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Life itself will always remain a mystery as people never know what to expect. Lumine knew this first-hand. One minute, she was traversing various worlds with her twin brother, Aether, and the next thing she knows, he's captured by some malevolent deity. With her power sealed away, all Lumine could do is wait and push through each day as best she could.
Luckily, she wasn't alone as she made some unexpected friends. The Knights of Favonius have become Lumine's family through all the adventures they've been on, all the tasks they've completed and crises they have averted together. But with all families, there are bound to be issues.
"Who was that...being?" Lumine thought to herself. "Aether and I never struggled with enemies, at least not to that degree. And Aether trained more with father than I did, yet he was beaten so easily. Would things be different if I had done something else?"
"Lumine!" A voice shouted.
Lumine jumped in surprise and was slightly irritated that her thoughts were interrupted. She looked to the source of the perpetrator and it was none other than Amber. The young Outrider looked at her with her hands on her hips and a raised eyebrow.
"Are you okay? You've been staring off into the distance for a while."
"It's nothing, don't worry. I'm fine." Lumine responded.
"I don't know...you've been doing that a lot recently."
"Sorry. I think to myself a lot."
"How do you do that? I can barely stay in my head for ten seconds." Amber said as Lumine and Paimon narrowed their eyes at her.
From the moment Lumine and Paimon met Amber, they could not believe how far she's come despite how scatterbrained she is. She's always running into things without thinking, which almost always spells trouble for Lumine.
One time, Amber thought it would be a great idea to drop her Baron Bunny on a group of hilichurls from fifteen feet in the air and then ground pound them. Her reasoning was “it’s because it was the best way to take them by surprise” and took off despite Lumine and Paimon’s protests.
While she was successful in gaining altitude and setting the beasts ablaze, Amber had almost shattered her leg if it wasn’t for Lumine using her Geo Vision to catch her.
To no one’s surprise, Jean revoked Amber’s gliding license for the attempted stunt and lectured her for hours, much to the latter’s dismay.
“It’s a miracle you’re not considered a liability to the Knights, Amber.” Paimon said as she propped herself up on Lumine’s head.
“Hey, you don’t think I deserve at least a little credit for my creativity?” Amber said with a pout.
“No.” Lumine and Paimon said in unison.
“Meanies.” Amber said as she jolted her head to the side and crossed her arms.
Lumine and Paimon just playfully snickered at her. As the trio entered Monstadt to turn in their commissions, Lumine retreated back into her thoughts again while Amber bickered with Paimon.
No matter what Lumine thinks about, however, one thing always infiltrates her mind; Aether. They were separated so suddenly and Lumine couldn’t help but feel a little sad, which she didn’t seem to show.
“Hey, you three. All done with your commissions for the day?” Lisa asked as she walked up to them with a book in her arm.
“Another day, another group of slimes eradicated!” Amber said excitedly.
“Another day, another person begging for fruit...” Paimon said depressingly and earning herself a laugh from Amber and Lisa.
Lumine didn’t mind gathering fruit though. She loves to fight, experience thrills and enjoys physical activity, but she doesn’t relish in it. Compared to someone like Amber or Kaeya, she seemed to enjoy the less chaotic work. It was easier to think, even with Paimon around.
Lumine remembers Aether telling her that there is no greater thrill than that rush of adrenaline when faced with a challenge. They were only children going on twelve years old when he said that.
“Lumine?” Lisa called.
Lumine gasped as she was startled by the sudden call. She felt her blood boil slightly because she wanted to continue reliving the memory.
“What is it?” She responded with a slightly annoyed tone.
Lisa looked to Amber and Paimon, who had concerned expressions.
“Is everything going alright, sweetie? You look sad.”
Lumine took a deep breath and sighed before responding.
“I’m alright, Lisa. I...didn’t sleep well last night and I’m tired.”
Lumine couldn’t tell if that was a lie or a half-truth. It’s true she didn’t sleep as good as she used to, but that didn’t stop her from being happy and active. It’s because the stress and the ever-occurring fact of knowing her brother could be gone forever is catching up to her.
“Could have fooled me. You were cutting through enemies with barely any effort.” Amber suddenly interjected.
