Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Intro⋆˙⟡

I had been struck. Me. The first of the Harbringers. How could this be? How could she have felled me with such effortless grace? Her power was surely far beyond anything I was ever expecting.

I could barely manage to breathe after being struck by Mavuika’s powerful attack, falling to one knee and glaring up at her for a split second before looking back at the ground. The whole stadium was watching from behind the gates, going silent as they attempted to see what had happened. And I could feel their eyes. More importantly, I could sense Mavuika’s crimson eyes as if they were burning holes into my skin, waiting, as if to get a reaction out of me. Or a response.

“This is not over, Pyro archon.”

I managed to make out while unable to even look into her eyes, trying my best to suppress my rage. Thankfully, as if on cue, Ororon -my newfound right hand man- came to my rescue, using one of the aces up his sleeve to get me out of the situation I had found myself in.

And just like that, I managed to escape the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, not looking back for a second as I knew I could no more challenge the Pyro Archon as an equal. Not in the state I was in.

After some time of pathetically running away, wanting to ensure I wasn’t being followed, I found a camping site to rest, accompanied by some Fatui agents that I had brought with me from Shneznaya.

I took a moment to catch my breath, looking around the area we had settled into. The fields looked peaceful and quiet. But my mind was the complete opposite. It had been that way ever since the Cataclysm. Not that I wasn’t already in terms with it—

Most of the time, at least.

The Fatui agents also settled around me, waiting patiently for my orders, as per usual.

“She is going to be an even bigger problem than I was expecting…”

and I was unsure if that was an inner monologue or if I actually said it out loud. But that doesn’t really matter, it was the truth.

I couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but eventually, the sound footsteps could be heard in the distance, breaking the silence and making me raise my head, which I had not realized I had been holding in my hands the whole time.

I could tell from the familiar pace and walking manner that it was Ororon, seeming slightly worried as he approached, fast-paced and holding something that resembled a box of medical supplies. For a split second it came to me how close we had grown in the past few days and how I had not expected to trust him this fast, especially considering the way we had met, but regardless, we seemed to share some of the same views regarding the future of Natlan, so we had been travelling together. I could almost say I thought of him as my friend.

“Ororon… I underestimated your capabilities.”

Is all I could say. I was honestly impressed by the effectiveness of his technique, managing to get me out of there without leaving a single trace behind.

He did not reply right away. Only kneeled in front of me as he signalled for me to take off my coat. I raised my eyebrow in confusion as I obliged, before he started taking out medical supplies, which I assumed were meant to take care of my wound.

“You owe me one.” Ororon said with what looked to me like a cocky smirk as I let him wrap a bandage around me. I was surprised he didn’t remember my immortality would make sure my wound would be as good as new within a few days. But I couldn’t bare to tell him that. Not when he had brought a whole box with him. So I just let him “cure” me.

“You wish..” I said, returning the smirk, which I doubt was even visible under my mask.

After a while, when he said I was good to go, I was about to say something as a thought dawned upon me, remembering my earlier conflict with the Pyro archon, still unable to wrap my mind around her reckless plan. I got dressed again, buttoning up my shirt as I looked toward the younger man’s direction, skeptical.

“Ororon.”

I said, making him look at me again

“Do tell me, what is the Pyro archon really like? Because her ideas seem to me far too naive and optimistic for a leader of the Nation of War.” I expressed, making sure I was clear about not being too fond of her plan. Or her, for that matter.

Ororon seemed skeptical as he looked at me, as if contemplating his answer. Silence fell between us for a short while, the birds and the nearby river being the only sounds in the area as I took note of him looking down at his hands before replying.

“If I have to be honest—

I doubt Mavuika is unqualified to be a leader. I know her plan sounds superficial but… I think she is only hoping to achieve the best for everyone.”

Ororon says, locking eyes with me once again. He seemed certain, but I couldn’t make sense of any of that. I did not hesitate to reply, although now that I’m recalling it, maybe I was a bit too harsh.

But can you blame me?

“This is not a fairytale, Ororon. Nor is a second chance guaranteed in case of a mistake. We must act fast and the last thing we want to be is reckless. Because you know better than anyone, the Abyss will not stall to completely take over the Ley Lines. We don’t have time to wait for a hero to possibly emerge.”

Ororon did not reply, only averted his gaze, seeming a little hopeless in the situation. So I continued.

“You know I’m right, Ororon. And you also know my plan is the only certain way to save this Nation. I can’t let yet another Nation perish merely because of my own inefficiency to save it.”

He merely nodded in response, a breath that he had been holding finally escaping him.

“I know you are. But... what do we do next? Shouldn’t you rest a while before making another attempt? You could stay at my house for a few days. I live outside of the city, so you should be good there for a few days.”

and I knew he was right, as I could not possibly fight if needed in the state I was in. “Set up a camp”  I ordered the Fatui Agents and they immediately obliged, starting to set up a camp for us to stay the night.

“First thing in the morning, we’re heading north. Ororon is right. I shall let my wound heal before hoping to face the Pyro archon again.”

