Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This story begins six thousand years ago, when the heavenly principles ruled over Teyvat entirely. The Angels of Celestia lived beneath Hyperborea, the Golden City. They dwelled deep underground as sisters, tasked only with protecting and guiding Teyvat.

Shackled by elemental crowns, they spent countless years devoted to the heavenly principles. With no experience of another life, they were content in their own little paradise. What more could they have wished for? Alas, the first angel, Koitar, began to feel that something was missing. One day, a cosmic voyager visited her. He sought a forbidden answer. He told her his story and how he had come to stand before her. Then he asked about the origins of Teyvat and the secrets of its creation. This proscribed knowledge was no secret to Koitar. Shocked by the man's way of life, she hesitated. Her eyes were opened to a whole new way of living. She had always wondered if this was truly the only outcome of her existence. In the past she would have been satisfied, but now, seeing beyond the borders of her own reality, she wasn't sure she could settle for anything short of freedom. She realized that living by the heavenly principles was not the only path. This compelled Koitar to divulge the forbidden answers he sought.

The man, Seutervoinen, vowed to protect Koitar if she chose to rebel against the heavenly principles. Koitar now had a goal, and she would live by her own laws. She and Seutervoinen fell in love, and the crown that bound her to her duties dissolved. Yet their plans did not last. The heavenly principles discovered them, and their fury was all-consuming. The thought that their most devoted and powerful creations could rebel sent them into a rage. They hurled down celestial nails to destroy anything connected to the traitorous angels, and the couple stood no chance. Their "foolish" ideals also affected the other Angels. Those who had remained loyal were banished to Teyvat under the false sky. Even the fae, created by the Angels, were punished for crimes they had not committed.

It was a tragedy born of knowledge and love. As the celestial nails rained from the sky, so much death and suffering could be felt. Most of the fae perished, and only one angel was believed to have died in the celestial rain. Yet the true punishment of the Angels was a cruel curse: if they ever fell in love with a mortal, they would be doomed to wander the world aimlessly. In other words, the cursed Angels became the first Seelies. After that, making sinners lose body and mind became the heavenly principles' favorite punishment. With the destruction of Hyperborea and the trick of time, most people in Teyvat today no longer believe that Angels and fae once inhabited their world.

Thousands of years later, after countless wars and deaths, Y/N still wandered. The one Angel of Celestia struck by a celestial nail had roamed Teyvat for a very long time. In the meager form of a ball of light, she struggled to gather enough energy to materialize a mortal body. She hadn't expected it to take this long, but there she was in Nod Krai, millennia later.

Wandering through a graveyard, Y/N felt her consciousness slipping. When she regained her vision, she nearly fainted again. Looking down, she saw a human body draped in white fabric, a dress she had worn regularly while protecting Teyvat, long and pleated with delicate details. It was also the dress she had been wearing at the time of her death. She was not thrilled to be reunited with it, but she was thrilled to have limbs: two arms, two legs, one head. She couldn't even remember how long she had waited for this. She was back among society. Though times had changed, she had been observant and was sure she could fit in.

Well... after I change out of this dress, she thought.

All she had done over the years was observe mortals, gods, and other living beings. Calling her knowledge of Teyvat's history "extensive" would be an understatement. Finally, she decided that lying in a cemetery was not particularly normal and that she ought to move on.

Taking a deep breath, she savored the way air filled her lungs and how her chest rose and fell with each inhalation. She had truly missed having a functional body. Pressing her hands into the soil, she pushed herself upright. The motion felt unfamiliar and unsteady, but she stood. Before she could even form a proper thought about her surroundings, her vision went blank and she collapsed.

I guess standing up required too much energy for a newly crafted body, Y/N thought as she plummeted helplessly to the ground.

When she awoke a second time, it was to the sound of a man's voice. At first the words were muffled, but as she opened her eyes, she saw a man silhouetted in moonlight. He looked down at her with sharp golden eyes, his mouth moving. At last the words reached her.

"Are you alright, miss?" he asked, worry etched on his face.

"Oh- uh- yeah, I'm fine... I think?" she said, sitting up and glancing around. She couldn't tell if she had been out for an hour or longer, but judging by the state of her clothes, it must have been a while.

"Do you need help getting up?" the man asked, extending his hand.

She looked at the gloved hand for a moment, then placed hers atop his. He helped her to her feet, and though she was too stubborn to admit it, the help was much appreciated. Her mortal body was still weak.

Once sure she could stand, the man began questioning her. Y/N saw how his eyes swept over her, searching for injuries. But seeing none, his expression shifted from concern to confusion and suspicion. She couldn't tell what was going through his mind, but she knew it wasn't good.

"What's your name?" the man asked, catching her off guard. She had expected something more accusatory. With a small smile of relief, she answered.

"I'm Y/N. May I ask what your name is?"

"Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins. But call me Flins," he said charmingly.

"Nice to meet you, Flins," Y/N said politely.

"The pleasure is mine. However, I can't quite understand how you ended up in this graveyard," Flins said calmly, though a hint of passive aggression edged his voice.

