Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Twenty: The Final Fight

A few more days had passed before Xiao had finally recovered. Lumine had barely left his side, making sure that he was never in pain. As his strength returned, Lumine had him join her on the commissions, now that they had calmed down. That meant a lot of time for discussing what the abyss was doing. "I have a feeling I know why the abyss have decided to appear," said Lumine, placing her sword by her back. "And that is..."
"It has to be something with my brother. 'The Prince' is my main evidence, but I still don't know why they would go after you. You haven't done anything to anger the abyss, correct?"
"I haven't given them any special treatment, if you'd phrase it like that."
"Hey! You two have been talking all day, and Paimon hasn't even had a chance to say anything!" Paimon instantly interrupted, wining like the small child she was. "Talk away then. You must have something important to say if you're this fed up," Xiao rolled his eyes as they continued to walk. Instead of speaking, Paimon didn't speak, but stayed quiet. "Hm. Paimon being quiet. What a surprise."
"Hey, stop being so mean!" 
The trio continued to walk around, finishing the rest of the days commissions. Xiao and Lumine were enjoying their time together, slowly working up the courage to hold hands. Though Paimon kept separating them like an even more protective Xiao. Despite this, the two kept laughing and talking. Xiao even managed to crack a slight smile.

Soon enough, they met up with Ayaka, who was talking with her brother on the patio when they returned. "Ah, traveler. It's nice to see you again, the same for you Paimon. Now, who is this new companion of yours?" Ayato asked.
"That's Xiao - the one I've been telling you about," Ayaka smiled, "Xiao, this is my older brother, Kamisato Ayato."
"No need to be so formal, Ayato will do just fine. An ally of Lumine's is an ally of mine."
"Hmph."
They all spoke for a little while longer before Xiao had decided to go out for a walk by himself. He had secretly wanted to explore the outskirts of Inazuma, as he had heard many things about the lands. Perhaps up north he could see the distant lands of Mondstat. Leaving as soon as he could to avoid conversation, Xiao was secretly being followed by Lumine and Paimon. After all, Lumine had finally worked up the courage to say it to Xiao's face - "I love you."

Xiao had walked to the coast, watching the waves crash below him. It was...calming. He hadn't been this relaxed since he spent the night with Lumine on the beach. Though the relaxation did not last long. Suddenly, in-between Lumine and Xiao, a large portal that appeared to be made of stars had appeared out of thin air. Slowly, the sound of clapping replaced it all though, followed by a voice all too familiar. "Well done, adeptus, well done," the voice laughed.
"I didn't think I'd get the chance to meet you in person," Xiao shot back, still staring at the water beneath him.
"It is well mannered to help someone fulfill all their aspirations, y'know. Take that as a final lesson of manners!"
Xiao was silent as he finally stood up. The voice belonged to nobody other than Aether, Prince of the Abyss Order and brother to Lumine. "I do believe that you've been getting a little to close to my sister. Too close for comfort, that is. As you can guess, I've come here to finish it off myself," Aether sighed, "After the wolf-and-herald incident, I thought that I should have the joy of having the final Yaksha's blood on my hands."
"You're more likely to die here than me."
"Hm, well, I would have to say that would mean a pretty interesting fight. How about let's settle this? Right now?"
"Ve-"
"Wait!" Lumine tore through the bushes and stood between the other two, Paimon by her side holding a stick ("Finally they can feel the wrath of Paimon!"), "I won't let you fight!"
Aether continued to laugh and finished up with a sigh. "My dear sister, you have other things rather than some boyfriend. Your goal is to prove your worth to the rest of the abyss. This...Yaksha-adeptus-guy isn't of much use for you or I. If you can't be useful, you shouldn't use the oxygen that could be used for more important things."
"Like your rambling?"
"Shut up. Lumine, my little sister, you mean the world to me. Family has to stick together in such a cruel place like this. You don't love this...murderer, right? I mean, what has he ever done for you? This adepti spends most of his time inside eating piles of food he never cares to pay for. He's not good enough for you - what do you even see in him?!"
Lumine was silent for a long while. Everything he said was true. Xiao was nothing more than a sole survivor that has taken countless lives. He had repeatedly made Lumine feel upset, even angering her more often than he could count. When had Xiao ever done anything for her? Xiao was just meant to screw her over. He wasn't meant to mean anything to her. "Well then Lumine, time is ticking. You have two options. You can finally it to everyone; you don't love this...shoe. Am I pronouncing that right? Eh, I don't care. That first option will also include you being able to continue your travels without my - or his - interference. Your second option is you lie and say you love him, which will result in his death as well as the capture of you and the witnesses. Depending on their interference, I'll have them killed," Aether continued, "To put it simply, you choose Xiao or your own flesh and blood? You don't love him, you never have It's time to make your choice. What do you say?" Lumine continued to stay silent. Everything her brother said was true though it felt like glass puncturing her heart. Though his words were confusing, the clear choice was at hand. With one last glance at weakened Xiao, she finally spoke. "You're right. I don't love him. I don't love Xiao. You only speak the truth. It may have taken awhile, but I'm done. I don't love him. I never have. Is that what you need?"
Aether nodded before swiftly walking over to Xiao, who was perched against some rocks. "I've won," was all he muttered before stepping back into the portal. With a whoosh, Aether was gone.

