The World of Lies

archons above

Dainsleif clenched his fists. Archons had started attacking what was his paradise. He watched them destroy buildings that had been spent so much effort on collapse within seconds. Deep, bottomless pits emerged in the corpse of what was a beautiful nation. Some of the loyal guards fought and slayed the Archons, whilst some fled, aware of the strong power they keep.

His travelling partner, Lumine, was pleading for him to take action. He'd remembered the oath he swore just recently. He then heard a loud scream of pain, which he'd recognise as his Master. Rushing through the tall structures and the bright blaze he kneeled down beside a young man who clenched on his ribcage, struggling to get on his knees.

"My lord, answer me, are you alright?"

"Of course, D-dainsleif... just a mere scratch."

"My lord, these are gods we are opposing. This is not a scratch."

The man coughed, small droplets of blood flying out of his throat. 

"Dainsleif, please, my life does not matter. This is only a scratch toward our nation."

"My lord, the nation is collapsing and I don't want you falling into the pit. Come with your royal family."

"I... we will be fine, as long as the truth gets to them, Dainsleif."

Dainsleif remained silent, a single lone tear forming and slowly falling down his cheek, until a few more ruptured. The man caressed his cheek, forming a gentle, cute smile,

"Our reign over this nation is eternal with the truth."

"B-but what if we are fed with lies?" Dainsleif tried to wipe away the tears, repeating to himself not to cry in front of his superior.

"You are the truth, Dainsleif, and you always will be. I put my son and Lumine in your hands, Dainsleif. Take care of them."

The hand that Dainsleif's master beared slowly fell from his cheek, his eyes fluttering closed. Dainsleif called out for his master to reawaken, but the weight of his body started to push his arms back.

"Dainsleif! We need to go, before we fall in!" Lumine called, carrying what seemed to be the young master in her hands. Dainsleif gulped, letting out a breath, before abandoning his master and fleeing the scene. Tears of gult, Dainsleif shed, that would scar his eternal life.

He remained in Mondstadt, starting a fire and sat beside it, with the young master, shaking.

"What happened to Dad, Dain? Is he coming back, like he always is?"

Dainsleif's guilt grew even more, looking at the curious starry eyes of the boy. He had no clue what had happened to his father. He decided to remain silent.

"Miss Nice Lady, what happened to dad?"

"He... he... erm..." Lumine thought, still traumatized from the destruction, "He's ascended to the place above the clouds, were he roams free?"

"Is he going to come back?"

"...he told me in a dream that he'll be there for you, just believe, Young Master..."

"B-but I want him here! Where is dad!" The child sulked, as Lumine's expression started to worsen.

"P-please, don't cry. We'll take care of you, just pretend Dain is your dad."

"He isn't!"

Dainsleif perked his eyes up toward Lumine. He had almost fell asleep, like he wished to, but awakened by the call of his name.

Was this a dream? Dainsleif thought, Surely the kingdom of Khaenri'ah wouldn't have been destroyed by gods...

"Dain... are you alright? You look tired." Lumine reached out a hand as she placed it on his shoulder. He shook her hand off, resting his chin onto his hands.

"I could do nothing to help him, why am I worthy of this role?"

"..." Lumine stared at Dainsleif, "Because you're a brave person. There are still people that have survived this... cataclysm."

"Never mind them. The gods despise us. We're sinners, Lumine."

"...we're powerful sinners. We've captured powers nobody else has seen, Dainsleif. Come on, let's start an army together. Comprised of the sinners we have become, we shall topple the divine thrones of Celestia." Lumine shifted towards Dainsleif, placing her hand on his shoulder once again.

"What will your brother see once he has awakened? He won't see the Khaenri'ah he once knew."

"He'll never know, Dainsleif. Join me."

"I--"Dainsleif remained silent, turning his head towards the starry sky. "You two should get some sleep. I'll keep watch if anything comes by."

"Hey--- You can't just ignore me!"

"Some questions stay unanswered, Young Master." Dainsleif whipped his head around to see an approach hoarde of creatures.
"

Shhh!" Lumine placed a finger on the boy's mouth.

"Let's sleep. The fire is about to go out, and I don't want to leave you two alone whilst that dragon is around."

"Alright. See you in the morning."