Arriving at the domed building, they find the Rune Guard and Dainsleif concludes that it is the one the Abyss Order is seeking. Using his knowledge of this old machine, he extracts it eye and takes custody of it.
To ensure that the Abyss Order cannot restart their plan, he also suggests to destroy the Defiled Statue.
Returning to the ruins once more, Dainsleif senses the Herald, who attacks them with some Abyss mages.
Abyss Herald: You are just as vexatious as ever, Dainsleif, enemy of the Abyss! I sense your soul is stained by terrible bloodshed, perhaps from your darkest nightmare. Unless… huh? oh, and something far more dangerous! You reek of a corruption familiar to me… then we are the same. We're both dangerous. But dangers from outside the Abyss Order must be caught and caged.
Dainsleif: Tsk. It is your words that forever reek of corruption… time to silence you!
Sekai: yeah! What Old Dain said, you reek from all those enchantments!
Aether: Time to enforce law on this addict!
Abyss Herald: You! Stop humiliating me!!!
As rage consume the Abyss Herald, he started to send two water slashes towards the group. Only to miss… yet again…
…
Sekai: that awkward…
Aether takes this chance and ran up to Herald and swung his sword at it. The Herald snap from his embarrassment and blocked the strike, only to be blast away with Anemo ball.
Aether: Wind Blade!
While the herald was sent flying, Sekai didn't let this opportunity go, he stomps to ground producing geo construct that push him forward. With the momentum, Sekai instantly reaches beside the Herald and gift him with his own punch.
Sekai: Quake punch!
The Abyss Herald tried to block, only to felt his inside trembling due to quake vibration that running rampart in his body.
Bamb!!
The Abyss Herald crash on the wall, creating dust.
Abyss Herald: Uhukx3
Sekai: Get enough?
The response Sekai get was a loud Roar from the Heral as he imbued himself with powerful Hydro shield. After that, Herald started spinning himself along with blades towards.
Sekai: This again?
Aether: Then let me, do the honor.
Aether summoned the meteorite in front of the Abyss Herald path, only for it to be destroyed by him, but it managed to give Geo explosion when it destroyed, chipping The Abyss Herald shield.
Sekai: Aether, I got brilliant idea.
The silver knight jumps towards Aether side and whisper his plan. Aether have knowing grin…
Sekai then punched the ground using both of his hand, creating wall on both side of Abyss Herald, this force Abyss Herald to change his direction from hitting the wall… so he follows the path create like some white mouse trap inside the maze.
As this happen, Aether used meteorite along the path that will be passed by the spinning Herald. This make the Herald keep on destroying the Geo construct only to be hit by Geo explosion slowly chipping his Hydro shield.
Both Sekai and Aether wait at the maze exits. Ready their move. And Abyss Herald that was being lead like a rat walk out of the maze with rage thinking he can pummel both Sekai and Aether, only to be double punch by both Travelers sending him back inside the maze.
Sekai: Earth Grab!
Sekai: Now your chance, Aether!
Aether rush towards the Herald and swung her sword slashing the Herald back. The Abyss Herald feeling he can't win the fight started to conjure a portal to escape, but Dainsleif restrained the Abyss Herald using his ability.
Suddenly someone came up and released and attack on Dainsleif. He saw it coming and dodged the attack.
Dainsleif: (Grunts)
A girl with a pale blonde hair her hair is cut short and choppy bob with two longer shoulder-length locks of hair framing her face, with two light-blue flowers pinned to the right of her head and two pale blue feathers tucked at the left.
Her outfit consists of white, light blue and line of gold.
She wears a sleeveless, backless, box pleated white dress held up by crossed black straps. She wears a long two tailed scarfs, with each tail having a gold, flat diamond-shaped ornament attached to the tip of the tail.
Her legwear consists of angled thigh-high stocking and white ankle-high boots.
Abyss Heral: Princess…
Paimon: Hey, c-could that be…!?