Lumine just gave her a bit of a dirty look, which made Amber shrug. Lisa walked up to Lumine and placed her free hand on her shoulder.
“Lumine, sweetie, there’s no need to push yourself. Please rest when you need to. If you have any missions you feel you can’t do, just ask me or another one of the Knights, okay?” Lisa said with a smile.
Lumine responded with two head nods.
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go study.” Lisa said as she walked toward the Knights Headquarters.
“I’m gonna go see if I can beg Jean to get my license back. See ya later, Lumine and Paimon!”
“Hey, Lumine, you wanna go-“
Paimon was cut off by the sound of Lumine yawning and stretching.
“Go where?” She asked with a hint of sleepiness.
“Never mind. You should get some rest.”
Lumine loved spending time with Paimon, but for once, she was glad she didn’t have to go anywhere else today and the two went home.
Because of her efforts in quelling Stormterror and the good work she’s done for the Knights, Jean secured an apartment for Lumine.
It wasn’t anything fancy; just a small, one bedroom with a kitchen and bathroom. Lumine wasn’t the type to go overboard with decorations.
There was a mat at the foot of the door, a few pictures of her and the other Knights hanging on the wall and a shelf that held souvenirs Lumine and Paimon secured during their missions.
Most of the stuff was mainly Paimon’s, but Lumine didn’t mind. It added life to the place. As Paimon went to organize “their” shelf, she went into the bath to relax.
Despite the complex look of her outfit, getting out of it wasn’t difficult. Lumine entered the sudsy water and leaned back, staring at the floral pattern that decorated the bathroom ceiling.
She recalled Lisa’s words about taking things slow and not to push herself. Lumine knew Lisa meant well, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit frustrated.
“I guess it is easy for you to relax when you haven’t lost anyone. I miss you, Aether...” She quietly said to herself.
As Lumine sat up to wash her hair, she noticed the shampoo wasn’t in the room.
“Seriously...? Paimon!”
“Yeah!?”
“Can you bring in the shampoo?”
“We don’t have any!”
“What do you mean “we don’t have any”? We bought it three days ago!”
“Paimon used it for a potion!”
Paimon’s response shocked Lumine. She knew Paimon was eccentric and liked trying new things, but this? This is just plain insanity. And Paimon had the nerve to say Amber should use her brain more often.
“Why did you use the entire bottle?!” Lumine shouted angrily.
“Because Paimon didn’t want to smell all the time!”
“That’s what bathing is for Paimon!”
“Bathing is overrated!”
“So is common sense, apparently!”
Lumine plopped herself back into the water while silently cursing Paimon. Her feelings of anger didn’t last long because Aether had crossed her mind again. She remembered the time when Aether had done something similar when they were younger.
————————————————-
“Give them back, Aether!”
“If you want them, then you’ll have to take them!” Said a cheery voice.
In between Lumine and the door covering her, a boy with a braid wearing a black crop top with a scarf, black high-waisted pants and a cape was waving a pile of neatly folded clothes. A smug, yet playful smile formed on his face and stared at the angry, blushing face of his twin sister.
“Well? You’re not gonna come get dressed?” Aether said in-between his laughter.
“Aether, if I have to come out like this, it’s going to be the last thing you ever see! Give me back my clothes now!”
“Come get them.”
“Come on, Aether, it’s freezing!”
“Yeah, I heard that can happen when you’re naked.”
“Aether!!!”
Aether responded to Lumine’s angry yelling and expression with hysterical laughter, much to her chagrin. His laughter was cut short when the door slammed shut and he started hearing her whimper on the other side.
He looked at the clothes he stole from Lumine and let out a guilty sigh. As he walked up to the door, Aether could Lumine crying louder.
“Lumine?” He said as he knocked on the door.
The only response he got was her light sobbing.
“Alright, I’m sorry, Lumine. I was just playing around, there’s no need to cry.” He said defeated.
“You know I’m not feeling good, Aether! And you just stand there and laugh at me!? What is wrong with you?” She screamed through her sobs.
Aether bit his lip with guilt. Lumine was ill and his little prank just made her feel worse.
