Chapter Eight

Diluc paced back and forth within the tiny iron cage, trying to ignore the twinges in one paw and along his ribs from the Abyss Herald's kick. His tail lashed slowly behind him as he moved, and his ears twitched restlessly.

He'd been dazed when he plummeted off the cliff and landed in the Hydrogunner's arms. Before he could gather his senses and break free, he was deposited in some kind of pet carrier and taken back to the Fatui camp. Fortunately none of the Snezhnayans seemed to realize that the cat collar around his neck was actually his Vision hanging on a black silk ribbon. The scarlet gem didn't stand out from his fur, but he could feel waves of heat pulsing off it occasionally when his emotions rose. It took a lot of effort to remain calm, between the sharp looks he kept receiving from the single remaining Fatui Agent and the way his thoughts kept wandering to his brother's wellbeing.

He'd picked up the sounds of battle not far from the boat where his pet carrier was secured, and he'd almost thought he'd heard Kaeya's battle cry. Obviously, with his skills, he was able to fight off that Abyss Herald. He could be quite close by now. Diluc's claws flexed with anxiety, his Vision sending a dangerous warmth threading through his fur before he forcibly calmed himself down.

Just then, his keen cat hearing caught the sounds of the patrol returning. He stopped pacing and sat, his tail curling around his paws. Perhaps that Hydrogunner will let me out to feed me or something, and I can try to go find—KAEYA!

His thoughts cut off sharply as the patrol came into view. His lean brother was slung between two Fatui, head hanging low, his long blue hair trailing limply from his shoulder. His right forearm, dangling from the Electro Skirmisher's firm grip on his upper arm, had an unnatural bend that made Diluc's stomach flip. But from the way Kaeya failed to react when his injured arm brushed against his captor's side, he was clearly unconscious.

KAEYA! Diluc threw himself against the side of the small cage, straining to reach his vulnerable brother. It took every scrap of self-control to avoid bursting into flames right that instant. But a small, strategical part of his mind told him to save his abilities for the best opportunity to rescue Kaeya. He fought to stay in control, but he couldn't stop himself from prowling back and forth like a trapped tiger.

"Huh, your cat doesn't seem to like our prisoner," the Fatui Agent remarked, raising his mocking voice to address the Hydrogunner. He straightened from his place at the railing and strode closer to the returning patrol as they boarded the small ship.

Diluc's silky fur nearly set itself on fire again. His Vision flared against his chest, his eyes sparking as he snarled at the Agent approaching Kaeya. Stay away from him!

The Fatui Agent glanced at Diluc, his glowing eyes resting on him thoughtfully. Then he turned to the Hydrogunner. "Orders came down from headquarters while you were gone. We're to head up the coast and travel to Stormterror's Lair." He reached out and sank his gloved fingers into Kaeya's dark hair, dragging his head up so the torchlight played over his face. Kaeya didn't fight the action, his eye closed and his body limp. Diluc's claws dug into the wood between the carrier's bars as the Fatui Agent studied Kaeya's unconscious features closely. Finally he released the Cryo user and said shortly, "I'm not one hundred percent sure, but this looks like one of those Favonian Knights. That means that someone will be looking for him very soon, so we need to get out of here fast. Put him in the cell on the deck over there for now."

The Electro Skirmisher tugged Kaeya's uninjured arm from the Hydrogunner's grip and tossed him into the cage. The tall knight landed hard on his left side, but he still didn't react. Diluc couldn't even tell if he was still breathing.

"Throw your pet in with the prisoner too," the Fatui Agent ordered. "I need to take the cage and check our traps for pigeons, in case the fresh supplies aren't waiting for us at the new posting, and you lot need to break camp before I get back."

The bigger Fatui blinked at Diluc's smoldering glare. "Er… he looks a little… don't you think he'll tear the prisoner to shreds?"

"If he does, it'll be no more than that Mondstadter is worth. Get it done." Having apparently settled the matter to his satisfaction, the Fatui Agent strode off.

The self-proclaimed cat owner edged closer to Diluc, looking nervous at the idea of freeing his new pet. But Diluc wasn't about to run away. Kaeya was too vulnerable right now, and Diluc would do anything to protect him—even cooperate with a Fatui.

To that end, he forced himself to sit quietly, watching the Fatui but making no move to attack. The Hydrogunner gingerly lifted his cage, and Diluc had to quickly shift his footing so his paws didn't slip through the lower bars, but he couldn't spare even a brief sense of irritation at the poor craftsmanship. He held still as the Hydrogunner opened the door to Kaeya's cell and set Diluc in front of it. With a swift jerk, the Fatui yanked open Diluc's cage and jerked the little pet carrier forward, catapulting Diluc into his brother. By the time Diluc had scrambled upright, the door was firmly closed, cutting off his escape.

He didn't care, though. He was too focused on his brother. Kaeya? Kaeya, wake up! He nudged Kaeya's chin with his nose, meowing anxiously. The knight didn't respond. Fear rippled through Diluc, and he laid one pointed ear flat against Kaeya's chest. It was hard to hear past his own frantic pulse, hammering in his ears, but after a few seconds, he picked up the steady sound of Kaeya's heartbeat. He nearly collapsed in relief.

Taking stock of Kaeya's state was a little hard as a cat, but Diluc did his best. Kaeya's clothing was damp, growing colder as full darkness fell and the sea breeze picked up. His right arm seemed broken, but there was nothing Diluc could do for it. His worry rose when the other man began to shiver lightly despite still being unconscious. The fiery feline considered his options for a moment, then edged his way against Kaeya's chest, carefully slipping under the broken arm to rest against his brother's chilled skin. He could only hope that some warmth seeped off his long fur as he pressed close to his injured sibling. His barely contained Pyro Vision helped significantly, flares of furious heat spiking every time Diluc looked up at Kaeya's still face. It took a while, but Kaeya's shivers gradually eased as Diluc's warmth counteracted the growing cold. Diluc glanced up at his brother again, then laid one paw over the knight's arm, his claws flexing dangerously as he returned to silently watching the Fatui prepare to sail. I swear I'll keep him safe, no matter the cost.