Chapter 13: God's Decree
Had anyone been sober or curious enough to observe their table they would have certainly been made aware of a bevy of mismatched demeanors, each of the quartet sporting a unique disposition.
Fischl was crossing and uncrossing her legs, fingers playing with the edge of her mug or tugging on the fabric of her clothing in a desperate bid to stave off the crushing tension.
Lumine was practically motionless, graceful fingers a slight increase of pressure away from shattering the cup she nursed as amber eyes bored into the man sitting across from her as if trying to visually dissect him.
Alec was nothing if not calm and composed, idly sipping from his own beverage as he met the Traveler's gaze without so much as a flinch.
Lastly, Dainsleif kept his eyes languidly switching between the trio, demeanor polite but intense as he studied the others present with little shame.
Not exactly the most festive or joyful of atmosphere's to possess on what should have been a night of celebration.
"Well? You clearly have something you want to get off your chest, Lumine."
A dangerously false smile appeared on the blonde's features, tone cheery and upbeat as she answered Alec's question with, "Oh, it's nothing too big. Just reflecting on the fact that one of the people I trusted without reservation and who I considered a dear friend might just be someone I'm supposed to hate and despise, who turned my brother into whatever brooding and depressed persona he is now."
There wasn't any hint of regret, hurt or anything like that in Alec's eyes upon completion of her response, just a mild sense of resignation and understanding that made Lumine feel far worse than any desperate protest or denial would have.
"Easy does it, girl. Let's at least give him the benefit of the doubt."
Reigning in her temper the blonde took a deep breath and carefully let it out, meeting the fallen god's gaze before quietly asking, "Why does my brother seem to despise your very presence, Alec?"
"Mostly because he has a great multitude of reasons to do so. I'll leave it up to you to decide if those reasons are valid once you know more of the story."
He paused, gaze turning contemplative before continuing with, "While I would like to believe the actions I've taken in the past were for the best, those are a bias borne of my own recollections and perspective. And I am, without a shadow of a doubt, directly responsible for a fair share of the pain your brother has experienced over the centuries, regardless of whether I think I did the best I could at the time."
Lumine's jaw tightened, a slightly uneasy sensation settling in her gut before she pushed it aside, turning to face the man who'd introduced himself as Dainsleif as she asked, "Well what's your story? Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're a broody pretty boy who wears tragedy like a very sexy coat."
Fischl gave her a scandalized look - no doubt for how blunt she was being right now - while the man merely raised an eyebrow in what seemed like nostalgic amusement.
"I'm what you could describe as an old friend of Aether, one who acted much the same way Paimon or Alec have to you, a steadfast point of contact and guidance for when he first came to this world."
Dainsleif's eye landed on Fischl, the investigator staying mostly silent but no doubt keeping a close ear to the conversation occurring between them despite her mild inebriation.
"A fair word of warning, this tale will touch upon a great many events of historical importance that do not necessarily...conform to what is understood and accepted across most of modern Teyvat. If your companion is to stay, Lumine, she could potentially be a target for more unscrupulous parties that desire this knowledge to remain unknown."
He held up a hand as both girls made to reply, clarifying, "I make it seem more dire than it really is only as a means of caution. As long as you do not widely spread and speak loudly of such tales you will be perfectly safe living your life as you were previously. I only wish to make the import of this situation clear."
Lumine bit her lip, momentarily debating what to do before realizing she couldn't ask Fischl - Amy - to further risk herself when she'd already done so much. She was the traveler from beyond the stars with baggage heavy enough to weigh down something the size of Dvalin, not Fischl.
"Utter nonsense, royalty and representatives of the Immanetreich do not so lightly and callously abandon friends and comrades in need merely due to mild inconvenience or threats of reprisal. We shine all the more bright when the tendrils of vile black seek to throttle and constrain our desire for justice!"
Lumine felt herself become honestly touched at the gesture, softly wrapping Fischl's hand in her own beneath the table as her companion seemed to realize just how bold and blatant the statement had been, pale skin gaining a shade of pink to compliment the red of mild drunkenness.
"I am absolutely showing her the patented Lumine-tongue-twister maneuver first chance we get. She's earned it."
Setting aside her lascivious thoughts for a moment she instead turned to the pair of men, Alec smiling slightly as he motioned for the more ornately dressed of the pair to begin.
"What do either of you know of the land of Khaenri'ah? Rumors or hearsay are acceptable."
Lumine turned to Fischl, the investigator frowning slightly as she replied, "I know of ancient tales, that it was a kingdom or empire across the sea that was destroyed over the course of somewhere between four to five centuries, Mondstadt and the other nations of Teyvat having to expend a great deal of men and material to handle the fallout of its destruction."
