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┏━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━┓
chapter six;
a reality awakens
and
the cataclysm.
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[TW: VIOLENT, GORE, SUFFOCATION AND DEATH. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.]
❝ if i do not kill you, i betray my nation. my nation is very dear to me... ❞
❝ dearer than i? ❞
❝ yes love, dearer than you. ❞
❝ hearts are broken, despair pervades this world. does human arrogance earn the wrath? ❞
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All that could be seen was red. Deep, dark, crimson sky. The cacophony of metallic growls rang in the air like a battle cry, seeping with a thirst for blood and the ruin of the world. Rumbling, earthquake-like echoes. The sharp, harsh winds, howling like a tornado. The eruptions of raging fires ignited like volcanos. Flashes of purple electricity crackling like a tempest. The waters dousing areas like tsunami's, as if made from civilian tears. Within the crimson sky, black blocks outlined in a vermillion scattered around like arms reaching out.
Frightening screams, deafening yells of indecipherable names among the swirls of deep violet that entrapped thousands.
Within a half-crumbled building laid someone with torn clothes, a dark navy cloak that rested beneath their shoulders and back. Eyes closed shut tightly, fluttering around as if in a vivid dream that they were unable to wake from.
With a startled gasp, they sat up. That dream... Was that real? Am I just like them? ...Is that what I have to do to survive? Why did the three sisters—
Interrupting their thoughts, the floor quaked and shook. E/c eyes landed on their hands that now tugged away at the chains that bound them to their prison. Wrists a mix of blacks, blues and reds; bruising interweaving with cuts and blood like a delicate painting of agony.
The tugs began to get harsher and harsher as the sounds of clicks and whirls increased, a glass window suddenly shattering, pieces piercing into the body of the shackled one.
They grit their teeth in a growl; their canine teeth sharper than usual. Underneath their eyelids, eyes fluttered around rapidly, when it snapped open. E/c eyes gleamed red with anger; images of their loved ones flashing in their mind. Remnants of old ones mixing in with the new, becoming a web of sorrow and joy.
A thrum of power that had once settled deep within them bubbled up to the surface as if alive, as if it had been waiting for this moment, and with one last tug, Y/N pulled the chains away from the wall, creating a crack as they flew forward from the force.
A painful spike hit their forehead, making them clutch it with their now free hands, and feeling a small spike - one that continued to grow.
"Oh fuck," They whispered. Now was not the time.
Shaking their head to get rid of the thoughts swirling around; they had no time to reminisce and wait. They had to leave.
Pulling themself up, Y/N looked up; the door that once was kept shut, now splintered and smashed against the floor. The wall that was connected to it had been completely demolished.
With no hesitance, they ran forward. Giving not another feel towards the now growing horns on their head, nor another glance to the growing navy, white-starred appearance that their right arm was beginning to show.
Running past the corpses of the civilians they had once shared a Nation with; corpses that were laying in pools, gushing rivers of red; limps missing, heads disconnected and laying a few feet away, organs spilling out of their bodies.
Grief-stricken, Y/N ran and ran, picking up a polearm than had laid beside a fallen knight on the way. Seeing the riftwolves in front of them, they jumped upwards.
I don't want to see this. I don't want to do this. I don't want to-
A scream erupted from their throat, straining their vocal cords as they fell down to the ground again, a dark navy aura emitting them. With as much strength as they could in their weakened state, slammed their fist into what once was green with soil, but now barren of any life.
The riftwolves clicked and whirled, metallic heads bowed down in disorientation. Y/N used the advantage, raising their right hand and with a flick of their wrist, dark navy smoke emitted from it, circling around one of the riftwolves and threw their hand back, yanking the wolf towards them. Raising the polearm, they struck towards the monster. Struck, sliced and attacked until all the riftwolves around were eliminated.
Y/N stood in the middle of the mini battlefield, breathing heavily, blood seeping from the claw marks that now stained their body.
Looking to the side at the sound of a cry, they saw a small boy cradling the corpse of his mother, loud sobs wracking his body, and a small pool of purple under him as violet smoke emitted from around his.
The sound of his name made Y/N's e/c eyes widen in shock.
"CARIBERT!"
They took a step forward towards the boy, but the sound of their name being called over the sounds of machine parts falling to the ground, a large rumble of the earth causing them to almost become off-balanced.
E/c eyes met with ocean-starred eyes, as they almost felt relief, until they saw that he was carrying a familiar body. The two stared at each other for a moment; fires raging around them, becoming more ravenous as the wind from the fallen giant ruin guard fell to the ground, a dark purple light emitted from their left, as well as a scream.
Slow steps turned into a run, skidding to a stop in front of Dainsleif and the corpse of Halfdan, light brown hair matted with blood, wounds - old and new, scarred and battle-worn - scattered across his face, blue eyes wide and open, glazed over with lifelessness.
"Y/N, you have to leave," Dainsleif looked at them, not even giving the horns that had grown to half their original size a glance, ocean eyes blinking away the tears. Y/N looked at him, his pale-skinned smeared with blood, both his own, his own comrades and his own citizens. "You have to go now!"
