Chapter Text
The moment Decarabian fell was not a subtle one.
Morax felt the shift as he sat atop his floating sanctuary on Qingyun Peak. The pressure that was ever present in the air, vanished. The smell of ice and frost which he associated with Decarabian’s disposition, dissipated.
Instead, the soft aroma of Cecilias graced a gentle breeze that felt like the touch of a forlorn lover.
Morax scoffed lightly as he put aside the contracts he had written for the Yakshas to sign. Decarabian, that old fool, had been conquered. Just another god fallen in this meaningless war.
Although Mondstadt was Liyue’s neighbor, Morax hadn’t visited in quite some time. Last he was there, Decarabian had sealed off the entirety of the outside world and practically kept his people prisoner. Morax had offered some guidance, things he had learned in all his years being alive, but Decarabian would not hear any of it.
“Unless you plan to conquer me yourself, Rex Lapis, perhaps the people of Liyue should be your only concern.”
Morax stood and looked Northeast, where Mondstadt stood.
“That fool.”
His responsibilities did belong to Liyue, but Mondstadt, being Liyue’s neighbor, also mattered to him. If Decarabian had fallen, this meant the position of Anemo archon had been taken by another. This opened the opportunity to other gods who were desperate for Celestia’s grace. Any new archon was an open game for conquering and Mondstadt was going to experience more war within its borders than any other nation due to its new inexperienced leader.
Morax could not allow any of this fighting to spread into Liyue territory. So far most gods have been smart, they avoided Liyue and thus avoided battling one of the strongest and oldest archons. Unfortunately, an example had to be made out of the few who dared try to take the opportunity.
Truthfully, Morax found that he didn’t really mind the new Guyun Stone Forest; it added more character to Liyue’s horizon.
Regardless, Morax would not allow any more fighting from the Archon War into his borders if possible, thus he would go and see the new Archon himself.
How strong was this new god? Was he a threat to Morax and Liyue? Was he arrogant like his predecessor? All questions that Morax would discover in due time.
Morax allowed his form to melt away into his adepti form, dragon claws and scales morphing from his smooth tanned skin, he would have to fly to Mondstadt. He stepped off the ledge of his abode and followed the smell of Cecilias.
—
At first glance, Morax was a bit disappointed by how much Mondstadt hadn’t changed. Icy winds and snow were ever present across the western fields, hardly any wildlife roaming around, no bright sun shining down to offer warmth. Perhaps he was mistaken. Perhaps Decarabian hadn’t fallen after all.
His judgments were interrupted by a large explosion and a torrent of wind nearly blowing him away if he hadn’t dug his claws into the ground. Morax looked around to see if he was under attack only to see the space around him had morphed drastically. The wind had taken the frozen layer of snow and frost from the ground and the frigid air had been replaced by a warm, humid breeze. The clouds had been pushed aside to allow the sun to shine brightly, warming the plants which were newly exposed.
Morax’s eyes scanned the area, where was the source? Who did this? He searched for cover and found a solid cliff to hide behind, scanning the area once more, only seeing green plants and steam emerging from the ground. But a movement in the air surprised him. As he looked, his breath seemed to stop for a moment.
Above him, a lithe figure with two large beautiful wings flapping softly soared effortlessly through the air and brought with him the warm current that Morax’s cold scales soaked in. The figure had dark raven hair with bright teal ends that matched the glowing tattoos on his chest and left leg.
Morax found himself transfixed, unable to look away. He found the figure beautiful but shook his head in disapproval at the amount of skin exposed, how lewd.
Morax felt a surge of elemental energy in the air and stared intently at the flying god above him. The figure flapped his wings more aggressively and held his hands near his chest where Morax saw a small ball of anemo energy forming. The ball grew and grew until it was nearly the size of the small man, glowing and swirling with the force of a hurricane between his fingers. His wings flapped once more aggressively, pushing the anemo energy forward towards an ice coated cliff.
The torrent of wind struck the cliff with immense power and seemed to morph the land just as it had done to the space around Morax. The wind picked up the ice and snow and brought forth a warm, humid atmosphere, melting any remnants of frost. The clouds were whisked away and the sun allowed to grace the land. Morax was stunned to see that the gale had halved the cliff into a plateau. A space that was more welcoming and hospitable for humans to live.
He was reshaping the land for his people.
Morax took in the scene around him. Last time he was here, Mondstatd had large snowy mountains, tundras filled with ice, unrelenting blizzards that could freeze you to your bone. Now looking around, he saw fields of lush grass, mostly barren but small sprouts trying their best to grow. Where the mountains once stood he saw flat cliffs, plateaus or even carved valleys between the mounds. He noted that the largest mountain, the place where’s Celestia’s wrath rained down on the people of Sal Vindagnyr, remained a snow tortured domain. Perhaps even this new Archon had limits of what he could do.
A small giggle, which sounded like wind chimes, brought Morax’s attention back to the Anemo Archon, only to see large, soft emerald eyes looking in his direction. Morax cursed for allowing himself to get so distracted.
The small god flapped his wings softly as he looked towards Morax, a small smile graced his lips as he watched this large, gold glowing dragon hiding behind a cliff. Morax simply stood his ground as he was observed.
“Hello.”
Even his voice was soft like a breeze.
Morax found there was no reason to hide any longer, he had been discovered. He stepped out from behind the cliff and morphed back into his Archon form, watching as the Anemo Archon’s vivid eyes darted around each part of his body, taking him in. The other simply floated to the ground and landed a few yards away from Morax, his wings folding neatly behind him.
“I’m unsure if you are here to welcome me or fight me, but may we do this after I have gotten my people to safety? They are waiting for me to remake Mondstadt so they will not freeze and can live peacefully. Once I am done, you may come back.”
“And if I decline?” Morax tilted his head almost teasingly.
“Then I will do what I must.” His wings flapped once behind him as they spread wide.
Morax laughed under his breath. How amusing.
“I have no need to fight for pointless reasons. I’ve simply come to see what has happened to my neighbor, the shift in the winds was quite extravagant. I suppose you are the one who defeated Decarabian?”
“The people of Mondstadt are the ones responsible for his fate. I simply assisted.”
“Humans are unable to conquer a god.”
The Anemo Archon laughed, “Then you must not think very highly of your people God of Geo.”
Morax had not been taunted in quite some time, no one had ever dared. But this exchange was refreshing, it peaked his interest farther.
“Very well God of Anemo, I will leave. When may I visit you once again?”
The tension left the Anemo Archon as he sighed heavily, almost in relief. His wings folding once again.
“I will send you an invitation on the wind. You will know it when you feel it. Just make sure you pay attention.”
Morax bowed his head gently in acknowledgement as he morphed once again, taking to the sky and flying back towards Liyue. If he feels a gust of wind aiding his trip back, he smiles as tries to ignore it.
—--