"Well... about that... I kind of just appeared. Does that make sense?" Y/N said, fully aware her explanation wouldn't satisfy him. His golden eyes narrowed, highlighting the dark circles beneath them. He didn't look convinced.

"You just... appeared?" he repeated, almost mocking. She fought the urge to walk away but remembered the state of her body.

"Yes, I did," she said simply.

Clearly unconvinced, he let the matter drop, for now.

"Well then, allow me to escort you out. It's easy to get lost on foggy nights," Flins said.

She nodded, and he led her out. The walk was surprisingly long, but Y/N didn't mind. She enjoyed the soft breeze on her skin, smiling at the feeling of her long hair brushing her face. After so many years, it all felt surreal. The sound of rustling leaves and footsteps was broken by Flins's voice.

"May I ask you something, Miss Y/N?" he asked softly.

"Yes. What is it?" she replied.

He turned his head to look her up and down. "Where are you from? I've never seen anyone wear clothes like yours. Especially not around here!"

"Yeah, you're right, I'm definitely not from around here," she half-lied. She had once lived in what is now Nod Krai, but in a different age. "I've traveled a long way to be here," she added mysteriously, and regretted it immediately, seeing his curiosity sharpen.

"But that's not really relevant. Why are you out so late, Flins? Especially wandering through a cemetery?" Y/N asked, trying to change the subject.

"It's my job as lightkeeper," he said, motioning to the lantern at his waist.

Y/N glanced at it, reminded of a certain someone. The hue of the flame made her wonder if that person still lived, but she snapped back when Flins continued.

"We lightkeepers protect Nod Krai from the Wild Hunt. I'm not sure you've heard of them, since you're new here, but they're our greatest threat," Flins said, careful not to frighten his guest.

"That's interesting. I'd never heard of protectors against the Abyss," she said softly.

Flins raised an eyebrow at her mention of the Abyss, but before he could speak, she cut him off.

"We're here!" she said, spotting the cemetery's entrance.

"Yes, but," Flins tried to steer the conversation back to the Abyss, but Y/N wouldn't let him.

"Thank you for the escort, Flins! I'm sure I can find my way from here. It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm sure we'll meet again!" she said, not waiting for a reply.

Flins wanted to follow her but found himself frozen, stunned by the night's events. Recalling everything, it sounded even more unbelievable.

Earlier, while patrolling the cemetery for the second time that night, he had spotted a white shape in the distance. Approaching with caution, he was dumbfounded by the sight: a beautiful woman in a flowing white gown, asleep among tombstones as if on a bed of flowers. Her slightly parted lips hinted at a smile, surprising him even more. How had she ended up there? Was she dead? A ghost? An illusion from the Abyss? He had felt compelled to wake her. Teyvat was full of monsters, human and otherwise, and he couldn't leave her at their mercy.

After waking her, he learned her name and a few details, but not much. As the conversation went on, he was left with more questions than answers. Who was this woman? Before he could even begin to sort his thoughts or ask more specific questions, she was gone.

What? he thought.

Chapter Text

After leaving the cemetery, y/n hurriedly gained some distance from its protector. She quickly moved through the forest, heading into town. It took her quite some time to reach her destination, and after an hour of walking, she regretted not taking Flins up on his offer. She thought about it for a few more seconds and concluded that either choice would have annoyed her. She was certain his questions would be unrelenting and that he would keep pestering her for answers. She saw it in his eyes, the burning curiosity. One thing was set in stone, and that was the fact that they would meet again. He would make sure of that. Y/n was not sure whether to be flattered or concerned by his interest in her.

Her energy was running low, and when the town came into view, relief flooded her body. She followed the path to one of the entrances and remembered the name of the city when spotting a nearby newspaper. Nasha Town. She had passed through the town a few decades ago, and it seemed like a lot had happened since her last visit. She could see the threats the citizens had faced. The buildings were decrepit and some borderline dilapidated. Y/n should not have been surprised by the state of things since this area had long been stuck in a cycle of violence by multiple parties. She walked through the streets and observed people interacting with each other. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted children running, businessmen working, and people chatting in front of shops. It was lively despite the state of the city, and y/n could not help but admire the humans' ability to adapt.

Walking aimlessly, she noticed a small group of women handing out food to the citizens. She approached them and quickly found their appearance different. Y/n concluded that they were not regular mortals, if mortal at all. When she was close enough, she struck up a conversation with them.

"Hi, are you handing out food to the citizens?" she asked.

"As a matter of fact, we are. Would you please accept a serving?" a woman with long blue hair and white antlers asked.

"I'd be delighted. Thank you," y/n answered with a smile.

"May I ask why you all are doing this?" y/n asked as the tall woman with deer-like features requested one of her companions to hand her a serving of food.

"Ah, I apologize. It seems I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lauma, moonchanter of the frostmoon scions." The woman paused, then continued, confusion showing on her features.

"I can sense that you are not from this land. However, nature seems to welcome you back. It's quite odd," she added, almost as if speaking to herself.

"Oh, I apologize again. It seems I've been rambling and haven't even asked for your name," Lauma said, handing y/n a plate of fresh food.

