ChiLumi - Crimson Tides of love

1

The wind whipped through Lumine's hair as she stood atop a cliff overlooking the vast expanse of Inazuma. Her journey had been long and arduous, filled with perilous encounters and unexpected twists. But nothing had prepared her for the revelation she had stumbled upon.

A flashback washed over her. She was in a dimly lit cavern, the air thick with an unsettling energy. There, amidst a group of Abyss Mages, stood a figure that sent a shiver down her spine. It was Aether, her lost sibling. But he was not the Aether she remembered. His eyes, once filled with warmth and kindness, now held a cold, distant glint.

"Aether," she had whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her brother had turned, his expression a mix of surprise and pain. "Lumine," he had replied, his voice equally hushed.

Aether had explained that he had been corrupted by the Abyss, his mind twisted by its dark influence. He had become its leader, drawn to the power it offered. Lumine had been devastated, her heart aching with the realization that her brother was lost to her forever.

The flashback faded, and Lumine returned to the present. As she gazed out at the distant islands of Inazuma, a wave of despair washed over her. Her mission to find her brother had been shattered. Aether was gone, consumed by the Abyss.

The wind howled, whipping through the barren expanse of Dragonspine. Lumine, her traveler's cloak billowing behind her, trudged through the snow, her gaze fixed on the distant peak. Her journey through Teyvat had been arduous, each region a new challenge, a new enemy. But none had left a mark as deep as the Eleventh Harbinger, Childe. His enigmatic allure, his deadly skill, and his unwavering loyalty to the Fatui had captivated her in a way she had never expected. Not in the way she liked of course.

A memory flickered, a scene from months ago. She recalled the moment she had discovered the shocking truth: her lost sibling, Aether, was the leader of the Abyss Order. The revelation had been a gut punch, a betrayal that had shattered her world. How could the brother she had loved unconditionally become the enemy of all?

Now, as she stood before the Abyss Order's stronghold, her heart pounded in her chest. The familiar figures, the dark aura that surrounded them, all served as a stark reminder of her painful discovery. And there, at the forefront, stood Aether, his once warm eyes now cold and distant.

Lumine hesitated, her hand hovering over her sword. She could confront him, demand answers. But what if he was beyond redemption? What if he had truly turned his back on her?

A sob escaped her lips as she turned away. For now, she would let her brother be. Perhaps one day, she could find a way to reach him. But for now, she would continue her journey, seeking solace in the familiar faces of her friends and the hope that one day, she would find her lost sibling again.

The familiar sight of Mondstadt's city gates filled Lumine with a bittersweet sense of homecoming. After her encounter with Aether, she had retreated from the Abyss Order, her heart heavy with sorrow and confusion. She had wandered Teyvat for weeks, seeking solace in the familiar landscapes and the company of old friends.

As she approached the statue of the Seven in Starfell Lake, a wave of emotions washed over her. She knelt before the towering figures, her gaze fixed on the statue of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the familiar scent of dandelion wine.

Lumine closed her eyes, her chest heaving with sobs. She thought of her brother, of the path he had chosen, and of the pain that had consumed her. Why had Aether turned to the Abyss? Was there still a chance to save him?

Tears streamed down her face as she poured out her heart to the gods. She begged for guidance, for strength, and for a glimmer of hope. In that moment, alone and heartbroken, she found a renewed determination. She would not give up on her brother, no matter how difficult the road ahead.