I can’t seem to recall what happened after. I suppose the others fell asleep. I didn’t. Not that I was ever expecting to. I hadn’t slept in years after all. I just stayed out near the fire, watching the flames dance themselves to embers, and I have to say that a touch of hopelessness had begun to settle in. Although I could never admit that to Ororon. It would greatly discourage him.

My eyes wandered to the sky, tracing constellations I once knew by heart. Ever since I was a child, I would do this whenever I wanted to calm my mind. It used to bring me peace. Used to make me feel like I belonged.

Used to.

Nowadays, the voices never rest, they rise and swell inside my mind, leaving me no space to collect my thoughts, no stillness to call my own. And there are nights when even I grow weary,
when my thoughts feel too heavy to lift.

But feelings like that are quick to be discarded and tucked away into the darkest corners of my mind. Because I know I am not deserving of pity, not deserving of solace. Not after I failed to save my homeland. Not when I still have a burden to carry. A promise to fulfill. I cannot let thoughts like these haunt me or hold me back.

To be continued...⋆˙⟡

a/n: That was it for the intro! I know it's short, but i will be uploading the 1st actual chapter within the week i hope!(i promise it will be much longer<3) Thank you to whoever reads this far! Love u!

Chapter Text

I. “It was Only a Dream” ⋆˙⟡

500 years ago...

My eyelids parted, the gentle voice of my mother resembling a nostalgic melody I couldn’t quite comprehend as she dragged me out of a dream that felt like an eternity. I looked into her eyes, a smile having creeped up to my lips beyond my control, before her thumb carefully wiped a lone tear away from my eye.

Had I been crying? I couldn’t quite recall any details from my dream. The only thing still vivid in my mind was a pair of crimson red eyes; their beauty so surreal that it could only possibly be fabricated by one’s imagination.

“Did you have a bad dream, Thrain?”

Hearing my name, a weird thump echoed in my chest, as if I had almost forgotten what it was. However, those thoughts were quickly cast aside, figuring whatever the dream had been aboutended up leaving my mind unsteady. After struggling for a few seconds in an attempt to remember the details, I shook my head and smiled at my mother, assuming there was no point in trying to recall them and slowly coming back to my senses, now fully awake.

“I forgot all about it…” I said, sitting up in my bed as my mother ruffled my hair in an adoring manner.

“It must have not been too important, then…” She said with a comforting smile while standing up and walking to the door, before turning to look at me once more. “I made breakfast, we are waiting for you downstairs.” She said sweetly before walking out, the sound of her footsteps fading as she paced down the wooden staircase of our house.

Finally, I stood up, walking to the bathroom and proceeding to rinse my face. I patted my skin dry before looking into the mirror, taking in my appearance. My hair still a mess from bed as my thoughts wandered and ending up settled upon a realization about what day it was.

This was the day. My first day in training to become a military soldier for Khaenri’ah. At long last, my application had been accepted, after filing as soon as I got to 16 years old and was finally of age to begin training. For as long as I could remember, that had been my dream. Becoming someone worthy, someone strong.

It was the moment I had been anxiously anticipating, my chance to honor the homeland that had raised me, my chance to be able to confidently say I can defend my family in case of a disaster.

My feelings were a mix of excitement and pride, accompanied by a hint of nerves that I tried to shake off. My step was fast while walking out of the bathroom and down the stairs, the smell of eggs and bacon making me suddenly aware of how empty my stomach was. Upon entering the kitchen, my father looked at me with pride in his eyes, maybe for the first time. And I could never describe the immense pleasure that look gave me, even if I were to attempt doing so.

“Ah… here’s my brave soldier.” He said, making my two younger sisters giggle and look at me with wide smiles, as I joined them at the table.

“How are you feeling sweetie? Nervous?” My mother asked in a curious manner, while my father signalled for everyone to start eating. I nodded slightly, pursing my lips before replying.

“A little bit… But I’m sure it’s just my excitement!” I said, raising my fork to my mouth, appreciating my mother’s cooking slightly more than usual... although I couldn’t quite put my finger on why that was.

Breakfast was short-lived that day, praises and words of encouragement coming from all my family members while we enjoyed our bacon and omelets. Their words worked merely as a reminder. One of how much I wanted to become strong and courageous. A man they could be proud of, a man that would never let anything happen to them.

⋆˙⟡˙⋆

And so, I joined the royal military of Khaenri’ah. Determined and unyeilding, learning how to get stronger, never missing a day of training and never disobeying my higher ups, I knew I made my family proud. Prouder than they had ever been, dare I say.

In the blink of an eye; the day turned to night, the summer turned to fall, and the years started passing by faster than the wind. So, before realizing, I had already travelled up the ranks, managing to be the first in the history of Khaenri’ah to achieve the honorable position of a military commander so early on, being merely 21 years young.

Throughout the years, many people had I let come close to me. Many had shared their wine with me, even more had shared their joy, celebrating big and small victories for our nation. Of course, there would be a fewthat betrayed me, turned their backs when the nation needed them, but that bitterness has long since been left behind. After all, what reason was there to hold a grudge while living each day the way I had always hoped I would, being someone not only my family, but also the whole nation could rely on?