Y/N shook their head, hand tightening its grip on the polearm, "I'm not leaving."
"You're leaving." Dainsleif glared at them.
Raising a hand to Halfdan's forehead, and closed his eyes for him. Rest well Halfdan. You served well, and you'll continue to serve well, even after death.
"I can't leave." Y/N then spat, face twisting into a sneer at the blond-haired Knight. Yet they couldn't help but admire him in the middle of the blood-shed. He was as beautiful as the day they had met him, and... "I can't leave, but I have to go."
"Go where?!" Dainsleif questioned, letting Halfdan's body rest against some debris.
"Somewhere," Y/N turned their back to the blond-haired, "I'm sorry."
Dainsleif was silent for a moment, but just as they were about to take a step away, he spoke up. "Will we meet again?"
Y/N sighed, and looked up at the fractured sky where more wolves appeared from. "Maybe. If fate is kind."
"Then... if we never meet again..." Dainsleif trailed off, and then Y/N felt a tug on their arm and suddenly a pair of lips were on theirs, slow and gentle unlike the carnage that raged around them, as an azure light radiated from afar.
Leaning away, Y/N's e/c eyes fluttered open and stared at Dainsleif. Their horns had now grown back to their original size, colour and all.
"If we never meet again, I hope I can find you and be happy in my next life." Dainsleif smiled shakily.
"I'm sorry," Was all Y/N could stutter, feeling the water fill their eyes once more. As they stepped back, the hand that cradled their cheek fell to Dainsleif's side.
With one last longing look at him, Y/N turned and ran. They knew that if they went with Dainsleif, they would live... but that wasn't what the h/c haired wanted; Celestia, even when asleep, would find a way to them.
The only way to live was to die by an Archon's hands in this life.
If only they didn't wish for someone to change fate—
A screech of mourning caused them to nearly trip, but they quickly hid behind some debris, heart beat racing at what seemed to be like the speed of light. Looking over their shoulder and the debris, Y/N's e/c eyes widened for what seemed like the millionth time today.
There lay the body of Makoto, and Ei who cradled her body, face buried into the neck of her now deceased twin, yet Y/N could hear the sobs and cries that ripped from her throat.
Y/N threw their head back onto the debris softly, eyes closing for a moment before reopening. I need to go. She won't do it.
Just as they took a few steps forward, their foot accidentally moved a piece of metal. Y/N's head snapped towards the twins, causing a whiplash. With wide eyes, they muttered loud enough for Ei to hear before running away; "I'm sorry Ei."
Due to them running away, they were unable to see the way Ei's wet electric purple eyes widened in shock, exhaling a large breath, the fury that raged beneath her calmed for just a moment, as if she knew the person wasn't here to hurt her.
Y/N raised their right arm, using their telekinesis to drag the riftwolf towards them, and stabbing it where its mechanical heart lay.
A pang in their heart caused them to falter for a moment, a flash of a dragon invaded their mind. Durin.
With a growl, Y/N bared their fanged teeth at the riftwolves and immediately dashed forward, killing them with a swift slash.
Standing there as they breathed heavily, Y/N looked around for the highest point that they could find. Seeing a pile of rubble that was at least three-time their height, they closed their eyes.
Remember, image where you wish to go. Vividly paint a picture of exactly where you want to land, and push it forward. Guizhong's tender and calm voice softly guided in their head.
With a rush of wind, Y/N felt the ground beneath them changed. Snapping their eyes open, they stumbled for a moment until they gained their footing.
E/c eyes caught the white robe that they were oh so familiar with. A sharp, agonising ache went straight through to their heart as they watched his brown and golden locks fly in the wind. The hood over his head, covering what they knew was his amber-diamond eyes that flashed dangerously, yet always with a hint of affection hidden beneath for the ones he grew to cherish.
Rex Lapis was in the air, floating like the beautiful God was he was. Archon, he is now, isn't he? Y/N couldn't help but smile. Even in such circumstance, they couldn't help but admire him.
They felt the tattoo on their back warm up with being near the Prime Adeptus, but the h/c haired couldn't get distracted... Not if this was to go they want.
Will he see me?
Y/N's eyes caught the sight of a massive golden riftwolf fly through the air, but they were quick to go back to watching the Archon of Geo.
A bright light caused them to lift their arm to cover their eyes, only to see a massive meteor begin to descend from the sky, glowing amber spears around it. A small, mirthful laugh escaped Y/N's lips. So, this is how it ends. I kind of always knew in my heart, it'd be him.
As the meteor grew closer, amber eyes met with e/c and it was as if the world stood still for a second. Y/N smiled at him, something they knew he'd see - even if he didn't think it was real - and turned their back to him, closing their eyes.
And let themself fall.
Not able to see the way he threw out his arms, as if to save them.
The rumbling sound of the meteor grew closer and closer, and Y/N couldn't help but feel at peace in this moment, just like when they died in Rex's arms.