She blinked, evidently catching onto her slipup as she hurriedly added, "T-tall tales and hushed whispers design without distinction of a cursed and godless land, one that held no reverence for the emissaries and spirits of grand design, enthralled merely by the promise of grandeur by ones mortal hands."
Lumine raised an eyebrow, curiously asking, "Really? Khaenri'ah didn't worship a god? That seems to be the norm in these parts."
Dainsleif nodded, explaining, "Your companion speaks the truth, Khaenri'ah was a land of humans and humans alone, priding itself on achieving grand things without the patronage of a deity. That was both its strength and it's ultimate downfall."
The Traveler frowned, the repeated usage of the name pulling at some distant corner of her memory and prompting her to remember things that she had thought forgotten or irrelevant.
"Why...why does that name seem so familiar? Did we run across it at one point during our-"
The girl jerked forward, the answer arriving in a rush of understanding as she blurted out, "Khaenri'ah! That was the name of the land Aether and I saw when we first came to Teyvat! The one that-"
She shuddered, the sight and sounds of a world aflame as monsters of every stripe and ferocity roamed, final holdouts and bastions crumbling as their residents screamed and died-
"Focus on my voice, Lumine."
The calming and balancing words of Alec drew Lumine from the painfully vivid recollection, a slow breath leaving her as she nodded in thanks, more firmly stating, "Khaenri'ah was the place Aether and I saw when we first arrived here, what was probably its opening stages of destruction causing us to decide to leave...at least until we ran afoul of the Sustainer."
The fallen god nodded, wryly commenting, "I'm not sure whether you have the best luck or the worst luck. Arriving during the most recent crisis to plague Teyvat and running afoul of Celestia's head bitch, only to survive the encounter where most - myself excluded - have perished or been pressed into unwilling servitude."
Lumine snorted, stating, "Yeah, that sounds about right. A journey of ups and downs as we stumble from one adventure to the next."
Dainsleif took up the story once more as he fondly recollected, "Aether arrived within the borders of the Black Sun dynasty just as the first signs of its fall began to cement and be made known to us. While he was initially quite confused and terrified - much like you yourself were, I don't doubt - I pleaded his case to those above me and was given the responsibility of ensuring both his safety and education of the world he'd arrived in."
The man took a contemplative sip of his drink, recalling, "While my duties to the Black Sun dynasty meant I was unable to accompany him on journeys outside Khaenri'ah's borders we nonetheless became good friends, your brother taking every opportunity he could to wander the lands outside Khaenri'ah and explore over the course of many years."
His expression turned far more melancholy.
"But he never forgot or abandoned us, returning often and tending what aid he could in our bid to halt the destruction that had been set in motion by the heavens themselves."
Lumine blinked, Fischl also openly distressed by Dainsleif's words as the Traveler inquired, "Okay, hold up a second. Why was your empire or dynasty or whatever seemingly falling apart at the seams? And what does Celestia have to do with it?"
"This Prinzessin's lips speak truth, while removed and above the concerns of the common folk the shining star overhead doth not impart ill tidings."
Alec snorted - albeit not unkindly - at Fischl's quick response, drolly explaining, "What Khaenri'ah did was draw the ever paranoid and overly reactive attention of those that reside within Celestia. And what better way for that to happen than search for a way outside of its influence? Dainsleif's people had been coming quite close to discovering a way to travel to other stars."
Lumine's eyes widened, instantly seeing why Aether would have been so invested in them even without the gratitude of having served as his guide and place of permanency.
"With much of his former strength stripped from his body and lacking a means to wander the stars as he once did Aether became quite invested in the project, lending what expertise and firsthand accounts that he could in exchange for our aid in searching for you, Lumine."
His visible eye narrowed, tone adopting a serious bite to it as he added, "But Celestia is ever jealous and possessive of its power among the heavens, wary of even the slightest possibility that it might be threatened or snatched away. They interpreted my kingdom's attempt to travel to distant lights among the night sky as a prelude to invading their sanctum."
Now open anger colored the male's features, his words harsh as he spat, "In their spiteful rage they struck an unholy deal, unleashing the Abyss upon Khaenri'ah through means of a massive rift they tore open through a divine act we had no warning of, a tear in reality that was only healed through great cost by forces from Mondstadt itself centuries later."
His gloved hands creaked as they ground themselves together.
"What followed after Celestia's actions was many, many years of bloodshed, loss and families torn asunder by a war that we were ill-prepared to fight. Many of the advancements and machines that my people had built to facilitate growth and prosperity were converted to wartime uses, or developed from scratch. Ruin Guards are one such example, their old title being that of field-tillers."
