Archive of Our Own

Barbatos’s Challenge

———

It was fun to be back in Mondstadt. It was a fact that the Traveler always found true—unless something happened, then they’re always ready to help. 

Being at Angel’s Share at night was also an experience that seemed always new. Right now, everyone was rambunctious because there was an open party for a newly engaged couple with free drinks alongside the celebration of Teyvat’s International Festival. Mondstadtians being Mondstadtians, they instantly latched onto the free liquors. The foreigners within Mondstadt hop on the free drinks as well.

If the Traveler remembered correctly, Zhongli and the other Archons will also come to Angel’s Share. . . The Traveler sincerely hoped that Diluc wouldn’t go bankrupt.

“—and cheers for the newly-engaged couple!” Venti rounded everyone up excitedly, “For reminding everyone that true love is freeing and worth fighting for!”

“Cheers!” The people drank to that, the Traveler included. But they merely sipped rather than one-shotted their entire drink.

Music was abound the entire tavern, numerous languages swapping left and right; and if the Traveler wasn’t able to understand any one, they’d probably already be dizzy at the variety of voices.

“Traveler!” Venti sat at one of the decorated chairs, “It is so nice to see you here!”

The Traveler smiled more, “You too, Venti.”

“Tone Deaf Bard!” Paimon greeted with a huff, “Paimon sees you’re already full of alcohol!”

“Hehe, not yet!” Venti chuckled, raising a hand to the bartender for another drink. “I got to save myself for later!”

“Oh! Right!” Paimon giggled. “Enjoy! It was so nice of you to dedicate your song to the couple!”

“Why, this is the Land of Pastorals!” Venti playfully rolled their eyes. “Romance will always be a hit!”

“Oh, great God of Romance,” Kaeya, sitting on Traveler’s other side, held out a cup with alcohol; snorting, “Bestow upon us thy wisdom of love!”

“Hey!” Paimon squealed in a panic as she looked around, slapping the laughing Kaeya on the arm, “People will hear!”

Venti cackled before hoisting up their own cup, “Oh, my devoted follower! I shall cast upon you thousands of admirers! Only by then would you know what true love is!”

The Traveler couldn’t help but laugh alongside them both, “You two are ridiculous.”

“And annoying,” Diluc piped in with a frown. The Traveler could sense that even the winery owner was also having fun though, despite what he’s currently projecting. “These drunkards are drying up every barrel.”

“A thousand admirers?!” Kaeya gasped, Diluc’s comment was completely ignored. “My, that’s quite a number! How could I ever know true love?!”

“Oh, Archons,” Eula whined on the other end of the bar, hands on her head. “You’re – hic – so loud.”

Diluc glared at Kaeya but regarded Eula in concern, “. . .You’ve had enough.”

“What?! No!” Eula scowled, “I will have – hic – vengeance—”

Rosaria entered swiftly with a juice on a Stein Glass from Citlali’s table with the other people from Natlan (But is that Kaveh?). Eula must’ve thought it was alcohol, and instantly gulped it. The nun turned to them with an amused expression, “What’s happening here now?”

“Ah, another devoted follower?!” Venti grabbed their newly-filled cup. “Would you like a thousand admirers as well to find true love?”

“God of Romance here has bestowed upon thine self a thousand!” Kaeya grinned.

“Eugh,” Rosaria winced, yet there was still a smile as she sat beside Kaeya. “Not these dramas again.”

“My!” Venti huffed, a hand on their hips, “This is the Land of Music! Drama will always be included!”

“Ugh, would you guys stop with that?!” Paimon shrieked, “Paimon can’t keep up! And you!” She turned to Venti with irritation, “How on Teyvat would Kaeya know true love with a thousand lovers?!”

“Why, these admirers, if their hearts are true, would try to win Kaeya over of course!” Venti gently giggled, “Through the trial of courtship, Kaeya would assess and examine their affections as well as his own before it will naturally bloom to love for the one who won him over.”

“A romantic tale,” Kaeya shook his head. “But I doubt I would let that happen to me or that I’d. . .do it myself,” he smiled, though hesitated at the end, “I have my own beliefs of love.”

“And that’s alright!” Venti clapped. “There’s no true formula for love!”

“You sound as if you speak from experience,” Rosaria inquired with a raised eyebrow as she sipped from her glass. 

“Paimon doubts anyone ever courted Tone Deaf Bard,” Paimon genuinely commented.

“Hey!” Venti pouted. The Traveler found them cute. “I had many suitors, y’know!”

Everyone at the bar including Diluc stared at Venti at that. 

“What!” Venti sputtered, “You don’t believe me?!”

“Eh,” Rosaria shrugged. “No offense, bard. You’re cute and pretty with a memorable voice, but. . . I doubt it.”

“Venti is quite a cutie,” Kaeya guffawed. “Say, I remember Jose being enamored! I'm neutral on this one!” 

The Traveler, Paimon, and Venti turned to Diluc this time. The redhead blinked at the attention before shrugging, “I won’t say anything.”

“Boo,” Kaeya and Venti said in unison. The latter continued, “But you don’t believe me?!”

“Oh, come on! Tone Deaf Bard!” Paimon crossed her arms, “You’re pretty, even Paimon thinks it! You’re pretty talented in singing too—it makes sense, but Paimon doesn’t think you can snag many suitors or a suitor who is seriously going to marry you!”

The Traveler bit their lip before cutting in, “I have other reasons to believe why you don’t have a,” they tilted their head at Venti, “true suitor.”

It was the Archon War, who would think about marriage at that time?

Venti smiled at that response, immediately knowing why, before pouting once more. “Seriously! No one believes me?! I thought it was a rather famous story!”

Rosaria slowly blinked while Diluc and Kaeya’s eyes went wide. The former let out, “What?”

“This calls,” Venti gulped down their alcohol, “for another song!”

“Wait—” Diluc quietly croaked, but he was too late. 

Venti already sat up at the constructed stage of the tavern for the festival, brightening as the crowd bellowed in joy, hyping up their most favorite bard. 

