Be warned that this chapter does get a little more on the sexual side, but again, it's all no higher than PG-13. Ganyu and Keqing will be a lot more playful and romantic from here on, so just a warning for the future, seeing they tease each other a LOT in the second half of this chapter, but as long as you're okay with nothing worse that what you'd see in a Family Guy episode, you're all good. Enjoy the chapter, and I'll probably not post another for awhile, given where the story goes next, so be patient!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: LEAVING SUMERU CITY
Upon Ganyu and Keqing's arrival at the outside of the Akademia the next morning, they were surprised that Yelan hadn't looked as if she'd just gotten out of bed. Keqing's little mishap with alcohol nearly a decade prior had had her arriving to the Jade Chamber looking like an absolute exhausted mess with a pounding headache, so to see Yelan composed and as if she hadn't even gone out for a good round of shot the night prior had surprised the two lovers.
Not even a single sign or smell of alcoholic activity lingered on their co-worker's person, which was both a relief and shock, given their objective not far ahead.
Yelan caught their shock, quickly addressing it.
"You two seem bewildered at something, and I think I can guess what it is," she stated. "You're wondering why I don't even seem like I went out to the tavern last night, and that's because I did, but traded the alcohol for something better. You girls can't have all the fun."
Blushes adorned both Keqing and Ganyu's faces, reading the message loud and clear.
"Alright, that's all you need to say; we get it," Keqing said quickly. "Hopefully you just kept yourself protected from…you know…
"Oh, don't worry honey, I wouldn't go and do something like that without knowing I was in the right mind," Yelan assured. "I'm clear, I assure you."
"Good," Keqing replied, following with a long sigh. "I don't know if I'm prepared for another seating of this."
Ganyu put her hand on her shoulder as a way of comforting her beloved, calming Keqing a little, but not fully.
Yelan spoke up at her colleague's troubled state, feeling the same about the whole matter.
"Don't worry, seeing we have the majority of what we need to know about how this all started, there's only one last thing to focus on," Yelan confirmed. "All we need is a location or some form of idea where all of these androids are being produced. We already know Reshav was originally an aspiring inventor that was killed and converted into the machine that I decapitated. No more information about him is needed, we just need to know where to go to stop it all. I doubt those files will have more visceral nightmarish imagery, Lady Keqing."
Keqing nodded, realizing that Yelan was absolutely right. They only needed one more piece of information and nothing else on Reshav, therefore she calmed her nerves and prepared for their entry into the building.
"Alright, then with that information, I'd say we've been in Sumeru long enough," Keqing said confidently. "Let's go finish what we came here to do!"
Yelan smiled and nodded.
"Now you're speaking my language. Let's go."
With that, the three moved into the building and made their way to Oswalch's office. Upon entry, the professor was sitting in the same spot in wait for their arrival. He didn't get up and just awaited Yelan's commands on what to do.
"I hope you all are well rested," he greeted. "I am truly sorry we all had to witness such horrid imagery yesterday, and do hope it didn't cause any of you problems."
Ganyu and Keqing decided to keep their eventful night to themselves, seeing what they had discussed was something that only they should know as lovers. They just shook their heads along with Yelan, allowing their plans to proceed.
"I'm glad. Now, if one of you will kindly hand me the microchip, we can get started," he followed up.
Yelan nodded, directing to Keqing for the item of interest. Keqing followed, pulling the object from where she had hid it safely on her person and handing it to Yelan.
Yelan proceeded by handing the ancient component to Oswalch, and upon him entering the chip into the proper slot of his computer, resumed their work from where they left off. The same list of several video files filled the screen, to whichh Yelan examined and decided the course of action.
"This one," she decided, pointing to the third for the last document.
Oswalch raised an eyebrow at the declaration, wondering why Yelan had decided to skip so many files.
"Miss Yelan, if I may, why do you want to skip so many files with potentially critcal information?" he asked.
"Simple. Reshav or Dr. Salvich is not our target in this endeavor, but where he was modified and successfully created as a killing machine. Those files likely contain the steps of his creation process, but we're looking for something else; something that will not be the video's foreground. Therefore, I'll need you to go slow and for all of us to keep a sharp eye out for things in the background."
