Episode 6: To Become a Blasphemer
Throughout the history of Teyvat, many had challenged the gods. Celestia had beaten back every single onslaught mercilessly, and even now the remnants of crushed civilizations stood as reminders that the floating island in the sky was untouchable - undefeatable.
For that reason, some would say that the Harbingers were a gaggle of fools. After all, their stated desire was to create a new world, one of eternal peace far from the whims of any unpredictable gods. A world like that simply couldn't exist as long as Celestia did. Still, that loosely-knit group of misfits continued their mission, steadfastly pressing onward towards their dream, no matter what collateral costs were incurred.
"STOP IT! Please! I'll… I'll do it."
And now, against all odds, a new member would join them - a young man who had already challenged fate once before, and won.
Opening Theme: SECONDWALL - 君の世界を
The first thing Diluc saw after blurting out those words was a smile - a beautiful, serene smile that might have stirred his heart if the timing and location had been different.
"Welcome to the Harbingers," Damselette said, reaching her hand out to him.
Reluctantly, Diluc grasped it, finding it very small and cold. When he did, a strange, nauseous feeling almost overcame him for a moment. Horrific, unspeakable images filled his mind, then disappeared just as suddenly as they had come. Like a dream when you wake, the details were instantly foggy, but the sickening aftertaste remained.
"Hmm, I see. So that's how it is…" she muttered, putting a finger to her mouth. "Anyway, I don't have full authority to make you an official Harbinger right this moment, but I'm sure The Jester will say yes with my highest recommendation."
"So what was the point of all this, then?" Diluc shook his head, and knelt down beside Keqing.
His shaking hand reached for her wrist, and he desperately tried to avoid thinking about the last time he had done something like this. It inevitably brought back awful memories that he had hoped were buried.
This time, though, her pulse was strong and steady.
"Thank God," Diluc breathed out.
I made you a promise, right?
Upon "hearing" that voice again, Diluc whirled around to face its source.
"What do you want from me?" he asked, cutting to the chase. "None of this makes sense. Why would you want me to be a Harbinger? I have no loyalty to your Tsaritsa, and I have nothing but disdain for you lot."
"You should ask your friend that," Damselette replied teasingly.
"I don't recall having any friend like that."
Childe sighed and held his head in his hand at Diluc's deadpan reply.
"I'm not asking him, I'm asking you. Why?" Diluc continued to prod Damselette.
"Hmmm~" she pondered, with a finger on her chin. "I guess because it seems fun? We've been missing a member for a while now since Rosalyne left us behind."
Diluc glared at her without words. Her doll-like face hadn't wavered a bit as she said those ridiculous words. This woman was truly incomprehensible to him.
"You're going to regret this," Diluc said, whirling around to give his full attention to Keqing.
He reached down, wiping the blood from Keqing's neck with his gloved thumb. He found that the small laceration had already stopped bleeding, thankfully. Pulling Keqing's small body onto his shoulder, he stood, lifting her up easily. He carefully, tenderly situated her in a way that would be easy for him to carry her, and started heading up the slope towards the cave's entrance.
"I'll speak to The Director tonight. If all goes well, you can meet us in a few days for the official ceremony. Ah, actually, I guess we'll meet you," Damselette called out from behind Diluc.
"That's reassuring."
Don't disappoint me, Diluc.
"I just might," Diluc replied verbally to the voice in his head, causing Childe to cock an eyebrow.
With those parting words, Diluc began his journey home, his beloved wife safely secured - at a cost that was yet unknown to him.
The light of the moon guided Diluc's steps as he made his way back down the mountain towards home. Keqing was still sleeping, and he was beginning to worry about how long she would be out. He sighed restlessly as he began his descent from the snowy plains towards a greener, more welcoming place.
"Sorry, Keqing. I let you down again. I didn't think anyone would come after you, but I should have thought of it, dammit. And now… how am I going to explain this to you?"
Of course, Keqing didn't respond. She didn't even move a muscle.
Yet another secret I can't tell her. What kind of husband am I?
Diluc felt incredibly guilty. Not only had he allowed his wife to come to harm, he had made a deal with the very devil herself in order to save her. None of this had gone according to plan at all; in reality, things had now gone completely off the rails.
How am I going to tell her about this…?
He pushed aside those thoughts when he felt a little movement on his shoulder. Immediately, he looked around for a place to set her down, finding a patch of soft grass near the path.
Her eyes began to flutter, and Diluc supported her shoulders as she began to wake up.
"Keqing, can you hear me? Keqing, talk to me."
"Mmmmhh… what… Diluc…?"
For the second time that night, Diluc offered a prayer of thanks to whatever god had allowed for her safety.
"Are you okay? Can you move?"
"Y-Yeah… I think so… where am I?"
"We're on the path home. Don't worry, everything is fine now. I promise."
Keqing looked concerned and confused, but when Diluc hugged her tight, she wrapped her arms around him immediately. Her voice wavered, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Diluc, I don't remember what happened… this is scary…"
"It's okay. Try to think back to the last thing you remember. But don't push yourself."
