"I'm the archon in charge of Mondstad, Barbatos the anemo archon, though I have been going by Venti," the short bard follows his friend's suit, bowing down as a sign of respect, "I want to thank you, not only for your blessings but the protection you have extended to Mondstad. For as long as you want me to, I am honored to serve you personally."

"There's no need to bow," you wave your hands nervously, shocked by the humble actions performed by the two men, "and there's nothing to thank me for... I have no idea what you're even talking about."

"That's only because you've lost your memory," Morax said, "it's only natural we attribute the good in our life to your kindness."

"And don't try and argue us on that," Venti smiles, "now, let's go! We should be getting you ready for dinner~"

You’re led to a luxurious bathroom, one you’re certain isn’t yours based on how expensive and elegant everything looked - albeit a bit old fashioned, maybe extremely old fashioned -, and told to strip bare and climb onto an already, suspiciously to your liking, prepared bathtub that’s probably bigger than any tub should be.

"You two will be here?" You ask, you had thought they'd escort you and wait outside yet neither made a move to leave.

"We can't," the amber-eyed archon cleared up, "we need to make sure nothing happens, it would be a tragedy if anything were to happen to you and we weren't there to prevent it or help you; we wouldn't be able to forgive ourselves."

You stared at them baffled, you might not remember much of your life prior to these last few hours but you were certain you were in no position of power or significance to need such care and attention.

"It's not like I would die if you weren't here, though, I won't fall over and hit my head and, like, bleed to death underwater." You mutter under your breath, it was getting hard not to be overwhelmed by the amount of care and detail they seemed to dedicate to you – it's almost as if they thought you'd touch the water and evaporate!

It seems your words only concern them more, the mere thought of your death seems to have caused Zhongli an internal heart attack as he tries not to lose his composure – Venti's eyes widen almost comically as he tries to convince you to let them stay.

"Your grace, don't even say that as a joke!" Venti pants, as if in physical pain, "W-we have to stay here and look over you! You can't be left alone because... what if you do fall underwater a-and bleed to death, we wouldn't be able to live and -!"

“Fine, fine!” You finally comply after Venti almost bursts into tears, "Just, turn around while I get ready!"

You don’t quite understand why you’re doing as you’re told, then again — you didn’t understand much at all. You slip off the sleeping garments and awkwardly make your way into the tub, the water splashing and signaling the men to turn around and make their way to service you (much to your embarrassment).

"You don't have to do this," you squeak when you feel long fingers find their way to your shoulders, "I can wash myself, t-thanks!"

"Please," you hear a deep voice near the shell of your ear and you almost jump into the water, "I've wanted to do something like this with you for such a long time."

"And you're pretty tired, right?" A sing-song voice peaks beside you, "Why don't you let us take care of you?"

"... Okay." You let out, trying not to enjoy the feeling of their hands massaging away your stress.

"Ah," you hear Venti moan, excitement evident in his voice, "you're too kind to us~"

A few minutes go by of pure silence, the only sound is the rustling of the water and soap against your skin.

“When can I go home?” You ask, finally breaking the silence, you might not remember much and you were certainly growing to enjoy the pampering but you know this is not your home; though familiar, as are the faces that surround you, you just feel it somewhere deep in your gut that this isn’t where you belong nor where you’re from.

“Hmm? Your grace,” the bard laughs, his voice as charming and delicate as a dandelion floating in the wind, “but you are home.”

“I’m not,” you shake your head, a million and one reasons as to why this isn’t your home come to your head and yet you find articulating them hard, like a child struggling to reason with a parent, “Why don't I remember anything?”

The thought bothers you greatly, the lapse in memory - this vast blank space that now resides in your mind - aggravated you, it made you feel as if you were less you than before, your memories were vague and they left an ache in your body; you felt incomplete.

“It must be distressing,” Zhongli agrees with you, his hand comes to rest against your bare skin, “but you’re safe, no harm will ever come to you here - we’ll accompany you until your memory returns and continue to do so afterward.”

“Zhongli is right,” Venti nods enthusiastically, “you’re the most precious person in Teyvat, your happiness and safety will always be our priority.”

