Chapter 4: Must Have Been The Wind
'In the time-honored art of making an escape, people say that smoke and mirrors are the secrets to staying elusive. But who needs mirrors when you can just bring the smoke? With a perfectly timed smoke bomb, you'll leave your foes choking on air and your allies wondering if they missed a cue. No need to play the hero and lend them a helping hand (this isn't a charity event, after all), because when it's time to go – it's time to go!' -Excerpt from Chapter Three, Teyvat's Guide to Crime & Mayhem
Silver still hadn't come back, even after I had prepared myself as much as possible. I intended to give two Oblivium gas canisters to Silver, reserving the final one for myself. Theoretically, I would use it at a critical moment, filling a closed room with the gas and leaving Silver vulnerable. But vulnerable to what exactly? Death, I suppose. Though Stellio had taken lives before, I was under no delusions that I could easily do the same. I was kind of hoping that I'd find my missing resolve in the heat of the moment instead.
Out of nerves, I unnecessarily sharpened all ten of my throwing daggers and coated my padded under-armor in Pyro and Physical barrier potions, specifically to counter Silver's dagger. Although if she really escalated to using her Pyro abilities, my primary objective would be escaping. That's why I prepared smoke bombs, not the usual pellets, but canisters strapped to the insides of my coat. Seems that I was going all out tonight. I spent the rest of the afternoon brewing two vials of Valberry Tonic, a healing potion that would work best by pouring it on the wound, but would also double as an anti-poison when drank. They would completely lose effectiveness after a few hours of brewing though, rendering them a flat and inert smoothie.
From my 'use in emergencies' vault, I retrieved three bottles filled with a whirling sandstorm of Anemo and Geo. These concoctions were the result of a brew that had gone volatile, but somehow remained intact, perhaps due to the Geo component binding the reaction. They were ideal explosives though, requiring only the addition of the smallest elemental ingredient – such as Dandelion Seeds – to tip the scales of their fragile alchemical balance.
On top of that, I had the Vessel of Howling Gale, a potion that fell into my hands several years ago from the auction of Treasure Hoarder called Wren. He had found a facility belonging to some alchemists of the Favonius Knights and dug his sticky hands into their haul. He was bound in chains within the hour of his legendary auction, but his name is still spoken with appreciation in taverns to this day. In any case, this brew would unleash a powerful whirlwind that would drag anything in its vicinity to its vortex and tear it to shreds. Being my strongest potion, I hoped this would be the Silver-killer.
As I stood outside, leaning against my front door and waiting for Silver, a strange mix of anticipation and excitement coursed through my veins. It was an alien sensation, one that I distinctly knew came from the personality of the previous Stellio. Like an electric jolt, it kept me on edge, but it also filled me with a childish joy from knowing of the danger that loomed ahead. It was then I realized that Stellio actually had a thrill-seeking nature buried deep within him all along, a revelation that came all too late on the eve of my execution day. I bloody knew he was smart enough to open a pharmacy, but no, he wanted to be an adrenaline junkie and drink vials of suspicious liquids on Dragonspine.
To distract myself from these thoughts, I absentmindedly spun a small vial on a nearby wooden railing. It contained a simple potion that would enhance my reaction speed that I'd drink at the onset of today's operation. My mind turned to the thought of Silver's own preparations, and I wondered what was keeping her. My own long preparations were due to the fact that the deck was heavily stacked against me, but I had no clue what she was doing. The thought that she might have passed along my address to Lord Erwin crossed my mind, but I doubted the man would even bother to remember it.
As the evening wrapped me in its cool embrace, the lights of Mondstadt began to fade, giving way to the neighborhood's nightlife. The streets came alive with crowds of tipsy revelers, revealing the booming state of the alcohol industry tonight. The distant muffled melodies of actually qualified bards from the nearby Serenity Inn and the Cat's Tail melded into a seamless lullaby, casting a sleepy glaze over the neighborhood and promising me a false safety. It was a stark contrast to the impending confrontation that awaited me.
With each passing minute, I felt a growing sense of calm and inner strength, as if the songs had infused me with a monk-like fortitude. In that moment, the outcome of tonight's encounter with Silver seemed almost inconsequential. Whether Silver or I died, whether the noble would die, or what Lord Erwin was scheming, none of that would really mean much to any of the merry drunks here or anywhere else in the four corners of Mondstadt.
