"Got another Death After Noon?" a man asks the temporary bartender at Angel's Share, a lazy grin covering his face.
The young blonde, who is in his early twenties, according to Diluc's estimate, is evidently drunk. The Dawn Winery's owner can already discern the signs of intoxication. The customer's heavily slurred words, slower breathing, and the impairment of reflexes are all indications of the man's inebriety. His watery-blue eyes stare into Diluc's own, their cloudy appearance signifying the impairing effects of inebriation.
"Of course, we have Death After Noon," Diluc states, putting up a false display of pleasantness as bartenders were expected to do. Grabbing a wine bottle from a stack of open crates, Diluc pops off the cap, pouring the drink into a glass before handing it off to the customer.
"Thank you!" responded the man cheerfully, grabbing the glass and turning around towards his friends, who were also intoxicated.
"Even after being here for years, I still don't understand how you can deal with these many drunkards in the same place," muttered Diluc, loud enough for Charles to hear but not audible to the customers. "The feeble-mindedness I've picked up on here today from customers is astounding."
"It's a thing you eventually get used to. Working here for over a decade does that for you," says Charles, a small smile lighting his hardened features. "Although, by your stringent standards, today is not that terrible compared to some crazy days. You should have heard about the time-"
Although Diluc does not usually remain interested in idle chit-chat and fantastical stories regarding alcohol, he leans in slightly, keeping his ears open out of respect and familiarity with his long-time, trustworthy employee. Diluc listens to Charles' story, something about a drunk customer leaping from the tavern's third floor towards one of Angel's Share's chandeliers, holding onto it before it crashed down to the ground, all while singing a catchy ballad that had swept through Mondstadt like a wildfire. Miraculously, the customer never suffered any physical injuries, the only injuries being a 40,000 mora statement charged to his bank account for property damages, which covered the costs for a replacement chandelier.
Shaking his head, Diluc regards the story with a hint of amusement before turning back to serving another customer. As the day stretches onwards and the shadows lengthen amid the setting sun, Diluc and Charles continue serving customers, an inestimable number of Mondstadters filtering in and out of the double-door entrance.
It's around night-time when the peak hours of the tavern hit, the clamor for drinks and general chatter slowly crescendoing as demand for alcohol increases. Although Angel's Share had already increased the number of bartenders on shift and opened smaller counters on the other floors, employees still had to work with a sense of urgency.
"It's damn busy, isn't it?" the bartender of Angel's Share asks Diluc, raising a cloth to his forehead as if wiping sweat off his brow. There's a slight look of displeasure present on Charles' face, one which Diluc knows simply masks his exhausted demeanor. "All these years I've been bartending, there's never been such a large crowd."
Diluc grunts in response, shifting his eyes away from the dwindling stack of crates behind him in the bar's supply room towards another customer occupying the other end of the counter. Complying with the new customer's request, he pours dandelion wine into a glass, thoughts of leaving Angel's Share flickering through his mind. At some point tonight, Diluc would have to leave the establishment and head back to the Dawn Winery to deal with estate management and restore the bar's supplies to an adequate level.
"Even those annual celebratory events established two decades ago that offered discounts on alcohol prices never attracted these many people," Charles continues on, stating with a slight snort while serving an equally-drunk customer. The poor person Charles was serving was probably on his sixth drink, looking as if he'd pass out within the next few moments. "Who'd believe that Ludi Harpastum and more expensive alcohol would attract more people than cheaper alcohol and deals?
"Well, the advertisements regarding vintage wine and the Dawn Winery's prestige have worked splendidly in our favor," Diluc replies nonchalantly, going behind the bar's counter and reemerging with a large container full of supplies meant for restocking. Grabbing the various bottles and kegs, Diluc begins reorganizing before an evidently drunk, long-time patron calls out to Diluc, forcing him to make his way toward the right. "Plus, I do not recall seeing these many foreigners in previous editions that Ludi Harpastum has undergone."