"Ah, I see," he agreed. "I'll do my best."
Yelan nodded, following with Oswalch pulling up the video file.
There was an immediate key difference; the camera's quality was much clearer and cleaner than the prototype's had been. However, something about the video was much different; the location. Reshav was in Liyue Harbor, and it still looked like the city that they all had known and loved.
No fire.
No chaos.
No death.
Just old and peaceful Liyue Harbor.
This sparked emotion immediately, as much as opened a whole new path of possibilities.
"Stop!" Yelan ordered, clearly emotionally stricken.
Keqing and Ganyu shared the same response, just continuing to stare at the likely last footage of their home before it was destroyed.
They were stunned, happy, and sad at the same time.
"That's…our home…
Keqing's voice was a mix of emotions.
"That's…Liyue Harbor….
She smiled at the sight of her home, tears leaking from her eyes. However, upon realizing the horrid truth of the footage, she realized that this session was going to be much harder to watch than yesterday's.
"No! I…can't watch that again!" she objected. "Please, don't make us relive that night again!"
Ganyu immediately comforted her beloved, sharing her thoughts entirely.
"It's okay, girls," Yelan assured. "I'd never make you endure that pain again. However, I can and would like to find out what all happened that night. That is, after we're done here."
Oswalch nodded, then, having caught that the video was clearly a bad omen for the girls, he exited the file.
Only when the screen was clear of the sights of Liyue Harbor did Keqing and Ganyu return their gazes to the screen and wipe their eyes clean of their tears. However, having known that the footage was before the destruction of Liyue Harbor, Yelan now had a good idea of where she needed to go next, pointing to the video file three more back from the current one.
"This one. If he was in Liyue Harbor in that file, then his time before leaving wherever he's maintained in Snezhnaya isn't far behind. That's where we'll find what we're looking for."
Oswalch followed, and upon the video playing, Yelan had been right. On the screen was the visual of some kind of docking area with a mild amount of snow obscuring the camera's view.
"Bingo," Yelan stated, knowing they'd hit the jackpot.
As the video kept playing, a giant ship anchored to the side of a long concrete walking area came into view, a very familiar lady dressed in a fur coat standing with her back to Reshav.
"Stop," Yelan commanded, to which Oswalch obeyed, pausing the video.
Yelan examined the scene thoroughly for a long minute, up until she broke the silence with a snap of her fingers. Ganyu and Keqing had no clue what she had found, but just allowed their colleage to state her findings.
"That ship; that isn't any ordinary ship," she analyzed. "Most Snezhnayan ships are simple luggage and storage ships made out of a variety of strong woods. This one is made out of metal and is massive in size in comparison to other ships that were ever documented to have docked Liyue Harbor's docks. That means two things.
First, it's meant for other purposes outside of luggage and storage of goods to other regions. Let's leave that alone for just a second and talk about the other factor; it's meant to transport loads of massive numbers. I can tell that just by its height, and the fact its made out of metal proves that whatever it's meant to transport is meant to be kept extra safe from the water. Do you get where I'm going with this, girls?"
It took a second, but after a moment of thought, Keqing and Ganyu caught onto everything.
"The ship is specifically designed for transporting the androids to somewhere within Snezhnaya's region, and this area that Reshav is in is the place he and the other androids are maintained," Keqing guessed.
"Exactly," Yelan confirmed. "There's never been any ships like this within Liyue Harbor's borders, and that means it's a ship meant for one specific purpose; loading the androids and transporting them from point A to point B."
The fact Yelan had caught all that from a ship's size and the location had amazed Ganyu and Keqing. It was no wonder she was the Ministry of Civil Affairs' top dog. Her expertise showed it alone.
"Now, where is this place?" Yelan cooed. "I think I already know how to determine that, but to do that, I need a map of Snezhnaya and time. Using my planned technique, I think I can figure out where point A and B both are."
"Oh, I just happen to have a map of Snezhnaya right here," Oswalch stated, opening a drawer and pulling out a paper.
