I've been playing Genshin since it came out last year and it finally happened. DILUC CAME HOME!

"...I like your ears…" Klee almost didn't hear Dahlia's compliment as she was so focused on trying to use her neat new chopsticks. Dahlia was leaning close, a little too close. She was focused on Klee.

"Oh. Thanks! I got them from my mom." Klee smiled and she tried to bring some noodles to her mouth with the chopsticks, but they just winded up slipping from her sticks and back into the bowl.

"You're holding them wrong. Like this." Dahlia reached over and carefully positioned Klee's hand so she was holding the chopsticks correctly. "Try it now."

Klee did, and still most noodles slipped, but not all. "Hehe…" Klee joyfully kicked her legs and shoved the remaining noodles into her mouth. "Mmmmmm! This is so good!"

"You don't have food like this in Mondstadt?" Dahlia innocently questioned as she ate some of her own noodles.

"Nope! And we don't eat with sticks either!" Klee loudly proclaimed as she went in for another bite.

Dahlia hummed softly but didn't fully engage until she had finished her noodles and started to drink the broth. "...Thank you. You didn't have to pay for my food."

"Nonsense! You helped me, so I wanted to help you out in return. It's what friends do!"

Dahlia knew she was making a face as she stared down at her broth, she knew because Klee gave her a concerned look. "Are you sad?" Klee asked after a second had passed between the two of them.

'Here. I know what it's like to go hungry. Take it. I can always make more.' The girl with golden eyes had told her before she gifted Dahlia a plate of freshly made golden crab. It was absolutely delicious and if Dahlia thought hard enough she could still remember it's rich fatty taste.

"... No, just thinking." Dahlia lied before she downed the rest of her broth. Even though she was filled from the noodles and broth she still felt cold and empty.

When Dahlia rounded the corner of her 'home' she spotted her. The blonde haired golden-eyed woman from weeks ago. She laid face-down on the ground. Her head turned to the side, one of her golden eyes staring up at Dahlia with horror. Fresh cuts littered her face, some deep, some shallow, some even still dripping with blood.

Dahlia clutched at the hem of her dress as she cautiously approached the woman step by step. She swallowed a lump down as she looked away. The woman was breathing, it was shallow, but there. "You… jumped…" Dahlia couldn't help but whisper in shock.

"...P...Please…" It was almost inaudible and if Dahlia wasn't so close she might not have heard it.

"Oi! Flower-"

Dahlia physically jumped at the voice yelling at her from above. She shook a little before looking up at the house. The master was looking down at her from the freshly shattered two-story window. "Tell me. Is that dumb bitch alive?"

"Please…" The woman's voice was desperate but quiet.

Dahlia shut her eyes. If she told the truth then maybe…

"Please… please…"

Dahlia's heart broke as she sucked in a slow breath. She dared to quickly look down at the poor woman. The woman who clearly went through hell and back. There were tears streaming down her cheeks now she'd rather try and take her life than go back.

Maybe if it were any other girl, Dahlia would have told the truth. Had them hauled off so she wouldn't have to suffer at her Master's hands. But this wasn't any other girl. Dahlia seen it for herself. How ferocious this woman truly could be. Dahlia looked back at her Master.

"She's dead." Dahlia finally spat out. "Looks like the fall did her in, sir."

"Damn. Very well, leave her body for the rats then."

"Yes, sir."

Dahlia witnessed this all at daybreak. That night when she finally got back around to checking up on the girl. The body was gone. Dahlia never once got the woman's name.

'I wonder if she ever made it somewhere safe?' Dahlia questioned. 'It's a miracle she survived at all… Still, if she hadn't escaped I wouldn't be here now. Would I?'

Klee was exactly what the master was looking for. Young, from Mondstadt (saving Dahlia the long trip.), Blonde, and exotic.

But why did she have to be so damn nice?!