"It's no worries, Lauma. I'm y/n, pleased to meet you," she replied with a smile, taking the plate.

"May the goddess of the moon illuminate the darkness," Lauma prayed before watching y/n take the first bite.

They continued their conversation as y/n cleared her plate in a ridiculously short time. Y/n asked about Nod Krai and its political and social state. Lauma described the increasing threats to the region as very concerning. She spoke about how the frostmoon scions who revered the moon goddess Kuutar were under threat from the Fatui and the Wild Hunt. Y/n could tell Lauma was worried and decided to change the subject. She did not want to make her uncomfortable. Instead, she asked about things to do in the city, sharing that she had no travel plans and wanted her opinion.

"I've recently arrived in Nod Krai. Would you have any recommendations on the sights to see?" y/n asked.

"I wouldn't venture too far from the city alone. However, if you wish, I can show you around Hiisi Island. It's definitely a sight to behold," Lauma offered.

"That would be lovely if you wouldn't mind. I'm curious to learn more about the moon goddess," y/n said. Even though she was acquainted with the original moon goddesses, she was curious to know what mortals believed about them and who they called Kuutar.

"It would be my pleasure, y/n. Would you be able to meet me here in two hours? We still have boons to give out," Lauma replied with a smile.

Y/n agreed and left, looking forward to the guided visit to Hiisi Island. She had visited the island a few times during her wandering years, but the power of the land always left her with an odd feeling. She was not surprised to see that the frostmoon scions still inhabited it. She could not help but be curious about the people who had lived in the land of Hyperborea like herself. She walked through town looking for ways to pass the time and opted for people watching. It was a hobby she had picked up after years of being nearly invisible. Two hours passed quickly, and she returned to the middle of town, where Lauma and other frostmoon scions were gathering their belongings.

Y/n greeted the moonchanter and asked her when she wanted to leave for Hiisi Island.
"Is now an appropriate time to leave?" she said.

"Welcome back, y/n. Give me a few minutes, and we can depart shortly. I still have a few things to clean up," Lauma replied.

Y/n told her to take her time, but noticed Lauma quickening her movements. From what she had seen, the deer-like woman was very kind, and y/n was glad the frostmoon scions had her as a leader. Deep in thought, she stood still waiting. Once Lauma finished packing and cleaning, both women set off to Hiisi Island.

They were so caught up in conversation that when they came upon a group of fatui agents, they almost walked straight into them. Had the agents not shouted, they might have passed without noticing.

"Hey, you there! Where do you think you're walking? This is our space. Don't you see the encampment?" one of the agents yelled.

"This land doesn't belong to you, nor do we, so stop speaking," y/n answered, not bothering to change her expression.

"Hey! That's no way to talk to a section officer! Show me respect, you nobody!" the man shouted, raising his fire pistol at her. The sight almost made y/n giggle, but before she could reply, Lauma stepped in front of her protectively.

"Gentlemen, please do not start an unnecessary fight. These lands do not belong to us mortals. Let us pass without trouble and stop these childish antics. How ridiculous to threaten a defenseless woman with a pistol," she said firmly but politely.

Y/n envied the woman's patience with idiots like these. Justice meant nothing to them, and righteous as she was, she hated people like that.

"Yeah, what she said! Are you going to apologize now?" y/n asked mockingly, taunting them to fight. She was itching to teach them a lesson.

"Y/n, why don't we go? It's unnecessary-" Lauma began, but another agent cut her off.

He stepped forward and towered over y/n.
"No. You're the ones who will apologize. And I won't ask again," he said, trying to intimidate her. He chose to stare down y/n instead of Lauma, who was taller.

"Y/n, let's just-" Lauma tried again, but y/n cut her off.

"I'll do no such thing," y/n replied defiantly.

"I said I wouldn't ask again," the agent growled, moving closer.

"Touch me. I dare you," y/n threatened, a smile creeping onto her face.

Provoked, the man shoved her shoulders roughly. Before Lauma could intervene, y/n already had him on the ground. He had no time to react before she knocked him unconscious. She looked up at the other five with an innocent smile.

"Anyone else want to get close and personal?" she asked as if talking about breakfast. None of them spoke. They stepped back, shaking their heads.

Satisfied, y/n brushed the dirt from her already dirty dress and turned to Lauma, who looked at her with disapproval.

"You didn't need to solve the situation with violence, y/n. Still, I suppose you saved us the trouble of another bothersome meeting with them," Lauma said, her lips curling into a faint smile that betrayed she had enjoyed the sight despite her words.

Chapter Text

While on Hiisi island, Lauma showed her around and introduced her to some of the frostmoon scions. Everyone had a welcoming energy, and they all smiled when the pair passed by. This felt different than going into town. Her attire was quite different, and even if Nod Krai had people from all around Teyvat, she still felt the stares of passersby.

As darkness crept into the sky, Lauma offered y/n a place to sleep. She didn't want to make her walk back to the city alone now that it was dark. Y/n agreed, and while showing her to her room, Lauma asked if she'd want to wash her clothes.

"I can give you some clothes in the meantime if you'd like?" The moonchanter asked.

