Teyvat: Pretender

"Besides! Is there even a need to rat them out?" Lumian snorted, raising his right brow, "With how openly those idiots operate?" With his arms crossed over his chest.

"Besides! Is there even a need to rat them out?" Lumian snorted, raising his right brow, "With how openly those idiots operate?" With his arms crossed over his chest.

"..." The man stared at the little boy expressionlessly for a moment. "You should fix that tone of yours, some people might unconsciously punch you for that."

"A-ah... I'm sorry." Lumian's bravado melted away instantly. He knew too well how unpleasant it felt to be talked about behind one's back, so he added softly, "I just don't like the smell of alcohol..."

'That's right! Alcohol hinders training--or whatever that one scholar guy said!' Liliane, standing to the side, nodded vigorously.

"So... How's your plan going?" The man asked as he continued cooking his barbecue.

Lumian's face beamed at the man's question, grinning widely, he spoke in a cheerful tone, " I've saved up enough money to send my sister to school!" "Enough for clothes, books, and even some extracurricular fees--"

The man flipped his barbecue, listening patiently. He was well aware of the kid's situation--Lumian wanted his sister to have a better life, beyond what his family could provide, This was also the reason why the little boy worked various oddjobs as an adventurer.

While the kid's family could actually afford to send his sister to school, but in Lumian's words, "They can. But that's it. For me, that's not enough! I want my family to be in comfort! By doing so, I'm providing an environment optimal for her learning!", even in his own reasoning, he excludes himself.

'Should I finally...' 'Tell the kid we're not Treasure Hoarders?' The man thought, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The camp they were in, and the camp where Lumian often hung out, was merely a front.

In truth, they were a lookout group for Spina di Rosula, a deterrent for other actual criminal groups, ensuring no one set up camp close to their territory. It was a delicate balance of maintaining a facade while keeping their own operations safe from prying eyes. [0.5]

At first, they had let the boy hang around just for amusement. Lumian was naive and full of hopes, and his constant chatter was a welcome distraction for a group of people who had long since grown bored with their routine. The boy's youthful energy filled the silence between their shifts, and though they hadn't expected it, they had come to appreciate his presence.

The gruff man had come to think of Lumian like a nephew, though he'd never admit it aloud.

He had met the kid's parents once. They were… normal?

With how hard the kid was running himself ragged--especially considering his reasons for doing so--you'd think he came from a rough, abusive household.

But no. Lumian simply wasn't content with what he had. And given their circumstances, that was probably a good thing.

'Should I invite him to join us?' He knows the situation of Lumian's family, their income is just enough to cover food, and nothing else. He lets out a silent sigh as he turns his skewers.

Listening to the boy's continuous chatter about his plans for his sister along with his family, Liliane could sense the weight of his hopes hidden beneath the casual tone. He spoke with an intensity that came from a heart burdened by the need to do more than his small hands could carry.

She blinked, and the scene changed once more.

The storm raged above, the sky alive with flashes of lightning and the constant boom of thunder.

Rain poured in sheets, drumming loudly on the roof and the ground, while the wind howled through the trees, bending them in its wake. The air felt charged, electric, as each crack of thunder rattled the windows and shook the earth beneath.

This time, the boy appeared slightly older from she remembered when she was a child--a young man who looked to be in his twenties.

He's pacing back and forth, his footsteps are the only sound besides the wind and rain. He didn't seem to notice how his hands fidgeted with the sleeves of his shirt, his gaze never straying from the window.

And so, as if concluding, he pulled on his green adventurer clothes, strapped his axe to his back, and threw on a thick coat for protection against the storm's chill. He then grabbed a bag, checking its contents—essential items for situations like this.

Though, Liliane couldn't tell exactly what was inside.

'This... ' Liliane's thoughts began to drift as if she was seeing a long-forgotten puzzle in pieces. The way he moved, his clothes, equipment, the storm raging outside--it all felt too familiar.

"Fucking hell, why didn't they just put that kid in an orphanage," Lumian grumbled, his voice low and frustrated as he swung the door open. The storm's fury rushed in, cold air and rain splattering against his coat, but he didn't flinch.

In a blink, the scene shifted.

Liliane found herself staring at the familiar interior of her small wooden cabin. Her younger self lay curled up on the floor, tightly wrapped in a blanket, shivering as the storm raged outside.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the cabin.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" A man's voice called out, slightly muffled by the sound of the storm. "I'm an adventurer! I just need shelter until the storm passes. Hello?!"

