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Kaeya, from a young age, had always known he would be the savior of his nation. The one who brought upon their victory, rose them from the ashes they had been buried under for so long. He was meant to save them all, even if it meant he lost his own life. Kaeya had always been ready for this, ready to fulfill the destiny he was always told was his by the abyss heralds. But it didn't truly cement until it truly did happen.
The curse was spreading. More and more of his beloved people were turning into monsters. More and more were losing themselves.
They were no longer people, just monsters. This is what Kaeya was meant to stop. He was meant to stop his people from becoming horrid things, to living through a fate worse than death. Some days, it was the only thing that truly kept the young child going, from losing hope. He was their hope, their shining star. He couldn't crush that by feeling doubtful.
He remembered how it rained the day he was taken to Mondstadt. His father had taken him, carrying the small child in his arms as he ran through the thicket, boots crunching down on twigs and leaves, which snapped under his weight. The boots squished in the mud, and despite all the wind and the harsh pouring rain, Kaeya could hear it. They halted in a clearing, which had a bunch of large branches hanging up above, acting as protection from the rain. Albus looked around for a moment, before gently setting Kaeya down.
"No, remember son. You are our last hope. Save our people, and make Khaeri'ah proud."
Kaeya nodded, watching as his father stood to his full height and walked away, into the darkness, leaving Kaeya standing alone in the rain.
He waited for hours, standing there under the trees. It only became darker, the rain growing heavier by the minute. Sometime during the night, Kaeya had begun to hear what sounded life footsteps. The small child froze for a moment, listening and watching his surroundings. Slowly, he backed up, pressing his back into a tree as he waited. In the darknes sof the woods, he could make out what looked to be a man. The man was really tall, with broad shoulders, and he looked to be wearing a coat. The man stepped closer, stopping in front of Kaeya and crouching low, looking at him with concerned, kind eyes. The man had bright, ruby red eyes and bright red hair, something Kaeya had never seen back home.
The man smiled, "Well hello there, little one. What are you doing out here?"
Kaeya gulped, remembering his mission, "I'm waiting for my father to return."
The man frowned, "So you are here alone"
Kaeya nodded, and the man sighed.
"How about you come home with me, and we wait for your father together? You'll get sick if you stay out here."
Kaeya pretended to look unsure, but then nodded, "That would be nice, thank you."
The man picked him up, setting Kaeya on his hip. "What is your name, little one?"
"Kaeya."
"That's a nice name! My name is Crepus." The man, Crepus, turned and headed back towards the winery. Kaeya's plan was set in motion.
....
His father never returned, but of course, Kaeya knew this. He stayed with Master Crepus and his son, Diluc, who was only three years older than Kaeya was. Kaeya, of course, remembered what he was supposed to do. And he was succeeding, the Ragnvindr family had completely taken him in. They were foolish to be so trusting of Kaeya. But, of course, anyone would trust a child. That is why he was sent to begin with, was it not? No one in Mondstadt would leave a child in need like that. But, so far, he hadn't learnt much. Just how many guards were placed at the gates, two at the main and one at the back near the docks, and that people in Mondstadt really liked their alcohol. As it turned out, Crepus was the owner of a large wine company. Which explained his huge house and the winery, Laeya later learning he had like five homes scattered around Teyvat. Kaeya couldn't imagine. Five houses?! The homes in khaenri'ah were tiny and in shambles. Even the palace in which Kaeya had lived prior to entering Mondstadt was small and a wreck, most of the walls would have crumbled at the slightest touch, Kaeya was sure. Food was a bigger issue. They had almost none. In his first days with the Ragnvindr family, Kaeya had eaten such small portions of food it made Crepus frown and urge him to eat a little more, only for Kaeya to throw it up soon after. Kaeya still threw up often after eating, because whenever he did eat, he felt guilty. For everyone at home had so little to eat, and here he was eating actual food while his people starved. That's what pushed Kaeya to keep with the plan. Up until something happened.
Kaeya had a nightmare.
