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- Will you remain here a while longer?
With you by my side, though our mouths stay silent, my heart is at peace.
Your companionship... This is one change that I shall not contest. - — Ei's Companion Voiceline[1]
Aethernity is the het ship between Aether and Raiden Ei from the Genshin Impact fandom.
Canon[]
Previously, at the end of the Liyue Archon Quest, Zhongli first mentions Ei as Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon who closed her nation and enacted the Vision-Hunt Decree. Aether then decides to head to Inazuma to personally meet her face to face.
Inazuma Archon Quest[]
Upon arriving in Inazuma, Aether had many difficulties getting to Ei, including dealing with the Ritou exit barrier. Even so, he was determined to go straight to her, as seen when he met Ayaka and was uninterested in meeting her until she begged him to please help people who have lost their Visions, in exchange for a promise that she would tell him where the Shogun is.
Sometime later, Aether has an opportunity to meet her when Ayaka informs him that Thoma has been captured to take his Vision. Aether then decides to go and is finally able to see the Shogun in person. However, due to a favor he owes Ayaka, Aether rescues Thoma from the place. Unfortunately, Ei takes this as a gesture of declaring war against Eternity and does not hesitate to pull out a Mistsplitter-like blade (Musou Isshin) to try to decapitate him with the Musou no Hitotachi technique. However, Thoma rescues him, and the two flee. Aether has no choice but to head to Watatsumi Island to join the rebel army led by Sangonomiya Kokomi, hoping to defeat the Shogun one day.
Much later, Yae Miko trains Aether to have a chance to fight the Shogun and also, with Sayu's help, they manage to steal a document from the Tenryou Commission to prove to Kujou Sara about the Fatui's plans as the cause of the decree. Aether then heads to the Tenshukaku to once again face the Shogun. But there he encounters Signora, who challenges him to a duel to the death where the loser would be executed by the Shogun. Fortunately, Aether manages to win this duel, which causes the Shogun to execute Signora with Musou no Hitotachi.
The Shogun lets Aether leave the Tenshukaku, but only to attempt a sword strike in the back as soon as he reaches Inazuma City. Fortunately, Kazuha uses the power of two visions to block the blow and allow Aether to counterattack. But once again, the Shogun teleports Aether to the plane of Euthymia, where she challenges him once more to a duel.
Aether still seems to have trouble defeating the Shogun, but Yae Miko appears to warn him that his own will is not enough to shake Ei's will. So, with the help of all the Visions' ambitions that have been taken away by the decree, Aether manages to gain strength and manages to defeat the Shogun in combat, but without killing her due to her power of eternity. Yae Miko manages to convince the Shogun of the errors and disadvantages of the Vision Hunt Decree, so the Shogun finally decides to abolish it.
Imperatrix Umbrosa: Raiden Ei's Story Quest[]
Act I - Reflections of Mortality[]
There is news that people are worried about the current state of Inazuma and that the Shogun has decided to lock herself away permanently within her plane of Euthymia, so Aether goes to Yae Miko so that she can give him a Pass Permit so he can enter the Tenshukaku to see Raiden Shogun. The Shogun initially mistakes them as a trespasser, and the two's attempts to talk with her don't go so well. Suddenly, Ei's speaks and brings them to her plane. (Ei is the soul of the Electro Archon and the Shogun is the puppet, united in a single body)
Inside, Ei tells them that she has disabled most of the Shogun's functions, hence why she is acting strange. She explains that the Shogun still follows the old protocols which she is trying to change. As the puppet had been designed to be resistant to drastic changes, it is why she is only allowing Yae to see her. Paimon then tells her about the thunderstorm outside Inazuma, surprising Ei. The Traveler then tells her about the storm and the chaos in the Tenryou Commission. Ei states that she can fix the thunderstorm with a small change to the Shogun. The Traveler then asks her about her view of Eternity, which she can see, but is also seeing plenty of complications on the way. Paimon then suggests she get a change of pace and the Traveler invites her for a walk out to quell the peoples' fears, which she accepts, moving her consciousness from the plane to occupy the Shogun's body in the real world.
Kuroda is surprised to see the Shogun and initially believes that she is checking up on the business permits, only to learn that she just wishes to read some novels. He is worried they don't have anything for her tastes, but Ei states that there aren't any worries about it. Kuroda then sends them off to the nearby shelf as it contains all the best-sellers. Ei is unable to comprehend the novels however, as she expected stories to be based on true facts and not fiction. Nonetheless, she states that despite her unwillingness to make much change, she should not hamper the lives of humans for her pursuit of eternity and has enjoyed the trip. Paimon then suggests taking a photo so she could cherish the memory.
Later, news arrive that the members of the Kujou clan and the Takatsukasa clan are in conflict, so Ei heads to the secret hideout to end this problem by challenging them to a duel. As expected, Ei wins the duel, putting an end to this problem once and for all.