“Sorry, Lumine. Your clothes at the door.” He said as he walked away.
Aether could hear the bathroom door open and then shut a second later. He also heard Lumine call him an idiot under her breath and knew he deserved it. But he was going to make it up to her and luckily, he accomplished that.
Lumine hadn’t come out for awhile even after getting dressed. That gave her twin brother enough time make her food she could eat. She eventually came out of the bathroom and the smell of something delicious delighted her.
“Aether...?” She called stumbling into her family’s living room hugging her upset stomach with both her arms and sniffling.
“I’m in here!” Aether said from the kitchen.
“What are you...cooking...?” Lumine trailed off as she gazed upon the sight of the kitchen table.
“Surely being sick, annoyed by your brother and being the best sister in the world works up an appetite.” Aether said sarcastically with a goofy grin.
Lumine, with a shocked face, looked between Aether and the meal on the table he had prepared for her. There was a giant bowl of Chicken-Radish soup and two Steak and Mushroom Skewers beside it.
“Look, uhh...I didn’t mean to make you upset, Lumine.” Aether said as he awkwardly rubbed his head. “I mean, I knew you weren’t feeling good, but I didn’t know you felt that bad. It was dumb of me and I’m an idiot, I know.”
Lumine stared at Aether with an incredulous look before a smile started forming on her lips. Aether smiled back, but was caught off guard when Lumine burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” He asked.
“You are such a dork!” Lumine said as she continued to laugh.
“Wow, thanks, Lumine...” Aether said with a monotone voice.
Once Lumine had calmed down from her laughing fit, she walked up the table and hugged her twin brother who reciprocated the action.
“Thank you, brother.”
“No problem. Whatever makes you feel better, I’ll do it.”
“Does that include being an idiot?”
“Yup.”
Both twins laughed at the comment.
“Are you alright, Lumine?” Aether asked as he rubbed his sister’s back.
“Kind of, not really. My stomach is a mess and one of my nostrils is still clogged.”
“Then that soup will work wonders.” Aether said as he and Lumine broke from the hug. It’s light on the stomach and there’s enough spice to clear your sinuses.”
Lumine, despite her condition, gave her brother a warm smile.
“I love you, Aether.”
“Love ya too, sis.”
——————————
“Lumine!”
Lumine was pulled from her memories and startled by the sudden call of her name. She jolted her feet up as a reflex and accidentally hit one of them on the tub’s faucet causing her to hiss pain.
“Ow! What do you want!?” She angrily yelled as she rubbed her foot.
“You’ve been in there for almost an hour. Is something wrong?” Paimon asked cautiously.
“Aside from my throbbing foot, I’m fine Paimon!” She said as she pulled the drain and got out of the bath.
Lumine could not catch a break today. She literally can’t even think to herself in peace. And the more people kept interrupting her, the angrier she felt herself getting.
She puts on the hand-spun robe she acquired from Liyue. It was a white robe that had a golden sash around the waste and a pink floral pattern on the back.
“You’ve been awfully reserved today, Lumine. Is something on your mind?” Paimon asked as she watched her best friend leave the bathroom with an agitated look.
“Yes, Paimon, there is something on my mind. In fact, there have been many things on my mind today, but I can’t indulge them because people won’t leave me alone!” Lumine said as she rummaged through one of the kitchen drawers for a bandage.
Paimon felt a little hurt at the comment, but she was greatly worried for Lumine. It’s not like her to act like this and it’s gotten worse since they came back to Monstadt.
“Paimon is sorry...”
Lumine looked at Paimon from the corner of her eye with a glare still on her face. But she lightened up a bit seeing Paimon sad.
“Paimon...” She said as she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m just agitated and upset today. But knowing you’re concerned about my well-being makes me feel a little better, okay?”
Paimon instantly went from being sad to happy upon hearing Lumine’s words and flew at top-speed to hug her. Lumine responded by patting Paimon’s head.
“If you ever need to talk about what’s bothering you or if you need space, you can just tell Paimon.”
“I know, thank you.” Lumine said with a smile.
“Is your foot okay?”
“A little. I hit it pretty hard on the faucet.”
