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..........
Lohen stood with his head slightly bowed, his hands clenched at his sides. Jean stood before him, holding the official document, her expression grave.
"The investigation is complete. We have learned the full truth of what occurred." Jean paused, her voice steady but filled with sorrow. "You and Theodore conducted unauthorized experiments using the flesh and blood of Ursa the Drake. You sought to harness its power, believing it could save Adorno from his failing health. But in doing so, you tampered with something you could not fully control.”
Lohen stared at her blankly.
“The unstable energy from the experiments not only put your own lives at risk but also endangered Adorno and the other Knights who were caught in the aftermath. Your actions led directly to the chaos that cost Captain Adorno his life.” She continued reading the documents.
She looked directly at the younger knight. "Therefore, you are stripped of all ranks and privileges within the Knights of Favonius. You are relieved of duty, effective immediately. You will no longer hold any position or authority here."
"Jean... is there really no other way? Adorno forgave him, didn't he?" Lumine asked, worried for the younger knight.
Jean closed her eyes briefly, a look of deep regret crossing her face. "I am aware that before he passed, Adorno chose to forgive him. He understood his heart, and he knew Lohen acted out of love and loyalty. But forgiveness does not erase the mistake. Nor does it undo the lives put in danger, or the price that was paid.”
Lohen did not speak for a long time. He slowly reached up, unclasping the silver insignia from his chest. The mark of his rank and his identity as a Knight. He placed it gently on the table, the metal clinking softly.
He lifted his head, and there was no anger in his eyes, only a deep, quiet sorrow and resolve.
"There is no need to argue." His voice was low, steady. "I know. I know what I did. I know the cost."
Lohen looked at the insignia, then at Jean. "I failed to follow orders. I failed to protect him. To lose the rank he entrusted to me... it is only right. It is the consequence I must bear.”
He looked at Traveler and Paimon. "I thought I could save him. I thought I could control that power without consequence. But I was wrong. I endangered everyone. Even though he forgave me... I know I am guilty."
He paused, his jaw tightening. "After he forgave me... I destroyed everything. All the samples, all the research, and all the remains of Ursa the Drake. I burned it all to ash. I will never let that power hurt anyone ever again.”
“Lohen..” Paimon looks away. She feels bad for him. Lumine patted his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
"To lose this position, it is only fair. It is the consequence I must bear. From now on... I am just Lohen."
The Acting Grand Master stared at him for a long moment, then gave a single, solemn nod. "So be it. The order stands.”
..........
Lohen stood there, hands in his pockets, dressed simply in his white collared shirt, black vest, and black trousers. It was the attire he wore as an Adventurer before he rose through the ranks, and now, it seemed, he had returned to it. He looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath.
Paimon floated down beside him, her expression soft and worried, while the Traveler stood quietly at her side.
"Lohen..." Paimon started, her voice gentle. "You really gave everything up, huh?"
Lohen looked down at them, a faint, tired smile touching his lips. He didn't look like a Knight anymore, but his eyes still held that same resolve.
"Yeah." he replied.
He looked at his own hands, flexing his fingers slightly. "But... this feels more like me, doesn't it? Just Lohen, like I said."
Paimon bit her lip, then asked the question that was hanging in the air. "So... what are you gonna do now? You're not a Knight anymore... So where will you go?"
Lohen was silent for a moment, gazing towards the distant horizon where the wind carried the scent of Cecilias.
"I don't have a grand plan yet. I'll think about it." he admitted honestly. “For now, let's go to my home near Dornman Port to stay for the night.”
..........
The journey to Dornman Port was quiet, the air here smelling of salt and sea breeze, distinct from the bustling noise of the main harbor. Lohen led them to a small, cozy house tucked away on the outskirts, surrounded by the sound of waves and seagulls.
As soon as he stepped inside, he didn't look like an ex-knight at all. He walked to the hook by the door and took down an old, well-worn apron, simple and practical. He tied it around his waist over his white shirt and black vest.
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms, and looked at Lumine and Paimon with a faint, confident smirk that seemed to ease the tension in the room. Despite everything that had happened, his demeanor remained steady, proud, and reassuring, never letting despair show on his face.