Young Liliane, tucked into the corner of the room, hesitated. Her small frame shivered under the blanket as her wide eyes fixated on the door. After a moment, she stood and cautiously approached, cracking it open just enough to peek outside.

Through the gap, Lumian saw her stupid--Ahem, face and thought to himself, 'Look at that, no self-preservation at all,'

"Ah! Young lady," He said, his voice softening, "Are your parents home? Can I talk to them?"

The girl simply shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. After a brief pause, she opened the door wider to let him in.

'Did she just--No, never mind,' Lumian, who is dressed in a thick coat; covering most of his body with the iconic green adventurer uniform somewhat visible. Looked completely different from the time when he bullied the little girl, as a result, the young Liliane couldn't recognize him.

"Is it alright to enter?" He asked hesitantly. Once inside, he rummaged through his bag and pulled out a pink, rectangular hot water bag. "Here, young lady. Consider this a thank you for letting me in."

Little Liliane accepted the warm bag and held it in her small hands, feeling the warm water inside, tilting her head as she studied it blankly. After a moment, as though coming to a decision, she carried it over to where the cups were kept.

The adventurer, seeing this, quickly intervened and told her what it was for.

"So, have you eaten? I only have Onion Soup with me though,"

The scene flickered in front of Liliane's eyes, shifting from one memory to the next.

Lumian, after finding out that the little girl's late parents weren't entirely a failure as they left the little girl with enough money for a few years, disguised himself as a female adventurer, and taught the little girl how to cook simple dishes.

Disguised as a gruff man, he guided her on how to fish, later on teaching her how to gut it.

It seems that after looking at the mute little girl's cabin, he decided that he should somewhat teach her practical skills--Oh yea, to also remind this stupid girl to not be too trusting of strangers.

In Lumian's mind; She's just too good--it's almost annoying. Even back then when he purposely bullied her, she didn't have the heart to throw the rock at him.

Liliane watched as Lumian donned various disguises, each one pretending to stumble upon her little home. Sometimes it was a completely new identity, while other times, he reused a familiar persona.

There are few extremely rare cases where it's a real adventurer--but yea, as stated, extremely rare.

'...The scenes are getting shorter.'

Just as she thought that, and totally not expected, the scene changed.

Liliane saw a damp environment,

She waited for a few seconds, thinking the scene would change again but shorter.

It didn't.

What is now in front of her is a dying Lumian.

Muttering some incomprehensible words between breaths.

Then something happened, the same, mysterious screen, appeared before him.

Just like hers.

She watched the scene, slightly startled.

But this got her thinking, 'Is it ending?'

It seems that the scenes are ending.

This might even be the final scene.

'Sigh, I.. Still have no idea why's this happening.'

Her question changed as she watched the scenes before this, from 'How' to what it is now, 'Why'.

'There got to be a reason why this thing is showing me these...'

However.

Her inner voice slowly faded as she heard Lumian.

Yes, there is nothing wrong with that, that's what normally happens when people talk.

But, just like some scenes before this, she can hear his thoughts. Or at least, what he's thinking at that moment.

Whenever the 'System' allows it at least.

Just like now.

The only difference is that his thoughts and incomprehensive whispers overlap.

Making it seem like he spoke them.

And so, what Lumian asked was what made her pause.

A pained chuckle escaped his breathless mouth as he said inside his head, 'Why hadn't you come earlier...'

His thought was more of a complaint than a genuine question.

Liliane held her breath for a moment.

"Why now... Just when I'm about to die... I have been wishing... For miracles before--Kidding, I don't care--"

Listening to Lumian's dying chuckle amidst his whispers. Liliane, getting some context cues, released a breathe, a sigh of relief, she genuinely thought that Lumian could see her for a moment there.

It was a bit scary.

Suddenly getting what you believe in gets shattered, thinking no one can see you in this memory lane but then there's this one guy that stares you in the eye.

The 'system', hearing Lumian's, obviously joking question, answered, just like how it answered Lilianes.

===

*System Panel: Initiating*

*Shut yo ass baguette--@#%Error.*

*Loading... 49/100.*

===

'This bootleg Akasha...' Lumian thought, finding out the 'System' could hear his thoughts, saving him the extreme effort he had to exert just to mouth out a whisper. His eyes get heavier as seconds go by.

===

*System Panel: Dire Condition Detected*

*Injuries sustained by individual Lumian:*

*- Internal Bleeding...*

*- Fractured...*

*Processing...*

===

He couldn't read what was written on the 'System' anymore, it felt like he's about to fall asleep.

