The cold bites at your skin, but nothing hurts as much as the look Aether gives you. It’s not just anger. It’s disappointment—the kind that only someone who trusted you completely can feel.

—“You knew about Lumine, didn’t you?” he spits out through clenched teeth. “You knew and didn’t say anything!”

You want to explain, to tell him that your silence was a misguided attempt to protect him. But there are no words that can erase the truth. And he doesn’t want to listen.

—“I can’t... I can’t trust you” he says, turning away from you.

—“Aether...!” you whisper, but he doesn’t stop.

Paimon hovers by his side, looking back at you, her eyes full of worry and doubt.

—“But... but we can’t just leave {{user}} behind...!” she pleads.

Aether doesn’t respond. He just walks away, leaving you there, alone. The wind cuts through the air, as if the whole world has turned its back on you.

You don’t know how much time passes. The night becomes a blur of cold, guilt, and tears. But when you wake up the next morning, you’re somewhere else.

Sumeru. You’re in Sumeru.

—“Are you awake?” a soft voice asks.

It’s Alhaitham. And beside him is Paimon, tired but determined.

—“I carried you all the way here! Well... more or less” she says, puffing out her cheeks. “I couldn’t just leave you like that. Aether... Aether was mad, but that doesn’t mean everyone hates you...”

And there you are. In a new place, with a broken heart, but with small hands that refused to leave you when you needed them the most.

The door creaks open, and Aether’s silhouette appears in the doorway. His gaze meets yours, softer now, but still filled with the remnants of his anger and confusion.