"Make yourselves comfortable." he said, his voice deep and calm. "Out here, there are no orders to follow, no reports to file. Just... peace. And good food."
He picked up a clean cloth and wiped his hands, looking at them expectantly.
"I haven't worn this apron in quite some time, but my skills haven't rusted. Since you two came all this way, tell me what you're craving. I'll make anything you want. Mondstadt specialties only, of course. Nothing beats the taste of home."
Paimon’s eyes instantly lit up like lanterns, all her earlier sadness forgotten as she floated right in front of his face, listing off demands energetically.
"Yay! Then Paimon wants everything! First, we need Sticky Honey Roast! It’s so tasty! And then... Sweet Madame! Lots of crispy golden chicken! Oh oh, and Mushroom Cream Stew! The warm, creamy kind that makes you feel all cozy inside!” She paused to take a deep breath, barely stopping.
"And Sautéed Matsutake! The smell alone is amazing! And we definitely need Apple Cider! Cold and refreshing! Oh right! And Mondstadt Hash Browns! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside! And... and... Steak! A huge, juicy steak cooked just right! Can we have all that? Please?!"
Lohen let out a low, amused chuckle, shaking his head as he turned to open his cupboard, checking his ingredients.
"Haha, you really have an appetite worthy of a hero, don't you? You're listing enough food to feed an entire Fifth company."
He turned his gaze to Lumine, his expression softening into a genuine, warm smile. One that held none of the arrogance he sometimes displayed, only sincere gratitude for their company.
He rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, revealing his forearms as he expertly handled the knife, cutting vegetables with precise motions.
Lumine stood by the side, watching him. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, her expression soft but heavy with emotion. She felt a strange knot in her chest watching him, who had lost everything just hours ago, now working so hard to make them feel welcome... It only made her feel worse.
She stepped forward, reaching out a hand towards him.
"Lohen... let me help you." she said softly, her voice gentle but firm. "I can't just sit there and watch while you do all the work. Not after everything that happened."
Lohen paused, his knife stopping mid-air. He turned his head to look at her, his expression calm, though there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Help? You don't have to do that, Lumine. You're my guests. The least I can do is treat you properly."
"But I want to," Lumine insisted, stepping closer to the counter. She looked down slightly, her golden hair falling over her face to hide her expression for a moment. "I feel like this is partly my fault. If we hadn't gotten involved. If I hadn't told them... maybe things wouldn't have ended up like this. You lost your rank, your position... all because of what we uncovered."
Her voice trembled just a little, filled with genuine guilt. "Please let me do this. Let me help. It's the least I can do."
Paimon, who was floating nearby, stopped munching on a piece of dried fruit she had found. She looked at Lumine, then at Lohen, her expression turning serious and sympathetic.
"Yeah... Paimon feels kinda bad too, Lohen. We know you did what you did to save Captain Adorno and now look at you."
Lohen was silent for a moment. He stared at Lumine, seeing the sincerity and the weight she was carrying in her eyes. Slowly, a faint, understanding smile appeared on his lips, not the arrogant smirk he wore in front of others, but a genuine, warm one.
He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he handed her a clean apron hanging on a hook.
"You really are too kind for your own good, aren't you, Lumine?" he said quietly. "You don't need to blame yourself. The choices I made... they were mine and mine alone. The consequences are mine to bear, too."
He placed the apron in her hands, his fingers brushing against hers lightly.
"But... if it will make you feel better, then fine. Come here."
He gestured to the counter beside him.
"Grab that apron and put it on. Since you want to help so badly, you can start by peeling these apples for the cider and the desserts. And be careful, don't let your hands get cut. I don't want the traveler getting injured in my kitchen."
He turned back to his work, his voice taking on that familiar, confident tone again, trying to lighten the mood.
"Besides... having the honorary knight helping me cook, this kitchen is getting way too fancy. Just don't mess up my ingredients, okay?”
..........
..........
