"Hmm... Let's go!"
Lumine nodded, about to teleport them near Wolvendom, when the commotion behind her caught her attention.
Dainsleif emerged slowly from around a corner, observing his surroundings and murmuring,
"Strange, I sensed those Abyss creatures, but they vanished in an instant. And this time, there wasn't even a trace left..."
"Dain? What are you doing here?"
"Oh?"
Dainsleif paused slightly, then seemed to realize something.
"I didn't expect our reunion to be so soon. So, did you just encounter some Abyss creatures?"
Lumine nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, they took my sister. I'm going to Wolvendom to rescue her now."
"Sister?"
Dainsleif was puzzled. He didn't know Lumine had a sister, as their meeting occurred before Lumine met Paimon.
Lumine waved her hand, not immediately answering his question.
"Time is short, we'll talk as we go."
"Alright."
Meanwhile, the scene shifts to Paimon...
"Mmph mph... Let go..."
Paimon, having regained her senses, quickly released her elemental energy, trying to blast whoever was behind her away. To her surprise, the attacker remained completely unfazed by her strike, as if it were ignored.
"Huh?!"
How is that possible? Even an Eleven Fatui Harbinger couldn't easily withstand such an attack!
As Paimon pondered, the person behind her leaned against her shoulder and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Not bad. Your power has improved significantly since we last met."
"Mmph?!"
That familiar voice!
Paimon turned around in astonishment and saw a handsome young man with a faint smile looking at her.
"Oh? It seems you recognize me."
With that, Aether released his grip on Paimon, allowing her to speak.
"You! Why did you capture me?!"
Paimon looked around, trying to find an escape route, but found herself surrounded by darkness, so thick she could barely see her hand in front of her face.
"Hahaha~ Did you forget what I told you before?"
Aether smirked at Paimon, watching her with amusement.
"What did you say?"
Paimon instinctively recalled their previous encounter.
"Ah... You did say you wanted to pull me into the Abyss faction... No, no! I would never oppose Lumine, so don't even think about it."
"Hmmph..."
Seeing Paimon's reaction, Aether nodded with satisfaction.
"It seems you truly care about my sister."
Is there a chance?!
Paimon quickly replied.
"Yes, yes! So, can you send me back now? (✪▽✪)"
"Hahaha~ Unfortunately, no."
Emm...
Damn it!
Watching Paimon's dejected expression, Aether stroked his chin, thinking to himself.
There's still plenty of time. It shouldn't hurt to tease this little girl a bit longer. Consider it a test...
With that thought, Aether walked towards Paimon.
"Hey! You! What are you going to do?! Σ(//∇//)"
Noticing Aether approaching, Paimon instinctively took a few steps back, only to bump into something like a wall.
"Ouch! That hurts! Why is there no path behind me... (≧﹏≦)"
"Because this is my own exclusive space. Meaning, everything in it changes according to my will."
Aether stood before Paimon, explaining to her kindly. He then looked down at her, continuing in a playful tone.
"Now, please explain why you resemble my sister so much."
"Gulp?!"
Paimon panicked and quickly turned her head away, stammering her defense.
"Th-this... I... I don't know myself..."
Oh no, oh no! What should I do?! How can I possibly explain this!
"It seems you're not going to tell me..."
"I... No... No..."
Aether was silent for a moment. Seeing Paimon's eyes begin to dart around, he smirked slightly and continued.
"If you don't want to say, then I'll have to do it myself."
"Huh?! Waaah?!"
As soon as he spoke, Aether raised his hand and snapped his fingers. A portal instantly appeared beneath Paimon's feet, dropping her into another space. Aether then opened another portal and walked in leisurely.
Paimon felt herself suddenly lose her footing and fall onto something resembling an operating table.
"Huh? The environment changed again. Wait, this looks like... an operating room?! Is Aether planning to dissect me?!"
Before Paimon could even think of a way to escape, she was startled by Aether emerging from another teleportation gate. She shrank into a corner, trembling and pointing a small hand at him.
"You! You! Don't do anything reckless... I'm warning you, if you dare touch me, your sister might not talk to you anymore..."
Hearing Paimon's words, Aether couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha... Did you forget something? She doesn't even know I have connections with the Abyss. How would she know it was me who touched you?"
At this moment, Aether was unaware that a Fatui Harbinger had already revealed his affairs to Lumine.
"Emm..."
Paimon was silent for a moment, then obediently walked over and lay down on the operating table.
"Oh? Have you given up resisting?"
Hearing Aether's curious tone, Paimon turned to look at him and pleaded.
"Yeah... Um, look, I've been so good, so could you please give me anesthesia before you start? (╥﹏╥)"
"Pfft... Hahahaha~"
Aether laughed and patted Paimon's head.
"I say, you've met me before, haven't you? Did I seem like a terrifying person to you then, someone who would casually harm even his sister's friend?"
"Ah, that's right!"
Paimon's spirits immediately lifted, and she quickly sat up, asking.
"Then why did you capture me?"
"Hmm... How should I put it..."
Aether stroked his chin again, trying to come up with a perfect excuse.
"I just wanted to temper Lumine's heart. That's all. (^_^)"
The thought of wanting to tease her along the way was something he couldn't possibly say out loud...
"Huh? Then what about your plan? Are you just going to let Lumine ruin it?"
Paimon blurted out.
"That plan was just a diversion. The real plan is still..."
Aether stopped mid-explanation, suddenly sensing something was amiss.
"Wait... How did you know we had a plan?"
"Huh? Ah... Σ(|||▽|||)"
"B-because..."
At this moment, Paimon's mind was racing at an incredible speed. In that split second, she managed to come up with a nearly perfect solution!
Which was...
"My sixth sense told me!"
Ugh...
Looking at Paimon's extremely serious expression, Aether felt a wave of exasperation.
Is this girl trying to fool me like a three-year-old...