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Why? Why was this happening? Why had he suggested they travel to Mondstadt on their own? Why did they get attacked? Why had he failed his younger brother? Lyney’s mind flooded with these questions, each one piercing deeper into his conscience.
——
“See, isn’t taking the scenic route on foot so much better than taking the expressway?” Lyney said teasingly to his siblings. Freminet groaned as he covered his face with one hand to block out the sun.
“Remind me again why we ever listen to you?” Lynette quipped, not looking affected by the heat but ears dropped lower than usual.
“Hey! I’ll have you know that the sights that we’ll see from walking are no match for what we would see taking any other route!” Lyney was practically full of energy as he walked along the path, doing simple card tricks to keep his hands occupied.
“This is going to make me regret coming with you…” Freminet muttered as he used his cryo vision to keep him cool. At least a little bit.
“Awww, cmon Fremi don’t be like that!” Lyney pouted as he poked Freminet’s face. Freminet let out an indignant squawk and batted Lyney’s hand away, glaring at him. Lynette looked amused by her sibling's banter and allowed herself one of her rare smiles.
“Hey, you two-“ Lynette suddenly got cut off as an arrow whizzed by her face. She was automatically on guard and unsheathed her sword, taking a defensive position.
“Behind us!” She cried out as she saw abyss mages and a ruin guard locked onto their position. Both of her siblings got out their weapons and turned to face their enemies. Lyney took a step forward and got ready to launch his arrow at the Ruin Guard.
Suddenly, the Ruin Guard made a mechanical noise as it got ready to launch missiles at the three of them. Lynette quickly entered her Pilfering Shadow state and dodged the missle. Freminet and Lyney both quickly sprinted away and were able to dodge the missile as well.
Freminet quickly swung his claymore at an abyss mage and was able to take down its shield. Lyney then struck the mage with an arrow causing a Grin-Malkin Hat to be summoned. The hat then fired off a Pyrotechnic Strike, killing the abyss mage.
The other abyss mages let out shrieks and formed shields around themselves. The Ruin Guard went to launch another attack, before Freminet and Lynette attacked it at the same time. The attack caused the Ruin Guard to fall over as Lynette and Lyney’s hats gave it a quick end.
The siblings worked as one to fend off the attacks from the abyss mages. Eventually, they dealt the final blow to the last one.
Lyney let out a sigh as he allowed himself to relax. Freminet put away his claymore as he too, let down his guard thinking that the worst was over. Lynette was farther away, over the dead abyss mages. She was out of her Pilfering Shadow state and cleaning her sword. They managed to get away with just scratches and bruises.
“What were those things doing here…” Freminet said aloud.
“I’m not sure, they shouldn’t even be this close to the trail we were on.” Lyney said with a worried expression.
Suddenly, they heard an animalistic shriek. Before anyone knew it, an Abyss Mage cryo projectile was flying towards Lyney.
The next thing Lyney registered was that he was pushed out of the way.
A sharp thud reverberated through the air. The impact was followed by the sickening sound of something colliding with a nearby rock. A hollow thump echoed in Lyney and Lynette’s ears. The clash of magic and stone against flesh was a jarring sound that left ominous silence in its wake.
They were frozen, seeming like everything moved in slow motion.
“Freminet!”
Both the twins shouted at once as they both ran to their little brother’s side. Lyney and Lynette both dropped themselves in front of their brother. Lynette was in a horrified shock as her hands hovered over her brother. Lyney’s breath was coming out in panicked puffs, as he looked at his little brother's body. Freminet was bleeding from a deep wound on his head, he was unconscious and breathing shallowly.
The twins were shocked out of their silence as a herd of abyss mages made their presence known. Lynette stood up shakily as she activated her Pilfering Shadow state. She spoke in an eerily calm voice.
“Lyney, take care of him. Stop the bleeding while I handle these monsters.”
“Lynette-!”
She dashed away and began attacking the mages.
With his heart pounding inside his head and hands trembling, he turned his attention back to his brother. The one he was supposed to protect, his mind supplied unhelpfully.
Blood trickled from the wound on Freminet’s head, staining his hair and matting it against his skin. Lyneys fingers shook as he reached out, his touch gentle yet desperate. A magician's hands must never shake.. he thought as he tore a piece of his own cloth and pressed it against the wound.
Lyney’s hands stained crimson as he applied pressure to stem the bleeding. His vision blurred as he blinked tears away.
“Fremi… You have to wake up. Please, I can’t lose you.”
Lyney’s voice edged on desperation as he whispered reasurenses. The world seemed quiet and still around him as he focused on his brothers still form. The cloth he was using to apply pressure was soaked throughout. He tore off another piece and began to do the same process.