“They’re – hic – singing another song?” Eula woke herself up. “‘m listening. . .”

The Traveler turned their head to their other friends, and they found themself smiling when they all looked excited for Venti to perform another round as well. 

“My head hurts,” Kaeya softly grumbled. “I can’t remember a thing.”

“The Barbatos Challenge, idiot.” Diluc quietly hissed.

“The what challenge?!” Paimon repeated in shock.

“What’s happening?” Jean entered the group on the bar, an amused Lisa in tow.

“Venti’s gonna perform again,” the Traveler answered giddily.

“We overheard you, kind sir,” Cyno raised a hand to Diluc on the nearest table. Lisa let out a quiet laugh, “What’s the ‘Barbatos challenge’?”

Kaeya leaned to the Traveler, “Isn’t he the Mahamatra?”

“Yes,” the Traveler laughed.

“Traveler,” Clorinde called from another table near the bar, expression curious but serious. “We overheard as well.”

The Traveler couldn’t even hold back their laughter, and it added when Kaeya asked another question incredulously, “Isn’t that the Duke of Meropide, Spina di Rosula, and the Champion Duelist in Fon—”

“Barbatos Challenge?” Lisa repeated, cutting Kaeya off while the Traveler shook in mirth. “Wasn’t that disproved?”

“Er,” Jean’s eyebrows shot up, “the Barbatos Challenge?”

“So is the Tone Deaf Bard gonna be spreading lies again?!” Paimon yelled.

“Hush!” Stanley shouted from a table afar, “Venti will sing!”

Venti’s melodical chuckle sort of silenced the rowdy crowd, including the Traveler’s group at the bar. “Oh, no worries!” They summoned their lyre. “As heard from my beloved children—”

“We’re not!” Paimon disclaimed.

“I’m going to be singing about the infamous legend! The Barbatos Challenge!” Venti continued.

“Wasn’t that debunked?” An inebriated scholar from Sumeru asked.

“Was it really?” Venti asked back rhetorically, “or was it not?”

Venti started to pluck the lyre, winds of anemo softly spreading throughout the room while the Anemo God began to sing as the Traveler found themself gaining a memory of Teyvat.   

———

———

———

“Lord Barbatos!” Gunnhildr shouted from below. 

“Don’t worry!” Barbatos casted an anemo shield on the entirety of Mondstadt. “I’ll speak to them again!”

“We’d rather you not, my Lord,” the current Imunlaukr head disagreed.

Barbatos tried to refrain a sigh to escape from their lips as they landed on the ground. Mondstadt was barely scratching the surface in fully constructing their homes, infrastructure, and main city; but they really should start taking the other gods of the Archon War more seriously rather than a backburner.

Barbatos stared at the seven seats in the sky below Celestia [1]. As of now, only one was lit up in the color of teal [2]. The same one that was the color of their element. 

They supposed it was understandable. At first, Barbatos thought that these gods ‘knocking on their door’ would be somewhat akin to theirs and Morax’s relationship. But their expectations vanished when all gods knelt down on their knees and shouted for their hand in marriage. How bizarre.

“Maybe this one needs some help,” Barbatos shrugged. “Either way, I still need to talk to them.” They smiled softly, “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything enter or harm Mondstadt.”

“We worry about you as well,” Gunnhildr loudly sighed. “Lord Barbatos, these gods are unlike the one in Liyue.”

“Oh, but I’m hoping that someone will ask for friendship or allyship too!” Barbatos exclaimed with a laugh. “But seriously, don’t worry. Just focus on Mondstadt and the people, I’ll handle this.”

“We would still need your guidance!” Gunnhildr responded as Barbatos took flight.

“Ah, but I trust you!” Barbatos replied back with a grin. “Go forth, my children! Do not worry!”

Barbatos teleported away with the winds, their children’s laughter and squeals echoing in their mind. This made their heart warm.

However, the warmth was dispelled when Barbatos saw about ten gods outside the border of the anemo shield. They were near Wolvendom, so Barbatos ensured that the anemo winds near here won’t let anything enter that place.

“Hi!” Barbatos plastered on a smile to the gods, their hands ready for a weapon to summon out if ever, “Is there anything—”

The gods suddenly moved toward them in a blaze, making Barbatos instinctively hover higher. As the Anemo Archon expected, all of them were practically hurrying to be the first one to kneel down.

“Great Anemo Archon Barbatos!” The one in the middle, the first one to successfully kneel down, shouted. Quite aggressively. “I am Epoch! God of Seasons! With your Breath of Life and my seasons, we shall—”

“Woah-kay, stop, stop, stop,” Barbatos waved their hands, laughing nervously. “There is no need for this—”

“We can rule Mondstadt together, however you like!” This God of Seasons, Etoch or something, cut them off.

Barbatos internally winced at the word, “Yeah, no,” they sighed. “While I’m not for marriage, would allyship be alright instead?”

“But Barbatos,” the God of Seasons scowled, “I can be so much more. We could be—”

“No,” Barbatos gently said with a smile. “I won’t apologize for it. If allyship is not what you desire, then,” they tilted their head away from Mondstadt, “kindly exit.”

Barbatos didn’t know how long they stared down at one another, but it resulted in the ten gods leaving regardless. Barbatos let out a slow breath as they stared up at the sky, the seven seats coming into view.

They badly want this to end.

“They will keep on coming,” Andrius suddenly appeared from behind.

“Andrius!” Barbatos exclaimed. “Are you alright? They didn’t disturb you here, didn’t they?”

“No,” Andrius growled. “As if I’ll let them.”

Barbatos lightly chuckled at the response, though they felt like their smile was a wince in Andrius’s eyes, “I just don’t understand why they still try to persuade me. Wouldn’t allyship be alright in these trying times? They don’t even want my friendship!”

“To the more knowledgeable and powerful ones, yes,” Andrius gruffed. “But to desperate ones? No.”

Barbatos pursed their lips, “That’s a bit disappointing.”

