Its a new fanfic everybody, and a Zhonglumi one too. One of my favourites.
I've been working on this for a year now, but it's only now did I suddenly got the motivation to write and finish it... for some reason...
Chapter 1
The night streets of Liyue are a very lovely sight.
Especially at this time of year when the whole nation celebrated the yearly festival known as the lantern rite. A big event where people from all over the world would certainly not wanting to miss out.
The way the lanterns illuminate the pathways, people from middle aged couples to children still roaming around the streets despite in this time of night, and the sounds of them talking and laughing filling the air, dispelling what supposed to be silence is what made the night of this huge event's special.
It is the history behind it, the celebration eve that differs from one another between years, and just simply the bustling lively atmosphere, is what made this event lives rent free within each and every one of the people of Liyue's heart. What makes them always hoping to continue to live on to see another Lantern Rite next year.
However, in the heart of a certain Traveler, one that hails from an entirely different world. Such event has a different meaning for her.
Her name is Lumine, and she is the world's famous Traveler, known for the huge impact she'd left behind across the four nations. The Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, the Hero of Liyue, abolisher of the Vision Hunt Decreee, and the redeemer of the Sumeru Akedimiya, were amongst the many titles she had gained throughout her adventures.
But, putting all of that aside, Lumine is just an ordinary traveler, she does not belong to this world, nor does she have any desire to be part of it, all that she desired are one thing, to find and reunite with her long lost brother, who is somewhere out there, waiting for her to come.
Or at least that's what she used to think of herself.
It's been three years since she first started her journey, and a lot of things she have witnessed throughout the time, and the more she witness and learned, the more she began to understand the driving force behind the reason why her dear brother chose to stray away from the path that the twins used to always walk together, hand in hand, never letting go.
There are simply some things that cannot be left alone in this world.
That was her conclusion. Supported with the fact that some of those things can only be solved by an Outlander like her, a being whose fates were not bound by the laws of this world, but rather, it was the laws of Tevyat that works around her. That was what a certain friend of her have said before.
Being able to control multiple elements at once without the need of a Vision is one thing. But to be able to calm down the Dragon of the East, resealing back the Overlord of the Storm, and best the Raiden Shogun in a duel, it was those achievements that made her special, what made her look like something that this world might need the most.
And even if those above doesn't matter to her, then perhaps it's the people of this world that she have met in this world is what matters to her. All of her friends and companions, from the little pixie Paimon who has been with her since the very beginning, to the people of both low and high status across the nations, and even the ruling gods of those nations. Their companionship are one of important things she come across to during her travels, it was all thanks to them that she could get this far. And the more closer she gets with them, the more temptations start to plague her heart. Perhaps staying in this world wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe after found Aether and finish things up, the twins can finally settle down and mark this one as their new home, a replacement for the one they've lost many many years ago.
But if she were to said that those were her only reasons however, then Lumine would be lying. Because the truth is... There is another reason for why she grew attached to this world.
Lumine... Had fallen in love, with someone from this world.
It is an entirely new experience for her, and thus one that she definitely wouldn't pass on no matter what the kind of circumstances that she suffers from being stranded in the world where her brother had chosen to abandon her in favour for it.
Throughout her long lifespan, the concept of love has always been a great interest for Lumine. For Lumine, as long as she could remember, Aether her brother is her number one necessity, the one person who could've given her all the warmth and love she needed, who she needs most for her moments of hardship, who would comfort her in her sorrows, who could fill her with happiness by just... Being there for her. Because that is what it means to be family,
Back when she was young and her world is so small, Lumine had thought that Aether was all she needs, and no one else shall be there to even compare the bonds they had as siblings, the love they shared for each other, and the closeness of their relationship that none shall separate them apart. But that is until she matured and learned more about what the world has to offer to it's inhabitants.
She was already fascinated by it the moment she learned of the concept, just the mere thought of her having someone else aside from Aether who is her family to make her happy, someone who isn't related to her by blood, yet she could have a bond with that went deeper up until as close as she was with Aether. Someone that could make her happy, someone who she could be together with, someone who can laugh with her in happiness, and comfort her in sadness.
Ever since that day she learnt of the the knowledge, Lumine had been longing for the day to come, a day where she would meet her fated lover, someone who are destined to be with her. It is too much of a wishful thinking, she knows that, but what can she say? Desires are one of the most important aspect of being human after all, and it is their goal as an immortals born through sacred means to blend in with and became humans, with finding love and be loved are the necessary means to achieve it.
And just how ironic it was that the same world who is responsible for taking her only kin away, would also be the one that give her what she wanted the most.
