Episode 15: The Countdown

"The world is a dream - a light that will flicker out."

I heard those words once. Where it was, I can no longer remember. Still, they resurface in my mind from time to time.

That can't be true, right?

Because if it is, then that means… no. I'll stop there. After all, there is still more to see - more to experience in that wonderful, all-too-fragile world of mine.

One day, I suspect that even I will return to that place. Perhaps then, I will make the correct choice. Perhaps then… I can find a world where she can live forever in peace.

Until then, as long as I remain conscious, I will fight to the very end.

Are you listening out there? I won't let you have your way so easily. I will prove that the human spirit can overcome even the clutches of causality.

Watch me.

Opening Theme: Unlucky Morpheus - 夢幻

Over a week had now passed since Diluc had obtained the Shade of Evernight. Since then, he hadn't seen Columbina at all. She had gone radio silent. In fact, most of the Harbingers seemed to be doing their own things for now.

Well, I'm sure they're all making their final plans.

Something was lingering in the air since Pierrot announced the attack on Celestia: a sense of dread. Diluc could feel it himself. He realized that win or lose, this plan would change everything.

That might have worried the Diluc of two weeks ago, but something irreversible had happened inside of him since then. As a result, his fears were now null.

The reason for that change was something he could never tell the other Harbingers: he had been chosen by that ancient artifact that could bend time and space. Even if he did trust them enough to tell them, he still wouldn't want to do so. Something about his experience had been so otherworldly… so sacred… he couldn't help but keep it to himself.

After leaving the Delusion factory behind, he had instantly set off to test the limits of the Shade. Leaping across Teyvat without limitations, he traveled the world in a single night. In that short time, he managed to get a decent grip on how the Shade functioned.

To put it simply, the cloak allowed him to slip in and out of time and space at will. On the other side of that veil was a world of nothingness that connected every location in Teyvat. He quickly found that time did not pass at all while he was in there, but he also found himself unable to reverse its flow, though that was one of the first things he had attempted.

Of course, things couldn't be that simple, but this new-found power was still overwhelming. With this, perhaps he could even…

No, I'll deal with that when the time comes.

He stood alone atop a rocky peak overlooking Snezhnaya. The frigid high-altitude wind buffeted his face, so he pulled his hood down even further.

In the distance, Celestia loomed, dyed orange by the setting sun's rays. Of course, he had tried that, too. He had discovered, to his astonishment, that Celestia was not a "destination" that the Shade could offer him. Manual attempts to reach it resulted in him discovering some sort of powerful barrier that seemed to transcend dimensions, even into the void world. There was no chance of getting through.

That subject had been pushed aside for now, though. He had been putting something off for a long time, afraid to face the aftermath of the mess he had left back home. But time was no longer on his side. Only 4 days remained until the attack on Celestia would commence.

It was now or never. He had to make things right.

And so, once again, that lone man slipped into a world where the cruel passage of time could not harm him, if only for a fleeting moment.

The sun had just disappeared behind the mountains, and the last purples and oranges slowly transitioned into dark blues and blacks. Diluc watched it all, leaning against a tree near the Statue of the Seven. From the top of that cliff, he could see his entire little "kingdom" in the valley below.

It was the place he had spent most of his life - the place he called home.

Dawn Winery was an inseparable part of who he was, but he hadn't been here at all in over a week. He felt a nagging guilt over that fact, but he knew he couldn't stew over it forever. The old him might have buried that feeling, but not now. His perspective had been widened considerably, and he knew he had more than himself to worry about now.

In the upstairs room at the end of the hall, a light was on. That warm, orange light beckoned him to return home. Someone was still waiting for him - and as long as she was, there was still a reason to fight on.

Leaping down from the cliff, he landed with the lightness of a feather, and quietly strolled with purpose towards the mansion.

As he reached for the front door, a deadpan voice came from behind him.

"Ah, Master. You return at last."

His hand stopped.

"Yeah. I'm home, Adelinde."

"Isn't there someone else you should be saying that to?"

"You're right. Sorry. For a lot of things."

Adelinde nodded with a small smile. Taking that as her answer, he pushed the front door open, dropping his hood with the other hand.

Nothing had changed. The mansion was still the same elegant, yet comfortable space it had always been.

Guess I'm the only one that changed, he mused.

He climbed the stairs, running his hand along the banister. Upstairs, all was quiet. The hallway was dim, with a small orange glow illuminating the furthest end by the large window.

That was the room that Diluc had given her as a replacement for her old office back in Liyue.

Silencing his steps, he approached the door and peeked around the facing. Inside, a single oil lamp flickered on the desk, illuminating several rows of bookshelves. And at that desk, his wife was sitting with her head laying on her crossed arms.

Diluc cracked a small smile as he watched Keqing silently. Suddenly, she inhaled and sighed deeply. She stretched her arms, and turned around. He made no effort to hide, and in an instant, their eyes locked.

"…Eh…?"

That small sound escaped her lips as her eyes flew open wide.

"I'm home," he said shortly.

