Verisimilitude (GI Various x Reader)

Chapter Nine (Liyue Arc I: Start)

        We've been out on the road for a few hours now. We crossed into the border of Liyue probably almost an hour ago after passing by the Dawn Winery to get here. The large tree, that housed Wangshu Inn, growing ever closer. Somewhere around there lives an Adeptus. The last of his kind, fated to struggle with his karmic debt until he dies or loses his mind. The thought of having to live out the rest of your eternal life with the pain and weight of yesterday's memories is too much to think about. Lumine notices the grim expression I wore.

"Is everything okay, (Y/N)? If it's about traveling with us, we can still turn back..." Ah, bless this girl's heart, Barbatos... I giggle and give her a shake of my head.

"It's not about that, I promise. I was just thinking about some knowledge I'm aware of because of my abilities. Though..." I trailed off. Should I tell her now?

"Though there is something I'd like to let you know. Something really important. It's about your brother." Lumine stops walking, her attention immediately on me. Paimon floats next to her, eyes wide.

"Wait, you know something, (Y/N)?!" She questioned. I nodded slowly.

"Lumine... This may come as a shock to you... but your brother... Aether- he's..." I couldn't find the right words or how to say them. Lumine's expression dimmed.

"It's something bad... isn't it? It must be true if you know his name. What happened, (Y/N)?" She's taking this better than I thought she would.

"I waited until we were out of Mondstadt and away from the others because I didn't want your brother's actions to weigh down on you and cause unnecessary suspicion be placed upon you. Your brother... he's the Prince of the Abyss." Paimon gasped in shock.

"No way! You're being serious, aren't you?!" She exclaimed. I nodded slowly.

"When I ran through that portal... I met him. He was waiting for me on the other side. He tried to convince me to join the Abyss Order and I refused." His words echoed in my mind.

"There's a truth to this world that the divine doesn't want anyone to know. I can not return to Lumine's side until my war with destiny is over and dealt with. I want you to join us."

"The divine use you like a pawn, controlling the hands of fate however they please. If you join me, we'd be unstoppable. Not even the divine on their throne would be able to stand in our way."

"I don't understand though... Why would my brother lead the Abyss Order? It just doesn't make any sense!" Lumine shook her head, eyes distraught.

"He told me that he couldn't return to your side until his war with destiny was over and dealt with. Do you know what any of that means?" I asked her. She shook her head.

"Maybe it has something to do with the god who trapped us here... but other than that I don't know! And you're certain this was my brother?" I nodded.

"He even mentioned you." Lumine breathed in slowly, before exhaling.

"I see... I guess I'll just have to find him and learn why he's doing this for myself. Please stay with me until then, (Y/N). I'm not mad that you withheld this information, really. I understand that you were only looking out after me. If the others had learned about this information, my authenticity would have been placed into question." Hence the reason I withheld the information.

"I know you're destined for something great, greater beyond what this world has seen. I will do my utmost best to help you on your... our journey." Lumine glanced back over, looking a bit more like her normal self again.