Out of all my comrades, there was one of them who stuckbeside me ever since we first got introduced, during the 2^nd year of my service. His name was Guthred, my trusted second-in-command. But above all, my good friend, having been a steady rock to me all these years as I were to him. Someone could say we grew together. Yes, that would be fitting.

However, not everything was as joyous and easy as one would think. In the course of time, a single worry remained in all Khaenri’ahns’ minds; the prophecy. A prophecy about a disaster that would befall our nation; caused by angering the Heavenly Principles. Although, not everyone believed it, seeing how smoothly everything was unfolding at the time. Nonetheless, few were the ones that could honestly say they didn’t have a single concern about it. The brighter side of said prophecy, was the mention of a golden haired “savior”, who would have the power to save our land in the instance of such a turn of events.

And so it happened. In the year I became the military commander, a powerful outlander with blonde hair set footon our nation. And of course, ever since he arrived, the prophecy had gained many believers, including the earlier King Irmin, who had just attained the “fobidden knowledge” regarding the Abyss from the Dragon King Nibelung. So, in an attempt to prevent the other half of the prophecy from manifesting into reality, the King generously shared this newfound informationwith Gold, “Rhinedottir”, in order to experiment with abyssal monsters, strengthening our nation’s forces greatly.

A few years later, the “Savior” had already helped our nation greatly, as it started to bloom beautifully in various aspects thanks to his hard work. So, when it was time for King Irmin to pass down the throne, he found that no one other other than him would be more suitable for it. Without a second thought, the golden haired outlander was soon crowned the Prince of Khaenri’ah, rapidly gaining followers, especially after the experiments seemed to bare fruit with the help of his own abyssal powers.

⋆˙⟡˙⋆

“Khaenri’ah was a nation without a God. Not because it had a god that died, or abandoned it, but because it never had a god to begin with.”

Those were the words of someone I used to know, and I shall confirm. Our nation was strictly against the Heavenly Principles and everything they stood for. As I already mentioned,various experiments had taken place by Gold, “Rhinedottir” over the years already, with the intent of finding ways to stand up against them as equals. I personally never knew too many details about these, since I concerned myself with various other matters in the latest years, such as the training of the newly recruited soldiers, year after year.

On a day like any other, after having been the millitary commander of the Khaenri’ahn royal army for 5 years already, preparations were underway for the new recruits’ daily training, when Guthred arrived, pulling me aside to inform me of some “important matter”. He stepped out first, with me following shortly after him. There was a tension in his movements; a kind of strain I had rarely seen in him before. Only once, in fact, when his father had fallen ill. Thankfully, the man had recovered then.

“You seem… worried” I said, in an attempt to make him speak his mind, for his worry began to infect me as well.

“Thrain- Excuse me… Commander…” He said, clearing his throat and seemingly making an attempt to organize his own thoughts before continuing.

“Khaenri’ah… Khaenri’ah is being attacked”

After taking a moment to make sure my ears were not deceiving me, I felt rooted on the spot. This meant war was going to break out.

The prophecy… But why? Were the Heavenly Principles attacking? Did Rhinedottir’s experiment have anything to do with this? The questions in my head were countless, but I knew better than to show my distress. Pulling myself back to the present, I turned to Guthred, lowering the tone of my voice as I spoke.

“How did this happen?” I asked, putting up a calm exterior, which strongly contrasted my mind at the moment.

“I heard the experiment spiralled out of control… monsters were accidentally released to the surface” He said, his voice shaky, and understandably so. This would have surely angered the Heavenly Principles. There was no escaping it. However, I inhaled a deep breath of air through my nostrills, trying to keep my composure, not wanting to make him stress further.

In an instant, Guthred was ordered to gather all forces up front, before my attention turned towards the castle, not hesitating to storm inside and hoping the prince would be back already from the emergency expedition he had left on, not informing anyone of its details. My eyes widened upon facing an empty throne, confirming my suspicions and realizing the only one left to give commands was myself. This was a disaster. The situation was far beyond my knowledge and all our forces could do was resist against the attack and protect our homeland to the best of our abilities.

How could the prince not be back… He was the one with complete knowledge of the situation. The Heavenly Principles had found out about Rhinedottir’s experiments… Why did the prophecy had to unfold so perfectly, in the exact moment the throne was vacant?

And so it was, our Khaenri’ah was invaded by the Heavenly Principles, while the Abyss spiralled out of control.

Command rested upon my shoulders, yet no sign of the Prince ever graced the horizon.

Days turned to weeks, and the people still waited —

but hope, once bright, withered into silence.

I no longer hoped for his return.

As one agonizing day of battle gave way to another, I became all the more aware we wouldn’t hold out much longer, not blind to my own soldiers falling before my eyes, one after another.

And I, powerless against the rage of the Gods, could only watch

Watch as my beloved homeland collapsed before my very eyes.

Watch; as my family and friends, along with all Khaenri’ahns lost their humanity to the Abyss.

To be continued...⋆˙⟡