#sagau villain au

LIVE

Fratres in Armis

I’m so sorry for disappearing like that for so long - things have been tough in the mental health department - but I’m doing a lot better now, so I hope to get back into the groove of writing! This is part 9 of “Teyvat’s Wielder”!

Length: 1.5 K

<<First|<Previous|Next > (N/A)

The air stilled as crimson eyes met a singular cerulean - clashing in a momentary battle as the two towering figures came to a halt. Despite the small distance between them, the dark haired captain could feel the angry heat radiating off of the one he once called brother.

“Kaeya,” was all the man before him said, his teeth clenched and the hints of a snarl carving away at his usually stoic face.

“Diluc,” Kaeya responded in kind, his lips pulling up into a practiced smirk as he straightened his posture, flicking his cape over his shoulder. In doing so, he revealed the blade strapped to his hip, it’s hilt glinting in the sparse rays of moonlight threateningly.

“We need to talk.” Diluc’s eyes narrowed as his brows scrunched together into an unpleasant scowl. He approached slowly, brushing past Kaeya and heading towards one of the narrow alleys - not a single glint of light reaching the darkened space.

Kaeya glanced around himself for a moment before following, feeling his muscles tense in a familiar threatened manner, every one of his limbs ready to react to sudden danger.

The only light generously granted to the pair was in the form of their visions - a blazing red and a cold, bright blue casting flickers of light onto the stony walls surrounding them.

“What is it that you want with me, Diluc?” the captain asked after a moment of tense silence.

A scoff escaped his brother’s dry lips.

“You are without a doubt the most foolish, idiotic man I have had the displeasure of knowing,” Diluc spat, his typically practiced and calculated words becoming as heated as the blaze that danced across his blade in the throes of a fight.

Nowthis was surprising.

Stunned for a moment, Kaeya was quick to return to his senses.

“Is that so? Could you perhaps elaborate?” he asked, lips quirking upwards once more, but faltering just as fast when diluc’s rough hands latched onto his cloak, the burning embers in his eyes lit with an unspeakable anger.

“Don’t play fool with me, brother,” he hissed, the strands of his messy red hair falling upon his fiery gaze as he attempted to cool his temper.

Kaeya was silent, his gaze scanning tthe disheveled features of his brethren - the sight all too familiar to him as he felt the coldness of his vision searing against his thigh.

“I’m not playing anything, Diluc.”

Diluc huffed in contempt.

“I knew you were a heathen, Kaeya - but I never thought you’d go as far as to aid the knights imprison and plan to execute the Creator.”

Kaeya stared at his brother with a wide eye, seemingly frozen in place by his own powers.

“The Creator?” he whispered, his gaze darting around their surroundings frantically. Any pretense of nonchalant smugness dropped - his body tensing even further.

“Yes.The Creator,” Diluc confirmed, straightening his posture and taking a step backwards, his gaze digging into Kaeya’s form.

“The one you and your knights attempted to kill as an imposter.” His words were hissed through tight lips, dripping with venom he had long stopped spitting at Kaeya.

Kaeya was silent for a moment.

“Well? What do you have to say for yourself, Kaeya?” his word was uttered like the most vile of curses by the flame-haired broader man as he eyes his brother disdainfully.

The captain took a deep breath and faced Diluc, his gaze clashing with the other’s as he, too, straightened himself up.

“I had no intention on aiding the acting Grand Master go through with her plan.”

“Is that so?” Diluc’s voice held no hint of believing him, his piercing gaze studying every small movement in the other’s face - studying it for hints of an upcoming lie.

Kaeya huffed, fixing his clothing before focusing his gaze on Diluc once more. The air around the two was battling between searing heat and unbearable cold - creating an uncomfortable middle ground between the two.

“I don’t know if that person was an imposter or not-”

“they were not,” Diluc interjected harshly, his fists clenching by his sides.

“But the trial was everything but fair. Even I could tell as much,” Kaeya finished, ignoring the interruption momentarily. Diluc’s form tensed, bulking at the other’s confession.

“I…see.”

Kaeya huffed.

“Is that all, Diluc?”

With no response, Kaeya turned to leave - his cape swishing at the abrupt movement. Suddenly, he was stopped by a strong grip on the item of clothing.

“No. It’s not all.”

Kaeya cast a confused glance over his shoulder.

“I need to know if I can trust you with a secret.”

Kaeya’s brows raised.

“I’m all ears.”

Darkness enveloped the manor and its surrounding fields - the only light casting its pale rays onto the surroundings being the fluttery crystalflies and sparse lights pouring through the windows of the building. The dirt crunched underneath the two pairs of boots - ground into even finer dust that would doubtlessly stifle the air during hot days.

“You will not breathe a word of this. To anyone,” Diluc spoke sternly, pushing open the front door slowly before stepping inside, the thick leather soles of his boots clashing with the polished floors beneath his feet.

Kaeya nodded, following the other inside and closing the door behind him with a soft click - his gaze taking in the familiar walls of the house he once called home.

“The creator is most likely asleep at the moment. It would do you well to be quiet for once,” the redhead warned as he cast a pointed look towards the cavalry captain - before striding towards the kitchen with all the grace and poise required of a young gentleman like himself.

Not even given the option to respond to the order with a sharp quip of his own, Kaeya followed, his gaze briefly lingering on the family portrait peeking out from underneath a velvety red drape. The scorch marks stretching across what little he saw of the canvas sent a harsh sting running through his chest.

Diluc was absently setting the kettle onto the stove, his form tense and awkward as he took note of Kaeya lingering in the doorway of the room. It had been much too long since they last had spent time under the roof of the Ragnvindr manor in a civil manner.

“Sit,” he instructed, lighting a small flame underneath the oven in a practiced manner, his eyes set on the metallic kettle before him.

With a muffled squeak, a chair is pulled out from the small table - one meant for the staff’s lunch breaks, yet every bit as extravagant as the rest of the furniture in the manor.

“You really meant what you said earlier, Kaeya?” Diluc asked, finally turning around to face his brother, a firm scowl resting on his face as he studied the other. “Or was it just another attempt to save your ass?”

Kaeya bit back a bitter chuckle.

“I meant it - I assure you. After all - the Creator did not escape their fate without a little help from the shadows,” he spoke, lowering his gaze and allowing a curtain of hair to shield his visible eye.

The soft, gentle chirping from the birds outside was what woke you from your slumber - their simple melodies drifting in through the window along with stray rays of sunlight. Your heavy lids slowly freed your eyes from the stronghold sleep had on them - and you took in your new comfortable surroundings with a soft sigh.

The bed was plush beneath your frame, molding itself to your needs as you shifted on it, slowly pushing off the soft covers and allowing the cool morning air to hit your skin. A soft smile emerged on your face for a brief moment.

You were safe, here.

Sitting up slowly, your arms moved to stretch above your head as you let out a yawn, small droplets of tears welling up in your eyes at the action on instinct. You went to wipe your eyes - banishing both the salty droplets and any sand gathered in them.

Your feet shuffled quietly across the floor, slipping on the pair of slippers you’d been provided graciously by the maids and donning a light robe on top of your cotton sleepwear. With a soft click, the door of your room came undone and you stepped out quietly - your eyes flickering to observe your surroundings out of habit, trying to confirm that you were safe.

With a slight tremor in your form, you descended the stairs, taking note of how quiet everything was. You supposed it was still far too early for even the staff to be up and bustling about.

With a quiet, content sigh, you approached the kitchen area, eager to ease the dryness itching at your throat with some cool water.

What you saw stopped you in your tracks, however.

“Your Grace?”