“It’s a time of war, Barbatos,” Andrius sighed. “Go back to those people. They’re waiting for you.”

“They can handle things on their own. I promised them that I won’t interfere much,” Barbatos smiled before pouting at him, “and they’re my children! As far as I’m concerned, you’re—”

Andrius walked away before Barbatos could even finish their spiel, making the Anemo Archon squawk in indignation before barking out in laughter, “See you, Andi!”

The wolf never answered back, but Barbatos’s mood was somewhat lifted, anyway.

Yet it never erased the anxiety, remembering the angry gaze the God of Seasons gave them.

Should they harm Mondstadt, Barbatos will make sure they’re ready. They’d rather not stress their people much, so this was entirely on them.

Barbatos just didn’t know how to be ready.

—

Gods wanting Barbatos’s hand in marriage nearly destroyed a part of Mondstadt a few years later, and it filled Barbatos with a flux of emotions they never thought they’d feel.

They already sent the gods away, a bit harsher than they would’ve liked normally—but Mondstadt was touched. The only positive thing about this was that no people were harmed.

Barbatos healed the lands right after, flowers and grasses blooming, then proceeded to Starsnatch Cliff, lying down on a patch of cecilias as they let out a long sigh that stirred the night winds near them.

“I don’t get it,” Barbatos softly mumbled to the wind. “I already said ‘no’. Countless times.”

There was no response, but Barbatos wasn’t looking for one, anyway. 

They rolled to the side and caressed the nearest cecilia, eyes softening, “Oh, friend. . .” Barbatos whispered, “what should I do?”

The more Barbatos said ‘no’, the more aggressive the gods seem to become. They’re beginning to fear for their children’s safety if that were the case.

“Mother,” their voice turned quieter, “what should I do?”

The wind howled, and Barbatos swallowed. Gee, they thought. They knew that their dear mother was not pleased with recent events, but this answer was a bit cold. 

Pun intended.

Barbatos was positive that Andrius would probably advise them to kill the gods if they so much asked for his advice, so they decided not to. Barbatos wouldn’t want to worry their children either after the first time they went to them due to the same gods. Additionally, their children were too busy settling, building, and trading. Last time Barbatos knew, Gunnhildr and Ragnvindr will be going to officially trade with Liyue.

Liyue.

Right, Barbatos sprung up. They have a friend in Liyue. An ally. A confidant. A someone! 

Barbatos supposed it was a bit of a long time since they last went there to Morax. The thought of seeing that blockhead again made them feel giddy with excitement as well as their heart lurch and pound fast. 

They’ll go to Liyue tomorrow.

The winds blew harder.

—

“Guizhong!” [3]

The goddess turned and brightened right away, “Lord Barbatos!”

“Guizhong!” Barbatos repeated as they touched down and held Guizhong’s outstretched hands.

“Lord Barbatos!” Guizhong squealed as she twirled them both around with little jumps, both of them laughing as she did so then hugged Barbatos right after, “Oh, it’s so good to see you! You smell so good!”

“Lady Guizhong! That’s—!” Ping chuckled beside them. She was sitting on a huge stone with a guzheng on her lap. She smiled at Barbatos with a nod, “It is nice to see you, Lord Barbatos.”

“Oh, please! Just ‘Barbatos’ is fine!” Barbatos laughed as Guizhong released her hug. They looked at her with a confused tilt, “And what did you mean by that, Gui? I smell normal!”

“Yes, and you smell so good!” Guizhong hugged them again for a short second before untangling herself. “What are you here for? Did something happen?”

“No! Don’t worry,” Barbatos reassured. “I just need to talk to Morax! Would it be a bad time to borrow him for a bit?”

Guizhong’s smile turned to a smirk. She turned Barbatos around, ignoring their squawk, then pointed at the mountain, “He’s there! And, no!” She grinned, “Not a bad time! You can borrow him forever, actually.”

“My Lady,” Ping snorted. Guizhong merely winked.

“Forever is a long time with that blockhead,” Barbatos stammered out and masked it with a laugh as Guizhong cackled along. “I’ll go to him! Thank you, Guizhong! Ping!”

“Go get her—him out of there!” Guizhong waved, “See you, Lord Barbatos!”

With a smile and a wave back, Barbatos flew towards the familiar mountain. The winds of Liyue were always welcoming, and now they’re all greeting Barbatos back with warmth and excitement, sending them all kinds of new music and tunes that Barbatos couldn’t wait to actually hear and respond to later.

Barbatos landed on the space beside Morax’s chair, “Heya!”

Morax turned to them with a sigh, his amber-gold eyes sending Barbatos’s stomach to a totter, “Barbatos. Is something the matter?”

“Not exactly!” Barbatos giggled as they began to float some of the parchments in Morax’s table, but was careful to not at all put it in disarray. “Is it bad to just greet my friend when he’s out of the battlefield to vie for a seat in The Seven?” [4]

Morax rolled his eyes, but there was a miniscule upturn in his lips. Barbatos’s smile unconsciously went wider. 

“How’s Mondstadt?” Morax asked instead.

“Fine! They’re doing great on their own!” Barbatos happily answered.

“You should be there with them,” Morax’s tone became sterner. 

Barbatos pouted, “We are not discussing this again! I promised my children to be free to do things on their own! I’ll be there if they need me.”

“What if they need you now?” Morax followed as he continued to write on the parchment he’s working on.

“I doubt it, but I’ll know by the winds,” Barbatos responded. They spun a parchment around, indicating a blueprint of the plains they’re on. “Say,” Barbatos started, “Morax, what do you think about marriage?”

Morax’s head whipped to them, making Barbatos jolt in surprise, dropping the parchment to their lap. Morax unusually paid it no mind, “What?”

“These past few years, some gods kept on. . .well, disturbing Mondstadt to just ask for my hand,” Barbatos sighed, the wind blowing for a strong bit from that. “Recently, they even nearly destroyed a part of Mondstadt to catch my attention! I kept on turning them down, but they kept on coming! Aggressively!”