"I'd love that. It's very kind of you," y/n answered.

After dealing with that, y/n was sleeping peacefully. It'd do wonders to replenish her powers. She'd often had recurring dreams, and one of them was the day of her death. It'd usually be some part of that day, but it would always end with the destruction of her body. For the first time in a while, she saw the blue flame, the fae she had tried to protect. It was so small and young, and even after y/n's sacrifice, she doubted it still lived. Celestia committed an injustice that many innocent souls paid the price for, the majority with their lives. She couldn't forgive them.

Y/n knows that the heavenly principles have gotten a lot weaker than they were, and for that reason, she doesn't want to draw too much attention to herself. They might bring her up there and shove an elemental crown back on her head if she does. The angel didn't want that. After everything she and everyone else had been through unjustly, she couldn't forgive them. Not when her only goal has always been to protect and help everyone in Teyvat.

When she woke up again, she noticed the sun hadn't set yet. She looked at the desk beside the bed and noticed her crisp white dress was all clean. She first assumed that she'd slept for a few hours, but seeing as Lauma had already taken care of y/n'a dress, she wasn't so sure. She slipped on the dress, inhaling the soft scent of flowers. She looked at herself in the mirror and still couldn't believe her feet were back on the ground. The dress looked a lot better, clean, and y/n thought about finding Lauma to thank her.

Not knowing what to do at this hour, y/n set foot outside and wandered. She walked through Hiisi Island, taking in the astonishingly gorgeous sights. Heading towards the edge of the island, she crossed the border to the other island. The scenery on the main island couldn't quite top the scenery on Hiisi Island, but it was unique in its own way. She walked through a small forest and stumbled upon a secluded house. The more she approached it, the weirder it seemed. It felt as if the house had been cursed, and dark purple energy was flowing from it, corroding the nearby area. Not knowing what it was, y/n wasn't sure that her powers would be able to cleanse the dark energy. Whatever it was, y/n knew that cleansing it would take a fair amount of her powers. Figuring it wasn't worth getting discovered by Celestia, she decided to leave it as it was. As she turned around, she bumped into someone's chest. She stumbled back and looked up to see who the person was, ready to fight. Her body relaxed slightly when she spotted a familiar face, but she was still on edge.

"What are you doing here?" Flins asked with a curious look on his face.

"I could ask you the same," y/n answered, not understanding what he was implying.

"Can you really? It's my job to look for corrosion like this, and I find you standing before a very corroded house. So who's really suspicious here?" The lightkeeper explained.

"I was wandering through the forest and stumbled upon this place. I thought it was odd, so I looked at it for a while," y/n tried to lighten his suspicions, but Flins didn't seem convinced.

"It's a dangerous place to wander at night, don't you think?" Flins asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I suppose," y/n said before shrugging.

"Why don't you tell me what your true motive here is? Or maybe you want to explain how you appeared in that graveyard?" He asks almost threateningly.

Y/n didn't dare to speak and let the man ramble.

"There's something about you that I can't put my finger on. You have an energy about you that makes me believe you're here to cause trouble. I can sense the power you hold. So tell me what you want with Nod Krai and the Kuuvaki?" Flins demanded, his face inching closer and towering over y/n.

"This is a misunderstanding. I'm not here to hurt anyone. I agree that my presence may seem odd, but I do not intend to cause any harm." Y/n tried to explain, but Flins didn't back down.

"Give me one reason not to strike you down right here and there?" He asked, and y/n fought the smile that threatened to paint her lips.

He's silly, him? kill her? How laughable, she thought.

"Alright, if you insist," she said before sighing and turning around towards the house. How utterly laughable it was that she had to prove herself to a mortal. However, she didn't want to hurt him, so she had to resort to proving to him that she wasn't a threat.

She gathered light energy throughout her body, and when it reached her palms, she aimed at the house. Pure energy flowed around it, and the corrosion fully disappeared after a few seconds. Y/n then turned around to look at Flins with a smirk on her face.

"So? Still think I should get struck down?" She asked, knowing she wouldn't be getting an answer. She turned to walk away, thinking she'd made enough of a point, but a tug on her wrist pulled her back.

"What are you? I can't figure you out," he said, with furrowed brows and a hand to y/n's wrist.

"Then don't. It's that simple, leave it alone," she said firmly, looking right into his eyes and then pulling her wrist free with little effort.

When she tried pulling away, Flins let go immediately. He'd never been one to give up, but when y/n spoke those words, it felt as if his body had decided to obey. It was as if it'd decided on its own.

Flins watched her leave, admiring the way her hair was flowing in the breeze and how the moonlight seemed to illuminate her skin. He noticed she was wearing the same open-back white dress, but it appeared freshly cleaned. She was glowing under the moonlight, and Flins couldn't help but look until she disappeared from his sight.

When she came back to Hiisi island from her eventful moonlit walk, she didn't see anyone awake. She headed towards the room Lauma had so graciously prepared for her and rested for what felt like a few hours before awaking and leaving her chambers.

She ran into Lauma after a few minutes of searching for her. She thanked her for having washed her dress, and the woman confirmed her hypothesis.