Her realized dream comes in the form of a certain consultant of a funeral parlor in Liyue. An extremely knowledgeable man, a walking encyclopedia some might say, named Zhongli. Who is also happens to be the retired ruling god of the nation itself, Rex Lapis, but that kind information only lives in the minds of those who were either close to him or those who oppose him, such as her, the Fatui, or his circle of acquaintances of illuminated beasts that has served him for more than a millennia.
And for the question of how could this one man managed to capture the heart of the star-born maiden who hailed from a different world far far away: The answer to it is something that even Lumine herself couldn't understand fully, nor she is able to describe it words.
Simple enough, it all started with a small feeling, or perhaps maybe a crush as they call it.
The first time Lumine had met with the man who she fell for was all the way back during her first year in staying in Tevyat, while being conscious anyway. Just a few days after arriving in Liyue for the first time and getting herself labeled as a wanted criminal thanks to a misunderstanding that the goverment has regarding the supposed "death" of their god. Lumine was introduced to the funeral parlor's consultant on the behest that he would accompanied her in gathering the necessary materials required for the rite of parting. A task that she thoroughly enjoyed as it helps her in understanding Liyue's landscape more as she searches for glaze lilies, and also some sense of fulfillment as she managed to done some good deeds in doing so.
The moment Lumine laid her eyes on him, she could see the figure of a dignified and respectable man in him. The way he acts so politely to everyone around him, no matter what kind of person they are, adults, children, merchants, Fatui, or a zombie, he is a perfect picture of a gentleman, which apparently, are the kind of men she is attracted to based on experience.
Not to forget about his voice as well. That deep and gruff of his, he may sound like an old man (Granted that his vessel of choice is one.) But every word he spoke are a gentle one, one that can soothes the mind of anyone who hears it, almost like behind every word he spoke, lies a chant that demands anyone's attention, to stood still and listen to him carefuly, and Lumine did just that, standing there and listening to his every words, while keeping her eyes on him, with a glint of mirth hiding behind her golden orbs, as if saying to any careful observer that she enjoys every moment she spent with him on that occasion.
And her feelings for him would continue to grow from that point onwards.
It may have started from his outside appereance alone, but, the longer Lumine stayed in Liyue, finding clues regarding her brother, giving a helping hand to some people to make their acquaintances and eventualy adds them to her ever growing circle of friends, or even simply enjoys whatever the nation of contracts has to offer, the more she learned about the man that used to hold the title God of Contracts.
She learned of the reason why almighty Geo Archon had chosen to step down from his throne, that as the passage of time continues to flow, the dazzling diamond of a city that is Liyue Harbor is no longer needing his divine protection anymore, now that people has lived in an era of peace, a far cry from the ancient times of the Archon War where bloodsheds and destruction rampages throughout the land. She learned of his everyday life as a consultant, being task to walk around the city and finding those who needs his help, it certainly are the kind of joy that only he could understand, to walk around the street amongst the people of the nation that he had worked so hard for to built and protect for thousands of years. She learned about the deep sorrows and inner conflict that he had suffered throughout his lifetime. The deep wounds he received during his life, the friends he lost during and after the Archon war, the conflicting emotions raging inside his head as his life was torn apart by the memories of past and the events on the present, or even the heart wrenching regrets that consumed him from the inside caused the unspeakable "sins" he committed, namely the role he played during the disaster 500 years ago, that caused the once great nation to be swallowed up by the ground.
It was all of these aspects about him that made Lumine falling for him even more. Zhongli has been living for so long, and as an immortal god, there be even more that awaits him in the future.
It just pains Lumine whenever he shared the story of his past to her. He was a good story teller, able to tell a tale to its utmost detailed description, which is why Lumine loves to hear his stories so much. Every tales that comes out of his mouth, it felt like she's instantly able understand and comprehend it, the hidden meanings behind them, the emotions present inside it, and even the picture of the events that she easily could imagine in her head. So it's no wonder why it bothers her so much whenever he talks about something that is anything but happy.
The tale of the Yakshas, and how he is responsible for sentencing them to their doom by their duties. The tale of Azhdaha, the once close friend of Morax, who went insane and is now lay buried inside his eternal coffin, made by the lord of Geo himself as the only way to stop him. And there's also the tale of Havria, the gentle goddess of salt whose her own weakness responsible for her death at the hands of her people that she tried so hard to protect, a harsh lesson to be learned for the God of contracts during that time of the war.
