Chapter Text
[Prologue]
The islands of Inazuma had slowly become uninhabitable. A never-ending storm cursed their lands, clouds overtaking the sky, thunder shaking the heavens and lightning scorching the earth. Homes burned, crops rotted in floods, and people grew hollow-eyed with hunger and despair.
The Shogun, a kind and compassionate woman, initially remained strong in the face of these torrents. She ordered her people to endure, claiming that the storms tested their strength and faith. But as the years passed and the skies grew darker, her defiance grew weaker and weaker, and she was eventually claimed by the storms. The gods, silent in the face of her pleas, had forsaken her.
The new Shogun, a proud and unyielding woman, was drowned by grief and fury. The storms took her older sister, her anchor and most loyal ally. It was the final blow to the stoic image she’d kept at her sister’s side. The Shogun raged against the heavens, her prayers turning into curses and pleas into damnation. To stop her people’s suffering, she demanded salvation from the gods, anything to end her country's torment.
But when the gods did not heed her call, she went to the demons instead. Desperation forced her to look for darker salvation. As she whispered her demands to the demons, she offered them anything if they would clear the skies and spare her people.
The demons listened.
But she did not learn the price until it was claimed.
Her firstborn son.
When the child was born, he was not a child at all but a cruel mimicry of life. He had no limbs to walk, no eyes to see, no nose to breathe, and no skin to shield him from the world’s harshness. His first wail was nothing but silence, for he had no voice with which to scream.
The sight of him filled the Shogun with revulsion. This creature couldn't hold a drop of her blood. This thing was no heir, no salvation. It reminded her of the price she had paid, the sister she had lost, and the gods who had turned away.
With a face of cold indifference, she summoned Yae Miko, her trusted friend and servant.
“Take him,” the Shogun ordered, holding out the swaddled bundle of what should have been her son. “He should never have existed; give him a quick death. That is the only mercy I can offer.”
Yae hesitated, discerning purple eyes switching between the Shogun’s impassive face and the helpless infant in her arms. The child did not cry or move, for he could not. Yet something about him stirred unease within Yae.
“It is not too late,” Yae ventured carefully. “He is still—”
“Enough.” The Shogun’s voice was sharp, brooking no argument. “The deal is fulfilled, and the storms have ceased. There is no place for him here. Do as I command.”
Reluctantly, Yae Miko turned and departed from the palace, carrying the silent bundle back to the shrine so he could be killed in a manner befitting his station, quick and honourable. In a small room in the outer shrine, Yae did what she could for the baby. With all the care she could afford, she cleaned the child and performed the ritual that marked all the royal family members.
She swaddled the child in clean blankets and left the room. Yet, as they neared the inner shrine, the baby struggled, opening its mouth for the first time as if in protest. The feelings within her returned, that this child wanted to live, that there was something strange about him. In a split decision, Yae quickly turned on her heel and made for the beach.
The journey to the shore was brief, but to Yae, it felt like an eternity—the waves, once treacherous and rapid, were calm, as if mocking her. The sacrifice of one child had saved this entire country, yet she felt sick with the type of bile that rose after a distasteful meal. No one would ever know what this nameless baby had done.
Yae knelt at the water’s edge, her hands trembling lightly as she cradled the boy. Her expression softened briefly, but duty and loyalty outweighed any sentiment. “I hope you’ll forgive us one day,” she whispered, her voice lost to the lapping water.
Yae set the swaddled infant afloat on a small piece of driftwood; the board was just sturdy enough to carry him into the open sea. She stood silently, watching as the tide swept away the child until he was a speck on the horizon. She turned her back to the shore, her heart heavy and her steps slow as she returned to the inner palace. The Shogun would not grieve, but Yae Miko would carry the memory of this day for the rest of her life.
—————
[Chapter 1 - Mondstadt]
—————
Lumine rushed up the path that led to Mondstadt city, sword grasped tightly in her hand as she took the stairs two steps at a time. She’d been on a commission when she’d been summoned back, but the good news that may await her as she pushed into the grand hallway of the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius pushed her forward.
It wasn’t often she visited this place, much less the office of the grandmaster, but there she stood, tense, as she waited with bated breath for her grandfather’s answer. The small office held none of its usual warmth. All she could focus on was the hardwood desk, the long back chair, and the man sitting in it, who always seemed to determine her future.