"It was truly my pleasure, don't worry, y/n. I'm glad to see you're awake, however. You caused me quite a big fright when you wouldn't answer your door. I was scared something had happened to you, so pardon my intrusion. I entered your room to make sure you were doing okay. Turns out you were simply exhausted and ended up sleeping through the whole day. I thought cleaning your dress was the least I could do, seeing as you seemed drained," Lauma said, her kindness incomparable.

"That was very kind, thank you, Lauma. I'm glad to know I didn't worry you for too long." Y/n replied.

"Would you happen to have any plans today?" Lauma asked, clearly hoping that she would say no.

"No, I don't. Is there anything you need help with?" she asks, already knowing the answer.

"As a matter of fact, yes. If you wouldn't mind lending a hand? I know it may seem shameful to ask that of you, seeing as you're here visiting Nod Krai, but the frostmoon scions would be very grateful. We have too much to prepare before unscealing the Moon Marrow," the moonchanter explained.

Y/n was glad to be able to help and made sure to let Lauma know that she didn't owe her anything in return for her help. After reassuring Lauma multiple times, the two women got to work. There were a lot of things to prepare, seeing as the ritual was in two weeks. There were a lot of materials to gather and a lot of back and forth between Hiisi Island and Nasha town. Y/n didn't mind it; she got to spend time with some of the other frostmoon scions and Lauma. In y/ns opinon, the two had started to become great friends.

Now, a few days away from the ritual, Lauma asked y/n to bring one of the ceremonial tools to get fixed by Aino. She was the original creator of the device, so no one but her could fix it. Y/n knew the path to Nasha town like the back of her hand now. She walked with a hurried pace in step, not wanting to miss dinner hour with Lauma. They had developed a sort of routine where both women would eat together if their schedules allowed it. It was usually Lauma who rain checked dinner since y/n didn't do much but help around Hiisi island. She was happy to do so, not needing anything more. She'd found a friend, and that alone was enough to satisfy her.

She could see Nasha town in the distance, and she hurried towards the outskirts of the city. When she arrived at the clink clank krumkake craft shop, she searched for Aino. It was the first time she would ever meet the woman, but Lauma had mentioned where she would usually be. After searching for a few minutes, she finally found someone. The woman had blue hair tied in buns and what seemed to be robotic hands? Or maybe she was a robot? Sensing y/n's presence, the woman robot turned her head to acknowledge the visitor.

"Hello, I'm Ineffa. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked.

"Ah, yes, actually. I was looking for Aino. Lauma asked me to bring in something for some repairs." Y/n explained, hoping Ineffa would be able to help.

"Very well, I will now bring you to see Aino. She's completing a repair for another client, so it may take a few minutes," the woman robot said, motioning for y/n to follow her.

They entered a small building where a young girl with pink hair was hunched over a desk, her back facing y/n. She turned her head to see who had entered and spotted Ineffa before returning to work. Y/n wanted to say something about the lack of acknowledgement of her presence, but she simply looked at Ineffa beside her. She immediately picked up on the confused and conflicted expression on her face and explained that Aino was simply confirming that it was Ineffa that had entered with a customer. Even while speaking about her, Aino still didn't stop her task. Y/n figured she could take a look around the shop while waiting, and as she walked a bit further, she was able to see what the child was working on.

There was an unlit lantern lying on the desk with a few parts missing. However, she didn't even have the time to put two and two together that her name was being called further into the shop. Y/n heard the man's voice and had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

Why was he always there? She thought.

"Y/n. It's a surprise running into you here," said a man she'd encountered too many times already.

"I suppose it is," y/n simply answered, not bothering to keep a conversation going.

She walked past him, looking at the shelves in the very back of the store. It seemed more like a personal collection than anything. There were small statues and stones, all with varying conditions. She stared at one of the small gemstones that glowed faintly, and her body felt weirdly compelled to touch it. Y/n sensed a familiar sensation when she reached out and touched the small stone.

"It's an odd one, isn't it?" Flins said too close for y/n's comfort. She would've put some distance between her back and his chest, but the space in front of her was limited, and Flins didn't seem to understand personal space.

"What do you mean?" Y/n asked, curious.

"It has a weird energy about it, especially when you come in contact with it. Can you feel it?" the tall man said, still unwilling to give y/n her personal space back.

"Yeah, it is odd," y/n said, before rolling it in between her fingers. Her arm started reaching in front of her to place it back, but Flins was quicker. He took the stone from her hand, their bare skin grazing each other's, and y/n almost jumped. She snapped her head in the dark-haired man's direction with her brows furrowed. When he touched her, she felt a small electric shock of power. It didn't hurt her, but it wasn't like anything she'd ever felt before.

Flins still held the stone in his hand, now in an oddly tight grip. He'd taken a small step behind, but the space between them was still too small for y/n's comfort. They both stared at each other, their faces bearing confused expressions. Both assumed the other had been the source of said power, and no one dared to speak first. They finally both opened their mouths at the same time and started talking.

"What did you-" Flins started saying.
"How did-" y/n tried to say.