It just reminded Dahlia of the golden eyed woman. 'I almost don't want to take her. But if I don't… then Master'll beat me or… worse...' Dahlia swallowed down a bit of bile that rose in her throat. 'If I don't bring in someone by tomorrow he'll send people after me. There's nowhere in Teyvat I can hide.'

Klee giggled suddenly, snapping Dahlia out of her thoughts. She wondered what got Klee's attention, in her little hand was a tiny stuffed creature. Dahlia sighed. "Are you done eating?" She asked once she saw that Klee's plate was empty say for a few loose noodles and veggies.

"Yep! It was super yummy!" Klee put her little stuffed toy away. Dahlia noted that the stuffed animal in question had rabbit-like ears.

"I'm glad…" Dahlia shoved her morals aside. She messed up once. She couldn't afford to do it again. "Hey, Klee. Do you like little bunnies?" Archons, she felt awful, worse than awful. 'Be smart please.-'

"I love bunnies!" Klee exclaimed excitedly. Instantly she jumped from her seat. "Are we going to go and see some!? Please! Please!" Klee grabbed on to Dahlia's hands in desperation. Now having her heart set on seeing some cute bunnies.

"...Of course. They're at my Uncle's farm." Dahlia stood up now and took Klee's hand into her own. "It'll be a bit of a walk, but I think it'll be worth it."

There were a lot of people inside the Wangsheng funeral parlor. A lot.

People that Xingqiu knew were friends with Lumine, and people that Zhongli knew were also friends with Lumine. Some people were powerful with names in high places, others, like a certain fatui gentleman were powerful with names in dark dank places. Maybe they should have involved Lisa, Klee, and Razor as well, but Venti decided it wasn't needed. He did tell Diluc and Kaeya of Klee and Razor's unexpected arrival. Neither were surprised.

To the best of their abilities, Venti and Xingqiu told their story to these strangers. They all listened with varying degrees of interest. It wasn't until Xingqiu admitted to his theory did someone finally ask a question.

"Wait? You knew little girls started to go missing and you didn't inform the Millelith or myself?" It was Ningguang that had been the one to ask. She looked (and sounded) rightfully pissed about this.

Xingqiu's face flushed and he looked down at his hands. "That's right…" He admitted softly. "Trust me, Ningguang, if I could go back in time… I wouldn't have sent Lumine. I would have just told the Millelith." Xingqiu's face paled now and he looked like he could vomit.

"That's no excuse, if you knew that little girls, children, might possibly be targets of kidnapping you should have come to the Millelith right away!"

Chongyun was the first to defend his friend's defense. "It's not Xingqiu's fault. Ms. Ningguang, he just did what he thought was best. After all, we all thought Lumine was basically invincible."

"I'm sorry, but you're wrong." A woman in purple, Keqing, argued. "Xingqiu may have had good intentions, as he feared that he may be wrong, but in this case, it's best to be wrong than to let more children get taken! Because of his negligence the Millelith aren't watching the children, the people aren't informed! There's no curfew in place! It's laziness at its finest."

'Ouch.' Venti flinched for Xingqiu.

Xingqiu didn't argue. He only hung his head. "I'm sorry-"

"Sorry doesn't fix this-"

"You're right." Zhongli approached Keqing. "But what's done is done. Can't you see he already feels awful about his decision. This is something he will probably live with for the rest of his life. Besides, we aren't all here to harp on one wrong decision. We're here because we need all the help we can get now. Lumine is injured and girls are being kidnapped from Liyue… maybe even Mondstadt."

"Hm… I don't know about that…" Kaeya muttered, or tried to. "I'm part of the knights. If little girls started to vanish, we'd know."

"Oh please!" Ningguang scoffed.

"-Let's not start a fight about this." Diluc quickly interjected. "We've already gone off topic."

"He's right." Venti nodded towards Diluc. "This is about finding those responsible-"

"Yeah and putting them all in my coffins." Hu Tao puffed her cheeks out while smacking her knuckles against her open palm. "They get no deals for this travesty!"

"... You have a general idea where this is all taking place, don't you?" Childe suddenly spoke up from his spot against a nearby wall. He pointed towards Zhongli.

