Chapter 4: Electiones

((TW: Sexual assault))

Her room was small, but cozy. The smells from the surrounding restaurants and shops seeped through gaps in the woodwork. Not that she minded, but it made her even more hungry. Her mind regretted not getting anything to eat (especially when she didn't have to pay for it), but her stomach thanked her. She still felt sick. She was still tired. Her averagely-comfortable bed had felt like a pile of rocks. She sat in her single wooden chair in front of her desk, rubbing her eyes.

Lumine was pretty screwed, and she knew that.

A brief check-in at Bubu Pharmacy had confirmed her fears. The wound on her side, where a particularly violent hilichurl had dug its knife into her, was likely infected. Not horrible, but it would take longer to heal. The medicine Baizhu had given her to rub over the multi-colored wound made her skin feel tight. She was wary to begin moving in the dance of swordsmanship again. Baizhu had warned her it would be bad to tear open the cut again.

Horrible timing. She only had a fight with a Harbinger the next day.

"Paimon would've just let that idiot leave!" Paimon said. She drifted in circles around the room. "Paimon wouldn't have given him the satisfaction of fighting him!"

"I know. I shouldn't have agreed," Lumine said. "But…" She turned her eyes to look out her small window. "Part of me really wants to fight him again too. I want revenge. A more satisfying win."

"Wow. That's kinda scary for you to say, Lumine. Are you gonna kill him this time!?" There was both veiled excitement and fear in Paimon's voice.

Lumine hesitated. What did she really want? "No."

"Paimon would want to, probably. After what the Harbingers did to Venti and Zhongli! How dare they!"

"That's true. But, at least, with Zhongli, it was his own choice. And I don't think Venti is the kind of person to wish death on his enemies, either."

"You've got a point." Paimon scratched her head. "Well then, damage him enough so that he never messes with us again!"

But Lumine didn't hear her. She had already retreated into her thoughts again. In her current state, she couldn't go all out. Her own body would be holding her back. She wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. She would like to have her weapon enhanced, and maybe improve on her elemental talents, too. Electro would likely be the best element to use against him, a hydro user, but she would need to travel to Inazuma to resonate with it. She couldn't afford wasting her last free day traveling by ship. In terms of healing, food would have to suffice. She couldn't bring one of her friends well-versed in healing, or any friend for that matter. Childe would probably refuse to even look at her if she did. She was on her own.

She wished she could talk about it with someone, but who could she trust? Xiangling and her group of friends were too innocent. She didn't even know if they understood who a Harbinger was. Yanfei was likely under orders by the Qixing to apprehend any outside member of the Fatui. Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu were all a part of the Qixing. Zhongli had already annoyed her, not that he would tell her anything anyway. As for everyone else in Liyue, she didn't trust them enough to tell them something of this matter. She didn't feel like taking a day-long trip back to Monstadt just to receive advice either.

She slapped a hand against her forehead. Her skin was burning under her palm. She needed fresh air, first and foremost. She rose and began walking to the door, beckoning Paimon to follow her.

The morning was beginning to reach noon. She didn't have forever to prepare. She waved at the residents of the city that she knew as she walked through the busy streets. She hoped the dark bags under her eyes weren't too noticeable. She made her way to Wanmin Restaurant.

"Ah, good morning, traveler," Chef Mao said as Lumine approached. She looked around the interior of the small restaurant, but Xiangling was nowhere to be seen. "What can I make for you today?"

Lumine didn't sit, despite all but one of the stools being available. A lone man sat at the far end, eating a small meal. "I just want to place an order," she said. "Can I have five squirrel fish ready to pick up tomorrow morning?"

"Of course. Is that all?"

Before Lumine could answer, Paimon spoke up. "Actually, we'll also have two orders of rice buns. For right now, please." She turned and flashed a smile to Lumine, who raised an eyebrow in return.

As Chef Mao set to work boiling and kneading the rice, Paimon urged Lumine to sit. She did, and her companion drifted closer to her. "You need to eat something. Paimon knows you don't feel good, but it's just because you're nervous."

Lumine wanted to refuse, but she couldn't. She knew she needed to eat, and how could she say no to Wanmin's delicious food? Her mouth already watered at the smells coming from the stove. She leaned her head against her hand and let her eyes close. That was until Paimon's voice rang out again, saying "By the way, Chef Mao, where's Xiangling?"

"She set out with two of her friends this morning. She said she had to go on an important quest. I don't really like it. The three of them are barely adults, after all. They have visions, but…" He busied himself chopping vegetables. "I trust her to travel with you. Your reputation is enough for me. But those two are just a Guhua Clan apprentice and a so-called exorcist. Could they protect her if monsters attacked?"

Paimon turned to Lumine. "So Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Chongyun went on an adventure. I wonder what they could be up to."