“Ah,” Morax let out before clearing his throat. “That’s. . .threatening to Mondstadt.”

“I know,” Barbatos agreed. “I. . .don’t know what to do. I don’t want to harm them, either.”

“You could. You have the power,” Morax countered.

“But I don’t want to,” Barbatos glared.

“Then don’t,” Morax replied, shrugging. “It was simply a suggestion.”

Barbatos groaned, lying down on the table this time, ignoring Morax’s irritated call at the action. They quietly breathed, “So, what should I do, Morax?”

Morax blinked at them, finally sensing the somberness in their tone. He looked back at the parchment he was writing on before staring up at the sky, “. . .You asked me about my opinions of marriage.”

Barbatos looked up at him, eyebrows narrowed a bit, “Yeah?”

“For me, it is merely political and a strategy for the protection of my people.” Morax answered with a nod, returning back to writing, “If the partnership would prove helpful and truly fruitful long-term, it would be kept in mind.”

Barbatos tried to ignore the sting within their chest, “So you’ll marry someone even if you don’t love them? As long as they could help your people?”

“Yes,” Morax hummed. “In serious notions such as partnership, Barbatos, something as fickle as ‘Love’ would be a good second priority, but it won’t take precedence over common advantages.”

“Ugh,” Barbatos bit their lip, swallowing the annoying lump in their throat. “Are you telling me that I should marry one of those gods? I don’t even know them!” They can’t help but shout, not noticing the way the winds blew harsher, “I don’t like their intentions on Mondstadt either!”

“Barbatos,” Morax softly called, then scowled. “I’m not telling you to marry one of them.”

“Then what should I do?” Barbatos sat up, staring directly at Morax this time. “Unlike you, who sees ‘Love’ as something not serious—”

“I did not—”

“—I take Love as my Freedom! It is my love for my children that made me ensure that the path of tyranny in the past will never happen again!” Barbatos continued to yell, “Something you see as preposterous—”

“Barbatos!” Morax stood up with a slam, earth rumbling.

“Morax!” Barbatos didn’t back down, staring at Morax with a glowering glare.

Then both of them blinked, making the two avert their gaze from one another. Barbatos wanted to hit themself through a mountain. “I—”

“My apologies,” Morax mumbled quicker, tone unusually constricted.

“No,” Barbatos shook their head, deciding to not look at Morax at all as they sat back at the table. “I’m sorry, I,” they chuckled without mirth, “I was the one asking for advice. . .”

Morax stared at Barbatos, and without the Anemo Archon noticing, he let his hand linger on top of theirs before retracting it with a gulp. He stared at the dusky sky instead, “It’s not that I don’t treat Love seriously,” he began softly, “For me, Love is a choice—a contract; and it will flourish gradually.”

“Political and arranged marriages are not only calculating, but it is also a contract of the couple to one another. Should they love each other or not in the long run, at the very least, they’ll both have bearings.” Morax explained.

“Well,” Barbatos snorted. “I certainly don’t think I’ll ever love one of those gods.”

“You take Love as your Freedom,” Morax reiterated, “Why not do something that would suit you?”

“What, like stall them?” Barbatos snorted, then blinked in realization.

Stall them.

Morax pondered with that insinuation, “That sounds like you,” he said as he sat down on his chair. “Annoying and irritating.”

“What!” Barbatos pouted cheekily despite their reeling thoughts, “I am not!”

Stall them, how?

“How many suitors do you have now?” Morax asked, his gaze back on Barbatos.

“Huh?” Barbatos stuttered, “Er. . . It’s. . .uh.”

They never really counted how many gods had knelt on their knees! 

Thankfully, Barbatos’s wonderful siblings, the winds, whispered to them, ‘250.’

“Two—” Barbatos was taken aback, “Two-hundred and fifty?!”

Morax frowned, “You just realized?”

“I didn’t know there were so many!” Barbatos squawked.

Morax huffed, “If that’s the case,” he said, “try to set a deadline for them.”

“A deadline,” Barbatos repeated.

“A vague deadline,” Morax clarified.

“A vague deadline,” Barbatos echoed, cogs turning within them.

“Stop repeating after me,” Morax grumbled. “But, yes. A vague deadline would likely lessen their aggressiveness as you’ll give them hope while you plan how to truly deal with them.”

“I don’t want to lead them on,” Barbatos winced.

“You’re the best with words,” Morax hummed, “You’ll find a way to twist that up.”

Barbatos cackled at that, “Aw, Morax! Is that a compliment?”

“Hm,” Morax didn’t exactly respond, putting the parchment he was writing on away, “take it as you will.”

Barbatos giggled, then saw the change in what Morax was now doing, “What’s that?”

“Talismans,” Morax replied, the specialized parchment now glowing in amber-gold after he touched it. “For our defensive constructs. Like Guizhong and Xianyun’s inventions.”

“Huh,” Barbatos felt their mind reel in ideas as they stared at the finished talisman. “What does it do?”

“Make the constructs tied to the ground. It would be immovable,” Morax explained. “Only I could do so.”

“Only you,” Barbatos quietly repeated, then grinned at him. “Morax~!”

Morax’s frown returned, “What.”

“Can I please have one?” Barbatos asked, eyes wide in plea, “Please? It can be your gift to me this time instead of those rocks you give me!”

“Those are not rocks,” Morax scowled. “Those are crystals and gems—”

“Then crystals and gems!” Barbatos corrected, inching closer to Morax—their face practically centimeters from his. “Please? You have my word to not misuse it! Please, please, please?”

Morax pursed his lips, his amber-gold eyes piercing Barbatos’s turquoise ones before he gently pushed Barbatos’s form away with a swallow, created another talisman, and gave it to Barbatos.

“I take that your words are a contract?” Morax ensured, his eyes not looking at Barbatos.

Barbatos didn’t notice because they were smiling at the talisman, “Not a contract!” They exclaimed, turning to Morax as he looked at them as well, expression confused. “But a promise!” They winked, “I never break promises!”

