Esmeralda: Liyue


A/N: This takes place after Esmeralda Story Quest Act 1, which is the previous chapter.


Esmeralda took a deep breath as she stepped out of the secret tunnel and into the open fields of Lingju Pass.

"Huh, is air usually this good?" Esmeralda asked her companion, which floated up behind her.

Daisy, being a robot who could neither breathe nor speak, did not reply.

Esmeralda was undeterred by the silence. "Yeah, maybe sitting in that factory for so long wasn't the best idea," she admitted to herself, taking another breath. The wind felt great after who knew how many weeks she had spent in the old Automaton factory. If not for her dwindling food supplies, Esmeralda was sure that she would still be in there, focused on her research.

Still, she had to restock, and maybe get some work done while she was outside. First stop, Wangshu Inn.

A meal later, Esmeralda left the inn with a backpack full of supplies and a significantly lighter Mora pouch. Next on her task list was the Ruin Hunter. The owner of the inn, Verr Goldet, had been kind enough to point her in the direction of the most recent Hunter sightings, showing concern for her safety but backing off when Esmeralda assured her that she was capable.

She could take care of herself and it was nice to be treated that way sometimes.

Her target set, Esmeralda set out, tracking the Ruin Hunter across the plains. Although such a task - tracking a machine capable of constant flight - would be impossible for most people, Esmeralda had both the capability to detect the traces left by its power core and the ability to read them. It was not simple, but she found its path.

Esmeralda had tracked the Ruin Hunter through Cuijue Slope and was on her way northeast when she saw a familiar face on a cliffside. A child dressed in blue was climbing the sheer cliffs, aiming for the small violet flowers that grew there. She would be concerned if she had not already faced this exact scene before.

"Go help her," Esmeralda told Daisy, who floated up toward the girl.

"Hey, Qiqi!" Esmeralda called out. Qiqi, still on a cliff face, paused in her efforts and looked around. Esmeralda waved and continued, "How about a lift?"

Daisy slowly approached, wary of scaring the child. It reached out a hand, waiting for Qiqi to get on.

Qiqi took a moment to remember. "Oh, it's you," she realized after a few seconds. She let go soon after, falling onto Daisy's outstretched arm. Pointing at the Violetgrass, she said, "That way."

Esmeralda watched from below as Daisy complied, lifting the zombie girl sitting on its hand to the herbs that grew on the cliffside. Liyue sure had its unique people. Esmeralda had met Qiqi a few times before, picking herbs out in the wild, and this time seemed no different. At first, she was concerned about the child s safety, but after learning about her zombie origins and seeing her in action, Esmeralda was more concerned about Qiqi herself. An immortal undead child. The matters of undead were not her specialty, however, so she did not ask too many questions. After all, it seemed that Qiqi had a caretaker - Baizhu, she had mentioned - to take care of her.

Qiqi hopped off Daisy's arm as it returned to Esmeralda. Her backpack was full of the elusive Violetgrass that she had set out to collect. All Esmeralda knew was that it was a herb of some kind, and hence not her concern. "Thank you," Qiqi said, in that monotone of hers.

"You're welcome," Esmeralda replied, then added, "Qiqi, did you happen to see a Ruin Hunter pass by here?"

Qiqi frowned, deep in thought.

Esmeralda remembered that the first time they met, Qiqi had told her that as a zombie, her memory was exceptionally poor. "It's a big flying robot like Daisy here," Esmeralda told her. "It's alright if you can't remember."

Qiqi finally replied, to Esmeralda's excitement, "Yes. I did see it. A big scary flying machine. I hid in a hole in the mountain. It went that way."

Qiqi was pointing north. "Thanks, Qiqi. I'll be on my way now!" Esmeralda said.

"Be careful. Flying machine is dangerous," Qiqi warned.

Was that concern in her voice? Esmeralda grinned, "Don't worry, Qiqi. I have my own flying machine. Stay safe!"

With that, they parted ways. The gatherer returned to Liyue Harbor to turn in her haul while the researcher ventured deeper into the cliffs of Liyue. Throughly tired of the uneven terrain and countless cliff faces, Esmeralda hopped onto Daisy's palm and took a seat. From there, she directed them along the path, following traces of the Ruin Hunter.