You wanted this, she told herself, trying to ignore the prickling doubt that had crept in on her long walk through Mondstadt. It had taken weeks of pep talk to work up the courage to step foot into the city to have this meeting, and she couldn’t bear the thought of it going awry like everything else in her life.
He finally spoke.
“I will agree to your terms.” Her grandfather intoned dispassionately as he looked into her eyes. “You have a year to find your brother and bring him home. If you don’t, you will keep your word, return without protest, and accept the engagement.”
Lumine let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders falling in relief. “Thank you, sir.”
The grandmaster's sharp glare immediately straightened her posture. “If you're not back by the deadline, I will send people to find you.”
Lumine nodded once and asked permission to leave. Once outside the office, she slumped against the wall as her knees gave out, letting her head fall against the cool tile. The hardest part was over. Lumine exhaled. She had a year and a half to find him—or she’d spend a lifetime paying for her promise.
—————
Three months ago, Aether had died.
At least, that’s what everyone around her thought. No one found a body, but shreds of Aether’s clothes and travel pack had been found near a hilichurl camp on the border of Mondstadt and Liyue. It made no sense; Aether was as good with a sword as she was, but as each day passed and no one heard from him, the reality sank in for the people of her hometown.
Aether was the golden boy of their village, talented with weapons, set to attend the Academia, candidate for the future head of the knights, and was even engaged to a member of the Kamisato family. He had everything Lumine didn’t, yet he was still the best brother she could ask for.
When he disappeared, everyone mourned, everyone but her. She was out searching every day, climbing mountains and running through valleys in hopes of finding just one piece of evidence as to his whereabouts. Slowly, the people of her village had started to blame her for his death.
The worst part was she couldn’t blame them for it.
Years ago, the Kamisato clan, long-time friends of their family, had expressed interest in engaging her with Ayato, their eldest son. It was the only time the people were proud of her, but Lumine had refused because marriage was supposed to be about love. She’d ruined the reputation of her entire town by refusing and was shunned for weeks. But in came Aether, perfect Aether, who offered to marry Ayaka instead to spare Lumine the shame, and she loved him for it.
She’d genuinely thought the two of them could be happy together and had supported it with all her heart. Ayaka was a close friend to her as well, after all. She watched over the summers as they spent time together and grew closer, and everyone was happy. But then everything went wrong. Aether disappeared, his engagement was called off, Ayaka was heartbroken, and now Lumine was in an even worse position than she’d first been.
—————
The next day, flyers posted all over town announced her exile. “Lumine will have one and a half to bring proof of Aether’s survival. In her foolhardy quest, she will receive no help from us.”
The notice had been posted in the local taverns, on the commission board, and inside the knight's quarters. Her gamble had shut her off from her home, and she was sure she only had so long before neighbouring villages would also hear the news.
She attempted to collect her wares. Lumine had brought everything she owned and stored in a small travelling bag, but she could scour the city one last time before she was faced with proof that she’d been abandoned. She collected the rewards for the last commissions she’d done from a sombre Katherine. She passed by Wagner as always, but the blacksmith refused to sharpen her blade. He did hand her a rusty knife with a solemn nod, and Lumine took it. One could never be under-armed.
She went to Starfall Beach, where she usually trained, and pitifully attempted to sharpen her sword herself on rocks by the water as she thought. Enough food for a week, enough money for living costs for a month, and one change of clothes … she’d have to work on her travels. Her sword looked no better, so she sheathed it, sat down, and thought. She’d search the rest of Mondstadt, Liyue next, then Sumeru on foot. It wouldn’t be winter for another 6 months, so she could do it. If that yielded nothing, then…
—————
Lumine sat on the boardwalk of Liyue Harbour. The city looked prettiest during the fall, but she didn’t dislike the bright colours of spring. She watched ships sail in the distance on clear turquoise water and sky and immersed herself in the bay's life as people carried supplies on and off cargo vessels. Lumine was occupied with her own task; she sat at the edge of a circle of people as they mended a giant sail.
“So, Inazuma this time, eh?” Beidou's familiar voice asked as she stepped closer to the group. Her tall figure blocked Lumine from the sun.
Lumine nodded as she continued her repair work. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me ride with you again.”
Beidou laughed and ruffled the younger girl’s hair. “Pff, don’t mention it. You’ve been stowing away with me since you were 14. You’re an honorary crew member as far as I’m concerned.”
