Great Pretender | Chilumi

Fateful Encounter

Celestia was not happy. After the Tsaritsa collected all the Gnosis, she challenged the heavenly principles, leading to the current situation they were in.

Their surroundings. It was all crumbling down. Everything was slowly just... Disappearing.

It was Khaenri'ah all over again.

"I should never have helped the Fatui." Lumine mutter under her breath.

"Yeah." Childe stood beside her, watching the absolute shitshow that's going down. "I never should've offered." He said.

Lumine sighed. "Well, it was my fault for accepting." She said.

It was a miracle the two were able to talk amidst the chaos. Screaming, swords clashing, the world literally crumbling. That type of chaos.

"I'll make it up to you." Childe said.

"Sure, if we survive this I'll actually finally go out with you." Lumine said, scoffing a bit.

"I'll be taking that seriously." Childe smirked.

***

"You're really serious about us going out together?" Childe asked.

"Don't read much into it, it's just going to be out of courtesy." Lumine rolled her eyes jokingly.

"Oh too late, I'm reading waaay waaaay into it." Childe chuckled.

Lumine raised an eyebrow at him. She couldn't really hide her smile though, he just had that kind of effect on her.

Then there was a short silence. Well, it wasn't completely silent but it was quiet enough for the two to feel out the surroundings.

Lumine tugged at Childe's pinky finger, to which Childe intertwined his own before fully holding her hand.

"Be careful out there." She said.

"You too." Childe replied. "I don't know what I'd do if something happens to you out there."

Lumine chuckled. "You'll do fine." She said.

Childe squeezed her hand lightly. "No." He muttered under his breath. "This war costed me more than enough. Losing you would be my last straw." He looked at her straight in the eyes.

Lumine sighed and gave him a tight hug. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid." She said.

"I'm just taking responsibility to the other stupid things I've done. I promise no more other stupid shit." Childe said laughing.

Lumine glared at him.

He smiled and cupped her cheeks. "Alright, I promise."

***

"Lumine! Paimon! I heard an explosion. Are you okay?" Childe ran hurriedly to their direction. As he got closer he could see Paimon's tear stained face.

"Paimon... What's wrong?" He asked, his chest starting to feel heavy.

Explosions were not stopping. Everything was looking more and more chaotic. But amidst all that, Childe felt like he was slowly getting deaf.

"Paimon... Where's Lumine?" He asked.

Paimon slowly sunk to the ground, like her flying ability was slowly wearing out.

"Paimon, why aren't you answering?" His voice was slowly starting to raise, just as his heart beat faster.

"Lumine... Aether. Paimon thinks... Childe Paimon thinks..."

"What? What happened?" He kneeled down to Paimon's level.

"Childe, Paimon made a mistake. Lumine... She- she-"

"Take a deep breath." He said, putting his hand on Paimon's shoulders to try and calm her. It was ironic because his hand was shaking of nervousness.

"Lumine went with Aether." Paimon finally said. "But they... they..." Paimon couldn't finish. All she could do was break down and cry.

Without even hearing what happened, Childe could only join Paimon. "No." His shaky voice kept repeating.

***

Lumine's disappearance quite literally became a catalyst of what's to become of Teyvat. A barren wasteland.

No nation was spared. It was only in a matter of weeks until Celestia was done with it's wrath.

It was only after that when Teyvat's simulation was to be reset.

"Childe. Paimon needs you to keep a secret." Paimon said. "Lumine will come back. But, there's a huge chance that you're not going to remember her."

"That's impossible, I'll never forget about her. Ever." Childe said, clearly offended by Paimon's words.

Paimon sighed. "Paimon appreciates your enthusiasm but Paimon's just trying to tell you the truth. Teyvat will reset. Possibly around the time Lumine wakes up." Paimon explained.

"What?" Childe's eyebrows furrowed.

"I know you have enough delusion on you to actually pull this off." Paimon said. "I need you to pull this off. For Lumine's sake."

"What do you mean? Pull what off?" Childe asked.

"I have a feeling Lumine will be restarting this Teyvat chapter with her memories intact. And I have a feeling you would too." Paimon smiled weakly.

"Childe, this would be the last time I'll accompany Lumine." Paimon said. "It was fun, but seeing her struggle so much is hurting me too."

"Paimon..." Childe looked at her with concerned eyes.

"I haven't really been completely honest haven't I?" Paimon paused. It was only then that Childe noticed her tone, it was more serious. And most notably, she wasn't referring to herself the usual way. "I've been her companion for a lot longer than you think. Way, waay longer."

Paimon looked at him. "This is the closest she's gotten to the truth." She said.

"Childe, I know I can trust you. In every run of this world you're one of the most consistent person we run into. But this is the only run that she's grown this close to you." Paimon said.

"Okay, I'm not following but go on." Childe said, clearly confused but equally intrigued.

Paimon sighed. "I can't tell you what the truth is but I can help you help Lumine." She said.

"How?"

"Just... Remember her." Paimon said.

"That's a given." Childe said. "I'll never forget."

Paimon smiled. "Yeah, that's the spirit! Paimon likes how you responded to that!" She said, her tone back to her usual cheery one.

"But first, always keep this with you." Paimon removed her head accessory. She then handed the black star to Childe, who reluctantly accepted.

"Just remember, help Lumine. Don't worry, I'll be with you two along the way. In a way." She said, muttering the last part.

"You'll understand in a few hours." Paimon laughed. "But for now, we should go head to bed. Paimon's exhausted."

"Need me to tuck you in?" Childe offered.

Paimon paused. "Hmmm, yeah. Paimon would love that." She nodded.

***