Episode 14: Turning Point


"E…h…?

That tiny, incredulous voice was so small, no one but him could have heard it.

The girl looked down at the large knife that was buried in her chest. Blood was already starting to drool out of the freshly-made hole in her flesh near her left breast.

"W…hy…?"

Her pleading eyes begged the man for an answer, but he offered her none. He only stared at her with hardened eyes, then roughly yanked the blade out of her chest. Blood instantly poured out like a faucet that sprung a leak.

The girl fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. Unable to make her arms move in time, she hit the ground hard, without breaking her fall at all. A strangled cry accompanied the thump of her body in the dirt.

All the while, the men surrounding her just watched as she slowly suffocated on the blood filling her lungs. She desperately tried to raise her body and breathe, but it wouldn't respond to her pleas. After a few seconds, one of the men drew nearer, trying to confirm that his mission was complete. It was then that he heard it.

"No… please, someone… please… save me…"

Her voice came out quiet and jagged, as if she had something stuck in her throat. These were clearly some of her very last breaths.

"Please… Diluc… save…"

After that, she grew silent. Her broken body did not move again. Convinced of her death, the man withdrew.

In that moment, there were none alive who could have comprehended the contradictory maelstrom of feelings inside that man's chest. Because the face of his supposed sworn enemy… the face of the one he had just had murdered in cold blood… it showed neither hatred nor anger at this injustice. The only expression that girl would ever wear again was one of profound sadness and longing.


Opening Theme: Breaking Benjamin - Angels Fall (Aurora Version)


Not even the slightest sound could be heard. The inn receptionist wasn't here at this hour, and no other respectable human would be either. But concealed within that room was a certain man, hell bent on vengeance.

He awaited his prey, getting more and more antsy as time dragged on. Who would his adversary be? Would he even recognize him? The questions piled up, nagging at his mind.

Those questions would be answered shortly, for the sound of the inn doors opening jarred Diluc into gear.

But the face that he saw from his position of cover wasn't a stranger's. It was a familiar one, framed by light brown hair.

It's him?!

Diluc was stunned. This was the man they had met only hours before Keqing's death. That man who kindly took his little brother's hand as he led him away, thankful to those friendly strangers who had helped him.

That man was her killer.

Diluc forced out the questions filling his mind and focused on the task at hand as the man took the stairs to the second floor. Only seconds behind, Diluc snuck out of cover and followed.

The man took an unfamiliar hallway on the opposite side of the building from Diluc's room. He went to the very end, turning left at a blank wall inlaid with decorated wood patterns. Then, he knocked on it.

The wall suddenly moved, sliding in and to the side without a sound. Diluc couldn't see inside, but it was clear there was someone else besides that man. The foreigner took a step towards the opening as Diluc made a split second decision.

It was now or never.

The man that some called Childe had been stationed in Liyue harbor for a long time. It had become like a home away from home for him. Even his little brother knew the place like the back of his hand, since he made the journey from their homeland to visit every once in a while.

For a while, his missions had been lackadaisical, mostly involving training new recruits and those who had just been sent to Liyue for various reasons. The Tsaritsa had his utmost respect, but he was beginning to get tired of the boring jobs he was assigned.

When that letter arrived, he couldn't believe his eyes. How could the Tsaritsa request such a thing? From his time in Liyue, he knew full well what kind of person she was. The people loved her, and she loved her country. That plan seemed like a mistake at best, but he couldn't ignore the Tsaritsa's orders. And so, he had gone through with the most distasteful mission of his life.

Since then, he couldn't get that scene out of his mind. He had killed countless people in his life. Most fought back, angrily attempting to stop the injustice being carried out against them. Some were simply too weak to resist. But that girl was neither. She had looked at him with such sad eyes in those final moments, as if she was lamenting all the things she had yet to do.

And with her final breaths, she had cried out for someone she probably loved.

For some reason, thoughts like that just wouldn't leave the mind of the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui.

