Chapter 8: Remember, You Are Not Broken!

"...ine!" Was someone…calling her name? "Plea…ke up!" Why did the voice sound familiar? "Please sister…" SISTER?! "Open your eyes, please!" Hazy gold eyes opened, staring into the face of a boy who looked younger than her, yet relief flooded his face at seeing her awake. "Oh thank goodness sister, you had me worried." He cupped her cheek and she leaned into the warmth, grabbing the hand softly. She tried to will her mouth to ask a question, to ask who he was…but a different question escaped instead. "How long was I out?" That wasn't what she wanted to ask.

The blonde haired boy looked to his right and she did as well, seeing bars. Were they in a cell? "A few hours. They did a number on you this time." The boy said softly, brushing her fringe aside. She wanted to move, to sit up and inspect the little cell they were in…but her body hurt…it was so heavy. "This isn't how you treat teenagers." Lumine muttered angrily, shocking Lumine. Last she remembered from blood tests, she was in her twenties!

Was this…her memories?

"Aether?" He looked at her and Lumine realized this was the boy she had seen in all of her memories, both the good and the bad. "They didn't hurt you…did they?" She asked and he sighed, helping her sit up when she reached her arms for him. "They did…but not as bad as what they did to you." Aether replied sadly and Lumine sighed, hugging him tightly once she was sitting up. "I'm sorry brother." He rubbed her back, hugging her just as tightly. "Don't be sister, as long as we stick together, we'll make it through this nightmare."

Lumine nodded and deep down, Lumine realized what was going on…she was reliving her past.

Gold eyes snapped open, staring at the blackness around her and she held her head, feeling it pound. "What did I…what was that?" Lumine asked herself, unsure of what was going on. "Don't you know?" A voice asked, eerily similar to her own and she froze, eyes going wide, feeling someone behind her. "It's your own memories." Lumine spun around, seeing a somewhat younger version of herself standing behind her, her back to her. "What…what the hell?" She didn't know what was going on anymore.

The sound of chains moving and Lumine looked to her wrists, seeing chains were around her wrists and ankles. Looking at her younger self, she noticed she also had chains around her wrists and ankles…in fact, her younger self was littered in various wounds and even a dirty dress. "Dottore…that's his name." Lumine's eyes went wide at what her younger self said. "He's the one who killed our parents and took us and our brother from our family." She said, turning broken gold eyes to her, a nasty bruise on cheek showing.

"Why…are you here? What is going on?" Lumine asked, her voice trembling even as her younger self looked to the ground. "When you saw Dottore…your mind shattered." She said softly and Lumine's eyes filled with horror. That explained a few things but… "ZHONGLI! What about-?" "You're in a coma…" Lumine was silenced as those words processed and she froze…before she began to tremble violently. She was…in a coma? "That's why your reliving your memories." Her younger self explained.

"Everything that happened from your earliest memory to just before Zhongli found us…you'll be reliving all of it." Lumine curled in on herself as her right side blossomed with pain from what felt like a kick. "Every bruise." She screamed in pain. "Every cut." She choked for air. "Every torture…" Lumine sobbed as everything abruptly stopped for her. "Everything you endured while Number Two and Number Six had you." Lumine turned her head to look at her younger self, seeing tears running down her face.

"I can't protect you like Aether could. Your mind has been too broken…" She sobbed out. Lumine sobbed herself, feeling arms wrap around her, her younger self hugging her, doing her best to anchor her and shield her but it was a small comfort. Until she remembered everything, she'd be trapped in this cycle of nightmares and memories…until her mind could process what happened and she could come to accept what has happened to her.

Lumine only prayed she could…for if she couldn't…she wouldn't awaken…

**(Week Later, Wednesday-September 1st; 10pm)**

The sun had set a little over an hour ago yet Zhongli didn't move, staring at the face of Lumine as she slept. There were times she moved or whimpered, or even seemed to choke and while Zhongli panicked, it was just a side effect of what she endured. Lumine never did anything else, her breathing was normal so she wasn't actually choking…but he still worried. She cried yesterday and Aether almost started shaking her, crying and screaming at her to wake up, to open her eyes and see him there with her.

Tartaglia had to remove him from the room that day.