"Who invited him?" Came Ninnguang's disgusted voice. "Last I remember he was run out of Liyue, him and every other lowlife fatui!"

"I invited him." Zhongli sighed. "Well… kinda. As much as we don't want to admit it. He has every right to be here as the rest of us. He's friends with Ms. Lumine."

"Somehow." Diluc groaned, not bothering to hide the disgust behind his voice.

Childe grinned. "You know you love me, Fire-boy."

"Don't talk to me. Our business ended after we left the tea shop."

"So grumpy."

"Indeed, he is." Kaeya joined in.

"How do you put up with that-"

"Are you two done?" Venti deadpanned before the conversation could continue. "We're on a mission, remember?" When both men shut up he continued.

"Now, back to your original question, Childe. Yes, we have a theory. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. A man attempted to sell one of Lumine's swords last night. If Diluc hadn't stepped in, he would have succeeded in selling it. He told us that he found the sword near Wuwang hill by a river or stream… I have every reason to believe that at the very least we'd find Lumine's bag there. If we find her bag, then we'll find the people responsible nearby."

"It's not an impossible plan, but who's to say her stuff hadn't been taken already?" Xingling muttered. "I mean, her sword was already found."

"That's an excellent question! To put it bluntly, we don't know. It's just something worth taking a shot in the dark for."

"As much as I wish I could help, I can't. I'm a busy woman. I don't have time for a wild goose chase." Ningguang spoke in a smooth voice. Venti believed every word she said. Her, Ganyu, and Keqing were, according to Zhongli, the busiest women in all of Liyue. Overworked and didn't know what it meant to take a break

Xingqiu didn't like this response of hers. "You know-" His fists were clenched at his side as he gritted his teeth. "-I'm sure Lumine was busy when she had to stop everything to save Liyue!" He snapped.

"Xingqiu-" Chongyun took a step forward. "You need to calm-"

"-No! Family ties be damned at this point!" Xingqiu cut his arm through the air as he glowered at Ningguang. "It's not a secret. It never has been. I don't like you Ningguang. I never have, that being said: I have to keep my damn mouth shut to protect my family ties with you."

Xingqiu stepped up to Ningguang, but before he could fully approach her, Zhongli grabbed him by his arm, but this didn't stop him from talking. "Lumine has done more for Liyue than you ever could dream of! If it weren't for her, Liyue would be at the mercy of Osial right about now and you- you!-" Xingqiu raised a finger to point in her face.

Keqing growled and put her hand on her hip like she was going for her sword and Ganyu narrowed her eyes, but didn't do anything yet.

Venti was suddenly pushed as Chongyun ran to Xingqiu, grabbing his other arm. "You need to stop!" Chongyun hissed.

Xingling yelled to Xingqiu next: "You're causing damage you can't reverse! Xingqiu, just back down!"

It was a losing battle, it seemed that Qiqi wasn't the only one gifted fancy things by Lumine. As Xingqiu pulled out the Black Sword, ripping his arms from both Zhongli and Chongyun. It really shouldn't come as a surprise to Venti as Xingqiu was given a room in the teapot, just like Qiqi.

Venti saw why Xingqiu brandished his weapon as Keqing suddenly and calmly walked up, her own sword drawn. "You might want to reconsider this, Xingqiu. You already messed up once, don't make it a second time."

Everyone stood at attention now. It was just Keqing and Xingqiu that had their weapons out. Zhongli looked at the ready. No doubt ready to break up the fight if one were to break out.

"You don't think I feel horrible?! Lumine was r- Tortured! She was tortured! Keqing, and it's my fault! Trust me, nobody hates me more than I hate myself right now. I messed up, yes, but at least I want to make it right!" Xingqiu then looked past Keqing and right at Ningguang, a nasty scowl rest on his face. It looked almost unnatural on him.