"The Dawn Winery has expanded its collection of vintage wines in the past year." Charles begins, his brow furrowed slightly in concentration as he simultaneously manages to serve drinks and take orders from customers across the room. Adding a perfect mixture of sparkling wine and dandelion wine, the bartender crafts an exquisite Death After Noon before handing the drink to a waiting customer. "Especially with the release of the highly anticipated flaming flower stamen wine, I expect that would bring more customers, especially foreigners unfamiliar with new and exciting alcoholic options. There's a reason why so many alcohol connoisseurs have deemed Angel's Share an essential pilgrimage stop."
"I wholeheartedly agree with that assumption, Charles," drawls someone, approaching the owner with a sense of grace almost over exaggeratedly. "By the way, would you mind formulating a Death After Noon? I find that my supply has dwindled to a meager drop."
It's a familiar voice, one that makes Diluc suddenly spin around and look at the unknown individual right in the face. The unidentified individual is a young man with a tanned complexion, and navy-blue hair swept towards one side that covers a black eyepatch with golden trim. Dressed in a loose-fitting military jacket, dark trousers, and knee-length boots and with a half-cape made out of fur to boot, the man's uncovered eye, whose pupil is mysteriously star-shaped, looks back at Diluc with a glimmer of humor.
"Never expected to see you here," Diluc says, snorting softly before looking at Kaeya with slightly narrowed eyes. "Anyways, where did you come from?"
"Oh, I've been here and there, amongst other places," Kaeya responds, making a dismissive hand gesture. Lazily leaning back on one of the bar chairs, the cavalry captain chooses to lie down, placing his legs on a series of unoccupied seats. "You could say that I've been using fellow drinkers as proxies. I get free alcohol from the best bar in town and don't even have to move. It's a win-win situation, don't you think?"
With a sigh of disappointment, Diluc buries his face in his hands. Damn it, he should have expected that to happen. If anybody would spend an entire day at the bar drinking and collecting information instead of officially working, it had to be Kaeya. Mondstadt's Cavalry Captain must have snuck in before Diluc had started his temporary shift, waiting for drinks to freely flow before collecting information.
Ignoring Diluc's exhibition of disappointment, Kaeya continues speaking, leaning closer toward the owner of Angel's Share.
"I find this location particularly scenic for chatting. I thought it would be sociable if I dropped by to converse with you." Kaeya states, a shimmer of good-natured cheeriness reflecting within his eyes. "And before you ask why I've been here all day, let's just say that Varka authorized me to take a day off, so I thought there wasn't anything better than drinking my favorite beverage and having a late-night meeting with my favorite person."
Diluc doesn't respond, his head buried momentarily in his hands from exhaustion. As Diluc continues maintaining the position, through his hands, he can see an increasing number of customers congregating around Charles' location. Assuming an upright stance once more, Diluc calls the nearby bartender, his voice echoing through the narrow space encompassing the area behind the counter.
"Charles, would you mind calling one of our employees to take over my shift? I need a couple of minutes," calls Diluc, motioning to the relatively empty right-hand side of the bar.
Nodding with understanding, Charles withdraws momentarily, reappearing with a young dark-haired man wearing a collared, black dress shirt and a dark-grey vest to match. The young man begins taking over the other side that Diluc had previously served, the huddle of customers splitting in half, with one large group following the new employee.
Taking a good look at the cavalry captain again, Diluc notices something different, something that he had overlooked when initially observing the familiar figure. It was his hair. What once was a rattail that nearly extended to Kaeya's waist became non-existent. Diluc blinks, rubbing his eyes to make sure he's not hallucinating before taking a look. The hair is still not there.
"What happened to your hair?" Diluc asks surprisedly, his hands making a chopping motion near the back of his neck as if emulating the cutting of hair that Kaeya had kept and groomed for years.
"Oh, that? I never expected your skills of perception to be that good," Kaeya jests, a small chuckle escaping from his lips. He watches the owner of Angel's Share stifle a grown, smiling at the sight of winning a small victory. "Some intoxicated drunkard, one who ordered Death After Noon for me today, decided to challenge me to cut my hair. They were too intoxicated to realize they had dared the Cavalry Captain, but I couldn't lose his group's respect or the services they freely provided. Plus, I was recently thinking of changing things up quite a bit. About time actually."