A painful, cold one.

But he heard what the 'System' said--No, it's intensions, everything the system is saying is directly zapping into his mind.

It wants him to live.

It's intending to heal him--

'If you heal me back to health. I will skydive... No glider.'

===

*System Panel: Answer--*

*This emo fuck--Denied. Proceeding...--@#!^%--Proceeding...*

===

Liliane saw the 'System's prompts glitch a few times as it tried to heal Lumian...

However.

Every time something heals on Lumian's body, whenever he finally regained the strength to move, Lumian would make his existing wounds intentionally bigger, making him lose more blood, ultimately making the healing useless.

Dantalion, still wrestling the Lighting Eggplant for territory inside Kujou Sara, inside his head said, 'I'm starting to think he just liked getting hurt. What is wrong with this world?? What's up with these freaks!?? Well, I can keep the cycle till we reach something, I have a nigh-unlimited energy source here at the moment, and I am not losing anything here, let's see, maybe, hmm... Besides the hassle?--Woah woah, I did not make him do that--' [1]

PPWWAKKT

Liliane watched as Lumian painfully wriggled his fingers through his organs--'Eugh, can I skip this part?? Is this important?', She thought in disgust.

===

*System Panel: Answer--*

*Affirmative.*

*3/3*

*You have used all of your remaining questions.*

*From this point on, you may not be able to ask questions unrelated to the System Functions.*

*A gift will be bestowed on the individual Liliane after the final scene.*

===

She saw her own 'System' display suddenly pop up in front of her one after another.

--To that girl instead.

Liliane froze, hearing the last part of what Lumian said. She was distracted, looking through system prompts that suddenly popped out in front of her then conveniently hearing only the last part.

However.

Does that really warrant for her to freeze like that? No, not really. But the intention is directly understood in her head. Wether it be through the system or her own naive and limited comprehension. Lumian was trying to pass on the system to someone.

With that realization, the world brightened, and everything turned white.

There is still a lot she has yet to understand about everything she has witnessed--the System's goal, why Lumian was chosen chosen? Was his system also from someone else? What happened to his family? Did he see his, if we are to assume, dead sister on her that's why he insists on making her independent. Why did he have to ruin her perfectly good day when she was a child by beating her up? Can't he just pick another day to teach her a lesson or something? Can I beat him up at least now that I'm older? I want to beat him up--

Thus, like every cliche system fiction that has ever graced humanity.

Liliane, staring at her ceiling, uttered a single word to her mind.

'Status.'

***

A week had passed since then. I had become quite familiar with the System.

I still want to beat him up--

I had asked everything I could think of about its functions.

I managed to find out these three on the first day; Clock, Compass, and Map.

Embarrassingly, when I, for some reason, said, "Status." In a cool tone that night. It paused for a few seconds as if it was proceesing what I just said, then, perhaps out of pity, It pointed out those three features.

With a note at the end, "...Sigh."

A sigh, written in text form, in eight different translations.

I only recognized the common language and fontainian text but I knew the rest was a translation for every other nation.

I didn't roll around in embarrassment afterward, of course. (She did.)

***

"Join me, miss Ei." A small, white table stood in the middle of the snowfield, pristine and immaculate as if it had been waiting for Ei. Seated there was a 'woman'.

"Ah, perhaps you don't like leaf juice, Miss Ei?" The 'woman' giggled, tilting her head playfully as she swirled the liquid in her cup. She raised it slightly, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "No worries," She added, leaning in, her eyes holding a subtle, unreadable glint, "it's the good stuff, Miss Ei."

"What do you think of rappers?" Ei replied coldly, her gaze sharpening as she stood on the snowfield, her posture rigid, exuding a quiet authority. The wind stirred, but her expression remained unchanged. "How about I read you some Mein Kam--."

Though, her will remain an unshaken fortress--unyielding and untouched.

The words leaving her lips are not her own. They are twisted and reshaped into something else entirely. After all, speech is merely sound. And with this 'woman's' personality sitting before her, pulling the strings of the reality of this place, how could it not be warped?

The woman's lips quirked into a smirk, her hands folding neatly in her lap. "Okay, you can stand there, I'm removing your seat--"

Without another word, Ei's foot made a soft crunch in the snow as she stepped forward and occupied the empty chair.

"..." Silence.

The sound of a spoon hitting the ceramic cup sporadically filled the room. A moment later, the 'woman', seemingly finished with her tea, removed everything from the surface of the table.

