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Lumine’s eyes widened as she watched Nahida take the gnosis from the false god, and hold it within her own hands.
“I-Is it over..?!” Paimon was the first to ask, while anxiously shifting her eyes from Lumine to Nahida, who continued to hover high above.
“I.. don’t know. We shouldn’t let our guard down though.” The blonde spoke as she held a small frown, and continued to keep her eyes on the large ‘god’ across from them; seeming to observe any movements.
As soon as she saw Scaramouche leaning over, appearing to make an attempt in trying to snatch back the gnosis; Lumine clutched the handle of her sword, getting ready to head over should the Dendro Archon require assistance.
However.. a shocked gasp escaped her lips as she instead saw the puppet lean over perhaps a bit too much, and suddenly falling down towards the ground at rapid speeds.
As the sudden impact blew debris all over, Lumine was quick to shield Paimon with her body, and raised her own arm to block anything that would hit them. Smoke quickly obscured their surroundings however, and she was forced to shut her eyes.
“W-Woah..!” Paimon clutched onto the female’s back as she hid, meanwhile Lumine let out a wince upon feeling her cheek and arms get struck by tiny stones. The impact had been enough to leave her with small cuts, but luckily nothing painful enough that would stop her from fighting.
“I-I-Is he dead ..?!” The little pixie shouted as she continued to keep her eyes shut.
Lumine on the other hand began to slowly open them up. Despite the puppet’s fall, she still remained on guard as she awaited for the remaining clouds of dust around them to disappear.
And when it finally did, her eyes widened once more.
-
There he was on his feet, seeming to barely have any strength to stand.
His body was covered in wounds, though rather than it being cuts- they were cracks instead. His hair was incredibly ragged, and what was once a perfectly constructed face; it was now broken like that of a porcelain doll, as small fractures remained on his cheeks, and a large crack went over.
But what didn’t seem to change, was that look in his eyes.
The one that held a combination of pure hatred and anger.
However- that look wasn’t being sent towards Nahida, but rather.. directly towards Lumine herself.
And it irked her.
“He still has the audacity to get angry despite everything...” Lumine spat, and her hold on her sword tightened even further. “..That’s it. I’ll put an end to this.” As hatred continued to course through her, she zipped her way towards Scaramouche- who stood there defenselessly.
All he could do was grit his teeth, and widened his blue orbs as he watch Lumine raise her blade-
And swing it down, without any hesitation.
-
“...!?”
“...!?”
“Traveler, please! Stand down!” Nahida yelled from behind Scaramouche; who was in a state of shock, as he was suddenly being protected by a green cube. It seeming to be a defensive ability of the Dendro Archon; and a strong one at that, as it didn’t crack in the slightest.
A small drop of sweat rolled down Scaramouche’s forehead as his eyes remained on Lumine; who had seemed to have taken a few step backs as her blade rebounded upon having struck the cube.
“Nahida..! He is the enemy! You can’t keep someone like HIM alive..!” Lumined yelled back as she looked through the translucent cube, in order to meet the Archon’s eyes. However as soon as she looked back towards the puppet- pure hatred covered her face.
“But we can’t kill him either! That.. isn’t right!” The small girl argued, and appeared to grow worried. Not just about Lumine however- but Scaramouche too.
“This man has killed many before, Nahida! His life isn’t worth sparing..!
“I-I understand your anger..! I really do! But still- we’d be no different than him if we killed him! We’d just become a part of the vile cycle..!”
Lumine paused.
And slowly.. she began to lower her sword. Before then finally, allowing it to disappear.
Nahida was right. She knew that very well.
Up until now; Lumine had fought for what she believed was right. She protected her friends, as well as those who simply needed help. And every step of the way, no matter how angry or in pain she was.. She never allowed that hatred she felt deep inside, to consume her.
Because she knew that if she had done so; there would be no going back.
But when it came to Scaramouche- it always seemed like he knew exactly where to hit her. He knew exactly how to make those negative feelings ignite.. and she hated it more than anything.
It frightened her.
He frightened her.
But even so.. Nahida was right.
No matter how much anger and hatred coursed through her body; she couldn’t allow it to get the best of her. Not when she’s come this far.
-
“Nahida. The electro gnosis.. Can you.. let me hold it?” The blonde asked as her golden hues then shifted back towards the small Archon.
She seemed confused at her sudden request, but nonetheless- she nodded.
“Oh.. sure.” While she still kept the cube up with one hand, she raised the other in where she held the purple gnosis- and tossed it towards Lumine, who caught it with ease.
“I think.. I’ll take this with me back to Inazuma. And return it to its rightful owner; the Almighty Shogun.” Lumine’s eyes landed back on Scaramouche as she spoke; and she watched as despair immediately filled his face.
“N-No no no.. you can’t! It’s mine !”
Despite still being heavily weakened, he made his way towards Lumine and slammed his fists against the cube; unable to get any closer, as it stood as a barrier.