"I wish I could go with them," Lumine muttered. Paimon gave her a sympathetic look. For the remaining time it took for their rice buns to be prepared, the duo rested in the warmth rising off the stones of the road below them.

"I hope they taste good," Chef Mao said as he placed two circular boxes in front of Lumine. "Your order will be done by tomorrow. Just come here at the same time. I can keep them warm."

"Thank you," Lumine and Paimon said. After handing over the required Mora, Lumine picked up the boxes and let her feet carry her toward Bubu Pharmacy.

"Where are we going now?" Paimon asked. "Do you wanna see Baizhu and Qiqi again? We can get more medicine for you."

"No. I'm going to train." They passed the pharmacy and began climbing the lesser-used staircase to its side. Towering over them to their left was Mount Tianheng. It cast the staircase into cool shadows.

"Are you sure training is a good idea? Paimon thinks you should be resting. Your injury isn't gonna heal by running around."

"I know. But I need to be ready. Hilichurls and ruin guards won't prepare me for a fight against a Harbinger. I need something more similar." They emerged into the sunlight beyond the mountain. "If only I had known about this fight before yesterday…" She said to herself.

"So what do you wanna fight then?" Paimon asked.

"Fatui agents."

Paimon followed after Lumine with worry in her starry eyes. The two followed the dirt path (sneaking past treasure hoarder camps) until it branched to the left and the right, leading to Lingju Pass and Dunyu Ruins. Lumine opted to go on neither, and kept walking forward until she reached the steep mountainside in front of her. She found small rocks to grab onto, and hoisted herself up. The footholds were harder to find, but she climbed up the wall nonetheless. She sometimes found herself jealous of Paimon. It would be nice to not have to actually climb anything.

By the time she reached the top of the mountain, she was drenched in sweat and almost completely out of stamina. She was glad Paimon remained silent the whole time. She needed time to plan out her day. She laid down on the short grass. The air was nice up here. It was sharp and refreshing. She closed her eyes and took some time to catch her breath.

After a few minutes, Lumine untied the boxes from her waist. She supposed she could have just asked Paimon to carry them. Was she even capable of doing that? Speaking of the small girl, Lumine passed her a box, but she shook her head.

"Those are for you. Paimon's still kinda full from last night." She giggled and drifted over the fall drop back to the ground. A warm wind ruffled her white hair.

Lumine shrugged and opened the box. She felt much better after her walk and climb. Although her side ached, it was bearable. She had dealt with worse wounds before. She practically inhaled the stack of four rice buns. They were so delicious. Paimon laughed again at the satisfied face she made. The second box was gone just as quick, so was the pain in her side.

Lumine then jumped to her feet. She felt energized, and ready for a good fight. She told Paimon to follow her, and ran off across the top of the mountain. She basked in the feeling of the wind at her back and the sun blazing down on her. She grinned as she rushed through the scattered ruins ahead.

What she didn't feel were the blue eyes on her back.

Lumine spotted her target on the shaded ridge below. A Fatui agent dressed in red and black. She wasted no time in beginning the fight, leaping from her position, and not even bothering to use her glider. When she was in the air over the man, she summoned her sword and plunged to the ground like a shooting star. The agent's reflexes were good, though. His knives were out, just in time to block the strike from the traveler.

The force from the impact forced the agent to his knees. Lumine landed on the ground and followed up, getting a good stab into the man's chest while he was still recovering. He grunted as he jumped backwards. She would have struck deeper if not for the Fatui's thick armor.

"The traveler…" The agent said. He laughed. It was distorted through his mask. "You shouldn't be smiling like that."

The agent dashed forward, and it was Lumine's turn to defend. He was stronger than she was, pushing her heels backwards on the soft grass. But she was more agile. She ducked as the agent pushed, sending him stumbling and his stomach open again. Another good hit, and she was behind his crouching form.

She rushed forward to strike his back, which he dodged. She recovered, but when she looked to find the agent, there were six of him staring back at her. Her eyes scanned the clones. There was a faint waver to the fake images, while the real human was solid. She found him - the third on the right. She swung her sword in an arc as she attacked, and-

Her blade traveled right through the clone. She whipped around, but she was too late. The Fatui's knife found its home right in her side. The injured side. She let out a cry and grasped at her reopened wound. Her white dress was dyed red now, she was sure. She glared at the laughing agent. How had she been wrong? It must be the sunlight. It was so bright today.

She blinked, and the agent was gone. Damn them and their invisibility. Lumine held her breath and listened and watched carefully. A breath or trampled grass would give away his position. She expected a sudden attack from her front. Likely aimed towards her heart or stomach. The Fatui always went right for the kill. She kept her blade in front of her, ready for-

What she didn't expect was the cool steel against her side. She swallowed and slowly moved her eyes to look over her shoulder. The crimson outline of a half-disguised agent shimmered against her back. She narrowed her eyes at him. This was a new strategy.

