"I would not do that if I were you…"
"Too slow…"
Keqing could only watch in horror as Ningguang was enveloped in golden light… Next was Ganyu… and then…
"Perhaps if you act on your instincts, you'll see me here tomorrow. Then I'll answer whatever you like. But for now, sleep."
"Sweet dreams…"
Keqing sat up straight in bed, sweating and panting. What on earth was that dream all about? She peeked out the window, and noticed the sky was still black. She glanced at the clock, and saw that the time was 4:45 in the morning. She would've woken in 15 minutes anyway, so she decided to try to remember what that dream was.
The reason this dream had piqued her curiosity was because she rarely dreamt. The only times she had ever dreamed was when she was young. Random, scattered dreams depicting nothing in particular.
Yet this one seemed too… specific. Why the Guizhong Ballista? Why the three main leaders of the Liyue Qixing? Why did they bring so many Milellith soldiers? And finally… What sort of power was that? Keqing had studied Visions for so long, yet she could not identify that strange power the figure used. What was his name…? Ah, right. Aether. No power in Teyvat was golden. He had also summoned Abyss Mages from a portal. He also mentioned something about a sister. What did that have to do with anything? Keqing groaned and grabbed her head.
She had so many questions, and no one could answer them. She highly doubted that the person in her dream existed, as he didn't dress like anyone from any nation, used a power unknown to mankind, and didn't have the aura of a criminal, or a bad person. Of course, that didn't mean he was a bad person, as a lot of bad people could put up a good natured surface.
Her clock started beeping, indicating that it was 5:00 in the morning and time to start the day. Grumbling to herself, she shut off the alarm clock and walked off to the bathroom to get ready for the day. She took a quick shower, letting the cool water flow over her body. She stepped out, and put her usual clothes on. As she stepped outside, her eyes flicked up and down the streets of Liyue, which were still dark and silent. She yawned quietly, and walked off to the office of the Liyue Qixing, with a slight feeling that something was amiss.
As she stepped near the door, the memory of the dream appeared in her mind again, and she stared blankly at the door, seeing, but not seeing. As if in a trance, she turned slowly, and looked at the streets again, and the only exit in and out of Liyue Harbor. As if they were ghosts, Milellith soldiers ran past, their bodies translucent. She saw herself, Ningguang, and Ganyu at the front of the large army. She could see Ningguang hold her hands up and her mouth move. Although no sound was physically there, the dream filled in the words.
"We leave at once!"
The Millelith raised their polearms and cheered. They ran over the rolling hills of Liyue, their figures getting smaller and smaller, with more and more following from the city.
"Keqing?"
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and like a candle being blown out, the Milellith soldiers all disappeared. She recoiled, and came face to face with a concerned Ganyu.
"Are you alright…?" she asked tentatively. "Are you sleepy? Oh, of course you are," she said suddenly. "I'm so sorry. Please get some more rest, I'll inform Lady Ningguang."
Keqing held her head and tried to remember. Where was she, yesterday? The events of the dream resurfaced even more vividly, and her mind flashed through the scenes of meeting in the workplace, the soldiers being defeated, the fight. The explosion, the figure named Aether.
"Keqing? Are you alright?" Ganyu asked again, snapping her out of her reverie. She sounded panicked. Although Keqing hadn't noticed it, she had sunk to the ground and was on her knees.
"You're not working today," Ganyu ordered. "You are going to go home and sleep, alright?"
"Ganyu," Keqing asked tentatively. "I want you to answer my next two questions truthfully, alright? Then I'll go home."
"Alright…" Ganyu said, unsure. Keqing stood up again unsteadily, putting a palm to her forehead.
"First question. Did you have a dream last night?" Keqing asked. Ganyu tilted her head, curious.
"Why would you want to know that?" she asked. Keqing sighed.
"Answer the question, please?" Keqing asked. Ganyu shrugged.
"Nothing last night. The Adepti rarely dream, especially the Qilin."
"Okay…" Keqing said. "Secondly, where was I yesterday? What did I do?"
Ganyu furrowed her eyebrows. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, Keqing?"
"Please, Ganyu," Keqing said.
"Alright… Well, you were going through a lot of meetings with businessmen from Mondstadt and Natlan. They kept coming, and eventually I had to shoo them off as you were going to pull an all-nighter, which would not be good for you. You went home at about two oclock this morning. Three hours of sleep is not enough, Keqing," Ganyu replied.
Keqing nodded slowly. "Thank you. I'll have to ask Ningguang something, then I'll go home."
Ganyu pouted. "But you said you'd go home after I answered your questions…"
Keqing smiled wanly. "It'll be quick, don't worry. Do you know where she is?"
"She's in the Jade Chamber currently," Ganyu said. "Shall I escort you there?"