"Anyways, are you enjoying your bartending responsibilities?" Kaeya asks, his brow cocked in amusement. His eyes now sparkle with delight, a lazy smile on his face suddenly manifesting as if he's enjoying the situation Diluc's ended up in. The owner of Angel's Share only took shifts occasionally, so seeing his brother ending up serving customers on one of the tavern's busiest days ever kindled amusement within Kaeya. The cavalry captain leans forward, attempting to catch a better glimpse of whatever emotion Diluc's eyes are currently reflecting, only to receive a steely gaze in response.
"No, of course not," Diluc responds aloofly, interrupting Kaeya's thoughts. His lips are tightened in a seemingly slight frown. "Whatever you are assuming, interacting with drunkards is not amusing."
"Well, on the contrary, I think interacting with them is quite fascinating. You get to hear anything ranging from sob stories to interesting information given enough time. Plus, as I mentioned, they'll buy you free drinks once you push them in the right direction enough times." Kaeya says, a smirk plastered over his face. He tilts his head slightly sideways as if expecting another sigh of disappointment from Diluc, which he is promptly rewarded with. "Anyways, you knew what would entail when you offered Charles to help with the night shift. I vividly remember you saying, 'Employers should share employees' burdens' at a corporate meeting."
"You're completely misinterpreting that statement. Where'd you even hear that in the first place?" Diluc asks, a groan escaping from his lips as Kaeya's eyes reflect a glint of merriment. That statement, although provided out of context, had been declared at a private shareholders conference held seven months ago in one of Dawn Winery's private meeting rooms. "You weren't invited to that meeting."
"Regardless, I didn't come here to be reminded; I'm planning to head out for a restock." continues Diluc, ignoring the laughter emanating from Kaeya's mouth. "The supply of Death After Noon is diminishing. Considering the rate that people are downing alcohol, Angel's Share will run through its stocks by sometime tomorrow, and it's only the first day of Ludi Harpastum."
Making a motion with his hands, Diluc points his thumb toward the diminishing stack of containers behind him. Leaning forward, Kaeya allows his eyes to follow Diluc's hand towards what the Dawn Winery's manager indicated, a dejected look suddenly appearing on his face.
"Oh, you're heading for a restock already? Huh, I never expected Death After Noon, out of all commodities, to run out this early." Kaeya states, his smirk completely wiped off his face.
Diluc snorts, looking at the crestfallen expression on Kaeya's face. Even if Angel's Share ran out of his favorite drink, he knew that Kaeya would still remain in the bar. Angel's Share was a location that remained the center for information within Mondstadt, providing social alcohol and social interaction where information from loose tongues could be extracted. That was an excellent deal as far as someone like Kaeya was concerned.
"Without alcohol, I suppose there is no point in staying here anymore." Kaeya declares, running his hands through his hair; he lets a brief pause accentuate his statement. "Well, except for work-related issues. The bar's camaraderie is also a nice addition, don't you think?"
"And that means I have to work more," Kaeya recognizes, a small sigh escaping his lips. He looks solemnly at the dwindling supply of Death After Noon, a seemingly genuine feeling of despondence present on his face.
A silence ensues, both Kaeya and Diluc briefly not knowing how to carry on the conversation. It's been years since their conversations were free-flowing, where they weren't constantly throwing barbs at each other or putting up façades. Although their frosty relationship had somewhat thawed, the process of healing and restoration of normality to a certain degree are still things both parties needed to get used to. Diluc is the first to cut through the silence, attempting to shift away from the topic to something more productive.
"One thing before I leave. Any reason why alcohol stocks are rapidly diminishing?" Diluc asks, his brow furrowed in slight annoyance. He's not sure why Death in the Afternoon and other alcoholic beverages are running out this early, though he has a preliminary idea. However, believing that he would receive a more reliable response from someone far more familiar with the alcohol scene, Diluc carries onwards. "Usually, we'd restock around a month from now."