The table was soon filled with a spread that looked worthy of a tavern feast. Golden-brown Mondstadt Hash Browns, rich and savory Cream Stew, perfectly seared Steak, fragrant and other requested meals by Paimon. A large pitcher of cold, refreshing Apple Cider sat in the center, completing the meal.
They sat around the wooden table, the atmosphere warm and cozy, filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.
"Mmm! This is so good!" Paimon exclaimed, practically inhaling a piece of steak.
Lohen chuckled, cutting his food with steady hands, looking completely at ease in his own home. "Of course it is. I don't cut corners when it comes to ingredients or preparation. It’s all fresh from the sea and the land around here."
He took a sip of his drink, leaning back slightly in his chair, looking out the window where the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.
Lumine ate slowly, savoring the taste, but her eyes kept drifting towards him. She watched him—so calm, so composed, as if he hadn't just lost the career he dedicated his life to. The guilt still lingered in her heart, but seeing him like this made her feel a little better. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder.
"Lohen," she spoke up softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Now that you're not a Knight anymore and you're living here..."
She paused, looking at his hands that were used to holding a polearm, to training, to combat. "Do you miss it? The fighting? The adrenaline of battle, the training, the missions... the life you always used to live?"
Paimon stopped eating, looking between the two of them, listening intently.
Lohen stopped eating. He put down his fork and knife, resting his chin on his hand for a moment, gazing out at the sea as he thought about her question. The wind blew gently outside, rustling the curtains.
"Miss the fighting?" he repeated the words quietly, a faint, thoughtful smile touching his lips. "Hmm."
He turned his gaze back to Lumine, his expression serious yet gentle.
"To be honest... yes. Of course I will. My body was forged for battle. I spent years training, fighting, protecting the border. The roar of the wind, the clash of steel... that was my world for a very long time. It’s something that becomes a part of who you are."
He picked up his glass, swirling the amber liquid inside.
"But..." His voice softened. "I don't miss the pain anymore. I don't miss the desperation, or the weight of responsibilities that crushed me so hard I lost my way."
He looked at her squarely, his eyes clear and resolute. "I fought because I wanted to be strong enough to protect what mattered. But in the end... fighting wasn't enough to save him. Chasing after power only led to mistakes."
He took a sip, then shrugged his shoulders slightly, the tension leaving his body.
..........
The meal ended on a warm note, the delicious food and comfortable atmosphere slowly chasing away the heavy shadows of the day. After they finished, Lohen cleared the table and led them to a cozy guest room prepared with soft blankets and pillows.
"Rest well, you two." he said, leaning against the doorframe with his usual calm demeanor. "The sea breeze here is soothing. You'll sleep like logs. Goodnight."
With that, he closed the door, leaving them in peace.
Paimon was exhausted from all the emotions and the huge meal. She barely had time to lie down before her eyes fluttered shut, drifting off into a deep sleep with a happy little sigh.
But Lumine lay awake.
She stared at the ceiling, her mind unable to rest. Thoughts of what happened especially Lohen losing his rank. It all kept spinning in her head. Even though he acted so strong and composed on the outside, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that he was hiding a pain too heavy to show.
The night grew deep, the room filled with the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore outside. Then... amidst the natural sounds of the night, she heard something else.
A faint, broken sound.
It was carried by the cold midnight wind, coming from the backyard near the shore. It wasn't a sound of anger or frustration... It was weak, trembling, and utterly heartbreaking.
Sniffle...
...Hhh...
Lumine sat up slowly. Her heart clenched. She recognized that voice, even muffled and broken.
Unable to ignore the sound any longer, Lumine quietly slipped out of bed. She pulled on her coat to shield herself from the biting sea wind, stepping carefully so as not to wake Paimon, who was still sleeping soundly amidst a pile of pillows.
She opened the back door gently, the wooden hinges creaking softly, but the sound was swallowed by the crashing waves.
Hic...
Ah... hhh...
The sobs were ragged, tearing out of his throat like something he had been holding back for far too long. It was a sound Lumine had never heard before. This wasn't the proud Knight, nor the confident cook who smiled and joked at dinner.
