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It had been a few months since she had awoken in this world, lonely and powerless. Teyvat was a strange place indeed, especially with her very nature that bent the rules of the world, the new powers that settled in her soul with that simple touch of a statue. It was nice enough, Lumine supposed, but even the constant light and company of Paimon wasn’t enough to make her feel warm.
The world was kind, in its tiny little ways, and the people were warm, welcoming her even though she did not belong. But Lumine was cold, the absence of Aether stark in the company of those she called her friends. She had seen creatures of flame, of ice, of all the elements that permeated the very fabric of this world, yet everything seemed grey, dull. It was just another step on the journey towards the end. Towards Aether.
She had felt the shudders of the ancient god, they rippled like the raging waves of Liyue Harbour. It felt like a new wind was blowing, one that would lead her closer to her brother. Returning to Mondstadt was bittersweet, seeing the smiles that she had protected made her feel like she should feel more, be warm back to those who were warm to her. But she couldn’t. Not when there was danger, not when the Abyss Order lurked around every corner and certainly not while her brother was not with her.
The Abyss Order. A group of beings whose intentions she could not piece together.
They infuriated her.
Maybe that’s why she found herself deep in these ruins, the defiled statue hanging tauntingly before her. The figure of the Anemo Archon, the one who first blessed her with the power, the chance to get Aether back, suspended over a background of swirling purple.
The Herald before them turned to flee, the dissolving bodies of its mages lying around it, felled by Lumine’s own sword. Dainsleif, her temporary companion and guide in this expedition, showed his power, seizing it by the throat.
A shockwave rings out. Smoke fills the room as a silent figure appears shadowed by the swirling dust. It cleared slowly, and Lumine gasped as her brother looked down on her with determination in his eyes.
“Prince” The Herald groaned, and Lumine shook as the warmth that had been blossoming in her chest turned to icy dread.
“Hey, c-could that be…?” Paimon asked, hovering next to Lumine.
“Aether!”
What was he doing here? The Herald had called him prince. Fear clenched her heart in a vice grip. She felt herself shaking slightly as her brother turned towards her.
“Lumine…”
He looked conflicted, staring at her with a hardness in his eyes that she had not seen before.
She rested a hand over her rapidly beating heart. Now was not the time for fear. She had found him, he was right here in front of her. They could finally go home.
“I’ve finally found you.” Relief seeped through her voice, all those months of cold could soon be over.
Paimon thought otherwise.
“Wait, Lumine, he just blocked an attack against the Abyss Herald.”
Lumine looked at Paimon, unwilling to accept what she knew to be true.
“Your brother, and the Abyss...”
Aether spoke, interrupting the two travelers.
“Lumine, why are you with Dain?” There was an edge to his voice, like he too was refusing to accept what was before him.
“What…?” Finally, after all these months she was finally before him again and all he would do was ask about Dainsleif?
“Huh?” Paimon was equally shocked. Why would her brother not care for her being there, barely even acknowledge how long they’d been apart? It had been so long since they had been separated, why did he not care?
“Your brother knows Dain?” Paimon inquired, the question hanging between them.
Lumine held back tears, a wave of sadness crashing over her. Dainsleif paused, before addressing her brother.
“Aether. We meet again.”
Paimon, ever curious and bold, turned to him.
“Wh- what's going on here? Dain knows him, too!”
“You shouldn’t team up with this man.” Aether declared, looking away. “He is my enemy.”
He turned towards her once more, a look of indescribable conflict and sorrow in his eyes.
“Aether...”
“Hold on a second!” She exclaimed, refusing to bear this frigid air for any longer.
Aether closed his eyes, taking a moment to collect himself. He looked up, standing tall with the Herald at his back.
“But it must be said… Don’t try to stop me. Don’t try to stop the Abyss.” It was a warning, weighted with both concern and hatred.
“That main Dainsleif,” he continued, ”was the ‘Twilight Sword’, one of the royal guards of the final dynasty of Khaenri’ah. 500 years ago he failed to prevent the destruction of Khaenri’ah. A curse of immortality was laid upon him, to forever wander the wilderness… while he watched the people he was supposed to protect turn into the monsters of the Abyss.”
Paimon was the first to respond, recovering quickly from the revelation.
“You’re saying… Dain is from Khaenri’ah!? The same Khaenri’ah that was destroyed 500 years ago? And you said that the people turned into monsters… You’re trying to tell Paimon that the Abyss Order is not only related to Khaenri’ah, but is actually the people of Khaenri’ah themselves? And the whole thing about Dain being your enemy? Ohhh, Paimon’s so confused.”
Lumine couldn’t bring herself to care; all she wanted was to go home. She pleaded with her brother, letting a fleeting emotion empower her words.
“Come with me, Aether! Let’s go home!”
“Home… Yes, of course. ‘Home’ is wherever we are together.” He paused, and Lumine felt the icy fear build again. “But I cannot go with you to the next world to find a new home… at least, not yet.”
He mirrored her hand, bringing it to his chest.