"It's alright," Keqing said. "Thanks, Ganyu."
"No problem. I just worry about you sometimes. I'll be making sure you go to bed after you see Ningguang!" she called, walking up the steps to the office. Keqing, after a moment of hesitation, walked towards the Jade Chamber.
"Excuse me, do you sell the moon here?" Keqing asked Bu'yun. Bu'yun bowed deeply.
"Please go up, Lady Yuheng. Although, I confess myself surprised that you're up this early, especially after what happened last night…"
Keqing halted on the steps that would take her up, and tilted her head curiously.
"Bu'yun… I want you to answer this question seriously, and do not question me back," Keqing said in a commanding voice. Bu'yun bowed deeper.
"Of course, anything, Lady Yuheng," Bu'yun said.
"What happened last night?" Keqing asked.
"Liyue Harbor was attacked by quite a quantity of Fatui soldiers. We were on the verge of being overrun, until you, Ningguang, and Ganyu stepped in. With your three leaderships, we were able to push them back. You did the most, but you also suffered the most. One of the Electro Hammer Fatui soldiers almost got you, but we're so glad you survived," he replied.
Keqing nodded slowly. "Thank you Bu'yun. I'll be going up now."
Bu'yun bowed. "Anything for you, Lady Yuheng."
As Keqing climbed the steps, her mind was stormy and cloudy. Ganyu had said she overworked herself talking about business with Mondstadt and Natlan, yet Bu'yun, the guard of the Jade Chamber, had said there was a Fatui attack. Now she had to ask Ningguang. Her head was spinning more and more by the minute.
As she pushed open the doors to the Jade Chamber, she was greeted by Baishi, one of Ningguang's secretaries.
"It's wonderful to see you, Lady Keqing," she greeted. "I'm so glad you're ok after being slashed so viciously by that monster."
Keqing froze again. Yet another viewpoint? She wondered. What on earth is going on?
"Baiwen, Baixiao, please come here," Keqing requested. The two secretaries took notice of their names, and walked on over, both of them expressing thankfulness that she was safe.
"I'm going to ask you three a question, and I want you to answer them truthfully, without questioning me," Keqing said. "Is that understood?"
"Yes, Lady Keqing," came the response.
"Alright. What happened last night?" Keqing asked.
The secretaries' eyebrows shot up in unison. "Answer the question," Keqing said, as she could feel their questions building up.
"Why, the city was attacked by the Abyss," Baixiao said. "The Milellith was spread too thin. Ganyu and Ningguang were too preoccupied with dealing with the Abyss Mages, while you took on an Abyss Herald by yourself and emerged victorious. You were cut all over, but you killed the thing on your own. We're so glad you're ok."
"Alright. Thanks, girls," Keqing said. "Now I must speak with Ningguang."
"Did the Yuheng just say that she wants to speak with me?" Ningguang called at the end of the Jade Chamber. "Well let's not dally any longer, come and see me," Ningguang commanded playfully. Keqing sighed, rolled her eyes, and walked to see Ningguang.
"So, what is it this time?" Ningguang asked. "Perhaps you'd like to take another day off for unspecified reasons?"
Keqing froze, and stared at Ningguang with her mouth agape. She closed her mouth, held her head, and sank to the ground with a low groan. Ningguang's brow creased with concern, and she rushed over.
"Keqing, are you alright? What happened? Come on, speak to me," she said, panicked. Keqing took a shaky breath.
"I can't take this. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong." Keqing muttered. Ningguang pulled up a chair, and sat Keqing down. Ningguang crouched down, and touched Keqing's arm.
"Tell me what's wrong. Tell me what's happened," she said. Keqing took a shaky breath.
"Firstly, I want to know something. Two things, actually," Keqing requested. "One. Did you… have a dream last night?" Ningguang frowned.
"Why yes… Why is it of any importance?" Keqing fixed Ningguang with a panicky glance.
"Tell me. What was that dream. Describe it to me," Keqing said, grabbing Ningguang's shoulders.. Ningguang frowned.
"Well, I was doing the Rite of Descension. Rex Lapis didn't come from the sky normally. He fell down onto the censer, shattering it. I think I leaned down to inspect him, and realised that he was dead. I told the Milellith to seal the exits. There was also an unknown blonde female, who I believed was called 'the Traveller.' Does that help?" Ningguang asked.
"No, it doesn't, but… thanks for telling me. Now, I have a second question. Where, or what did I do yesterday?"
Ningguang frowned. "You asked me for a day off for some unspecified reason. You just stated you wanted a day to yourself. Well, of course, you don't take many breaks, so I gave it to you. Now it's my turn. What do you mean that 'something is wrong'?"