Lumine hid her smile behind a curtain of hair. “That means a lot.” Those words of affirmation got rarer and rarer the longer she was on the road. Had it only been a year since she’d left Mondstadt?
Beidou took a swig from her waterskin, which Lumine hoped was filled with water, as the captain leaned closer before she cleared her throat. “I know you searched every mountain in Liyue, but you didn’t have any luck in Sumeru?”
Lumine tightened her grip on the sail and shook her head. “Aether never showed up to his orientation at the Academia, and no one at any inn or restaurant along the roads remembered seeing his face.”
Beidou put a hand on her hip and grimaced. “I’m sorry, blondie, but you two have very recognizable features. If no one remembers him, then it might really be time to call off the search.”
The words made Lumine lose track of her sewing. Her focus wavered, and she stabbed herself with the needle, hissing as the blood dripped onto the fabric, turning the white canvas red. “I still have time,” She replied quietly, shoving the needle in and pulling it out with force. “I’m not stopping until I find something.”
Beidou put her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, okay, didn’t mean to push.” She tilted her head as she considered Lumine. “For my own curiosity, why Inazuma? You could’ve gone to Fontaine, Natlan, even Snezhnaya.”
Lumine held the captain’s gaze. “Aether speaks Inazuman. We both do, so it's reasonable to assume it would be the easiest place for him to blend other than Liyue… and I thought he might try to see Ayaka again,” her voice softened at Ayaka’s mention.
Beidou scoffed and crossed her arms. “I don’t see why he’d go there, of all places.”
Lumine looked up and tilted her head in question. Ayaka had always talked about how beautiful Inazuma City was and how much she loved all festivals. Lumine had always assumed the island was a hub of culture and trade, similar to Liyue.
“Inazuma was on lockdown for a long time.” Beidou looked into the distance. “You weren’t born yet, but back then, the islands used to be tormented by terrible storms day and night. They only cleared up about twenty or so, around the same time the current shogun took the throne. Even with the changes and the storm gone, the land’s a hellscape, and I don’t know why anyone would willingly migrate there.”
Beidou painted a very different picture in Lumine’s head than the one Ayaka had built over all the summers Lumine had spent with her. In her mind, the country of flowering trees and endless beaches turned into a ruined landscape lost in darkness, and she couldn’t imagine which one was true. The thought unsettled her, but it didn’t lessen her resolve.
Beidou's frown deepened. “Another question. Right now, they only let dignitaries, merchants, or people with travel permits through, right? How are you going to get in?”
Lumine fished into her bag, pulling out travel documents and the accompanying picture of Aether. Her brother had procured the documents for his international trips, as Inazuma’s strict migration laws dedicated their necessity. She’d never been issued her own, so Lumine merely borrowed his.
Beidou’s grim mood dissipated as she burst out laughing. “Now that’s rich. I wondered why Kazuha told me he was lending you his clothes.”
Lumine huffed. “I have other reasons!” Those reasons amounted to not wanting to be recognized by anyone she knew, though her Inazuman acquaintances were less than she could count on one hand. The other was darker and one she wasn’t willing to reveal. She’d been Aether’s shadow her entire life, and now she was only stepping further into that role. It was shameful to wear the face of someone missing, but Lumine knew she needed to do it.
Someone on deck called out that they’d finished preparations, and Beidou patted Lumine's shoulder twice for good luck. “You’ll always have a place here if your search doesn't turn out, I hope you know.”
She wished that sentiment were true. Lumine watched the captain walk onto the ship and greet her crew with smiles and backslaps that spoke of familiarity and closeness. She found solace in the action, knowing that wherever her life ended, she would have this to return to because she hadn’t given up hope yet.
—————
Evenings aboard the Alcor were always loud. For a group of ex-pats and former criminals who worked all day to keep the ship running, the Crux got surprisingly rowdy at night. Lumine leaned against the ship's rail as she looked at the clear horizon. Dinner had ended hours ago, and she would have slept, but her mind was stirring like the waves that lapped at the ship's side.
It had already been six days, which meant they’d be docking tomorrow night at the latest. Inazuma took one week to reach by boat, and Lumine had expected she’d have more time to think, considering she was alone as a passenger this time and had no extra duties. However, she’d still been roped into doing more work, and the days had passed quickly.