A heavy sigh left the man.
"But the onslaught was too sudden and too brutal, those corrupted by the Abyss' malign influence and twisted by our own alchemical formula only adding to our enemies strength, not detracting from it. It took a number of centuries but, when all was said and done...Khaenri'ah was no more. It's people either slain or turned into monsters and demons while the accursed Abyss ran rampant, Celestia watching from afar."
Lumine frowned, clarifying, "Corrupted? What do you mean by that?"
"Precisely what I said, those that are subsumed by the Abyss fall victim to its corruptive powers, their minds and bodies twisted into something far removed from what it once was. You have already no doubt seen evidence of such corruption in the form of Dvalin's recent rampage, have you not?"
A wordless nod from both Fischl and Lumine.
"This alteration was only worsened by our own famed alchemical creations and knowledge, the experiments and method of it aiding in exacerbating our foe's victory. I imagine legends of Durin's battle with Dvalin are widely spread in Mondstadt? A victim of the rampant science fueled by a madman whose mind was no longer his own. Or perhaps the hilichurls are a more common example that wanders the lands of Teyvat."
Fischl looked as if someone had slapped her across the face, persona forgotten as she stammered, "B-but why would the heavens do such a thing?! Ascension to Celestia is meant to be a reward and honor, are those that do so the ones who demand such horror?!"
Dainsleif shrugged, replying, "This is what I spoke of earlier, that knowledge of these events inevitably taints and poisons one's perception of accepted facts and beliefs common in these lands. While I leave it up to you to believe what you wish it isn't a fate I would wish on many regardless, one is perfectly capable of living their lives without questioning everything they assumed to be true."
Lumine was silent for a time, eventually asking, "How do you two know of this? Alec I can understand but you said this took place at least five centuries ago, how are you still alive? Are you part Adeptus or a god?"
"Nothing of the sort. I was a member of the Black Sun dynsasty's royal guard, charged with protecting and safeguarding the land against those that would see it fall and collapse."
An expression of clear remorse painted his features.
"In that venture I failed and was cursed to live on throughout the ages until such a time that my guilt no longer shackles me to this plane of existence. I swore a solemn oath when becoming a protector of Khaenri'ah and it is only fitting that I bear a stigma for failing in that duty."
The Traveler elected not to comment on the obvious evasiveness of her answer, instead turning to a patiently sitting Alec as she questioned, "And you? How did you get involved with everything?"
The fallen god's eyes drifted closed, tone distant as he slowly responded, "I had a friend who was very dear to me travel to Khaenri'ah shortly before the beginning of its downfall. She was at ground zero of Celestia's opening of the Abyss and was too close to the ensuing outpouring of corruption to escape, falling just like the rest of the kingdom."
Lumine hid her own worry as recalling the past clearly pained the man, Alec nonetheless continuing with, "More importantly, she was an instrumental conduit for the Abyss' continued ability to maintain and hold open the rift. It took me a great number of years to finally track her down and free her from its control, thereby significantly weakening the portal and closing off a potential means of access to the realm that was twisting and morphing Khaenri'ah's people. Aether no doubt either saw or knew of my actions and despises me for closing off one of the most promising means of rescue for the citizens he came to care for. And he isn't entirely wrong, the source of an affliction is always the best way to track down a cure."
Dainsleif regretfully nodded, stating, "Aether came to hold no shortage of affection and sympathy for my people during his time spent among us, Alec's actions - no matter how tragic and necessary - would have caused your brother to hold a great deal of enmity for him. Enmity that - as Daman described - isn't even all that unjustified."
"If I was in Aether's position...I probably would have felt the same. But there's still a lot missing from what they've told me, this isn't the whole story. Not even close."
Lumine's golden eyes locked onto Dainsleif's, tone even as she asked, "So why are you so at ease in Alec's presence? Isn't he the one who closed off an avenue to save your people, ensured your curse remains?"
Regret briefly colored the blonde-haired male's visible eye, voice nonetheless composed as he replied, "Much like I told Daman had you asked such a question many years ago my answer would be far different...but the passage of years affords one much in the way of clarity. The odds of successfully containing and securing the Abyss' source of influence long enough for us to conceive a cure or placebo was astronomically small, never mind the fact that Celestia may very well have deigned to interfere further. With the benefit of hindsight Daman's actions saved far, far more than they doomed."
Dainsleif's cadence took on a heavy and resigned pitch.
"Khaenri'ah's downfall was all but guaranteed the moment the rift was first opened. Had our pride and stubbornness in refusing the god's aid not kept us from reaching out quickly and swiftly to the rest of Teyvat, had Celestia not reached the Archons first...perhaps things would have been different."