He was standing in khaenri'ah, the city still crumbled and messy like he remembered it. But it was different, too. His city was burning, everything was burning. and his people were screaming, screaming in anguish. They were in pain, they were afraid. They screamed and cried because he failed. Kaeya couldn't move, he could only watch in horror as his people ran through the streets, some collapsing onto the ground and jerking, withering, changed. They became monsters, monsters of all types. Some became abyss mages, they jumped up and began to cackle and giggle, they attacked the survivors. There was blood everywhere. So much blood-
Kaeya was jerked awake, shooting up in bed with a shriek. He was shaking, gripping at his blankets harshly as he panted, gasping for air. He was faintly aware of a gentle hand on his back, rubbing up and down. As he began to calm, he became more aware and realized it was master Crepus. He was whispering to Kaeya, "It's okay, son. You're safe. You're safe. Nothing can hurt you."
When Kaeya burst into tears, Crepus just gently pulled him into a hug, hushing him gently as he ran his hands through Kaeya's midnight blue locks. Kaeya, although new to the concept, knew he was trying to hug him and clung onto Crepus.
"I-I'm sorry. I woke you-" Kaeya cried, trying to pull back his tears.
"Don't be, my child. I could never be angry with you when you need me. I'll always be here for you, and your brother."
Kaeya jolted at that, "Brother?"
Crepus gave him a smile, "You are my son too, Kaeya. If you like, we could make it official."
Kaeya stared at him for a moment in surprise, tearing up a bit but this time it was not from the nightmare. He hugged Crepus tighter and without thinkinh, he nodded, "Yes!"
Crepus chuckled, "Then tomorrow, I will submit the adoption papers. Goodnight, my child." He gave Kaeya a gentle kiss to the forehead, tucked him in and then left. Leaving Kaeya to think and stare at the ceiling.
He didn't think he wanted to go through with the plan, anymore.
.....
As time went on, Kaeya realized more and more that Mondstadt didn't deserve this. They didn't deserve to be destroyed. Everyone he deserved life. But so did khaenri'ah.
He didn't know what to do. One had to fall so the other could survive. His people were counting on him, his family was counting on him. But Crepus and Diluc were his family too, and Jean. Jean was a close friend to Kaeya and Diluc, becoming Kaeya's sort of older sister. Kaeya couldn't just- he couldn't just kill them. He didn't have the heart.
But he was a sinner, and sinners didn't get a choice.
But god did he want a choice.
...
Kaeya was joining the knights, because Diluc was. He would join when he was old enough because Diluc was cool, Diluc was his brother. and maybe he wanted to do one good thing for Mondstadt.
Diluc believed he could do it. Despite Kaeya's small size, despite his shyness, he knew Kaeya was smart, he was strong and good with a sword. At least, that's what Diluc told him. He doubted he would be saying that if he knew the truth.
Diluc joined the knights, and pretty soon after, he was captain.
Kaeya couldn't be prouder.
....
It was Kaeya's turn now, he was thirteen years old now. Old enough to be a knight, surprisingly enough. Just like Diluc said, he made it in.
He was in Diluc's cavalry, which excited him. Diluc had asked for him to be in his cavalry.
Jean was here too, which made things better. Diluc, Kaeya and Jean, the unstoppable trio. No Hillichurl camp was safe from them.
The title hurts more than they thought.
....
But he wasn't ready for Crepus' death. It was Diluc's birthday, his eightenth birthday, Kaeya turning fifteen in November. Diluc and Crepus were heading back to the winery in a carriage, while Karya took care of a situation with the knights so Diluc could take a break. Diluc appreciated it, at the time.
Then Ursa the Major attacked, going straight for Diluc after they jumped out of the now destroyed carriage. Crepus acted quickly and attacked Ursa, taking out a delusion, of all things. EVeryone knew what a delusion did to a user, it killed them, tore them apart. But Crepus used it, the Ursa was killed. But at a price.
When Kaeya arrived, Diluc was kneeling on the ground with Crepus in his arms, and he was dead. Crepus was dead, Kaeya failed to protect his real family. If he had just been faster-
He learned Diluc killed him, out of mercy. Put him out of his misery. Kaeya understood.
Later that night, Kaeya decided to tell him the truth.
"Diluc, I have something tot ell you." Kaeya said, leading his brother outside to talk in private.
Diluc nodded, giving him a small smile despite the red puffiness of his eyes, "of course, Kae. You can tell me anything."
