Interlude
A/N: Not an Interlude Story Chapter, but just some stuff that happens after 'Rise of the Creator' and before the Fontaine stories.
Starting from this chapter, Daisy will be referred to as female rather than 'it'.
The eventual main antagonist of this story will be Sandrone the Marionette, number seven of the Fatui Harbingers. As of the time of writing (Version 4.0), there is very little information on her goals, personality, and history. As such, I will be taking some liberties with her character, much of which will likely become non-canon after more information is revealed. I will try to adhere to whatever new official information is released, but it is likely that my idea of Sandrone is different from the canon version. This chapter serves to introduce her and hint at future plots.
Also, as a note, Daisy is not the first nonhuman to gain a Vision. Scaramouche/Wanderer did that first.
When Nahida, the Dendro Archon, sensed an Akasha terminal go offline unexpectedly, she paused to determine its purpose. There were very few remaining in operation after the main system was shut down, so it did not take long to find out that it was the one that she had given Esmeralda to help her with her research. It was also a way for her to monitor Esmeralda's activities and stop her if necessary, and both of them knew that. For a while, Nahida considered if it had been purposely disabled to cover up forbidden activities, but disregarded that idea quickly. From what Aether had told her, as well as her own experiences with Esmeralda, she wasn't the type to do that. That meant that it had likely been forcefully disabled, probably through critical injury.
Nahida reached out with her mind. She quickly determined that the last known location was near the Dune of Carouses, in the desert. Out of her reach. Her Aranara did not do well in that environment. Aether was farther out in the desert, nearer to Farakhkret, on his way to Fontaine. Even if she were to borrow someone's body and take a look... that area was deserted.
For a few minutes, Nahida contemplated methods to scout the area. Perhaps she could use Katheryne to commission some adventurers to investigate.
Urgent warnings from the Aranara caught her mind. Nahida paused and listened to them. Some Aranara near the outskirts of the jungle had spotted what looked like a mechanical dragon flying through the sky. It was moving fast and in a straight line. Mentally, she looked over a map of Sumeru. From the Aranaras' messages, she could figure out the dragon's path. Assuming that it maintained its speed and heading, it would arrive in Sumeru City within minutes. And if she traced its path back the other way... The Dune of Caruoses.
Definitely not a coincidence. Just to make sure, Nahida asked the Aranara to take a closer look. Just as expected, they reported that it looked like there was a rider, but it was too far to be certain.
Nahida had an idea of who that was. She had just a few minutes to establish communications before the dragon arrived at Sumeru City, which would undoubtedly cause all kinds of chaos. She knew how Ruin Machines communicated. A few quick modifications to the Akasha terminals and she should be able to send a message to Esmeralda's robot. Daisy, if her memory serves.
"Unknown contact, identify yourself."
Success! Nahida spoke into the terminal. "Daisy, this is Nahida. What happened to Esmeralda? Why are you headed for the city?"
"Buer, God of Wisdom. Esmeralda has taken a critical injury. She requires immediate medical aid," the response came.
That explained a lot.
"Alright. I'm sending you the coordinates for a hospital at the outskirts of the city. Bring Esmeralda there; I'll tell the doctors to be ready."
"Confirmed. Coordinates received. We'll be there shortly. Thank you, Buer," Daisy replied.
Nahida was also moving. She left the Sanctuary of Surasthana and made her way down to the hospital as well. In the meantime, she had other questions. "Daisy, please call me Nahida. Also, where did the dragon come from?"
"Nahida. Legacy is the Eternal Automaton Command Core, retrieved by Esmeralda from Narukami Island, Inazuma."
That was interesting and unexpected. It was rare and more importantly, very dangerous. Nahida had to ask, "Daisy, is it under your control?"
"Confirmed. The Command Core has been integrated into my systems. Legacy obeys Esmeralda and me."
Nahida was impressed. That girl managed to reprogram and control such a high-level piece of equipment? She would have to keep a closer eye on Esmeralda in the future. And Daisy too, by the sound of things. That was an issue for later; now, she had arrived at the hospital. There were a few patients lying in beds, but things seemed quiet. Good.
"Oh! Lesser Lord Kusanali! What can I do for you?" the head doctor, Zakariya, said as he noticed her.
"There's a critical patient on the way. Heavy trauma, blood loss. Please get ready," Nahida replied.
Hearing that, Zakariya started giving orders to the other doctors, who hurriedly went off to fetch supplies. He turned back to Nahida. "Lesser Lord Kusanali, how long will it take for them to get here?"
There was a rumble from the trees nearby. Daisy burst forth, cradling Esmeralda in her arms.
Nahida got her attention and gestured to an empty bed, saying, "Put her down, Daisy."
Daisy did so, carefully placing Esmeralda onto the unused bed, and retreated a small distance. Nahida nodded and turned to Zakariya. He was frozen in shock, staring at the huge machine. "Zakariya, there is no danger. Can you help her?" Nahida spoke.
His god's voice brought Zakariya out of his stupor. He pulled his eyes away from Daisy and glanced at Esmeralda. He noticed her worsening condition immediately and, within seconds, he was ordering the other doctors around.
As they carried Esmeralda into the hospital, he took a moment to speak. "Lesser Lord Kusanali, she is hurt badly, but in no danger of dying. Still, her eyes... They're gone."
Nahida nodded. "Thank you, doctor. Excuse me, but I need to talk to someone."
"Of course," Zakariya replied. With that, he made his way into the hospital.