The Fatui jerked his knife to Lumine's hand before returning it to her side. The sudden, stinging strike caused her to drop her sword. Before she could try to reach for it, the Fatui's other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.

The man's cruel laugh rang in her ear. "What can I do with the infamous traveler at my disposal? I could kill her…" He pressed the blade into her wound, eliciting a strained cry. "But there are other ways for her to pay her debts to the Fatui."

Lumine tried to pull away, but the agent held her in place. "If you try to escape, I'll kill you. It'll just be more painful if you don't comply." The hand not holding the knife moved from her waist. It slid across her dirtied dress, moving down slowly. When he reached the hem of her skirt, he shoved his hand under it carelessly, moving up again until it rested on the white shorts she wore underneath. His hand became hotter and hotter, until the heat on the inside of her legs was unbearable. She hated pyro agents. She grit her teeth. Her current anemo abilities wouldn't do much besides anger the agent. She could try to use the wind to get her sword back in her hand, but he would notice before she would.

She gasped when the knife moved from her side, mixed with an unwelcome pressure from his hand. She abruptly leaped forward, reaching out for her sword, but she was pinned to the ground within a finger's length of it. She let out a defeated whine, trying to extend her arm just a few more inches.

The agent muttered curses, then flipped her onto her back, crouching over her. Lumine landed a good punch on his masked face, even if her knuckles stung from the ridged metal. She kicked at him, but his annoyance voided the impact. The knife was pressed against her neck again, before sliding down and slicing through the white fabric around her neck.

"Just hold… still…" The agent's free hand moved to her chest. He took his time in exploring her body. Lumine squeezed her eyes shut.

She was surprised to feel the weight being lifted from her. She opened an eye and looked to her left. The agent lay still on the ground. He was dead. She jumped up, feeling dizzy, but was caught before she could fall. She turned to see the person she least wanted to see, but somehow expected.

Childe stood there, blue eyes staring down at her. Lumine grimaced and shoved him away. She marched to where her sword lay on the ground and picked it up. She opted to keep it in her hand, instead of putting it away just yet. She turned back to the Harbinger, tightening her grip on the sword hilt.

"I can get used to saving you," Childe laughed lightly. "Why are you out here? You shouldn't have fought him with that wound." He pointed to Lumine's hip. "You should rest for our fight."

Lumine glared at him. "Why do you care? Why are you out here?" She looked in the sky around them. She felt her heart drop. "What did you do with Paimon?"

"That's a lot of questions, girlie, for not even answering mine."

"Where is Paimon?"

As if summoned, Paimon drifted down to Lumine and behind her back, cowering away from Childe's gaze. "Paimon's sorry! He told me not to say anything or come down here. He's been watching from the beginning!"

Lumine flung out with all her anger, forcing Childe back against the stone behind him with a strong gust of wind. His body was lifted into the air like a doll. His breath was knocked out of him at the impact. Next thing he knew, Lumine was standing right in front of him, her hatred and disgust for him oozing off in waves that he could feel. He smirked weakly.

"What's your problem?" Lumine asked. "First, you stalk me all the way up here. Then, you threaten Paimon. And then, you watch and don't help me with that agent?" She was practically yelling now.

"What did you expect? You told me yesterday we weren't friends." Childe shrugged. Cocky little… "Anyway, I'm a Fatui too. I didn't want to kill one of my own men. But what would I do if he killed my favorite fighting partner?"

"So you would've let me get-" She didn't even want to say it.

"Yeah! You would've just watched! You creep!" Paimon interjected. Lumine felt sick again. Childe watching… She turned away, crouching to the ground. She really might throw up.

"Lumine?" Childe asked. She heard his footsteps in the grass behind her. She jumped to her feet as if nothing had happened.

"I'm fine. Just leave me alone."

"I don't want-"

"Leave me alone!" Lumine screamed. She spun, swinging her sword. But the Harbinger stepped out of the way with ease. "I hate you! I hope you die!"

It seemed today was full of surprises - she didn't expect the hurt that was on full display on Childe's face. The way he looked reminded her of a young boy, in a way. And that was all he was, wasn't he? He was young, he was human, just like her. Underneath the whole Harbinger thing, he still had emotions.

Was it actually possible that he cared for her? Was it possible that he did truly mean to be her friend?

Lumine turned away, facing the drop to the vast ruins and pool below, at Lingshu Pass. Then, she jumped. She jumped away from all of her confusing emotions and the even more confusing man named Childe. Tartaglia. Or whatever his real name was. She let the fresh air of Liyue brush away all of her thoughts. She was calm.