Lyney briefly registered the sounds of Lynette fighting in the background. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and desperation, his every instinct centered around keeping Freminet safe. The sight of his little brother injured and vulnerable sent daggers into his heart.
Because of you. This is all because of you. Lyney’s mind kept telling him.
When he felt Freminet again, he was beginning to get cold. Oh right, cryo abyss mage. He vaguely thought through his panic. He registered himself pulling out his bow and summoning a Grin-Malkin hat. The hat was placed right beside Freminet, being used as a heater.
The sounds of Lynette’s fight were coming to an end. Lynette stabbed the final abyss mage and wasted no time in rushing back to her siblings.
“How is he?” She breathed out, kneeling beside her twin.
“I’ve managed to stop the bleeding. But he’s lost a lot of blood.” Lyney said while turning his head to look over his sister. “You're not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“No, I’m fine. What’s more concerning is, what do we do now?” Lynette questioned doefully. How could you let this happen, you were supposed to be their protectors. She thought while staring at her unconscious brother’s bloodstained face.
Lyney’s usually vibrant features were now a canvas of uncertainty. His brows were knitted in a tight frown, his forehead creased with worry lines. The spark that usually danced in his eyes had dimmed, replaced with a mix of confusion and fear. His lips, which were usually quick to offer a smile or a witty remark, were pressed into a thin line, searching for words that wouldn’t come.
“I…” He trailed off, still unsure of what to do, say, and think.
Lynette sensed her twin's turmoil and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. She slowly stood up and offered a hand to Lyney. He looked up at her, then shakily took her hand and got up.
“We need to get him to shelter right away. I saw an abandoned hilichurl camp less than a mile away. Hopefully there’s a hut there.” Lynette informed, configuring a plan in her head.
“Sounds like a plan. Lynette… is it safe? To move him I mean.” Lyney asked uncertainly. He crouched down, trying to find where it was safe to pick Freminet up. Your fault. He thought as his gaze shifted to his brother's face.
“I don’t think we have a choice either way. He needs medical attention and we all need a place to stay the night before we collapse.” Lynette responded as she crouched down.
Lynette and Lyney exchanged a fleeting glance, their unspoken understanding evident in their eyes. With careful movements, they positioned themselves on either side of Freminet, their hands hovering just above his body as they gauged the best way to lift him without aggravating the head wound.
Gently, as if holding fragile glass, they slid their arms beneath Freminet’s shoulders and knees. Lyney’s heart pounded in his chest as he focused on nothing but making sure his brother was safe. Lynette’s eyes remained fixed on Freminet’s bloodstained face, determination to protect her brother evident in her body language.
As they slowly rose to their feet, Freminet’s head rested against Lynette’s body, cushioned by the placement of her hands. Lyney held the lower half of his body in place as they began the trek to the Hilichurl camp.
With every step they took they adjusted their grip, ensuring Freminet’s head was not disturbed. Their breaths were held as they continued forward, aware of the responsibility they held and the fragility of the injured.
This is your fault.
How could you let this happen?
This was because of you.
You are the reason your siblings are hurting.
Neither of them knew it, but both siblings were thinking similar thoughts. Each one dealing with inner turmoil that was consuming them like poison.
As the three siblings continued walking, Lynette spotted the camp a few meters away.
“Lyney,” Lynette called softly, shaking him out of his thoughts. “I see the camp, it’s over there. There’s a hut up towards the end of the camp.” They both picked up speed, still cautious not to jostle Freminet’s head.
They slowly climbed the stairs and set Freminet down, on a carpet in the middle of the floor. They sat down on either side of him, both of their postures stiff.
Lynette’s usually neutral expression was now a worried frown when looking down at her younger brother. Her gaze was a mix of focus and apprehension. We can do this. You’ll be ok Fremi. Your big brother and sister are here for you. She fully believed this as her eyes filled with determination.
Lyney felt a mix of guilt and responsibility that only intensified as he looked down at his injured brother.
Sharing a breath, they began to work.
Lynette reached for a clean cloth and a vial of water they managed to salvage from their supplies. She wet the cloth with water and began cleaning the wound. She started wiping the blood off of Freminet’s face with utmost care.
Lyney watched his sister's careful actions, while his own hands clenched into fists. I should have protected him. I’m his older brother, that's my job. Why did I fail him? His mind raced with these questions as his gaze never left the scene in front of him.
As Lynette managed to clean all the blood away, the wound was revealed to them. Stomach’s churning, as they both gazed down at the ugly gash on their little brothers head. A pit of worry began to form in Lynette's stomach and Lyney felt the back of his eyes burning.