Kaeya turns around slowly, withdrawing his left hand from the bar table and laying it on his knee. A wine glass filled with Death After Noon filched from behind the counter without Diluc noticing had been placed on the marble countertop, its clear contents sparkling in the bar's illuminated environment. Kaeya gazes at the entirety of Angel's Share with a small smile, though there is a seemingly faraway expression on his face as if he's reminiscing nostalgic memories. He continues gazing at the scene for some time, his eyes glimmering with an unreadable countenance that Diluc cannot comprehend. Waiting for Kaeya's response, the owner of Angel's Share is just about to leave the cavalry captain wistfully staring at the horizon before seeing the slightest movement of his lips.
"It's so much easier to drink away problems than confront them head-on," Kaeya states quietly, turning around and setting his drink on the bar table. His features become somber, replacing the delight expressed mere moments ago. The cavalry captain looks down at the bar table, its lacquered surface reflecting bright white in the luminescence of the lights. "There's no point in fighting back when you can drown yourself in self-pity and forget that your problems exist."
A moment of heavy silence hangs in the air again, the rowdiness of Angel's Share unable to dispel the suddenly gloomy environment. The familiar chatter and drunken antics of the bar's customers continue in the background, bleeding into the moment of solitude and disrupting Diluc's concentration. Unable to find something to say to Kaeya, the owner of the Dawn Winery sits there in silence, the atmosphere further stifling his attempts at making friendly conversation. Thankfully, this time, the cavalry captain cuts the silence short.
"Anyways, I believed that it would be appropriate to spend time at Angel's Share and appreciate Ludi Harpastum's festivities before visiting Port Dornman," Kaeya says, looking past Diluc and at the crowd enjoying their drinks in the background. "I'm looking forward to visiting the city. It's actually been quite a while since my last visit. I still remember the first time I entered the city, watching the sun descend past the horizon with the endless waters serving as its backdrop. Seeing that sight again would be worth every second of my journey."
"Oh really?" Diluc questions, digesting the new information Kaeya had provided. If anything, Kaeya rarely traveled outside the boundaries demarcating the eastern portion of Mondstadt, only traveling to the Western Coast to fulfill delegated tasks regarding critical issues the Knights of Favonius dealt with. The owner of the Dawn Winery had already heard the barest of whispers regarding activities plaguing Port Dorman trickle in, his own information network and the mysterious organization he had joined ten years ago providing details. Although only a minuscule amount of information had been received, the incoming details allowed Diluc to paint the blurriest of pictures. While the public rarely gained immediate notice of such issues due to bureaucratic procedures, amongst other undisclosed reasons, news like this traveled fast amongst intelligence circles regardless of the circumstances.
"Were you really expecting me to visit Port Dornman for sightseeing? Even if that was theoretically the case, I would end up temporarily suspended from duty for breaching the Knights of Favonius' code of conduct, and you would be left with more work." Kaeya remarks cooly, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Well, I might have planned some sightseeing along the way, but that's not what we should focus on now. There have been reports of abnormal activity near Port Dornman that need to be resolved."
"And by resolved, to what extent do your delegated powers allow you to go?" Diluc asks, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Not only would his conversation with the cavalry captain be a critical opportunity to gain additional information about the reported incident, but it would also allow him to gauge the responsiveness and flexibility of the Knights of Favonius by seeing how prepared they would be to deal with a scenario like this. Leaning forward with interest, Diluc decides to clear away the fog obscuring the horizon of his intelligence, asking a question of his own. "Are you planning to pursue a diplomatic pathway, or have the Knights of Favonius sanctioned a combat-oriented one?
"No, I'm not planning to eliminate anybody," Kaeya remarks, deftly maneuvering the wine glass hand from hand. "Sure, it might have been fun fooling around occasionally, but these orders explicitly came from Varka."
Hearing this information, Diluc cocks his eyebrow in surprise. For the Grand Master of the Knights of the Favonius to directly delegate tasks to captains, whatever happened near Port Dornman was especially dreadful.
Typically, run-of-the-mill tasks and slightly concerning issues were funneled to the Lionfang Knight, who delegated these tasks to Company leaders via briefings and ensured that cooperation between the ten companies ran smoothly. On the other hand, the Grand Master dealt exclusively with severe issues, such as the incursion of Abyssal Monsters along Mondstadt's border near Snezhnaya. So whatever was happening near Mondstadt's Western Coast, it must have been fucked up.