"Excellent. Thank you for your contribution, professor," Yelan thanked, taking the map and looking at it carefully.
She slid her index finger around an outer area of the region where it seemed there was nothing but sea, but Keqing and Ganyu could see exactly what she was doing.
"Alright, let's see how long our android friend takes to get to wherever point B is. Run the footage, professor."
Oswalch did as he was instructed, resuming the footage and allowing the footage to play out.
"Be sure to start the time from when the ship takes off. We can't be off by much."
"I'll use my Akasha," Oswalch confirmed, starting to fidget with the device fixed to his right ear and paying attention to the footage.
The video consisted of Reshav boarding the gigantic ship and joining an alarming amount of his other brethren in their journey. There were easily over fifty, and that twisted a knot in all three of their stomachs, now aware that Reshav hadn't been lying that there were hundreds more of his kind waiting to commence the Tsaritsa's plan upon a simple command.
Upon taking his proper spot in the lineup of robotic creations, the video just turned into a long projection of the same footage. However, upon the sound of the ship's anchor lifting Oswalch had started timing the footage for consistency in Yelan's plan.
The video lasted for a long while, up until the anchor dropped again, and Yelan had the information she needed. Oswalch stopped the timer and gave Yelan the time of travel from point A to point B, still clueless how she was going to figure out where these locations were.
"4,214 seconds was the full time," Oswalch confirmed.
After doing some calculations, Yelan simplified her answer to something she could use to determine what she was planning.
"So, around an hour, ten minutes, and fourteen seconds. Perfect. Now, we just need to see where he is now and get a good idea of everything."
Oswalch followed, resuming the footage and allowing his audience to analyze.
The recording followed with Reshav getting off the ship and stepping out onto a long concrete walkway very similar to the place he had started from in the file. However, one key factor caught their attention; ONLY Reshav moved, not his fellow androids. That was intriguing and was enough for Yelan to order Oswalch to stop the video.
"Stop," she ordered calmly.
Oswalch listened and halted the video footage from progressing any further.
"Hmph. Sneaky bastards," she followed up. "Unfortunately, they left one opening that can lead us right to them."
"What did you find?" Keqing questioned.
Yelan crossed her arms and expressed a confident smile.
"Well, the concrete is there as a signal to whoever mans the ship. These docks are in areas where nobody can really determine the location for the sake of security, but location and scenery aren't the only way of determining a location.
You see, I was paying attention to the ship's course for the entire duration of the video. Every turn, how long it lasted, and most importantly, what direction the bow was pointing before Reshav boarded the ship. That way, I know what way the ship is going from the moment it starts its voyage.
If I know the directions it's going, I can determine exactly where these places are by doing careful measurements by mapping it out. The only thing I can't figure out is the reason those other copies didn't follow. However, it does confirm one thing; there's more than one stop for these things. This was just Reshav's."
Keqing had no words, folding her arms and smiling in amazement.
"Miss Yelan, your skills are truly amazing. Ningguang chose smartly when she made you her inquirerer."
"I'm flattered, but don't praise me yet, hun," Yelan replied. "Our work is done here, but if we're going to pinpoint exactly where these places are, we'll need an expert."
Keqing nodded, then, with their business settled, Yelan turned to Oswalch and made it clear that his work was complete.
"Thank you for all of your help, professor," she stated kindly. "As far as they're concerned, this business is concluded. However, I'd like to still take a good look at the footage of Liyue Harbor, seeing it just might have some information we need.
That and…I want to know the entirety of what happened that night…
Ganyu and Keqing took that as their cue to depart, not wanting anything to do with a replay of that dreadful night that still haunted them to their cores.
They got up and made their way back out into the open air and sunshine of Sumeru, allowing themselves to just breathe and relax. While they had made progress In their fight against the Tsaritsa, they still knew there was a long way to go and it was far from over.
"Let's go get some coffee at the café," Keqing offered, wanting to just have some good ol' joe after a much-stressful morning.
"I'm all for that," Ganyu replied. "After that, I'd like to go back to the room and wash up before we leave Sumeru."
