— Return to me when the time is right...
How much time had passed since then? Ten years? Or perhaps fifty? Or even five hundred? For you, it was just a moment, like a simple set of words, meaningless. But you saw how everything had changed. The world might have become more beautiful, but the foundation remained the same. The people remained the same... But there were also those who made this world truly beautiful.
It was all wrong. It was boring to wander far from your home, far from your deity... So painful and unbearable. You had known Barbatos all your life, or at least most of it. The worst thing was seeing him broken. It was as if you were parts of a single whole. You both cared for each other as if you were family.
Memories of the past tingle. They seem to taunt you, reminding you that you were a faithful supporter of the Anemo Archon. But now he goes by the name Venti, hiding behind the guise of a simple bard. He plays his lyre and sings songs, and sometimes the wind carries these melodies. He remembers you.
Your travels across Teyvat have borne fruit. Your acquaintance with fragile creatures has blossomed into friendships with brave people. You have come to value human life more deeply and understand them more deeply. It reminded you of how you cared for Barbatos in the past... You couldn't bear to hear him called a lazy person and an alcoholic. How difficult it is to remain silent when you know the truth... How difficult it is to speak when you understand the value of words.
You decided to visit Nod-Krai. Rumor had it that this place was unusual. Suddenly, your hearing sharpened, and goosebumps ran through your body. The wind brought news... It's time.
It was easy for an inhuman to move to the desired location with a snap of his fingers or a call. But this place... Some island. You sensed a hint of Mondstadt. But this island...
You glanced into the distance, trying to get a rough idea of where this island was. All you could see was Starsnatch's Cliff. This meant the island was located in the middle of the sea, west of Starfall Valley. But why had Venti invited you here after so many years? Wait...
You slowly turned and headed toward the stairs. Suddenly, your eyes met him.
Venti slowly turned to face you. His turquoise eyes widened in surprise. It was hardly surprising, considering you hadn't seen each other in a long time, and both had changed greatly since your last encounter. And both were silent.
How would you react? Would you be happy to see him? Or angry that he made you leave? You'd thought long and hard about this meeting... What would it be like? But you couldn't come to a definitive answer. Perhaps he wanted to give you freedom? Or let you rest from your worries after the war? You didn't know for sure.
Venti's turquoise eyes lowered, and he realized you were angry with him. But right now, he wanted to explain everything to you. He came here to regain some of his power and to... have you by his side again.