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A vision stands for many things. The powers of a god in the hands of those deemed worthy. An entry point to godhood, manifested by hopes, dreams, desires. A physical embodiment of so much of what one stands for, that when one loses it-
Childe frowns. Something is wrong. He looks down at the hydro blade he holds in his hand, watches the familiar shape start to waver. Before finally giving out, dissolving back into a shapeless liquid. It hovers there for a second and then it splashes to the ground.
He holds his hand out, tries to summon them again. A few seconds pass before they start to flicker back into shape, yet still, it isn't stable.
What did this mean?
Even when he was a boy, lost in the Abyss with a vision he barely knew how to use, the hydro would always respond to his command. Though it might not always listen. But it was never like this before, as if something was holding it back.
"Hey, you, listen to me!" His thoughts are interrupted. Dear Archons, some people really did not know when to quit. Childe sighs, easily dodging the irritating man's poor attempt to hit him before knocking him flat on his back with a well-placed punch to the face.
He takes a step back from the fallen man. Runs a hand through his hair. This was terrible timing on his part, happening right before he was off to fight the top champion duelist in Fontaine. His foul mood, alleviated briefly by seeing Lumine, was back with a vengeance.
But he'd be fine. He'd figure it out.
"Are you alright?" He hears Lumine asking him.
Childe looks back at her, sees her standing there, head tilted and brow slightly furrowed. She's got that look in her eye, that curiosity, and was that worry? Though as she's fought with him, against him, many times, of course she could tell something is up.
"Walk with me?" He offers, not wanting to talk in front of the groaning men laying on the ground.
"Sure," she replies and they start off, just following the street. It's not too busy out, something he appreciates. He shortens his steps to keep pace with her smaller ones, content for the moment to just watch the slight movements in her hair and scarf as she walks.
It's quiet as he mulls over what to say next. "So," he starts out slowly. "I haven't been in a great mood lately."
"Are you okay?" She spins around to face him, starts walking backward. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure. But something feels wrong, like there's this weird power stirring inside of me."
"Like, something to do with Foul Legacy?" Lumine ventures. She starts fiddling with a strand of her hair. Almost bumps into a pole, but Childe grabs her shoulder, steering her out of the way just in time.
She gives a small laugh, a nod of thanks as she starts walking forwards again.
"Maybe," He continues. A brief pause as he quickly scans the area, ensuring there is no one else within earshot. "I told you about Skirk, right?"
She nods.
"I asked her once, about why she took me on as an apprentice. From what she said, it's like she sensed something, that I had awakened 'it' and traces of 'it' remained on me, whatever that might mean."
"A connection to something in the Abyss," Lumine murmurs. It makes sense, given all he'd been through. But she still doesn’t like it.
"I think it might be related to a dream I had once, right after I had fallen. All I could see was water, an endless expanse of the sea surrounding me,” he spread his hands out to add emphasis. “And it was empty. I was alone. Until a whale so large appeared, it was like I couldn't breathe." He could still see it so clearly in his mind despite how many years had passed.
"A whale, huh," and she can't help but be reminded of- "Is that why you drop one on me in many of our spars?"
"Yeah, guess that is one reason why." He chuckles, able to so clearly picture her glaring at him while sopping wet, much akin to a mad wet cat. The light sound helps to relieve the heavy mood just a bit.
"I haven't seen it since then. But I could never forget it." He stops walking. Lumine takes a few more steps before stopping as well, turning around to look at him. "My time in the Abyss left me with many things, but these unanswered questions continue to gnaw at my mind. These terrible mood swings have just brought them back to the surface."
He closes his eyes, gives a soft sigh. "One day I'll get back there.” He’s been trying for years. “I just haven't been able to find my way back yet though."
Lumine is quiet, watching him intently. "So it seems like the Abyss holds many answers we both seek.”
“Seems so.”
“If you ever find a way back in. Let me know. I want to come with you."
The Abyss was a place of nightmares, once upon a time. Now it’s a goal, a desire to return to the place that ruined him so. He isn’t scared of it anymore. But the thought of returning there with her at his side, makes him feel a little bit better about it regardless.
"Of course. Same to you."
He stretches, raising his arms into the sky before shaking out his hands. The talk left him feeling better, a lot better than he had been in a while. The weight on his chest is still there, but it feels a little lighter now.