The h/c haired just wished they could have found a way to survive with Dainsleif - to travel with him and Lumine.
But that wasn't what they had in store for Y/N.
Just as the meteor crashed into the ground, a soft gentle wind blew around them, making the fall less harsh - though they still crashed to the ground and felt the excruciating pain suffering from bones snapping and breaking, and having the air taken out of them. Going in and out of consciousness.
They laid there, arms twisted in ways that would have made them throw up if seeing it. Legs bent, with their calf bones breaking out from their skin. Blood beginning to seep around them like a mini lake.
As long as they died by his meteor, they were safe.
Y/N sighed and relaxed - as much as they could in this state - awaiting for the death they wanted.
Only for the sound of wings flapping made them freeze, breath catching in their throat. That couldn't be—
Blinking their e/c eyes open, trying to get the black dots away, Y/N saw Barbatos in all his glory; bright, pure white wings that were decorated in golden ornaments and cecilias. The hood folded over his ombre dark blue and azure hair, adorned with that beautiful cecilia. Aqua eyes glimmering with a sadness and mirth that they couldn't see. His short white top, showing the bottom of his azure chest tattoo. His shorts, and the azure leg tattoo on one side, and the other wearing a white stocking.
"Y/N?"
A laugh bubbled up, and Y/N couldn't help but let it escape, though all that came up was a cough of blood. "Out of everyone, I kind of expected you to know me." They mumbled, letting their head fall onto the ground again.
His wings tickled their thighs and he kneeled next to them, feeling his cold hand trace their cheek.
"When do we—"
"When you have gone through a lot," Barbatos chuckled darkly, though Y/N felt no malice from him, missing his next words that he had muttered menacingly.
Y/N hummed, losing the feeling of his wings on their thigh, and the underlying numbness of their heart beginning to slow.
"I can't wait," Y/N smiled at him. "Be careful with Durin, though I'm sure my blood calmed him somewhat."
"I'll show you much more than that blockhead ever did," He only whispered back trying to make a joke, taking his hand away from their cheek and resting it above their heart.
"Do it." Y/N whispered lowly, knowing exactly what he was doing.
They felt a tear slip down their cheek, and Y/N felt their heart cry out, wishing they didn't have to go through this.
They wanted it to end. Y/N didn't know what their next life was going to be like... but at least they knew they meet Barbatos—nay, Venti— at some point. At least they'd see Dainsleif; they'd see Zhongli, Streetward as Madame Ping. They'd see Xiao again. Ganyu. Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper.
"I'm sorry,"
Y/N couldn't respond to him as it felt like all the air in their lungs had left them. They gasped, and gasped, trying to get air. Black dots dancing in their darkened vision.
Then they lost consciousness.
"I'll meet you again someday."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
A soft humming came from the h/c haired that sat with their back to a tree on top of a cliff as the moon glowed in the night sky, a few clouds littering around, and stars twinkling brightly.
Lover's Oath.
E/c star-like eyes glanced at the moon, tracing the details they could see on it. I wonder if the three sisters watching over me, right now.
The sound of shoes walking brought their attention to the people who had now joined them.
"That tune is as beautiful as always," The person spoke in a soft-spoken voice.
"I agree!" The childish voice agreed, sitting to the left of Y/N with a bright smile and a giggle.
Y/N smiled, patting the small child on the head, "I can hum some more, if you'd like?"
The small boy nodded his head excitedly, leaning in close and putting his head on their shoulder.
The other person smiled, taking off his straw hat as he sat down on their right, placing the hat next to him.
Y/N sighed in content, "Did you have a good day, Kabuki, Yoru?"
Kabuki shook his head, a small smile on his perfectly molded features with a chuckle as he wrapped an arm around their waist, gently hovering over where their golden tattoo was before letting his hand rest on their wave.
"We did! We picked some flowers, and then we—"
As the child rattled on and on, Y/N felt a poke in their side, causing them to jolt. Looking down at the puppet, their cheeks bloomed a light ruby upon seeing him hold out a sweet flower.
"I heard that humans like to gift flowers to people they like. Although I'm not experienced enough in human customs and emotions, that I'm still learning; you haven't betrayed me." Kabuki muttered from his spot of their shoulder, letting the flower lay on their lap, "I hope you teach me more in the future."
"I'll teach you all there is to know, Kabuki, don't worry. I'd never betray you, if I can help it." They smiled, taking the flower into their hand before going back to listening to the small child who was still ranting with a huge, bright grin - although his face was pale. Y/N didn't have the heart to stop him, as usually Yoru was stuck inside his home.
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[i hope you enjoyed this arc as much as i do... now unto the next... it lowkey doesn't get better, but it does at the same time. depends on whether you like angst or not.
a lot of this chapter's inspiration and the gif is from hamelin's animation for genshin's CN's 3rd anniversary, you can search it on youtube with, "light in the abyss genshin" and you'll see an account with "hamelin" in it. check out their animations, they're absolutely brilliant. (especially their newest one, considering my new cover... can you tell i'm absolutely in love with the way they drew xiao??????
- ren.]