The Crimson Knight's Regret

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Chasm's Embrace

The wind howled like a banshee, whipping around Diluc's face as he stood before the gaping maw of the chasm. Below, the jagged rocks were stained crimson, a stark contrast to the snow that dusted the peaks above. It was a scene of brutal beauty, mirroring the pain that gnawed at his soul.

He had lost him. Kaeya, his brother in all but blood, was gone. Gone, swallowed by the abyss, leaving behind a chilling silence that echoed in Diluc's heart.

He remembered the last time he saw Kaeya's sly smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Don't worry, Diluc," Kaeya had said, his voice laced with a hint of his usual teasing, "I'll be back before you can say 'Crimson Knight.'"

But Kaeya hadn't come back. He had fallen, a victim of a rogue Fatui assault, his body lost to the depths of the chasm.

Diluc clenched his fists, the icy wind biting at his exposed skin. He had always been the stoic one, the one who held his emotions in check, but now, a torrent of grief threatened to drown him.

The memory of that day, etched into his mind like a searing brand, replayed in his head with agonizing clarity. The Fatui, their crimson eyes gleaming with malice, had ambushed them, their blades flashing in the harsh sunlight. Kaeya, ever the strategist, had quickly assessed the situation, his mind working with lightning speed. He had ordered Diluc to take cover, to protect himself, while he, with a mischievous glint in his eye, had engaged the enemy.

Diluc had watched, his heart pounding in his chest, as Kaeya danced through the fray, his movements fluid and graceful, his sword a blur of steel. But the Fatui were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. Kaeya, despite his skill, was outnumbered, outmatched.

Diluc, fueled by a primal instinct to protect his brother, had charged into the fray, his anger a burning inferno. He had fought with a ferocity he hadn't known he possessed, his blade a whirlwind of destruction. He had driven back the Fatui, forcing them to retreat, but it was too late.

Kaeya, wounded, his face pale, had stumbled back, his gaze fixed on Diluc. "You're okay," he had whispered, a faint smile gracing his lips. "That's all that matters."

Then, with a gasp, he had fallen, his body disappearing into the depths of the chasm, swallowed by the abyss.

Diluc had stood there, frozen in time, his heart a leaden weight in his chest. He had watched as the Fatui retreated, their crimson eyes filled with a chilling satisfaction. He had watched as the wind carried away the last whispers of Kaeya's laughter, leaving behind a deafening silence.

He had watched as the world around him seemed to fade away, leaving him alone with his grief, his anger, his regret.

He had failed to protect him. He had failed his brother.