Looking over at the other side of the bed was Aether, currently sleeping, laying his upper body on the bed, holding Lumine's right hand in his own hands. Tear tracks stained his face but Zhongli knew it was to be expected. In the past week since he'd been in the estate the boy had been constantly crying. He recounted his past to Zhongli, confirming many concerning things Zhongli had an inkling of.

They were not virgins and Lumine did, most likely, having a lot of scarring due to her thrashing.
They had both been subjected to various drugs.
Both high profile officials and the lowest scum of the earth had used them and Aether had even given the names of officials he knew. (Tartaglia was currently giving the list to Ningguang.)
Lumine would need to be checked to see what was wrong with her and she most likely wouldn't be the same when she awakens.

While Aether had gotten checked, he was lucky to have no damaging side effects of any of the drugs he'd been forced to take. Lumine most likely was not as lucky considering she had been held for much longer and subjected to various forms of torture by Number Two and Number Six. Lumine was their guinea pig for the newest drugs since she fought so much. She was also the tester for new shock collars. Aether did have a few problems though and it was mostly due to the stress and the wounds. Aside from anemia, he did suffer from PTSD, constantly had aches and phantom pains, and he was an insomniac. He spoke with Tartaglia to calm down from panic attacks and Tartaglia also helped him with his PTSD. When he was taking down the rings in other areas, he didn't let any of that bother him but now that he's taken a step back for his safety, everything was starting to catch up to him.

Zhongli understood and, with Lumine remembering everything herself, she'd most likely have similar problems. She may even have worse if there were problems under the surface. They had already run several tests for health problems, what they've tested for so far has come up negative and Zhongli prayed it would continue. Lumine tensed suddenly, hands tightening around the hands holding her, shocking Zhongli and jostling Aether awake as his eyes snapped open.

Aether almost lashed out, sleep deprived, but realizing it was Lumine was able to relax instantly. "Lumi?" Aether questioned, only to see her brows pinch but that as all as a whimper escaped. Aether's heart broke, body trembling as he resisted the urge to try anything to wake his sister. "Please Lumine, please sister wake up!" Aether sobbed out, head resting against the hand he held, tears once more running down his face. Zhongli's expression tightened, hearing that cry as it reminded him of one of Lumine's own from a nightmare she had.

"Please, stop…no more…no more!"

Zhongli got up, rounded the other side and laid a hand on Aether's shoulder, rubbing gently in hopes of calming him down. With Tartaglia currently in a meeting with Ningguang, it was up to Zhongli to make sure that Aether was comforted and taken care of until Tartaglia returned. It took twenty minutes before Aether finally calmed, taking a shaky breath to collect himself, before he felt Zhongli remove his hand. "Archons, I wish I knew what she was reliving." Aether choked out, making Zhongli's expression twitch…he too wished he knew…just so he could help.

Eventually it was midnight before Tartaglia returned, rubbing his shoulder…but his condition was FAR from how he looked when he left. "Tartaglia, what happened?!" Aether shouted in surprise, eyes wide as he shot to his feet, rushing toward the ginger and hugging him. Tartaglia winced at the hug. "Ow buddy, a little bruised." A little? Zhongli scoffed and stood, looking his friend over. "A little?" The dark haired man questioned and Tartaglia winced once more. "Okay, okay…a lot." Tartaglia conceded, rubbing Aether's back.

"I'll be okay with some rest." Aether let out a shaky sigh and backed up, looking up at the ginger. "What happened?" The blonde asked and Tartaglia sighed, frowning a little. "Was jumped on the way back." Their eyes widened. "Not sure who they were, they weren't ordered by the Harbinger's I know I can trust. I called one, three, four, seven, eight and ten…" The ginger shook his head, confused. "Number Four, Arlecchino, picked me up and brought me here. She's going to number one and getting an investigation started." Tartaglia explained, making Zhongli sigh.

"Did they say anything?" Zhongli asked, making Tartaglia cringe. "Yeah…a lot. They kept asking me where I hid the boy, where the girl was, who had them." Tartaglia's blue eyes were dark with anger and protectiveness. "Needless to say, Arlecchino didn't let them live when she found me." Arlecchino had asked Tartaglia where he was attacked and then tracked them down. They hadn't gotten far, they had been on the phone with someone…and then Arlecchino had her own assassin's kill them. The two killed were, indeed, Fatui…but they were mere grunts.