Childe catches a glimpse of a nearby clock. "Ah, how time flies when I'm with you. Unfortunately, I need to get going now. But first-"
There's a beat of silence as he removes his vision from his belt and tosses it to her. "Here, catch.”
The vision loses its glow as it soars through the air. Lumine catches it and her eyes widen, mouth falls slightly open as she realizes what she is holding.
"Can you hold onto that for me?"
"But this, this is your vision," she's staring at it, head moving quickly as she looks back and forth between him and it. "Don't you need it?"
"It's being a bit of a problem," he admits to her because it's Lumine and he can tell her that. "I think it has something to do with, everything else. But it might interfere with stuff later and I'd rather not risk that happening."
Childe shrugs. What else is he to do? Anyone else he might know in Fontaine, well, he'd rather not deal with them. Sure, he could just leave it somewhere. But why do that when he has someone he knows he can trust right here?
Lumine does her best to stay calm, but her grip on the vision tightens. The pointed edges of the case dig into her palm.
Itto was fine when he got his vision taken. Diluc went for several years without his. She's seen several people willingly give up their visions and do fine afterward. So Childe would certainly be okay without his for a bit, right?
But she can't help but remember the others who weren't fine. The ones who suffered when parted from their visions. The listlessness in their movements, actions. The utter lack of life in their eyes, dead in a way she can't even bear to look at. The struggle of forgetting who they once were, what they lived for, what they wanted from life.
She couldn't bear for that to happen to him.
Lumine grits her teeth, eyes shifting from side to side. She opens her mouth to say something, anything, but-
"Aw, are you worried about me?" He's smiling at her, a slight teasing glint in his eye.
"Yes. Yes, I am," she replies simply. She’s worried too much, probably. But she can’t help it.
Childe wasn't expecting such a direct answer. His gaze falls to the vision she's clutching in her hand, fingers wrapped so tightly around the object, and his expression softens. "There's no need to worry about me."
Her face is so sad, eyes haunted by memories she hates. "But Childe, you know what can happen-"
"I'm not having my vision taken away," he interrupts her. He steps closer, places his hands on her shoulders. "I'm not losing my ambitions. I'm giving them to you to keep safe for me. Just for now, okay?"
He can't say he remembers the last time someone looked at him like this, this concerned about his well-being.
"Are you sure?"
Childe isn't sure. He'd never been separated from his vision before without knowing when he'd get it back. He's never had it stop working like this. No, he doesn't know what will happen. But he knows it'll be safe with her.
He gently brushes a strand of hair out of her face, tucks it behind her ear before standing back straight up again. "Come on, Lumine, I'm not just some one trick pony either, you know that. Can’t be relying too much on my vision." He grins, trying to lighten the mood. “I've still got my delusion and I'm pretty good when it comes to just punching people as well.”
No, he doesn't need his vision to fight. Sure, it is a useful tool. But not always necessary as he is the weapon.
She gives a small laugh, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Yeah, I guess you are. But you still need to be careful. And… your delusion," her expression sours. "Don't overuse it."
Lumine cares so much. Too much sometimes, he thinks. But he nods. "I'll try. Besides, I'll be taking my vision back soon. Just can't have it messing with this next fight."
The words seem to have reassured her as she snorts, a smile creeping up on her lips. “A fight of course. Who are you off to bother now?”
“So Fontaine has these Champion Duelists. If someone is going to court they have the chance to fight one of these Duelists to defend their honor. And these people are the top fighters in all of Fontaine. So I’ve been slowly working my way through spars with them and finally have a chance to face off with Clorinde after weeks of asking. She’s the strongest one so I am very excited for this.”
She can tell. His eagerness is infectious and she loves that look of his when he gets like this. Her worry still lingers, but, she thinks he will be okay for now. “Well, I hope your fight is enjoyable. Have a good time.”
“Certainly hoping to.” He claps his hands together. “And afterward, I’ll be back to get my vision.”
"Aw,” she crosses her arms. “Was this just whole thing just an excuse to see me again later?"
"What makes you think that?"
The two meet each other’s gaze and start to laugh.
"Alright then, I'll hold you to that. And, I'll keep this safe for you."
"Thank you."