Lumine rubbed her temples, a fierce ache assailing her head as she held off on asking what he meant by that alongside a million other questions. They were being deliberately obtuse and vague with their explanations and she just couldn't figure out why.
Finally allowing true hurt, frustration and anger to color her words the Traveler glared at Alec, desperately stating, "Why aren't you telling me everything? My brother hates you, Alec. You, who saved and helped me practically every step of the way when I first came into this land. Why can't you just, just explain things?"
Pure, honest regret appeared on the god's features, words nonetheless composed as he responded, "I know this is cruel. And I'm genuinely, truly sorry that this is hurting you, Lumine. But there's a simple reason for all of this dancing around the issue and generalization."
His finger tapped against the table once, mouth curving into a frown as he explained, "Thus far Dainsleif and I have told you only facts or information we know beyond a shadow of a doubt to be true or certain. But the simple, harsh truth of the matter is that no one - likely not even the Abyss or Celestia itself - knows the scope of everything that happened during the fall of Khaenri'ah."
He motioned to himself and the man sitting at his side.
"I have my biases. Dainsleif has his biases. Aether has his biases. I would - and have - told you repeatedly how much I detest the heavens and how they're an unhealthy and downright malicious influence on Teyvat. Dainsleif would largely agree but also has a fair amount of suspicion and doubt as to the necessity and purpose of the Archons, who I - for the most part - sympathize and willingly interact with as friends and acquaintances. And Aether sees my actions as that of a tyrant and murderous monster, no doubt considering Dainsleif a traitor and fool for interacting with me so casually and respectfully. And no true consensus would ever be able to be reached between all involved parties either. Some are dead, some are sworn to silence and most are either mistrustful or doubtful of the other's intentions."
He affixed Lumine with a soft but resolute expression.
"Do you think Aether would agree to sit and talk with me, to share our perspectives and tales of what occurred during Khaenri'ah's fall?"
The Traveler wanted so badly to say yes, that her brother absolutely would be open to such a dialogue...but recalling her sibling's tired, harried and mildly unhinged attitude she couldn't say with 100% certainty that even she could bring him to a pause.
"Yes, Dainsleif and I are certain that we're right, that our outlooks are based off of evidence and things that are unassailable fact...but we're not sure. And we're not sure what caused your brother to join the Abyss either. The cause? Most likely, yes. But all we know of the actual event itself is that around the time Mondstadt moved to finally seal away the fallen land's spreading corruption your brother disappeared and only now reappeared in charge of the Abyss."
There was a brief pause, Alec speaking a moment later with an oddly pensive tinge to his words.
"But you? You could do it, Lumine. You could talk and learn from everyone."
The Traveler felt her spine instinctively straighten, a sudden and unexpected action as her mind caught up with her body, eyes widening as she met Alec's stare and for the first time since they met fully, without a doubt believing that he had once been a god. There was no aura or flaring power or heavenly presence or anything so dramatic as his midnight eyes bored into her own...but there was an undeniable weight to his features, a certainty and self-assurance that could come only from uncountable years lived as she hung on his next words as if they were gospel from the stars themselves.
"Perhaps I was meant to be your guide alongside Paimon through this land...but now I'm willing to rescind on that arrangement in favor of another task that I have for you, Lumine. A quest that - even in all of my years - I never discovered a suitable answer for."
He folded his hands before him, commenting, "Khaenri'ah, Celestia, the Abyss...all of these events were just a microcosm of a larger issue that has plagued this world since the dawn of its inception, the uneven distribution of power, influence and authority between the heavens, hells and middle realm where we reside. What I want you to do, Lumine, is travel the world as your brother did. See all that Teyvat has to offer, see how its people live and what they worship or believe. Speak with the gods and leaders and hear their stories, discern for yourself what is true or what is false...and when all is said and done?"
She felt small. Nailed in place by an old and experienced gaze that spoke with the impartial judgement of a solar sun.
"When you feel your journey is over, when you feel confident of having arrived at an answer that answers my question...tell me. Tell me of your journeys, of what you've seen and of the people you've met. Of what you think of this world and how you think it might be changed for the better. Or perhaps it need not change at all."
Lumine swallowed, the relentless pressure and compulsion to simply listen abating somewhat as she quietly asked, "Why me? Why am I the one you want to do this? And what if I arrive at a conclusion you don't agree with?"
This time Alec's gaze was one of empathy, voice soft as he responded, "Because I believe - without any reticence or withholding - that you are the right one for the job, the outsider not yet tainted by our prejudices and long-held beliefs. That whatever decision you arrive at will be one that we can believe and support...and I'm not so petty as to impart such a momentous task only to shy away from whatever your final decision is, Lumine."
