Chapter 7: What the Abyss Couldn't Break
With a loud pop, the final group, Rostam, Philip, and Hideon, landed safely back in Mondstadt. Noah, having completed five long-distance apparitions in a row, was left gasping for breath. Sweat clung to his brow as he leaned forward, hands braced on his knees, fighting to stay upright. When he finally tried to stand straight, his legs buckled, and he stumbled forward, barely able to take another step.
"There, there. Noah, I got you." A pair of gentle arms caught him just in time, soft, warm, and unmistakably familiar. That presence alone made Noah feel like he had truly made it back.
"Ell...ie?" His voice was weak, but when he looked up and saw her face, it brought him a strange sense of calm. Elysia was smiling, yet her eyes has a mixture of worry and relief.
"Yep, it's me. Your very own Miss Pink Fairy~" she said with forced cheer, trying to ease him. But the tremble in her voice, the way her arms held him just a little too tightly, it gave her away.
"....I'm back, Ellie." Seeing her like that, Noah gave her a soft, tired smile, assuring her hat he had truly returned.
Elysia couldn't hold back any longer. She threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest as her body trembled. Tears slipped from her eyes, finally spilling after all the fear she had held in. "........Welcome back... my idiot prince..."
Noah chuckled, warmth returning to his voice. "Heh... this might not be so bad." He tightened the hug slightly. "Maybe I'll do this more often."
"Don't you dare, Noah Alden!" Elysia pulled back just enough to glare at him, adorable, fierce, and worried all at once. "If it's cuddles you want, just ask... but please... don't do things that make me, that make us worried."
"….Roger that," Noah replied gently.
He glanced around at the battered yet holding strong walls of Mondstadt, evidence of a fierce fight. That Abyss had once again launched attacks across Teyvat. Fortunately, the Knights of Favonius had been on high alert and managed to swiftly repel the threats around the city and nearby villages.
After Noah's first jump carrying Kiana, Lumine, and Sister Celes, several nearby knights quickly rushed in to assist the three, ensuring they were taken to safety. Without wasting a moment, Noah departed again to retrieve Elysia, Melissa, and Deacon Ragna.
Upon returning to Mondstadt and safely dropping off that group, he noted that most of the remaining Abyss forces had been neutralized under the command of Grand Master Arundolyn. Seeing the situation largely under control, Noah made one final jump to fetch Rostam and the others.
Speaking of Rostam, Noah spotted him in the crowd, speaking with Arundolyn, likely giving a report about their side of the mission. Not far from them, Philip and Hideon were seated in makeshift infirmary as Church medics tended to their wounds. Both seemed mostly alright, just worn down and nursing light injuries. Still, no one was taking any chances with possible Abyss exposure. Melissa stood beside them, arms crossed and eyes sharp, making sure the two didn't sneak off prematurely. When they noticed Noah watching, all three gave him a wave. He responded with a tired but genuine smile and a small nod.
"Ellie, I'm alright now. Shall we go check on Kiana and Lumine?" Noah asked gently. Elysia gave a small nod, still resting against his chest. With a soft chuckle, Noah gave her a reassuring pat on the back, then slowly began making his way toward the makeshift tent where the injured were being treated.
------------
Kiana on her usual spot aboard the Express, the warm aroma of tea and freshly baked cookies gently wrapping around her. Her head rested against Noah's shoulder, arms wrapped around her favorite cushion. Peeking her eyes open just a little, she saw Elysia nearby, swaying to a gentle hum as she flipped through pictures on her camera from their recent journey. Across from them, Lumine sat in ease, sipping her tea with that same poise. Outside the window, stars whisked past in dazzling streams as the Express continued its path. A smile tugged at Kiana's lips, soft and genuine. Everything just felt right.
"Did you really think they care about you?"
A familiar voice broke the peaceful scenery. In an instant, the warmth faded. Her body felt like it was falling, suspended in a strange weightlessness. When Kiana opened her eyes again, she was no longer on the Express. Just mist. A murky, colorless void surrounded her.
"W-Where... is this...?" Her voice trembled. She turned in every direction, desperate. "Captain? Ellie? Lumi...?"
Her heartbeat quickened. Fear crept in.
"Hey... enough! This isn't funny! Where are you guys?!" she cried out, stumbling forward, eyes darting through the fog.
"Where are you...? Please... answer me..."
Kiana ran, calling out, but there was no reply, only silence and endless fog.
"See, I told you. They didn't care about you."
Kiana froze as the same voice talked to her again. As she turned, her breath caught in her throat. Standing before her was... herself. The same long white hair, the signature black and orange hairpin, and the black and white dress she knew too well. Behind her, a wing of white and orange flared gently. On her right, three lances hovered like silent sentinels. But the eyes, it was Golden with star-shaped pupils stared back at her.
"Who are you?! Where's Captain? Where are the others?!"
"Heee~ Still gripping that little fantasy of yours?" the other Kiana sneered, floating a little closer.
"What are you saying?!" Kiana snapped, stepping back, fists clenched.
