Chapter Text
.::A Memory::.
“We’ll sing together.”
“We’ll perform together no matter what happens.”
“No matter how big our group gets, we’ll never be apart.”
The twins smile at each other as they hold each other’s hands tight, “We are the same side of a coin. One may stand strong alone but together, we’ll be much more stronger.”
“Like stars clustered in the sky, we’ll shine bright with the aid of our auras.”
“Together. We will never be apart.”
– – –
The main agency of Abyssri’ah Productions is found at the foot of Dragonspine Mountain. The entrance is camouflaged like a cave opening. They also have smaller branches in all of the seven nations.
Aether, Lumine, Paimon and Dainsleif made their way towards their President’s office. Today is the day when they’ll face the man, hoping they can leave the agency safely. Once they arrived in front of the door, Dainsleif knocked.
“Come in.” President Alberich said from inside.
President Alberich watches them as they enter one by one. Aether observes his expression, he is neither angry or disappointed.
“Inteyvat. That tournament… was such a show.” President Alberich told them with a smile.
“Hehe.. Y-yeah! They broke our winning streak, unfortunately.” Paimon replied with a nervous laugh.
The man stood, turning around to look outside of the glass window, “Indeed, they did. I was surprised that Kaeya’s band would win even without him in it.” he mused as he caressed his beard, “And that young Ragnvindr… His aura was unexpectedly powerful. It would be nice if I could somehow take him to our side but that would be hard to do.” he continued.
Aether already expected this from him. Every person who could see the auras must have seen Diluc’s phoenix aura. A special aura that took a solid form, it is revolutionary.
President Alberich turns around to face them, finally asking “So what can I do for my beloved Inteyvat?” he asked.
Aether met the other members’ eyes and nodded with them. He took a deep breath before facing the man with the courage they had gathered from these past few days, “President Alberich, Inteyvat would like to leave the agency and return to being a traveling band.” he told them but he couldn’t help but sweat a bit.
The man stares at them, adding more to their nervousness. Then the man smiles, nodding. “The whole group?” he asked, now staring at Paimon.
“Yes, everyone in Inteyvat.” Aether confirmed.
President Alberich nodded again before looking back to the scenery outside of the window.
“Alright. I’m allowing you to leave. You’ve… done well, Inteyvat. May we cross paths again.” he told them.
Aether’s eyes widened and he looked at Lumine who also looked as surprised as the others. ‘It’s that easy? Then what about the rumors we’ve been hearing about? Are those just lies so the talents in the agency would be scared to leave?’
The four of them bow their heads, “Thank you, President Alberich. We’ll never forget your help.” Aether told him.
“Of course.” the man simply said, caressing his beard.
When Inteyvat had left the room, the man sighs before picking up his phone and calling someone. “Yes, it’s me. A group is leaving the agency, I’ll leave them to you. Remember not to harm the white haired girl, as for the other three… I don’t care what you’ll do with them.” he said before grinning. “If I can’t take the phoenix then I’m going to create a God.” he chuckled.
.
.
.
Aether and the others are now packing up their items.
“That was nerve wracking! If only I knew it would be this easy to leave then we should have done it much earlier!” Aether told them but he couldn’t hide his smile.
Lumine sighs, “I don’t know Aether… Something feels wrong.” she replied.
Paimon nodded, “Lumine is right…”
Dainsleif smiles at them, ruffling the hair of the two girls. “Maybe you’re just overthinking.”
“I hope we are…” Lumine mumbles before putting on her backpack. “You guys ready?” she asked, smiling a bit.
The three nodded and then they left the room. On their way out, the people they passed by had given them farewells and good luck wishes. Some say they will miss them while some say that they are going to wait for their return in which Aether replied with “Haha, I don’t think we’ll come back but thanks anyway!”
Aether stretches as they got out of their agency, “We can finally leave this cold mountain! Gosh! Why did they even put their main agency here?”
Lumine and Paimon giggled. The two walk ahead while Aether and Dainsleif follow them from behind as they trek down the mountain.
“Where should we head first? Kaeya is still in Liyue. Should we go there and tell him the good news?” Aether asked. “And we need to stay in an Inn to plan for what we’ll be doing starting now.”