Perhaps that was why he didn't notice him until he was already milliseconds away from impact.

A loud crash echoed through the silent hall of the inn. Dust and broken splinters of wood went flying due to the severity of the impact.

Diluc had sprung his trap.

He lunged forward with terrifying speed, slamming the brown-haired man's body into the frame of the secret door. It broke into pieces as the man's breath left him.

Without a word, Diluc grabbed the stunned individual and threw him out into the hall. He rolled several times before crashing into a potted plant, obliterating it.

The man coughed up blood as he struggled to sit up, looking up at his attacker with confused, then understanding eyes.

"Ah, it's you… Sorry, was my little brother too much trouble after all…?

Diluc's eyes darkened as he stared down at the man.

"Don't play dumb with me now. I already know everything."

The man's eyes widened for a second, then he looked down as if resigned to something.

"Everything… huh… haha, I see."

Diluc assumed a defensive posture as the man gave a half smile and spoke again.

"Then there's nothing more to be said."

With surprising quickness, he leapt up from his weak position, using the wall to propel himself at Diluc. Diluc started to swing his sword, but it was too late. He was already too close. The man grabbed Diluc's arm, twisting it, forcing him to drop his sword with a surprising degree of strength.

"Shit!"

Diluc cursed and twisted his body, slamming his knee into the man's stomach. He groaned in pain, releasing Diluc's arm. Diluc took this chance to back off, preparing himself for an offensive.

"Isn't it rude to fight someone you haven't even been properly introduced to?"

The foreigner spoke with sarcasm as he tried to collect his breath.

"Knowing your name is pointless. I'll leave that to the coroner."

"Haha! Quite spunky, now aren't we? But I might have something to say about that!"

As he finished his spiel, he rushed Diluc again, trying to catch him off guard. A kick to the side came far too quickly, and it thrust Diluc backwards. He slammed into the wall, wincing in pain. The man tried to follow up on this opening, but Diluc wasn't having it. He met the man head on, ducking under a vicious punch to deliver another one to the man's gut. Childe made a retching sound, then leapt back.

"If you know everything, then why did I kill her, huh?!"

"You- FUCKING MONSTER!"

Diluc didn't have an answer for that question, only offering violence in response. He leapt at Childe, feigning a right hook, before turning the opposite way. His ferocious high kick landed directly on Childe's left temple, sending him crashing into the wall. A small blood stain was smeared at the point of impact.

Finally taking his chance to recuperate, Diluc gasped for breath, favoring his left arm. With rage in his eyes, he spit out the words he had wanted to say the whole time.

"Now, tell me, why DID you kill Keqing?! Why?! Who planned this?!"

The man breathed heavily, sitting against the wall. In response, he lowered his head, and chuckled sinisterly.

"You really did know, huh? I have to wonder how, but considering you murdered my countrymen, that probably has something to do with it."

A look of surprise flashed across Diluc's face, but the man continued, still looking down.

"Yeah, I killed her. The knife that I used is still in that room right there."

Due to this man's laid-back attitude, Diluc's rage was kindled hotter than ever before. He couldn't control himself any longer.

Kill him. That's right, just do it. It'll all be over then.

Diluc raised his right foot, bringing it down in a powerful kick. His heel struck Childe's head, causing his neck to jerk forward violently. He followed that up with a rain of punches to the man's face, sending blood flying from his mouth in every direction. He didn't stop until Childe was all but motionless, slumped against the wall.

Right then, he felt something was off.

Why isn't he fighting back?

Diluc studied the man's battered face. His eyes were barely open, but he wasn't looking at him. Instead, he was looking behind him, inside that secret room.

Diluc whirled around, spotting a young boy peeking around the corner of the door. He squeaked and jumped back behind cover.

The kid brother is here?!

Diluc looked back at Tartaglia, who now had a gentle smile on his demolished face. That brown-haired man spoke, struggling to get the words out.

"It's okay… Teucer. He's just a friend of mine. We like to… have sparring matches from time to time… Isn't that… right?"