“You know, for someone so strong, you’re really skittish.”
“If I had a Mora for every time I’ve heard that from my brother...”
“We’ll find him! You’ll be reunited in no time!” Paimon said reassuringly.
“Thank you, Paimon.”
Both girls were caught off guard when there was a knock at the door. Lumine and Paimon looked at each other for a minute before the former got up and looked out to see who it was. It was Lisa.
“Hi Lisa. What are you doing here?” Paimon asked as Lumine opened the door.
“You need to come to headquarters. Something happened between Amber, Mona and Fischl.” Lisa said with a hint of panic in her voice.
Lumine nodded in response, got dressed and made her way to the Knights HQ with Lisa and Paimon. When the trio entered the building, they noticed Diluc leaning on the staircase railing with his face buried in his arm while Jean sat on the steps with her hands covering her face.
Both immediately turned their attention to Lumine, Lisa and Paimon as the door shut behind them.
“Oh thank Barbatos you’re here!” Jean said as she quickly got up.
“What’s going on, Jean?” Paimon asked.
“I can honestly say we have no idea. All we know is that Amber got into a fight with Fischl. Then Mona got involved because her studies were disturbed.” Diluc answered.
“It all started when Amber came to me and asked me to reinstate her gliding license. In short, I told her no.” Jean explained.
“So, this is because Amber was told no and she decided to take it out on others?” Paimon asked.
Jean shook her head.
“No, she understood and accepted why and asked when she could take the exam again. Amber would never do that. It’s what Fischl said to her that set her off.”
“What did she say?” Lumine asked.
“I don’t know. All I know is that I heard Amber shouting at her. Before I could do anything, they ran out of the building.” Jean said.
“Where did they go?” Lisa asked.
“We don’t know. That’s why we called you here. Do you have any idea where they could have went?”Jean said.
Lumine pondered for a minute to where Amber may be. But she was lost when it came to Fischl.
“Well, I might have an idea about Amber’s whereabouts.” Lumine said.
“That’s fine. Jean, Lisa and I will focus on finding Fischl. With the hilichurl anomaly Kaeya mentioned a few weeks ago, it is incredibly dangerous to be outside right now.” Diluc said.
Lumine and Paimon nodded and were about to head out when Jean stopped them.
“Wait a minute, you two. Like you, I’m also close to Amber. She looks up to me a lot, which is why she comes to me for everything. She’s a little sister to me like Barbara is. I couldn’t bare the thought of something happening to her.”
“Do you have an idea of where Amber is too, Jean?” Paimon asked.
Yes, I have a feeling she’s somewhere you can gain a lot of altitude. Try searching the highest points in Monstadt and bring her back safe.” Jean instructed.
“Don’t worry, we’re on the job!” Paimon said.
With that, Lumine and Paimon set out to find the Gliding Champion of Monstadt. When it came to the highest points in Monstadt, there were about three areas; the top of the Knights Headquarters, the top of the Statue of Barbatos and the top of the Church.
Lumine and Paimon agreed to split up. Lumine searched the top of the Headquarters while Paimon looked near the Church and Barbatos Statue.
It didn’t take long for Lumine to reach the top. Once she did, she scanned the entire area, but found no sign of Amber. Biting down on two of her fingers, she became a little flustered until she remembered she could Elemental Sight.
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Lumine focused and searched the area for footprints. The color of the footprints depends on the type of Vision a person has. Since Amber is a Fire Vision user, the colors of hers was red.
While searching, Lumine saw Paimon flying toward her.
“See anything?” She asked.
“No, Paimon can’t find her anywhere. What about you?”
“I’m using Elemental Sight to track her footprints.”
“Oooh, great idea! If Paimon remembers correctly, Amber’s footprints should be red due to her Fire Vision.”
“Found them! They go outside of the gate.” Lumine said as she jumped from Headquarters and unleashed her glider.
After Lumine and Paimon reach the entrance to the gate, the former activates her Elemental Sight again to follow the remainder of Amber’s footprints. They led toward the Teleport Waypoint just outside of Monstadt.
“How will we find her now? She could be anywhere.” Paimon stated.