Keqing took a deep breath. "Everything. Everything is wrong. I can't remember shit about what happened yesterday, except this strange dream that I had. When I ask people, they all have conflicting stories. I asked Ganyu, and she answered that I was talking with businessmen from Mondstadt and Natlan, and she had to shoo them off because it was approaching 2 in the morning. I came to Bu'yun, and he said that the city was attacked by the Fatui, and I was injured by an Electrohammer Soldier after fighting the majority of the Fatui off. I then asked the three secretaries, and they told a similar story, except instead of the Fatui, it was the Abyss. Finally, I came to you, only for you to say that I took a day off. Everyone's stories conflict."
Ningguang's breath hitched in her throat. After thinking hard for a couple minutes, she set her face. "Keqing, I think you're a bit tired. Please go home and sleep. You'll have the rest of this week off. I'll take care of your work."
"But-" Keqing protested. Ningguang shook her head.
"No buts. I think you're cracking up, dear. Please, get some rest."
Keqing nodded glumly. "Fine. I'll go home and sleep. Thanks, Ningguang," Keqing said. Ningguang nodded.
Keqing walked out of the Jade Chamber, and back home. She glanced at the office, and could see Ganyu watching her like a bird of prey. She unlocked the door, and settled in for a quick nap.
When she woke again, the sun was already high in the sky. She stepped outside again, and made a decision. She would visit the Guizhong Ballista, to see if that would hold any sort of answer to her many questions. She walked along the path where she had walked in a dream, and once again, like a mirage, she heard a cry behind her. She turned, and just like before, the image of herself, Ningguang, and Ganyu were running past. For once, she allowed herself to go with the flow, and ran alongside her ghostly copy.
Their group ran across the countryside of Liyue, over hills and valleys, killing hilichurls, Abyss Mages, and occasionally taking out a Fatui foot soldier. After running for half an hour, Keqing thought that the run was longer than in the dream. Eventually, she saw a roadblock, guarded by two Abyss Mages, and three mitachurls. They looked at her, and hefted their wands and swords. The ghosts of her dream ran right through them, and the Abyssal forces paid them no mind, as if they truly didn't exist. Frustration gnawing at Keqing, she ran at a mitachurl, intending to skewer it through. She leaped forward and stabbed her sword through its chest, but her sword met no resistance.
"What the…" Keqing muttered, looking at it. The mitachurl hefted its axe, and swung it down to Keqing's position. She deftly sidestepped, and brought her sword up for a parry.
But the axe never hit her sword.
It glided through her sword, and hit the ground with a thud. When it pulled the axe out of the ground, it left no mark. The Abyss Mage hefted its wand, and summoned a chunk of ice to fly at Keqing. She dodged, and struck back at the mage.
Her sword never met a shield.
It stabbed right through the shield, and the Abyss Mage floated out of reach. She heard two more roars from behind her, and she jumped into the air, dodging the two shield mitachurls that would've killed her. She dropped behind them and stabbed upwards, a blow that should've killed them in one go.
Just like the Blazing Axe Mitachurl, her sword floated right through it.
The monsters and Keqing repeated this cycle, attacking and dodging. Keqing grew more and more tired from jumping and running around, while the mitachurls showed no signs of fatigue. Keqing grew increasingly frustrated, which resulted in her becoming careless.
A Blazing Axe Mitachurl slammed his axe down, and instead of running to the side, Keqing jumped. The Abyss Mage, noticing this, twirled its staff and summoned an icicle that should've done some damage.
Instead, the piece of ice floated effortlessly through her. She looked down at her chest, where the shard of ice should've pierced, but she was completely fine. An idea started nagging at her in the back of her head. Keqing kept attacking and dodging, and was supposed to get hit. Nothing made contact, however.
When the Blazing Axe Mitachurl hefted its axe again, Keqing decided to risk it. She stood completely still, and when the mitachurl swung its axe, it should've cleaved her in two.
But no damage was done.
The mitachurls and Abyss Mages nodded, then sank into an unmistakable bow. Then, they disappeared into wisps of black smoke, and soared through the air. Confusion taking over, Keqing ran ahead on the path, finding the group again. When the Guizhong Ballista came into view, the entire ghostly army disappeared again.
"So, you actually came." a voice spoke from behind her. Keqing whirled around, her sword at the ready. She saw someone that she could, finally, demand answers from.
Aether walked forward and nodded approvingly.
"Very nice. I didn't actually expect you to show up. What did you-"
Keqing jumped on Aether, and pinned him to the ground. Aether's eyes opened wide, and Keqing pointed the tip of her sword at his throat.
"Yes, I showed up," Keqing said.
"Now, I ask the questions."
I do hope you enjoyed this chapter! Tysm guys for supporting me this far!
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