Lumine ran out of gliding stamina, causing the both of you to have a rough landing onto a grassy area. A little dizzy and disoriented from the sudden fall, you got up groggily and immediately went to check if your weapons were still intact.

The sound of birds chirping and animals scurrying about brought your attention to the setting around you. A large stone mountain covered the sun and left you in unsettling dim light. There were puddles here and there. Strange plants were littered across the earth. For the first time, you felt scared being in this foreign land.

As you looked around helplessly to take in your surroundings, you were starting to feel like you were drowning above land. You were all alone in Liyue, you weren't exactly familiar with the nation's geography. All you did was follow Scaramouche wherever he went.

It didn't help realizing he wasn't here with you, it made you a hundred times fearful since you remembered the treacherous betrayal you committed. Your chest was now heaving up and down erratically as you tried to take in your surroundings.

Your hands were shaking and you felt a coat of cold sweat wash down the back of your neck. A small whimper left your mouth, all of a sudden, you sank to your knees. You were overcome with incredible sadness and sorrow, it was enough to make you cry.

"Woah, okay," Lumine exclaimed and immediately sat down with you, touching your arm comfortingly. "Are you alright?"

Paimon floated over your head and leaned down to look at you, "Don't cry, [Y/N]! This is good, you're finally away from that hat guy!"

Lumine wiped your tears, "Tell me what's wrong."

"I just... don't understand..." You whispered feverishly.

The Traveller frowned, "Is it the brainwashing thing?"

"Yes..."

"Yeah, Paimon doesn't get it either!" The floating girl shrugged her small shoulders.

More tears poured from your eyes and you struggled to keep up with wiping them. You felt your throat tightened when you tried holding in your cries but it only made it harder to breathe. A great sob escaped from your mouth and you covered your face shamefully.

All this time, you were merely the hollow, perfect, creation Scaramouche made you out to be. You've wondered why he was always proud of you, after all, it's almost impossible to impress him. Of course, it must have all been the rewiring of your mind, turning you into a flawless soldier. Programmed to his liking.

"We need to get moving," Lumine tried to get you to stand up. "We still need to find the treatment for your older brother's illness."

With a sniffle, you lifted your head, "You said that you already know how to cure him..."

"I said, I might know-"

Lumine grabbed your arm quickly when you pulled out your gun to shoot her. Both of your faces glowed icy blue as the weapon charged up with overwhelming power. There was a short fight for dominance until your hand was pushed to the side as you pulled the trigger.

There was a loud bang and a panicked yelp. An ice shard shot through the air and hit the boulder behind Lumine, cracks slowly spreading across the rock from the bullet's explosive power. The girl braced for you to attack her once again but you ended up backing down, throwing the firearm to the side.

"I've betrayed my Lord...! For nothing!" You sobbed uncontrollably. "He hates me for sure! H-He'll even kill me! I should have stayed with him! What have I done?!"

Quietly, Lumine patted your shoulder gently and tried to reassure you, "I think you're a victim of the brainwashing too... I'm sorry, [Y/N], I truly am... I promise, we will find a cure."

"You lied to me."

"I did not." She spoke softly. "Childe told me that there is a way to undo the damage. There is a way for you and your brother to return back to your normal selves. We could even save the recruits...!"

You felt like you could cry until morning, nothing Lumine was saying was making anything better. Was this... not the person you were? If so, this mind-control, hypnosis, brainwashing is too powerful to be done by anyone. No one across Teyvat should have this type of advantage over anyone, even the Fatui Harbingers. It's just inhumane, unethical, so cruel.

"No one must know... it's a Fatui secret..." You murmured miserably. "Mind-controlling the soldiers... Everyone... It's for the perfect military army..."

"Paimon thinks we should just leave her alone..."

"I think so too..."

A solemn tear fell from your eye as you raised your gun to your head.

"Eek!" Paimon jumped.

"No!" Lumine stopped you. "Let's not do anything crazy!"

"I betrayed the Fatui and my Lord Scaramouche. There's no point in living any longer."

"Please don't...!" She pleaded. "I don't want you to hurt yourself any more than you are hurting now! I know it's painful, but I believe that you can continue without him. You're not under his control anymore, you're safe with us!"

Emotionless, you let your body slouch in defeat, "I just want to go home... I want to go back to my family..."

"I-I can ask a close friend of mine if you could board her ship back to Snezhnaya?"

You shook your head, "It's too early for that... The moment I step into my nation, I'll be torn to bits by every Fatui member there... Maybe even the Harbingers will put my head on a stick in front of the base camp..."

Lumine glanced around and finally, snapped her fingers in realization, "I have an idea, [Y/N]. We'll hide you in Liyue Harbour until this whole thing blows off. Then, I'll ask Captain Beidou if she could take you back home!"