Barbatos giggled as they filed the talisman away while summoning out two cecilias, “This is my gift too!” They proclaimed, placing a cecilia on the back of Morax’s ear, “For your advice and gift!”

Before Barbatos could place the other cecilia on Morax’s hair, the god stopped them with a sigh. He removed the cecilia on his ear, took the one on Barbatos’s hand, and placed it on the table, his hands free of the pen he was earlier holding.

Barbatos tried his best to not mind the ache within their chest and merely pouted at Morax, “Seriously?”

“Thank you for the flowers,” Morax ignored their antics. “I shall cherish them.”

‘You’re clearly not,’ Barbatos wanted to say, but refrained from doing so.

“Whatever you say,” Barbatos laughed, flapping their wings in flight after they snatched the unattended pen. “See you, Morax!”

“You as well,” Morax bid with a polite smile. Even so, it made Barbatos’s heart soar.

“Thanks for the pen!” Barbatos chortled, flying away when Morax realized.

“Barbatos!” Morax yelled, echoing throughout the mountain alongside Barbatos’s laughs.

The Anemo Archon evaded the thrown boulders easily, “That’s all you—woah!” They avoided the thrown miniature mountain as well, “Hey!”

Barbatos continued to laugh, however, and Morax couldn’t help but shake his head as their flying form faded to the clouds of Liyue.

Morax turned to the cecilia flowers, hesitantly holding it to his nose, then inhaled.

‘It smells a bit like Barbatos,’ Morax couldn’t help but continue to sniff. Guizhong always kept on telling about how good Barbatos smelled—something he quite agreed with the moment he met the Archon. Except that Barbatos’s scent for Guizhong seemed to be different from his.

Well, at least now he has evidence—even if the flower’s scent was far from the Archon.

—

Barbatos didn’t know what exactly they were expecting when they went back to Mondstadt, but they did not expect a huge crowd of gods on the border, total number unknown.

‘407,’ their wind siblings whispered, and it sent a chill down their spine.

“What is this?” Barbatos muttered to themself, immediately landing on the space near Mondstadt, repeating out loud, “What is this?”

“Anemo Archon Barbatos,” a god called their attention. He looked familiar, “You need to choose.”

Barbatos was ready to set off numerous pages of arguments, then remembered Morax’s words.

“Set a vague deadline.”

Barbatos swallowed. They knew full well that by always rejecting these gods, they’d become further and further aggressive in trying to make them, the Anemo Archon, choose one to marry. They’ve fully abused the fact that Barbatos would never harm anyone unless they try to hurt their children—but what if Barbatos’s rejections would come to these gods’ tipping point, then make a go on their beloved children?

Barbatos clenched their jaw, they’d never let these gods do that. Ever.

Barbatos’s gaze flickered to their nation, before casting it to these gods.

“Once my nation is fully stable,” Barbatos declared, “then I will let you all know how I will pick the one I’ll marry.”

Before any god could respond, they went to Mondstadt and shielded it once more from them all, silently pleading to their wind siblings.

———

———

———

“Wait, wait, wait!” A Mondstadt civilian shut off the memory that the Traveler was seeing. Venti’s singing voice was cut, and all audiences, despite their varying reactions at the disturbance, turned to the civilian. “Are – Are you insinuating that Lord Barbatos tried to hinder Mondstadt’s progress?!”

That caused another round of reactions. The Traveler heard even Lisa mumble, “Someone’s not paying attention to their history class. . .”

“Did this truly happen?” Cyno asked Lisa.

“You know,” Lisa sighed, “I’m beginning to think that it did.”

“I always believed it did,” Jean mumbled to herself.

“Holy Barbatos,” Kaeya had his hands on his head.

“Stop using the Lord’s name in vain,” Rosaria lazily drawled, but her gaze was focused on Venti, waiting for the next verses.

“I never thought Mondstadt legends would be this entertaining,” Navia whispered to Clorinde.

“Oh, I should take notes. . .” Yun Jin muttered underneath her breath, Hu Tao and the others beside her.

“What’s next? What’s next?” Itto impatiently asked.

The Traveler tried their best to hold their tongue, mind and heart reeling at the crystal clear memories that they saw. Venti. Zhongli. Jean’s ancestor. . .

They never thought Venti and Zhongli were that close. . .

“What’s happening?” The Traveler nearly screamed at Nahida’s sudden arrival on their side. Paimon was nowhere beside them, already on the front row seats of Venti’s performance, the hypocrite. “Venti’s performing?”

“I knew it!” Furina appeared as well, then the other Archons began to file into the tavern, all looking confused at first before their eyebrows shot up at the scenery of Venti on the stage. The entire tavern audience was too focused on Venti to even stand up and bow or greet the Archons. Furina gushed to Neuvillette, “I know that heavenly singing voice!”

Diluc cleared his throat, “My Ladies and Lord, your tables are—”

“No need,” the Tsaritsa whispered, pointing at Venti, “we’ll wait for them.”

The Traveler only smiled, but didn’t know what to feel about the fact that Zhongli hadn’t arrived yet. Perhaps the only being that could verify everything that Venti’s wonderfully singing.

“The answer to that question, dear,” Venti decided to take control of the crowd, “Would be answered.”

Venti strummed their lyre again, and the Traveler felt the winds once more as they entered back into the memory.

———

———

———

Barbatos never hindered their children’s progress, but by Celestia, did they develop quickly.

Barbatos never told their children, even Gunnhildr and the current Imunlaukr head, about ‘the wait’ that they established with the suitors, now on the substantial number of 700. However—

“Lord Barbatos,” Gunnhildr called them, a worried expression on her face, “Have you seen—?”

“The storm?” Barbatos smiled without it reaching their eyes. “Yes. Still brewing, but it won’t harm Mondstadt. I assure you.”

“Lord Barbatos. . .” Gunnhildr sighed, “You can trust us. We can talk about this matter again and—”

“No!” Barbatos cut her off before laughing nervously. “It’s okay! Really! Don’t worry about it!” They reassured, “I’ll just talk to them again.”

