Episode 19: Thread of Fate


"In that world, there were seemingly endless possibilities, stretching out to every horizon infinitely. Some believed that every single choice we make creates an entire new universe, while others believed that those other choices simply don't exist anywhere. But what if there was another choice, one that absolutely no one had expected?"

It was that voice again. Seeping through the gaps in my consciousness, I could hear it, as plain as day. The kind tone and old-fashioned way of speaking were already very familiar to me. It had been a while since I had heard him speak like this. I wanted to reply, to ask him so many things, but… I had no voice with which to speak, and even if I did, it would never reach him.

"Back then, I didn't understand anything, despite thousands of years of existing in that world. I didn't suspect the truth, which was an unforgivable failure for someone of my stature. Sadly, it seems my failures are piling up quite high now. Alas, I cannot change what has already been written. And even if I could, would it have mattered in the least? Who could say?"

Ah, he stopped speaking. It seems it's time for me to go back there again.


Opening Theme: My First Story - Home


The winds of fate had already blown in a new direction by the time Diluc returned to the inn. On that quiet night, amidst the peaceful afterglow of a final goodbye, something else had already started. One man could have comprehended what it was, the man who had knowledge of everything from the very start.

And when Diluc returned to the room he shared with Kaeya, as they prepared to rest for the night, that man appeared before the two of them, as if he had simply materialized out of thin air.

At first, the two brothers were so shocked they couldn't move. The sound that he made as he slipped through that "portal" was unearthly, and if he had wanted to kill them, he could have easily done it in that surprisingly large gap before Diluc and Kaeya could regain their concentration.

When they finally did, Dainsleif, The Twilight Sword of Khaenri'ah, stood in the center of the room, appraising them through narrowed eyes.

"What the-" Kaeya hissed, reaching for his sword much too late.

"I see this one sent me to the right place. How pleasant."

"Dainsleif?!" Diluc spat, his head spinning.

On that long walk home from his confrontation with Childe, Diluc had gone over the possibilities for his new mission. He had prepared himself for the chance of a long and painful search for that mysterious man, but now it seemed that wasn't to be. It was almost as if someone was scoffing at his thoughts.

Whether it was simply fate, or a conscious choice on someone's part, it was hard to say. Regardless, Diluc was filled with an overwhelming feeling that something irreversible was about to begin. He couldn't speak. That omnipotent feeling of foreknowledge lasted only seconds, but it left him reeling.

"It seems you're starting to understand, or am I mistaken?"

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Diluc said, holding his aching head.

"No matter. There's no reason to beat around the bush any longer."

"Hey, who the fuck is this guy?" Kaeya said, eying the man with absolute astonishment written on his face.

Kaeya was so taken aback by the man's appearance that he had lost all poise. It was because of one small detail that Diluc had failed to notice, despite several meetings with the man.

But Kaeya didn't fail to notice the similarity. For the shape of their pupils was near identical, too much so to be mere coincidence. Indeed, it was the mark of a kingdom long gone, one which Kaeya was most familiar with.

"His name's Dainsleif. Beyond that, I don't have a clue about who this fucker really is."

"Quite the warm welcome here. But I wouldn't expect you two to know me. Same goes for most beings alive today. It was much too long ago when I still had any other title, and I don't care to remember those days any longer."

Diluc and Kaeya both were speechless. They didn't know how to respond to the man's incoherent rambling, which didn't make a whittle of sense to either of them. However, the strange man wasn't bothered, continuing on with his spiel unabated.

"It seems that you finally got to the bottom of things, Diluc Ragnvindr. I'm sure you're angry about a lot of things. After all, you could say I was behind the death of that girl you loved so much, right?

At those words, Kaeya bristled. He hadn't even had time to find out the result of Diluc's meeting with Zhongli, much less what happened after, so he was understandably shocked by this turn of events.

Diluc glowered at the man, desperately wanting to unleash on him, but something insisted that he shouldn't. It was like he already knew what the end result would be, and attacking this man would be meaningless at best.

"Why are you here now?" Diluc asked instead, biting back his anger so hard his lip threatened to bleed.

"That's simple. I came to have a discussion with you, as a fellow reject of this world."

"Wha-?"

"Don't act so surprised. Surely you already have an inkling of what I mean? Or are you too dense to accept something like that?"

