Work Text:
Aether was walking slowly down the beach, staring into space. How long has he been here? Months, years? He had stopped counting a long time ago. He didn't want to remember how far it was since the last time he saw his sister. Since the last time they were together, travelling side by side, through so many worlds, so many places.
They've seen wonders, met so many people, witnessed so many events... his head was full of these memories, he held onto them, so he wouldn't fall into despair.
But then, everyone one of these memories painfully reminded him of how much he missed her. Reminded him that she was gone. Not forever, he refused to think that, but it has been a long time, and though he kept hoping, he didn't know how long it will take. How long before he could travel with her again.
“I'll find you, Lumine. I won't let you down.”
He had promised this to her multiple times. Nothing else than the wind answered to him, once again, as a part of him hoped her voice would answer. Just to tell him she knew. That she knew he was coming, that he will never abandon the search. He'll find her, and that cruel being that dared to call themselves a god. He'll free her, and they'll be together again. There was no thinking otherwise.
The world he was in felt so empty without his twin by his side. They have been together forever, after all, and never before had he travelled on his own. Upon arriving, he felt more lonely than ever. Lost even. It was normal, when visiting new places. But before, at least he had someone to share that feeling with him. It was even very pleasant. Now, it was sometimes scary.
When Aether felt down to this world, not only his sister has been captured, he had also lost his powers. It had confused him, letting him afraid, and sad. He'd never imagined what he would do without his powers. And now, he wasn't sure how to proceed.
More than that, he wasn't sure who to be, how to be, without her. They've always been together, side by side, united as one. It was as a part of him was gone.
“Where am I supposed to even start?”
His voice broke as he asked it. During all this time he has been wandering, but towards what? He couldn't find an answer, and it wasn't like there was a magical fairy to appear and help him resolve his problems. In front of every single danger, Lumine was always there. They were always finding solutions together. They would choose the direction together. Walk there together. Every single decisions they made, every step, took two.
The fact it abruptly ended broke him.
And now, he was lost. To this place, he was a stranger. If he asked for help, how could he be sure he would receive help? Besides, he wasn't very good with people. Lumine was the one to do the talking, usually.
He sat on the hot sand, burying his head in his hands. I have to pull myself together. I can't find her if I despair. And she's waiting for me.
He couldn't be a lone traveller.
He didn't know how to be that.