“How many talks would it be until you’ll be at peace, Lord Barbatos?” Gunnhildr persisted, holding both of Barbatos’s shoulders. “You are not just my god. You are my friend. I worry,” her eyes shone in tears. “Don’t shut yourself out. . .”

Barbatos swallowed, cupping the taller woman’s cheeks, and smiled. “I’m telling you,” they whispered, “there’s no need to worry. I promise,” they grinned, “when have I ever broken a promise?”

Gunnhildr laughed at that and hugged them. Barbatos hugged her back tight. They swallowed the lump in their throat that threatened to let out in tears—but no. Barbatos mustn’t let this problem of gods worry their children. 

“It’ll be alright,” Barbatos hummed a tune, “I promise.”

They’ll make sure of it.

—

Barbatos let their wind siblings carry on the message to the suitors to meet at the edge of Mondstadt near Liyue for an announcement.

The Anemo Archon sighed as they let the mountaintop they chopped off hover on the land. Barbatos summoned out the talisman they got from Morax some years before, eyes softening at the glow of the enchanted parchment, feeling Morax’s energy.

‘It’s time,’ Barbatos breathed, shooting the talisman to the center of a plain with their anemo-infused winds. ‘I’ve stalled enough.’

Barbatos knew that the gods were not stupid. They all could clearly see that Mondstadt is near to stability; and they’ve clearly all waited quite some time. What Barbatos doesn’t understand was the actions such as the brewing storm. 

But then again, even Barbatos themself would be deceiving these gods. Just a little more time.

Barbatos placed the mountain top of the land, its roots glowing amber-gold before disappearing, the talisman’s enchantment now in full swing.

With a swallow, Barbatos looked up at the sky, seven seats in sight.

Jaw clenched, the Anemo Archon left the vicinity. Let tomorrow worry for itself.

—

After ensuring that their children would be busy, Barbatos teleported back to the area of the enchanted mountain top, their view already greeted with the gods that instantly noticed their arrival.

Barbatos stared at the crowd, whose eyes were filled with desire and hunger for what they knew all too well from Decarabian.

Power.

Trying their best to not let a frown show, Barbatos plucked their lyre and announced with a booming voice and tune, “Whoever can move,” they pointed the mountain behind them with their whole hand, “this mountain above, and throw it to me like nothing will then win my heart,” they inwardly grimaced, “stay beside me, and lead with me as their god.”

“Once you leave this area, it would mean that you gave up, and your chance to be wed to me will be out of the question anymore as well as the possibility of you entering Mondstadt again,” Barbatos added, words weaved with the winds in promise and charm. “May the god who can move this mountain be worthy.”

Barbatos turned, flapping their wings in the air as they exited the vicinity, gaze remaining on the mountaintop they put on one flat land with a geo talisman resting on its roots.

Morax would never know of such usage of the talisman they acquired from the Deus Auri himself, but Barbatos ensured that no one but them will ever know.

No one would complete their challenge. Barbatos rigged it themself. They’d rather risk for the gods’ wrath to be wasted on a mountain and themself rather than Mondstadt itself. They’d never let these gods touch their children; and additionally—

No one would ever complete that challenge. After all, only one being could throw mountains to them like nothing; and that god is not here.

Barbatos pursed their lips, shaking their selfish thoughts and feelings away.

Barbatos would let these gods take their time first before planning out their next steps. They’re sure they’ll take a lot of it.

———

———

———

“Why use a mountain, though?” A Liyuen covilian’s voice shattered the memories, bringing the Traveler back to the present time. Venti’s song was stopped as well, making most of the people in the audience want to tear their own (and perhaps the person who asked) hair out. “Wouldn’t it be suitable for the Anemo Archon to use winds instead?”

Coincidentally, Zhongli entered the tavern. He had a pleased expression the moment he saw Venti at the stage, and weaved his way through the focused crowd and settled near the Archons, but out of Venti’s sight. 

“It may be due to the notion of Lord Barbatos cutting down mountains to create the very city and nation of Mondstadt that we’re all standing right now,” Lisa concisely answered for Venti. She unusually looked a bit miffed as well.

“Lisa,” Jean tried to calm her down, even if she herself looked annoyed.

“Could someone really move a mountain, though?” Wriothesley whispered to his tablemates, unfortunately heard by many.

“We’re talking about gods here,” Clorinde replied.

Kaeya turned to the Traveler, “Could you move the mountain?”

Remembering the fact that it was rigged, the Traveler merely smiled, “Not that mountain, no,” then pointed at Zhongli, “Maybe he can.”

Almost all people at the bar or near it turned to the oblivious Zhongli, who voiced out, “. . .What is it?”

“You don’t know the Barbatos Challenge?” The Tsaritsa asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Why would he be able to move a mountain?” Rosaria quietly asked, unfortunately overridden.

“Barbatos Challenge?” Zhongli sounded so confused. The Traveler couldn’t help but palm their face.

“Basically, Lord Barbatos’s 700 suitors were challenged to move a mountain!” Collei whispered to Zhongli, unknowing of his real identity.

“And throw it to the Lord Barbatos,” Cyno added. “Whoever could successfully do those would win their heart, but the challenge is rigged, apparently.”

Zhongli’s eyebrows furrowed at that, and the Traveler couldn’t help but feel curious about his reaction. Yet Zhongli merely hummed, blinking as he did, “. . .I see. Thank you.”

“That is so romantic,” Furina muttered to herself. “But calculated!”

“Indeed,” Nahida agreed, eyes soft. “Barbatos seemed to care for their people very much.” She said, “But I feel like there’s another thing about the challenge. . .”

The Traveler swallowed. Nothing could ever escape Nahida’s perceptive brain.

Venti let out a small laugh, “Shall I continue?”

“Yes!” The crowd shouted.

“What happened next?!”

“Did someone win?!”

Neuvillette tilted his head to Furina, “If someone won, wouldn’t that mean that. . .they’re married?”

