Origin | Xiaolumi AU | {READ DESC!}

1. Truth

Notes:
Paimon is 2x much smarter in this story. 

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''The Abyss is the deepest zone within the realm of the Depths. It is a place that isn't known and does not want to be known, a place where nations that have fallen by their own, or others' hands can be found, erased from history forever.

This is where Khaenri'ah fell, all those 500 years ago, where the 8th element vanished from Teyvat, the element of space, Cosmo.

But, in the Abyss, Khaenri'ah still thrives with its people, cursed, monsters, or not. Unlike the other places in the Depths, the Surface, or the Heights, it is where everyone can unite with each other. Khaenri'ah has its Eclipse Knights, but the main protector of them all is the Abyss Order, the one who welcomes the fallen.

Although, despite the peace, Khaenri'ah will never forget the one who brought them here.

Alchemist Gold, an alchemist known for her monstrous experiments, making-''

-SLAM!-

Lumine closed the book shut.

"This is not helpful...", Lumine whispered. She placed the book back on its shelf, not caring about the murmurs around her as she continued searching. 

Aether, where are you?

Lumine sighed, moving onto the last shelf of the row, the chatter of people echoing in the air. The library was huge but nearly quiet, rows of black shelves surrounding the area, possibly hiding some secrets within them. The lights flickered as digital screens planted into the walls closed and opened. 

Her eyes hovered over the slanted shelves, some books laid sprawled out on the floor similar to vines climbing up a dirty, broken, brick wall in some abandoned garden, untouched. She decided to dig through the dirty, old stack anyways, not caring about its possible condition, just like how she didn't care about the library's old, broken condition of being rebuilt after the Cataclysm.

Old always meant something important was left behind, something that's usually unavailable, never to be seen again. She shuffled through short stories, non-fictional tales, poems of the old, and biographies of famous adventurers from Khaenri'ah. She mumbled under her breath, "Mondstadt: The year 1632... Auroth, the King of Storms... Finally! I think this might work!"

Lumine pursed her lips when she realized she shouted, quickly nodding an apology to the poor old lady from across the aisle. She looked back, the book in her hands read 'The History and Disappearances of Spiral Park', it is about the same place where Aether had vanished 4 months ago.

Lumine sighed, remembering Dainsleif's occasional reminder of 'leave this to the authorities'. Of course, her big brother is now very protective of her ever since the incident with Aether. But, she's growing impatient, for it has been months since he vanished into thin air, last being seen at the same, wretched old park.

She shut the book, holding it with a few others as she got up and walked out of the section, heading downstairs where the checkout would be. She remained quiet, not wanting to talk to the librarian. It was silent, her eyes just looking down as the lady looked through every book and marked it down, before scanning it.

"...I've heard of the disappearance of your brother, are you alright?", Mhuire looked concerned. Lumine nodded, "I'm fine, thank you." "Well...", the lady appeared to shuffle through a pile of books, before placing a dusty one onto the countertop, "This will be free of charge, it's about the mysteries within the Spiral depths." Lumine smiled, mouthing a 'thank you' as she scooped the books into her arms, walking out through the vanishing door.