The night we said goodbye || Kaeluc/Rewritten

3-The night we said goodbye

What did Diluc gain from protecting Mondstadt? From murdering hundreads of Fatui agents, or killing dangerous monsters?

Nothing.

Then why did he continue? Dirtying his hands wasn't going to revive his father, and Diluc was well aware of this fact. He didn't like the Knights of Favonius, nor was he particulary fond of Mondstadt's people, but he protected this city of freedom nonetheles.

Maybe it was only his sense of duty from the time he was still within the ranks of the knights. Maybe he felt guilty for all his beloved ones suffering. No one knew about the Darknight Hero's true motive for doing all this work in the shadows.

Maybe not even Diluc was aware of the reason behind all his doings.

A cut on Diluc's cheek hurt like frostbite. The powers that the cursed sword gave to Kaeya were dangerous and wonderful in a way Diluc couldn't explain why.

Their moves were like a dance of fire and ice. The quick slashes of their swords seemed more like well learned steps of a performance whose music was sung by the darkness of the night. They knew eachother's weaknesses and strenghts, which made them the perfect partners for their waltz to death.

The warm feeling that the red flames gave was always countered by the chillness that followed Kaeya's blade. When fire symbolized light, ice was like the darkness that surrounded them: cold and merciless.

Maybe that was Kaeya's true nature too.

Diluc didn't have enough time to think between all the incoming hits from his opponent. They were almost too quick to be seen by the naked eye, and they seemed to come from all directions.

The red-haired man was aware that Kaeya was a skilled swordsman, but he didn't know if the progress he made was because of the monster, the cursed sword, or simply the pass of time. It solely amazed him.

Suddenly the slashes came to a halt. Diluc franatically turned his head around, trying to spot were Kaeya was. In the short moment when the red-head let his guard down, a light blue sword slashed at his front.

Diluc quickly raised his blade in a defensive stance, thus avoiding the otherwise fatal hit.

A sly smile appeared on Kaeya's face, as he was pushing forward his opponent's weapon:

"As expected of Diluc Rangvindr. But what are you going to do now?"

As fast as Kaeya's words were out of his mouth, he slashed quickly, without hesitation, at Diluc's flank. A sharp pain started flowing through the red-haired male's body. The spot on his shirt, were the wound was, started to turn dark red.

Diluc's left hand swiftly covered the stain in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. He knew that the end of his life was coming close, he could feel its quick steps across the pure white snow that was covering the ground. He fell to his knees, his sword falling in the snow with a thud.

It hurt so much.

A gloved cold hand made its way on Diluc's chin, forcing his gaze up. Small tears started forming in his eyes. He didn't know if he was crying because of the pain drowning his body, or the saddness in his heart.

Two eyes were watching Diluc, a malicious and dark gleam to them. The smirk on Kaeya's face was showing that he was no longer the kind person Diluc always knew in his childhood. Instead, in front of him now stood a heartless monster that feasted on people's fear and despair.

Was this how it was all going to end?  Kaeya's blade stuck forever in his unmoving cold lifeless body, with no chance for light to return in Diluc's eyes?