Paimon had a point. If Amber’s trail ended at the Teleporter, they can’t track the rest of her footprints. Lumine put her finger to her chin and contemplated.
“I have an idea!” She said as she walked over to the Waypoint.
Lumine put both of her hands on the Waypoint and closed her eyes while Paimon stared at her confused. The former stood there for a minute before opening her eyes and flashing a Paimon a confident smile.
“I found her. She’s at Starfell Valley.
“How did you do that?”
“I’ll explain in a minute, let’s hurry.”
After the duo teleported to Starfell Valley, Lumine used her Elemental Sight once more and could see Amber’s footprints.
“Ok, explain. How did you know where to find Amber?” Paimon asked as she followed Lumine.
“You know how Elemental Sight can pick up traces of elemental energy?”
“Yeah?”
“I focused my mind on the Teleporter to see the various areas of Monstadt. No one with a Vision is out here, except for Diluc when he goes to his winery. But the last time we saw him, he was in the Headquarters. And the only places with Fire Vision traces was Starfell Valley.” Lumine explained.
“Whoa, Paimon never would have thought of that. How did you know that would work?”
“I didn’t. I took a shot in the dark and it paid off. There she is.” She said as she saw Amber’s silhouette in the distance of Starfell Lake.
“Amber!” Paimon called out.
“Hmm? Oh, hey you two...” Amber said as she turned around to see them.
“What are you doing out here? It’s not safe, especially with the hilichurls supposedly mutating.” Lumine said to her friend.
“I just came to get some air.” Amber said plainly.
Lumine and Paimon didn’t believe that for a few minute. Although she can be a hyperactive klutz, Amber is good at many things. Lying is not one them.
“You came all the way here to get air? You couldn’t have just walked around the city for a couple minutes?” Paimon asked.
Amber lowered her head and sighed.
“Ok, look. Things got bad between me and Fischl. Mona butting in certainly didn’t help either.” Amber said as she fiddled with her Baron Bunny’s ears.
“What happened? Jean and Diluc said there was a fight.” Lumine said as she sat down next Amber by the lake.
“Nothing really, just Fischl running her big mouth. She told me I should be exiled from the Knights for all the trouble I cause.” Amber said as she started tearing up.
“The worst part is that I feel like I’m holding the Knights back. Jean gave me the title of Outrider because of my gliding skills. But every time I get my license revoked, I can tell that she sees me as a big disappointment.” She said as she buried her head in her knees.
Lumine and Paimon were shocked to see someone as gung-ho as Amber feel so bad about herself. Feeling sorry for her best friend, Lumine scooted closer and rubbed Amber’s back while Paimon nuzzled the back of her head.
“Amber, you’re not a disappointment. You’re just a bit reckless. Jean knows how hard you work and what being a Knight of Favonius means to you. In fact, she insisted to me that I bring you back safe and sound.”
“She did...?” Amber said as she slightly turned her head to look at Lumine.
Lumine responded with a nod and comforting smile while Paimon played with Amber’s head ribbon.
“Jean also said she saw you as a little sister, so you can’t go disappearing on her, you know.” Paimon said.
“If that’s true, why is she so strict with me?” She asked.
“Because that’s what big sisters are for.” Lumine and Paimon said in unison.
“That’s twice today you two have told me something in sync...” Amber gave them her usual pout.
Lumine and Paimon giggled.
“Oh, so you do use your brain.” Paimon teased.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Amber whined and was about to hurl an insult until Lumine spoke up.
“Don’t listen to Paimon. She used up my entire bottle of shampoo for a potion, so she didn’t have to smell. By the way, did that potion even work?”
“Of course it did! It totally got rid of the foul smell that’s been on Paimon’s body.” She said confidently.
“It didn’t work, did it?” Lumine asked with an unamused tone.
“No, Paimon’s mouth tasted like shampoo all day...” She said as she plopped to the ground depressed that her masterpiece failed.
Amber’s jaw dropped upon hearing this entire exchange.
“Paimon, you dummy! You’re going to make fun of me for not using my head, yet you do something like this?!” Amber said as she got quickly got back on her feet.
Paimon jolted back into the air to confront Amber face-to-face.