"That's fine with me. We can even bathe together, if you want,"
"I wouldn't have it any other way than with you, my love," Ganyu finished, taking Keqing's hand in hers and beginning to lead them to Puspa Café for a serving of the energy-inducing beverage they both adored dearly.
Keqing followed, smiling and allowing Ganyu to guide her to the lower streets of Sumeru City.
After a good few cups of java, Keqing and Ganyu returned to the room and proceeded with washing up for the long trip to wherever Yelan planned to take them next. They didn't expect their host back anytime soon, so they just allowed themselves to enjoy their time together in the natural warm water of the tub. They washed each other thoroughly and romantically, just enjoying each other's company, until it came time to depart the Nation of Wisdom.
"You know, you have one beautiful body, Ganyu," Keqing complimented, admiring her beloved across from her.
"O-oh, well… so do you," Ganyu complimented back.
"Oh please, I'm average in comparison to you," Keqing commented.
Ganyu shook her head.
"Average is an insult to how beautiful you are, my love," Ganyu assured.
"Oh, and what makes me beautiful to you?" Keqing questioned, a cocky smirk adorning her face.
Ganyu didn't even need to think for her answer.
"Everything, but the first time we ever met, I remember that the main thing that caught my attention was your eyes. They were and still are my favorite thing about you, next to your personality."
Keqing blushed, but was curious about the sentiment at the same time.
"And why is it you like my eyes so much?" Keqing questioned.
"Many reasons, honestly," Ganyu answered. "Your eyes have a mesmerizing effect to them, and when they twinkle in the light of day, they make your natural beauty shine through like a blazing star in the night sky."
Keqing gasped in slight embarrassment, but appreciated everything Ganyu was saying about her. She smiled in appreciation and eyed her partner with absolute adoration.
"What about me?" Ganyu stated.
"What do you mean, Ganyu?"
"What makes me beautiful to you? I told you why you're beautiful to me, so now it's your turn."
Keqing giggled at the words, but gave her her honest answer.
"Well, just like you said, there's many things. Your personality, your strength, that cute ass, and I'd be lying if your eyes weren't part of it either," Keqing confessed.
Ganyu was as hot as the water, mainly due to the comment about her behind, but nonetheless, she was intrigued.
"M-my ass?! What's so cute about that thing?!" Ganyu asked with severe embarrassment.
Keqing shrugged at the question.
"No reason, it's just cute in my eyes," she answered sarcastically, quickly turning more serious. "No. The truth is that it's a part of you, so I love it."
To show she meant it, she leaned forward and gave Ganyu a reassuring kiss, to which her beloved accepted and took as a true sentiment.
It only lasted for about five seconds, but to them, it was an eternity whenever they were in each other's embrace. Upon Keqing releasing the kiss, Ganyu smiled in reassurance.
"You are so inappropriate, but I love that about you," Ganyu complimented.
"Nothing you'd expect from the former Yuheng of our old home, huh?" Keqing played back. "Don't even play like you don't like mine. I see you stare at it all the time, naughty lamb."
Ganyu felt her body jump in temperature from that comment, her adrenaline and hormones beginning to rush like raging rapids. She had to do everything she could to resist just lunging forward into her love's lips and leading her to the bed.
"Easy there, Keqing," she quickly alerted. "We can do that later. For now, we need to be awake for Yelan."
"Hehe, sorry," she apologized. "I just wanted to tease you a little. I didn't realize you were that vulnerable."
Ganyu smiled and giggled at the apology.
"It's okay, I love when you tease me, but yeah, you've got me a little too hot, so lower the naughtiness for awhile."
Keqing nodded and accepted her request, not wanting to make her beloved feel uncomfortable.
"Alright. I'll tone it down until it's more of an appropriate time, but now I feel bad and want to make it up to you."
"No, it's okay, my love. I know you didn't mean anything," Ganyu assured.
Keqing shook her head.
"No, I feel too guilty. Therefore, let me at least…
She put a finger to her chin, brainstorming something she could do to show Ganyu she was truly sorry for accidentally arousing her. It took a moment, but eventually she found a solution.
"Ah! Perfect! Let me give you a massage," she requested.
