"Foster…?"
With a baffled look, the young dragon sovereign lowered his head as if in thought.
"So, you're saying that you're going to give me a place within Mondstat?"
"Yes, pretty much," replied Venti.
"I mean, thank you, seriously, thank you. I didn't expect that I'd be getting a home so quickly." After saying these words, he chuckled softly.
Seeing the boy relax and enjoy the thought of having a home brought a smile to Venti's face. A soft smile filled with warmth, but a question remained. "Apologies for my manners, I've been meaning to ask—do you have a name?"
Suddenly stunned by the question, the boy stopped laughing and stayed silent for a moment before answering, his gaze wandering off as he looked towards the moon. "No, I do not have a name. I feel as if once I did have one, but in this life I do not."
"Ohh my, that's quite the predicament you are in right now." Pausing for a moment, then staying silent, gathering his thoughts before answering confidently, "You see, spiritual beings need something that ties them to the world so that these spiritual beings can interact with the world itself."
For most gods, angels, and even dragons, the easiest way for them to do this is to be given a name or to give themselves a name.
"For example, I am tied to this world through the name Barbados, hence my existence is being acknowledged by 'history.' However, let me think of an example that would show the opposite…?"
For a long moment they stayed silent, the boy's eyes filled with curiosity as he waited for the answer. Meanwhile, Venti's were thoughtful, almost melancholic in their gaze.
His soft and free voice resounded across the empty clearing as he bathed under the moonlight. A wistful tone resounded with his every word, like an old storyteller finally getting to tell their favorite story. "I've got the perfect example. Once upon a time, a God was born. They were given many names, but never once did they feel like that name truly belonged to them. So for years, they lived their lives from home to home, place to place, until eventually the world finally pushed back, beginning to reject their existence. Eventually, that God lost their physical form, now a purely spiritual being. They were forced to watch as the world moved on, until eventually they vanished."
"You see, my young dragon sovereign, I desire for you to learn this early on in your life. The only true way to truly eliminate a spiritual being is for them to be utterly forgotten."
The young dragon sovereign stayed silent for a moment, allowing the words to settle with all their heavy implications. "So what you're saying is that it's very important for me to get a name. OK, sure, just let me think of something."
Venti laughed for a moment, his features softening into a small smile as he began walking away towards Mondstat, expecting the boy to follow. "Sure, take all the time you need. After all, you're new here. You don't need to worry about vanishing just yet."
Rushing up from behind him, the young dragon sovereign fell into place, walking at a steady pace along Venti, allowing him to guide him. Along the way, Venti would occasionally gaze upon the wildlife, the wilderness, and nature itself, and with a brush of wind it would be as if inspiration had struck him at his core. He pulls out his precious lyre and strings beautiful melodies that calm the mind and purify the soul.
Standing quietly, the young dragon sovereign merely allowed himself to be engrossed in the music. Soon, his mind began to wander.
I died, huh. I was parachuting… well, I think I'm the first to be reincarnated from a parachute. At least that should count for something, I hope. He chuckled softly to himself before continuing the train of thought.
I was falling from the air. I was trying to open my parachute, and then it just wouldn't open, meters from the ground. I had begged for one more chance. Never had I thought that that chance would have turned into this.
Well, not that it bothers me. There could have been many worse things.
But a name… The story Venti was describing to me. It reminded me of Columbina in the 6.2 Archon Quest. She was vanishing until she fully accepted her name, and as if simple worship of her—the acknowledgement of her existence—was enough to bring her to life.
I guess names do have power… man, that sounds so cliché. But if that's true, what would my name be? I don't really wanna leave it for later.
Now walking upon the bridge that divided Mondstat with the rest of the nation, he saw a figure flying through the skies—large and intimidating; powerful and free. It was Dvalin, the Dragon of the East, one of the Four Winds that protected Mondstat. He was heading to the ruins of Old Mondstat, most likely going to sleep, considering the time.
However, as if speaking from one dragon to another, the wind brushed against his loose kimono—a breeze that was everything yet so insignificant all at once. In that moment, as the wind brushed against his clothes, making them flutter, he stopped walking, allowing Venti to get a couple steps ahead of him.
He looked up, gazing upon the dragon, the moon, the starry sky, upon…
the world.
In this moment, he knew what he was going to name himself. He didn't know where the name came from or why it popped into his head like some twist of fate. So enraptured in his musings and thoughts, he didn't even notice as Venti pulled out his faithful instrument and began to string a tune—a soft smile and gentle eyes gazing upon him like a father enjoying his child's first steps.
His voice was quiet but strong, confident and free—truly free. On the empty bridge, his voice resounded clearly, only to be heard by one God.
"I shall name myself… Astrophel."
In that moment, Venti's beautiful lyre playing paused for the briefest of moments. A bittersweet smile crossed his face as he chanted out softly, as if it were a song, "…meaning, heaven struck."
Author's Notes:
I have succeeded in my battle against inconsistency. Its reign is magnificent and cruel before me; however, this battle I have won. muaaahahahaha
Anyway, besides that weird thing I decided to write, I managed to finish the chapter and clean it up as much as I could to my liking. You know, hopefully you liked it. I admit there are some things I would change, but I promised—and I promised myself that I would deliver. It's a bit late, but here you go, your chapter. (yiiippppeeeeeee)