Dear Lumine,
This is the first time I have ever written a letter to you. In all fairness, there had never been a need to do so until now. How are you? I hope that you have been well. It has been a few months since we encountered each other, not that I can tell without Paimon's help, it is hard to tell time when you cannot see anything.
The last time we met, you told me to see the world for what it truly is. I wonder, what is it that you have seen to make you feel this way? Did you see war, suffering, and death? Was it different from the worlds that we had been? What did you see that made you push me away? Lumine, I want to know, I want to understand, but why did you push me away? Did we not swear to always stay together?
He called out her name, reaching out to her as she disappeared into the portal, only to fall and land on the ground, his hands empty as he heard the portal close behind him. The pain of losing his sister to the unknown goddess was nothing compared to when his sister abandoned him.
In my time on Teyvat, I came to understand a lot of things. The people here are no different from those in the world we have been. I...have friends in this world, people whom I can count on, people who respect me despite my disability. Do you remember how we promised that we will never get close to people and we would always end up breaking the promise? Do you remember how you told me that I was always too soft and I would always argue that you were the softer one? So why do you seem so alone in that scant few minutes we met?
"I don't understand, why did she push me away? Is it because I'm blind now? Because I can't be the brother she remembers?" Aether asked, his eyes on the verge of tears.
"I doubt it. I think that she wants to protect you in her own way," Diluc answered, moving to sit beside Aether. "Sometimes, siblings are like that. They forget that the things they do to protect others would hurt the people that they are trying to protect."
Lumine, can I confess something? The longer I spend in Teyvat, the more I am starting to forget. I remember that you like to wear white, that you have a flower from our world in your hair, that you keep your hair short because you like to feel the wind blowing behind you. But I can no longer remember the exact colour of your clothes, what the flower looks like, the exact shade of gold of your hair and eyes. I remember people saying how we looked so alike but Lumine, please tell me, I need to know, what do I look like? Because I can no longer remember.
He stared at the mirror's reflection, his hand reaching out to touch the cool surface. A tear slipped out but all he could see was a world of darkness.
When I first awoke after breaking out of that seal, the first thing I saw was nothing. I was terrified but do you know what scared me the most? It was the fact that you were not there. I was afraid, not knowing if you were okay or if you were even still alive. I did not know how to navigate a new world where I could not see and had I not met Paimon, I would have starved to death. It was also because of her that I am now able to move on my own two legs, to find a way through this darkness. I am able to see with Elemental Sight, an ability that lets the user see elemental energy in objects or beings. However, I am unable to constantly keep the ability up. Eventually, if I keep overusing it, I would lose the ability to use it.
"You should stop overusing it. You would end up permanently blind," the doctor said, his voice serious and full of disapproval.
'But I'm already blind,' Aether thought to himself as Paimon fretted over him.
The next person I met was the Anemo Archon, Venti. At first, I had not known of his true identity as a god but he eventually told me what he is. We became friends later when I was trying to save his friend. To be honest Lumine, I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to save his friend. It just happened that I was there at the right place and the right time. Can we call this fate?
"Fate implies that there is a set narrow path, one that is unchanging and the opposite of a strath. It also implies that you are chained, forced to obey as future dictate. If you ask me, a god of freedom, if I believe that our meeting is fate, then let me ask if you believe in such a thing as fate."
I met many people after that, most from the Knights of Favonius. I even became the Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius! I bet you would get a kick out of it. I have also adopted a few kids, Klee and Diona. Not of my own violation though, they just declared me their brother and that was that. Of course, they will never replace you as my sister. I wish that you could meet them, I bet you would like them too. I also met some people outside of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, like Razor, Bennett, Diluc. I wish that you could meet all of them.
He was always surrounded by people in the city of freedom but unlike him, they were free to spread their wings. Unlike him, who was bound to this world by the chains that severed his freedom.
After Mondstadt, I went to Liyue. I had not had the opportunity to enjoy my time there and I do hope to return to that country soon, at least to take the time to explore the place and to enjoy the history. However, the day I arrived at the city of Liyue Harbour, it had been the day of the Rite of Descension. Call it an ill-fated luck or unlucky coincidence that it also happened to be the day that Rex Lapis died. If you were there in Liyue on that day, I think you would know what happened but if you were not then I will just say first that Rex Lapis is not dead. It had been a test for the people of Liyue to see if they no longer needed the guidance of their god. In the test, another god, Osial, Overlord of the Vortex, was released from his prison and left to wreak havoc on Liyue Harbour. Eventually, Osial was defeated and resealed back in the ocean depths.
Aether was scared as he ran towards the raging god. Paimon was leading him towards the Jade Chamber and Aether was forced to rely on her more as his body was failing to withstand the aftermath of overusing his Elemental Sight. It was like the first time he woke up in Teyvat, blind and lost. He was scared, his fear seeping deep into his mind, but still, he continued to run.