Nahida turned to Daisy, waiting quietly at the edge of the treeline. "Don't worry about her, Daisy. Zakariya is a good doctor. Esmeralda will be fine. Let him work," she said.
Daisy did not reply. It did, however, seem to calm down.
Nahida continued, gesturing for Daisy to follow her into the forest, where they would not be interrupted. She followed quietly. "In the meantime, I have several questions for you. First, what exactly happened to her?"
"We were ambushed in the Dune of Craouses," Daisy answered. "Multiple class 4 hostiles: Consecrated Scorpions. They injured her before I could terminate them."
"Multiple? That doesn't seem natural." Nahida continued speaking as they went further into the forest until she came across a fallen log. She sat down.
"That is my conclusion. Further analysis revealed metal attachments to their nervous systems. I believe that they were being controlled by an external force," Daisy agreed.
Nahida received several images from Daisy through the Akasha. As mentioned, the Consecrated Scorpions indeed had metallic implants. They were indeed being controlled, and there were very few people who had the capabilities to do such a thing.
The Wanderer's recent warning returned to her. He had, unexpectedly, informed her of another Fatui Harbinger - Sandrone. It had come immediately after he had met Esmeralda. This was no coincidence.
"Daisy, I have some information for you," Nahida said. "The likely culprit is the Marionette: Sandrone, seventh of the Fatui Harbingers."
"Please elaborate."
Nahida did. "The Marionette is one of the greatest technical minds on Teyvat. She is one of the few who can pull this kind of thing off. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you much more about her; the Fatui Harbingers' intentions are a mystery even to me. As for her capabilities... before you, Daisy, she had the most advanced automaton in existence. Until Esmeralda, no one could come close to her knowledge and experience of Khaenri'ah's technology."
Daisy considered the information. "Does she consider Esmeralda and me a threat?"
"It's hard to say. Perhaps she sent those Scorpions because she wanted to prevent Esmeralda from learning more, but I don't have enough information to say. On that note: the Scorpions. The Marionette's specialty does not include the biological. That falls under another: number two, the Doctor, Il Dottore. The Doctor... I know him much better. I cannot guarantee that he is involved, but it looks like his work. Either he just helped the Marionette in modifying the Scorpions, or worse, he is actively involved in her plans. I cannot emphasize this enough: he is extremely dangerous. Although I have crippled him recently, he will recover before long. You must be careful."
Daisy was silent for a moment. "I understand. Will they attack again?"
Nahida nodded gravely. "The Fatui Harbingers are nothing if not persistent. At least one of them has set their sights on you and Esmeralda. Whatever she wants, be it your death or something else, she will not relent until she gets it."
"Understood. I shall maintain vigilance."
"Great. I'll check with Wanderer too and see if he knows anything else. Now, let's go see how Esmeralda's doing, shall we?" Nahida said. With that, she led Daisy back to the hospital, although the latter remained further away, hidden within the trees, as Nahida talked to Zakariya.
"How is she, doctor?" Nahida asked.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, the patient has been stabilized. She's in no serious danger anymore," Zakariya began. Nahida could feel the relief that came from the trees when he said that. "Her blood loss was severe, but we have it under control; she'll make a full recovery in a few weeks, apart from her eyes. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about that. She will be blind."
Nahida nodded. "I see. Thank you, doctor."
"No problem, Lesser Lord Kusanali. Just doing my job. But if I may - does she have any family for me to contact? Or are you..."
"Oh, yes. I'll have to check on that. I'll tell you when I find out."
Zakariya nodded, and Nahida left. She returned to the forest, where Daisy was waiting patiently.
"Well, I'm sure that you heard all that," Nahida began. "She's going to live, but unable to see. I believe that neither of you would like that."
"Can you help her?"
"Healing her is beyond even my capabilities, I'm afraid. But there may be a different way. In Fontaine, there are many automatons known as Meks that use specific mechanisms to see. With some work, it may be possible to modify such a mechanism and adapt it for human use," Nahida said.
"Do you believe that it will work?"
"I believe that it is your best chance. Daisy, my suggestion is to wait for Esmeralda to recover first, then ask her."
"I understand. Thank you, Nahida," Daisy said.
"It's nothing. Now, one more question: is that a Vision? Can I see it?" Nahida asked. She had noticed the dim glow of the gem on Daisy's hand some time ago, but only just realized what it was.
Daisy raised her arm, giving Nahida a better look. "Affirmative. I acquired this Hydro Vision when we were ambushed. I did not know that it was possible."
"It's not unheard of…" Nahida noted, her mind going to the Wanderer. "Congratulations."
Daisy did not reply. It was probably because she had nothing to say, and Nahida also had to go.
"Alright, Daisy. I'm afraid I have to leave. I need to find Esmeralda's parents and talk to the Wanderer. Please don't cause trouble in the meantime, and tell the dragon - Legacy, was it? - to remain outside the city."
With that, Nahida returned to the city and Daisy, satisfied that Esmeralda was no longer in danger, headed away from the city. She told Legacy to standby somewhere hidden, and began to think of the future. In the meantime, Nahida was also deep in thought, concerned and impressed by Esmeralda and Daisy's progress. She too made plans for the future.
A/N: Yes, Esmeralda does have parents, even if I have never mentioned them. Think of them like Fischl's parents - they exist, but are hardly ever brought up. They know roughly what she's up to, but are basically irrelevant story-wise. They are the most average parents ever. No family-related tragic backstory.
After this will be Fontaine. She might return to Sumeru to check out the Ruin Golems (which I totally did not forget about) but it won't be anytime soon.