Children Of The Abyss

The Child

"The road I walk is lonely," Kaeya thought. He wasn't referring to the literal road he was taking to Dawn Winery, even though it was lonely, he was referring to his destiny. No one knew who he truly was, where he came from, why he appeared randomly in the middle of a storm alone. No one knew what his mission was, and maybe they never will. The one person he decided to tell almost killed him on the spot. He could have done better on the timing, but his guilt was killing him. Maybe he should've left it alone, then he wouldn't be alive. He should've ignored the vision that appeared that night. He should have let Diluc kill him. Maybe then he wouldn't have these intrusive thoughts that kept him up all night, taking over his life.

Kaeya's thoughts were interrupted by the robotic, high-pitched shrill of the Abyss Mages and the grunts of Hilichurls. Kaeya debated going in and fighting them, but that was more of Dilucs job, he wouldn't want to take that away, but also, he couldn't hurt his own people. The people he let down by abandoning his mission and working for the country he was supposed to destroy. Besides, Jean gave him the day off, and he planned to wander the Archons green earth, escaping his mind.

'I'll tell Diluc about them when I pass the Winery,' he thought, smiling to himself like it was some great plan. Kaeya began to walk away when he heard the whimpering's of a little girl followed by the mocking voice of a Cryo Abyss Mage. They took a child? Kaeya ducked behind some bushes carefully watching as Hilichurls stood watch over a little girl, not much younger than Klee, making sure she didn't escape. He couldn't just leave her there. If the Abyss took a child, it wasn't for fun. That place is unlivable even for the toughest of adventures. They only took children when they needed to run experiments. But he couldn't go out there, he was wanted, the failed last hope, the heir to the broken throne, the one that turned his back on his own kingdom, at least that's what the voices said at night. Kaeya rolled his eyes and stepped out from behind the bush, he wasn't going to let another child disappear.

"Evening," he said, twirling his sword around, "not causing trouble, are we?" Kaeya pointed his sword towards the child. Her rose-gold hair glistening in the sun. Kaeya watched the faces of his cursed people. They were looking between him and the child, deciding which one was more important, the heir or test experiment.

"Protect the child." the helium balloon of fire yelled. This should be fun, three Abyss Mages, probably five Hilichurls, and then the massive ones against a singular cavalry captain, sounds fair right. Kaeya took out the two fire Mages first before focusing on the cryo one. Ice on ice is a bit harder. He'd have to rely on hand-to-hand combat. Burst the shield. That's the first thing he needs to do, the poor thing doesn't stand a chance against him. Then, he can use his powers and teleportation to get the upper hand. The years of knight training and his inherited powers made Kaeya ten times stronger than the whole lot combined. The Hilichurls were a quick defeat due to their already weakened state.

"Hey, there," Kaeya said sweetly, crouching down to where the child sat hiding. Her eyes were purple fading to pink with tiny star pupils, the mark Khaenri'ah. That's why they wanted her. Their makeshift blonde-haired queen must not be doing the job correctly, "I see we're from the same place." Kaeya sat down in front of her, tilting his head slightly to meet her gaze. She had short, wavy, rose-gold hair that barely touched her shoulders. She shrank farther into herself, trying to disappear the closer Kaeya got," I'm not going to hurt you," Kaeya held out his hand, and the girl hesitantly took it. Kaeya picked her up and began walking towards Dawn Winery, "I know someone who can get you some different clothes." The little girl wrapped her arms around Kaeya's neck, burying her head in his shoulder, and fell asleep.

Kaeya took his time walking over to Dawn Winery, listening to the soft breathing of the child he found, not really wanting to see Diluc. They'd get into that same conversation they've had too many times before, about how he's not responsible, and he needs to stop drinking himself to death. Doing that solves nothing, but what does Diluc know? He doesn't listen anyway. He most likely won't listen to him this time around either

As Kaeya came upon Dawn Winery, he saw Adelinde yelling orders to the other maids to clean up the winery. Making sure everything was neat and clean for their beloved master, who’s no doubt had a very long day. What Diluc does during the day is a mystery to everyone. He leaves an unbearable mess of agony and angst and comes back pissed off and mad at the world. Not to mention, today is the deathiversary of their father.

“Kaeya!” Adelinde’s sweet voice came from down the road. Her perfectly cut blonde hair bouncing gently with her frantic waves. Kaeya smiled softly, meeting her halfway for a hug. She was warm and smelt like fruit, perks of working in a winery, “how are you?” she asked, grabbing his face with both hands, inspecting him like a mother would, “you don’t visit very often......oh who’s this beauty!?” she turned her attention to the child, who had barely just woken up.

“I'm good,” Kaeya said with a laugh, turning sideways so Adelinde could see the little girls face, but she burried her face deeper in his shoulder, “I’m not entierly sure who she is yet. She's not very talkitive,” Kaeya said adjusting the weight just a bit so his shoulder wouldn’t hurt as much, “ I was hpoing you would have some of Klee’s old clothes that she could borrow.” Adelinde nodded her head, smiling, motioning for Kaeya to follow. Albedo used to drop Klee off at the Winery in hopes that Diluc would watch her, but the responsibility fell upon Adelinde instead. And it went that way for a couple of years until Jean took over.

Dawn Winery still looks the same on the inside as it did four years ago when Kaeya had left. Dust particles danced in the sunlight, blown by the cool breeze coming from the open windows. The crimson red rug hosting the empty mahogany dinner table, abandoned years ago by a dying family. Dilucs desk was still a mess of papers and quills. Kaeya smiled as he walked past the out of place vase that was proudly on display. Diluc had kept it all these years, dispute his dislike for Kaeya. The house was too big for such a lonley man, it almost mad Kaeya sad.

“Why don’t you give her to me and wait here,” Adelinde said with a smile, holding her hand out. Kaeya handed off the little girl and watched as the two walked upstairs, “Oh, Master Diluc should be home soon.” Kaeya forced a painful smile as he was filled with dread. Talking to Diluc alone felt like a child who got in trouble with a parent. The yelling and wrongful accusations got out of hand sometimes. Last time, their conversation ended with Diluc telling Kaeya to disappear. "Why don’t you do everyone a favor and disappear.”  It should’ve hurt to hear those words, but it didn’t. Kaeya had been telling himself that ever since the two had their falling out.