The thoughts of escaping into the night, seeking refuge in its tranquil embrace before the promised carnage arrived, began to erode the weak grasp I had over my own rationality. It was ironic that I spent the day consumed by steadfast caution and relentless anxiety, but was as cool as the Tsaritsa as the curtain of nightfall drew nearer. The cover of darkness cast an ethereal veil over Mondstadt, rendering the world around me surreal and dreamlike. It was as if the unfolding events were destined to simply be recalled as a queer and surreal ballad of uncertain quality in a shroud of haze. Even the prospect of meeting my end in this realm of shadows held a certain allure – now a dignified and befitting fate written in poetic prose – that when replicated in the daylight, would simply be called a stabbing between ruffians rather than a deadly dance in the dark.
As I fell into a meditative state, Silver materialized at my side without a sound or any indication at all that she had been coming, quietly emerging from a wall wreathed in swirling shadows. I felt no surprise, only a twinge of envy at her effortlessly cool entrance. A faint trace of blood clung to the air around her, mingling with her fatigued yet alert bearing. Without her mask, her eyes locked onto me and seemed to hold a commanding presence. I brought and held out the two gas canisters that were promised, which were wordlessly snatched from my grasp.
"I suppose I've fulfilled my end of the deal," I offered cautiously, trying to gauge how she was approaching me this day.
"Your dues remain unpaid," she retorted, though her piercing gaze fell a little flat.
'Pay your dues!' echoed a faint voiceline from the depths of my memories.
I was actually relieved that she wasn't letting me go that easily. It would have been a little embarrassing if she dismissed me and let me scurry off to bed after I had spent the last hour philosophizing over my impending death. I downed the Vial of Swiftness I had saved for this moment, setting it delicately on the railing to savor the night's frolic in my stead. The fleeting amount of time I'd spent playing with the bottle made me feel like I'd left a memento of my soul behind, a gravestone to commemorate my presence here on this fateful night.
Silver merely watched me impassively before beckoning me to follow her without any further explanation. I fell into step behind her, our footsteps resonating through the quiet alleyways of Mondstadt. The distant sounds of drunken revelry and melodic ballads, which I had left behind, grew increasingly faint as we stepped onto the silver-coated cobblestones that marked the entrance to the noble district. The laughter and music that seeped from the taverns across Mondstadt failed to penetrate this desolate realm, as if the nobles had evicted the spirit of Barbatos on grounds of trespassing.
In the midst of a narrow alley, Silver came to a sudden halt. Pausing in my step behind her, silence enveloped us, broken only by the distant howl of the wind. I took a step to the side and glanced above her shoulder, seeing that our path ended on a small balcony overlooking a massive, sprawling white manor. The sheer size of the building stretched across an equally vast garden teeming with a sea of Small Lamp Grass. The winds that swept through the verdant estate manifested as waves of shimmering blue lights, incandescently fluttering through the field of glowing azure flower heads. I couldn't help but liken the view to overseeing a frothing ocean embroiled in rolling waves.
The manor itself was an impressive sight, its towering walls rising over us like silent sentinels. The grandeur was heightened by the three massive curved bay windows, their stained glass panels aglow in brilliant shades of galaxy blue, casting a mesmerizing radiance that illuminated the front of the household. Dimly flickering lanterns cast ethereal glows along the rest of the walkways, their dancing light creating whimsical shadows that twisted and contorted with each gust of wind. Turning my gaze to Silver, I observed a mixture of disbelief and awe etched upon her face.
It was understandable really. While the manor was a passing fancy to me, it had a profound impact on Silver. It wasn't as big as the cathedral, but I guess there's a difference between a personal household and the public building of a god. I suppose I'd already seen countless images of opulent mega-mansions on Earth and was desensitized to stupid displays of wealth, while most Fatui were recruited from the slums and orphanages.
"Who is our target?" I asked Silver, snapping her out of her reverie.
I felt like there was an unspoken understanding that I shouldn't ask her until the moment had arrived, and here it was.
"Your targets, are merely the guardsmen around the perimeter of the Lawrence residence," she explained, "cause chaos and draw them out so I can slip in easier."
A small sense of relief washed over me as I heard her words. The Lawrence Clan. Known for their tyrannical rule and abuse of power, they were infamous in Mondstadt. If there was ever a noble family deserving of such a fate, it was them. I couldn't help but think of the Treasure Hoarders who would have gladly helped us carry out this mission for free. Maybe I should've asked her earlier anyway.
"And who is your target?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Lady Eulalia," she answered, "The sole Lawrence present in the manor today. The rest of her family is attending a noble banquet in the countryside, taking most of their servants with them and leaving us a perfect window of opportunity."