"Fatui recruits don't do stuff like that without orders, or a reward." Tartaglia explained, making Zhongli nod, he was well aware. "They must've been asked by someone and my bets are on Number Two and Number Six." Tartaglia stated and Zhongli was inclined to agree. He believed they were also behind the attack. "However, they know I, at least, know Aether." Zhongli frowned at Tartaglia's words, they'd have to increase security. "I'll try and schedule a meeting with Ningguang." Zhongli said, making Tartaglia nod as he rested his head atop Aether's, the blonde was shaking a little. "Hey, I got you Ae, I'm not going anywhere." The ginger said to the smaller man. "I can't lose you…" This was the first time even Tartaglia has heard Aether be so vulnerable, this was worse than with his sister!

"I lost Lumine for years, I just got her back but she's in a coma. I can't lose you either Tartaglia." Aether hissed brokenly and Tartaglia wrapped his arms around Aether tighter. Tartaglia and Zhongli shared a glance and the dark haired man nodded. 'Take Aether back and get some sleep'. Tartaglia's eyes showed gratefulness and then he was pulling Aether out of the room and downstairs for tea to calm him down. Zhongli sighed and made his way back to the bed, gently resting a hand against Lumine's cheek. "Wake up soon Lumine, we all need you." Zhongli whispered, before holding her hand and sighing, he truly hoped she'd wake soon.

As Zhongli sat down, his phone suddenly began to ring and he pulled it out, frowning at the Unknown ID but he answered anyway. "Hello?" He asked, eyes narrowed a little. "I apologize for the late night call but is this Mr. Zhongli?" A deep male voice, though not as deep as his own, asked. Zhongli raised a brow, confused. "This is…may I get the name of whom I am speaking to?" Zhongli asked in turn, hearing a hum. "My name is Alhaitham, I am an investigator from Sumeru. I had heard word that Dottore had been in contact with you and was wondering if we could meet." Zhongli raised a brow…why was he whispering?

"When do you wish to meet?"

**(Three Days Later, Saturday-September 4th; Afternoon)**

Zhongli sat in his office, eyeing the silver-teal haired male with curious eyes as the man, Alhaitham, sat before him. "You were on edge when coming here, may I ask why?" Zhongli asked the male, who nodded, rolling his shoulders a little. "I'm trying to keep a low profile, can't afford Dottore knowing I'm here." Alhaitham responded, making Zhongli raise a brow. "May I ask why?" The dark haired male asked, wondering why. "I'm an undercover agent for the Mahamatra, specifically the investigative division. I send information to the top and they tell me what to do. I've been working on bringing Dottore to justice ever since his ring was taken down in Sumeru." Alhaitham explained, laying a very thick file onto Zhongli's desk.

"The file contains all the information and evidence I have gathered while working under Dottore in an attempt to bring him in." Alhaitham explained and Zhongli opened the file, flipping through the pages when he stopped at one that had Lumine's name and picture…there were four pages worth of information about what Dottore put her through. Zhongli raised a brow at Alhaitham, saying; "You know Lumine." Considering how Alhaitham tensed, he knew her well. "I do…why?" Alhaitham asked and Zhongli stood, motioning Alhaitham to follow him.

They went into Lumine's room and Alhaitham's eyes went wide, seeing her and he hurried to her side, ignoring Zhongli who narrowed his eyes. "Lumine." Alhaitham said softly but he didn't touch her, eyes scanning every inch and he frowned…why was she-? "She's been here for about two years." Zhongli said, before explaining how Lumine came into his employ, Alhaitham listened to every word. Afterward, Alhaitham sighed, rubbing his temples as he sat in a chair; thinking back to when he first met her.

"Six years ago, while I had been working for Dottore for about a year at that point, he introduced this blonde woman to me." Alhaitham turned to look at Lumine. "She was only about twenty, maybe a year or two younger but she was defiant…at times." Alhaitham leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and legs. "She didn't let anyone get close, refused to speak if others were with me but she kept asking where someone called Aether was. I didn't know that name and told her as such, since I was to watch over her, we grew close." Alhaitham suddenly winced, remembering what he had to do at one point.