She stared at him, unblinking for several seconds. Her eyes started to mist over, and her proud, haughty disposition crumbled away.

"Diluc…"

Her lips trembled, and she seemed as if she wanted to jump up and run straight to his arms. However, she remained seated, narrowing her eyes and looking away.

He didn't speak, waiting for her to say what was on her heart. And soon, she did.

"I don't understand."

"Hm?"

"I don't understand! What are you thinking?!"

Though tiny to begin with, any hope of a tearful, joyous reunion was quickly dashed. Keqing's voice was strained and full of pain.

"You told me we'd do this together! What is this?! Where did you go?!"

As she repeatedly shot questions at him, she stood to her feet and approached him as he stood in the doorway.

He glanced away, contemplating burying his feelings again, but instead chose to answer her head on.

"I'm sure Kaeya told you, but I was summoned for a mission. I had no choice."

"You couldn't have at least said goodbye? Diluc, I was so fucking worried!"

Hearing this proper lady curse was rare. Because of that, he knew that her composure was reaching critically-low levels. He closed his eyes, and lowered his head.

"I apologize. I'm in the wrong. I ran away from telling you the truth, even though I promised I wouldn't. I have no excuse."

Diluc's level, yet regretful tone must have surprised Keqing, because she went silent for a while. Eventually she softly spoke up again.

"How many more times will you apologize? I don't want your apology, I want your honesty. God knows I'm not perfect either, but it hurts so much when you do this… I thought I told you that…"

"You did."

"Then why…? Why won't you listen to me…? I'm your wife, Diluc…"

The tears that she had forced back came rising up again. This time, she didn't try to stop them. Tiny little droplets fell from her cheeks to the hardwood floor, leaving stains where they landed.

Diluc didn't answer. He couldn't bring himself to admit his most glaring weakness to her. He couldn't be sure what would happen if he did.

Even with the incredible power he had gained, he still felt powerless to take away his beloved's pain - the pain that he had inflicted with his very own hands. Even worse, he knew he had no right to do so.

"I failed."

"…Huh?" she sniffed, looking at him through flooded eyes.

"I did this to protect this world… to protect you… but what good is that if I just keep hurting you?"

He clenched his fist, and started to turn to leave. But before he could, two slender arms wrapped around his waist, holding him in place.

"Don't go."

"I need to be alone."

"No! I won't let you," she shot back, squeezing him even tighter.

"Stop it, Keqing," he spoke firmly, grabbing her thin shoulders.

But she didn't stop. She held on to him for dear life, burying her face in his chest.

"I won't let you…! Not again…"

Her voice choked off in sobs. Reluctantly, he placed a hand on her back. He could feel the lines of her shoulder blades in his palm, and he noticed that she was trembling.

"Please… don't leave me again…" she whispered brokenly.

At that moment, it seemed like nothing was left of the proud, strong woman he had fallen in love with. Piece by piece, he had systematically replaced her with a weaker, more pitiful version of Keqing, and now he had to deal with the aftermath of his actions.

At last, he swallowed his pride and allowed himself to fully embrace her. He wrapped her up tightly, offering no promises or words of reassurance. Nothing he could say mattered anymore, and he knew it. He was nothing more than a liar, after all.

"Why do you love me…?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"I don't know… I really don't know why… but I do…"

"Tch!"

He clicked his tongue in frustration, squeezing her even tighter.

The two of them stayed like that for minutes on end, trying desperately to fill the crack that had formed between them with pure brute force of affection.

However, Diluc was starting to understand that affection wasn't a strong enough foundation to build upon. Even the desperate feelings of love that coursed through their veins now would one day become nothing but a memory. When that happened, what would become of them? Would something else grow to replace it? What would be the glue that held them together in the future, when the final coals of passion had died out?

That day would come, without fail, as long as this world continued to exist. The promise he made on his wedding night floated through his mind.

I never knew it would be this hard.

Keqing's grip on him began to loosen, and she pulled back, putting her hands on his chest. She stared up at him with those huge amethyst jewels, and a familiar warmth filled his body. Then, she spoke.

"Please… leave the Harbingers."

He wanted to look away, but he couldn't tear his gaze from hers. They were locked together, and her imploring eyes begged him for honesty.

"I can't, Keqing."

And that was why he answered thusly.

"Please, Diluc… I can't take much more…" she begged, her fingertips digging into his shirt.

"I know. I'm sorry for what I've put you through, but I can't back out now. Something big is coming. I have to see it through to the end."

Her gaze dropped away, and her head hung low.

"I see…"

Diluc contemplated his next words carefully in the silence that followed.

"I won't make you any promises, since I can't keep them. Give me a week. That's all I ask. By then, we'll probably know what sort of future we have in store."

"What does that mean?" she raised her head again.

"I wish I could tell you, but I can't. You have to trust me… one last time."

"Is it okay to do that…?

She looked at him sadly, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Perhaps it was hope.

"Maybe not," he said, smiling gently at her.

Keqing sniffed and laughed a bit, then replied.

"I'll make you take responsibility, no matter what. Don't even think about running away from me."

