Chapter Text
Run.
That was all Lumine could think to herself as she raced through the slightly damp grass of Guili Plains. The rough grass of the fields scratched her legs every pace she made, but she barely gave it a second thought.
Hilichurls.
They were right behind her.
Lumine cursed herself as she remembered what all her friends said during the last few days she spent in Mondstadt before she was to depart.
You don’t have a vision. Are you sure you’ll be alright by yourself?
At the time, she didn’t think it’d be much of a hassle. After all, her and her brother had gone their entire lives without controlling the elements, unlike their plethora of friends back home. It seemed as if every one of them would obtain a vision in their lifetimes, but her and Aether’s never came. They both accepted it as something not meant to be. It wasn’t as if having a vision was a necessity in this world, so neither of them considered it too important.
Well right now, Lumine sure wished she had one.
Wangshu Inn was almost within her grasp. As long as she could just make it inside, she would be safe. The thought of respite was the only thing that kept her going as she felt her stamina fading away.
Just as she saw the south entrance to the haven, Lumine’s legs buckled and she was sent tumbling to the ground. In a moment of panic, her arms scrambled desperately to lift herself up, gain strength, or something , but all of a sudden, she heard a harmonized guttural scream, and the footsteps of the hilichurls came to a halt.
Lumine looked up and saw their wooden clubs swing down on her, ready to collide with her in a horrible blow. She couldn’t scream or move - she simply closed her eyes and accepted her fate.
In her last moments, only one thought remained in her mind.
I’m sorry, Aether.
Seconds passed, but the impact never came.
Lumine slowly opened her eyes and saw a humanoid figure standing above her, surrounded by black, teal-stained smoke. She blinked again, rubbing her eyes, and saw that the hilichurls staggered back from the intimidating silhouette. Their shining jade spear reflected the moonlight brilliantly, as if to weaponize the sky itself.
The figure raised its arm, and with a swift powerful motion, the hilichurls were sliced in half and turned to ash. As the smoke slowly dissipated, silence washed over them both like the waves of Guyun, pulling her into an unending stare.
The strange being glanced back at her before sighing deeply. “Humans should not be out here during this time. Darkness only feeds into the aggression of monsters.”
The piercing look that Lumine was subjected to by the glowing gaze of her savior’s mask sent shivers down her spine. Before she could even breathe out a response, they took hold of her hand, and she was instantly transported to the highest balcony of Wangshu Inn.
The warmth that embraced her hand was gone too quickly as her rescuer stepped away decisively. With a quick flick of their, or perhaps his, wrist, the spear faded into specks of stardust. After Lumine finally regained her footing, she realized the soft glowing lanterns of the inn graced her with the sight of what this stranger looked like.
In front of her stood a short-statured man, donning a white sleeveless hooded vest with a pattern of an ink cloud painted across the side, and, most notably, a tattoo of a green bird running down his right arm. Lumine took note of his distinctive bead necklace and the streaks of teal scattered throughout his dark green hair.
If only he’d take off his mask.
Lumine shakily took in a breath, finally gaining her bearings. “Tha—“
“Head down the stairs and speak with Verr Goldet, the woman at the counter,” the mysterious man interrupted. “Tell her that Alatus will pay for your night here.” The man dubbing himself as ‘Alatus’, she supposed, then made a quick turn of his heel, ready to leave in the next few seconds.
“Wait!” Lumine pleaded.
Alatus halted. “What is it? I have no time for pleasantries.”
“Just.. Thank you. Really.”
Lumine heard a soft hum before the man vanished into smoke, leaving nothing behind but a descending gingko leaf to take his place.
Lumine sighed, following his instructions quietly as she stepped slowly downstairs. The softly glowing lanterns, hanging almost in thin air by dark cords, were adorned with tassels and intricate patterns. Making her way to the counter, she caught the attention of the receptionist, "Verr Goldet". The woman's amused smile at the mention of "Alatus" did not go unnoticed by Lumine.
Thinking some fresh air would do her good, Lumine decided to wait outside on the main balcony for her room to be arranged. Still, gazing up at the starry sky, there was one thing that kept tugging at the back of her brain.
Why did his voice sound so familiar?