"When Dottore finds someone full of potential, he has them undergo a test to determine their loyalty." Zhongli's eyes glinted, glaring at Alhaitham. "A test?" He asked, wondering what the test was. "His test was using Lumine, forcing her to have sex with us. If we refuse, we're killed as he determines us too soft, a liability." Alhaitham explained, remembering how he was forced into the same room with Lumine, who was heavily drugged. Dottore had watched, seeing if Alhaitham would do anything and, in order to keep Dottore's trust, Alhaitham had his way with Lumine.

He apologized for what he did yet Lumine had stated she was somewhat conscious despite the drugs. She knew what he was doing and why he did it, she said she would still trust him, especially since he promised he would find a way to save her. They had two years together before Dottore told Alhaitham he was taking Lumine to Liyue and then Alhaitham never saw her again. He tried to convince Dottore to let himself, Alhaitham, do the transfer but Dottore refused, transferring Lumine himself. Alhaitham never even got a chance to say goodbye and he didn't have a fully flushed plan either.

When Cyno got to the transfer site, Dottore and those with him were gone.

Alhaitham suddenly stiffened and pulled his phone out, having felt it vibrate and frowned at the message he received. "Dottore is asking for my assistance. I'll send information when I have the chance, my first priority is making sure Lumine is safe." Alhaitham said as he stood up, before he looked at Lumine and sighed. He walked over and pushed her fringe aside, kissing her forehead and Zhongli tensed, almost growling as he stood. "You love her, don't you?" Zhongli asked, a possessive lit to his tone and Alhaitham nodded as he pulled back, sighing.

"I did, still do as well but…she was never mine to have." Alhaitham responded, tilting his head as he looked at Zhongli. "Keep her safe." Zhongli relaxed, nodding as he followed Alhaitham out of the room. "I'll pass information to you as I continue investigating. I'll also connect you with Cyno who is the leader of the Mahamatra." Zhongli nodded, grateful before bidding farewell to Alhaitham, who handed him a piece of paper with two numbers. Once the doors closed behind him, Zhongli looked at the numbers and pulled his phone out, adding the numbers before he called Ningguang now that he had new information.

**(Month Later, Saturday-October 2nd)**

Lumine groaned as she opened her eyes, feeling arms around her…these were larger than Aether's…so he wasn't back then. She sat up and looked over, seeing a silver haired man and reached a hand forward, touching his cheek. "Alhaitham," Was that his name? "Are you awake?" She asked and he opened his two colored eyes, before looking at her and sighing, running a hand down his face. "I apologize for this…I know you have been through enough but…Dottore was watching." She hummed, sighing.

So, that's why she was naked and sore.

She felt safe with him though, that's all that mattered. "You've been nicer to me than anyone else Alhaitham, there's no need to apologize." She rubbed her hips, averting her gaze. "You were also more gentle than anyone else here." Lumine's voice was soft, though there was a very submissive touch to her tone. She was broken…she was used to this and she hated it. A hand cupping her jaw had her turning her gold eyes to Alhaitham, seeing he was gazing at her softly. "I said I'd find a way and I meant it." He kissed her forehead, yet she merely looked to the side.

Could she be saved from here?

Gold eyes snapped open, realizing she was in the darkness once more…but this time…the pain wasn't as bad. Lumine had remembered a lot since this all began. She had been taken as a child with her twin brother, Aether, who did his best to protect her. Lumine had been defiant as she grew up, knowing this was all wrong and she had been put through torture after torture…they called it conditioning. Aether ended up missing from the trafficking ring but Dottore didn't put much effort into searching for him, claiming Lumine was enough.

Lumine was bought and used by many people, mostly used as a sex slave for those who bought her and even Dottore had his way with her. She was never bought by the same person twice, she was not a buy-and-keep as some others may have been. The grunts who worked there, a few had their way with her but Alhaitham was one of the ones who cared about her, doing his best to keep an eye on her and make sure she was okay. He even claimed he loved her even…but Lumine had told him she wasn't sure if she could love him in turn. He accepted that.

What she still didn't remember was what happened after she was transferred to Liyue.