She did shed a few tears every time she listened to them, and her heart would clench uncontrollably due to the various emotions she's feeling when she heard it. However, amidst the rainstorm that raging inside her heart, Lumine did realized something: Even though he chose to wear a firm and relatively unchanging expression, Lumine could clearly see the glint of emotions present inside Zhongli's eyes as he tells her his story. Those sense of longing in his eyes, the well hidden sorrow, the guilt, everything. Even he too feels sad whenever he spoke.
And the moment she realized that, Lumine had decided that she doesn't like it, she doesn't like it at all. She didn't want to see him sad, she didn't want to see him keep bottling up his pain like this. Lumine wished that she could be by his side, to be the one that would take all his sorrows away, to cheer him up, to make him happy, to make him smile without any pain hidden behind them. She wished that they could be together. They're both immortals, their lifespan far surpasses those of humans. So that means no matter how much time will pass, their love would continue on forever, until they meet the end of their life, whenever that is.
How sweet would that be... If it could come true. But unfortunately, none of those would happen to either him or her. For he is already taken.
That's right. Zhongli is engaged... Or rather, was engaged, to someone else.
Lumine finds this out during a certain night in Liyue, when the two of them were seated around the table of the Third-Round Knockout tavern. Enjoying some late night dinner with warm cups of tea, whilst enjoying the chill night air, and enjoying to his stories as usual. At it was during that time, when something piqued Lumine's interest.
"Hey, Zhongli, there's something I've been curious about recently."
"Hmm? And what is it that has been bothering you, Traveler?"
Lumine's golden eyes glanced towards the brown haired man's hand. They were covered in black gloves, which he seems to wear almost all of the times. But what piqued Lumine's interest are the accessories he wears above them. Two pair brass rings that he wore on separate hands, each was worn on his thumbs, but their sizes are different, one was big and thick, while the other was small and thin.
"What are those rings you're wearing?" Lumine asked curiously, tilting her head a little. "They do look fine for an accessory, but you always wear them around and rarely take them off even in your home. Is there any reason? Are those rings... Special to you?"
He blinked, once, then twice. Before looking down at his hands to take a look at the subject of this conversation, as of feeling confused for a second, and then regained his composure in another. He hummed as he listen to her question, before nodding his head once.
"Ah yes, these rings... I do wonder of when will they be the center of attention of your ever watchful eye, Lumine. But I suppose... It's time for me to finally tell you about it." Zhongli answered, crossing his arms in front of him as he leaned against the table, he close his eyes as he began. "These were, in fact, engagement rings."
Immediately after he said that, the whole world seemed to came to stop around Lumine. She could no longer hear the chatter of other customers in the tavern, nor all voices of the nightly food seller on the streets, or the pedestrian walking nearby. Only the sounds of her own breathing that became unsteady all of a sudden, and the tired sigh that escapes Zhongli's lips is all she could heard. Everything around her went all blurry too, only Zhongli that exists in her line of sight right now.
"W-What... Did you say?" Her lips were trembling, and it takes everything for her to speak. She didn't know why she suddenly feel like this, just what is this uncomfortable feeling she's having? What is this... Pang that she felt all of a sudden. "Zhongli... Are you... Married?"
The man who sits across her opens his eyes, his amber eyes looked at her, the way he sees her tells Lumine that he is carefully inspecting her, as if contemplating whether he should continue or not.
"No. I do not. However... Perhaps if the... Circumstances were a little bit different, then perhaps I am." Zhongli answered, putting a hand on his chin while he gaze down to the empty cup of tea before him.
"What do you mean?" Lumine managed to croak out a question.
The man lets out another sigh, far heavier than even from the one before. He then suddenly stood up, surprising Lumine with the sudden movement.
"Perhaps we could discuss it in somewhere else private. Don't worry, I have my wallet, so wait for me as I pay for the bills."
She did what he asked. Waiting for him to pay for the food they ordered, before he returned and guides her to a building that is none other than his home. Once they get there, the two sit down comfortable on the sofa, as the former Geo Archon begins his explanation. Bringing out the ancient looking artifact that he stored in his storage and made her take a look at it. A stone dumbbell, with a complex looking design and also mechanism stored on the inside.
"Perhaps it's time for me to tell you about this. You've already heard about my relations to those who have unfortunately lost their lives, and some who have suffered from my actions. So perhaps now, it's time for you to learn... About someone who had lost their lives due to my incapability to save her."
She only nods her head. Gesturing him to continue, while she listened closely. And he begins his tale, with a simple question.
"Have you ever heard about Guizhong?"