“Until the Abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end.”
“Destiny?”
Lumine wanted to shake him, to let out every emotion that had ever dwelled inside her. What use was this world if they were apart? How can he so casually leave her, refuse to join her in what was supposed to be their journey.
“Listen to me, Lumine. I have already travelled through this world once. Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world.”
A swirling blue portal appeared behind him, a gust of wind heralding its arrival.
“So we’ll meet again. Though we need not rush, sister. I have more than enough time to wait for you.”
She broke into a run, reaching out towards Aether, towards her brother as she tried desperately to reach him before he could leave.
“We’ve always… had enough time”
And as her brother turned away she saw a fragmented crown of black circling his head. He entered the portal, just out of reach. Dainsleif overtook her, disappearing into the swirling void. She reached forwards, feeling the rush of cold air through her fingers…
It was gone. Aether was gone.
The ruins were cold, empty. She wanted to go home.
She missed him.
It was a sadness like none she had felt before, following her even as Paimon encouraged her to take the next step, the next breath, the next thought. It was suffocating, plaguing her mind as she cursed that day.
---
The open sea was cold. A fierce storm battered the boat, dark clouds hiding the stars from view. It was relieving, in a strange way. The stars only brought reminders of the void that housed them, darkness ever so similar to the icy hatred of the Abyss.
Paimon flew up behind her as land came into view, the islands of Inazuma shrouded in a deep mist. The storm had quietened without her notice, lashing waves now calmly lapping at the boat. Lumine watched as Inazuma drew closer and closer, until she could see people moving around on the docks. Beidou stood with her as the boat reached its destination, a steady presence as Lumine silently stepped off her vessel.
It all seemed to go quickly after that. Thoma, Ritou, Ayaka, Yoimiya, so many new places, new people that greeted her warmly, as a hero. She didn't want to be a hero. She never agreed to this. Yet she found herself facing down the Raiden Shogun in front of that damned statue. Pain cried out from the Visions embedded in it, tearing at her mind until she could barely stand it. It was such a simple decision to stand up for Thoma. There was no thought, her body simply moving to protect him, to stop the pain from growing, from hurting her more because she could not stop it.
The fight was a blur. Lumine acted on instinct, holding onto every shred of power she had gained. The Raiden Shogun was relentless, leaving her breathless as she was thrown out of this world she found herself in. The wooden platform surrounding the statue was hard, knocking the wind out of her as she crashed to the floor.
It was only by Thoma’s warmth that she realised what she had done. The man had recovered quickly, pulling her along to the Teahouse, where they would both be safe. They stumbled through the door, collapsing on the floor as she heaved for breath.
It was too much, the fear, the anger, the pain that had surrounded her. It was so cold, and she lifted her hand in a daze, touching her face with shaking fingers. For hours they sat there, waiting in silence as shouts echoed in the surrounding streets. Thoma never left her sight.
Ayaka looked at her with pity in her eyes, sending her away, commanding her like she was one of her soldiers. She wasn’t a soldier. Or a hero. Or a criminal or whatever they were labeling her as now. But she went, fighting off samurai and monsters as she sought out the resistance.
Their doubt infuriated her. She had worked so hard for this land, cold and alone, and yet they doubted her. The menial tasks they set her were simply distractions. It was just task after task, the days blending together. The Sangonomiya residence was beautiful, a quiet part of her mind remarked, and Sangonomiya Kokomi herself as well. Yet the moment of serenity was broken, as she was forced, yet again, to prove her worth. It was hardly a challenge, the monsters downed easily.
Teppei had been another brief warmth, his unending drive and enthusiasm breaking through the cold surrounding her. Maybe that's why a kindling of rage ignited in her at the sight of her friend, the one soldier who had welcomed her with open arms, who saw her as an equal, rather than someone to be feared or looked down on, weak and unnaturally aged.
Delusions. The very word made her insides curdle. She remembered Childe, the Electro delusion at his side. So it was the Fatui who were behind this. Lumine knew that she had to stop them. Noone else would after all.
The factory was a maze, a haze of something vile permeating each inch of the domain. It was… strange. Unnerving. She made her way through quickly, itching to be rid of the persistent feeling. Fighting came easily, her sword cutting down any who stood in her path as wind built in her hand. It was almost infuriating when she was interrupted by a Harbinger.
She could only watch, gripping her sword as he mocked her friend. Something shattered deep inside her soul at his words, anger building like a rising wave as everything began to slow. Darkness seemed to be a common companion now, enveloping her as she felt her knees give way to the hard floor. There was nothing she could do, her helplessness freezing her in place, the last thing clear in her eyes a flash of pink.
Waking was always a task, a soft voice coaxing her into consciousness. The shrine maiden who had saved her was curious, an air of knowledge surrounding her. It was almost predictable when she began to speak of the Raiden Shogun.