There it was again – those names that felt familiar.

“Exactly, Beelzebup, Barbatos, and I will always be there for you,” Zhongli says, “even if this doesn’t feel like home to you today, eventually it will.”

Morax, Barbatos, and Beelzebup, Lumine, and Albedo — why did they sound so familiar? Like something you should know, like something you knew but forgot, it was such a distressing feeling it made you want to scream.

“Is something the matter? You look concerned.” Venti asks, his hand resting upon your bare shoulder as if trying to ground you.

“No, not at all,” you shake your head, they don't seem to believe it so you add, “I’m just tired, that’s all – it's just been very eventful.”

They nod in understanding, your lackluster answer seemed to be enough, before resuming washing you – fresh smelling soaps and fragrances were used with no hesitation, all which looked particularly expensive much to your surprise – it felt wrong to have such luxuries used on you. You notice that their touches are delicate, not too soft but not too harsh, almost a fleeting in their contact but concrete enough you knew they had happened - they kept treating you as if you were a doll made of the finest of porcelains and you’d crack under the slightest of pressure; which, considering you had two gods, and one of them is known as the Ruler of War, who'd fought their fair shares of battles and wars it’s safe to say that there was a chance you’d break if they weren’t careful (even if they tried to convince themselves they couldn’t possibly harm you).

Something (read: your health being affected) neither they nor Teyvat, in its current state, could handle — not when changes seemed to be coming from all horizons and especially when they’d been waiting nothing short of several millennia for your arrival. It stood without a doubt to everyone, even those that didn’t believe in you as God, that you were perhaps the most important person in the continent, a being whose mere existence meant more to the earth and the ones walking on it than any other had or ever would.

By the time you’ve stepped out of the bath and re-dressed in new clothes, which you can only call more “period” or “world” appropriate, you’re given a couple of minutes to yourself.

"We'll be waiting outside your door to escort you," the geo archon says, his posture almost mimicking that of a butler, "call us when you're ready."

They soon left you alone with your thoughts and a pounding headache that ambushed you.

From the moment you’d gained consciousness, you’d been victim to, what felt like, a wave of headaches that came and went as they willed. Your overridden senses had blocked most of the pain out, the constant new stimulation of new parties and their reactions in addition to your lack of awareness and dizziness left little to no time for your brain to process the pounding headache that is currently tormenting you – it was almost as it was attempting to make up for the time it hadn't been there.

The bed you’d once laid in had been made, its sheer size and luxurious look overwhelmed you — you rack your brain in an attempt to figure out the multiple questions that plagued your mind; where on earth were you? What was Teyvat or Dragonspine? Who were Barbatos, Beelzebup, and Morax? Why did their names and Lumine’s sound so familiar? Who brought you here?

Who were you?

Were you truly some sort of respected being? Were you originally from here at all? All memories, all vague and messy memories, you had depicted you living an almost horribly mundane life, one where you were just another faceless person in the sea of society. No luxuries, no titles, little to no friends, was there even a family? This was a world so different from the one you seemed to have come from, filled with people you simply didn’t recognize, and yet here you were, practically shoved into a situation you didn’t understand nor consent to.

You sniff as you feel tears well in your eyes, you let yourself flop into the bed, the same that felt foreign on your skin but was seemingly made for you; you were crushed.

Your questions were ignored or you couldn’t even voice them, too scared and bewildered to even make a peep. That and the fact that when you’d finally gotten the chance to be with people who seemed to at least have some idea of what was going on your brain seemed to give out on you - giving in to the peer pressure and letting them do as they pleased -, you wanted to slap yourself and berate your idiotic, foolish actions.

“A dinner where my question will be answered,” you mutter, remembering the offer made by Zhongli, “…”

If you were honest, dinner didn’t sound particularly appetizing – not with how sick to your stomach your worries made you – but you wanted answers, desperately so. You sough once more, you take a glance at the room, making sure to note if anything looked fake - like a set for some television show - hoping this was maybe a cruel prank -, before making way to stand up and call for one of the two men who’d been assisting you, as they put it, when something catches your eye.