"Diluc, what is this weirdo saying? Care to explain?" Kaeya said tensely.

But Diluc didn't explain. He was silent, with his eyes drifting around the room restlessly. Kaeya gazed at him questioningly, increasingly worried. In place of the red-headed man's reply, Dain continued.

"I recall once telling you to find the secret of this world. It seems you still haven't, but that doesn't matter now. I've decided that the time has come. There's nothing else in the way, and this curse grows more painful by the day. It seems I was mistaken about too many things. Now, prepare yourself, Diluc Ragnvindr. You shall now become privy to a truth only a few will ever know."

Diluc's eyes widened in fear. With his heart beating like a hammer, Diluc leaned forward. Kaeya looked on in confusion, while Dainsleif took a seat, then leaned forward, matching Diluc's body language. Then, that blond man began to speak.

"I should start from the beginning. In this world, the concept of "fate" rules over the lives of almost every soul. Surely you've heard of this, that your fate is written in the stars. The significance of that escapes most, but some understand the true meaning: that our lives are intended to be predetermined from the very start. "Someone" made that choice "somewhere", once upon a time, and this false world has followed that rule since."

Dain paused then, and Diluc spoke up.

"I follow so far."

The blond man nodded, then shifted forward again. The dim, flickering candlelight illuminated his aqua blue eyes, which almost seemed to glow from within.

"Whether that decision was made maliciously or not, who could say? Certainly not I. But regardless, this world has clear rules in place, and stepping outside them can be disastrous. That is where I come in."

Dainsleif put his hands together, intertwining his fingers. In a low, terse voice, he continued.

"My greatest desire is to destroy this inescapable fate."

"What… the hell…?"

Diluc couldn't think straight. The man's words didn't make sense, but they tickled something in the back of his mind, something he shouldn't have known.

"It would take far too long to explain it all in detail. Quite simply, this fate of ours is too cruel to accept, especially once one becomes aware of it."

"Wait! Just slow down for a minute!" Diluc said, holding his head in his hands.

"As you wish," Dain said, stopping his monologue.

Diluc didn't want to believe that man. For someone who had lived a relatively normal life by Teyvat's standards, this was absurdity to the highest degree. Diluc felt a tug-of-war happening in his mind. The hope of an average, peaceful life was at war with a concept that went against everything he knew. That feeling disgusted him to his core.

"Look, I don't know about all of this bullshit. Just tell me one thing. Why'd you have to kill her?"

Dainsleif's eyebrows rose in surprise, then he sighed.

"Technically, I didn't kill her. But as for my reasons, it was part of my own personal battle. I had no ill feelings for that young woman. If anything, it is quite the opposite."

"What? You aren't making any sense!"

"Then listen closer. Open your mind and leave behind your rage, or this next step will be impossible for you to take."

Diluc grimaced at the man, but nodded his consent.

"Good. I don't expect you to understand all of my motives, as they have arisen over hundreds of years of existing in the cruel clutches of fate's grasp."

Dain sighed again, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"Allowing her death was simply a part of a larger plan that I decided to enact after "an old friend of mine" chose the wrong path. It was my intent to draw this world into chaos, force Celestia's hand, and perchance escape from our fate. But it seems I was too careless. In my haste to bring about an unknown future, I have caused meaningless suffering, and still failed to accomplish anything of note."

"So what the fuck, are you just going to abandon your plan after making a mess of our lives? Take responsibility for your actions, you bastard!" Diluc shouted, standing up from his seat.

He grabbed Dain by the collar, glaring at him furiously.

"We aren't just toys for you to use and throw away as you please!"

Diluc was working himself up into a proper rage, but strangely, Kaeya was the one to de-escalate the situation.

"Don't, Diluc."

"What?! You've heard the shit he's been saying! If anyone was ever evil, it's this guy!"

"Still, let him finish. If what he's saying is true, we have a responsibility to hear it all."

Diluc let the man go, backing over to his chair and taking a seat again reluctantly. He was annoyed by how easily Kaeya was accepting such an unreasonable situation. It made Diluc feel like he was missing something, and a chill went up his spine.

"That man speaks sense. I came here because I recognized something special in you. You could say I believe in you. That is why I chose to reveal this to you, Diluc Ragnvindr. Hate me if you wish, but I have told you no falsehoods."