A moment of relative silence passed, broken only by Dainsleif commenting, "He doesn't offer up such words lightly, if I might add. To the best of my knowledge he's only tendered that trust to less than a dozen individuals over the course of his long, long life."
"Quit piling it on, Dainsleif."
The Traveler merely sat, lost in thought and indecision as Fischl worriedly clasped her hand, completely and utterly at a loss of how to respond to any of this...and eventually sighed.
"All right. I'll do it. But on one condition."
"Name it."
"You have to survive long enough for me to actually tell you about what I learned. And before I tell you it...I want to hear your side of things. I want to hear it all."
A solemn nod left the male.
"You have a deal, Lumine."
Unleashing a titanic sigh the Traveler rubbed her eyes, feeling bone weary as she grumbled, "If that's everything, then I need a break to process all of this. I think the party's over for now."
"We may make use of my abode for tonight, Lumine."
"...Thanks, Fischl."
Without further ado the pair of girls departed into the continued sounds of revelry, pausing only to collect their dozing partners while leaving Alec idly gazing into his drink of choice before tiredly commenting, "It's a sign of the times indeed, when someone like me needs the assistance and perspective of a little girl who should be off enjoying her journey across the stars."
"No more a little girl than her brother, Daman."
A brief smile adorned Alec's lips, tone conciliatory as he replied, "Sorry, force of habit. By my estimation you're all runts of the litter."
"What a delightful descriptor. I think I'd like you to change it."
A more amicable peace came between them, Dainsleif eventually asking, "Do you truly believe she will come to a decision that will settle Teyvat's eternal dispute? And more to the point, how do you intend to make good on that promise? You yourself have stated you aren't anywhere near your prime."
The fallen god merely smiled, lightly replying, "I wouldn't have tormented her with the enormity of that task if I didn't believe she was the right soul for the job or have a means of ensuring its legitimacy. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, believe it or not."
"Oh I believe it...then are we to part ways here?"
"Not quite yet, there's still a few things we need to discuss. How do you feel about meeting Barbatos in the flesh?"
The choking cough as the man inhaled some of his drink was answer enough.
Under any other circumstance Lumine would have been ecstatic to see the room Fischl called her own with its dark curtains, velvet sheets and elegantly sown carpets of black and purple wool that gave off a comforting and relaxing aura rather than one of mystery and moroseness, bookshelves and intricately carved tables piled high with texts.
Her brain was a bit too busy for any of that now, consumed with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that had her possessing only enough presence of mind to kick off her boots before collapsing face-first into the soft and clean-smelling sheets of Fischl's bed, skull pressed deep into the pillow.
"Erm, Lumine? Do you-"
Fischl almost jumped halfway to the ceiling along with Oz - Paimon placed in a nearby chair as she was still dead asleep - as a bloodcurling scream of anger, frustration and fury left the Traveler, fingers curling into fists as her legs beat out a furious tempo against the mattress.
"It seems miss Lumine is more of a...vocal type when it comes to venting her frustrations."
"Quiet, Oz."
Heaving out a quiet sigh as she approached her fellow blonde Fischl hesitated, belatedly realizing she had very little in the way of experience in comforting distraught or upset friends on account of, well...not exactly having very many friends who trusted her enough to showcase such open distress.
Thankfully Lumine settled the issue for her, one eye poking out from its burrowed position in the pillow while a muffled grumble sounded out with, "Over here, now. Hug."
Fischl slowly obliged - kicking off her own boots in the process - and yelped as the Traveler's deceptively strong hand snaked across her arm, yanking her onto the bed and into a warm, soft and completely unyielding embrace.
"I need a pillow. And thanks for everything, Fischl…"
In moments Lumine's breathing had stilled, the investigator blushing slightly at the intimate embrace before carefully removing her eyepatch, settling in as best she could while trying to settle her own racing thoughts.
Funnily enough, it was easy to ignore her own upturned world view when there was someone she cared about in need of comfort right next to her.
"It seems having a romantic partner is something that requires a great deal of shifted perspective and commitment."
Her emerald eyes drifted closed, breathing slowing down as Oz tucked his head under a violet wing, preparing himself for what was no doubt going to be a busy day tomorrow.
"But it's not bad at all."
And in today's episode I yet again attempt to extrapolate from what info we have about Khaenri'ahs fall and the reasons for it. Thankfully Genshin is nice enough to provide a decent base of information to go off of, with plenty of allusions or perspectives spicing up the lore.
It's a far cry from Azur Lane, where in that story I just went with basically my own version since it's vague and teaser filled to the point of incomprehension.