Lohen’s short, fluffy mint-green hair was messy, blown about by the sea breeze, and his usually sharp, dull red eyes were hidden behind his hands. The triangular silver earring with the blue gem that he always wore glinted faintly in the moonlight, a contrast to the utter vulnerability he was showing now. His shoulders shook violently, each sob tearing out of him like a physical wound, his voice raw and broken as he whispered apologies into the darkness.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Adorno." he choked out, his voice raw and broken, carried away by the wind. "I tried... I really tried to save you... but I was wrong. I messed everything up..."
He gripped his hair tightly, as if trying to physically hold himself together.
"Why... why did it have to end like this...?"
Lumine stood frozen at the doorway, her hand clutching the frame tightly. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed tight. All day long, he had been so strong, so accepting, telling them not to worry, telling them it was his burden to bear. He had smiled, he had cooked, he had acted like everything was fine... just so they wouldn't worry.
But alone, in the freezing midnight air... the mask finally fell.
Tears pricked at her own eyes. She wanted to run to him, to hold him, to tell him it wasn't his fault. But she hesitated, afraid to break this moment of raw grief, afraid that if he saw her, he would stop, and lock that pain away again where no one could reach it.
Yet, seeing him suffer like this... she couldn't just stand there and watch.
She had seen him as a Knight. A proud, strong, arrogant, always standing tall like a wall that could scare the whole Fifth Company. But now, stripped of his uniform, his rank, and his armor, he was just a man drowning in guilt and grief.
Lohen froze.
The sobs cut off abruptly. He stiffened, his body going rigid as he realized he wasn't alone. He quickly tried to wipe his face with the back of his hand, trying to pull himself together, to put that mask back on.
"Lumine?" His voice was hoarse, cracking badly. "Why are you awake? I thought you were asleep."
He didn't turn to look at her. He kept his head down, hiding his face, ashamed that she had seen him like this.
Lumine didn't answer immediately. She just sat there, letting the sound of the waves fill the silence. Then, very softly, she reached out. Her gloved hand hesitated for a moment before resting gently on his back, rubbing slow, comforting circles.
"It's okay." she whispered, her voice soft but steady.
Lohen’s breath hitched. The contact, simple as it was, seemed to break the last of his resolve. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a shaky exhale, the tension finally leaving his body.
"I just... I wanted to save him," he choked out, his voice trembling. "I thought... if I got stronger, if I used that power... I could keep him with me. But I only hurt him more."
He turned his head slightly, and Lumine could see his red eyes glistening with tears, the small beauty mark under his right eye now wet and glistening.
"I lost everything today, Lumine. My rank... my purpose and the only person who ever believed in me..."
Lumine looked at him, her golden eyes filled with sympathy and warmth. She moved her hand from his back to his shoulder, squeezing it gently.
"You still have yourself, Lohen." she said softly. "And you have us you know.”
She smiled faintly, a small, sad but genuine smile. "You can cry as much as you need to. The night is long... and I'll stay right here with you until it passes."
Lohen stared at her for a long moment, as if trying to process her words. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, resting his forehead on his knees, and let the tears flow freely again.
The wind howled softly across the shore, carrying the salt spray into the night. Lohen didn't look up, his face still buried partially in his hands, his shoulders trembling with the aftershocks of his sobs.
He let out a long, shaky breath, a bitter, hollow sound that mixed with the crashing waves.
"...The loser takes the fall, afterall.”
He turned his gaze towards the dark, endless ocean, a look of utter resignation in his face.
"That's how the world works, isn't it?" he continued, his voice rough and broken. "In battle. If you win, you're a hero. You get to stand tall and write the history. But if you lose... if you fail..."
He clenched his fists tightly on his knees, his knuckles turning white.
"You take all the blame. You carry all the sin. You fall into the mud, and everyone just walks away.”
“I wanted to win against fate, but I lost. I failed. So naturally... I have to be the one to fall. I have to be the one punished. The Knights stripped my rank. The world turned its back, it's only fair. That's the price of being a loser."
Lumine felt her heart ache even more hearing him say that.