As soon as Aether left, Lumine fell to the ground, screaming. She banged her fists on the rocks, nearly cutting her glove-sleeves she wore. Paimon tried her best to fly over, but she was nearly hit by Lumine. Finally, she settled down - physically. In-between gasps of air Lumine managed to phrase the few words, "I love him. I love him, I love him, I love him! I'm sick of this! I'm sick of lying, I'm sick of hate, I'm sick of everything!" Her words echoed like a dragon's roar. Xiao, still by the rocks, was still trying to process the earlier words. Lumine didn't love him and that was that. Though he couldn't help but stay there.
"Lumine! Lumine! Snap out of it! You're ok! It's all over!" Paimon tried to calm her down but it was no use. Lumine kept crying, curling up into a ball as she did like when she slept. This time, she was anything but peaceful. Paimon finally glanced at Xiao, who was staring off into space. She flew over and slapped Xiao across the face before saying, "get your lazy butt over there!"
Xiao reluctantly was dragged over and sat beside Lumine. Carefully, he placed his hand on her shoulder. Lumine didn't care who it was; she just needed support. Lumine climbed into Xiao's lap and continued to cry. She cried until she could barely breathe, until her eyes were dry, and until she calmed down. At last, she looked up to see who she was with. "X...X...Xiao?" Lumine asked, her voice shaking more than an earthquake. "Just rest, I'm right here," he replied. Lumine stayed in his arms until sunset. Paimon had gone to go notify Ayaka, leaving the two of them alone.

More time had passed until Lumine had regained her breath. Before she could speak more, Xiao helped her finally sit up and relax, running through his hands through her hair. "None of what I said is true...please...I can't hurt you, I won't hurt you. But-But I did....I don't care what he said. I...I love you," she cried. Xiao began to naturally smile. Lumine couldn't help but cry more. She thought that this would be the end of their relationship. Though it wasn't finished. Xiao took a deep breath, looked Lumine in the eyes, and said it. "I love you."
Lumine was in shock. All positive, but still shock. "You said it right!" she smiled, putting her hand up against his cheek.
"I've been practicing."
"I...I hope I haven't hurt you with what my brother said, or what I said. I couldn't let you die. Not when I could have spared it...Are you mad at me? I promise I'll-"
Before she could finish, Xiao leaned foreword and kissed her. Lumine, blushing heavily, couldn't help return the favor. "I love you," he repeated. Lumine smiled and put her forehead against his. Finally. Finally they were together.
"Well then, good evening Traveler."