He blinked away the burning sensation and got bandages out from their supplies.
Lyney’s hands trembled slightly as he began unrolling a length of the bandage out. His eyes flicked back and forth between the wound and unwrapping.
As Lynette wiped the last of the blood away, Lyney brought the bandage over and they began wrapping it around Freminet’s head. They ensured it was snug, but not too tight.
Eventually, the bandage was secured onto the wound. They both shared a look of relief tinged with worry.
Lynette’s hand came to rest on Freminet’s head as she thought. You’ll be alright. She didn’t know if she was reassuring him or herself.
Lyney’s hand found its way to Freminet’s shoulder. His hand shaking slightly, he squeezed gently. I won’t fail you again. We’re both here for you. The weight of his emotions, heavy in the air.
They sat there, watching over their injured brother while surveying the camp. The atmosphere was silent, the only sound being of crickets in nature.
Hours had passed, when a soft noise suddenly came from behind them. They both whipped around as soon as they heard it, looking around the hut for an intruder. Their gazes finally rested on their brother, whose eyes were glassy, but open.
“…Lyney…Lynette…” Freminet whispered in a hoarse voice that was barely audible.
“Freminet!” Both the twins immediately got up and went to the younger sibling. Both of their hands were shaking as they took Freminet’s hands in theirs. Their breaths were uneven as their every focus was on their brother's form.
“…Are you two…safe?..” Freminet mumbled as he blinked owlishly.
Both of the twins exchanged a glance as Lynette let out a watery laugh and responded. “Fremi, we’re both ok, It’s you we’re worried about. How are you feeling?” Lynette said in a soft voice that wavered in tears. Lyney swallowed back a sob as he looked down on his brother. He’s alright. He’s alive. He’s alright. He’s alive. He repeated these thoughts like a chant as he almost couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Freminet’s voice was weak, but determination was evident. “I’m… I’m ok, really. Just… a bit dizzy.” He tried to lift his hand to his head, wincing at the pain. “Thank you both… for saving me.”
Lyney sniffed and let out a soft sob as his voice shook with relief. “I should be the one thanking you. You saved me by pushing me aside.” Lyney’s eyes shone with tears as guilt began to overcome him again.
Freminet gave a soft smile and responded, “You’re my brother… I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Freminet’s eyes began to droop, fatigue beginning to take over.
Lynette laid him down gently as she said softly. “Rest now, you’re safe. We’re here for you.”
With those words Freminet’s eyes closed, and his breathing grew steadier as sleep overcame him. The hut was quiet once more, the only sounds being of wildlife outside, and soft breathing from inside.
The twins both let out breaths that they didn’t know they were holding. The tension drained from their bodies as they both felt tears of relief fall. Lyney began laughing quietly while wiping tears away.
“He’s really ok.” Lynette said while sighing and leaning against the wall of the hut.
“Yeah…” Lyney said plopping next to her with an exhale. “Archons.. what a day.” He said as he ran a hand over his face. He turned his gaze over to his sleeping brother with a guilty expression.
“I know what you're thinking Lyney. And I’m telling you it’s not.” Lynette said looking at her twin with a set expression.
Lyney laughed, “not what?” He tried to play it off while averting his eyes.
“It’s not your fault Lyney.”
“…”
“I’m serious.”
“…I’m the reason he got hurt in the first place! If I hadn’t been so careless he wouldn’t have had too-!”
He was suddenly cut off when Lynette’s finger pressed against his mouth. “I’ll stop you right there Lyney. Now, let me ask you a question, did you know the enemy reinforcements were right there?”
“Well.. no, but-“ He was cut off again as Lynette made a tutting sound.
“There. You have your answer then. Not your fault.” Lynette finalized as Lyney thought what she said over. A few minutes had passed when Lyney spoke up again.
“You know, Lynette. It’s not your fault either.”
Lynette flinched as his words reached her, her eyes widened as she looked at Lyney. Who looked back at her with a smile.
“What? You think you're the only one that knows what the other is thinking?” Lyney teased as he grinned at her. “Think about what you said to me. It’s nobody's fault. The only thing that matters is that we’re all alive and ok.”
Lynette moored over his words as she finally let out a sigh. She looked back at her twin and smiled.
“You’re right.”
“Aren’t I always!” Lyney said back with a giggle.
The twins both shared a look of understanding as they allowed themselves to relax. After some time, they both got up and went over to the door. They set up a Grin-Malkin hat, a Bogglecat Box, and Pers in front of the door. The three guarded the door to inside the hut as the twins made their way over to Freminet.
They laid down on either side of him protectively and drifted off into a deep slumber.