Huh, that name sounded a little familiar. Like… Eula? Wait a minute, were we taking out Captain Eula? That would destroy canon; I couldn't do that! Besides, that would be one less person for the Traveler's Harem™. In all seriousness, her life was objectively worth more than mine, as a Knight Captain who knew how many threats to Mondstadt she would deal with in the future. I wasn't a selfless hero or anything, I just liked Eula's character. It would suck if she died just because I got the jitters from a single Fatui.
Silver's head turned to look at me, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency as she asked, "Are you ready?"
"A moment," I replied, trying to gather my wits about me.
I didn't have much more time to think, but I'd already come here with a will carved from stone. I could do this. My resolve was settled. I would draw out the guards but immediately enter the manor the moment Silver slipped in and engage her within. The Oblivium gas would be pointless on the outside, but inside the enclosed rooms of the manor, I could get the drop on her.
"Where will you enter from?" I asked, "And where will I cause the distraction?"
"That should be the conservatory connected to her chambers," she paused, pointing at the left-most bay window. "Go and cause some chaos; make the guards swarm there. I'll have to go in from the right building's entrance and race across the manor. Her handmaid promised me that she would ensure that Lady Eulalia leaves her chambers and heads to the vacant upper floors as soon as trouble brews."
Talk about being well-prepared. The Fatui were always portrayed as somewhat inept in the game, but I guess that wasn't the case in actuality. I nodded at her and quickly checked over my inventory: ten throwing knives, four smoke canisters, one Oblivium gas canister, three vials of explosives, two Valberry Tonics, my trusty Wind Catcher and the trump card – a Vessel of Howling Gale.
"You can leave after you cause enough mayhem," she suddenly mentioned. "Before you go, my last word of warning to you is to watch out for Naviar, the prisoner who went with Merrick."
Was she really letting me go? It seemed that I was just paranoid after all. Regardless, it made no difference. I was still planning to eliminate her, now for Eula's sake this time instead of for my own survival.
"Why Naviar?" I asked, wondering what he had to do with anything.
"Before our rendezvous, I disposed of that crafty snake Merrick during his search of the Ragnvindr Domain. But Naviar was enraged that I had taken his so-called mark and attempted to fight me off with Merrick's Delusion. He didn't seem entirely right in the head."
Luckily, it sounded like something that had nothing to do with me, but it shed light on Silver's weariness and unease. Her exhaustion could make her more susceptible to my game plan, Unluckily, the reminder of Delusions was a nasty one. I was kind of hoping that she wouldn't have one, but it started to seem increasingly likely.
"Let's proceed," I said, exchanging a nod with Silver, signaling our readiness to move forward.
Stepping onto the edge of the balcony, Silver and I peered down at the sprawling courtyard below, our eyes surveying the potential threats that lay ahead. Without a word, she gracefully dropped down, vanishing into the darkness, probably scurrying off towards the right side of the estate. I followed suit, my landing crouch accompanied by a sharp pang of searing pain that rippled through my heels, only to be seamlessly transformed into a fluid roll that absorbed the impact.
I wove through the intricate labyrinth of shadowy pathways and vibrant flowerbeds, mindful of the posts that were adorned with deadly garlands of shimmering lanterns. Like a specter, I became familiar with the shadows and shades of hidden alcoves and large sculptures, holding my breath each time the watchful gaze of the rotating guardsmen fell over me. Emerging from the depths, I found myself passing through the centerpiece of the estate, an enchanting seabed of Small Lamp Grass flowers that unfolded before me like the entrance to a ghoulish kingdom of the afterlife.
Venturing closer to the manor, ghostly mirages of mesmerizing seascapes crafted from stained glass windows began to stretch across my path like a bizarre disco light, the flickering lights becoming spirits guiding me further along my voyage into the underworld. As I fell into the shade of another statue to avoid a passing guard, I felt its cold, stone gaze fall upon me – the sole witness to testify against me being the silvery visage of a Lawrence predecessor, blighted by the fate of watching a scoundrel like me scamper around in dimly lit recesses.
It seemed all too easy, especially for a noble house as prestigious as the Lawrence Clan. Did the family take the entire guard platoon with them to the countryside? I didn't concern myself with the details, this entire game of chess that the Fatui and nobles were playing in Mondstadt was none of my business. Approaching the end of my covert odyssey, I gazed at what lay in front of me – a formidable line of guards who stood frozen in position, forming an impenetrable perimeter at the front of the manor. bestowing an ethereal quality upon their stern countenances and casting elongated shadows that danced along the winding walkways.
