Eurydice
A Leyline Bard Ch 5 Spinoff: Venti's POV, 610 wc
In other, distant worlds, Hades is known as God of the Dead. His home is referenced in only a handful of epics, stories of heroes going through hardship to beg for the restored lives of their loved ones. A near god begging for his mother, a man searching for a way home, a husband bartering for his bride.
Venti had always been partial to the stories of hopeless devotion, especially those of the compelling dynamic of the king and his bride or the mourning of the fair Eurydice to the point that Orpheus had.
That one was Rostam and Arundolyn's favorite epic, and one that Venti enjoyed performing for the young knights. They would listen with rapt attention and react appropriately when the story called for it. He remembers their faces as he sang the warnings of the Fates… he remembers their faces when they faced their gods’ Fates. Celestia knows none of his children were spared from the cataclysm.
But that was centuries ago! It has been a long time since he thought of those two young knights, that he was surprised to find his thoughts leaning toward their memories. Although, thinking about it, with his hand firmly grasping onto this shade of his most dear friend, Venti isn't sure he is still fond of the story of Orpheus.
Cecil’s steps are quiet, and they haven't said a word since they left the top floor of Dvalin’s tower. The world around them is silent, and it is terribly overwhelming. What could he even say to end this? Does Cecil even wish to talk to him?
How long has it been?
Venti does not think about turning around.
Cecil is not Eurydice. Nothing about that myth was part of their truths in Teyvat, it holds no relevance. Venti reassures himself, trying to soothe the frantic heartbeat in his hollow chest.
No relevance, except that here is his most loved one, back from the dead. His most beloved, somehow remaining after Venti called upon the winds to take their soul home. It was a boon, as there was no other explanation. It must be.
Why can’t he hear their steps?
Venti tightens his grip on their hand, and Cecil does not make a sound still. Venti faces forward still. The story had continued, that Orpheus led Eurydice out of the land of the dead, that they journey through sorrows upon sorrows with the blessing of Hades. As Venti leads Cecil out of what was once their shared prison, a land where life was stifled, he sees the parallels.
Is it still love if he forces his face forward ?
He swears to himself that it’s different, that the road they travel is not a safe one. He must keep forward, to make sure no loose stone falls through and no wall falls over. He just has to get them both out of here, out of open sight from any prying eyes. Venti is careful as he steps over a stone. Any step in Old Mondstadt could be your last, if you are reckless. He isn't.
It has to be enough, he cannot take their story ending tragically again.
He still does not hear Cecil at all, and that’s fine. It’s fine. Except then, the hand in his pulls against him, stopping Venti in his tracks and his heart stops.
He immediately turns to make sure that they are still safe.
It was never going to be enough, they were never meant to last.
Cecil meets his eye, and Venti sees his panic reflected in their bright eyes.
He mourns.
Venti had always been partial to the stories of hopeless devotion.