"They're gone. Left you behind." Her voice dropped low as she drifted nearer, eyes narrowing with false sympathy
"Huh?! What kind of twisted nonsense are you even saying?!" Kiana shot back, eyes narrowing at the version of herself floating before her.
"Still don't get it, do you?" The other Kiana smirked, her golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "They fed you lies. They never loved you. That's why they tossed you aside like garbage."
"YOU'RE WRONG!!!" Kiana screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're the liar! Captain—Noah—he cares! He cares and loves me! He told me he will always be by my side! He promised Papa and Aunt Teri he will take care of me forever!!"
"AHAHAHAHA!" Her other self burst into laughter, throwing her head back as she covered her eyes with a hand. "Then tell me where he is now?"
"?!" Kiana's lips parted, she wanted to yell, to tell her other self she is wrong, to deny it but nothing came out.
"See~ He left you. His promise is nothing but an empty word." The other Kiana's tone was soaked in mockery, her smile twisted in cruel satisfaction
"No! No! You're wrong! No!!" Kiana yelled, shaking her head and covering her ears, trying to drown her out.
The other Kiana leaned closer, her voice soft and sharp as a blade. She placed a hand on Kiana's shoulder and whispered, "You know I'm not."
Kiana jolted awake, breath coming in short gasps as her eyes darted around the dim room. She was in her room at the Goth Grand Hotel. The moon is still up in the night sky beyond her window.
Was that a nightmare...? she wondered, wrapping her arms around herself. A shiver crawled down her spine. Is this what they meant by Abyss corrosion...?
It had only been a day since the Abyss set foot on Teyvat once more. Biting her lip, Kiana quietly stepped through the connecting door that linked her room to Noah's. When she opened it, she found him fast asleep.
A breath she hadn't realized she was holding slipped out. Slowly, she approached and laid down beside him, eyes gently fixed on his sleeping face. She reached out and poked his cheek. Noah stirred at her touch, his brow twitching slightly.
He's real. He's here.
Relief washed over her. Kiana wrapped her arms around him, seeking comfort in his warmth only to freeze as his arms instinctively moved around her. She looked up, startled, but saw that Noah was still asleep. Smiling faintly, she shifted closer and nestled into his embrace. Then, placing a soft kiss on his cheek, she let her eyes close.
Once more, she fell asleep in the arms of the person she loved.
—-----
Lumine stirred gently from her sleep, a sense of ease washing over her as sunlight filtered softly through the window. For a moment, it felt like any normal morning. She rubbed her eyes and glanced around—recognizing the familiar furnishings of her room in the Goth Grand Hotel.
Huh? When did I come back here? she thought, head tilting slightly. We accepted the commission to the Cape of Oath… and then...
As fragmented memories began to return, her breath caught. Panic flared in her chest. She quickly scanned the room, searching for signs of Elysia, Kiana, or Noah. Just as she was about to leap out of bed, the door creaked open.
Elysia stood at the threshold, momentarily frozen in surprise. "Lumi?! You're awake?!"
"You dummy! Do you know how much you scared us?" Elysia rushed in and wrapped her arms tightly around Lumine.
"Ely…sia?" Lumine whispered, still disoriented.
"Yeah, it's me." Elysia pulled back slightly, her face scrunched in mock anger but on her it only looked cute. "You were way too reckless back there!"
"I… I…." Lumine tried to respond, but the panic had faded. In its place, only calm and relief. "We're… back in Mondstadt?"
"Yes. Noah brought us home." Elysia sat beside her on the bed, gently holding her hand. "He and Kiana are safe too. All of us made it."
Lumine's gaze met Elysia's smile, and that was all it took. Tears streamed from her eyes until sobs overtook her. "I'm… so glad… so glad!"
Watching her finally let go, Elysia's own eyes filled. She pulled Lumine close again, her voice soft.
"It's okay now. You're safe. That's why it's fine to cry. But later, you owe us one of your rare smiles, okay?"
Then, out of nowhere, both girls were tackled onto the bed in a flurry of white hair and soft cries.
"Uff..." Lumine gasped.
"Arg...!" Elysia groaned.
Blinking in surprise, they turned to see a familiar pair of sky-blue eyes and a teary smile staring back at them.
"It's not fair that only you two get to cry together!" Kiana pouted, clinging tightly to them.
That made both girls burst into laughter.
"Group hug~!" Elysia sniffled through her giggles.
"Mmh!" Lumine managed to squeak, caught in the embrace but smiling nonetheless.
Then came that familiar warmth, the kind of presence the girls had come to love. It wrapped around them, giving them a sense of protection.
"Sorry, but there's no way I'm letting anyone else get this kind of hug," Noah said with the silliest grin he could muster, arms pulling them all in.
Kiana, Lumine, and Elysia burst into laughter. It was absurd, a little chaotic, and completely perfect. Somehow, against all odds, they had made it through their first real battle together. Everyone was safe. And for Lumine, it was the first time in over a year since the fall of Khaenri'ah that she truly felt safe. The pain is still there, the memories still haunted her, but for once... she had something to hold onto. A reason to move forward. A strength to keep going.