“Hey, Paimon saw an opportunity and took it! If it had worked, Paimon would have made millions of Mora! Paimon at least deserves credit for the idea, right?”
“No.” Lumine and Amber said in unison with unamused expressions.
They were silent for a minute before all three of them started laughing.
“Come on, let’s go back. Everyone’s worried sick.” Lumine said as she got up and dusted herself off.
Back in the Knight’s Headquarters, things were not so pleasant. Mona, Lisa, Kaeya, Jean and Diluc were all sitting the Grand Master’s office giving Fischl dirty looks. The latter reciprocated with her own harsh glare, which was mostly directed at Jean. Jean had some words with Fischl and they were not fit for innocent ears.
“So, how long do you plan on keeping me in here?” Fischl asked with a snotty tone.
“Not until Amber is found. And you better hope she’s not hurt.” Jean said menacingly.
“So what if she is? It’s not like her usefulness will get any worse.”
Jean was about to get up close and personal with the blonde archer before Diluc stopped her.
“It’s true Amber isn’t the most graceful of Knights, but she does her job well. Driving her off like that put her in danger.” Kaeya said sternly.
“At least she doesn’t disturb people who are studying.” Lisa added with Mona humming in approval.
Fischl was about to retort to the Astrologer when a knock came from outside the Grand Master’s office door.
“Come in.” Jean said.
The door opened and Amber was the first one to enter, much to everyone’s surprise and relief.
“Amber!” Jean said as she rushed from her seat and pulled Amber into a sisterly hug.
“Hi Jean.” Amber said with a meek voice.
“Where did you run off to?” Diluc asked.
“Starfell Lake.” Lumine answered for Amber.
“Starfell?!” Kaeya and Lisa said with worry.
“You’re not hurt anywhere are you?” Jean asked as she pulled back and inspected Amber for injuries.
“No, I’m okay. Why? Was something happening at Starfell?”
“Yes, but that’s not important at the moment. I’m just so glad you’re not hurt.” Jean said as she hugged Amber again, but tighter this time.
“I’m sorry, Jean. I didn’t mean to make you worried.” Amber said as she hugged Jean back.
“It’s fine. Lumine, Paimon, thank you so much for bringing Amber back unscathed.” Jean said to them with a smile.
“Of course! We were worried about Amber too! But isn’t there someone who should be apologizing?” Paimon said as she looked beyond Jean and Amber.
Everyone turned to look at Fischl who had a less-than-content expression on her face. The sudden attention made her cheeks heat up with embarrassment.
“Sorry, Amber. I didn’t mean to make you run off.”
“Apology accepted!” Amber said cheerfully.
Lumine, Jean, Kaeya, Lisa, Mona and Fischl were surprised that Amber forgave her so easily.
“J-just like that?! You forgive me...?”
“Yup. Life isn’t about holding grudges or compromising things because someone has a negative opinion about you. A true Knight doesn’t let things like this interfere with their job. If they did, we wouldn’t have accomplished a fraction of what we’ve done.”
Fischl was kind of shocked. She didn’t expect Amber to be this wise and passionate. Jean wiped away a tear because she was proud to see how much of a wonderful young woman and Knight Amber has become.
“That’s...very wise of you Amber.” Fischl said with a smile.
“Right?! But, there is one other thing I forgot to mention.”
“What would that be?”
“I don’t give a crap about what you think of me, you chronic two-faced blonde.” Amber said with narrow eyes and puffed out cheeks.
Shock and awe waved over everyone at Amber’s words. She just straight-up roasted Fischl in front of everyone. Diluc was the one who broke the silence by letting out a snicker. Everyone else followed up with hysterical laughter.
“I...really deserved that.” Fischl said looking down.
Lumine’s laughter was the first to calm down. As she watched the scene unfolding before her, she felt like she was with her family.
Diluc’s slight, but proud smile, Jean giving Amber a slight lecture and ruffling her hair, Paimon and Fischl going back and forth and Mona and Lisa going over a certain book together. Kaeya...well, he’s just being Kaeya.
“The only person missing is you, Aether. I will find you...I promise.” Lumine thought to herself before heading home with Paimon.