Are Lumine and Aether Evil? Unraveling the Morality of Genshin Impact’s Twins
The question of whether Lumine and Aether, the Traveler twins in Genshin Impact, are truly evil is complex and lacks a definitive, black-and-white answer. The game’s narrative presents a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the answer depends heavily on the player’s chosen protagonist and the circumstances surrounding the twins’ separation and subsequent experiences in Teyvat. While one twin becomes the Traveler, embarking on a quest to find their sibling, the other aligns with the Abyss Order, an organization often portrayed as antagonistic. This association leads to the perception of the “other” twin as evil, but deeper exploration reveals potential motivations and justifications that complicate this simplistic label. It’s less about inherent evil and more about differing perspectives shaped by trauma and a fight for what each believes is right.
The Traveler and the Abyss Sibling: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The core dilemma stems from the player’s choice at the beginning of the game: selecting either Aether or Lumine as the primary character. Whoever is chosen becomes the Traveler, dedicated to exploring Teyvat and uncovering its mysteries. The other twin, however, finds themselves aligned with the Abyss Order, an organization dedicated to dismantling the current order of Teyvat, which they perceive as corrupt and oppressive.
The Narrative’s Shifting Sands
It’s essential to understand that the narrative framing contributes significantly to the perception of good and evil. From the Traveler’s perspective, the Abyss Order’s actions, often involving disruption and conflict, appear inherently malevolent. However, the game hints at the Abyss Order having legitimate grievances against the Celestia and the Archons, the governing bodies of Teyvat.
The “evil” twin, leading the Abyss Order, is not necessarily acting out of pure malice. They may be motivated by a desire to protect humanity from what they perceive as a greater threat – the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles and the established order of Teyvat. This perspective shifts the dynamic from a simple good versus evil narrative to a conflict of ideologies and a struggle for power where both sides believe they are fighting for the greater good.
Are They Brainwashed?
The question of whether the Abyss twin is under some form of mind control or brainwashing often arises. While there is no definitive confirmation of this, the game strongly implies that the twin’s experiences in Teyvat before the Traveler’s arrival profoundly shaped their worldview. Witnessing the destruction of Khaenri’ah, a technologically advanced but godless nation, may have solidified their belief that the gods of Celestia are tyrannical and that the current order must be overthrown. Whether this experience directly resulted in brainwashing or simply a deep-seated conviction remains a mystery.
The Complex Morality of Genshin Impact
The question of good versus evil is a recurring theme within Genshin Impact. Characters are rarely purely good or purely evil; they often operate in shades of grey, driven by complex motivations and influenced by their past experiences. This complexity extends to the Traveler twins, making it difficult to definitively label one as “evil.”
The Unknown God: The Overarching Antagonist
The actual overarching antagonist appears to be the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, also known as the Unknown God. This powerful entity is the one who separated the twins in the first place, preventing them from leaving Teyvat and setting them on their divergent paths. While the Abyss twin is often perceived as the antagonist from the Traveler’s point of view, the Unknown God is the force that initiated the conflict and continues to manipulate events from behind the scenes.
Personal Preference and the Player’s Perspective
Ultimately, the perceived morality of the twins is subjective and heavily influenced by the player’s choice. Whichever twin is chosen as the Traveler becomes the lens through which the player experiences the story. This perspective naturally colors the perception of the other twin and the Abyss Order.
The decision between Aether and Lumine is purely aesthetic and has no bearing on the game’s mechanics or story outcomes beyond the obvious perspective shift. Aside from aesthetics, there is no difference between each twin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Lumine the canonical evil twin and Aether the canonical good twin?
The idea of a “canonical” alignment is misleading. While the community often leans towards Lumine as the Abyss Princess and Aether as the Traveler, there is no official confirmation that one is inherently more evil or good than the other. It’s purely based on which character the player did not chose at the beginning of the game.
2. Who is the main villain in Genshin Impact?
The most prominent antagonist is the Unknown God, also known as the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. However, depending on the player’s perspective, the Abyss twin can also be seen as a major antagonist.
3. Which Genshin sibling is better?
There is no “better” twin. Both Aether and Lumine have the same stats, abilities, and story potential. The choice is purely based on personal preference.
4. Is Aether worse than Lumine?
Neither twin is inherently “worse” than the other. Their perceived morality depends on the player’s chosen perspective and their interpretation of the events in the game.
5. Are The Twins MONSTERS?
No, the twins are not monsters. They are powerful beings with the ability to travel between worlds, but they are not inherently monstrous. Their actions are driven by their experiences and motivations. You can explore more on these theories, and gaming in general, at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).
6. Is it better to pick lumine or aether?
The choice between Lumine and Aether is purely aesthetic. There is no gameplay advantage to choosing one over the other.
7. How old is Aether?
Aether, along with Lumine, is at least over 500 years old, as they witnessed the destruction of Khaenri’ah, which occurred 500 years before the game’s present timeline.
8. Who is the evil sibling of Genshin Impact?
The sibling that the player doesn’t choose will be considered the “evil” sibling.
9. Which Genshin twin should I pick?
Choose whichever twin you prefer aesthetically. There is no other difference between them.
10. Is lumine actually evil?
Lumine is not inherently evil. Her association with the Abyss Order and her actions are driven by her experiences and her belief that the current order of Teyvat is corrupt.
11. Are Archons evil?
Some Archons may have questionable past actions or methods, but they are not inherently evil. They are complex characters with their own motivations and perspectives.
12. Is the travelers twin evil?
The Traveler’s twin is not necessarily evil, but rather an antagonist.
13. Is the traveler a God?
The Traveler is not explicitly stated to be a god, but they possess unique powers and abilities that set them apart from ordinary humans.
14. Why is the travelers sibling evil?
The Traveler’s sibling is perceived as evil because of their association with the Abyss Order and their opposition to the current order of Teyvat.
15. Is one of the twins evil Genshin?
Neither twin is inherently evil. Their alignment and actions are influenced by their experiences and perspectives. It’s important to remember that the narrative often frames the story from the Traveler’s point of view, which can skew the perception of the other twin.
In conclusion, labeling Lumine or Aether as definitively evil is a vast oversimplification. The twins are complex characters caught in a conflict with profound implications for the world of Teyvat. Their morality is shaped by their experiences, motivations, and the player’s chosen perspective. The true villain may lie elsewhere, in the overarching forces that manipulate events and perpetuate the cycle of conflict.