One of her memories was of Dottore talking to her and saying he would be transferring her to Liyue but she couldn't remember much of anything past that. Sighing, Lumine moved to sit up, groaning as the memory of Dottore stabbing her flashed through her mind. Lumine wanted to lay back down, she was so achy…but the knowledge that Aether was out there, the memory of Zhongli's smile, of Ganyu and Xiao waving to her flashed and she growled, moving to stand. She was not going to break!

"I'm done being afraid of my past…" Lumine looked ahead, seeing what looked like broken glass and she frowned. Was this…her next memory? "Come what may…I need to know who I am…and how I got away." Lumine ran forward, feeling a renewed strength in her body and broke through what seemed to be glass, not caring it cut her and felt concrete below her feet. It was Liyue! Lumine looked over her shoulder, seeing an obese man screaming at men to grab her and she growled, turning to run. She remembered him, he was the last one to buy her. Her feet were bare and her dress was now dirty and slightly torn but she stayed to the back alleys, she didn't want anyone seeing her like this!

After all, she knew the back alleys better than anyone due to the underground system.

Lumine was far ahead, all her time fighting off the grunts and Dottore at the facility have finally paid off! She didn't know where Aether was but she was sure, if she could escape these men then she would be able to find him. Lumine ducked into a hole in an alley, listening, holding her breath a little until she was CERTAIN they passed her by. The footsteps grew quieter and then faded away completely. Lumine slowly moved out of the crevice, big enough to hide her so it was more of a hole to her.

Lumine pulled a dagger out, one she stole from the man using her…she wasn't broken anymore. He made the mistake of letting her see what was outside. Her paraded her around his rich and wealthy friends, claiming she was his little side-piece and she did everything for him willingly. The willingly was all bull but he wasn't lying that she did everything. When she saw out the window that they were on the first floor in a VIP room of a gentlemen's club, she decided enough was enough! She took the pocket knife he had and held it to his throat before the door broke down and she bolted.

She had not realized he had a button he pressed on his watch.

She had heard how he called Dottore to get rid of her yesterday since he was under suspicion and that he would be at this club with her where he could take her back. She had not expected to see mere grunts, does Dottore still think she's a weak little girl? Sighing, Lumine turned to go down the alleyway, maybe she could find a kind soul…but all she saw was indigo hair and purple-blue eyes staring at her amused. "My, my Lumine, our little girl sure has grown up to be a troublemaker, haven't you?" Lumine hissed at him, narrowing her gold eyes.

"Scaramouche…" Lumine snapped, flicking the knife and holding it before her face, the back of the blade against her arm. "I'm not broken anymore." Lumine snapped at him and Scaramouche laughed, holding a hand to his head with a crazy look in his eyes. "Oh, you think you aren't? Don't you remember how compliant you were in my arms before that man bought you?" Scaramouche asked, grinning wickedly as her expression wavered. "I remember everything…and after I kill you, I'll have Dottore and the others arrested." Scaramouche's manic expression dropped as he sighed, shaking his head.

"You always were the defiant one Lumine, your brother was so much easier…until he staged that riot and escaped." Scaramouche grinned at her. "You know, he's still looking for you." Hope filled Lumine but she couldn't let herself be distracted. She had heard Alhaitham explain how they found out about the underground ring from a tip, someone called Viator…but Lumine didn't reveal she knew who that was. Those were names to be used to stay hidden. That was what her and Aether agreed on, Viatrix and Viator; they would not be found using those names.

Ms. Li'Quing told them if they used those names and they were out and in Liyue, she would find them…well, maybe Aether was with her?

"I'll find him on my own, he's my twin brother…and you're in my way, boy." Lumine snapped, Scaramouche was younger than her after all. He was brought under Dottore's wing when Aether and Lumine were sixteen and Scaramouche was ten…but he was dangerous in his own right. He was eighteen at the moment but Lumine was twenty-four, if she got him under her, she could win against him. "Don't make this hard for me Lumine, I'm supposed to bring you back." Scaramouche began walking toward her but Lumine knew how dangerous he was despite his disarming words.