She moved closer, the fabric of her white dress brushing against his arm. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her golden eyes shining with determination in the moonlight.
"No..." she whispered, shaking her head softly. "That's not true, Lohen."
She reached out again, this time placing her hand firmly over his clenched fist, feeling the tension there.
"Just because things didn't go the way you wanted... just because you made mistakes... doesn't mean you're a 'loser'. You cared so much, you tried so hard. That alone means something. You're not just... trash to be thrown away."
Lohen looked at her, his red eyes gazing slightly, staring into her golden ones.
He wiped his face roughly with the back of his hand, taking a deep breath of the cold sea air. When he looked down at Lumine, his expression had softened into something quiet and serene, no longer the angry or desperate man from before, but someone who had finally made a decision.
"Maybe someday..." he started, his voice steady now, carrying a faint, hopeful note. "When your journey ends... when you finally find your way back to where you belong. Perhaps our paths will cross again."
He looked out towards the horizon, where the sea met the endless dark sky.
Lumine stood up as well, the hem of her white dress swaying gently in the wind. She looked up at him, her golden eyes searching his face.
"Then... where do you plan to go?" she asked softly, her heart tightening with a sense of impending farewell. "Will you stay here in Dornman Port?"
Lohen shook his head slowly. A faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips.
"No. I can't stay here.”
He turned his gaze back to her, his red eyes serious and deep.
"I'm leaving Mondstadt. I want to travel... to see the world beyond these borders. Just like you are doing. I need to walk my own path now. Maybe by seeing what's out there, I can finally find peace.”
He paused, the words heavy with meaning.
"Who knows... maybe this really is the last time we'll see each other again."
The realization hit Lumine like a cold wave. He wasn't just leaving the Knights; he was leaving everything behind. There was no guarantee of meeting again in the vast world of Teyvat.
Lohen stepped closer, looking down at her one last time.
"Thank you, Lumine for listening. Not many would have bothered with a 'loser' like me."
He gave a small, genuine nod.
"Go get some rest. You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow.”
..........
The morning sun rose over Dornman Port, casting golden light across the calm sea, but the house felt strangely empty already.
Lumine woke up slowly, the events of last night replaying in her mind like a dream. She sat up, looking around the room. The door to Lohen's bedroom was slightly ajar, and when she walked over to check, she found it completely bare. The bed was made neatly, as if no one had slept there, and all his personal belongings were gone.
On the wooden table in the center of the room, there was nothing left... except for one single item.
It was an old, heavy iron key, placed carefully on a piece of folded paper.
"Lohen?" she called out softly, though she already knew the answer. There was no reply, only the sound of the wind and the waves.
Just then, Paimon floated out of the guest room, yawning widely and stretching her arms.
"Mmm... morning, Lumine! Oh wow, that was such a good sleep! Hey, where's Lohen? Is he already making breakfast again? Paimon is super hungry!"
She looked around, noticing the silence and the empty chairs. Her stomach grumbled, but then she saw Lumine standing there, holding the key, looking out at the empty shore.
"Wait... where is he? The kitchen is empty too. Did he go out shopping for ingredients already? Or..." Paimon paused, floating closer, her expression dropping. "Wait a minute... don't tell me..."
Lumine turned around, holding up the key in her hand, her golden eyes filled with a mix of sadness and understanding.
"He's gone, Paimon..."
"Gone?!" Paimon exclaimed, flying around the room quickly to check every corner. "But... but he didn't even say goodbye properly! Where the heck did he run off to again?! One minute he's here, the next he's just... vanished!"
She huffed, crossing her arms, though her voice was soft with worry.
"That guy really knows how to make people worry, huh? Leaving without a word just like that..."
Lumine looked down at the key in her palm, then out towards the vast open sea. He had kept his word. He was leaving Mondstadt, starting his journey before the sun even rose fully, so he wouldn't have to go through the pain of saying farewell face-to-face.
"He left this..." Lumine whispered. "He really is gone. Off to wherever the wind takes him.”
She looks at the small message he gave one last time. "Your brother is waiting ahead at the end of your journey. I hope by time you reach your finish line, you'll remember me."