Signora's Saviour- Chapter 15.
[Liu's POV]
This...is a dead end. But I swear I caught a glimpse of my target going down this way. Guess I'll have to backtr-
Someone's behind me!
[3rd POV]
Liu swiftly unsheathes his rapier, turns and swings at the assailant, but only ends up colliding with the curved blade of the would-be assassin.
The two continue to swing at each other for several seconds, with no progress made on either side. Eventually, the unknown attacker puts a bit of distance between them and Liu.
"Before you try to kill me, you could at least explain why." Liu says, sword pointed at the aggressor.
The figure before him is dressed in robes that are coloured white, gold, red and black. Their looks are concealed by their hood and a face covering of some kind. Their weapon is a lightweight short blade that is curved so it almost resembles a hook.
"Liu..." The hooded figure speaks, their voice distorted. "Son of Ningguang, heir to the Tianquan position..."
"I'm going to stop you there." Liu interrupts. "I don't want to be the Tianquan. Never have."
"It matters not..." The entity replies. "You need only know, that you have discovered something that should've remained beyond you knowledge. As such, you must be eliminated."
The man in robes began to attack Liu again, intentions now fully clear. Despite the newfound ferocity in the robed man's fighting style, Liu was nowhere near as underpowered as he had estimated, and so the two combatants seemed to be at an impasse.
"This is a good workout..." Liu spoke as their blades grinded against each other.
The robed assailant pulled back without speaking a word and immediately resuming his assault, catching Liu in the lower abdomen.
"Agh!" Liu grunted and briefly clutched the wound.
This pain gave him the motivation to retaliate, successfully disarming his adversary and driving his rapier through his chest.
The robed attacker fell backwards, bleeding, but barely alive. Liu slowly approached him.
"Even if you defeat me here..." The robed man says weakly. "More Disciples will come after you...Arujina...will have her plan seen through..."
Liu wordlessly executed the Disciple and sighed in relief, before the fading adrenaline allowed the pain of his wound to resurface.
"Ow, ow, ow..." He mutters as he returns his weapon to it's holster, before applying pressure to the bleeding gash.
[Liu's POV]
In all my travels, I've never suffered a wound like this. Suppose I should be grateful I'm still alive. That creep had some weird things to say. I've discovered something I shouldn't have...Disciples...Arujina...whoever that is.
It seemes I've been marked by these people for what I saw in the vault. I knew it...something is wrong in the shadows of this world.
"Oh, that really hurts..." I should be fine though.
I need to find Signora, at least then I'll have protection. Though, I can't imagine she'll be best pleased with me disappearing like that...
[Later...]
There she is! Signora hasn't strayed too far from the Sanctuary.I'm hosetly suprised the Traveler let her go. I begin running as fast as the pain will allow.
"Signora!" I call out.
She quickly turns in my direction as I come to a stop close to her.
"Leo, where did you..." He eyes land on my injury. "What happened?"
Her question is full of concern.
"Had a small skirmish with someone, but they're dealt with." I tell a half-truth. "You don't need to worry, it looks worse than it is."
"With the way you're standing I'm having a hard time believing you..." Signora approaches me and kneels. "Let me see."
I comply and move my bloodied hand.
"Hmmmm..." She studies it for a few seconds, before standing again. "You're right. You should be fine, but you should still get it cleaned up. Come along, I'll take you somewhere you can get patched up for the journey to Zapolarny Palace."
"Zapolarny Palace?" I question. "Did you get the Gnosis, then?"
"Not quite yet, but I established a deal with the Lesser Lord" She says while pulling me along. "I will be retrieving the Gnosis anytime from tomorrow to 3 days time."
"But how?" She's being cagey again. "I thought the Traveler was trying to stop you."
"Kusanali made him leave. She wanted to speak with me by herself." She replies in her authorative tone while pulling me along. "Plus, I'm a diplomat. Negotiation is my specialty."
Signora comes to a stop at a small body of water a little outside the Capital.
"Here!" She cups some water in her hands and pours it over my gash.
It's shocking and painful, but I'll endure it.
"Good, it's already slowing down." She remarks before breaking a large leaf off a nearby plant, rinsing it in the water. "Use this as a dressing for now. Once we get to safety, you'll be taken care of properly."
"Thank you, Rosalyne." I say, while attaching the leaf.
"You're welcome." She grabs my arm again. "Now, let's find an inn to stay at for a couple nights."
I'm once again being whisked away by her quite forcefully. I wonder if she underestimates her physical strength?