"Unlike someone who's too busy to help capture the people who were so despicable that Lumine had to choose to save Qiqi over herself. People that are so horrific that we still don't know what happened to Paimon! people so… disgusting and low that they would beat Lumine within an inch of her life and more... But hey-" Xingqiu tossed his sword up and it vanished in mid-air. "-That's none of your concern now, is it?" He then turned his back to Keqing and Ningguang.

"I'll be at Wuwang hill if any of you need me..." Xingqiu finally spat out after a heartbeat or two of silence. Nobody could stop him as he walked right out of the door, slamming it so hard that it caused the nearby wall to quiver.

Chongyun and Xingling took after him almost immediately. Both teens called his name, begging for him to come back. Hu Tao wasn't too far behind. "Wait- don't go alone! It's too dangerous! you guys!" She called as she ran behind them.

"Is what he said true? That Girly was beaten that badly?" Childe was the one to finally ask. He looked… sad… but there was a fire lit behind his eyes.

Diluc let out an impatient growl. "We were going to say it a little more gently, but now that it's out… yes. When she came to Mondstadt, from what I was told, it looked like she was beaten horrifically."

"-Both of her eyes were blackened…" Venti shuddered at the memory. "She had a cut on her lower lip, and an infection on her arm from where someone burnt her… I swear she had more bruises than skin." He whispered the last part as he remembered every little knick and cut on her pale face.

Venti had to give Childe some credit. Venti honestly figured all Fatui were heartless beings, but the absolute shock and horror etched across the harbinger's face… It made Venti realize that Fatui were humans too.

"... When I was told…'' Ganyu whispered suddenly. "That Lumine had been injured… I thought she just sprained an ankle or something… I didn't…"

"But… Lumine's so strong…" Keqing whispered. "She handled so much adepti power during the battle of Osial…"

"Tch." Ningguang huffed. "I'll notify the Millelith of the situation at Wuwang hill. Can't have that fool running to his death, and if I'm right, there'll be a lot of people there; so you'll need all the help you guys can possibly take…" Ningguang turned her attention to Zhongli.

"I obviously care a great deal for Lumine, just as much as anybody. Xingqiu is right If it weren't for her, Liyue would be in ruins. Don't take my busy schedule as callousness. I was going to send the Millelith that way the moment I made my way back to my office. Keqing, Ganyu, if you guys wish to stay behind. I won't fault you." With that, Ningguang left.

Keqing left shortly after along with Ganyu, neither woman saying where they may or may not be going.

Then there was silence as all the remaining party- Venti, Diluc, Kaeya, Childe, and Zhongli, all just stood there before Kaeya suddenly snorted: "That could have gone better."

"I'll say…" Zhongli gave a low sigh before he relaxed just a tad.

"We should leave for Wuwang hill. Ningguang is right. Xingqiu is going to get himself killed or worse if he keeps acting so recklessly." Childe muttered.

"As much as I hate you. I agree." Diluc responded.

Zhongli crossed his arms over his chest as he mused over what he said next. "Xingqiu is a smart child, but he's acting recklessly. He's trying to make up for the fact that he sent Lumine that way to start with. Those emotions are going to get the better of him."

Diluc nodded. "Regardless. If he gets hurt, it's on us. So, we should go."

Venti looked at Zhongli, who nodded in return. "Let's go."

"Xingqiu-!" Chongyun reached for his friend's sleeve, but he was just a microsecond too late. Xingqiu hit the waypoint for Wuwang Hill on his map and was gone before Chongyun could grab him.

Once at the waypoint, Xingqiu tucked his map away. He felt bad for making Chongyun, Xingling, and Hu Tao worry, but he couldn't subject them to the same horror Lumine went through. 'Not again.' He growled to himself. He knew none of his friends had maps and if they did they often didn't have waypoints marked. So, he had time to kill before anyone could attempt to talk him out of it.

"Don't worry, Lumine. I'm going to make this right! Even if it's the last thing I do…"

Unbeknownst to Xingqiu. In a large cathedral located all the way in Mondstadt. Lumine opened her eyes.