Furina instantly frowned and whispered back, “I don’t think Venti’s married. . .”

“Bar—” Ei cleared her throat, “They haven’t married.”

“So no one won,” Mavuika chuckled, “I mean, it was rigged.”

“A bummer if you asked me,” A newly-arrived member of the bar-group Xilonen piped up alongside Mavuika’s arrival. “Wouldn’t it be interesting for an Archon to be married?”

“Wasn’t Rex Lapis married?” Charles asked, all of those in the group stared at him, “Erm, my apologies.”

A few beings in the group glanced at Zhongli, who had a small, confused frown at the moment, “Rex Lapis was never married.”

“Oh,” Charles only said.

The Traveler merely snorted. 

Venti cackled again, and even that sounded like bells. While the Anemo God was oblivious (probably) to the conversations at the bar, they strummed their lyre once more, singing highly, “Lord Barbatos never thought these were the lengths that they’d do for love. But they won’t have it in any other way, not for the seats above. . .”

———

———

———

Barbatos couldn’t help but smile wide after seeing that no god was left in the designated area for The Challenge. The gods lasted for seven years! Commendable, but Barbatos didn’t find themself caring for it.

Barbatos skipped through the halls of the quarters of the Mondstadt administration in glee as they entered Gunnhildr’s office, “[Gunnhildr]!”

“Lord Barbatos!” Gunnhildr sounded taken aback. “Oh!”

“Hiya!” Barbatos giggled. “How’s the new diplomatic trade with Liyue? I hope Morax took care of you in the background!”

“Ah, haha,” Gunnhildr swallowed. “He is. . .certainly helpful.”

“You’ve met?!” Barbatos grinned. “How was he?”

“Ah, no, no!” Gunnhildr stammered, averting her gaze. “It’s— His people! They’re, ah, the epitome of him. From what I hear from you.”

Barbatos tried their best to hide their flush, “Oh, that’s—a-ha!” They laughed, “I don’t know if that’s a compliment. Morax is a big blockhead!”

“Block—” Gunnhildr sighed, “Sure, My Lord.”

Barbatos chuckled in response, “I hope the trip was fruitful?” 

“. . .It is,” Gunnhildr mumbled.

“[Gunnhildr]. . .” Barbatos called, eyes squinting, “is anything the matter?”

“Lord Barbatos, those gods,” Gunnhildr began, “the ones who kept disturbing you—”

“Oh, they’re dealt with!” Barbatos exclaimed with a smile. “Don’t worry about them anymore!”

“Lord Barbatos—”

“I rigged a challenge against them, and they all fell for it!” Barbatos snorted. “They will never step within Mondstadt again.”

“Rigged?” Gunnhildr blinked, head tilted.

“Yup!” Barbatos nodded. “I rigged a challenge where only one god could actually complete!”

“Who could only complete it?” Gunnhildr asked.

“M—” Barbatos bit their lip, forcibly stopping themself before lying, “Me, of course! I told you,” they winked, “no harm will ever come to Mondstadt!”

“But what if the harm was for you?” Gunnhildr let out, her tone unusually tight.

Barbatos’s gaze softened, “Hey,” they hugged their friend, “I already told you. Don’t worry about me!”

“I always will,” Gunnhildr breathed, smiling at Barbatos as they released their hug. “Especially if it’s about some god marrying you.”

Barbatos barked out a round of laughter at that, “Hey! My heart is already spoken for!”

Gunnhildr raised an eyebrow at that, “Really? For whom?”

Barbatos swallowed as they snorted, head automatically turning to where the direction of Liyue was before stating, “Mondstadt!”

It was not exactly a lie. Mondstadt will always be Barbatos’s priority, their children, their safety, their hopes—everything.

Yet within the depths of Barbatos’s heart, there was a notion wherein they know that they’ll always be—

———

———

———

“—Longing, longing,” Venti sang slowly, their voice reverberating throughout the tavern. “Longing, longing,” they sang softly, the pull from their heart was felt by the audience, and even the Traveler couldn’t help but place a hand on their heart. “Longing, longing. . .”

“Oh. . .” Venti ended with a high note as their voice slowly faded, closing their eyes when it finally did.

‘So this is what Venti felt,’ the Traveler thought, sneaking glances on Zhongli’s indecipherable expression, ‘huh.’

A beat, then Paimon started the loud applause with the entirety of the tavern following right after. Some even whistling and bellowing—and there were some even crying? 

“Thank you! Thank you!” Venti waved, “Enjoy the evening and the remaining festival days in Mondstadt!”

“What! Encore!” Cyrus yelled.

“En – hic – core!” Eula exclaimed before sleeping on the bar’s desk again.

“Encore! Encore! Encore!” A few repeated.

“Ah, haha, next time!” Venti reassured, walking right back at the bar as the people pouted but relented with a smile. 

“So, I guess I should challenge my thousand suitors to move a mountain then,” Kaeya snorted.

“You wish,” Rosaria laughed.

“Hey, frie—oh!” Venti was enveloped by a hug from Furina then Nahida, “Hello, there!”

Most people turned to the bar, then their eyes almost gouged out of their sockets, stumbling as they stood up, varying titles being thrown in various languages.

“Y – Your Majesty!”

“Raiden Shogun!”

“Lord Kusanali!”

“Lady Furina! Monsieur Neuvillette!”

“Archon Mavuika!”

“Ah. . .” Mavuika quietly chuckled, “No need!”

The Tsaritsa merely nodded and turned to Diluc again, who only stared at her unreadably in return. She hummed, “That space. . .”

Diluc only nodded, “Charles.”

“I’ll take care of it here,” Charles nodded back. 

Diluc went out of the bar and guided the Archons and Neuvillette through the back. What was left was an astounded Venti and a still staring Zhongli, gaze focused on the bard. 

“Oh,” Venti swallowed. “You’re. . .here.”

“Of course, I am,” Zhongli softly answered. 