"Any details you can provide?" Diluc prompts, hoping to draw some information even though Kaeya would likely remain tight-lipped. When Diluc was part of the Knights of Favonius years ago, the organization had sanctioned those who leaked confidential information regarding the Fatui, lest enemy informants take advantage of the situation. Considering Kaeya's seniority in Mondstadt's protective organization and the recent pressures the Fatui exerted upon the country, he would respect regardless of whether Kaeya voluntarily divulged information or not.
"All I have been informed of is conflicting reports of an attack on a group consisting of Fatui diplomats and soldiers near one of Port Dornman's nearby trade caravan stops. According to our internal investigations and a first-hand account provided a day ago, the group had been following an unidentifiable object sighted in the days prior. However, all information regarding the incident has been mysteriously purged," Kaeya responds, worry temporarily flickering across his face before suppressing the feeling. From Diluc's perspective, Kaeya looks like the very picture of cold-hearted collectedness, anger and suspicion perfectly hidden behind the façade he'd always worn. As he finally comprehends what Kaeya is saying, an expression of surprise flitters across Diluc's face as he realizes the information's significance before regaining his composure.
Continuing onwards, Kaeya leans backward in his chair, twirling the wine glass between his fingers. "The Fatui's remaining diplomats caught wind of the incident and are accusing the Knights of Favonius of perpetrating the brutal assault, even though a patrol associated with the Reconnaissance Company stumbled upon the scene unwittingly."
"Fuck," Diluc says, coolly glaring as his grip on the wine bottle tightens noticeably. His face has a slight grimace as he absorbs the information, making calculations and factoring in potential variables. Whatever the Fatui were involved with, bloodshed and coercion always followed them, the ever-present threat of violence hanging above the involved parties' heads. "The Fatui being victims? I never expected to hear those two words in the same sentence."
"I held the same opinion initially, though after reading up documented reports made by both the Knights of Favonius and independent investigators, the situation is looking increasingly dire," Kaeya responds, solemnly smiling as he continues his action of twirling the wine glass between his fingers. "Anyways, most of this information is confidential, and I like having a job, so I'm not going to elaborate further."
As expected.
"Since when were you so law-abiding?" Diluc asks, letting out a small snort. He'd been on the receiving end of Kaeya's risqué methods multiple times, mostly involving Kaeya enjoying drinks at Angel's Share while subjecting Diluc to individually deal with lethal enemies. "Regardless, what do you subjectively believe based on the preliminary reports I cannot access?"
"You're inquiring about my opinion? It's been a long time since you've directly requested me," Kaeya tells Diluc, mirthlessly chuckling as he reclines back on his leather chair. "Initially, I believed this entire situation was a false-flag situation dedicated to deepening Mond's debt to Snezhnaya, but now, I'm unsure. The Fatui wouldn't go through all this trouble nor seem this perturbed if this entire scenario was planned from the very beginning."
Diluc's eyes narrow with suspicion, his brain running into overdrive as he continues using this limited information. From what he'd gathered from this conversation, this situation demanded a private investigation, being far too complicated for the Knights of Favonius to solely tackle. Besides, the debrief had already portrayed this situation as far too sketchy. He'll have to rearrange his schedule for tomorrow to inquire about the situation, but before he carelessly reveals his desperation for additional information, Diluc fishes for further details.
"Any chance this attack could be attributed to another party looking to take advantage?" Diluc asks, trailing off as his eyebrows slightly knit in worry. The Fatui remained fazed only if something treacherous occurred, extending past the boundaries of their overarching influence and power. They've had Teyvat under their thumb for years, playing the entire continent like a fiddle to the despair of bystanders. Hell, even after the death and betrayal of several of their Harbingers, they didn't seem fazed by the news, only looking for replacements...
There used to be a saying that gained popularity amongst the Knights of Favonius in the past few years that perfectly sums up the current situation. What was it again? He remembers now.