Diluc's face was drawn tight. His eyes glanced frantically around the scene, as his mind and heart were in furious combat.

NO, I have to kill him now! This is my chance!

"B-But it looks like you're hurt, brother…"

"Ha…ha… that's just an act… We're practicing for a performance… Now go back inside for now, okay?"

The little brother nodded hesitantly, then went back inside. Soon the sound of another door shutting could be heard. It was then that Childe finally spoke to Diluc again.

"Listen… please don't kill me right here. Not with Teucer nearby. He doesn't understand any of this…"

"I can't let you go. You… murdered the one I loved."

Diluc spoke in a detached voice that no longer held any tint of rage or malice. He merely stated a fact, as if it was the most natural thing in all of Teyvat.

"Maybe I did. But… damn it… do you really think I wanted things to turn out like this?!"

"Huh? Don't try that shit now, it's too late for excuses."

"It isn't an excuse. Of course, I don't expect you to understand anything."

"Don't talk down to me, you fucking murderer."

Childe sighed in resignation, holding his bleeding head in his hands.

"Listen, as a gesture of goodwill, I'll tell you where that little girl is."

"Little gi- Diona?!"

"I don't know her name. She's from Mondstadt. She's being kept at the bank, in the back. There's several secret- well, that's not important right now."

Diluc couldn't believe his ears.

"I'm going to make you a deal. I'll bring that girl to you, but you have to let me live, at least until Teucer won't find my corpse."

"And what if I don't accept?"

Childe sighed and scratched his hair.

"Does it look like I'm in a position to negotiate right now? I can't fight you at full strength, or Teucer would end up caught in the crossfire. And if I killed you… he'd see what kind of person I really am. This is my only remaining card. My only way of making things right…"

"…Make things right…? HA! Are you joking?! You'll never make things right! Not until the girl you murdered is by my side again. If you can't even do that much, then shut the fuck up about "making things right"."

In response, the man didn't have a witty comeback or sarcastic remark. Instead, he hung his head.

"I didn't want to kill her."

"What was that?"

"I said I didn't want to fucking kill her! It was direct orders from the Tsaritsa herself! What was I supposed to do? HUH?!"

"That's your excuse? So would you kill your own brother if she ordered you?! Just shut your mouth already, I'm tired of hearing your bullshit."

Childe's face wore an expression of anger mixed with sorrow. He bit his lip hard, looking down at the blood-stained carpet beneath him.

"Just follow me. I'll release the girl."


Two beaten and bruised men made their way towards the closed Northland Bank. It hadn't been re-opened since Diluc's rampage, and the front doors were sealed tightly shut.

"Find somewhere to hide. If they see you, it won't be pretty."

"Got it."

Diluc found a corner a ways away from the Bank, and leaned up against the wall, hidden out of view of the front door. His mind was racing with countless thoughts. Would he hold up his end of the bargain? Or would he just hide behind that impenetrable door until backup arrived? Diluc couldn't be sure of anything. This man was a dangerous enigma.

Adding to the issues, Diluc was still trying to control the rage he felt inside. He desperately wanted to kill this man. When he thought about what he did to Keqing… about how she died, alone and scared, because of this man… he could barely hold back the boiling fury bubbling up inside him.

Frustration mixed with anxiety as he wondered if he had made the right choice. He didn't want to let justice slip through his fingers again. He couldn't let her down.

Some time passed like that, and Diluc's ears were pricked the whole time, waiting for the sound of those doors opening again.

And finally, mercifully, they did. Peeking around the corner, he didn't see the group of enemies he had half expected. Instead, he saw Tartaglia and a tiny little pink-haired catgirl standing side by side.

No way, he did it?

Diluc stared in disbelief at the young girl who had been missing for so long. The person he had been seeking all this time, the person responsible for everything that had led him to this point was finally right there, waiting for him. Her eyes looked downcast, and her posture showed that her soul was badly hurt, but her body seemed mostly fine.