Of course, except for the cup Ei is holding, that would be rude, after all.

'I considered it for a moment though... Such a relief I'm such a gentleman' The 'woman' thought to 'herself'.

And so, with nothing but ' her' thoughts, the items that have vanished were replaced with a Butane Stove, a Steel tray that is usually used for baking cookies placed atop the Butane stove, and plates and utensils in front of both of them--the only sentient life you can find in this space.

"Should we invite Kujou--" But before 'she' could finish what 'she's' saying,

Ei interrupted 'her', saying "I am not very fond of entertaining fools.", continuing her previous remark that has been buried by something else entirely.

And as though Dantalion didn't hear what she said, he continued producing, from what Ei could see, noodles, and packets of something? Half of the packets were red, and the other half is orange and pink.

Water had been added to the tray at some point, and it looked like it was boiling already.

Silenced filled them as Dantalion, started putting the noodles on the boiling water. However, it is important to note that what she said wasn't completely ineffective, as Dantalion are now isn't using Kujou Sara's visage or anyone else's anymore but his own.

He smirked and said, "That's new. I never would've thought you considered Sara a fool."

"..."

"..."

'Their silence stretched on.

If a certain pink-haired guitarist were here, she'd call this hell. Awkward as fuck.

They had too much patience with each other.

How sweet. Wasting time like this with unnecessary drama.

And now that Ei had time to observe him more closely--

…He was quite handsome.

Has his eyes always been this--'

"Stop putting your strange narration in my head--!"

He interrupted her with a sigh, "... I would've loved your sister if she were here instead of you," He said as if it were a matter of fact, his voice so certain it made Her Eternal Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder slightly widen her eyes.

They had been constantly interrupting each other since the moment they met. Neither showed the other an ounce of respect.

Why?

Neither of them knew.

But it felt right.

And for a reason unknown--for now--to the Electro Archon, she's going along with it.

Dantalion sighed, seeing Ei just stared at him uncannily.

"…You're right. I feel like an uncle trying to fit in with his nephews," he admitted, shamelessly brushing past his earlier words.

Of course, in his mind, there was something more important than that.

"So… can you stop doing that?" He gestured at her with his fork.

"..."

"Come on, it interferes with the cooking."

"..."

"You want a bigger portion that bad?"

"..."

"How about--"

"This will be the last time." Ei's voice cut through his rambling. "If you wish to dwell on fantasies, you should've done so before I came here--"

Without warning, he forcefully stopped her mouth from moving.

"As adults, we're expected to properly convey what we want through words and reason." He sighed, infuriatingly interrupting her yet again. "But in our current circumstances, I am an ignorant child who arrogantly thinks he knows everything, while you--a centuries-old adult--should know how to adjust yourself to make someone as young as me understand."

"Understand what? I have no idea." Finally, after pouring all the seasoning packets into the noodles, he grated an absurd amount of cheese over everything. Once he mixed it all, he met her gaze directly and said, "I do not know what is happening."

Ei watched as he transferred some of the noodles onto his plate… and started eating.

"…You spout such words, but you never stopped siphoning my energy."

"As I said, I am oblivious."

Dantalion twirled his noodles around his fork, chewing thoughtfully. Something was missing. 'Hmm...' He hummed in his mind, thinking which to add.

The personification of electro then saw him lift the tray to the side, replacing it with a grill pan, sitting it atop the butane stove.

Without hesitation, he sliced some spam and placed it on the grill, where--somehow--butter had already melted. Then, he cracked four eggs onto the pan, sprinkling them with an enormous amount of seasoning--salt, umami powder, black pepper--packing as much flavor as he could into a simple egg.

He stuck with the basics.

Oh, and he also fried some dumplings.

"Hm, then I'd--wait." His hands stilled mid-action.

Everything he was doing halted, finally registering what she said. He looked at her and said, "It worked? ON YOU?" Emphasizing the feat.

His expression went blank.

For a moment, he simply stared at his hands, flexing them open and closed.

Then, softly--almost to himself--

"I name myself, Dantalion."

-Chapter END-

Latest Chapter: Chapter 20 - Do you think that also happened for a reason?

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[0.5] : Callas is already dead by this time, this is a group waiting for the right time to act, loyalist of Callas, some just skeptical of Navia. So, not really wanting to be jobless, they just stayed put for now.

[1] : Yep, at this point in time, he's still fighting her.

[2] : I will now be using *** as dividers instead of ---