firewater • a chiluc collection

HANDS OF CRIMSON

ACCOMPANYING MUSIC: as the world caves in (slowed)
OR
pluto projector instrumental (slowed)

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The flames burned deep red and amber, as did my passion for battle. His cocky grin, his tight undercoat, his chiselled jawline, everything about him infuriated me. Even when I knew nothing about this man, he had already invoked a new anger and fury in me. The moment I laid eyes on him I immediately felt that lurch of the heart, clenching of the chest, and a strong sense of visceral distaste before a word had been spoken from his lips. "Why, the other harbingers certainly didn't lie when they said you were strong! Looks like I underestimated you, comrade!" he laughed before violent electric bolts encapsulated him. My eyes widened as I stood back, my grip on the greatsword loosening as I felt a sharp pain in my chest. My breathing became heavy and unstable, and my head started spinning in an endless flurry of delusion. "What's wrong, Diluc? Or perhaps you forgot I had something up my sleeve." he howled as he spun his daggers into a violet spear.

"I'm so proud of you, my son." played in my head, and all the memories I'd rather forget hit me like a dagger to the chest. Childe had wielded the same treasure that killed my father, and now I only worry he will meet the same fate. He... no, worry isn't the right word, I could care less about the harbinger's fate. I then propped up my greatsword and prepared to strike him from the side, shaking off any echo of my father's demise. A lesion of radiant light illuminated the benighted sky, and we were carving and cleaving towards each other under it, rayless. Through all of the ringing in my ears, I could still make out his maniacal laugh.

He let out an enormous, sapphire wave, and the dewy grass flickered like diamond flame as a blood-curdling howl rent the air. The starless sky was casket-black and sombre. Even the clouds seemed morose. As I stared into his now violaceous eyes, gelid hands clasped algid steel. The cold, north wind keened and mewled through both the valley and both our souls. Brazier-red blood sprayed from the gash he put in my arm. Our fight was vicious and long, not disappointing either of our expectations. Finally, I released an intense flame from my pyro vision that flew forward and burned everything in sight. His delusion caused an abrupt explosion ahead of me, covering the scene in a violent blue. The harbinger was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield. Suddenly, I was seized by a fit coughing; the smell of the ash was suffocating.

In the distance, I saw his now back-to-normal figure, seemingly lifeless on the ground. Clenching onto my claymore, I approached with caution, never letting my guard down for a second. "Did that satisfy your expectations of me, Fatui?" I said mockingly, as I looked at him with a cold, stern gaze. His only response was a harsh cough. The once dangerous harbinger with the most intimidating set of eyes had now appeared vulnerable before me, his body had almost curled up into a ball as he slowly opened his eyes to meet mine. "You rest when I say you can rest! Now, get up. We're not done yet." I said with a booming voice, taking in the horrific scenery that surrounded us. For the first time, the harbinger had nothing to say to me, no snarky comment, no dumb quip, the air was only filled with silence and the trickle of flames. Kneeling down, I laid down my claymore and took a moment to look at him. He was defenseless. The bloom of his skin was now faint, and his smile was a painful one. Woefully, a great tremor overtook me, and my throat tightened. He looked lifeless. "My delusion takes a lot out of me, as I'm sure you already know." he said weakly, raising his hand to touch my calloused knee.

"It seems you've really improved from the last time we fought, hahaha!" he whispered as he let out a pathetic laugh, tapping each of his fingers on my knee like a small child. I was left speechless, my mind was discordous and clouded. "I hate you." I uttered coldly, they were the only three words I could manage to say at that moment. The cool breeze lifted the strand of hair covering my face, whistling. My eyes misted over as he stared back at me.

"You know you love me." he said softly, which only made me even more confused with what to say next. "I hate you." I repeated, slumping my head down. I couldn't bear to look at him like this, a dramatic difference from his usual belligerent self. "Will those really be the last words you ever say to me, Diluc?" he asked, while painfully resting his hand on my chin, forcing me to look back at him.

"In that case, could you tell the traveller that I was in love with them instead?" he continued, while having subtle breaks in his sentence.

"I'm afraid I can't do that for you, Childe." I responded after a short moment of silence, whilst the smell of rubble and burning grass seeped into our clothing.

"And why is that, Diluc?" he questioned, now even quieter than before. His gently upturned eyebrows now matched his sorrowful smile.

"You know I..." I opened my mouth to answer, but his hand on my chin dropped to the ground. Though, I suppose we both knew how that sentence would finish, regardless.

I felt almost as if I were struggling to swallow down a still-beating heart. Seeing his pale, lifeless skin induced a state of catatonia, as hopelessness suffocated me. He always said he loved my red hair, but little did I know his blood was redder than any flame. So why? Everything happened so fast. Why couldn't I do anything to stop it?