[That Evening...]
Signora is currently looking out the window of our room at the darkening sky. She sighs, but doesn't speak. In a few days, we should finally be back at Snezhnaya and Zapolarny Palace. Which means my day of judgement at the hands of the Tsaritsa is nigh.
I sure hope Signora is correct when she says that my recent actions make up for my...betrayal of sorts.
"Have you thought of what to say to her majesty?" Signora is now looking at me. "You do know she'll want to hear from you. She'll want to know that you're sorry, and...well, I can't guarantee no punishment is going to be administered to you. But I'll do my best to lighten it."
"It's comforting to know you're on my side, Rosalyne." I solemnly say.
"Of course." She sits next to me. " After all, we're together...aren't we?"
"Yes..." I crack a small smile. "Yes, we are."
Signora smiles back, sincerely.
"Even if we weren't I'd still support you, based on what you did for me during your initial time in my squadron." She leans over and-
WAIT! She...kissed my cheek.
"Rosalyne..." I blurt out, frozen in shock.
She softly chuckles.
"Pay it no mind, Liu." Her tone is flat.
Easier said than done, Signora.
"How's your wound?" She asks casually.
"...It's...it's fine enough." I force myself to reply. "It hurts far less than earlier."
"Good." Signora stands up again. "Do you have anything we can cook?"
"Check my satchel." I point to said satchel.
"Are you trying to order me around?" She replies in a sarcastic, dare I say playful voice.
She has been in higher spirits since exacting her revenge on Scaramouche. Not exactly surprising, given his manipulation of her. It's just a bit strange to see her so cheerful. Well, as cheerful as she could possibly be, given the misfortune in her life.
Had I known her past before, I would of never had abandoned the Fatui like that. Making her relive that trauma. Maybe not to the same extent, but it's the same scenario I suppose. I feel I should actually give her a proper apology soon.
"Liu, come over here." Signora beckons me to the oven. "You know I'm not the best at cooking, so you'll need to handle this."
"Alright." I agree, kneel and get to work.
For someone who isn't proficient at all in the culinary arts, she does know how to pick well synergized ingredients. I can work with this.
"Rosalyne?" I start to ask a question that's been on my mind the last few hours. "How is it that you managed to convince the Dendro Archon?"
"Hm? You mean, about the Gnosis..?" She replies. "I already said, I'm a diplomat."
That doesn't explain how she got through to Lesser Lord Kusanali. From what I gather, she's a tough nut to crack.
"I know what you're thinking." She muses. "You probably underestimate me due to never witnessing my skills. I hope to demonstrate them to you soon."
"I see." She's right. She is more competent than i give her credit for.
"Though, I feel my powers are not as potent as they used to be..." I hear her mutter.
"What do you mean?" I inquire bluntly.
"Until recently, I had been using a Delusion. I was picked up by the Fatui during a rampage, and the Delusion was used to quell my flames. Of course, due to certain circumstances, I was forced to disable said Delusion. But, I just...don't feel as powerful as I once was. Maybe I'm out of practice, or maybe the Delusion has permanently weakened me." Signora laments, her voice sorrowful.
"A rampage?" I look over her. "What for?"
She hesitates, an expression of pain flashes across her face for a split second.
"...My husband."
"Oh..." I made a mistake.
"I burned nearly everything in sight in the days after..." She trails off. "I unlocked my inherent abilities. A consolation gift...the ability to wield pyro elemental powers without a Vision."
"I'm sorry for bringing it up." I say as I turn back to my cooking.
"It's fine." She replies. "You were just curious. I understand."
I choose to remain quiet for now, give her time to calm her emotions. In the meantime, I silently curse myself for not being careful enough.
[The next day...]
"Liu..." I'm being called to. "Liu..."
I force my eyes to open.
"Yeah..?" I mutter.
"I'm going out now." Signora says gently.
"Oh..." I look at her as my eyes finally focus. "I'll come with."
"No, no, no..." She pushes me into the mattress, holding me still. "You will stay here, and rest. After what happened yesterday, I feel you'll be safer here. Besides, I want to be alone for a little while."
"Alright." I reply. "I'll wait then."
"Good." She briefly brushes my hair with her hand, before heading over to the door. "I will not be long Liu. Do not leave this room."
"I get it." I slowly sit up. "I'm not going anywhere."
She flashes a satisfied smile, then leaves with a wave. Well, it seems I'm bedbound, either by my wound or Signora's wrath. Perhaps both.