Diluc laughed, then smiled nostalgically.

"Same goes for you."

The night grew long, and the couple finally retired to the master bedroom. Keqing slipped under the covers and laid her head on the pillow, completely worn out from the emotional distress she had endured while he was away. She held his hand gently as he sat on the edge of the bed with her.

"You know, Keqing, I underestimated how difficult it would be," he muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"To protect this world. I underestimated just how large… and complex this world really is. I was a fool."

Keqing smiled as she snuggled further down into the bedsheets, and squeezed his big, rough hand.

"I love that about you, though. Your sense of justice…"

"It's worthless if I can't back it up, though."

"Nothing about you is worthless…" she trailed off, her eyes closed.

He couldn't seem to find a fitting response for those incredibly kind words. He watched her pretty eyelids as they peacefully flitted about, then came to rest. Until she was asleep, he watched over her. And once she did drift off, her serene face wore a tender smile at last.

"Thank you, Keqing. I love you."

His answer came a little late, but perhaps in the land of dreams she had heard it.

Standing to his feet, he untangled his fingers from hers, and gently placed her hand beside her on the bed. He turned to leave the room-

But a shadowy figure stood in the doorway, blocking his path. Without giving away the slightest hint of its approach, this intruder had made it to within mere feet of them.

Instantly on guard, he assumed a battle stance, only to hear a familiar voice in his head.

Please come with me.

The figure turned and disappeared into the dimly-lit hallway. Diluc instantly knew who it was when he "heard" that voice, and he had no reason to deny this request, especially not with his wife so close by. So, he obediently followed the figure down the hall, where she stood waiting at the top of the stairs.

Underneath the chandelier's dim light, Columbina's pale face glowed like the moon. Her typical graceful smile wasn't present, replaced by a straight line that gave nothing away.

"Oi, the maids are going to see you," Diluc hissed.

"They're all asleep. I made sure of that."

Diluc couldn't help but be bothered by that statement, but he kept walking, following her down to the large entrance room. She took a seat on one of the couches near the dormant fireplace.

He remained standing, studying her face like his life depended on it. But her stony expression didn't change, and he couldn't ascertain anything about her intentions.

"What's this about?" he finally queried.

"There's something you should know."

"I'm listening."

"I intend to stop Pierrot."

Diluc hadn't expected that response at all.

"What? You mean when he attacks Celestia?"

"When we attack Celestia. You are not exempt."

"I don't understand. Why tell me this?"

"I want your help. I want you to use that power you stole to stop him."

"Hm. But won't my neck be on the chopping block then? I can't afford to take that risk, especially if the other Harbingers find out I took the Shade."

"How do you know they haven't already found out?"

"Good question," he responded with a finger on his chin.

"I could have told them already, you know?"

"I don't think you would, though. You have no reason to."

"So you understood me that easily? Bravo, young man," she said, smiling.

"Listen, I don't understand you at all. Let's make that clear. But if I get anything, it's this: you have your own aspirations."

"That is correct."

"And you showed me the Delusion Factory for a reason. I haven't worked that out yet, but I at least don't believe you're out to harm me, for now."

"So this is why you accepted him…" she whispered.

Failing to understand that sentence that seemed aimed at someone else, Diluc was quiet for a while, contemplating his next step.

"One thing doesn't make sense, though. Why would you bother with all of this? I don't understand why you want to ruin The Jester's plan."

"Of course you don't understand. You don't know who our Director truly is. That man will stop at nothing for revenge, even if it means using every last one of us as disposable pawns."

"And why do you care? You don't strike me as one to give a shit about others."

"What an awful thing to say to a lady," she admonished him, her glowing eyelids threatening to flit open. "But you are correct. I have my reasons, and you happen to be somewhat useful to that end. And most importantly, I know without a doubt I can trust you."

"Seriously, why?"

"Because she does too."

Diluc suddenly felt very uneasy. He hadn't forgotten the tear-stained face that Columbina had shown him that day, and how utterly removed it was from her normal character. Even now, something was off about her. As much as acquiring the Shade had changed him, it seemed something had had a similar effect on her, though he had no clue what it was. There was still a missing piece - something he needed to make it all add up.

"Who is 'she'?" he hesitantly asked.

"I'm not allowed to tell you that."

Something about the way she worded that crept under Diluc's skin.

"Then why did you cry that day?" he quickly followed up.

"That is quite the insensitive question. I won't answer that, either."

"And you expect me to help you…?" he shook his head.

"If you wish to ever return to this home of yours, you have no choice. If not, all of your secrets will be exposed, and you will swiftly die a traitor's death."

She stood to her feet, signaling the end of the conversation. She strolled over to the door, but stopped before she pushed it open. Glancing back at him, she whispered words that the young Master of the mansion could have never heard at that distance.

"As I thought, I really do hate you, Diluc Ragnvindr."

Ending Theme: ゆよゆっぺ - Melody

Her lips moved without a sound, and Diluc could only watch as she pushed the front door open and flew away, leaving a shower of glowing feathers in her wake.

Next:

Episode 16: Day of Deicide