A salty smell, a gentle sound of wind and sea, a pleasant warmth on the skin of your hands. It was all dark for the Traveler from afar, still unconscious from the insane and difficult battle she had faced. Suddenly, a muffled, high-pitched voice seemed to call out the traveler's name. Waking up from that sleep, Lumine barely had time to look around, as her face was already being covered by the small Travel Guide, clinging to the girl and seeming to cry.
Ahh! Paimon was worried sick! Never scare Paimon like that again!
When she managed to remove the little creatuee from her face, Lumine was able to breathe and speak properly.
P-Paimon?! How did you end up here?... - She said worriedly and then turned to look where she was, noticing the clear blue sky, the calm sea and the clear sand in which she was close, in addition to the now green grass on her other side.
That entire island changed, as if it had never been attacked by an inhuman and deplorable beast. Lumine looked incredulous, starting to talk to herself.
H-huh?... was I taken somewhere else? No... the mountain with holes remains the same. What happened?...
And before Paimon could ask, Lumine ran down the path that led into the woods. She walked the same path, the same trail, entering the same cave and following the same steps as before, but this time, there was no crying. Only a few muffled voices, and when she got close to the arena from before, she could see the three Archons gathered in that open space. They noticed the Traveler's arrival and then stood up, heading towards her.
Lumine! I thought you had disappeared for good... - Venti said, already being close to her.
It's finally over... the nightmares have stopped. - Ei commented.
Where have you been, Traveler? Do you remember anything? - Zhongli asked.
When the Archons, the Traveler and her guide were close, Lumine's attention turned to the memories, only remembering the clash with the beast that knocked her out.
Just…that I landed a hit and then passed out from exhaustion. But you're alive, so... where did that monster go?
We... defeated the beast, but something even more reckless has arisen in its place. - Zhongli added with his speech.
Oh no... did he turn into some kind of giant monster? - Lumine thought the worst, and Paimon just listened, confused and curious.
No no, Lumine, but... maybe a giant monster would be easier. - Venti scored. - That scythe, it… awakened his sleeping conscience, it seems. Some ancient spell that managed to reverse the curse a little, enough for him to be able to speak and hold the scythe. He spoke nonsense like "I'll make you proud", "For the honor of my family", "I won't fail this time", and even created a rain of stars from the ceiling as he held the scythe and shouted "Oh, stars above, hear my call!"... in the end, he... gave us a beating. - Venti replied.
What? - Lumine asked.
What? - Paimon also asked.
What do you mean? He... stopped being a monster? And yet he beat up the three of you together? I swear I don't understand...
You weren't here to see it, but be sure of one thing. Being trained by Murata herself, he had enough skill to overcome any opponent in physical combat in full conditions, imagine against three Archons without their Gnosis, exhausted and still having the help of that weird scythe... - Ei tried to explain.
Paimon thinks she has a good point... even though Paimon doesn't know half of what she's talking about. - The guide said.
Ugh... but then, after the battle was over, what happened? I know you guys survived, but... where did he go?
That was the weirdest part... he just stopped attacking us when we were already on the ground and went back to the middle of the cave. He looked at you and then... he took you in his arms and walked to the exit. I tried to stop it... but I could barely stand. He said he... was going to keep you away from the lies of the gods... - Venti replied again, not proud to admit the last part.
The girl didn't seem to know how to react to this, being both impressed and confused. Why did he spare the Archons? Why did he carry her out? What did he do while she was asleep? She didn't think he'd done anything bad, as Lumine woke up in the shade of a tree and on fresh grass. Suddenly, Paimon drew attention.
Guys, there's something here!
They all went to investigate, realizing that in the middle of the cave, just below the opening in the ceiling, there were two carved stones. They looked like two headstones. "Phylia" and "Ayleen" carved into each of those graves. Simple and modest stone slabs, but looking like they were made with love and care.
Those names are... - Paimon was about to assume something totally wrong, but Lumine soon completed the sentence.
His wife and daughter... must have done it as soon as the battle was over.
Perhaps an honor he failed to bestow in the time after the disaster... - Zhongli said, crossing his arms.
Lumine felt sorry to see that, as if everything was a torment, even after freedom from the curse that corrupted the man's mind. She sighed and then turned towards the exit.
Traveler, where are you going? - Paimon wanted to know.
Repay a kindness. - Answered directly and objectively, but being followed by Paimon, anyway.
Leaving the Archons behind, the girl left that cave and began a walk around the island, looking for any sign of life that might be from the celestia's homunculus. Seconds become minutes, minutes become an hour, forcing Lumine to stop and rest, somewhat frustrated. He looked at the ocean and the Alcor anchored on the beach. Apparently that's how Paimon found that island. Just listening to the sounds of the tide, the Traveler perceives a distant sound of metal, resembling the chiming of a small, high-pitched bell. Paimon was curious, as was Lumine, so both set off to look for the origin of that unique sound.
