100 Dreams

(100 chapter special)

After a few hours of walking, the duo finally arrived at Inazuma City. Aether was pleasantly surprised when Kazari didn't even feel tired after all their walking. She really was an enigma to him.

While spending their sweet time together, Aether took information in from his surroundings. The people looked happy, sure, but they didn't look Mondstadt happy. It was like they had this looming presence that forces them to be happy.

"With the Vision Hunt Decree being a thing, this should be expected..." Aether pondered a bit more with what he was witnessing before coming to a decision. "I know that it isn't within my right as an outsider to but in on their internal affairs, but I can't have the people suffering like this... 

It was at that moment that Aether, the outer god, finally decided to fully commit into helping the people of Inazuma. Fighting an Archon be damned, he knew what he's about to do was for the better.

"What are you doing? Let's go!"

"Oh, uh, yeah!" 

They explored Inazuma City together after that. The more Aether saw the unseen state of the people of Inazuma, especially the Vision holders, the more his resolved strengthened.

-x-X-x-

After a whole day of sightseeing around Inazuma City with Kazari, Aether fell asleep within his realm. He hasn't tried this before, and might not try it again after the events that are just about to transpire.

-x-X-x-

"Interesting..." The voice of a young girl rang throughout the vast void.

"Uh... Where am I?" Another, bit more mature, voice spoke up.

The young voice came from a small white haired girl with green eyes. Her brilliant white hair faded into the same shade of green as hed eyes were. She also had pointed ears.

The other individual had long white hair that also faded into a shade of blue. Scattered about her hair were the same shade of blue highlights. Her eyes were heterochromatic, one of light blue with a dark blue water droplet as a pupil, while the other was of a dark blue with a light blue water droplet as a pupil.

Both individuals were overlooking the unconscious form of Aether.

"You know, it's quite rude to watch someone sleeping."

Well, pretending to be unconscious at least. He stood up, now looking at the two girls in front of him.

'One was is small as Klee while the other is as tall as... Lumine. Just that name...'

Just by thinking of his twin's name, his energy started to skyrocket. Even if this was within the dream realm, his consciousness was still powerful enough to bring forth a considerable amount of power. Seeing the two individuals beside him take a step back, Aether sighed as he calmed himself down.

"Sorry for that, just had a bad thought."

"That seemed more than just a bad thought..." both girls thought as they began to sweat a little. That is, until the one with blue highlights realized something.

"Wait, that golden hair... Are you the newly ascended god?"

"It appears so, that energy of his is no doubt of divine origin."

"More like monster origin."

"I'm literally right here."

The two girls looked back at Aether, now having calmed himself. "Seems like you both already know who I am. Still gonna introduce myself though. I'm Aether, God of Change. Nice to meet you." 

"Feast your eyes for you have been blessed by my presence, for it is I! Focalors, the Hydro Archon!" said the young maiden.

"Oh, we're using our Archon names? In that case, I'm Buer, the Dendro Archon!" smiled the little bundle of joy.

"Now, with that finished, what are you two doing all the way here in Inazuma?"

The two girls looked at each other before looking back at Aether, seemingly confused. "Didn't you summon us here?" Buer asked him. 

This time, it was Aether's turn to be confused. "I summoned them here? I didn't even know I can pull people into my dreams..."

Seeing no harm in telling them the truth, he said that he wasn't the one that summoned them here. Again, the two girls looked confused. If Aether didn't summon them here, then who did? Meanwhile though, the blonde began to try and figure it out.

Considering that aside from the Electro Archon, no one else can do anything to him in this nation in terms of power. Especially after his powerup too. Rather, after that powerup, he's the strongest being currently in the three nations he's visited.

Then, it clicked. Someone outside that has some connection to him is the best possible bet. Someone who knows him best. It can't be Lumine as she worked against him. The answer was obvious.

"Bravo. As expected of me."

There it was, a familiar voice. His voice. The three of them looked towards the source and saw another Aether. One with pitch black hair fading to gold tied in a pony tail. His golden eyes piercing their souls with his draconic pupils. 

"Gotta say, you actually changed history a bit with that powerup. I didn't expect that. Inevitable appearance didn't happen, yipee!"

He was right. Those draconic eyes looked... unnerving. He looked like he was ready to do anything in his power to win. Aether didn't know whether he liked this or not. 

"You're not in a dream by the way," He snapped his fingers, revealing their surroundings to be his domain. In the background, all three were wide eyed at the massive serpent. "It's my realm."

The two girls were shocked while Aether felt little proud. His child grew up to be that. 

"Ah, right. Aether, don't worry about the future changing now. I'll erase all of your memories once this is over."

"Then why do this?"

"A feeling. The memory may fade but they'll remember that feeling. Those two," He pointed to the now confused Furina and Buer. "need your help. Not now, and not really a problem that you need brute force all the time with, but still, a problem nonetheless."

Aether looked at the two women beside him, now with slight intrigue. Rather, now that he thought about it more, this was just a heads up to an upcoming journey.

"A heads up that I won't remember but feel, huh...?"

As Aether was in his own musings, Furina and Nahida talked amongst themselves. Questions such as "How is this possible?" and "Is it safe for him to mess with time like this?" were most common among other few.

"Is this safe? Receiving help from him, I mean." Furina asked Buer cautiously.

"I suppose so? His reputation can be trusted... I think." Buer answered her, completely unsure of this.

Aether just looked at them as they talked to each other. Even if he did want to help them, which now he is considering, it's still up to them if they'll accept his help or not.

"Alright, we'll accept this... hope. If it means our nation can be safe."

"That was quick." Aether thought to himself. "I guess this is what it's like if an Archon really love their nation."

"Alright, I promise I'll help both of you in the future." Aether replied with a smile. His future self watched on with satisfaction. This never happened originally after all. He just wanted to make sure that his past self would actually have a stronger reason to help these two, so that even if he faces "that" in the near future, he'd still have the desire to help Furina and Buer. He's quite fond of them after all. Especially Furina, the real Furina.

And so, with a satisfied smile, the God of Light and Darkness snapped his fingers, returning everyone to Astaroth's Domain of Time, and effectively wiping their memories away of this interaction.

"Let's see just how much you'll change this time around, oh fallen star of the cosmos."