Esmeralda soon came to a pavilion that, while obviously worn down by time, was still standing. She ordered Daisy to a stop there, deciding to take a break to eat. She had just sat down and taken out her food when she noticed that something was wrong.

There was no sound at all. The birds and animals that usually populated the area were silent, as though hiding from something.

Daisy was the first of them to react to the new threat. Scooping its master up, it quickly retreated from the pavilion, just before another machine struck. The newcomer was a spinning ball of danger, its blades, scraping off against the surprisingly durable stone structure in a shower of sparks.

As Daisy set Esmeralda down, she got a good look at her assailant. Brown armor, four thin, deadly arms, and a glowing eye in its main body.

It was the Ruin Hunter that she had been tracking.

Esmeralda felt Daisy shift into battle mode. She drew upon their connection and focused on her target, causing red crosshairs to appear at her enemy. "Fire!" she commanded, releasing a barrage of missiles at the Hunter. It took the full brunt of the hit, staggering and falling closer to the ground.

Esmeralda stepped forward, hands raised. Daisy mirrored her movements, and they struck together, landing a powerful, two-handed blow.

The Hunter was thrown back, its own, light, armor crunching under the heavy blow. It crashed through the trees and onto the ground, motionless.

Esmeralda walked forward, now much more confident as her for had been grounded. She went up to the grounded machine to take a look, leaving Daisy a few steps behind. Cautiously, she placed a hand on the Hunter.

It sprung back to life, taking off into the sky. Esmeralda was knocked onto her back by the sudden motion, caught off guard. Winded, she watched the Hunter turn one of its arms into a blade as long as she was and aim it at her. It would charge in a moment.

"Daisy!" Esmeralda called out, pushing herself to her feet but knowing that she did not have time to dodge.

Daisy rushed forward to her defense, placing its bulk and layered armor between her and the Hunter, just in time to block the charge. Unfortunately, the blade struck Daisy's left arm at where it connected to her body. The deadly blade dug deep into the weakest point in its armor, almost severing the limb in a burst of sparks. Although Daisy could not feel pain, she was deeply bound to her creator, and Esmeralda screamed as she experienced felt the agony of having her arm torn off.

Esmeralda collapsed, sobbing and clutching her left shoulder with her right hand. She curled up on the ground, unable to move through the pain.

The Ruin Hunter knew no mercy. It violently wretched its bladed arm out, leaving both machines' arms sparking and damaged. It primed its missiles as it flew into the sky, ready to unleash a bombardment to lay waste to the area.

Esmeralda was incapacitated but Daisy was not. However, its missile pods and left arm were damaged and it dared not leave its creator's side to attack the Hunter in melee - even if it could take the Hunter down, a stray missile was all it took to kill Esmeralda. Instead, Daisy positioned its bulk over her, using its own armored body and one remaining arm to shield her.

The ground shook around Esmeralda, who cowered the best she could underneath her guardian. The pain was ebbing, enough for her to grasp her thoughts. Missiles struck Daisy's armor, but it shrugged them off with minimal damage. Esmeralda began considering ways to get herself and Daisy out of danger.

As it turned out, there was no need. The bombardment stopped abruptly, leaving silence hanging in the air. A moment later, the Ruin Hunter crashed into the ground, its exposed power core shattered by a glowing blue spear that had embedded itself deep within.

A ghostly woman with bleached white hair appeared, with a strange seal on her forehead. The apparition slammed its hand into the spear and drove it deeper into the downed Hunter. The tip of the polearm erupted through the back of the robot, destroying it for good. Its job complete, the apparition vanished.

Esmeralda stood up slowly, as did Daisy, which continued scanning the area for new threats. As the Ruin Hunter collapsed into scrap, the creator of the ghost stepped into view. She looked exactly like the apparition - tall, with long hair. She wore a black bodysuit with a traditional Liyue top whose name escaped Esmeralda.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Her shoulder still felt like it was on fire, but Esmeralda felt that she could handle it. Through gritted teeth, she managed to reply, "I'm alright. Thank you. But... who are you?"

"My name is Shenhe. I roam these mountains," Shenhe replied. She frowned. "You sound strained. Are you hurt?"

Esmeralda squeezed her shoulder. Everything felt alright and the pain was fading rapidly. There was a bigger problem that she was facing - Daisy, with its own arm almost torn off completely. "I'm okay. I'm Esmeralda. Um, thanks again for helping me, but could I ask a favor?"