"I… remember something attacking me when I went to deliver that letter I told you about… everything went dark… and after that, nothing…"
"Damn it," Diluc growled.
He imagined that crazy woman attacking his wife, which stoked his rage into an inferno.
"Did something awful happen…?" Keqing searchingly asked, reading Diluc's facial expressions.
"No. You were kidnapped, but I took care of them. There's nothing to worry about now," Diluc replied rather shortly.
"I see…" Keqing trailed off, growing quiet.
"From now on, please don't leave without telling me. Especially at a time like this."
Keqing looked up at Diluc as he offered her his hand to stand up.
"I… Sorry, I never thought anyone would be after me. I'm not some weak little girl, either, so…"
For the first time in a long while, Keqing had shown a sliver of that defiant, proud attitude she used to have.
"No, you aren't, but look what happened," Diluc said sternly.
"I get it. I should have been armed, then maybe this wouldn't have happened. Just… please don't treat me like I can't defend myself, okay?"
Diluc sighed deeply. He didn't want to let this go, but now wasn't the time to admonish her any more. And she wasn't wrong. Keqing was incredibly strong. He had seen that firsthand. Under any normal circumstances, he would trust her to stand against nearly any enemy. It was rare to come up against someone this far outside of the normal realm of strength.
"I know, Keqing. Let's head home now," he replied to her gently.
Once she got her legs under her, the two walked side by side down the remaining path leading back to Dawn Winery. No matter how much Diluc tried to convince himself that he had made the right choice, the weight of his lie of omission just wouldn't go away. In the back of his mind, he prayed that it had all been some sort of joke - that when he awoke the next day, it would all just disappear like vapor in the wind.
That night, in the basement hall of the Goth Grand Hotel, a small group was gathered. Several members weren't present, but those that were couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"So, in that light, I highly recommend Diluc Ragnvindr as the newest Harbinger," a smooth, gentle voice concluded.
"Columbina, what is the meaning of this?" The Jester raised his eyebrow.
"That young man is simply too valuable to our current mission to let him go. Like I said, he probably knows all about whatever that "event" was. Unless you'd prefer to simply capture him, and incur the wrath of both Mondstadt and Liyue, this is the most rational plan. We just have to gain his trust, and then pull it out of him. After that… we dispose of him appropriately."
"I understand your logic, but we know nothing about this man. He isn't from the motherland, and has no attachment to our ideals. I'm not sure we can allow such a thing," Pulcinella spoke up.
Strangely, Childe interjected next.
"…I know him. He's quick to violence, and has enough secrets to rival most of us. But… I don't think he's a bad person."
Several surprised faces turned towards Childe as he concluded his unexpected statement. Damselette was the only one that seemed unsurprised, simply smiling gently with her eyes closed as always.
"You know that guy? What the hell, why didn't you just say so?" Arlecchino grumbled. "Wait, doesn't that mean you've been hiding this from us?"
"My apologies. I didn't intend to hide anything, but I also can't tell you anything more about our circumstances. I hope you'll understand," Childe finished properly, flashing a bright grin.
The leader of the group looked on sternly, and spoke up again.
"I'm not entirely convinced of this plan's merits, but since Columbina feels so strongly about it, I'm willing to accept a trial period for him."
Arlecchino's jaw nearly hit the floor, and Pulcinella just held his forehead with a sigh.
"Now that that's settled, I have an important announcement. Il Dottore has informed me that his work with Irminsul will take longer than expected. It seems that he has run into an unexpected issue that might delay him by a few weeks at the earliest. In light of that, and the other point we just discussed, I'm putting this current mission on hold for now."
"What the hell? This whole thing was a waste of time, then?" Arlecchino became irate, never one to hold back her true feelings.
"Certainly not. We have learned much, and will continue to do so. Isn't that right, Childe?"
"Right," he replied quickly.
Their leader nodded solemnly, then raised his voice.
"Harbingers, you are dismissed. Be ready to pick up where we left off at a moment's notice."
With that, the imposing man left the table, heading upstairs.
"Damselette, what are you up to?" Arlecchino asked, still irritated.
"Nothing, really. Just following my instincts."
"Knowing your instincts, that's pretty fucked up."
"I won't be lectured by someone like you, Knave. Farewell," Damselette politely bowed, then left the room as well.
Childe and Pulcinella were the only two left after Arlecchino stormed off as well.
"I hope you understand what you just said, young man," the elderly gentleman spoke up.
"Honestly, I'm not sure what the fuck is even going on anymore," Childe responded flippantly, with a sigh.
Ending Theme: satella feat. Sennzai - Reincarnation
He, too, headed for the door, ready to leave that musty old hotel behind for a while.
As soon as he stepped out into the cool night air, though, a sugary-sweet voice addressed him.
"There's something you should know, Childe."
Next:
Episode 7: Diverging Paths