Ganyu definitely wasn't against that idea, seeing she could definitely use one. Between the stress of the past week and a half and her past, she was more than due for a good unknotting of her back muscles.
"Alright. If it'll make you feel better, I'll let you massage my shoulders. Deal?"
"Deal."
With that, Ganyu followed through with their agreement by shifting her body to where her back was facing Keqing. She pulled her massive fleece over her shoulders and blanketed her breasts with it, allowing her beloved full view of her slightly muscly back for the task ahead.
Keqing tucked herself up to Ganyu enough for her to get into a good position, then started by gripping her beloved's shoulders. With care and a gentle grip, she began to lap her hands in a repeat pattern, leading to Ganyu beginning to react to Keqing's work on her tight muscles.
As Keqing continued the motions, she could feel the years of work that her partner's muscles had endured, and as she dug and untightened the ancient damage, Ganyu reacted accordingly.
She moaned and breathed hard at the work Keqing was doing, and Keqing could tell they were not moans of pain or discomfort; these were exclamations of relief and pleasure, and she just gave her all of it. She was surprised she didn't hear any pops or didn't manage to accidentally hurt Ganyu once. The task was like digging through concrete, and upon finishing the apologetic gift, Ganyu felt as if her movement speed with her arms had increased ten fold.
"Rex Lapis above, that felt so good…
Her words came out as if she'd just finished a long day at Yuehai Pavillion.
"Thank you, my love. I feel so much better."
Keqing smiled at her beloved's satisfaction, happy that she'd succeeded at giving Ganyu a proper gift of pleasure.
"You're welcome," Keqing replied. "You were so tight, so I'm sure undoing all those nasty knots helped you."
"They did very much. I'll have to return the favor next time."
"I'd love that, my sweet," Keqing agreed.
Ganyu reverted her position back to facing Keqing and laid back against the rim of the tub.
"I haven't had one of those in centuries, so my apologies if my muscles nearly broke your fingers…
"It's just part of being a couple," Keqing assured. "My fingers are pretty tough, thanks to my use of the sword, so they aren't even sore."
Ganyu giggled.
"I've had experience with them, so I know just how tough and soft they are," Ganyu teased, causing Keqing to blush and become slightly hot from arousal.
"G-Ganyu! I-I thought we were taking it easy on the naughtiness?! You're making me hot just saying that!" Keqing objected.
"Now we're even," Ganyu stated with a giggle, leaning forward and kissing her flustered partner.
Releasing the kiss, she got up from the water and got out, motioning for Keqing to follow.
"Come on, we should get ready before Yelan comes and gets us."
"Fine," she agreed, getting up and stepping out of the tub, "but you owe me when we get to an appropriate place."
"Fair."
The two cut the teasing and proceeded to getting dressed and packing up for their departure. It took them about an hour, and upon them finishing up, they just sat down and awaited Yelan's arrival.
"Where do you think we're going next?" Ganyu pondered.
"I'm not sure, but I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you," Keqing answered. "Like I said last night, as long as we're together, nothing can stop us."
Ganyu nodded in response.
"Sumeru sure has changed us since we arrived, hasn't it? We came here as clueless victims looking for answers, and now, we're leaving as informed lovers that are one step closer to figuring out how to resolve this madness."
Keqing nodded.
"Sumeru brought out a lot in all of us, and gave us wisdom on how to progress in this fight. This truly is a place that lives up to its reputation."
A sudden eruption of three knocks broke the silence of the room, following with the voice they had hoped to hear.
"You two better not be messing around in there, because boy do I have much to tell you," spoke the voice of Yelan from the other side of the door.
"Nope, we're ready," Keqing confirmed. "No naked lovers this time."
"Good, because we've got a boat to catch in twenty minutes. Meet me at the city docks and I'll tell you everything on the boat once we're out of the ears of society."
A set of steps vacated the door's outer proximity, to which Keqing grabbed her beloved's hand and stated one thing.
"Ready to go, my love."
Ganyu nodded as an answer, following with her own final goodbye to Sumeru.
"To wherever the road leads us next."