A couple of feet away from the bed laid a vanity, one you hadn’t paid much mind to at all before, but it currently seemed to emanate a certain glow, it was mesmerizing with the way it seemingly dyed its surroundings a captivating purple and you find yourself almost not noticing the pair of amber-brown eyes that minded you through the glass.

“…!” You gasp, instinctively climbing back into the bed and far away from the vanity — a blond man looked at you, his face youthful and reminiscent of Lumine’s, his eyes were somber yet they held a tinge of hope as they softened at your shocked reaction.

“It’s alright,” the man says, he raises a gloved hand and touches his side of the mirror, “I just wanted to see you, I won’t harm you - ever.”

You almost want to reach out to him, walk up to the vanity and mimic his movement to see if you could touch him; “… Where am I?”

You unconsciously crawl the bed to get a closer look at the figure speaking to you – had you lost your mind?

“Hmm, they haven’t told you?” He inquires, his eyebrows furrow — you don’t question why he knows there are multiple people.

“No,” you add quickly, almost as if trying to defend them, “but they did say I’m in Teyvat.”

“Then you know.” He looks at you quizically, as if that were the answer to all of your questions and you were foolish for not knowing it.

“I’m supposed to know,” you insist, growing slightly agitated — why did everyone assume you knew and get disappointed when you didn’t instead of telling you, “but I don’t, I don’t even remember what happened before I got here, damn it and no one has tried telling me either, I'm just – ugh!”

“Please, calm down, I'll explain it for you,” the man sighs and his voice suddenly takes a softer tone, "it must be upsetting to not know and I don't blame you for being annoyed," he’s deep in thought before continuing, “Teyvat is another continent from yours, it’s, how can I say it, simply another world. You were brought onto Teyvat because they,” he motions behind you, “think you’re their God.”

”Me as their God?” You want to laugh, a god? You? Please, you’d make a better clown than a god, “Are they… are they insane?”

“Probably,” the man laughs, your heart skips a beat at his smile, “at least now you know where you are.”

“And another world? How is that… why?”

“It’s just how things are sometimes,” he doesn’t bother to try and explain it further and you don’t pry — it was all too much, “I know you probably don’t believe me, but things will become clear in due time.”

“You’re right, I don’t believe you,” you mumble, other worlds and godhood? You want to laugh.

“As I said, things will make sense eventually,” he shrugs, his next words confuse you, he seemed more relaxed than before, “if you ask me, while you’re certainly special, I don’t know if I think you’re Rem.”

“Gee, thanks.” You look away from him but still answer.

“Do me a favor,” he continues, paying no mind to your dry answer and clear doubt, he rests his cheek against his palm, “don’t tell anyone you met me.”

“If I told anyone a man in a mirror started talking about me being God and inter-world traveling I’m sure no one would believe me if I tried,” you finally return your gaze to the man.

Silence rings as you both stare at each other, seemingly taking in the other’s presence – it's not awkward, the silence feels comfortable and you find yourself quickly growing fond of the mysterious man.

“What’s your name?” You finally ask, and he lets out a chuckle before answering.

“Aether, and yours?”

“[Y/N]."

“It’s a nice name,” Aether comments though it seems like he might have already known it, “it's good to know you’re safe… take care until we meet again, alright?”

“You're leaving already?” Your heart suddenly feels heavy at the thought of the only person who'd attempted to explain and listen to you leaving, "... Take care too, Aether."

"... if you ever feel like things are too much with them," he adds, his voice turning serious once more as if detecting the sadness in your tone, "tell me and I'll take you away, darling."

After his curious words, he turns around after taking one last longing glance at you, and just like that he’s gone.

As you take in what had transpired in the last couple of hours, you feel yourself wanting to cry and simply sleep forever; from claims of godhood in your name to waking up in an unfamiliar bed, surrounded by strangers… that uncanny feeling of familiarity that gnawed at your mind, the encounter with a mirror man, and the fact you just… went along with everything.

You stand up, lazily rubbing your eyes and looking around, you hear your stomach groan – you're hungry –, it's then you remember the two men standing outside.

Weren't you just lucky a banquet was now being held in your name?