Sekai: (Eye narrowing) Is that your sister…?
Aether: (Breathless) Lumine!
Lumine: Aether…
Aether: I've finally found you!
Paimon: W-wait, Aether… she just blocked an attack against the Abyss Herald…
Paimon: You sister, and the Abyss…
Sekai: Tsk, aint that a lovely surprise.
Lumine: Aether, why are you with Dain?
Aether: …What?
Paimon: Huh?
Aether: (Desperate) We've been separated for so long…
Paimon: Your sister… know Dain, Aether?
Sekai: Form the looks of it… there must be some kind of history between these two…
Dainsleif: …Lumine. We meet again.
Paimon: Wh-What's going on here? Dain knows her, too!
Lumine: You shouldn't team up with this man. He is my enemy.
Dainsleif: Lumine…
Aether: (Frustrated) Hold on a second! Stop saying things that don't make sense, Lumine!
Lumine: …But it must be said… don't try to stop me. don't try to stop the Abyss. That man, Dainsleif was the "Twilight Sword", one of the royal guards of the final dynasty of Khaenri'ah, five hundred years ago, he failed to save Khaenri'ah from destruction, even after another great sacrifice…
She pauses, her gaze darkening.
Lumine: Due to that a curse of immortality was laid upon him, to forever wander the wilderness… while he watched the people he was supposed to protect turn into the monster of the Abyss.
Paimon gasps, the realization hitting her hard.
Paimon: You're saying… Dain is from Khaenri'ah!? The same Khaenri'ah that was destroyed 500 years ago!? And you said the people tuned into monsters… you're trying to tell Paimon that Abyss Order is not only related to Khaenri'ah but is actually the people of Khaenri'ah themselves!? Uh… and the whole thing about Dain being your enemy? Ohh… Paimon's o confused…
Aether: Come with me, Lumine! Let's go home!
Lumine: Home… Yes, of course. "Home" is wherever we are together. But I cannot go with you to the next world to find a new home… at least not yet. Until the Abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end…
Aether: (eyes widened) Destiny…?
Lumine: Listen to me, Aether. I have already traveled through this world once. Once you reach the end of your journey as I did, you will see for yourself the true nature of this world.
Then Lumine gazes fall upon the Silver Knight. His watch starts to shine in silver color showing he ready for any surprise attack.
Lumine: You finally return…
Sekai: (frowning) What are you talking about?
Lumine: "Is it really worth saving this sad, twisted world? A world filled with death, cruelty, and sorrow… Do you still believe your sacrifice was worth it?"
Sekai: Herm, are you trying to give some motivational speech or something?
Sekai: But, hey… you know what as you are Aether sis, I will answer your rhetoric question. You know human life was finite right? then… why human still keep on living even if they know someday, they will eventually face death?
Lumine: ….
Sekai: … want a hint miss?
The traveler twin somehow shows a rare expression on her face, she knows the answer… as she already heard from someone, she holds dear aside her twin… But after all she had faced, she still wants to proof her stance.
Lumine: At least give me the chance to show you.
She extends her hand, a quiet plea behind her steady expression. Sekai stares at it for a moment before shaking his head.
Sekai: Well… you know miss, I will stick with Aether for now…
Lumine: ….
Lumine's eyes darken, though she hums neutrally, masking her disappointment as her gaze falls back on her brother.
Lumine: We'll meet again Aether. Though we need not rush, brother. I have more than enough time to wait for you.
Hearing this Aether felt something inside rushing him to rush towards his twin.
Lumine: We have always… had enough time.
The Abyss Herald and Lumine leave through the portal, however Dainsleif dashes into the portal to follow them. Aether reaches the portal, but phases through it as the portal closes behind him before he could enter.
After they left, Aether was lost in thought and his eyes looked like he is broken.
Paimon: They… left… Oh, don't be too sad, Aether… we'll find them again! Look on the bright side, at least we got some really useful information!