Yes. She have heard of her. The late goddess of dust. A close associate of Cloud Retainer, one the Adepti that had helped her in battling the ressurected Overlord of the Storm Osial. Lumine doesn't know much about the goddess, but she does know bits and pieces of information about her. How she, Cloud Retainer, and Rex Lapis would sit around a round table to have a feast of each of their own cooking. How she is the brilliant thinker who creates the Guizhong Ballista, of which did an important role in the aforementioned battle against the god. And how her interest in it led her collect various ancient artifacts that she eventually sealed in a domain that Lumine had cleared some time ago.
But is there really some more of her? To be perfectly honest, Lumine wasn't curious enough about any other details of the late goddess. Her name and her accomplishments would sit out on the back of Lumine's head for the days to come after she learnt about her existence, waiting to be forgotten. But now however, now that Zhongli suddenly brings her up, and it was related to the engagement rings he's wearing. Lumine couldn't help herself but to immediately get curious. Even though, somewhere, on the back of her mind, there's some lingering thoughts that didn't want Lumine to ever find out. And that's when she realized the feeling as fear. For some reason, Lumine fears for what she was about to hear. What was Zhongli about to say.
"Guizhong is... One of the many gods that roams the land of Liyue during the time of the Archon war. At that time, people known her as "The goddess of dust." However... Despite her title of being a god. She is unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, not particularly powerful. And all she could rely on is her knowledge for creating mechanisms."
"A God who is not powerful... So she's like Havria?" Lumine asked.
Zhongli paused a little to think, before eventually nodding his head. "Yes, I guess you could make a comparison between them."
He then continues to explain about her more. Such as her gentle and caring nature, her appearance, and even the way she talks and presented herself. Somehow... He's able to describe them all.
"...and then, it was on that faithful day, under the setting sun, amidst the sea of glaze lilies, that a pact was made between us. A pledge of her loyalty to my people, and my loyalty to her people. That stone dumbbell you're holding, it is the mark of her pledge to me. And also a challenge, "All my wisdom is hidden within this stone dumbbell." She said, and yet many years passed, and I was never able to unlock that dumbbell."
"I see... So it's some kind of a puzzle."
He continues on explaining, as if in a trance, there is no pause between words, each of them spoken with an unshakable firmness that can only be stopped everytime his conversation partner has something to say. But there is no doubt about it that the way Zhongli told this story, it was akin to someone who reminisces about one's past, it's not like how a story teller told a story to his audiences. But instead it was like someone who willingly shared the pain one felt on their past. Like telling someone trustworthy of the burden he's been shouldering for years, maybe even thousands of them.
"...and so, with our pledge made, together, the two of us, Me and Guizhong, we established our great civilization, the combination of our forces, a prosperous and flourishing land, that are later known as the Guili Assembly. Our combined dream together, our pride."
It was the first time Lumine had heard such name. Up until now, the only history she knows are that of Liyue harbor which were established 3700 years ago.
"...with her brain and my brawn. Guizhong and I worked together in seeing our dreams of an ideal civilization fulfilled. I were to be the one that guard and protect our people, while she'll be the one to make plans for the future, the improvements to be made to further our defenses, our battle strategies when an opposing god dare to challenge our rule of the land, or even some mundane things like what kinds of dish she should make in our next meeting with Zhenjun. It is unavoidable that our work conveniently requires us to work in close quarters. But..."
He paused for bit to look down upon his hands, specifically at the rings worn over his fingers, both the big one, and the little one.
"I was not as... Expressive, and having a much deeper understanding of emotions as I was back then. But even so, I do feel that some feelings did sparked between us, her and I." He said with something weighing down his voice, perhaps uncertainties, unsure of how he should say it.
"You... You have feelings for her?" Lumine guessed, to which Zhongli nodded after a relatively long pause.
"Yes... Perhaps it's better to word it that way." He said while giving Lumine a solemn nod. "Guizhong felt the same too, perhaps even more so than I. Although Guizhong was a... Bright and cheerful person by nature. I do see that sometimes she could be a lot happier and brighter while particularly around me. Some even say that out of all the close associates she made during our time together, then I'll definitely be the closest one to be a lover to her."
"I see..." Lumine muttered, glancing at the rings on Zhongli's hands, and mentally sighing. "So I take it that's when your love story began."
"Well... After hearing such comments from both Zhenjun and Ping, I dismissed them as simply one of the many teasings they had in mind. However, in a surprising twist of turns, Guizhong came to me at that very moment, before boldly proclaimed her love to me. And that, is how our relationship as... Lovers, began."
Zhongli finished. Releasing a sigh as he closes his eyes. Lumine looks at him, finding him going silent after he explained to her all of that. It seems as if a huge burden has been removed from his shoulders by telling her this story, and even though he did a pretty good job at hiding it, Lumine could see the smallest hint of sadness and regret in him, one that comes out as he retells the story. And what's more... The end of it.