Once he was within reaching distance of her, Lumine swung with her knife, cutting his arm and Scaramouche growled. "I was going to be gentle…but you are too troublesome." A gun and her eyes widened as he held it up to her. "Sorry Dottore, looks like you're going to lose an investment." Lumine dodged as Scaramouche cocked the gun. Everything was in slow motion for Lumine and Scaramouche wasn't exactly a good aim so she could dodge. Years of dodging knives thrown at her during previous attempts to escape had honed her skills…if she threw her knife right…then…

Lumine took the chance.

Scaramouche pulled the gun back to reload but the cartridge jammed and he growled, so Lumine threw the knife with her. It sliced open his hand and he dropped the gun, giving a shout of pain, before Lumine tackled him…a wrong move on her part. Scaramouche may be younger than her but he was no less weaker or inexperienced. He flipped them so she was under him and he grabbed the knife with his good hand, stabbing in her shoulder and making her cry as she tried to reach for it but Scaramouche gripped both her wrists and held her hands above her head.

"Oh no, I don't think so." He was holding her wrists with one hand before he covered her mouth with his other. "You see, I never really liked you. Too troublesome, too defiant…though you were useful in testing my drugs but everything has its limits. You are of no use to me and Dottore just wants to keep you as a sex toy, so let me ask this…" He pulled his hand back and Lumine snarled at him, before Scaramouche was gagging her and her eyes widened…she couldn't scream! "Be a good girl and this won't hurt." Scaramouche said wickedly, grinning at her darkly.

Everything was blurry for Lumine after that.

Scaramouche had removed the knife at some point and had started to cut her with it as he had his way with her. Like Dottore, Scaramouche found wicked pleasure in using Lumine as he saw fit, he wasn't interested in Aether…but he did think Lumine was pretty and felt good. Lumine then felt something hard hit her head, making her vision worse as she felt blood pool around her…was this…how it ended? "Sir Scaramouche, what did you-?" "Silence! We're going back and telling Dottore the problem is taken care of." "Sir, we were meant to bring her back and your covered in blood!" "So? She was too troublesome, I'm sure Dottore can find another woman and condition her to be exactly like Lumine. Let's go, she's dead."

The footsteps faded as her hearing left.

She tried to move but she couldn't and it began to rain, making this worse for her. 'Is this…the end for me?' Lumine thought weakly. The plan had been simple…but she didn't think Scaramouche would have been sent and Dottore doesn't retrieve his subjects himself. She tried to move, her arm only moving a few inches forward but everything was going black for her…her mind went blank and her eyes glazed over…and she went still. She didn't know how long she had been there before she felt something wrap around her. "Miss? Are you alright?!" A voice asked. 'Where am I?' She opened her eyes, seeing a bleary figure above her…but his cor lapis eyes were visible to her. 'Why am I so sore?' Lumine thought, blinking at him before she closed her eyes, hoping to remember what happened…but she felt chains in her mind. "This must be when I forgot everything. The blow to the head rendered me unconscious." "Sir Zhongli, she needs medical attention." "I know, let's head back to the estate."

Gold eyes snapped open.
"ZHONGLI!"

Okay, so this is where Lumine remembers all of her past. I didn't put everything down because that would be a few chapters worth of memories, so I did try to sumarize what she remembered since I didn't want to be too graphic AND I didn't want there to be several chapters worth of memories. ...Plus pretty sure here would yell at me if I put down everything. XD They yelled at me before with a story that I had to leave posted on DeviantArt a few years ago. Anyways, Lumine remembers her past.

Also, I know Alhaitham is REALLY OOC in this story but that was because I can't write him...i tried but he plays a big role in Lumine's life before she joined Zhongli, he was actually going to break her out of the facility, but Dottore moved her to Liyue before he could. He never even got the chance to say goodbye to her as Dottore didn't want anyone knowing when he was moving Lumine. Though Alhaitham did have to have his way with Lumine to be trusted by Dottore (as working as a agent like he is he had to do unsavory things) but I also know that when Alhaitham looks to do something, he'll go through with it if it gets him closer to his goal. I know he can't handle a lot of touch, nor does he express his emotions well and he's not the type of care for intimacy, but for this story he shows a bit more since he has to get Dottore to trust him.

Well, stay tuned to see what happens in the next chapter. ^^