They made their way along a winding, twisting path through the forest, finding an empty Hillichurl camp, but especially with a broken wooden shield and a giant axe handle, without the blade. They heard the chime of the bell once more, continuing on their way again. Before long, the origin became clear, an opening carved into the rock of the central mountain of that island, looking like a small cave. Inside, they saw the figure of a man, using tools improvised with materials found from Hilichurl camps to help him forge something. The man was ringing that bell, producing a high-pitched sound that seemed to affect him in a way. It didn't take long for the man to turn his body back, looking at the Traveler and her guide, and the little one hid behind Lumine.
A-Ah!... Please sir, don't devour us! - Paimon asked desperately.
I... I'm not that hungry, little one. You can be calm. - He said in a calm and serene way while his eyes hovered over Paimon, until his focus returned to the Traveler.
And you woke up... I have no words to thank you for what you did for me, Traveler. - That man said.
Its appearance without that dense, monstrous-featured crust was truly as the story of its creation said, made by the hands of the gods. His robes were a mixture of armor and cloak, but due to the degradation of time, the left-handed sleeve of his suit had deteriorated and left him fully exposed, as well as the arcane marks of the curse. On the belt that held the shoulder pad over his right arm, there was a small pale flower with purple accents, stuck there. Lumine stopped looking at that man and only then responded with a speech.
No need to thank me, h-hehe... I just wanted to solve an Archons problem already knowing that it would be left for me later.
Traveler, you are too pure for the evil of this world. - He commented with a smile that soon normalized.
But I... wanted to know something about you. - She paused briefly in order to formulate her question well. - If the stories are true, then he was in Khaenri'ah and lived there for some time. While you were there, did you... see anyone who looked like me? A blond boy with a long braid in his hair and foreign clothes?
Are you referring to the Prince?
Prince? So you met her brother?! - Paimon commented excitedly, thinking he would know something about Lumine's lost brother.
I was just a private guard, little one, I never even set foot on the first steps of the palace. But every now and then, he would make some pronouncements, and I would inevitably listen. In the grace of the people, he inspired confidence and attracted everyone with his captivating words. Other than that, I don't have much information that might be of use to you, Traveler.
I understand... but that's something, thank you. - Lumine said with a sigh, at least aware now that "The Prince" was already a title his brother had received since Khaenri'ah, and not in the Abyss.
If you allow me to help with something, I would like to offer it to you. - The man held out his hand with the bell, offering it to the Traveler.
Huh? Why are you giving us a bell? - Paimon asked.
Not just any bell, little one. - The man replied, indicating the details about that metal instrument with his thumb. - This bell is imbued with part of my arcane energy separate from the curse. If you ever need help with any errand, just ring this bell and I'll appear before your eyes, Traveler. Since you have freed me from my madness, it is only fair to lend you my services.
I... I don't know if I should take it. It seems uncomfortable to have to take you out of where you are suddenly. - Lumine tried to argue.
No, no, imagine. When that bell rings, I still have time to prepare for transport, so you don't have to worry about being in the middle of something and suddenly being interrupted. - The man said, without taking his eyes off the Traveler and her company.
Since you're saying...
The girl finally took the metal bell in her hands, keeping it with her in her inventory. As for Paimon, she noticed someone approaching, looking at the trail behind her. The other two also watched, realizing that whoever arrived was none other than the three Archons. When they noticed the presence of the man right in by the side of the blonde, their instincts sharpened and their postures varied. Beelzebub looked ready to attack, Barbatos retreated a little and Morax stood there, arms crossed. That man did nothing, just looking back at the Traveler and Paimon, but that didn't stop his ears from listening to what those Archons had to say.
Heh... hello, star-scythe mister. Are you... calmer now? - Venti spoke, and received a morbid look from the man, basically silencing the bard and cutting off the chances of trying to open a conversation.
Listen well, Heavenly Scourge.- Morax opened his mouth to speak, being interrupted immediately.
I have a name, Morax. Something none of you bothered to give me while I was on Celestia. Kirhan.
The silence that followed was quite unsettling, but soon Morax returned to his rant.
Right, Kirhan. I know very well that words would not help as a form of redemption, but guilt is something that does not leave my mind to this day. On behalf of the three of us, I believe, I want to ask your forgiveness for the sin we forced you to commit that day.
A bold and strange request, Morax humiliating himself to the point of asking for forgiveness. Kirhan said nothing, just took steps towards the group of Archons, passing to their right, exactly to Morax's right, stopping shortly after having passed near the Geo Archon.