"If something unnatural occurs within Mondstadt, blame the Fatui. If the Fatui do not claim responsibility, blame the Abyss Order. And if either party is not involved, start saying your prayers."
"What are you suggesting?" Kaeya asks, his brow cocked in surprise. He leans forward slightly, the chair imperceptibly angled as he moves closer.
"Could this be the work of the Abyss Order?"
"The Abyss Order? Hmm..." A cold sparkle appears in Kaeya's eye. He leans forward, pondering over Diluc's suggestion. "I don't believe the Abyss Order's involved in Port Dornman. This strike on the Fatui's shipping zones is far too clinical to be attributed to them. You've seen how they operated the past few years. Summon monsters, blatantly cause destruction, and leave. They're always forceful in their methods and primarily operate in rural areas rather than urban ones."
"Unless an elite is part of the entire setup. Heh, if that happened, we're fucked either way, which seems to be the ultimate outcome of this situation." Kaeya replies with a bleak smile, the cold expression in his eye replaced with a twinkle of cynicism. "Though, if it's not our group of favorite monsters, I sincerely have no idea."
Lost in his thought, Diluc attempts to unweave this intricate web of intrigue. It would probably do him best to take time off and mull over the situation.
"Keep me posted," Diluc tells his brother, the thoughtful countenance he previously exhibited wiped off his face. In its stead lies an expression exuding calmness and determination, one that attracted little attention and eliminated the concern crowding his features. "I'm not liking the sound of this."
"Sure thing," Kaeya responds, rising up from the seat he had been occupying. Just about as the cavalry captain is about to turn around toward the entrance of Angel's Share, he returns to the seat as if he had forgotten something. A sly smile suddenly overcoming his features, he reclines back in the chair slightly, the predatory look in his eyes at odds with the relaxed demeanor he had assumed. "However, this limited opportunity to gain access to confidential information does come with a price."
Ignoring Diluc's stifled groan, Kaeya continues on.
"However, if the payment option doesn't suit your tastes, I have two other options. If you seek a conventional route, you could always rejoin the Knights of Favonius with me watching your reinduction ceremony. That would be quite an experience, don't you think?" Kaeya rhetorically asks, joviality replacing the predatory sparkle of his irises. Leaning forward as if a secret must be revealed solely to the owner of Angel's Share, Kaeya begins to whisper. "Anyways, if you're interested in undertaking the unconventional route, you can always sleep with Jean, you know? I'm sure you could lay your hands on information, amongst other things..."
Diluc splutters, the new container of Death After Noon that he had just picked up slipping out of his grasp and falling to the floor. Grabbing it just inches away from the stone floor, he rebalances the wine bottle on the counter before turning around to face Kaeya, who was beginning to move away from the owner of the Dawn Winery.
"Oh, looks like I'm running late, have a great rest of the evening as a bartender!" yelps Kaeya, ducking under Diluc's attempted punch. To outsiders, the action would seem like a relatively friendly tap, similar to casual ones between acquaintances as a joke. But Kaeya knew how much force that simple movement applied, especially considering the nature of his comment a few moments ago. "Remember, the offer still stands! If you want to consider your choice of payment, you can always talk to me!"
Leaving his brother flushing slightly crimson in disbelief, Kaeya exits the establishment, the quick opening and closing of the building's double doors being the only indication of his departure.
Kaeya walks out of Angel's Share, the tumultuous sounds emitted from the tavern slowly trickling down to indistinct noise the further away he gets.
Huh, alright. That wasn't a biggie like Kaeya had expected it to be. Predictably, Diluc had taken up his bait, getting caught up in reminiscing the past and believing Kaeya's thoughts regarding the perpetrators, derailing his initial suspicions in the process. Being in a somber mood always threw Diluc's sense of direction, their complex, shared history contributing to thoughts of intriguing uneasiness. He had played his role to perfection.
Kaeya inherently understood how these situations usually played out. He's been doing this for years, pushing, manipulating, and using people to the point where he effortlessly takes control of events. It was a gift acquired only through harsh experiences and facing adversity at every turn, one that developed from the ever-present risk of betrayal and abandonment that trailed behind him all his life, following the tracks of his life's enigmatic history.
