The Abyss Order... they changed their name?
Dain: "The so-called Abyss Order is merely a group of individuals exploiting Abyss Power. Their connection to the Abyss itself is tenuous at best, making them an unsuitable target for your vengeance."
"Is that so?"
A subtle shift crossed Kaeya's expression.
Dain: "You likely weren't aware of this before, Mr. Kaeya, or you wouldn't have openly mentioned that surname with such nonchalance."
"My, oh my... So this surname is quite the trouble. It confirms my earlier suspicions. Could this be why Father left me in Mondstadt?"
Kaeya accepted this truth remarkably quickly, as if it were something he had long anticipated. He lowered his head, lost in thought.
Lumine, too, was deep in thought. Her brother was the Prince of the Abyss Order, yet Dain claimed the Order had little connection to the true Abyss—her real enemy.
Still, it was impossible for Lumine to harbor no resentment. If an Abyss Herald were to appear before her now, without a word, she would make them pay dearly for every atrocity committed in the Abyss's name!
The Abyss Order has changed its name now...
Good riddance. At least the new name isn't as grating.
Still, Aether's hidden truth left Lumine burning with anger!
A minute or so later, Kaeya seemed to have sorted through his thoughts. He looked up at Dain and asked, "You're a pure-blooded Khaenri'ahn, aren't you?"
Dain: "Clever fellow. Forgive my bluntness, but I only wish you'd stay true to yourself and not betray the words you just spoke to the Traveler."
Paimon chimed in, "Kaeya, you're not involved with the Abyss... uh, Chaos Order people, are you?"
"Hey, isn't this conversation suddenly getting a bit too serious? As a Mondstadt native, I'm not used to this kind of atmosphere..." Kaeya spread his hands, trying to lighten the mood.
"So what if I know the origins of my bloodline? Traveler, do I strike you as someone who'd let something like that hold me back?"
"Don't worry. Just like before, I'll seize any chance to teach those Abyss Order fools a lesson."
"I believe you, Kaeya," Lumine said.
"It's about time I left," Kaeya replied. "I have an appointment with a Spice Merchant to discuss a collaboration, and then I need to take Amber back to Mondstadt. You two continue chatting..."
Paimon waved her tiny hand. "Okay, Kaeya! See you later!"
Kaeya stood up, took a couple of steps, then abruptly stopped, turning back to Lumine. "Oh, right, Traveler," he said. "About the fact that I'm a descendant of the Abyss Order's founder... could you please keep it a secret from Diluc for now?"
"A secret?"
Kaeya sighed. "It's not something I'm ashamed of, but as you know, my relationship with that guy has been strained since the Rola incident. I can't guarantee he won't go berserk and turn against me if he hears anything about the Abyss Order. To him, the Abyss Order and the Abyss are practically the same thing."
Lumine and Paimon fell silent for a moment before nodding in agreement to Kaeya's request.
"Then I thank you both in advance."
-
Live Stream
[It's been so long since we last saw Diluc. He still looks terrible.]
[Of course he does. His beloved little sister died so tragically. I wouldn't be able to move on either.]
[Speaking of Diluc's mom, who is she? Why is there absolutely no information about her?]
[Some theories suggest she was a member of the Hexenzirkel. Both Diluc and Rola's clothes have patterns similar to the Hexenzirkel's symbols.]
[But if their mom was a Hexenzirkel member, why didn't she react at all when Diluc's dad and Rola died?]
[Let's just wait and see what Mihoyo reveals later. We don't have enough information yet.]
-
Sumeru.
After Kaeya left, Lumine and Dain began to converse. Dain mentioned that during his travels with Aether, he had once mentioned a term: "Loom of Fate."
Dain planned to investigate the location where Aether had mentioned this term, and Lumine and Paimon decided to join him.
Dain: "No, it's not time yet."
Lumine: "Do you mean we need to wait for a specific time?"
Dain glanced at the empty table. "No, it's just that the wine I ordered hasn't arrived yet."
Lumine and Paimon: "..."
-
The trio then traveled together to a familiar spot in the Sumeru Avidya Forest, a place Dain recognized well.
There stood a small house with a plot of land in front and a dilapidated alchemy station beside it.
After a brief investigation, they entered the house. Inside, Lumine discovered a shattered mirror.
Dain prepared to venture further afield to investigate Ley Line anomalies, while Lumine and Paimon stayed behind to wait for him.
Once Dain had departed, Lumine used the nearby campfire to cook a meal, which she and Paimon slowly savored together.
After they were full and satisfied, Paimon declared contentedly, "Your cooking is still as delicious as ever! Just for your culinary skills alone, I'd follow you anywhere!"
Lumine retorted, "You make freeloading sound so natural... Paimon's still too easily bribed."
Paimon circled the campfire a few times, then, with her hands clasped behind her back, slowly approached Lumine:
"Um, that... I didn't mean anything by it, but I just wanted to ask... I'm not too boring to be around, am I? After all, I'm not very reliable most of the time, and I cry a lot. You're always the one comforting me..."
-
Player World.
Normally, Chen Xiyao would tease Paimon, but right now, Paimon seemed genuinely serious, her big eyes blinking earnestly.
Chen Xiyao couldn't resist and clicked the first option.
-
In Sumeru, Lumine answered:
"I'm so glad Paimon has been with me all this time. It makes me really happy."
Having a travel companion by her side was always better than being alone. Paimon's company made Lumine's journey feel less lonely, and she was genuinely happy about it.
Happy for Paimon's companionship, she also hoped Paimon would continue to accompany her.
"...Ehehe, you're being so direct! I'm getting a little embarrassed."
"So, um... I don't know if you'd be willing to talk about it, but... what was it like when you traveled with your brother?"
Lumine looked up, and Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "The starry sky?"
Lumine: "We used to gaze at the starry sky together, pointing at the planets we wanted to visit. We traversed the cosmos, never separating, witnessing both the hopes and despair of the universe."
"Wow..." Paimon's eyes were filled with envy.
Lumine: "This is the first time we've ever been separated like this. So much has happened, and I want to understand what's going on, but he... keeps avoiding me..."
Paimon comforted her, "Yeah... I can always understand how you feel. It's so hard when you don't even know why you're separated."
"I... I'll be your best guide ever! The truth will come out eventually. Just wait, Abyss! Just wait, Heavenly Principles! Just wait, Teyvat!"
Time drifted slowly, and Lumine began to feel drowsy.
Paimon: "Alright, alright, it's getting late. Why don't you go rest? I'll keep watch tonight. I won't let any monsters eat you!"
"How rare—you're not the one falling asleep first for once."
Paimon: "Heyyy, don't say that... I have to take care of your feelings sometimes too, hehe."
Lumine smiled. "Good night, Paimon."
"Mm-hmm, good night."