Lumine may have not known about Guizhong personally until now. However, she did get to know about the vital part of the goddess' story. Particularly... Her status as of now.
Though many of the Adepti has spoken tales and accomplishments of her. There's only one god that rule over Liyue Harbor, and the civilization that were known as the Guili Assembly, are nonexistent in the minds of ordinary people of this age. Only those who live long enough could remember the existence of that once flourishing civilization, and the kind hearted gentle figure of the goddess of dust that once stood by the lord of Geo side. "Once."
"Zhongli... I might know of how this story ended. And I won't force you to tell me about it if it brings you pain. But please, just tell me one more thing." Lumine paused a little, sorting out the words in her brain that she's about to say. "With those rings... Are the two of officially wedded? Did you two become... A husband and wife?"
Zhongli sighs again heavily, and now, he put a hand on his face as if trying to hide his face. Or perhaps, all of this thing he's telling her are starting to take mental toll on him, and he is on the verge of getting overwhelmed by this emotions.
"No." Zhongli replied after a while. Once again, causing time to seemingly came to a stop. "Though we've both made our engagement rings, and promised each other to be officially be together as caring husband and wife. That dream would never come true, because... Guizhong would ultimately met her demise... At the hands of our enemy, just a day before marriage."
It was immediately after that delivery line that Lumine felt that she couldn't take it anymore. Quietly, she would excuse herself a while after Zhongli finally finished his story. Getting herself out of there as fast as she could, before returning back to the rented room in Wangshu Inn to lock herself inside for the rest of the night. Which unintentionally causes everyone to get worried as she was faced with a concerned Paimon and Xiao later on in the morning regarding her swollen red eyes caused by crying.
It was like her whole dream of finally finding out someone that she could love up until then was crushed at that very instant.
The story of Guizhong is nothing but tragic. Two souls who compliment each other, finding comfort on each presence, fitting to be together, only to get slapped in the face by the cruel destiny that split them apart just one day before they could finally be together.
Just how cruel this world can be? Is it too much for two loving individuals be together? Is the Archon War even necessary to begin with? Why can't everyone just lived in peace? Why must blood be spilled just for seven gods to be chosen for the thrones in the sky?
Lumine doesn't know. She's already fed up with how this world is responsible for separating her with Aether, and also turn him into the person he is now, one who abandon his own flesh and blood in favor of fighting his own war against the impossible. And now this! There's no way that Lumine will see Zhongli the same way again after that. Guizhong may have been long dead, and her engagement with Zhongli are technically never happened due to that. But still, what kind of a cruel person Lumine would be if she ever try to steal the man away from the supposed love of his life. After all, there is saying that says love transcends all, even death. So even through she had long passed away, the love that Guizhong had for the man of her life still lingers on, even within Zhongli, as evidenced with their engagement rings that he still wore up until now. His ring, which is the thick big one. And Guizhong's ring which is the small thin one.
And with that in mind, Lumine made up her mind and decided to abandon the dream that she had long been pursued, putting as much distance as she can with Zhongli, a wish that comes fulfilled once her journey takes her to the far away islands of Inazuma. Where she could finally takes her mind away from all those thoughts. Perhaps maybe her dream would come true in another form, another person, maybe she'll find it here, or the next nations, or in a different world entirely.
But of course, things are easier said than done.
Put as much distance as she wants from him, and a new kind of pain starts to rise from the bottom of her heart. And just like before, she couldn't completely understand it either.
Was it jealousy that she's feeling? Is she feeling jealous after finding out that the man she had crush on had already taken? No matter the fact that his fiance is long dead, it's obvious of just how much love Zhongli has for his late partner. And for her to step in between their love just for her selfish desire just feels... Wrong.
If it's not jealousy then... Is it pity and sadness that she's feeling? Maybe... Maybe it is. She pitied Zhongli for the cruel fate that this world had given him. To rob him from the love of his life right in front of his eyes, just one step away from his great moment of happiness. And that was what makes Lumine sad. She is sad to hear such a tragic love story, she is sad to see the man that her heart has fallen for were being put into that kind of cruel situation. She is sad because... Zhongli is sad. That is the answer behind her sadness. Lumine couldn't bear to see Zhongli sad, he couldn't get that image of him clutching his face as if holding back his tears from falling out of her head. She kept thinking about it, to the point that she had a dream of it, over and over again.
This overwhelming sadness she's feeling would then eventually transform into temptations. A temptation to make the man she loves happy, a desire to change the cruel fate that had been bestowed upon him.
