everlasting lament | Aether

004

Aether trembles a bit but not with fear but with confusion and panic, "h-how do you know that song?"

The figure doesn't answer him and summons a polearm, leaning against it.

"Oh, don't stop on my behalf. Continue!"

Lumine takes one look at her brother and sighs, the herald summons a portal behind her. "I've already traveled through this world, after you've reached the end of you're, you will see the true nature of this world."

The figure didn't expect Lumine to throw her sword at their direction, earning a gasp from Paimon who just stares with wide eyes as the sword pierces the mask and it cracks.

The pieces fall one by one before their face is exposed, their hood blow off by the impact and Aether gasps.

"You're...."

The figure looks up, the sword only a few inches from their face before grabbing ahold of it and launches it back to Lumine.

"It's time to stop playing the good guy here, [Y/n]."

Aether took a step back as if he had seen a ghost, "[Y/n]?" His face pales as he takes in her appearance, she didn't look at all as he remembered.

Her eyes held a cold look while one of her eyes was the color of sea blue and her hair was tied back into a long braid as she stood there, tall with an intimidating aura surrounding her.

"Then it's time to stop acting like you're doing the right thing, Lumine." Every single word that leaves her mouth drops with nothing but pure venom as Lumine let's out a laugh at this.

"Goodbye, until we meet again, my dear brother." Lumine turns around and walks into the portal and Aether snaps out of it. He rushes forward but he's slower as Dainsleif dashes past him and makes it in.

"Find out where's she's holding so we can put an end to all this."

Dain gives a final glance back at [Y/n] who stayed still and his eyes wide, he didn't expect her to stay behind. He thought she would follow him in but he couldn't stop in tracks since he was already in while she stayed out.

"We'll meet again Dain." Her voice rings in his head before his vision fades.

-

You stood there as Aether failed to enter the portal and follow his sister, your face held no emotions as you look away and summon the pieces of the broken mask. Fixing it in a second, you put it on as a thought came to mind.

One you tried to overcome but now that he stood before you after so long, it came back stronger than ever.

"To him, you're nothing but a second option, a weak person who he will always put second."

Gripping your knuckles, the beating of your heart only grew louder before you grip your face. The burning sensation in your eye was painfully as you struggle to keep your breathing even.

You could hear the flying fairy talking in the distance and you knew you had to get out of there before Aether came to you.

Too late too soon, he had notice you standing there and softly calls your name but you grit your teeth and teleport out of there just as he reached you.

Looking up at the sky, you had to call Xiao to help you out of there.

The pain was getting worse as well as the ringing of your ears.

With a struggling breathe, you calls out for him. "Xiao....I..need help."

"[Y/n]!" You see Xiao running towards you and you sigh in relief before your vision went dark. And the darkness embraced you once again.

-

"Fly me to the moon~

Let me play among the stars

And let me see what spring is like on-"

"!?" You look to the right to see Aether sitting beside you with his eyes closed before opening them, and looking at you. Your face was red as you're now embarrassed.

"Aw, is the song done already?" He asked as he frowner but you couldn't mutter a single sound out as he stares at you.

"W-when....you...?!"

You says in a stuttering mess, you didn't hear Aether come up behind your dj he caught in the act of singing which you were mainly embarrassed about. You really liked singing but the other kids around you always made fun of you for doing so.

-

Xiao hands you a glass of water as he wipes the sweat off your face, the cold air helping you cool off as you thank him quietly.

"It's the best I could do for you." He says in response before leaving to get you something to eat and he brings back some Almond Tofu.

Taking a bite out of it, it tasted the same as you remembered it. Holding the spoon to Xiao who looks surprised, he looks at you and sees the small smile plaster on your lips before he eat the portion off the spoon.

As he munches on it, you couldn't help but think back about the past. "This brings back good memories, remember when I used to feed you when you were just a small child." You smile at the memory and he lets out a small hum.

"Yes, you were the one who raised me after I was set free by Morax which I'm forever in debt to you."

You smile at him and lay your head on his shoulder and rest your eyes. "Thanks to you, I was able to experience what a mother figure was."

Your eyes open at this, you're a bit shock that he even said something like this in the first place. It was true, among the remaining Adepti, they see you as Xiao's mother figure.

You blink as you feel water falling from your eyes, confused you feel even more tears rolling down your face. "Eh? Why
..am I crying?" You wipe your tears but they don't stop as you begin to tremble.

Xiao doesn't say anything but wraps his arms around you, holding you close as you refused to let him see your tears.

"...is it because of him?" Xiao mutters but you shake your head. You have already come to terms with the feelings you had for Aether and you held no feelings for him after this long.

"Then....why are you crying?" He asks, you smile against him and hug him, catching him off guard. "I'm happy that think of me as a mother." You says and he hugs you even tighter without saying a word but you knew he was gratefully and happy for this.