However, Lumine, did you know that I was part of this whole trial? It was not voluntary of course, at least not for the later part of the test. I volunteered to help with the funeral rites, not stop an evil god from destroying Liyue Harbour!
To tell you the truth, I do not remember much of what happened in the battle. My Elemental Sight had been failing from overuse and I was exhausted from a battle prior to fighting the god. Everything in that battle is a blur to me and sometimes, I find it hard to believe that I am still alive. We might be long-lived creatures but we are not invulnerable, we are not gods.
Lumine, I wonder if you remember or has your new role made you forget what we are?
Aether had dreamt many dreams of his sister, most devolving into nightmares. The one he remembered, as he woke up screaming, was the one where he lay bleeding in front of the abyssal throne, unable to move and forced to watch as his sister brought her blade down upon him.
I met the Geo Archon after the battle. Well technically, I had already met him much earlier but I had not known of his true identity back then. Also technically, I had sort of figured out his identity at our first meeting but I had yet to put the two together. I can already imagine you laughing and saying 'how could you miss something so obvious?'.
Anyway, I met the Geo Archon after the battle and I...lost my temper. Something bad had happened to the Anemo Archon. That same event also triggered something traumatic for me. So when I found out that the Geo Archon willingly gave away what the Anemo Archon had lost in that event, I got angry. I got so angry that I took it out on him. Lumine, I am...not proud of what I did but I do not regret that I did it. However, once I cooled down from my anger, I understood why he did it. Although I do not agree with the actions he took, I understood the reason for why he did it. Immortality is a curse, you and I, we understand that very well.
"Erosion eats up the mind until you are left with nothing but an empty shell. You either live a simple life of no worries or you turn into the very thing you swore to fight against. Either would lead to the death of your own self, the very concept of 'you' would cease to exist. I have bore witness to many succumbing to either ends and I wonder which of these await me at the end."
Lumine, I miss you so much. I miss your voice, your warmth, and your presence. I miss the days you would comfort me when I wake up from nightmares. I miss hearing you sing in the Language of the Stars. I miss being at your side.
He remembers the first time he woke up on Teyvat, cold and alone with no one by his side. Now, he wakes up warm and a glutton he calls his best friend by his side.
After the events at Liyue, I went back to Mondstadt for a while. I have been travelling between the two nations, helping people along the way as I searched for your whereabouts. I even met a rather familiar and unique individual! But I will save that story for when we are properly reunited.
"May sunlight lead the way, and starlight guide you home."
However, no matter how hard I tried searching, I could not find you. The Knights of Favonius and the Liyue Qixing put up posters all over Mondstadt and Liyue but no one had seen you. Not even the information network that Kaeya and Diluc have contained any shred of information about you.
"Sorry, I managed to find her constellation but I can't pinpoint her exact location. She's alive but I can't find where she is. It's like the same fog that blocks me from reading your fate covers hers as well."
"No, this is enough. Thank you for helping me, Mona. Just knowing that she's still alive is enough for me."
I know that you are deliberately avoiding me. Is the reason related to what you have told me to do? Does that mean you do not wish to be found? Should I stop searching for you?
"I'm so tired of this. It feels like every time I take a step forward, I am thrown three steps back. When does it end? When can I finally rest?"
"Sleep, Aether. I know not when your journey ends but for the moment, you need to sleep. If you worry about your nightmares, I will guard your dreams tonight."
"Xiao, please don't leave me."
"I will stay by your side until you awake."
Another thing I want to know is that are you aware of the poison that creeps in your veins? The poison from the Abyss, why do you have it in you? What did you do? How long did you have it in you? Do you know that it would kill you? Our powers of purification should have neutralised the poison. You should know this and yet, why is it still there?
"The power of the Abyss burns but the strength it grants is immense. It is a price I am willing to pay."
"Childe...then at least, don't use it when we're sparring."
"Don't worry, that power is only for dire circumstances."
I am worried for you, Lumine. You have told me countless times that you were fine, even when you were not. You would always hide your pain away from me so as to not worry me, only to worry me more. But Lumine, this time, I cannot tell. I can no longer see the expression you would make or the painful smile you would give when I ask if you were okay. You could lie and I would never be able to tell. How large has the gap between us grown in the time apart from each other?
"I think that we will never stop worrying about our siblings. Even if we know that they would be fine, we just can't help but worry about them. But remember, even as you worry for them, they would worry for you too. I always know how much Barbara would worry for me and I know I can never ease her worries. In return, she knows how much I worry for her. You could even say that it's our sibling right."
I have thought over what you said and I have decided to do as you asked me, to travel through this world and to see the truth at the end. However, have you thought of what you would do should we disagree on our judgement? Would you end me for trying to stop you or would you try to convince me to join you? I hope that such a thing would not come to pass because I do not think that I would have the power to raise my blade against you.