Kaeya relaxed, relieved by this. "Okay, well. I- I'm not from Mondstadt, but you already knew that. I'm from khaenri'ah. They- they sent me as a spy."
Diluc's smile faded, replaced with confusion, "What?"
"I'm sorry! I was originally a spy, but I don't want t-"
He was cut off with a snarl, "You're a traitor!" In a fir of rage, Diluc summoned his claymore.
Kaeya froze, face paling. "L-Luc, what are you doing?"
Diluc growled and raised his weapon, "Don't call me that! You're not my brother, you never were!"
When he swung at Kaeya, the younger simply dodged. He dodged his every attack, calling and pleading to Diluc to stop. But he didn't, his cries only fell on deaf ears. Kaeya was forced to draw his own weapon and block the attacks, never attacking Diluc himself. Just blocking and dodging. Diluc had managed to get some lucky scrapes, Kaeya could feel the blood dripping down his arm, but Kaeya continued on.
When Diluc used his vision, that's when Kaeya really began to falter. The flames were hot, so hot. They burned, burned, burned.
Kaeya never stopped trying to get through to his brother. But finally, he gave up and dipped his head, waiting for death to come as the claymore's blade came hurtling at his head.
But after a few seconds passed, Kaeya felt nothing. Surprised, he looked up and saw a shield of ice.
Something glowed under him, it was blue. And Kaeya's heart sank.
Diluc stopped, lowering his blade and stepping back with a sneer. "You're no longer worth it. I don't understand how a monster could ever be gifted a vision. Leave, and never come back." He turned and left Kaeya in the rain, kneeling over the blue vision that was now his.
Kaeya chuckled, lifting his head to stare at his once brothers back, "I already knew I was a monster."
He got up, taking his vision with him, and walked away. To where? He didn't know.
No one would ever accept a monster like him.
........
Diluc left after that, Kaeya arranged the funeral on his own.
He was appointed to captain.
He didn't want it. But he didn't say no.
His fifteenth birthday was never celebrated, neither was his sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth.
.....
Diluc came back three years later, looking older, stronger. He was a lot taller now, still taller than Kaeya.
But Kaeya had changed himself. He was't as small anymore, instead he was tall and lean. He was no longer polite and quiet, but loud, social and manipulative, flirty.
Diluc noticed it, and for a second, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a mask. If Kaeya was keeping people away on purpose.
He pushed that thought away.
...
Kaeya tried to reach out to Diluc, hoping that maybe his former brother would forgive him.
Diluc didn't, spitting insults and hurtful words at Kaeya.
It hurt, but kaeya kept smiling and trying anyways. Because it was better than never seeing Diluc again. It was better than not knowing what happened to him, if he was even alive.
Lisa had tried to speak to him once, asking if he was okay. Jean did the same.
He just smiled and waved them off, saying he didn't mind the harsh treatment. He was lying, but no one could see how much he was really hurting.
.......
Everything began to fall apart when the abyss attacked. Kaeya knew who the abyss used to be, He knew he failed them.
But he had someone else to protect now, and he would not fail.
Of course, Diluc had also connected the dots and confronted Kaeya. He approached him one day when Kaeya was out, pushing him into an alleyway and glaring at the younger man.
"Listen, Alberich. You should just leave."
Kaeya gave him a confused look, "What?"
"You know what I mean. The abyss, you're working with them. I don't want you in my city when they come, because I know what you will choose."
Kaeya chuckled, hiding his hurt, "I planned on no such thing, Master Diluc."
"yeah, sure." Diluc hissed, and left. "Just remember, you'll always be nothing but a traitor."
......
The battle did come, and as they prepared, Kaeya could feel Diluc glaring at his back. He ignored it the best he could, talking strategy with Lisa and Jean.
Lisa noticed the sad loom in Kaeya's eye, and frowned, looking behind him at Diluc and then back to Kaeya, "Are you okay, Sir Kaeya?" She asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
The young man just gave her a smile, "I'm fine, miss Lisa. Really. Don't worry about me."
Jean and Lisa exchanged looks, but said nothing regardless. They had a strategy planned.
