Kaeya and Diluc followed the trail with minimal comments. It was an uncomfortable silence but it didn't linger. Determination was the only thing keeping the two focused. They both had jobs to do.

The mouth of a cave had come into view. Amber was in there, there was no doubt.

Kaeya's hand was enveloped in ice while Diluc held onto his sword. The two men had their backs to the cave, trying to listen and get a sense of the situation.

Kaeya was expecting to see a pouting Amber tied up, throwing a fit and babbling the guy's ear off. He wouldn't even be surprised if by the end of this, the man thanked them for saving him from Amber.

There were many reasons someone would want to kidnap a knight. They had no shortage of enemies or evil in the world. A treasure hoarder was his number one suspect. They were known to move from artifacts and trinkets to trafficking humans for the Fatui. They were also prime opportunists.

But a lone treasure Hunter kidnapping Amber? They all had their days where they'd been the victims of bad luck, carelessness and being outmatched, but it just didn't seem right.

Surely, all would be cleared up as soon as they got the always hungry and always happy archer freed… After Kaeya kicked the kidnapper's ass, of course.

Diluc and Kaeya made their move, rushing in with expected ease. Jean didn't have to worry about a thing. They'd all eat at good hunter together, tease the girl for giving them all a hard time and force Jean to take a day off.

Having Diluc at his side would be overkill. There was absolutely nothing to worry-

The body of a young woman was tucked under a rough and dirty looking blanket. Her long hair was an absolute mess. Blood had gathered on and under her swollen face. The red handprint was just as vibrant and noticeable on her cheek.

Amber wasn't very tall, but it was quite obvious from the tattered and ripped clothing in a pile beside her, she was naked.

Kaeya's heart had caused his whole chest to vibrate. The pounding in his ears and gush of heati to his face caught him off guard.

"O-Oh fuck!"

The terror from the man across from them was nothing compared to the terror Amber must have felt. This man raped her. Beat her. Violated her.

Kaeya felt all of his blood and oxygen got sucked into some terribly deep and cold void. As if his whole body plopped into an ice cavern.

"Wait! Please! She-I think she's full alive! I didn't mean to hurt her!" The pleas of a pathetic, disgusting liar filled the cryo with absolute rage.

Besides him, Diluc was having a much more animated reaction. His brother snarled and the shift in the air felt hot. Before he could do anything, Kaeya's hand was in front of him.

"He's mine." He said, calm as the beautiful day outside of this little cave. "Amber."

The girl hasn't moved a muscle. She was completely incapacitated and the lone treasure hunter's earlier words didn't escape him.

There was no way Amber was dead, right?

Laying on the ground, Amber was completely limp. A torn blanket had been thrown over her,

Diluc was trembling, needing to wreck this evil to shreds but he relented, huffing and still shaking as he approached the archer.

When Diluc's back was turned, the hoarder pleaded once more. "W-Wait! This is all her fault! You can't blame me! The dumb whore wanted-"

Ice shot through bone, pinning the beast off the ground followed by pathetic cries. A second spear of ice flew through a knee, rendering it useless for the rest of his very, very short life.

When the man attempted to send some electro to Kaeya, the knight threw an icicle into his palm. "Say anything else about her, and I won't just shove your dick down your throat, I'll make you swallow it too."

Despite the cool and calm tone, Kaeya was disgusted, livid, blinded by the rage of what he saw and knew happened and he didn't give a shit about the vile and evil form of a man. He'd kill him right now! He'd destroy him!

Diluc watched with his own anger. He had been pushed away by Kaeya, which in retrospect was a good thing.

Amber needed him. He quickly moved to her side, attempting to touch her skin but his anger made his hands flare with uncontrollable fire. "Fuck." He hissed. He had to see if she was alive! He couldn't just do nothing and gawk at the horrible sight!

So, he put his ear to her chapped lips, begging for some sort of breath.

That's when panic set it.

No breathing, no heartbeat, no pulse.

Diluc was as gentle as he could be with Amber's broken state.

The idiot swore she had been breathing before the two of them arrived but Diluc ignored him completely. Kaeya would no doubt, wipe him from existence.

"Jean!"

Lisa nearly collapsed at the news.

Her knees buckled at the reality she didn't want to accept.