She sighed and rested her chin on the bannister. The ocean wasn’t her favourite place to be, but she liked how the sky seemed to multiply over the water. The stars she gazed at each night doubled with their reflections, and if she stared long enough, she could imagine she was one of them. Aether had called her a star who shone most in the darkness; she wasn’t sure what he meant by it but had taken the compliment.
“You appear to be deep in thought,” Kazuha called from behind her.
Lumine sighed, turning her head to look at him. “We’ve come so far already, and I don’t know where to start. I’ve never had such a huge goal that I didn’t know how to accomplish before.”
Kazuha nodded. “Inazuma has faced much turmoil in the past, but it also holds beauty for those who look deeply enough. You will face many challenges, but your spirit is tough.” He eyed her with a thoughtful look. “Remember, sometimes it is better to find peace within the storm than to fight against it.”
Her brow furrowed, and a mix of thanks and confusion filled her. “I suppose you're right.”
She didn’t understand half of what Kazuha said sometimes when he waxed poetic, but knowing him, she knew it would eventually be relevant in due time.
He continued. “Sadness and pain are bound to follow you on your journey. These feelings will stay with you and mould you anew, but they will also build you up, and you will grow into a stronger person.”
Lumine frowned. Now, she really didn’t know what he meant. Before she could respond, a sudden call from a crew member drew their attention.
“Storm ahead! Captain's orders are to return to safer waters and wait it out!”
Lumine’s heart sank. The dark sky lit up with a flash of lightning. Deep purple storm clouds had swallowed all the stars, rolling over each other as if to reach the ship faster. Beidou strode onto the deck, face sour as she took in the rough seas and oncoming storm front.
“Lumine, we can’t get any closer in this weather. I’m not risking the ship and the crew for money.” Beidou’s firm voice left no room for argument.
Frantically, Lumine grasped Beidou’s sleeve. “Is there nothing we can do? ”
Beidou’s eyes softened, but she shook her head. “It could be two or three days; I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen a storm this bad ‘round Inazuma since I was a kid. ”
She’d come so far, and any delay would cost her precious days she couldn’t afford to lose. Lumine’s resolve hardened. She hadn’t come all this way just to be turned back at the last moment.
She looked from the distant island to the person who could decide her future.
Her promise to herself—and Aether—was at stake.
Lumine had known Beidou for some time, spent most of her teen years around the woman, and learned how she operated. Beidou treated her crew equally and insisted on the same from them. In return, she was feared but also respected. Because of these policies, Lumine had always used a casual tone and first name with her superior, but now was not the time for that.
“Captain,” Lumine said, swallowing her fear and allowing her resolve to take over. “Give me a boat, and I’ll row myself in.”
Beidou’s face split into concern. “Lumine, you can’t be serious. These waters are dangerous for experienced sailors, let alone in a tiny boat. You’re better off waiting it out here.”
Lumine let go of Beidou’s sleeve. “I don’t have time to wait.” She turned to the ocean so no one would see the pain on her face, but her voice still cracked. “If there’s any chance of finding Aether in Inazuma, I have to take it. ”
Beidou held Lumine in her sight for a long moment before sighing heavily, a slight trace of admiration mingling with her reluctance. “Fine, but take this,” she yelled something, and a crew member stepped forward with a heavy cloak, which Lumine accepted. “Promise me one thing: don’t be reckless and get yourself to shore safely, no matter what.”
Lumine nodded, pulling the cloak over herself as tiny drops of rain began to fall from the sky. People began moving around her. She clutched the cloak tight as Beidou’s crew helped her into the rowboat. Kazuha stepped forward, placing his hand on the boat's edge as he leaned in.
“Inazuma is not kind, even to its own, and its shores will not help you,” he said quietly. “Remember, sometimes the path to what we seek is not as direct as we wish it to be.”
She took his words to heart as the crew lowered the rowboat over the side. The ropes went slack, and the wooden vessel hit the water hard with a splash, sending her flying in her seat as she adjusted to the shifting tides, as the small boat lurched forward. Choppy water rose around her as she began to row, one goal in mind: find Aether.
She was assaulted by harsh winds and cutting rain as she rowed endlessly, the familiar silhouette of the Alcor fading into mist. Years of sword swinging were nothing as her muscles burned with each push and pull of the wooden oars. She felt like she was fighting against the ocean with each stroke. With no rudder to steer, she could only pray that she would hit land eventually.
