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“Please, Diluc..” the man says, voice sounding more to a whisper.
Diluc was barely holding it together. The tears on his eyes threatening to spill any minute now. A million thoughts running through his mind. Everything starting with how and why.
How did this happen? Why is this happening? How are you handling this? Why are you doing this?
Questions he knew won’t be answered.
Reluctantly, he walked towards the man, claymore in hand. Diluc thinks his weapon felt significantly lighter than usual, almost as if he just picked up a piece of paper. He could hear the cries of his allies in the distance, begging him to stop. Begging him to don’t do this. Begging the archons to help them.
After a few steps, Diluc raised his weapon, and charged into the man. The tears started rolling down his cheeks as the sword pierced the other man’s skin. The man gave nothing but a low pained grunt. He slowly raised his arm, using the little strength left in his body, and wiped the tears off Diluc’s face.
Finally, he freed the man from his burdens. He knew how much the other suffered. Completely unsure of where his loyalty stands. He always wanted to be there for him. To be his support pillar.
But he was too late.
“Thank you, didi, for… freeing me from this.. suffering.” The male coughed up blood. “Don’t..” cough “cry… we will reunite again… someday, I know it. I hope by then...” cough “you’ll forgive me.” More tears spilled from the redhead’s eyes.
The male’s body started to glow. Particles of glowing dust started to fly away from the body. Despite dying, he was smiling at the redhead. A smile that says I am sorry, I didn’t want any of this to happen to you.
Before the male completely disappeared, Diluc finally was able to get his voice back, “I forgive you, gege. I forgave you long ago. It was foolish of me to keep on hating you. I wanted us to be happy again. I… wanted us to be brothers again.”
The dying male’s smile grew wider after hearing what the other said. With only half his body remaining, he whispered these words to Diluc, “I.. am glad. My time’s up. Good Night, Diluc… I….” love you. And the rest of the male’s body became dust and went with the wind.
“Good night, Kaeya.”
And the tears just kept on falling. Diluc has now lost his last family member.
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“Diluc, may I speak with you?” Kaeya asks.
“Go on.”
“I have an important role for you to play. You’d play it all too well, didi.” The redhead scoffed at the nickname.
“...what is it?”
“At the end of the battle, can I trust you to kill me?”
For only you know the inner battle I fight. Only you know that I am the only one who can end this. For if the people lost their prince, they wouldn’t go on, right?
“We, the people of Khaenri'ah live only because the royals are alive and well. If they were to die, we would all die. They are our life source, if you will. I’m the only one left. If I die, we’ll all be free.”
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There should’ve been another way.