Chapter Six
Diluc scampered through the woods, careful to leave a broad trail of singed leaves behind him. His left front paw was a little stiff from the hit he'd taken, but it didn't slow him down much. He could hear the Abyss Herald crashing behind him, close enough to catch sight of him every once in a while. I just have to lure him far enough from Kaeya that my brother has a chance to dispatch that Abyss Mage. He darted under a fallen log and paused for a moment to ensure that a thin stream of smoke marked his exit point, then resumed his flight.
The chase ended abruptly, as Diluc burst out of the trees and found himself at the edge of a cliff. He skidded to a halt, panting. One ear flicked up as he heard the Herald drawing closer, and he tensed. I was planning to loop back around to Kaeya! How could I have failed to realize we were so close to Falcon Coast?! He spun around, intending to race back into cover.
The Abyss Herald stepped out of the tree line, cutting off his escape. Dark laughter spilled from his helmet as he strode forward slowly, blades held loosely at his sides. He knew Diluc was trapped. "You've led a merry chase, little cat, but now you're out of luck."
Diluc's eyes flashed with challenge. Luck has nothing to do with skill. I may not be in my proper form right now, but that doesn't erase my years of combat experience. He crouched, his tail slowly lashing from side to side.
"You weren't meant to turn into a cat, you know."
Despite himself, his cat form betrayed him as his pointed ears rose in curiosity. The Herald saw it and chuckled. "Oh no. We saw that fiery resolve of yours and wanted it. Could you imagine how deadly it would be? A Pyro Abyss Lector with the power and skill of the Darknight Hero, and only a single goal in mind… the destruction of Mondstadt." He paused to watch the effect of his words.
Diluc drew in a sharp breath. They'd planned to turn me into one of them?! Is that even possible? The thought of being turned against his home made his blood run cold.
Sauntering closer, the Abyss Herald mused aloud, "I wonder how it would have gone when you encountered that brother of yours. There can only be one survivor between a member of the Abyss and a Knight of Favonius, you know."
Diluc couldn't move, his thoughts scattering in horror at the thought of attacking his brother… again. Neither of us would have known until it was far too late.
Seizing his opportunity as Diluc remained frozen, the Abyss Herald struck like lightning. "Die!"
Just before his sword reached Diluc, another blade blocked the blow from above. With a grunt of effort at the awkward angle, Kaeya braced himself harder. "C'mon, Diluc! I don't know what he said to you, but you've got to snap out of it!" His grip slipped slightly on his sword.
In an instant, all of Diluc's shock and horror condensed into pure rage. He exploded up into the Abyss Herald's helmet, ripping at the armor with razor-sharp claws. Screaming with fury, the monster threw him off.
The two brothers fought in perfect sync, battling the Abyss Herald on the edge of the cliff, bathed in the soft glow of sunset. The enemy was faltering, his shield breaking.
And then it happened.
As Diluc darted around the monster's ankles to line up for another attack, the Abyss Herald spotted him. His boot flashed out, catching Diluc in the side, and hurling him into the air.
He flew right past the edge of the cliff and plummeted over the side. The last thing he saw was Kaeya's look of terror as he shouted Diluc's name. And then he was falling.