"Lumine, why?"
"Don't stop me, Aether."
Their blades clashed and Teyvat trembled beneath their might. As his sister spread her wings and took to the blood red sky and he leaped into the air to follow, only to fall into the gaping maw of darkness as his wings failed to appear. Aether woke up screaming, waking up Paimon in the process. Apologies fell from his lips along with the tears from his eyes but the person he wants by his side is not here.
I will be heading off to Inazuma soon. Paimon and I will be going to the Liyue Qixing to procure passage to the country. I know not what it is exactly that you want me to see and my current knowledge of this world is lacking. I will continue to gather the elements, hopefully it would undo the seal placed upon my powers and I hope that it would return my sight. I will continue to meet with the Archons, to ask them of your whereabouts. I do all of that because I do not know of any other path to take. Is it sad that in the end, I cannot seem to do anything for myself? I walk the path set down to me by others including you but I can never find myself to create a new path for my own needs. Is it called selfless to choose to give up one's own desire or sad that one is unable to do anything without guidance from others?
"Do you not wish to be reunited with your sibling?"
"I think it's selfish to wish for that."
I hope to see you again one day and I pray that you will remain in good health, despite your current affliction. I hope that the next time we meet, we will have more time to talk and more time for understanding. I hope that the next time we meet, it will not end with the clash of our blades. And I hope that the next time I see you again, I will be able to see your face.
Love, your brother, Aether.
"There, Paimon is done writing!"
"Thanks Paimon," Aether said as Paimon placed the writing tool beside the papers. "Can you do me another favor?"
"Of course! What do you need?"
"Beneath the bed, there should be a small chest, can you bring it to me?" Aether asked. He heard the telltale signs of Paimon flying to the side, presumably to where the chest is located. He heard the sound of wood being dragged across the floor before it changed back to the sound of Paimon flying back towards him. The chest was placed lightly on the table beside the papers and Aether took off his gloves before reaching out to touch the chest.
He had commissioned the chest from a blacksmith in Mondstadt, one that came with a lock and a single key. He dragged his finger on the surface of the polished wood before moving his hands to open the chest. He then brought his hands down to the drawer of the table, his fingers feeling for the indent to pull it open. He managed to find it in the end, without needing to resort to using his Elemental Sight or asking Paimon to help. He felt around the contents of the drawer, finally finding a stack of empty envelopes. He pulled one out, closing the drawer after that before asking Paimon to help him place the written letter into the envelope.
"Paimon, can you make me a promise? No matter what, you have to fulfill it okay?" Aether said as he sealed the envelope.
"What if you ask Paimon to do something Paimon doesn't want to?"
"Paimon, please, you're the only person I can trust to do this. No matter what, you have to fulfill it."
"O-Okay, Paimon promise!"
"If I die, can you deliver this chest to Lumine?"
"What! Nothing bad will happen to you! Paimon won't allow it!"
"It's just a precaution."
"No way! You should be delivering it yourself!"
"Paimon! You promised!"
"Urgh! Fine! Paimon will deliver the chest to your sister if…if you die…"
"Thanks Paimon. I'm sorry for making you do this. I'll treat you to some sticky honey roast later, okay?"
And the letter fell into the chest, one of the many to come. The chest was closed and the key turned, sealing it until the next time it was to be opened.
AN:
Welcome to another milestone chapter!
First off, let me say that this fic has reached over 1000 kudos on AO3 and has remained in the top 5 on FFN! Thank you so much for the support! It had been my dream, ever since I started writing fanfiction, to one day hit 1000 favorites/kudos so thank you, for fulfilling my writer's dream. Now, I want to see how high this fic can go. I want to aim for 2000 kudos and hopefully, hit top 3 one day on FFN!
Next, there was a comment about how the readers might miss Aether's feelings and point of view because this fic was based on other character's pov of Aether. The original plan had been to write a separate fic but I did not want to keep too many fics ongoing at the same time because it would mean my attention is divided. So for this chapter, I wanted to try something to remedy that. This is more of an experimental style compared to my usual style of writing and I hope that the first person pov did not put you off for this chapter. I am thinking of using this as a base for future Aether chapters which makes more sense for what the original idea of this fic is suppose to be. Do let me know your thoughts. Do you like it? Do you think it could be improved on? Do you want to see more or less of this in the future? Please, do let me know.
Lastly, we are finally moving on to Inazuma but I will touch on characters from Mondstadt and Liyue at times. I feel that it's finally time to move on to the next country as the story in the main game is finally moving on from Inazuma which gives me a nice amount of lore and ideas to work with. So I hope that you will look forward to that.
Again, let me thank you for all the support that you have given and I hope that you have enjoyed reading this fic thus far. Please look forward to the next chapter!