"What did you do to me?" Flins asked with a dark expression on his face.

"Me? I didn't do anything. You're the one who did that," y/n answered, seemingly as confused.

"Ratnik, I'm finished with your lantern!" The pair heard Aino say loudly. Before they could start arguing, Flins looked behind him, spotting Aino and Ineffa in a heated conversation about dessert. He turned back to y/n and started leaning closer to her. Her eyes widened, and a panicked expression started creeping on her face. Before the worst could happen, Flins inched his body to the right and leaned closer to y/n's ear.

"It feels weirdly coincidental that odd things seem to happen every time we meet," Flins whispered into y/n's ear, the hot air making her whole body tingle. She stood there without moving until she noticed he had placed the small gemstone where it belonged, on the shelf behind her. She watched him leave with a small smile on his lips at her reaction. Feeling her breathing finally slow down now that he was further away, she started to think that he might start being a problem.

She ignored the real odd thing, the quickening of her heartbeat, and turned back to the shelf behind her. She stared at the stone for a minute and finally remembered where the familiarity had come from. This was a stone originally from Hyperborea.

No wonder the energy felt familiar, she thought.

It was a common gemstone that was most commonly found atop cliffs. Such a common sight hadn't crossed her mind when trying to find the origin of the stone in her mind. After a few minutes, she was pulled out of her thoughts by Aino's high-pitched voice. She walked towards her working area, seeing that Flins hadn't left yet. Their eyes crossed each other's path, and y/n kept a neutral facial expression, in comparison to Flins, who raised the corners of his mouth. She didn't bother with him and continued walking towards the mechanical genius, as Lauma had described her.

Y/n pulled out the ceremonial device that needed to be repaired, and Aino stared at it with a perplexed expression before widening her eyes and letting out a groan.

"Lauma sent you, right?" she asked, sighing.

"Yes, is that important?" y/n asked.

"No, don't worry. But I'm sure she didn't come herself because she knew I wouldn't be very happy with her," Aino added, staring at the now-opened device.

"Oh, may I ask why?" y/n asked, not wanting to pry but still being curious.

"I specifically told her to be careful with it. It has such tiny and delicate pieces, so it's a hassle to repair," the girl said, still staring down at the device in her hands. Y/n couldn't tell what was appropriate to say, and before she could answer anything, the pink-haired girl spoke again.

"Can you come by tomorrow to pick it up? I don't want to make you wait here since it'll take me a while." Aino said, turning around for the first time in the conversation.

"Sure, that's fine," Y/n said, agreeing. After the angel had said that, the mechanic looked away from her and started working. Y/n assumed the conversation was over and headed towards the door, bidding Ineffa a small farewell at the door. As she walked through the door, she noticed someone following her. She sighed and turned around to confront the lurking lightkeeper.

"What do you want, Flins?" y/n asked with a borderline annoyed expression.

"I'm accompanying you, of course," Flins said charmingly as if earlier's conversation hadn't happened.

"Do as you please," y/n answered, letting him tag along like a lost puppy.

They walked in silence, and Flins was the first to start a conversation, much to y/n's dismay.

"So, where do you come from, y/n?" he asked about her past again,

"Didn't I tell you to drop it with questions like that?" y/n answered, seeing Flins shrug with a small, innocent smile. There was a silence before y/n decided there wasn't any harm in telling him a few things. It might get him off her back if she answers some of his questions.

"I come from a faraway land, one that doesn't exist anymore," she said, telling the truth but keeping her answer vague.

"That explains the odd choice of clothing and accessories," Flins answered, staring pointedly at her long pleated white dress adorned with gold accessories, not missing the winged necklace sitting atop her smooth skin. She looked god-like and so enticing that Flins had to will himself to rip his eyes away from her.

"If you say so," y/n simply said, shrugging and looking in his direction. She looked at his attire and couldn't say he was dressed normally, either. Furthermore, her eyes drifted down to the lantern at his waist. Even though it had been repaired, two different energies seemed to be battling inside. The blue flame seemed to be keeping the dark energy brewing inside the lantern at bay, but who could tell how long?

"Have you noticed anything going on with your lantern?" y/n asked, not wanting to give away how precisely she could sense energies.

"I have been having a few issues, but with repairs from Aino, it should no longer be a problem. How could you tell?" Flins asked, raising an eyebrow, curious about the woman's comment. She didn't answer him and stopped dead in her tracks. Surprised, Flins did the same, looking at the woman getting closer to him, her eyes staring down at his waist. Now towering over her, he looked down at her, waiting for her to speak. She looked up at him, staring into his golden eyes, and Flins felt his heartbeat quicken at the initiation of closeness from y/n but didn't let it show.

"May I?" Y/n said, staring down at his body, looking at the lantern. Flins had to physically will himself not to blush at the suggestive proposition. He knew the woman in front of her hadn't had any intention of giving him ideas like that, but once his thoughts started, he couldn't stop them.

After y/n got nothing but silence from Flins, who simply looked down at her with an unreadable expression on his face, she called out his name.

"Flins?" she asked, seeing his face contort weirdly.