"Amber, sweetheart. You're one of my absolute favorites." Lisa had told the girl when the outrider had accompanied her on retrieving some stolen books from a group of teenagers. Amber had used her gliding skills to trap the punks while Lisa's intimidating figure had scared them half to death.

The bunny had giggled, munching on a sticky honey roast that Lisa had rewarded her with. "Is that why you always tease me?"

"Of course! The only other person who has a personality as gorgeous as yours is-well, never mind about that."

Lisa clutched at her chest, squeezing her eyes shut as memories swarmed her mind. Little things, even seeing Amber running through the halls was now filled with so much weight.

Amber was dying.

She tried to recover from the news. It wasn't just Amber that needed her to be calm and strong, it was Kaeya, Diluc, Barbara and… Jean.

"Amber is dying. That meant that she is still alive, that there is still a chance I can save her!" Barbara snapped the witch out of her trance, unknowingly keeping her from spiraling.

These sisters. So loyal to their duties and calling that almost nothing phased them until after everything was said and done.

It was as insane as it was inspiring. Lisa was surrounded by those with lion hearts. She couldn't let them down. She swore she would do everything she could to support her family.

Sadness enveloped the woman as she and Barbara prepared to rush to the Cathedral.

"Oh, wait!" The knight who had given them the news called after them. "Master Jean has requested the healing to be done in private."

Lisa and Barbara didn't question it. If it was privacy Amber needed, than so be it. "This way." Barbara's voice called to Lisa. Even though the Cathedral was next door, the knights had their own little medical ward.

With the departure of the grand master and other knights, so too, did the favonious doctor leave.

Lisa assisted Barbara, prepping everything possible they could need. "I've already mixed some potions." Lisa stated. "I… I didn't know what to expect and…"

Barbara nodded. "Perfect, Lisa. Since it's just me, I might need your help with everything else. If you don't mind."

Of course she minded! She minded that Amber was dying, that Jean was going to blame herself, and that if they ever lost Amber-

"Lisa?" Barbara called the witch, giving her a small smile. "She's my friend too." It was gentle. No trace of judgment or any form of condescending undertones. "Let's not worry about all the what ifs right now. One step at a time, okay?"

Barbara knew Lisa's hesitancy had nothing to do with laziness or reluctance of any negative ideas. It was hesitancy because she cared and was worried. Barbara understood it.

With a bit of an overwhelmed huff, the witch nodded. "Okay, sweetheart." She whispered. "I'll help." The woman said, crossing her arms as they were once again resolved to waiting.

Jean was soaring through Mondstat's different areas. Her anemo abilities leaving dandelions floating in the air as she rushed by.

The girl in her arms was as still as when Diluc and Kaeya first arrived… But she was alive. That was all that mattered. Amber was still alive.

The cloak that Lisa had given Jean for anonymity was snuggly around Amber, covering her and shielding her. Jean was doing her part too. She was doing her best to keep a constant flow of healing. Her eyes focused on the approaching walls of Mondstat.

Amber had never been so quiet. The church, the library, in meetings… The young knight was always loud and lively. Even when asleep, Amber had a snore and spoke in her dreams just as courageously in real life.

The outrider was never silent. Even her fading heartbeat was quiet.

To not hear a thing from her was absolutely terrifying.

She needed to get her to Barbara. Jean's healing could not fully save someone who was already so far gone but surely Barbara could. Not by her vision but by her skill and knowledge alone. Her sister could save their knight in red.

"Go! I'll escort you!" Diluc called up ahead, a mitachrul collapsing to the ground.

Jean was ever grateful to him, dashing forward without a second thought.

"Master?"

The sound almost made her freeze. The voice that called her was so soft and weak. The sound was so broken and unrecognizable Jean had thought she imagined it.

"…I'm-"

"Amber, shh. It's okay."

Jean found herself responding. Her voice steady as her emotions betrayed her. Tears distorted her vision and the knot in her throat sat heavy.

"Sorry."

Jean must have imagined it. She had to. Amber wasn't even moving as she finally glanced down to look at the sleeping girl. Besides, what did she have to apologize for!? What could she have ever done wrong!? She wanted to plead with her, tell her to never ever apologize again!

The soft thuds under her feet turned to louder clicks as grass gave way to cobblestone. She was so close. Soon, Amber would be saved.

As the last beat resonated from the crimson knights heart, Jean wailed out for help as soon as she bursted through the Knight of Favonius medical room.