Taking a moment to compose myself, I steeled my nerves for the audacious act I was about to commit. Inhaling deeply, I ran forth and darted into the blinding illumination, bellowing at the top of my lungs towards the conservatory. A torrent of profanities and insults erupted forth, drenched in contempt and disdain for the Lawrence and shattering the tranquil silence of the night. I felt a moment of guilt for calling Eula a wench for the Gunnhildrs, feeling uncomfortably misogynistic, yet I received my desired outcome. My vehement outburst echoed through the night, carrying my words with an almost palpable force. The guards stationed near the building and the ones I had skillfully avoided in the courtyard jolted to attention, their heads turning towards the epicenter of the disturbance – me.
The guards immediately broke away from their rigid formation and hastily abandoned their posts, brandishing swords inlaid with golden roses at the hilt. Ah, how I loved the noble class's love for swords. I would have been much more worried if they carried halberds and longbows. As it stood, they had no chance of outrunning me in their heavy armor, although they didn't trail more than a few seconds behind. I led the contingent on a wild and dizzying goose chase, moving with the nimbleness of a mischievous weasel. I slipped through their grasp, deftly evading their lunges and weaving through obstacles and blockades. Their frustrated shouts and curses echoed in my ears as I taunted them, having a little fun seeing their faces contort in mixtures of seething fury and determination.
After a good minute of relentless pursuit, the guards on the other flanks of the manor grew increasingly frustrated at the fruitless efforts of their comrades. Abandoning their posts, they recklessly joined the chase and broke lines to join the chase, trampling across the delicate flowers beneath their heavy boots. Throughout the chaos, my attention remained fixed on the shadowy figure of Silver that I had spotted in my breathless chase. A surge of anxiety coursed through me when she finally made her move, leaping from a high tree branch and onto a second-floor windowsill. At the same time, a swarm of additional guards emerged from two side doorways, converging on the scene with synchronized determination.
The contingent began to close in with unbridled fury, their faces flush with anger and bewilderment as they swiftly moved to surround and capture me. Their glimmering blades now looked a little menacing as their movements became more synchronized and coordinated. Each step they took was fueled by a mix of righteous indignation and the desire to apprehend the audacious intruder. In the heart of the garden, I found myself trapped, surrounded by the majestic splendor of a grand fountain that shimmered under the soft glow of the surrounding lamps. A formidable wall of armored knights advanced upon me, their formation strategically crafted to block any potential escape routes. The atmosphere crackled with their unwavering resolve, leaving no margin for error on my part.
"State your purpose, you wretched Treasure Hoarder!" A guardsman, distinguished by three gleaming medals adorning his breastplate and an ornate helmet, stepped closer, his voice booming with authority.
Both of my hands dove into the depths of my coat, swiftly unfastening two smoke canisters. Gripping them both tightly in a reversed hold with my arms crossed, I relished in the startled expressions of the guards before slamming the canisters to the ground. Instantly, an immensely high cloud of dense black smoke billowed outward, obscuring the courtyard in a swirling plume of chaos. The plume abruptly imploded, slammings downwards and cascading over the area, surging past the bewildered guardsmen and enveloping the scene in a veil of pandemonium.
As their visibility was eclipsed by the harsh, dense miasma of smoke, I sprinted into a route I had memorized, dodging a knight wildly swinging his sword through the air, and vanishing into the welcoming embrace of the shadows. Glancing back, I witnessed the dissipating smoke reveal a scene of chaos—a courtyard in disarray, guards scrambling in frantic pursuit of their elusive prey.
Meanwhile, I pressed forward, my footsteps silent and purposeful as I hurriedly began to scale the imposing structure with little success. Berating myself for letting anxiety cloud my focus, I unhooked my Wind Catcher and felt my hand against the glass with sweat. Summoning a mighty gust of wind, I propelled myself skyward, crashing through a third-story window with a forceful blow from my now-bloodied fist, creating a path to an empty room that bore the resemblance of a small office. Collapsing inside, I took a moment to catch my breath, control the wild adrenaline that was rushing through my brain, and assess the next steps of my daring self-assigned mission.
Taking in several deep breaths, I slapped myself lightly to suppress the grin that threatened to show itself on my face. I wasn't doing this for thrills, I was trying to not break the Genshin canon, which would askew the fate of someone who would go on to save Teyvat more than a hundred times. With steadier hands, I reached for a Valberry Tonic, its healing properties soothing my bleeding knuckles, transforming the wounds into scabs in a matter of seconds. My hands darted around my coat, checking that nothing was lost in the interim. Satisfied, I darted out of the door into the dimly lit hallways, hoping that I wasn't too late.
Authors Note: Let me know if you see a typo or grammatical error in a chapter, no matter how old that chapter is.