Aether: I'm… not sad
Paimon: Really? You sure…?
Aether: I… will be fine… Paimon could you please wait outside? …I want to talk to… Sekai.
After he said that, Paimon nodded and then flew away from the ruin to wait outside. Now all that left was Sekai and Aether.
Aether: Sekai… can we sit down and… talk?
Sekai nodded and followed him to sit down near the walls. The silence is killing; thus, he decides to start conversation.
Sekai: You know, Aether… you can be mad… just out with it. it will certainly help… it's only me here, so rest assure your secret save with me.
Aether lets out a bitter chuckle, then sighs.
Aether: "Yeah… maybe you're right."
Aether: (pauses, voice trembling) Just why Lumine?! Just why!? I haven't seen you for centuries and when we meet, she just asked me odd question!
His shoulders shake as tears begin to form. Sekai listens quietly, his presence steady and patient as Aether vents.
Aether: That idiot sister! I've lost everything—I'm traveling all over this world, trying so hard to find her! Do you know how desperate I've been? And now, when I finally see her, she gives me that cold look and those vague answers! Why?! At least, couldn't she just ask me how I've been or something?
Sekai puts a comforting hand on Aether's shoulder, his tone gentle but with a hint of humor.
Sekai: You know Aether, maybe this was a good thing…
Aether: (Sniffles) huh? what do you mean.
Sekai: You remember what your twin said right? about she already traveled this world and come out with her own conclusion.
Aether: (Nods) yeah, she asked me to also travel and come out with my own conclusion.
Sekai: That's right. so, if somehow, she suddenly joins your adventure, she will definitely spoil all the fun thing. And thinks about this Aether… if somehow, she joins us, and she know about how you play around with girls you meet… urgh… she will always keep her eyes on you. Do you want that?
Aether stares at Sekai for a moment, then starts to chuckle as he realizes the truth in Sekai's words.
Aether: (look of realization) …. Ehm…
Sekai: And think about it, if we ever want to do some suspicions thing like "guy thing" …right now its Okey because Paimon… well Paimon, but what if it was your twin… it going to be disaster! She'd put an end to all our shenanigans!
Sekai: You remember last time we went doing commission with Amber, where we meet that one busty woman that have cooks off with Xiangling…
Sekai smirks, giving Aether a nudge.
Aether: yeah…
Aether got shiver on his spine, remind of that time, where He and Sekai went for some "recon" … so they left Paimon with Amber for a while… what happen next was Amber felt lonely and find them climbing on house wall, peeping the busty milf in bathroom. The next thing was nightmare….
Sekai: So, you see my point right. and do you remember that time we shook down that one Cicin mage and make her jump up and down, with the "reason" to make sure she has Mora or not. If you twin was there, she'd have had us tied up for 'questionable practices.'
Aether: Oh, she'd definitely kill me for that one!"(Laughs a little, relaxing)"Alright, alright, I see your point. But… still…
Sekai: Hey, look on the bright side—at least you had confirmed that Lumine is alive somewhere and not in anyone captive, right? and in the first place, it not like you can't meet her again. If you ever want to… just summon her.
Aether: Summon her? how do we do that?
Sekai: owh, come on Aether, remember those posters we put up all over Mondstadt and Liyue?
Aether: But she never comes even after we spread the poster all around the nation… (puzzled)
Sekai had evil smirk on his face
Sekai: That only because it not catches her attention… when I say attention I mean the attention that make your sister will urgently find you…
Aether: I don't get it…
Sekai: Well, we can just write something more in the poster, like "Wanted, Traveler twin" then place note down, if the wanted person didn't meet Traveler during whatever date you set, Traveler will note down one embarrassed moment about the wanted person.
Aether: (Eyes widening) You evil! That my sister you know.
Sekai: Hey, we don't actually have to write anything. But the thought alone might be enough to get her attention.
