Chapter Text
“Are you sure you’re up to this? This isn’t going to be easy.”
Aether’s hands tensed in his pockets.
Jean, the police commissioner in New Teyvat City, stared expectantly at him. Her elbows rested seriously on her desk, fingers interlocked. She leaned towards him, close enough that he could almost feel her breath on his face. He didn’t know how to describe how he felt beneath her gaze—certainly not small. He’d dealt with people like her before. No, there was only one person under whose watch he felt insignificant.
Aether fell, knocked off guard by the strength of Don Asmoday. She only needed to raise her hand to bring him to his knees. He lifted his head, only for it to be slammed back onto the ground with a sickening crack, a ringing sound burning in his ears. He felt the pressure of a hand pressing his scalp firmly to the floor. His stomach churned as he stared upward, finally catching a glimpse of his sister, fighting for freedom behind Don Asmoday’s towering figure. In the hand of Don Asmoday’s associates, a sniper rifle, bent nearly beyond recognition—Lumine’s. His sister had been caught.
“I know what I’m doing. I wouldn’t have been in this business if I didn’t.”
“You’ll be making enemies of everyone you’ve ever worked with.”
Aether snorted, albeit surprised by Commissioner Jean’s genuine concern. It was an act that exemplified her naivety. He knew instantly that unless she hardened up, she wouldn’t last long in this business. He was the greater fool, however, for daring to make a deal with her.
A member of the mafia, no matter how ‘ex,’ would always be unwelcome amongst the police ranks. And Jean was placing him in the coveted position of detective. He wouldn’t only be making enemies of those he knew. He’d be making enemies of people who were going to be his coworkers.
But what was a few more?
Spots danced in his eyes.
The ringing was drowning out Lumine’s cries.
He just wanted to hear her.
Don Asmoday’s expression remained stone cold. Still, he was certain she wouldn’t kill him. The time for that had long passed. Regardless, he wouldn’t make it out so easily. Lumine would be taken from him. Don Asmoday had already threatened to do so before.
Aether held out his hand. “You’re not backing out, are you?”
Jean took it. “No.”
It was a moment that would cement their future, that much was certain. Violence, threats— death . All were assured.
“Are you really prepared to lose everything?”
More unnecessary concern for him from Jean.
Aether released Jean’s hand, stuffing his own back into his pocket.
“I have nothing left to lose.”
“I will find you—I promise!”
His own words were muffled.
Aether’s hand lunged desperately forward, seemingly just out of reach of his sister, yet he felt a world away.
It would be the last sight he saw before falling deep into an abyssal sleep.