She was alive.

He waited as Childe brought that incredibly precious package to him. That man rounded the corner where Diluc stood, then gave a small nod, as he gave Diona's back a small push.

Diona looked up at the red-haired man in disbelief.

"D-Diluc…?"

"Diona! Thank God…"

"A-Aahh…"

Diona's tired eyes filled with tears, and she completely broke down. She fell to her knees, covering her face as she sobbed.

Diluc bend down on one knee, placing his hand on her little head, and gently patted her.

"I'm sorry it took me this long to find you, Diona. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore, everything's okay now."

As this heartwarming scene took place, the man called Childe attempted to make his exit.

"Wait."

He turned his head to the side to acknowledge Diluc.

"We aren't done here, where are you going?"

"Back to Teucer. He needs me right now."

"You aren't getting away with this that easily."

Childe sighed, then turned to leave again. But Diluc kept talking.

"I'll never forgive you for what you did. That girl… she was…"

Diluc struggled with his words, overcome with frustration. He didn't want to let this man go, but a deal was a deal. Would it be worth it to just kill him right now? No, he couldn't bring himself to do it in front of that poor girl. She had suffered enough. He would have to hope that another opportunity would come… that karma would allow him another chance to avenge her.

But as Diluc contemplated, Childe turned around and walked past him, stopping once he was next to him. He whispered something then, something that Diluc never expected to hear.

"She called out your name."

"W-What…?"

Diluc's eyes grew wide with shock, as his mind desperately questioned what he heard.

"I didn't realize it until that kid said your name just now. She was calling out for you at the end."

Diluc's mind was instantly thrown into disarray. Thoughts flew around like debris inside a tornado, rendering him speechless. Finally, he reached out and grabbed Childe's collar, forcing him against the wall.

"Why would you say that?!"

Childe's eyes were hidden behind his bangs as he looked down, refusing to meet Diluc's gaze. He growled under his breath in a shaky voice.

"I told you, I didn't want to kill her. Believe me or not, I don't care. But I've never been in the business of killing those that didn't even wrong me."

"You- You bastard! You watched her die! How could you be sorry now?! Fuck that!"

"Then kill me. Take my life, right now."

Diluc's eyes burned like coals of fire as he glared at the man, who was much too docile for his liking. He looked down at Diona, who was watching them with empty, sad eyes. Then, he looked back at the murderer before him.

"No, not now. That girl has seen enough."

"I see."

"One day, though, I swear it. I will be the one to end your life."

Diluc snarled, spewing out the frustration and sorrow swirling inside his heart.

"Suit yourself. My brother is waiting right now though, so can I go?"

There was nothing left to do. Diluc was left without any other plays. His heart ached as he let go of Childe's shirt and backed off. The man spoke in a dark tone.

"Goodbye, Diluc. May we never meet again."

The Harbinger turned around, taking a step away from the two Mond residents. Each step rang out on the wooden floorboards, signaling the end. The mission was over. The culprit had been found, but had escaped at the very moment before his judgment could be exacted upon him. This unsatisfying conclusion left much to be desired, yet the cold reality stared Diluc in the face nonetheless.

If not for that little pink-haired girl, he never would have met Keqing at all. If not for the massacre of those innocent people, his love could have never bloomed. Perhaps this too, was the hand of fate. It gave, and it took away. Now, he had nothing left, not even the satisfaction of staining his hands with her killer's blood. He was left empty, without a purpose, and without a resolution.

As those realizations crushed him one after the other, he could only cry out in his heart, wishing that the one he loved could hear his pleas.

I'm so sorry, Keqing. I failed. I let him go, that man that killed you. Please, I'm begging you… don't ever forgive me for this.

His eyes were burning like someone had kicked sand in them. He blinked away the tears and reached down, placing his hand on Diona's back reassuringly.

"Let's go, Diona. It's time to go home."


Ending Theme: FELT - Bouquet


Next:

Episode 15: There's No Place Like Home