“It doesn’t belong to you! It belongs to Ei!” Lumine frowned as yelled back, and clutched the gnosis closer to her.
“..Give it back..! If you take it to her.. I’ll never.. be able to get my hands on it again..! That gnosis belonged to ME!” Scaramouche repeatedly slammed his fists against the cube.
However, upon feeling it suddenly disappear; he no longer seemed to be capable of standing, and fell down onto his knees. Lumine took a few steps back, and briefly glanced towards Nahida, who seemed very concerned about the puppet.
“I’ve.. made my decision. The power it holds shouldn’t ever fall in your hands.” She looked down at the puppet, who suddenly.. began to shake. Then sob.
And when he tilted his face up towards her;
She pitied him.
-
“Lumine.. P-please..! Don’t give it to her! Please don’t..” Tears rapidly streamed down his face, and that expression of anger that he had held- was nowhere to be seen.
Instead.. he almost appeared to be afraid .
Desperate , even.
“A-Anything.. I’ll give you anything..! Just please- give the gnosis back!” As Scaramouche suddenly clutched onto Lumine’s dress and continued to uncontrollably cry out, all she could just do.. was stare.
She never thought she’d get to see such a.. distraught look in his face.
Part of her felt a bit satisfied about bringing someone like him down to his knees.
But another part.. continued to just pity him.
“Please Lumine..! Lu..mine.. Lumine.. Please..! I don’t want to go back…”
“I’ll never.. go back to being insignificant..!”
As Scaramouche continued to cry, he buried his face into his dress and clutched onto her legs tightly; almost as if he didn’t want to let her walk away.
“I…” Lumine was unable to form any words.
She hated him. Resented him. Detested him.
But yet.. she was now finding herself.. pitying him.
Something she never thought she’d ever do.
Not when it came to him.
But before she could even speak, her eyes widened as Scaramouche’s hold on her suddenly loosened; and his eyes shut close, as he proceeded to fall to the side.
And once he was down, she watched as a few more couple of tears streamed down his cheeks, and fell onto the ground, leaving a small puddle.
“I.. won’t stop you if that is what you want to do. However, I want you to leave the Balladeer to me. I will handle him.” Nahida spoke as she was now suddenly standing behind the puppet, and her eyes glowed a bright green shade, before it suddenly died down.
Lumine pondered on her words for a moment, before finally giving a nod.
“..Okay. If you trust Scaramouche that much; then I’ll.. just leave him in your hands.” Placing the gnosis away, Lumine crouched down. She hesitated for a moment, but then reached out; carrying the unconscious puppet within her arms.
As she did so, she watched as small fragments of his arm fell to the ground; leaving small visible holes. He was beyond broken; and in a literal sense.
‘Why do I.. feel bad for someone like you..? You’re not worthy of any sympathy..’ Lumine thought as she finally began to walk back towards the entrance, with Nahida following right besides her.
“Maybe because he reminds you of someone. Maybe.. reminds you of you, in certain ways.” The Archon responded with a gentle smile, seeming to have read her mind.
Lumine didn’t seem to mind this, but simply blinked a few times; uncertain as to what the Dendro Archon meant. She was beyond wise and always spoke in indirect manners; but this was the first time Lumine couldn’t comprehend her.
-
She formed a small frown, “Of me? There’s no way. I am not an evil piece of s-” Lumine paused with a sigh. “.. Dook-dook , like him.”
“Hehe, I don’t mean it in that regard! I meant it as in more in.. how you both have already lost much. And are afraid of losing more. Isn’t that.. the case for you, Lumine?” Nahida looked towards the blonde, who’s eyes widened in response.
And Nahida smiled; knowing that once again, she was right.
And Lumine thought back to the days before she met Paimon, in where she was alone and confused in this new world.
Her brother? Kidnapped by the Unknown God.
Her powers? Derived from them.
And her wings.. that allowed her to soar not only the heavens, but the universes as well?
Ripped away.
And now she was here; a caged and flightless bird.
Just like Scaramouche.
-
Her eyes narrowed at the realization, and she looked towards the puppet who continued to remain in a slumbering state. To think that a puppet was capable of having similar painful experiences.. Lumine almost wanted to laugh.
But instead- she let out a long sigh; and strangely felt relieved about not having killed him.
“I’ll..” Lumine hesitated. “..stay with you till he wakes up. J-Just in case, you know!”
Nahida giggled, knowing that the blonde certainly wanted to have a talk with him; but was of course, trying to mask this. “Okay! In any case, follow me; I know where we can let him rest for the time being.” As the Archon walked ahead of her, Lumine nodded and followed.
And her golden eyes once more shifted back to the male.
She realized this was perhaps the most peaceful he’s ever looked.
And she finally formed a gentle smile; though it held small tinges of sadness.
“..Goodnight, Scaramouche. Rest well..”