After a moment, Aether's expression shifts from surprise to amusement, and a mischievous smile spreads across his face.
Aether: "You know… that might actually work! And it would give me a small revenge for the way she just… left like that!"
Sekai: "Exactly. Besides, if she's really been traveling as much as she says, she's bound to see it somewhere."
Aether: "(Grins) But what if she's not in Mondstadt or Liyue?"
Sekai: Well, you asked the right person,
The silver knight takes out newspaper from Steam bird from his inventory. This makes Aether have knowing smile and shake hand with Sekai. Nodding head with both have evil grin on their face.
-A few moments later-
Sekai and Aether walked outside and met Paimon.
Paimon: Hey, you're back. Are you alright. Aether?
Aether: Don't worry. I'm feeling ok right now
Paimon: Phew. What a relief. At least now, as well as The Seven, Dain is also a key part of finding your sibling too, right?
Aether: Once we get to Inazuma, we should keep that in mind as we look for more clues.
Sekai: Then, our next destination, "Inazuma!" somehow, I felt excited…
This because from what he heard about the nation, Inazuma is quite similar to Japan from his past world… so he expects exciting things there. things that can give exciting "spark" to their adventure.
…
Paimon: That's right! Um… by the way, what they said just now was all pretty confusing… did you understand it at all?
Aether: I pretty much got it.
Sekai: Herm… there some confusing information that need for more clarification.
Paimon: Oh… Well then… let's go over it again.
Aether, Sekai and Paimon try to recall as many details as they can…
Paimon: First off, that Abyss Herald called your sister "Princess"
Paimon: It seems like your sister is leading the Abyss Order, even the Abyss Herald answer to him… Still, we don't know for sure if she's the highest-ranking leader in the organization.
Paimon: Also, your sister said that he wants to "engulf the thrones" and go to "war with destiny". What the heck does that mean? …Could it be that he wants to destroy The Seven and the seven nations?
Paimon: Next thing… turns out the Abyss Order monster are really what the people of Khaenri'ah turned into after their nation was destroyed. This story is just plain terrifying!
Paimon: And Dain is from Khaenri'ah, too! He witnessed its destruction 500 years ago. But… he didn't turn into a monster, and how he's fighting the Abyss Order…
Paimon: So that's why your sister said that Dain was her enemy, right?
Paimon: But… if the monsters of the Abyss are the same people that Dain protected all those years ago, then why is he enemies with the Abyss Order now?
Paimon: Also, how come… after all this time we've spent searching for your sister, it turns out she's on the side of the Abyss. What's up with that?
Sekai: We have many new questions, but few answers.
Aether: Thinking about it over will solve nothing
Paimon: Yeah, you both are right.
Paimon: Then… we can't let ourselves down about it now!
Paimon: Our journey's not over yet, let's get a move on! Time to leave this terrible, dark place and get back to surface, where the sun shines bright.
Paimon: If your sister wants you to "reach the end of your journey"… well then, show her what you're made of!
Sekai: Well… you know what… what if we make that the journey will never end… just to make his twin frustrated. Ahahaha
Paimon: Come on, Sekai. Every journey has it end. That not possible.
The Silver Hero smirk a bit hearing Paimon logical retort.
Sekai: Then after the journey end, we start a new journey. Even if somehow our journey will end prematurely, I'm sure someone will continue on the journey in our place.
Paimon: That interesting way of thinking.
Aether: Sekai right, even if our journey in this world end, we can still start new one in another world.
Sekai: Yup… and what make it much more interesting is that, our journey will carve a path for other to also starts their own journey. Our adventure will be like the star that leave a trail as guidance for another adventurer in their journey.
Paimon: Carving a path.
Aether: Star that guide other.
Sekai: Yeah, we can call it something epic like… herm… Aha! Let call it "Trailblazing"
Aether: Trailblazing…
Paimon: Whoah… Paimon like that name!
Sekai: Right! So come one you two, let's go trailblazing!
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