Either way, the deed had been done. Reminiscing about the past was not the main priority required to fulfill, nor would it assist him in completing his work. He had unfinished business to conclude, a series of loose ends that he had to tie up in Port Dornman before returning to Mondstadt.
Walking along the bridge across Cider Lake that connects Mondstadt to the mainland, Kaeya already misses the welcoming camaraderie of the bar. It was a shame he had to leave early, considering there were still six more hours of drunkenness to catch up with old friends and experience the pleasantries of gossip, intrigue, and information. Yet, he steeled himself, readying for whatever dangers Port Dornman would bring.
From the entrance to Mond, Kaeya can see the gorgeous sunset illuminating Mondstadt's wind-swept plains, a fleeting scent of woodsy fragrance and rich earthiness wafting through the air. The serene sight, a grandiose reminder of Mondstadt's natural beauty and the extent of Barbatos' power in shaping the country's landscape, was absolutely stunning at night. The cavalry captain marvels at the scene, the allure of the environment only being enhanced by the current conditions. If only all of his problems had disappeared, Kaeya would have laid down, taking in and appreciating the extraordinary sights.
Making his way towards his destination one step at a time, Kaeya had reached the point representing the divergence of the paved trails leading to Galesong Hill and Windwail Highway. From here, he would have to continue following the path leading into the depths of Galesong Hill's Dadaupa Gorge, taking a detour towards the Statue of the Seven at Windrise. After passing Windrise, he could reach Falcon Coast, following the sloping surface down to the delta's sandy coast, where small islands created by deposited sediment dotted the water next to the shores.
To reach Port Dornman from Mondstadt, one had to board a boat from the Falcon Coast, the journey taking them across the sea dividing the eastern and western portions of the country. Considering the circumstances of the trip he was undertaking, Kaeya's trip required discretion, lest the members and captains of the Knights of Favonius' ten companies figured out what he was really up to.
His footsteps echoing upon the paved path, the cavalry captain's thoughts wandered back to his conversation with Diluc a while ago. It was strangely normal for once, Kaeya thinks, shaking his head with amusement, though the pained look in his eyes contrasts his expression.
Kaeya's relationship with Diluc had not been fully rekindled, a sense of cold frigidity and mistrust dividing them along two sides, originating from that fated event nine years ago. That fated event where his knowledge about the world's brutality had been further compounded, the event in which he'd been subjected to Diluc's seething emotions and barbed pronouncements in its aftermath. Witnessing Crepus' death had left enduring marks on both brothers at the time, their paths wholly diverging from that moment onwards.
While Kaeya rapidly advanced up the Knights of Favonius' ranks, Diluc resigned from his position. While Kaeya had established increasing connections and contacts amongst Mondstadt's high-profile groups, Diluc withdrew from the same social circles. And as Kaeya became increasingly obligated to follow standardized procedures in dealing with problems per the Knights of Favonius' standards, Diluc resorted to backdoor methods and vigilantism.
Witnessing his brother's change from an idealistic and cheerful young to an aloof business tycoon had made Kaeya wince inside. When he converses with Diluc, he's reminded of the bond they used to share. Those days when they had vowed to defend each other till their dying breath, those days when Diluc knew nothing about Kaeya's past, those days of supposed naíveté.
There have been moments when Kaeya feels a pang of regret, wondering what life would have been like if that day had never happened. Wondering if their relationship had never shattered into millions of fragments, falling past his outstretched hands into the Abyss where they would stay for eternity. Regardless of their mutual progress in rebuilding that burned bridge, Kaeya knows with a sense of resignation that their respective ends will never connect again.
Shaking his head, Kaeya breaks out of the self-induced stupor, bringing himself back into reality and dismissing the lingering thoughts. He had begun to encounter a series of cliffs, the steep, rocky precipices overlooking the flat plains of Windrise. Sighing, he descends the cliffs, utilizing the power of his vision to create a staircase entirely crafted from frost before continuing his journey across the feature's vast plains that stretch to the horizon.