She felt like she was riding the wind as she shifted up and down, struggling to maintain her hold on the oars. Her hair was plastered to her face, her hands pruney, but she kept pushing. The boat rocked side to side, and the repetitive motion began to wear on her arms, which burned with fire while the cold froze the rest of her body. The rain fell harder, and the waves grew higher and higher as the hours passed.
Lumine rested for a moment, and that was all it took. A wave taller than any she’d seen before rose before her boat, blocking out the sky above her as it crashed down. The boat flipped sideways and splintered into pieces at the impact.
Lumine plunged into the water.
It's cold, it's cold, it's cold. All she could feel was cold as the water sank into her bones. The storm's roar was replaced with a deadly quiet as she sank further into the ocean. Her limbs felt heavy, like she was being dragged. It was impossible to tell which way was upper down. Lumine’s chest burned for air, but she couldn’t open her mouth; the moment her lungs flooded with water was the day she died, and she was not ready for death. She kicked her legs as hard as she could, thrashing in a vain hope she would surface as her vision began to blur.
Finally, her head broke through the water, and she gasped for air. She was barely up for a moment before another wave hit her and forced Lumine back under. Panic overtook her, spinning endlessly as her body twisted in every direction.
Lumine shut her eyes tight to focus. She fought against the current, blindly throwing her arms in a direction to find something to help her stay afloat. She found purchase on a splintered piece of driftwood from the rowboat, and she clung to it like a lifeline, letting it buoy her up. Lumine managed a few shaky breaths of air through violent shivering.
Another flash of lightning lit up the sky, and she saw the land, what she thought was land. It was becoming harder and harder to focus; she was so cold and so weak. As she lost consciousness, her last thoughts were of Aether.
—————
When Lumine awoke, she wasn’t sure what time it was. Blue and purple clouds covered the sky, and small holes let harsh white beams of light through. Her entire body ached something terrible, and her left hand, the one that had been gripping the driftwood, was riddled with splinters.
She blinked a few times to clear her vision and took stock of her surroundings. She’d washed up on a deserted sandbar that stretched between two islands populated by dead trees, sparse grass patches and numerous shipwrecks. She pushed onto her forearms, wincing at the strength it took, and managed to sit up. The landscape before her looked like it had been ravaged by an angry god.
Lumine stood on shaky legs. Her first goal was to find shelter to sleep off the effects of being nearly drowned. Looking around, she saw that one of the large ships, though split in half, was mostly intact.
She took shelter in what once must've been the galley. Although it lacked any cooking implements, broken bits of kitchenware littered the floor. Lumine set her sword and what was left of her soaked travel pack in the corner of the room, untied a length of rope from her waist, and strung it across the room. She stripped down to her undergarments and precariously hung each item of clothing on the rope so they could dry. She used some dry wood and a small piece of fuel to start a fire. She pulled the splinters out of her bloody hand with her teeth by firelight and huddled under the blessedly heavy waterproof cloak as she drifted off to sleep.
She was swept up on the shore of an island she had no memory of— Yashiori Island, or maybe Kannazuka. They were the only ones somewhat traversable on foot. She wasn’t sure which one she was on now, and there was no way of telling north or south without the stars. She closed her eyes and fell asleep to the sound of waves.
—————
Lumine had been on the island for seven days, and she had yet to run into anyone. Days one through four had been spent recovering; on day five, she'd wandered the beach, and on days six and seven, she was searching a forest for signs of life. She’d encountered no animals, and edible plants had been sparse. Lumine was starting to worry she’d starve to death before she ran into anyone.
She walked carefully through the woods, mindful of stepping on anything that would make too much noise. She could never be too careful exploring a new area, especially without a map. The more she ventured away from the shore, the more life returned to the island. Tall maple trees full of bright green leaves reminded her that everything wasn't so bad. Drops of light made their way through patches of foliage in an unearthly display she wanted to take in longer. She stopped and closed her eyes, letting the light warm her face, smelling damp grass and earth instead of salt and sea brine for the first time in a month. It felt like home.
Somewhere in the distance, Lumine heard footsteps.
She unsheathed her sword, pulling it halfway out of the scabbard as she listened for noise. She heard a distinct, rhythmic thumping again, followed by the sound of a lighter shuffle. One, no- two people, she thought. She freed her sword and clenched it tightly in her right hand, ready for whatever was headed her way.