That's right... changing his fate. That is something that Lumine totally capable of.
It is a great secret shared only between her and her brother, and known only to those related to them by blood, who are unfortunately no longer walk amongst the living anymore. This great power Lumine possess to manipulate fate, is her power to travel through time.
It may sound unbelievable, granted that no one else knew about it except for her brother and their late families. Lumine was born with this ability, yet she only discover it sometimes ago not long after the twins began their journey of traversing the celestial atlas in search for a new home. Lumine herself did not understand the reason to why she even possess such incredible ability, as despite the fact that they were twins, Aether did not have it.
The discovery of this power comes of as a surprise too. As Lumine felt that should she chooses to ignore the conditions of her surroundings, and focus on only to the state of her mind, and she'll find it that as if time moves faster than it usually was. The first time such thing happen was when she get bored as she have to wait for Aether who has gone off without her and not coming back after more than an hour. She closed her eyes and try to ignore the annoyance she felt and choose to patiently waited for her brother to come back instead, vaguely imagining how time should move faster so that he would hurry up and come back. And how surprising she was to find that not even ten seconds later, he was already there standing in front of her, assuming that she fell asleep. He looked at her worryingly, claiming that he had trying to wake her up but she was unresponsive and remains in that position of waiting, and what's more, the pocket watch she had showed her that more than two hours have passed since the moment she closed her eyes, despite of how it felt to be only five seconds for her.
After that day when she discovered her unusual power, Lumine had become so scared of it. She had became paranoid of what her power can do to her or the people of surroundings. She was even afraid to go to sleep, since the stillness of her body is a major factor of it.
However, thanks to some words of encouragement from Aether. Lumine would eventually come into terms with this power of hers, and even began to training with it, finding out the full scope of it's powers as well as her limits in using it. Just like the typical power of a time traveler in those novel books she reads, by using her power, Lumine is able to choose whether she travel to the past or the future, each having it's own limits and drawbacks.
Lumine can use her power to accelerate the time, making the world spins in a matter of second while she stood still in place. However, this power are only limited to two days only, and once Lumine had skipped two days worth of hours while standing still, she'll need a full 24 hour time to recover before she could accelerate the time once more. This ability is especially useful when she makes plan with someone on the next day after the present, while having not enough patient to wait a day for it. But of course, since she needs to keep this power of hers a secret with anyone, she also need to make out a clever excuse to be away from anyone she knows, especially her close companion, Paimon.
Meanwhile on the other hand, her abilities to travel to the past in comparison are a lot... Different, to say the least. The only limits of this power is that Lumine is unable to travel to a time prior to her birth, meaning that the only time that she could travel to are those that exists during the long lifetime, from the moment she was born up until now. She doesn't need to stand still in order to do it like when she accelerates the time, but still, it doesn't mean that there is no drawbacks. As any attempt she had in trying to go back in time would always resulted in her suffering from a severe headache and dizziness, enough to knock her out into a coma.
This abilities of hers are a lot useful than she could give it credit for. With it, not only did Lumine be able to pass the boredom of waiting by accelerating the flows of time, but she is also able to go back in time to change the outcomes that she deemed bad in the present, and turned it into a good one. Going back in time to prevent the destruction of an entire city, exposing the real culprit of a case after discovered it in the present, and even... Prevent a child from getting killed by moving truck.
There's so much things that she could do with this power, and it's not just so she could do some small changes only, but it is her power to manipulate destiny itself. Her power... To change someone's fate.
And with that in mind, it has became the source of temptation that Lumine is suffering from. As she lays in her bed, trying to catch a sleep, her mind drifted to that day, when she had a conversation with Zhongli about his late lover. The growing sadness and longing in his eyes, his deep heavy sighs that each was being weighed down by his burdens, his attempt in keeping his facade of composure when she could clearly see the way it crumbles down by the tears that he holds back. Lumine didn't want to see that, she didn't want to see him being sad like that, she wanted to see Zhongli happy, truly happy. And if she cannot make him, then perhaps Guizhong can.
But still though... Is it even worth it? Is it worth the risk of her to go back in time to the era of bloodshed and destruction that is known as the Archon war, just to save one single person?
"Your heart is that of a soft and gentle one Lumi, even more so than mine. And while I am glad and happy to know that I have such a wonderful sister like you. Sometimes, I could not help but to get worried about you. I knew you cared a lot about the lives of the people around you, especially with that power of yours. But please... Be careful, do not put someone else's importance above yours."
