The Dark Side Of Dawn.

The Aftermath.

Nobody found the redhead for days.

Since Kaeya was no longer around, there was no longer any use for his office, hence why nobody checked. Though, Master Diluc's disappearance was unusual.

As the days passed by, Charles, a bartender at the Angels Share, a tavern once owned by Diluc, began to grow weary. Adeline, having been a maid at the Dawn Winery, was like a mother to Diluc, meaning that she often knew about the man's affairs. But the lack of intel had caused her to worry. She went to the Angels share, expecting Charles to know something of the man's disappearance, only to find the brunette wondering the same thing. Together, they shut up the Tavern and spoke with Jean, the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt. The leader of the knights. The most reliable. She, then too, began to worry. Though her and Diluc never communicated how they felt for one another, she always cared about him. Even after they parted ways. She sent knights out on a search. Patrols were set out to look for the man. Though, her luck was cut short. It was only when Amber, a young outrider, went to search for some documents in Kaeya's old office, that she found Diluc. But not in the state she'd hoped.

Of course, having had days passed, his body was quite rotted. But from the moment she stepped foot into the dull room, she knew who it was. She reached for the note that was on the desk, opening it carefully, immediately recognising the handwriting. Her gaze softening as she read the loopy but impossibly neat letters.

To whom this reaches,

I fear this is the end for me, but not the end I had hoped for.
I simply cannot bring myself to keep going. The blood that runs in my veins, like the tears of pain which soak the very paper I write on, is misplaced.

Jean, I wish you luck on your journey as Acting Grand Master. It's difficult for me to admit, but you do a wonderful job. I believe you will continue to do so. You need to make some time for yourself, though. Find a haven, and place more trust into Amber, Noelle, and Lisa. It is alright to seek help. Find your true calling and stay safe.

Amber, I apologise for what you had to see that one day in my office. You were a child. It was not your fault, and it never shall be. You are braver than you think.

Lisa, you have the potential to become the most reliable of the knights if you wished. But I suppose everybody has different outlooks. Take care of Jean for me now that I am unable.

Finally, Adeline. Thank you, for everything. For taking care of Kaeya and I all throughout our lives. But it is now time to take your kindness into other areas. Go travel, as you always wished you could. Try the cuisine of Liyue. Roam the bustling streets of Inazuma. Study at the Akademiya. Do whatever your heart desires. You deserve it. Take care of the winery for me, though, will you? Leave it in the hands of whoever you think is deserving. I have cleaned it to spare you the headache. I have also sorted out all other affairs to make this loss easier.

Even if you stop and pause, time wont slow down with you. it won't grieve and sob with you. Don't feel bad that i'm gone.

Do not mourn. Do not grieve. Do not forget me.
I wish that my life was not meaningless, as short as it was.
I know many of you cannot love, but do not forget me.

Sincerely,

Master Diluc.

The girl felt tears spring in her eyes, shaking her head as she rushed off to tell whoever would listen, horrified.

Word soon spread across Mondstadt, sorrow tainting the air, as the citizens all knew that another part of their city had, again, been ripped from them. Far too early.

People grieved, people envied, but nothing could ever change their twisted fates. No amount of yelling, amount of flowers nor ceremonies could make up for the loss their hearts had faced.

Master Jean buried Diluc's body beside his brothers. the sword that had caused both their demise laid across the two corpses.

Though they couldn't face their end together, the brothers were bound together, still, by a seal of bloodshed and a needle between the two hearts, forever threading their strings of fate. A promise so strong and a tale so tragic, even Celestia shed its tears, soaking the streets of Mondstadt in a sea of salt. The two were then known as the twins of thorns in the books of Teyvat. having been torn away from one another too early. but now they were never to be separated, forever bound in a painful yet intricate fate.

Though, they were sure to meet again. Perhaps in another lifetime, where the world was kinder. Kinder for every injustice it had served them. Or, in the afterlife- if there was one. Kaeya knew his brother well. And would have hopefully made it easy for them to find one another. Perhaps with flashing lights, or neon signs.

After all, they'd been with one another from the beginning. It was only right to end it the same way.