It wasn't the best plan, but you couldn't think of anything else. For now, you wiped your tears and calmed your beating heart.

As the girl helped you to your feet, she gave you a warm smile in attempts to cheer you up. Both of you started the journey down the dirt road, Lumine's floating companion tagged along as well.

"We're still a ways from the Harbour, but I'm sure we'll be there in a day." Lumine placed her hand over her eyebrows and stared forward. "Come on, let's meet up with the rest of my party at the rendezvous-point!"

You sighed tiredly, "I still have doubts... I don't want to interfere with your team's travelling..."

"Don't worry, you guys will get along! Plus, I'm sure you met the three of them already!"

"Yep! Paimon thinks so too!"

•••

Scaramouche was sitting slouched on a chair, his face in his hand as he stared aimlessly past his fingers. There was a small tapping sound on the armrest as he continued to ponder deeply.

Back in another Fatui campsite in a different location, soldiers were getting ready to head out for their newest mission. Their old one was to go to Dragonspine, however, it was pushed back because Scaramouche had sent out another mission, he said it was a top priority.

Some of the strongest men and women are spreading out to cover more areas of Liyue, they hoped this method would help get the job done faster. Honestly, everyone was surprised to see Scaramouche waltz back into another campsite alone, it caught some people off guard. Especially the Gunner Legionaries.

"My Lord," A Fatui recruit walked up to the sitting Harbinger and saluted, "Master Childe has come to have a word with you."

Scaramouche didn't bother responding, he didn't even move his gaze to look at the person speaking.

They cleared their throat nervously, "Rumour has it that he and the Traveller have parted ways."

After hearing those words, the young man finally showed a reaction. Scaramouche adjusted his seating on the chair and waved his hand in the air to dismiss the recruit, to which they quickly walked away.

"So, he got heartbroken too. What a loser." A scowl shaped Scaramouche's face as he clenched his teeth angrily from the thought of the Traveller and Childe. "And he decides to come crying to me. It's enough to make me laugh."

The curtains of the tent were pushed to the side as a tall Snezhnayan man entered hurriedly. He glanced back one last time outside to look at all the agents before making his way towards Scaramouche.

"You sent soldiers after [Y/N], didn't you?" Childe asked urgently, the stern expression on his face showed that he wasn't messing around.

"Your point?"

"Are you trying to kill her?" Childe was serious.

Scaramouche kept his gaze emotionless, "No, I just want her to come back."

"And then what?" The other man scoffed, flipping his hands over out of confusion. "When you finally capture [Y/N] are you going to lock her up? Keep her in a cage? Electrocute her until she can't even think for herself?"

"I'll do whatever I want with her."

"Scaramouche, I can find you a replacement secretary-"

"I said: I want her." He fired back.

Childe's eyebrows furrowed from the lack of cooperation, "She ran away for a reason. She must have found out-"

Scaramouche threw a fist down onto the armrest which made a loud thud, interrupting the other man, "Why are you judging my actions when you let the Traveller escape after breaking your heart, Childe? At least I am doing the best I can to make sure [Y/N] does not get arrested by the Millelith! She made an oath! She gave herself to me! I need her by my side, I don't want anyone else but her!"

Silence swallowed up both of them in the tent, even the agents outside stopped what they were doing when they heard the sudden commotion.

Childe exhaled the breath he was holding in and finally confessed, "Lumine, the Traveller, was using me. I was only her Mora supply. I'm allowed to feel sad. But I'm doing the right thing and letting her go, and focusing on my role as a Harbinger."

"What was that?"

"I think we have different reactions to being betrayed."

"What are you implying?" Scaramouche intimidated the younger male, obviously offended by his response. "Are you saying I should just allow my secretary to leave me? I should just allow her to desert the Fatui as if we haven't given her a place to rest, warm meals, and equipment?! Does that make sense to you, Childe?! She should regret ever abandoning the only things that loved her!"

After his explosive declaration, Scaramouche was appalled by his own words.

He was breathing quite heavily and his hands curled tightly into fists. It looked like he was indeed ready to break something, maybe smash a wooden crate or two. As much as he tried to remain composed, it didn't help that Childe was standing there astounded.

"I knew you were in love with her."

"Why are you even speaking to me?" Anger and misery poured over Scaramouche as he attempted to bite back his emotions.

"Because of [Y/N]'s disappearance and the shortage of our soldiers, I have decided to assist you with your mission to please the Tsaritsa." Childe announced honestly, with a hand on his chest and a sincere expression on his face. "I will help you find Rex Lapis' Gnosis."

Scaramouche only turned away displeased, closing himself from any further conversation.