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"Hmmm." Kaeya stroked his chin while observing the giant vases displayed at the market. He even thought of bringing one back to Mondstadt as a souvenir. However, his thoughts spiraled back to his interaction with the Traveler that afternoon.
Of course, Kaeya's purpose for coming all the way to Sumeru is true, but he also has other motives. It's not hard to convince Jean to agree to his proposal mainly because he is known for his love for alcohol. However, he didn't expect him to be here as well.
Dainslief
Kaeya doesn't trust the man one bit but he did help clear up some questions and suspicions he has, so he's somewhat grateful for that. What he wants to know is the reason why he is in Sumeru. Could they be after the same thing? No, that can't be it.
Kaeya sighed and started walking his way outside of the port. Now that all of his professional business is taken care of, it's time for the real reason he wanted to go to Sumeru.
His adventure in Sumeru is unfortunately cut short when he's just a child, he internally laughed as he reminisced about the memory. As a child, there was simply curiosity about his origins but as he grew older inside the Ragnvindr manor, he felt as though there was no reason to dig through his past as he has found a family that actually cares for him.
But now, there's a need for it. He can't hide from it forever, one way or another they will come for him and he has to make a choice. A choice that he once thought would be simple but after what happened that rainy night, he can't allow himself to make the same mistake again.
Kaeya has built and perfected the mask he wears every single day. Keeping things hidden and lying about certain things has become second nature to him. He won't let anyone know anything unless it's truly necessary.
On his way to his destination, Kaeya decided to call upon the source of the uneasy feeling he had bubbling up inside.
"You can come out now, I know you're there."
Within the lush green trees and bushes came out a figure. Tall and blue. A Lector? No, it's a Herald.
"You've been following me since this morning. It's quite rude. Now, tell me what have I done to catch the attention of the Abyss Order." Kaeya spoke.
"Kaeya Alberich, your connection to the abyss is so much greater than you have ever imagined."
"But of course." Kaeya let out an airy chuckle. "I have grown, learned, and discovered a few things."
"I assume you've listened to my conversation with Dainsleif earlier."
"I did notice that you're good friends with the blonde-haired traveler, got yourself acquainted with Dainsleif, and discussed... a few things. I hope you're not forgetting your duty."
"Of course not." Kaeya plastered on a smile.
"It's good that you've managed to put everything together."
"Truth be told, Dainsleif helped me realize a few things."
Realize that everything he thought was just wishful thinking. He's quite stupid to even think that his father would drop him at Mondstadt simply to give him a good life, free of burden. What a farce.
"Your loyalty belongs to the people of Khaenri'ah alone. Together with the Princess, we shall revive the motherland. And if you ever come to betray us, we'll make sure to set you up straight."
Kaeya smiled at the Herald as it disappeared out of sight. Its last words echoed through his mind like a broken record. Almost mocking him. Mocking him on how stupid he has been. Stupid of thinking there's a way out.
His eyes landed on his vision, long ago, he had hoped that a sinner like him having such a thing was a sign that his fate would change. It gave him hope that there was a chance he could be saved. But of course, Celestia isn't merciful for beings like him, for the two pairs of wings in his vision will forever be a constant reminder that he will never be truly a part of Mondstadt.
With one deep breath, he shook all of those thoughts away, his mind going back to the task at hand.
Right, the Avidya Forest, that's where it should be.
------
The rain poured hard as it covered the street with dirt and blood. A lone figure stood behind his army as he stared deep into one's blue eyes.
"You have disappointed me Kaeya." The figure spoke. "This city has tainted you."
The figure laughed, stretching out his arms, abyssal power flowing through him. "No matter, I can fix that."
Within a second, Kaeya felt what he could possibly describe as the most excruciating pain he has felt. He fell to his knees, shivering and clutching his body, for he has no idea what body part to grab onto as the pain is all over him. His body felt like it was on fire, needles slowly piercing deep into his skin, hammers pounding onto his head. The pain grew and grew and all he could do was scream, scream until his lungs gave out, scream until his voice gave out, scream until he couldn't scream any longer. The pain slowly became more prominent in his eye. His right eye to be specific. His right arm latched onto his eyepatch and quickly removed it and held a tight grip on his face, almost as if it reduced the pain he was feeling.
"Kaeya!"
He heard voices calling his name, and footsteps rushing toward him.
"What did you do to him?!" Kaeya heard a familiar voice. Jean? No, it can't be her, the voice is way too deep to belong to Jean. Diluc, maybe?
The red-haired gripped his claymore ready to attack, he hasn't seen Kaeya in such a pitiful state. The man has always been calm and collected. His heart broke into a thousand pieces for his worst nightmare is happening before his very eyes. Kaeya might die. Kaeya might die before he could apologize to him properly.
"What did you do to my brother?!" Diluc shouted, pointing his claymore at the figure before him. His vision becomes red, all he cares about at this point is saving Kaeya. Saving his brother. He can't let him die. There's still so much he has yet to do, so much left unsaid.
"Brother?!" The figure laughed, mocking him. "Kaeya isn't your brother! You can't be brothers with the likes of him! A sinner! A Khaenri'an! A traitor! A monster!"
Kaeya's screams got louder and louder, and his voice became rougher as if his throat was bleeding from all the screaming he'd been doing.
"Please..." Kaeya managed to say. "Kill me..."
"What?!" Diluc turned to him, eyes wide like saucers.
"Kill me Diluc... until I'm still me... Kill me now... before I... before I-I destroy everything... Please... I beg you..." Kaeya groaned, tears pooling in his eyes as he could feel abyssal power welling up inside of him. A power that's cold, dark, and sinister.
"NO!!!" Diluc screamed in protest. "I won't!! I promised myself I will never hurt you ever again!!"
"Please... I-I don't want to hurt anyone... I don't want to hurt Mondstadt... I don't... I-I don't want to hurt you."
"I-I can't do that!! You can't make me do that!! I-I couldn't possibly..."
Kaeya continued screaming until his voice became unrecognizable. Abyssal power surges through him, enveloping his entire being.
"KAEYA!!!" Diluc bolted up from his bed in a cold sweat.
Diluc looked around his surroundings, he was in his room and the sun was shining brightly. A nightmare? But, it felt so real.
Diluc leaned his head in the palm of his hand, contemplating what he just witnessed. His mind was swirling with uneasy thoughts. What was that? He asked himself.
He stood up from his bed and went over to the bathroom to wash his face, hoping to rid himself of the sudden weight he felt over his shoulders, but it was no use. He's a mess.
Only the sound of glass breaking woke him up from his trance-like state.
"What was that?" He asked, rushing downstairs, only to be greeted by an empty space and a broken vase. Colorful shards scattered around the wooden floor.