Her brother's words echoes in her mind as she thought about it. Aether is right, she is definitely one with a gentle heart, too gentle in fact, which is the reason why this temptations appears to begin with. But still, even now, Lumine's heart still can't decide on whether she should follow her emotions or to completely forget about it, two tides that crashed together to form the unsteady mess that is her mind right now. A state that remains unchanged until a certain day finally come, a day when she finally get a push that moves her heart to follow one of the two directions.
It was during the third Lantern Rite that she partakes on that the topic about Guizhong was finally being brought up again after almost two years of not hearing anything about it.
Their search for the Adeptus responsible for saving the Fontaine musician's life led her to meet the familiar avian Adeptus that she hasn't met for quite some time. Cloud Retainer, or should she say, Zhenjun, explains to them about the story of a certain Adeptus maiden known as Streetward Rambler or better known these days as the gentle and kind old woman, Madame Ping. And within that story, comes also the name of the late love of Zhongli's life, Guizhong.
The talkative and boastful illuminated beasts proceeded to tell them the story about her close relationship with the late goddess of dust. About how she and Cloud Retainer were rivals when comes to mechanisms and the favor of their lord Rex Lapis. How she and Ping were two opposites when it comes to the discussion of music, their different of views in it, and how it's responsible for their occasional debate that sometimes require Cloud Retainer's assistance in separating the two.
And then of course, the unavoidable topic, about the intimate closeness she had with Rex Lapis. As both Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler would stoof there and watch the two getting all lovey dovey, or, as one might calls them, third wheeling. They were a perfect match for each other, even from the moment they were nothing both two gods working together under the same goal with no intimate feelings between them. So of course, naturally it comes out of a total shock to everyone that the two would ended up like this, not being able to be together like they dreamed of. Their beloved friend tragically died in the ensuing chaos of that day, causing almost everyone to despair and mourn over her death, but, as Cloud Retainer says it:
"None out of any of us that day despaired as much as Rex Lapis despaired. While he may wore the face of an immovable rock that day, inside, he's nothing but a stone that's been shattered into pieces"
Cloud Retainer's tale were the last push Lumine needed for her heart to finally stop it's denial. She has been trying to close her heart for this for so long, ignoring all the voices in her head telling her to listen to her own desire, burying all of her swirling emotions deep down to the deepest parts of her heart. But ever since that day, Lumine finally fully opens her heart, allowing all of the abandoned mess to enters her being.
"None out of any of us that day despaired as much as Rex Lapis despaired."
Those words continue to ring inside her head as she makes up her mind.
She'll be waiting for the peak festivities of the Lantern Rite to end, which is the concert that Xinyan and Hu Tao partake in. And then, after the bustling night is over, and silence took over the night air, she'll be making her move. But just before that, there is one last thing that needed to be done, just for her to be sure.
As the hype of the festive night starts to die down, and the lanterns are being released into the sky, just like before. Lumine and Zhongli found themselves standing on the Yujing Terrace, overlooking the sight of the glimmering Liyue harbor below. This great city built by him, founded in memories of all the hardships he went through before, the true physical manifestation of the realized dream that he shared with his dear beloved.
If only Guizhong was here to see this...
"Zhongli... May I ask you something?"
"Hmm?"
He raised his eyebrow as he looked down at her. Lumine's eyes didn't move the slightest from the sight of Liyue Harbor before her, however, as of currently, her mind is placed somewhere else.
"If... If there is a chance, no matter how slim it is... How far are you willing to go to be able to be with Guizhong again?"
Her question comes all of sudden for him it seems, as she sees the tiny glint of surprise in his face in the corner of her eyes. And after that, he doesn't say anything for a little while, placing a hand on his chin as he immersed deep in his thoughts, and Lumine let's him, waiting patiently for his response.
"If we're speaking logically, I see no purpose in trying to do anything. Guizhong passed away a long time ago, and that is a fact that I have fully accepted." Zhongli answered, crossing his arms on his chest while nodding his head a little.
Despite of finally getting an answer, Lumine felt there's still some words left unspoken.
"However..." Zhongli began, closing his eyes as he spoke. "If we're speaking theoretically... If there really is such way for me to just... Simply spend a little longer with her by my side, then I would gladly endure that pain of losing her again and again, if only it were to mean I could just... See her face once more."
Zhongli answered with his voice still being the usual one that he uses normally. But Lumine knew better than anyone of what lies behind his every word, and the kind of burden that hangs from it.
"I see... So that's your answer." Lumine muttered, closing her eyes and releases a sigh.
"Lumine?" Zhongli asked as Lumine turns her body around and began walking away from him.