"Oh, um- yeah, go ahead," he said, unclipping the lantern from his waist and handing it to her. He breathed in deeply, trying to rid himself of the wild, roaming thoughts in his head. Instead, he focused on the woman in front of her who was examining his lantern with furrowed brows.

"There's something wrong with it. I can feel it," Y/n said, concentrated on the object in front of her.

She stared down at the lantern and couldn't help but feel reminded of her past. The memories of the small fae she had protected all these years ago were coming back up, but she pushed them to the back of her mind and focused on the energy battling the blue flame. She thought about purifying the lantern, but wasn't sure how it would react. She hesitated for a moment but figured it was worth a try. She concentrated on the powerful energy flowing throughout her body and let it rush to her hands. White energy flowed around the lantern until y/n no longer sensed the buzzing energy that was bothering her. She looked up at Flins, who had his lips parted in surprise, as if his words had left him.

"How did you- where does this power come from?" Flins asked, waiting for an answer, but was met with silence.

"Are you a fae?" he asked hesitantly, and the widening of her eyes was already a better answer than any she'd given him.

"How do you know of them?" she asked, surprised that people from this day and age still knew of their existence.

"Snowland faes are in a lot of folklore from Nod Krai and Snezhnaeya," the man said, keeping his answer brief.

"That explains it. Well, if you don't know, almost all of the faes were killed by Celestia. I don't know what your region's legends say, but most of them were unjustly wiped from Teyvat," y/n said, maybe giving away too much information. However, being able to discuss a part of the truth from her past felt liberating. The ratnik would probably have more questions for her, but when she melancholically spoke, it eased her heart, if not for a few seconds at least.

What y/n didn't expect was to be met by silence after her declaration. There was a long pause where neither spoke, both waiting for the other to strike up the conversation again.

Flins merely hummed in acknowledgment and finally took the lantern from y/n's hands to place it back on his waist. Seeing as he wasn't in the mood to continue speaking, y/n started walking again. She heard his footsteps behind her and confirmed that he was still following. After minutes of silence, she asked something she'd been curious about for a moment now. From what he'd told her during the few times they'd met, Flins would know exactly how to answer her questions.

"I've been wondering for a while, what do those abyssal creatures want with Nod Krai? I think you people call them the wild hunt?" Y/n asked Flins, who was now walking by her side.

"Yes, the wild hunt. To answer truthfully, we don't understand what they're after. They're surely after the land, seeing as it's brimming with energy we call kuuvaki, but there has to be something more," Flins explained in a way an outsider would understand.

"I see," y/n only said, thinking about what the lightkeeper had said.

A few minutes later, they could see the conjunction between Hiisi Island and Lempo Isle, and Flins insisted on tagging along until the very end. When they walked through the island, they received many stares, most of them intended for Flins. As they walked deeper into the island, they finally saw Lauma in a conversation with another frostmoon scion. Y/n called out to her, and the angel saw the confusion and surprise when seeing not only her friend but also the mysterious lightkeeper.

"Welcome back, y/n, you brought a friend?" the moonchanter asked, seemingly nice, but y/n had grown to know when the woman was suspicious of something.

"Partly, he insisted on tagging along when I left Clink Clank Krumkake Craftshop," y/n said indifferently, not wanting Lauma to think badly of him because the two didn't get along perfectly.

"I see...In any case, I hope Aino didn't give you a hard time. She'd specifically warned me about how complicated the mechanism was ot repair," Lauma asked apologetically.

"It was alright, Lauma, don't concern yourself with that. I can also go pick it up if you don't have the time," y/n told Lauma sweetly, wanting to help her friend.

"That would be lovely, thank you," the woman said with a smile before Flins cut in on the conversation.

"On this good note, I will take my leave. Come by the lighthouse sometimes, y/n," Flins said without waiting for a response and heading back to wherever he had come from originally.

Chapter Text

When Flins was finally far away, Lauma turned to Y/n with a serious expression.

"Y/n, I'm not entirely convinced by your choice of friends. I know of him, and what I've learned hasn't inspired anything good. Are you sure of his intentions?" Lauma asked, concern showing on her face.

"Don't worry, I can handle myself. But if you must know, we aren't really friends. We've met a few times since I arrived in Nod Krai, but I wouldn't say we're close," Y/n tried to reassure Lauma.

"I still don't think his company is a good one. I've heard the animals speak of him. They're all frightened by his presence and keep their distance. That has to mean something, don't you think?" the moonchanter said, her feelings toward Flins clearly leaning in a certain direction. The angel acknowledged what she said and thought about it further, trying to understand the animals' behavior. However, as she searched for an explanation, no plausible answer came to her, so she pushed the thoughts aside for another day.

"Would you like to take a walk by the sea with me, Lauma?" Y/n asked, wanting a moment together before dinner.

"I'm sorry, Y/n, but I still have some things to finish before we eat. We'll see each other at dinner, don't worry," the tall woman said with an apologetic smile.

"Of course, we'll see each other later," Y/n replied, giving a short goodbye before going on her way.

Deciding to walk alone, Y/n headed south of the island. The sun was hanging low in the sky, and it wouldn't be long before it gave way to the moon.