They woudld be sending out groups out of different sides of the city so they can surround the abyss, while another group defended the gates and kept them from getting inside, and archers, lead by Amber, would stand on the wall and attack from there.
Kaeya had other plants though.
Right as his group was heading to the west side of the abyss army, Diluc with him, Kaeya suddenly broke apart from the group and headed straight into the fray. He ignored Diluc's angry shout of 'traitor!' from behind him.
Instead, Kaeya powered up his vision, drew his sword, and plunged into battle. He attacked abyss members left and right, stabbing and slashing with his sword, freezing with his vision in powerful bursts of ice that lead enemies that surrounded him to turn into abyss flavored Popsicle's, only for him to smash them into tiny pieces. Kaeya was losing energy, however. Each time he took down an abyss member, another one took it's place and attacked him.
But seeing his friends as they struggled against the masses, and his fellow knights as they lay still on the cold ground below, it powered something in Kaeya.
He started glowing, everyone taking a step back as it grew brighter and colder, no doubt from his cryo vision. He could feel Diluc standing behind him, watching with wide, ruby colored eyes. Kaeya turned and gave him a sad smile, taking off his eyepatch for everyone to see, revealing a golden eye staring back at them.
Jean gasped, realizing what that meant.
His smile grew sadder, "I'm sorry, Diluc. But this sinner is finally atoning for his sins."
Diluc tensed up, screaming for Kaeya to wait. To stop. Please Kaeya we can still win this just stop-
His pleas were ignored. There was another burst of light and cold, so large and so powerful is completely covered Kaeya and spread out to his enemies, his friends ducking for cover against his attack.
It stopped for a moment, then exploded like a popped bubble.
Left in its wake was ice and snow, every single abyss member frozen completely.
The others stared in bewilderment, Jean shakily standing. "Kaeya did this?"
Lisa covered her mouth with her hand, shaky finger pointing to a unfrozen body laying on the ground, which they quickly recognized as Kaeya.
Diluc leapt forward, sliding down the hill they had taken shelter behind, feet slipping awkwardly on the ice. He regained his footing, rushing over to his fallen brother and dropping to his knees next to him, ignoring the sting of cold snow seeping into his pants.
"Kaeya!" He choked out, gently pulling him into his arms, the blunette's head resting on the elders lap.
Shakily, blue and gold eyes opened, but they were hazy. Diluc's breath hitched as he noticed blood at the corner of Kaeya's mouth.
Kaeya coughed, blinking up at Diluc in surprise, "D-Diluc?"
Diluc shook, "yeah, yeah I'm here little brother."
Kaeya gave him a confused look, "Wow I really must be out of it."
"No- No Kaeya. You didn't imagine it."
"But you said-"
Diluc's heart ached, "I know. I know what I said. I'm sorry Kae, I never actually meant any of it. I'm sorry- I abandoned you. I treated you like trash. The only sinner here is me-"
Kaeya shushed him, "No. You had a right to be angry, Lu- Diluc. I should have waited to tell you." It hurt that Kaeya corrected himself. "You should have, you're right. But I reacted poorly. But we can make up for that, o-okay? We'll get you to Barbara and she'll fix you right up. Youc an move back into the winery and-"
"Luc. You know that can't happen."
Diluc didn't want to believe it, he refused to accept that. "No! No you can't-"
"I'm sorry, Luc." Kaeya coughed again, this time blood coming up. "But, I did it. Didn't I?"
Diluc's breathing shook, his voice doing the same as he spoke, giving him a sad smile. "yeah, you did. You did good, Kae. You did it, you saved us. You can rest now, hero's deserve rest."
Kaeya nodded, closing his eyes and quietly nuzzling his face into Diluc's shirt. "So I'm not a sinner, a monster?"
"You never were."
Kaeya smiled. His breathing began to slow down, and then it stopped. Diluc choked on a sob, hugging his body close as he whispered apologies to a corpse who couldn't hear it, that once inhabited the person who had already forgiven him.
He had to bury his entire family.
.......
Kaeya Ragnvindr was known aa a hero, after that. Mothers told their children the story of the boy who had to make a choice, of the boy from another land who gave his life to the one who raised him. Kaeya was never forgotten.
Diluc made sure of that.