Kaeya and Rosaria’s eyebrows shot up and turned to the Traveler, who only shrugged while hiding a huge grin. 

“The Barbatos Challenge,” Zhongli began.

Venti jolted, eyes wide, and the Traveler never saw anyone turned incredibly red so fast like Venti did. “Oh! Haha! That’s—! Nothing!” They practically screamed, “I’ll be heading to the back!”

“The Archons are over there!” Rosaria said.

“It’s okay!” Venti responded, already slamming the door shut after basically flying to it. Jean and Lisa, who were near at the back door, jumped in surprise at the volume of the slam.

Kaeya guffawed in laughter, despite his internal hesitance for the other Archons. The Traveler couldn’t help but laugh a little too; especially when Rosaria looked so confused.

“Hey!” Paimon finally returned. “What’s with the Tone Deaf Bard?”

The Traveler shook their head and looked at a befuddled Zhongli, who turned to them and smiled—although there was still an inkling of confusion within his expression, “We can talk. Before I. . .”

The Traveler smiled back, “Sure!”

Zhongli hummed, guiding them back out of the noisy tavern. The Traveler couldn’t help but feel intrigued at the fact that Zhongli managed to navigate himself well at the city, but then they supposed it wouldn’t be out of place if he’s close to Venti.

They both stopped at the fountain as Zhongli let out a slow sigh. “You look like you have a lot to say.”

“Paimon thinks about half of Venti’s lyrics are lies!” Paimon immediately commented. “700 suitors for Venti sounds so—”

“It is true, though,” Zhongli chuckled, yet there was something lingering within that the Traveler couldn’t help but notice. “Venti. . .had those many suitors in the past.”

“What?!” Paimon sputtered. “Then, then—! The Barbatos Challenge was true?! Where’s that mountain?!”

“I. . .truly did not know about the Barbatos Challenge,” Zhongli looked at the Traveler, “Do you mind reiterating it for me, friend?”

The Traveler cleared their throat, “In Venti’s words,” they decided to recite the one in the memory, “Whoever can move this mountain above, and throw it to me like nothing will then win my heart, stay beside me, and lead with me as their god,” the Traveler breathed out. “That’s all!”

Zhongli stared at them long before turning his gaze to the night sky with his eyes closed, “oh.”

Paimon scratched her nape, mumbling, “Paimon doesn’t remember the lyrics being that. . .”

“Zhongli,” the Traveler called, “can I ask you something regarding Venti’s suitors?”

Zhongli opened his eyes and looked at the Traveler again, the hard expression from before at mentioning the gods still present, “. . .What is it?”

“I find it hard to believe they just left because they couldn’t move the mountain,” the Traveler bluntly said, remembering the Original Gunnhildr’s expressions and responses at the last part of the memory. “Would you know anything about it? Why did they stop completing the Barbatos Challenge?”

Zhongli’s jaw clenched before it relaxed again, averting his gaze from the traveler as his shoulders slumped a bit. “I can tell you,” he started, “but it would be a bad note for such a joyous night.”

The Traveler groaned, “Zhongli. . .”

“I had a contract with two people long passed to not say what happened,” Zhongli persisted as he turned his back, “but perhaps it would be better to go there instead.”

“What?” Paimon gasped, “Are we going to the—”

“Mountain? No,” Zhongli shook his head. “I am not quite sure where it is located, but I can show you another one,” he whispered lowly, “where it would tell you what happened to the 700 suitors.”

The Traveler blinked at that, glancing at Paimon who glanced back, before looking at Zhongli again.

“Alright,” the Traveler nodded, “lead the way!”

“Let’s be abrupt,” Zhongli smiled as he held out a hand, “I have a gathering and a bard to catch.”

The moment the Traveler held Zhongli’s hand, they were instantly teleported away.

———

BARBATOS’ CHALLENGE

derived from The Challenge 

by Jorge Rivera-Herrans

I’m supposed to choose a god whom I’ll marry.

I said I would choose a god when my nation thrived.

They don’t know that ever since, I would never choose a god.

‘Cause I’d rather lie, than allow them to think they’ve won.

Though I never thought that I’d resort to this,

Just know I was here. . .

But I don’t know how much further they’d last since I promised them.

And though they agreed to wait for me, then what’s this storm?

Unless?

Oh, could it be some kind of sign,

that their goal is about to change?

Is it finally time for the challenge I arranged?

Though I never thought that it would come to this,

just know that time will always tell.

Time is fleeting, it’s running out.

Time to be the real Mondstadt god.

Oh, time will tell.

Time is fleeting, it’s running out.

Time to be the real Mondstadt god.

Whoever can move this mountain above,

and throw it to me like nothing,

will then win my heart, stay beside me,

and lead with me as their god.

Try as you might,

but I know that this game is rigged.

’Cause I’d rather die,

than let my children be abused.

Oh, though I never thought that these would be the lengths we go for love,

I would not have it any other way.

Though I always knew that time will tell,

I was always here. . .

Longing, longing.

Longing, longing.

Longing, longing.

Oh.

———

[1]. Seven Seats = I always headcanoned that when the Archon War commenced there were seven seats in the sky to let everyone know haha.

[2]. Only one was lit up = Again, a headcanon that Barbatos was the first to gain Archonhood.

[3]. Guizhong and Barbatos = While in the Teyvat Timeline, Guizhong and Venti never met, I will defy it all to make them meet in my Venti-verse. They’re so bestie-coded.

[4]. Morax still vying for a seat in The Seven = I’ve always wondered why Morax as well as Makoto and Ei were still at war during the Archon War with other gods. Because if they already have a Gnosis as well as a Throne, won’t the other gods won’t have any more power to still war for it with them? Could you steal a Gnosis that wasn’t meant for you? (See through Scaramouche/Wanderer’s storyline for further evidence.) Truth to be told, this is also why I had the headcanon that Venti was the first or one of the firsts to gain Archonhood! 

Disclaimer: Don’t take these headcanons/interpretations as truths. Only the game could tell us. Fortunately or unfortunately.