By the time he reached the plains' end, the grassy landscape along the river connecting Windrise's Statue of the Seven to the bay had transitioned into a series of sandy banks. The reddish shades of the sky, which once accompanied the sunset, had transformed into darkness, the silvery moonlight's shine signifying the passage of time. Based upon his estimates, it's been around three to four hours, the distance of over twenty miles traversed quickly due to his enhanced stamina and speed.
Kaeya is about to make his way toward the ferry near Falcon Coast's banks before he notices something in the corner of his eye. Turning around, Kaeya finds his attention immediately drawn to a series of strangely inconspicuous, elemental markings. Activating his limited sense of elemental sight, Kaeya could see a stream of luminescence trailing behind the symbol.
Tracing the elemental trail to its origin, he can see it had become warped, the light-colored stream of energy stained an ominous black. The sinister discoloration continued descending the radiant glow as if attempting to devour and consume the primal highways of elemental energy.
Deciding to follow the strange markings, Kaeya adapts an aura of cautiousness, his guard up in advance in case anything funny decided to happen. The warping of the elemental trail had already signified some infernal, complicated workings, and there was no way that the Cavalry Captain would voluntarily approach that without precaution. As he shifts into position, he makes his way toward the origin of the markings, noting the eerie lack of the wilderness' sounds. It was as if the presence of life had been entirely driven off, leaving nothing but a gentle wind whistling through the damp, coastal air.
Kaeya holds out a hand as he reaches the origin of luminous energy revealed by his limited sense of elemental sight. Steeling himself, he plunges his fingers deep into the brilliant light.
Although a future version of himself would have admonished the cavalry captain for foolishly interacting with the energy source, Kaeya had to confirm his initial suspicions. There's no way this would happen here, just a mere distance from the Falcon Coast and human contact, right? But as he feels the welcoming warmth of the elemental energy streaking through the air replaced by a foreign yet strangely familiar sensation, his senses heighten. A shiver runs down his back, both of fear and pleasure, as he feels the ominous power embrace him, flowing through his veins and setting him alight with warped vigor.
Stumbling back from the abnormal sensation, Kaeya catches himself from toppling forwards face-first into the sandy banks, planting his feet on the shifting surface of the ground. Steadying himself, Mondstadt's cavalry captain approaches the unknown streaks etched into the rocky walls of the cove, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. He was familiar with traces of the Abyss, accustomed to its scent and sensations it imparted. But this? Whatever he felt was a completely different beast, one that left him burning with curiosity and apprehension.
Developing a vague understanding of whatever situation he ended up in, Kaeya continues tracing the stream of energy, taking him further down into the sheltered cove. He runs his fingers across the etched stone surface, walking through a more minor, winding system of barely-illuminated caverns. Although the location was seemingly abandoned, Kaeya still kept his guard up, his heels lightly planted enough on the ground, allowing him to pivot in case any threats manifested behind him.
Expecting the abrupt ending of the energy stream to signify a vital location, he glances past the markings, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything indicating the presence of life.
Kaeya is rewarded with another dimly lit section of the extensive cavern system, the desolate stretch of land hammering his expectations down to the depths of the Abyss. Groaning with disappointment, Kaeya turns around, his tumultuous thoughts and feelings of suspicion ringing in his head. All of this and it had led him to nowhere.
Just as he is about to leave the cove and mark the location as a destination for future investigation, Kaeya notices something in the corner of his vision, the faint outline of something snapping his attention back towards the setting. Looking at the scene with narrowed eyes, Kaeya attempts to get a clearer view of the ill-defined silhouette, the lengthy shadows indicating something monstrous in nature. As he moves in for the kill, Kaeya finally comprehends the heart of this entire situation, the gravity of his conclusions causing him to stumble with surprise.
It's here.
Author's Notes:
Once again, another chapter has come to a close. Had to spend quite a bit of time on this, but I'm so relieved that it turned out like this. If you told me two weeks ago this would be the product of my work, I would be in shock.
Anyways, I'm looking for beta readers/people to give me feedback. I have a discord server set up right now where I'll post excerpts from future chapters and put forth ideas that could make their way into this arc. I'd appreciate anybody joining, and even one person is a great help!
Link: /5zvfMRB7