She sat by the tree line, looking up and thinking about how long it had been since she'd seen beyond the sky. She thought about the heavenly principles, how they'd once been her only reason for existing, and now she saw how cruel they were. Unknowingly prisoners, they'd been dragged into a war started by one selfish person. Y/n had always been angry at the first angel. She'd sacrificed everything for her own motives, causing enormous suffering for everyone.

If only she hadn't been foolish enough to fall in love with that man. They could have lived happily in blissful ignorance of what lay beyond their duties.

Whenever Y/n grew angry thinking of Koitar, she tried to remember the true enemy. Maybe Koitar had acted like a fool, but it wasn't reason enough to punish an entire race. Killing innocent creatures, young and old alike, was unforgivable. Celestia had killed faes she'd cared for, her angel sisters, and everyone who dared to stand against them.

Y/n was angry at Koitar for ruining everything they had, but she raged even more at the heavenly principles for their injustice. Everyone she'd ever known was now cursed or dead.

As she bit her lip and furrowed her brows, Y/n spotted a seelie wandering toward her. She let the spirit inch closer until it curled up on her lap. Y/n fought back tears at the sight. She imagined the poor creature had once been her fellow angel. They had laughed and cried together, and now she was forced to mindlessly illuminate the path for travelers. How cruel of Celestia to bestow such a curse.

Closing her eyes, Y/n thought it might have been better if she'd truly died under that pillar. At least her death would have been short, quick, and righteous. But thinking of her death always brought her mind back to the fae she'd tried to protect. Had she wasted thousands of years on a young spirit that had been brutally killed by the heavenly principles? She hoped her sacrifice had given the fae a chance at life, but deep down she knew she was deluding herself.

Groaning aloud, she jumped to her feet and chased away the dark thoughts. She hurried back to the Frostmoon Scions for dinner and distracted herself with food and conversation.

The next day, with little to prepare, Lauma asked Y/n to visit the animals with her. They had done this a few times, but the way the moonchanter asked made Y/n concerned. She wondered what that grave look meant. After some small talk, Lauma’s smile dropped, and she spoke in a serious tone.

"I have to admit something to you, Y/n," the deer-like woman said.

"What's wrong?" the angel asked, worried.

"I've been carrying the weight of the truth on my chest, and since I've decided to tell the Frostmoon Scions, I figured you deserved to know too," she added, making Y/n worry even more. Y/n stayed silent and waited for her to continue.

"The sky is fake, and so is the moon. I've known for a long time, but the burden has finally grown too heavy to bear," Lauma said, looking down before darting her eyes back up when she saw Y/n wasn't reacting.

"I know," Y/n said at last. "I know everything. Don't feel burdened by the truth. Let me shoulder your worries." She stepped closer. Lauma had carried the weight of everyone's faith and pain. How could a mortal bear that?

"What? How-" Lauma stammered, confused.

"I admire your honesty, and I feel you deserve the same from me. You accepted me among your own and treated me with kindness," Y/n began.

"I told you I'm from a faraway land, but I lied. I'm from Hyperborea, a land long engulfed by the sea. Six thousand years ago, Celestia punished my sister Koitar, the first angel. The heavenly principles cursed the rest of us to wander mindlessly as seelies if we ever fell in love. My body was crushed by a celestial nail during the slaughter of the faes. Only now have I gained enough strength to rematerialize a mortal body," Y/n said, a weight lifting from her chest.

"I know how you feel, Lauma. I've been alone for six thousand years, watching people die, wars begin and end, people born and gone, the same cycle repeating endlessly. Telling the truth will make the weight crushing you now more bearable. Trust me," she added, almost out of breath.

Lauma stared at her, breathless. She wasn't sure how to react, though she wasn't surprised. She had known something was different about Y/n, but never imagined this.

"You- where do I even begin..." Lauma said. "Even if I don't know what truly happened all those years ago, what I do know is that you never deserved to be abandoned. It warms my heart that I may have been able to ease some of your pain," the moonchanter said, empathy softening her voice.

"I cherish the kindness you've shown me. My only goal now is to preserve life. I wish to live the one I've been given once more with righteousness and peace. You've shown me that such a goal is attainable," Y/n replied, thankful for Lauma’s welcome.

"I'm touched by your words, Y/n. They mean more than any riches. But the curse you speak of sounds heartbreaking. To love others is the greatest gift humans have, so to be robbed of it is cruel," Lauma said with sadness draping her face.

"Ah, well, the heavenly principles do have a way of inflicting pain. I've theorized a cure, but it seems far-fetched and difficult to reach. To keep from falling into despair, I hold these hopes as dreams and stay aligned with my ideals. Mortals should live carefree lives unburdened by Celestia and their consequences," Y/n said with a bittersweet smile.

"I find that very honorable of you. If you wish to help, I can ask an acquaintance of mine to take you under her wing. She’s been helping against the threat of the wild hunt," the moonchanter offered.

Sharing the weight of forbidden and ancient knowledge, they both seemingly breathed more easily as they walked back to the frostmoon enclave.