Diluc's anger was subsiding, replaced by a fear of the unknown. It felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under him, and now he was falling into a deep pit without an end. He could barely formulate questions at this rate, but he had to keep trying.

"So if all this is true, why tell me this? What good am I to you?"

Dainsleif sighed again.

"Who could say, really? Perhaps this is another of my whims, or perhaps I simply regret that I played a part in trampling that beautiful, short-lived flower. Either way, my gut tells me that you are capable of making a decision that would change everything."

"Is that so…? You think too highly of me," Diluc said, annoyed.

"No, it is so. After all, in all my journeys, few things shined as brightly as what you two had. That enigma alone is enough to convince me."

Diluc's eyes widened as he realized what Dain was insinuating. He looked down, squinting his eyes.

Dainsleif's words had a huge impact on Diluc. He was still angry, but with everything that had happened, he almost felt as if he was transcending anger to something else. Perhaps this was the acceptance phase? Regardless, the choice before him seemed comically obvious, yet clearly paradoxical.

"I don't know what you want from me, but I'll hear you out."

"I see. You continue to surprise me," Dain said, looking appreciative.

"So? What is it you want? I know you didn't come here just to fill my head full of weird shit."

"You are correct. But this might be the hardest question of all."

"Funny considering what you've already said."

"I'll ask then. I wish for you to join me in my war. I want your help dismantling the gears of fate, so that we may see what lies beyond them."

Diluc wasn't surprised by this question, but it indeed was difficult.

That man may as well have signed Keqing's death certificate. How can I trust him? No, it's because he did that I should trust him. If he had the power to worm his way that deeply into things…

"Can you prove to me without a doubt that all of this is true?"

"I cannot."

For some reason, Diluc believed him. No matter how many worrisome ideas came to mind, his heart told him to join this man. It seemed like making a deal with a demon, but after everything that had happened, Diluc could see no other path forward. This was all that remained. And so, he spoke.

"How could I go back to living a normal life after knowing all this? I have no choice now."

That was Diluc's final decision. He would follow this new thread of fate until it ended, whether that led to unthinkable tragedy or glory.

"I see. I hope you're prepared for what is to come. I fear that this world has many surprises for us yet."

"After taking in that much information, I can handle anything," Diluc said wryly.

That blond man smirked, but then his face fell.

"Unfortunately there is one more thing you must know. In fact, you could say it is the most important thing. Right now, somewhere in this world, there exists someone who can turn back the hands of time. That person and their partner are the ones we must seek. She has yet to understand her place, but I believe the time is near. We must be by their side when that time arrives. She is the key to our future. Indeed, with her help, many things should be possible."

"…What…?" Diluc muttered in disbelief.

Dainsleif had dropped such an astounding fact without blinking. Diluc's mind was racing impossibly fast. Suddenly, countless possibilities opened before him. A hope that he had given up on, at least in the short term, was reignited.

"You mean I can…"

He wanted to see her. He wanted to see her so badly. Since she departed, he had somehow managed to convince himself he was fine, but he couldn't lie any longer. Now that an impossible possibility had appeared before him, Pandora's Box could never be closed again.

"Such a thing should indeed be very possible."

That was all he needed to hear. No other choice remained. He would accompany this man to the ends of Teyvat and even to hell itself if it meant another chance to hold her in his arms. How cruel was fate? It waited until he had almost moved on before dangling that unreasonable hope before him once again. Now he could see only one future.

Of course he had to try; his heart would accept nothing less.

"I'm in."

"I'd hoped you would say that."

As the blond man reached for Diluc's hand, a thought ran through his mind; an apology.

Sorry, young man. I didn't tell you everything. One day, I hope you will come to forgive me for my deception.


Far from the hills of Mondstadt, among wind-driven drifts of snow, a pair trudged along a worn path. One struggled against the deep snow, while the other floated above it, seemingly unperturbed by the blizzard conditions.

The two weren't just aimlessly walking. No, they had a very clear destination in mind.

In the man's pack was a letter. It beckoned him to meet in a place that brought back countless nostalgic memories. He hadn't particularly wanted to partake of a hike through the Snezhnayan winter, but the name signed on that letter had sealed the deal, leaving him no choice but to respond accordingly.

Soon, a wanderer would return to the place where it all began - this time, to witness how it would end.


Ending Theme: FELT - find the light


Next:

Episode 20: Journey of Yesteryear