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Jean wasn't sure how they ended up in such a trap. They only came to this domain to check out the high level of Abyss rumors. They never imagined this level of force. Jean tightened her grip on her sword, holding it steady in front of her, letting her wind swirl a protective healing around her and Kaeya. His back was pressed against hers, his frost cooling down the sweat on the both of them. They were completely surrounded by various Abyss heralds and mages.
Neither group moved for a minute, almost waiting for the other to break the tension balancing on a knifes edge. Jean knew if they went down Mondstant would be without their grandmaster and second-in-command. Failure was not an option. They both had to make it out.
Just as Jean was ready to gather her gale to hopefully blast their way to freedom, a cloaked figure stepped out from between the Abyss forces, chuckling quietly from beneath the fabric.
“Well, well.” His voice was grating, as if unused for years, “Little dandelion knight all alone. Whatever will you do?”
Jean let out a slow controlled breath, “I am not alone.” She was surprised her voice was steady. The stranger laughed and lowered his hood. She couldn’t conceal the vague surprise that flashed across her face. He was human. His hair was so dark navy it was almost black in the domain’s blue light. He had starry light blue eyes in sharp contrast, and his waist long hair was braided over his shoulder in a weird familiarity that Jean could not place.
His eyes flicked past her form and she placed it as a signal a second to late. Mid-turn to suddenly hit the floor with force as her arm was twisted painfully behind her back. Her sword clattered uselessly in front of her as she attempted to dislodge her attacker. Jean froze in a way that had nothing to do with the frost creeping over her pinned form. That long piece of damning blue hair was in her peripherals as Kaeya leaned more of his weight onto her.
“Well done son.” Purred the newcomer and suddenly all the pieces clicked horribly into place, why that random Abyss stranger was eerily familiar. He had the exact same pupils as Kaeya. The cold feeling in the pit of her stomach only worsened when Kaeya responded easily, “Thank you, father.”
“No..” She whispered, tears springing into her eyes. She still couldn’t move a muscle even if she was free to. Her throat closed as a lack of words stuck in it.
Kaeya chuckled lowly in her ear and she could feel the vibration through her form. He was so close. She never had a reason to fear him before. Never. And now, the twisting feeling in her abdomen was telling a completely different story.
“Surprised? That would be a first, Grandmaster.” His voice dripped with contempt at her title. Jean felt sick.
“Why?” the question came out as a whisper.
His grip tightened on hers. “Why? Shouldn't you know? I'm not a Child of Mondstant. I’m a sinner. Not worth mentioning for most.” His laugh was dark as he continued, “Of course, Khaenri'ah only mattered to her survivors. Soon, the god’s will pay for what they did to us. Starting with Barbatos himself.”
Jean couldn’t help the tears that burned in her eyes. She shook her head, he couldn’t possibly know.
“Tell me.” Kaeya mused, “How long will it take for Venti to come save you? After all, he cares for all his children.”
Jean shivered from the implication. “You’ll lose.” A sob stuck in her throat, “He took you in. Your vision-” She let out a quiet gasp as his grip turned tighter, ice biting into her wrist.
“If he knew who I was, he would have let me die.”
“Kaeya, please. This isn't you. You’ve helped me this whole time.” she pleaded.
He hummed, almost thoughtful. “You're right. I got nothing in return however. Always second, never recognised for any of my efforts. It would have made sense if you knew I was a spy, but.” He laughed again, cruel and dark, “Judging by your reaction, I’m guessing you didn’t.”
“You are the one who didn’t want the recognition. You-” Jean protested.
“Did I?” His voice almost bored as he pulled her vision from her belt. Tears finally spilled over as Kaeya continued, “It’s almost like you made an assumption and kept me down. Or tried. I did become your second in command.”
Jean could barely breathe through the pain in her chest. Guilt and uncertainty lingered as a fresh grief spilled over her cheeks. “So you are going to kill me over it.” Her voice came out dull, all fight fading from her.
“No.” Kayea stated, standing up before dragging her to a kneeling position by her hair. Jean bit back the cry of pain as his fingers dug into her tender strands. The air snapped colder, freezing the tears in place. Jean’s breath came out frosted as he whispered to her, “You’ll just wish I did.”
He threw her into the waiting arms of an Abyss Herald. “Take her to the cells.” His eye was as frigid as his voice. Jean couldn’t repress the shiver that ran through her, not sure if it was from the cold or the fear deep in her core. “I have to break the bad news to Mondstant. Their Grandmaster won’t be returning alive.”
“Yes, my prince.” The Herald responded.