"Thank you for answering my questions, Zhongli. Your words have made me finally see what I need to do now." Lumine answers him while having her back turned on him, she couldn't bear to see his face again at this moment. "You have my utmost sympathies for the two of you, both you and Guizhong. If there exists a different world out there that is similar to this one, I'll pray that the two of you will be together, and none shall be getting in the way of your union."
And with those words spoken, Lumine walks away without another word.
~o~0~o~
The time has finally come.
She stood atop the highest peak in Guyun Stone forest, the cold night winds brushed against her exposed skin, the rays of moonlight graced her appearance, and the rhythmical sounds of the ocean waves below filled her ears like a calming music.
Lumine took a deep breath, looking down at the vast ocean in front of her.
Now that the Lantern Rite is officially over, everyone has gone back to all of their home, including Paimon who had left to Wangshu Inn for the night, expecting for the blonde haired Traveler to join her in bed soon, not knowing that the said Traveler had planned to go on a long journey, one that is a one way trip without a way to come back.
Once Lumine arrived in the past, she won't be able to come back to this present day, she'll be stuck in that time she's heading. Forced to see firsthand the brutality and cruelty of the Archon War, to live in an era where the gods dominated all different parts of the land while the mortals were being squished between them like ants. An era long before she and Aether had set foot on this world.
Someone's else happiness in exchange of her own happiness. Heh, she guesses this is one way love can messed up someone. Now she'll have to wait for thousands of years to be reunited with Aether once she did this.
"Strong focus on what I want." Closing her eyes, the blonde haired Traveler's mind drifted to the events on this day. Cloud Retainer's story about Guizhong and the close relationship she has with everyone, What Zhongli said to her during their talk hours ago in Yujing Terrace, and then lastly... That conversation she had with him, about her, about Guizhong.
"All I want... Is Zhongli's happiness." Steeling her resolve, Lumine took a deep breath as the clouds gathered, covered the full moon on the sky, plunging the world around her in darkness. The moment she's been waiting for.
"Goodbye everyone." Lumine muttered softly, wiping the tears that fell from the corner of her eye.
With a burst of Anemo energy, Lumine leaped high into the air, taking a long deep breath while she was mid air, then holds her breath as she dived down into the deep ocean below, letting go of all of her senses in favor of focusing single mindedly into the goal she had in mind: "To the Archon War."
While having her eyes closed and her mind not functioning as normally as it should be, Lumine vaguely felt how the ocean water around her suddenly turned from a calm gentle wave into violent waves that swirl and crash around her, as if she was a lone stone standing in the midst of a flowing river, withstanding the waves of waters that crashed into it. The brightness of her surroundings that enters through a small gap between her two eyelids flickers on and off uncontrollably, as if the moon above was a simple reading lamp that can be switched on and off. There was a sound wind howling loudly despite the fact that she's supposed to be underwater, but from the way they sound so loudly in her ears, she felt like there was a hurricane before her, with its incredible speed that was enough to rip Lumine into shreds.
All kinds of craziness was experienced by Lumine in such a short amount of time. But despite the odds, she insist to keep going, no matter what. She endured all the sensations her body felt and keep going, focusing, her destination is near.
After what it felt like an eternity, the madness around her suddenly disappeared. And Lumine felt like she was falling from a high place. She doesn't have time to open her eyes, but her body immediately sensed the danger, and flails around the air trying to unfold the wind glider she has before she falls to her death. Easier said than done with how disastrous her state of mind right now.
But luckily, in a stroke of luck, Lumine finds herself landed on water, judging from the sensation of how her body becomes wet again. Now finally in a condition that was at least a lot safer in comparison to before, she opens her eyes to look around to see if she could find the nearest land, and once she spots it, she wastes no time swimming ashore, coughing heavily as she does that.
The drawbacks of having to time travel to the past has starting to take effect on her. The great nauseous headache caused her to feel as if everything was rotating, she wasn't even able to stand properly in this state, so she chose to lay flat on top of sandy the ground she found herself in instead. Facing upwards, with her eyes directly staring into the bright shining sun above.
The skies of Liyue still looked the same. Lumine didn't know if her time travel even work or not, but she supposed she could find out later.
For now, she needs to rest for a bit.
"Oh my! Miss, are you alright?"
Vaguely, Lumine heard a voice of a woman in the distance, but she already closed her eyes by then, the only thing she managed to catch is the feeling that someone approached her and cradled her into their arms, saying some words she's unable to hear as she fell into the embrace of unconsciousness.
To be Continued...
This story is actually made as a present for my friend who love the zhonglumi ship. Her birthday is near and I wanted to give this to her.
But of course, I'll be giving it to her in it's completed form, so yeah, don't worry, I promise to finish this story as soon as I can. (T_T)