Lumine hums, “Sounds like a good idea. We could stay at the Baiju Guesthouse.” she replied.
Aether chuckles as he places both hands behind his head, “Let’s do that then! Hopefully, we can catch up on some carriages that can bring us to Liyue.”
Dainsleif nodded, “There should be some in Mingyun Village.” he told him.
Lumine smiles as they continue to walk. It was peaceful, oddly peaceful. But that ended when they heard a loud… gunshot.
Lumine and Paimon quickly turn around to see Dainsleif kneeling on the ground, wincing in pain while his hand grabs on his shoulder.
“D-Dain!!” Lumine and Paimon exclaimed then there’s another one, hitting Aether this time.
“A-Aether!” Lumine cried out, helping her twin. Paimon went to Dainsleif to check on him.
Lumine and Paimon looked around them and saw some shadows behind the snow.
“L-Lumine…” Aether said in pain. “Lumine, run… run with Paimon!”
Lumine’s eyes widened. “A-Are you crazy?! We won’t leave–”
Blood spluttered in front of Lumine’s eyes as another gunshot hit her brother on the back. Aether went limp and fell to the ground beside her. Fear creeped in her eyes as she shook her twin.
“Aether…? Aether!!” Lumine cried out, “Aether please! Wake up!!”
Two more gunshots, one bullet only scratches her cheek while the other hits Dainsleif again as he tries to protect Paimon from it.
“Dain!” Lumine and Paimon cried.
Dainsleif tries to stay conscious. He held Paimon’s shoulders tightly, “P-Paimon… go with Lumine…”
Paimon shakes her head, tearing up.
“H-Hurry… They… I can hear them coming. Go.. GO! RUN AWAY FROM HERE!” Dainsleif screamed.
The two girls trembled before they both stood up clumsily.
“D-Dain…”
Dainsleif glares at them, “Run! Don’t turn back! Keep on running! You two… You two must survive!”
Paimon’s eyes glittered for a moment before grabbing Lumine’s hand and running away.
“P-Paimon– Paimon, wait! We have to- We have to turn back–” Lumine sobbed.
“We can’t, Lumine! Don’t waste their sacrifice! We have to go somewhere safe!” Paimon told her.
They ran as far as they could but they could still hear some people chasing after them. They would duck whenever they heard gunshots.
‘Aether… Dain…’ Lumine ran faster, looking ahead as her eyes glared at the snow around them.
Paimon let go of her hand as Lumine ran ahead of her, “Go! Don’t look back! Keep on running!”
Lumine nodded, “Same with you, Paimon! Don’t stop running! We have to… We have to go to Mingyun Village! I’m sure they won’t follow us there anymore!”
“Y-Yeah!” Paimon replied, smiling but it didn't reach her eyes.
Paimon turns around to see the people still chasing after them. Her eyes widened when she saw a familiar face within the running crowd.
“Keep on running, Lumine!” Paimon told her, “Don’t ever slow down! Don’t ever stop!” she saw Lumine nod as she ran even faster.
Paimon smiles, ‘Lumine… I’m sorry…’
She watches as Lumine gets even further while she slows down on her phase. She stopped running, sighing in relief when Lumine is no longer in her sight. The chasing also stopped and she could feel the guns pointed at her.
“Now, now~ Put your guns down. President Alberich said not to harm her after all.” a familiar menacing voice said.
Paimon sighs, turning around. “Dottore.”
Dottore smirks, “Paimon, hello.”
“Dottore, leave Lumine out of this!” Paimon told him, “I know that I’m the one you’re after. Leave her be, spare her, and I’ll come with you! Please treat Aether and Dain too…”
Dottore hums, looking at her. He smiles, nodding. “Alright then, we have a deal.”
Some of the people ran to Paimon, grabbing her by the shoulder. Then they headed back to Abyssri’ah Productions, also bringing Dainsleif and Aether who were unconscious.
Lumine kept on running, she couldn’t hear them anymore. Her eyes gleamed as soon as she reached the entrance to Mingyun Village.
“Paimon, we’re here!” Lumine said while panting. “Paimon?” she asked as she turned. Her eyes widened when she didn’t see the girl behind her.
A star can also fall from where it stands,
Leaving the cluster as it descends alone towards the land.