Act II - Transient Dreams[]
Aether is on a mission to defend the sacred Sakura from monsters. Just as the monsters are about to scratch Aether, Ei appears and defeats them with a single blow of her sword. As they walk along, Ei is suffering from some abnormal effect, so she and Aether head to the Euthymia Plane to see what's going on. Upon arriving, Ei realizes that her own puppet, Raiden Shogun, is trying to oppose Ei's new ideals, and the two have a legendary sword fight that could last for centuries or even millennia. Although Aether was abruptly expelled due to the fight between Ei and her puppet, he manages to return with the help of Yae Miko. Thanks to Aether's support, Ei manages to defeat the Shogun, making the puppet no longer oppose Ei's new ideals. Later, in the presence of Yae Miko, Ei declares that she will open her nation, reopening the docks and allowing future outlanders to enter her nation.
Enchanted Tales of the Mikawa Festival[]
Mizuki asks Aether to do her a favor. Neither she nor Yae feels capable of engaging in a conversation with Ei, the Electro Archon, to convince her to bathe in the hot springs at Aisa Bathhouse, so they ask Aether to do it for them.
So, Aether, using the coupons Mizuki gave him, manages to convince Ei. While the two bathe, Ei tells him a story about the nightmares that threaten the inhabitants of Inazuma. However, after finishing the story, she realizes someone is spying on them and forces them to reveal themselves. They are actually two girls, Yae Miko and Yumemizuki Mizuki, who have always wanted to enjoy the hot springs with Ei.
Quotes[]
- “No, I have nothing to share with you at this time. But you... You use elemental energy without the aid of a Vision. How is this possible? Please enlighten me.”
- — Ei's Voiceline About "Something to Share"
- “Oh, it's you, Aether.
Perhaps you have come just to see me?” - — Aether and Ei Companion Interactions
- “Will you remain here a while longer?
With you by my side, though our mouths stay silent, my heart is at peace.
Your companionship... This is one change that I shall not contest.” - — Aether and Ei Companion Interactions
- Aether – “Would you like to have a chat with me?”
- Ei – “Yes, I just so happen to have something that I would like to ask you.”
- Aether – “Oh really? What's that?”
- Ei – “I would like to know how you make such delicious desserts.
*ahem* I mean, they certainly seem to suit my taste.
The most important ingredient is patience.
I see... Though your attempts may fail, you will not give up future attempts because of a temporary setback.
By making adjustments along the way, you compile what you've learned and accumulate experience.
...Is that what you mean?” - Aether – “The most important ingredient is hope.”
- Ei – “Hope?
I would've never expected that trying to make desserts taste better was an expression of hope.
But no... The more I think about it, it can't possibly be that simple.
Perhaps "hope" means the desire to satisfy the eater.” - Aether – “Exactly.”
- Ei – “I see. I'll be sure to remember that.
Now that I've benefited from your experience, I'll try to follow your instructions the next time I'm attempting optimizations on the Shogun.” - Aether – “Oh, so that's what this is all about...
I have a feeling that it's not learning how to make desserts that you're after...” - Ei – “Hmm? Haven't I already mentioned that I cannot make food?
However, the advice you gave me will benefit you as well...
With a more powerful Shogun, I will be able to protect you from a myriad of dangers even more effectively.” - — Aether and Ei Companion Interactions
- Aether – “Anything you want to do?”
- Ei – “Yes. Unsheathe your weapon.”
- Aether – “Wait, you mean... now?
I'm not mentally prepared for this.” - Ei – “Hmph. Then I will come again once your preparation is complete. I have time.
I will use my blade to confirm whether you are out of practice or not.” - Aether – “Wait, are you serious?”
- Ei – “Naturally.
The moment that blades are crossed in battle also becomes a kind of Eternity. I shall use this moment to feel your inner being.
A simple and direct method, yet more clear than any language could convey. It even allows me to verify my own existence.” - Aether – “Something seems a bit off...”
- Ei – “Is that you?
Huh? So you could see through my guise? Oh. I thought my impression was accurate enough.
Never mind. I'll be honest with you then, I desire to spar with you.
After all, few have ever proved capable of withstanding my blade. It would be a pleasure to train with you.
However, I feared that you would be hesitant to strike me, so I used the identity of the Shogun.” - Aether – “There's no need to trick me into it...
That's an odd request...” - Ei – “Ah, you don't refuse. May I assume you accept then?
Hehe, you should prepare yourself. I certainly won't go easy on you.” - — Aether and Ei Companion Interactions
- Aether – “Good night, Ei”
- Ei – “Oh, has night fallen already? Then you'd best go have a rest.
Good night, Aether. May your dreams be calm and peaceful.” - — Aether and Ei Companion Interactions
Fanon[]
This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it.
Notably, this is Aether's first het ship with an Archon in Genshin Impact, following Venther and Zhongther, two of Aether's slash ships with Archons. Some fans enjoy this ship for the "Enemies to Lovers" trope and their emotional growth.
Due to the Archon's "more immature than Yae Miko" or "hikikomori" personality, some debate whether Ei actually looks like an adult woman or a teenager, even though she is taller than Aether, but not so much that the difference in height is felt. Aether's ships with medium females are typically more favoured in the fandom, hence overshadowing Aethernity.
Detractors of this ship say that Ei is the Archon least closeness to Aether of all due to their former enemy relationship, even pointing out that Furina is closer to Aether than Ei. They also consider this ship inferior to Ayather, as Ayaka is more popular than Ei in terms of pairing her with Aether, given that that they are both from Inazuma and EiMiko is more popular.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Aether/Raiden Ei tag on AO3
Gallery[]
Official Art[]
Videos[]
