Meraki

A Dream Yet to be Dreamed Chapter 5: Khaenri'ah's Curse

After their adventures in Inazuma, Venti decided to return to Mondstadt after realizing how important his nation was to him. So, it was just Sying and Aether. Their next stop was Sumeru to meet the god of wisdom. Aether noticed that the adeptus was strangely excited even though he had never been to that nation before. In order to get there, they had to cross the Chasm, the largest mine in Teyvat that was stationed at the border between Sumeru and Liyue. Aether had wanted to explore the mine and that's how the duo found a city floating upside down deep inside the Chasm.

"I wasn't expecting that." Aether breathed.

"Yeah. It kinda reminds me of the defiled statue. I've got a bad feeling about this." Sying spoke.

"You're right. It's just like that! Maybe whatever's going on is related to the Abyss Order." Aether suggested. As Sying was going to voice his opinion, an Abyss portal opened up behind them and Dainsleif appeared.

"Glad to see you're still alive, Dain! Although, I didn't expect to meet you here." Sying said.

"The feeling is mutual. I certainly hadn't expected to meet you here, either." He sighed.

"How did you end up here in the Chasm?" The adeptus wondered.

"The Chasm? Interesting. This is one place where I have never set foot before." He mused.

"I have a lot of questions for you." Aether interrupted. He had a somewhat angry look on his face.

"I understand how you must feel. Last time, we met suddenly and parted hastily. Now our paths cross again. Fate, it seems, owes you an explanation." Dainsleif spoke.

"First, tell me what you're doing here?" The Traveler asked.

"That much should be self-explanatory. I came upon the trail of another Abyss Herald recently and began pursuing it. Unfortunately, I got as far as cornering him before he resorted to the same trick that they all do. I was hot on his heels when I followed him through the portal, but as usual, it was to no avail. It took me to the wrong place." He explained.

"So you didn't actually catch up with my sister last time?" Aether wondered.

"Correct." Dain answered. "Based on my recent experiences, I can only conclude that the Abyss's portals are not simply pathways from point A to point B, but gateways to an entire network. Where they emerge on the other side is their choice. It can be anywhere within the network. In short, though I was right behind your twin last time I entered that portal, the next moment that I realized where I was, I was all alone. Back in the ruins known as Stormterror's Lair."

"What happened to the Eye of the First Field Tiller anyway? Sying questioned.

"It's in a safe place." Dain declared.

"Why don't you tell me who you really are?" Aether commanded.

"I didn't mean to conceal my identity from you. As you know, Lord Astral made me the Twilight Sword, the Captain of the Royal Guard. It once stood for the glory of Khaenri'ah, but now it is but a cruel joke. My curse to bear. And Lord Astral's curse is to forever be the King of Khaenri'ah." Dain replied.

"What is the history between you and my sister?" Aether wondered.

"I assume you're talking about Lumine?" Dain questioned. Aether nodded. "We were travel partners. We both partook in a painful journey of searching for our fate, but regrettably; we did not make it to the journey's end together."

"The journey's end..." Aether trailed off.

"Before you continue questioning me, I ought to warn you. If my suspicions regarding the portal network are correct, then the fact there is a portal leading here tells us that the Abyss Order has their eyes on this location." Dainsleif spoke.

"I'll trust you for now. But only because Sying trusts you." Aether decided. The trio made their way over to a different part of the cavern they were in, to see signs of Hilichurl camps. "Why is there so much Hilichurl activity? Does it have to do with the upside-down city?"

"It's understandable that you did not perceive anything unusual. What makes this place so strange is that the environment here weakens the effect of the curse." Sying explained.

"All Khaenri'ahns are cursed with immortality right?" Aether inquired.

"For centuries, Dain and I have suffered daily from the curse that was laid upon us. But here, I suddenly feel a small amount of relief from this suffering. And right here, right now, my body is sending a strong message to me. It is telling me, "Stay."

"So this place weakens the curse, huh? That's pretty amazing, but how does that work?" Aether questioned.

"That I shall need to investigate. But to the best of my knowledge, the Abyss Order does not have the technology to achieve this." Dainsleif answered.

"So you're saying the Hilichurls that come here are also from..." Aether trailed off.

"Indeed. Do you know why Hilichurls wear masks?" Dain said.

"I'm not sure." Aether admitted.

"It's to hide their appearance, lest they catch sight of their reflection in a body of water. Compared to how they remember themselves, it is a terrible sight to behold, one that causes them great despair." Dainsleif announced.

"The curse of "immortality" denies death to those afflicted with it and yet, it does not truly mean that they will never die." Sying growled quietly.

"That means there's a way to undo it, right? I can save you guys!" Aether exclaimed.

"No." Sying cut the boy off. "I mean that the body and soul will continue to be eroded until they are virtually nonexistent, even if "death" is not the form that this erosion takes. When the Hilichurls realize that the end is nigh for them, it seems their instinct is to seek a calm and dark corner of the world in which to finally say goodbye to the centuries of suffering they have endured. And of all the places they could lay down to rest, one that can ease the effects of their curse would surely be their first choice." Aether stayed silent after hearing those words. Sying never really talked about anything that bothered him or even Khaenri'ah, so he figured this must be important. Suddenly, the trio heard footsteps from behind them. They turned to see two Black Serpent Knights. However, they weren't attacking like normal. They looked over at Sying for a while and walked away.

"What were those things?" Aether breathed.

"Black Serpent Knights. They once belonged to the Royal Guard of Khaenri'ah." Sying sighed.

"So, Dain used to command them, and you led them?" Aether repeated.

"Yes. But now, the curse engulfs them, and they fight with none of the honor they once had." Dainsleif interjected.

"Because they're pawns of the Abyss?" Aether said.

"They haven't lost anything. They still have their honor as Khaenri'ahns. Watch what you say." Sying snapped. It was quiet for a moment before Dainsleif spoke up.

"Apologies, my Lord." He muttered. As the trio finished their conversation, Sying noticed another Knight in the distance. Aether and Dain looked over as well, following the Nova Archon's gaze. Upon further inspection, this Knight held a shield. The Knight caught sight of Sying and disappeared.

"Did he recognize you, Sying?" Aether asked.

"I think so." Sying admitted.

"That would be a miraculous outcome indeed for a cataclysm that brought total doom and destruction. Or perhaps it was just a coincidence." Dainsleif argued. "Let's make our way to the city." Sying took one last look at where the strange Knight was, and a familiar name came to mind. The name of Dainsleif's lover. Halfdan.