On their behalf? As I recall, Barbatos tried to stop you, and yet he was forced to cooperate. Baal also tried and was arrested along with him, so I suppose his sister isn't to blame for what happened either. In fact, she is innocent of this, but I have no doubt that she has committed just as horrendous crimes. - The looks in his direction were inevitable, but he still hadn't finished speaking. - Do you want forgiveness for the crime they forced me to do? Okay then, Morax, this is pretty simple. Just do something.
What would it be? - Zhongli asked, slightly turning his face and body back, without turning around completely.
Bring my wife and daughter back to life.
And so, with that final sentence, the man walked back along the path, moving away from the group, but saying something before disappearing from view. "Be careful of the monsters around you, Traveler. Especially the ones you call 'friends'."
It had been a while since that conversation had taken place, now the group was on the Alcor deck, ready to depart. Lumine watched the beach while Paimon lay on her hair. That island was a terror when they first arrived, but now it felt so alive and pure. She considered it a symbol of hope, that even the worst of situations could be turned around. It brought her comfort and hope about her brother and her main mission since arriving in Teyvat.
All ready? We'll set sail in a minute! - Beidou's voice announced.
Aye Aye, Captain! - The sailors answered, almost in chorus.
As for the Traveler, she remained silent, gazing at that vast shore with a brief, tender smile on her lips, which remained even as the waves below the ship rose and the wind blew the sails out to sea. She thought about retreating to another corner, but then her eyes took in the figure of the man on the sand, standing, watching them go. Lumine didn't even think, just waved at him in farewell, and he responded in the same way.
After the long days required for the trip back to the mainland, life seemed to return to normal. Ei went back to meditating in Tenshukaku, Venti went back to his life of deliberate alcohol and chanting, and Zhongli was back at the funeral parlor, getting lectured by the director for simply deciding to disappear for days, no matter how well-disguised he explained the reason, without being entirely a liar. As for Lumine and Paimon, they too went back to their routine, making commissions for the adventurers' guild in order to get the mora they needed to support themselves, mostly Paimon's appetite.
It was a dark but starry night. Lumine was dealing with some Hilichurls watchtowers, but was accosted by more monsters than she realized, looking like an ambush from the Abyss Order. She tried to fight back with the sword, but she was outnumbered, being forced to move away. It was then that, while she was trying to outwit the monsters, the young woman remembered the bell she had kept, finally ringing it. The sharp, high-piched sound of metal resounded across that grassy plain, and within seconds, she could hear the sound of a gash in the air. Looking back, all the Hilichurls, Mitahurls, and the Abyss Mage had been slaughtered, for the man was there, standing on the lawn, scythe in hand, emitting the glow of the stars before fading. His pale hair and cape swayed gently in the breeze from that place. When Lumine and Paimon got close enough, the man turned and then knelt before them, like a knight before his princess.
I answered your call, Traveler, now I'm here. Tell me, what do you want me to do?
Ahm... can you... accompany me? - Since the commission had been completed, Lumine thought of something for both of them to do together.
Agreeing, the man stood up, and then the two continued on their way. As they were in Mondstadt at the time, Lumine took him to the highest cliff, facing the ocean with the starry sky above them. She sat down on the grass, and soon her guest did the same. It was just the three of them in that silent place, with only the melody of the sea and the spectacle of the stars around them. Even after eons, he could see his loved ones in the sky, in their constellation. He smiled, finally, letting his feelings express themselves more deliberately. Little Paimon had already slept on Lumine's lap, and the girl seemed to be sleepy too, yawning with her mouth covered by her hand. Closing her eyes briefly, she felt something wrap around her, and when she opened them, she noticed that Kirhan's cloak covered her, seeming to protect her from the cold. The girl ended up smiling, slowly giving in to sleep and tipping her body to the side, falling with her face on the man's arm.
Ah... "Sleep, little one. Find rest among the stars..." It was Kirhan's monologue, the same words he sometimes repeated to Ayleen, to comfort her before bed.
So as not to cause a stiff neck in the Traveler, the man calmly laid her down with the back of her head in his lap, letting her finally rest after so much conflict and intrigue. The man seemed to be happy with the scenery, finally finding peace of mind after so many years. He realized he was no longer alone. The asleep Traveler, Paimon snoring, and most of all, the stars above that glittered in a static dance, but being a spectacle nonetheless. Kirhan had found his purpose after so long: to protect and accompany a pure soul, as if it reminded him of his loved ones. He would protect that hope he had with his own life, using all his strength and making every possible sacrifice to make the Traveler never give up on her journey.
This would be Kirhan's last oath, and also, his real purpose in life.