The closer they got, the faster they trampled over sticks and fallen leaves. Whatever was being chased was heavy and fast. Lumine braced herself for confrontation, but nothing prepared her for the creature that emerged from the brush.
A monster the size of a boar jumped through the bushes as it ran past her. Its body was grey, round and bulbous, covered in fur. It hopped on one five-pronged chicken foot and used its clawed hands to spring forward. Lumine barely caught a glimpse of the creature's face, but what she did see horrified her. It had a large, slobbering mouth with pointy teeth and one huge red eye obscured by greying hair.
Before she could wonder why it was running, she got her answer. It was being chased by a man who didn’t appear much taller than her. He moved like a ghost, dressed in all white, like a full moon that appeared in a dark sky. His feet barely touched the ground as he ran; the only sound he made was the rustle of his clothes and his light footsteps. Lumine was awestruck; she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen someone so attractive before, and she couldn't even see his face, covered as it was by a purple veil.
Seeing someone else in the wild immediately made her feel safer, but he was chasing a monster. No one in their right mind would chase a monster unless they were an adventurer or insane. And his clothes? Why wasn’t he wearing shoes? How did he see through that veil?
She shook her head; none of that mattered right now. She had to focus; a man was chasing a monster, and he might need help, but more importantly, he was her current and only lead on finding Aether.
She followed closely behind the two. As if mocking the man, the creature darted in and around trees in erratic motions. They continued to run, but in a confusing move, the creature turned in a semi-circle to finally face the man, its taloned foot leaving a harsh scratch in the dirt. Her sword grip tightened as she watched the faceoff.
The man in white came to a stop, adjusting his stance, right leg forward and left leg back, as he withdrew his katana. Lumine could feel the moment all tension released from his body as he brought the blade over his head and slashed the air in one graceful but deadly arc. At the last moment, the monster twisted out of the way, struck wood, and left a deep gash in a nearby tree branch. Lumine watched with bated breath as the man immediately turned, striking at the monster again.
It relentlessly dodged each hit by hopping on its powerful foot, always out of reach. It taunted the man; each time she thought the sword would strike, the creature would weave out and under branches, taunting. Each swing of his katana hypnotized her; she'd never seen sword work so beautiful. Each clean strike, though only hitting trees and scattering leaves, brought the man closer and closer to his target.
As he seemed to gain the upper hand, the monster pounced with its claws extended. He dodged with a step backwards, but he wasn't fast enough. A claw tore through his pants and into his upper thigh. Lumine’s breath caught in her throat. But she could only stare hopelessly and watch as the man ducked into a roll, rising with his katana pointed at the creature.
Lumine felt a surge of pride. Although he was sprite and quite skilled, his opponent was no simple monster.
The monster let out a cry that pierced her ears, but the man did not react. The beast lunged for the man again, but this time, he anticipated it and could sidestep. As he did, he brought his sword down in a diagonal slash, cutting the creature’s arm. The blade cut through fur and flesh, leaving a red trail in its wake. Wounded and thrashing, the monster wailed, its playful nature all but disappeared as it began circling the man with caution, hate burning in its eyes.
The veiled man lowered his sword into a defensive stance, ready to strike, but the monster continued to be just out of reach. They continued their dance as the man encroached on the monster once more.
And then she caught it, a mistake. The creature backed up into the same area where the man had been slicing the heavy branches of the large maple trees. The man must have sensed it, too, because, with a change in stance, he launched forward with more power than he'd shown before. The beast, as usual, dodged the strike, but this time he was not the intended target. In one leap, she didn't think any human was capable of making, the man brought his blade down against the thick branch of a tree, sending it crashing down onto the monster.
The creature cried as it was crushed, the weight of the ancient maple tree pinning it to the ground. It moved wildly, thrashing side to side as its one eye rolled around in panic. Yet, the man showed no hesitation as he drove a blade directly into the creature's eye. It moved for a few more seconds, like a chicken with its head cut off, before going limp.
Lumine put her sword away now that the danger was gone. She wanted to ask the man how he'd been able to do all that, where he trained, and if he was okay, but before she could approach him, he was overtaken by violent tremors.
Lumine watched as he took one step back and then two steps. Then, as the shaking continued, he fell flat on his behind. She watched in horror as his leg, the one that was cut, somehow fell off his body, and in its place, a new leg formed. First, bone, then muscle, blood vessels, and tissues stretched from thigh to knee to calf to foot to toe as a new leg grew from nothing.