It was even more predictable when she asked something of Lumine. Defeat the Raiden Shogun. Go into the Plane of Euthymia and bring back Ei. She wanted to refuse, to leave and never return. But she couldn’t. Not at this point. Maybe it was reckless heroism, maybe it was a twisted sense of duty, or maybe it was that urge to prove that it wasn’t as Aether said, that she would see a better side of the world than he had.
It was pitiful.
All she knew in this world was helping others, being the hero of their stories. It weighed on her, following her every step. This is how her story would go now. She choked back a desperate laugh, instead turning her focus to the task ahead.
There was always more to do. Recruiting Kujou Sara, getting Sayu to steal documents, meeting with Thoma and Ayaka, it felt like one thing after another after another.
It was just another blow when she found herself following Sara to confront her father. It was just another fight, another obstacle on her journey to get over. Yet, she could feel the emotion filling Sara. When the fight was over, she was almost relieved at the revelation that Signora was with the Raiden.
It made it easier to enter the dark palace, ignoring Paimons shouts at Sara lying still on the floor by the Raiden. With Paimon’s help she stalked towards the woman with confidence stronger than she felt. A duel. A duel before the throne, for the honour of those she hurt, for the plans she wrought in Mondstat and Liyue. It felt unnatural, defending those she had left behind, but it felt… right.
She was going to take down Signora, get her vengeance. It almost felt warm, the promise of what was to come after she struck her down.
When the Raiden gave her blessing, the room chilled in an instant, cold unlike anything she had ever felt before filling her body. It was welcome, the frost quenching the heat building inside her, logic taking control as she sprung forward.
She could see the harbinger stumbling, as her relentless attacks slowed. Lumine felt like she could laugh, seeing the witch brought down in such a pitiful way. She should have expected her to have more up her sleeve. The cold turned burning in an instant, shocking her. She fell back, letting electricity build in her. If Signora got to use more than one element, so would she.
Lightning filled the room, purple dancing with red as she brushed away the embers settling on her skin. It scorched her, the metal sword she held building heat with each second. She had to end this.
Then… it was over. The heat dissipated, Signora left weak on the ground before her. Lumine sighed, the adrenaline not wearing off as the Raiden stood. She couldn’t watch. A small, rational part of her mind argued that this was no different to the many Fatui she had killed before, but a larger, more emotional part screamed in agony at the death she caused.
She left at the Raidens word, acutely aware of something building at the edge of her consciousness. Thoughts echoed in her head as she slowly descended the steps, a pounding pain unending as Paimon talked. The rebels stood outside the palace, accompanied by those she called friends.
It was loud. The noise rose like a crescendo, building to a cacophony as she took that final step out of Tenshukaku. It was too good to be true.
She turned, eyes widening as the Shogun charged towards her, blade shining a brilliant purple. She saw Kazuha, charging forward with the power of two visions to intercept, holding back what had been hailed as an unstoppable move. It lasted but a second, as she watched him be thrown back, the Resistance charging forward in the opening created.
Standing by was impossible, Lumine knew that if she didn’t act now she would have no other chance. She drew on her power, breaking into a run as Electro crackled around her blade.
She was back in that realm. Ei hovered in front of her, coming out of her sitting positions as she addressed Lumine.
Words wouldn’t work. She knew this, and she tried anyway. It was no use, Ei wasn’t like her, shaken by a few well placed words. She would have to fight. Maybe it was better like that. She was always better at fighting than talking.
The fight began to blur, the heavy air of the Plane making it hard to move. She was on the defensive, blocking hit after hit. It was unending, all the work she had done to get here straining her muscles. She fell back, staring at the stoic Archon. Then, she felt it.
Yae Miko was here. Not just her, a warmth, comforting and golden began to shine. She closed her eyes, listening to the whispers building around her.
Abolish the Vision Hunt Decree.
She moved, the people of Inazuma, their wishes and desires filling her.
It was easy to defeat her after that. Ei fell back, relenting to her victory. Yae joined them, greeting her once more.
She watched the two talk, old friends reunited. It felt bittersweet. Why couldn’t she have that? Even Yae knew nothing about her brother.
It was over. All she could do was sit back, and process what had happened. It all seemed so fast, the cold filling her mind with each step, no warmth left for her. She was used to it by now, she supposed. Nothing unusual at this point. She just had to keep moving, finding brief warmth in the people she met, and in Paimon’s constant companionship.
It was only when she took stock of all she had acquired on this journey that she saw it. A mask. Signora’s mask. The twisted metal was cold on her skin as she held it, but there was something… more. She put it away, hid it deep in her belongings. The memories chilled her to the bone.
While she wasn’t sure, there was one thing for certain about that mask. The metal was scarily reminiscent of the crown she had seen circling Aethers head back then.
It taunted her, that dark metal, reminding her of the love that seemed so far out of reach. She hated it, the memory of the dark crown haunting her dreams, calling her to join him. She couldn’t. Not when she knew what he had done.
All she could do was wait until she could move on, leave this land of cold and start on a new leg of the journey, even if it meant having to play the hero again. At least she wasn’t like Aether, at least she wasn’t the villain.
Even if playing nice was getting frustrating.