𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 | 𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢

VIII

The footsteps of the outlander sped throughout the streets of Liyue, heading for the one and only funeral parlour. Several merchants gave Lumine a curious glance, while some adventurers flashed her a grin, completely oblivious to the fact that their Guardian Yaksha had just gone against the sacred rule bestowed down upon them by Rex Lapis himself—to protect the people of Liyue.

When she finally made it to the entrance, she pounded her fists against the doors, her voice strained with worry.

"Zhongli? Are you there?"

The door swung open, but it wasn't him.

"Traveller! You looking for the old man?" greeted Hu Tao, clad in her business attire and as enthusiastic as ever. "He's out on a walk. Or 'excursion' as he would like to say."

Lumine paled. "Where did he go?"

Hu Tao shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't ask. But he's usually back before sundown." She then narrowed her eyes, her cheeky smile gone as she noticed. "You seem anxious. Why don't you come inside?"

"No, I don't think I have time," Lumine replied, and handed over the badge she picked up. "You have a new client. He's at the waterfall north of Qingce village."

The young girl examined the badge, and when she realised what Lumine meant, she gave her concerned look.

"Are you okay?"

A humourless chuckle left Lumine's lips. "Being an adventurer, I'm bound to see it once, right?"

"Lumine—"

"Just stay safe," warned Lumine as she left the parlor.

Hu Tao fiddled with the badge in her hand as she watched Lumine's figure disappear around the corner. Many a time had she witnessed death, and even more so experiencing the mourns and cries of the deceased's loved ones. But aside from the sorrow and pain, there is one more feeling that even Hu Tao herself had trouble dealing with when her grandfather passed—and that is accepting that that person will never, ever return to you, no matter how hard you search or wish for them.

—

Alatus had definitely escaped. The Geo Construct wasn't made to barricade, much less trap a two-thousand-year old cold-blooded warrior.

Lumine knew this, and she knew that this time, she greatly messed up. If only she had intervened then, maybe Lee Hui wouldn't have died. If only she could muster up the courage to fight Alatus, maybe she wouldn't be running around like a headless chicken asking for help.

She stopped to catch her breath at the foot of Qingce village. From the top, the shouts and cheers of elated children drifted down towards her, and Lumine could see the serene, content faces of elders as they watched the young ones play.

Then, her vision went black, and Lumine felt as though an arrow had pierced through her head.

She cowered in pain, falling to the ground. The long lost voices came back to haunt her, and since they weren't being inhibited by adrenaline now, their malice was more potent than ever.

It hurts! It hurts!

You coward! Murderer!

Why didn't you save me?

Why didn't you save me?

Why didn't you save me?

Lumine let out an animalistic cry. She could feel her body burning up, her head about to split apart.

Is this my fault? Her rationale wondered, as it slowly began to die out amidst the chaos in her mind. Was I just being a fool all along?

Thinking I could save him?