"Speak."

"This is my companion, Daisy," Esmeralda said, gesturing at the hulking machine with her non-painful arm. "As you can see, she's damaged. Can you help me keep watch while I run some diagnostics?"

"I shall keep watch," Shenhe agreed.

Esmeralda gave her thanks and got to work. She first had Daisy drop onto the ground so that she could get a closer look at the damage. It was not good. The entirety of the left arm was inoperable, cut off from the main control systems within the core of the machine. Furthermore, with the way the arm was barely hanging on - by just a few strained pieces of metal - it would be safer to remove the arm entirely.

As Esmeralda got to work with her tools, cutting away the damaged section with utmost precision, a voice came from her new friend.

"Did you create that machine?" Shenhe asked.

Esmeralda had expected curiosity, so the question was no surprise to her. Still working on Daisy, she replied, "No. I repaired a damaged Ruin Guard and modified it."

"You know how it works?"

"Mostly. Complete understanding still evades me, which is why I'm still researching them. But I know more than most," Esmeralda replied. With a crash, the damaged arm fell to the ground, separated from its body. Her shoulder was getting sore again, but Esmeralda ignored it and began what repairs she could.

"Most impressive. I think that my master would like to meet you."

Esmeralda's ears picked up at the comment. "Your master?" she asked.

"Yes," Shenhe replied, "Cloud Retainer is the one I call master. She has a fascination with machines, just like you. I believe that she would be most interested in seeing your machine. Perhaps she could assist in its repairs."

"Cloud Retainer? Is she an Adeptus?"

"She is-" Shenhe never got to finish her sentence.

"Who dares disturb the serenity of these mountains?" the booming voice echoed through the air. Esmeralda almost screamed and ran to Daisy, whose remaining arm encircled her protectively.

Her guide, however, was unperturbed. Shenhe stood up, as calm as ever, and gave a small bow to the... stag... that had approached. "Greetings, Moon Carver. It is I, Shenhe. These are Esmeralda and her companion Daisy."

It surprised Esmeralda only a little when the beast, obviously an Adeptus, spoke. "One sees that you have companions, Shenhe. One also notices that that mechanical creature is damaged. Is it Cloud Retainer whom you seek?"

"Indeed. Master is the most experienced with such creations. Is she at her abode?"

"She always is, tinkering with one machine or another," the Adeptus, Moon Carver, answered. "But before you proceed, one wishes to speak to your new friend." His gaze moved to meet Esmeralda's eyes, peeking out over Daisy's hand. "Step forward, mortal."

The stag gave off an aura of divinity, one that even Esmeralda could sense. It would be foolish to disobey, especially since it was one of his kind that she was looking for. Esmeralda lightly pushed Daisy's arm away and stepped up. She hesitated, unsure of the traditions of greeting an Adeptus. She decided to go with a bow as Shenhe had done. "Hello, uh, Moon Carver. I'm Esmeralda. Nice to meet you."

"Do you know where you stand, child?" Moon Carver asked, choosing to ignore her awkward introduction.

Esmeralda glanced at Shenhe, who was standing aside. Her guide gave a small smile, reassuring her, but did not speak up. She would just have to be truthful. "No."

"You have set foot in Jueyun Karst, home of the Adepti," the stag boomed, "It is forbidden for mortals to enter here."

"Oh! I'm very sorry," Esmeralda frantically apologized. She had entered forbidden territory? If she had annoyed the Adeptus, there was no way she could get Cloud Retainer's help. Why did Shenhe not tell her? She tried desperately to apologize, "I'm sorry! I didn't know the significance of this place."

Moon Carver let out a deep laugh. "Calm yourself, child. You and your... companion... have suffered within the realm of Adepti. For allowing the dangerous creature you call a Ruin Hunter to roam freely without being purged, one is at fault. One shall allow Shenhe to guide you to Cloud Retainer's abode, but before that, one must warn you. Listen to one's words well, child: your metal companion is an enemy to all in this world."

"Daisy won't - " Esmeralda tried to protest.

"Silence! One shall not be interrupted!"

Esmeralda fell silent, fighting against the instinct to return to Daisy. Her tail curled around her leg.

"While your companion remains docile, one shall allow you passage through the lands of the Adeptus," Moon Carver declared. He stomped a hoof, and a small glowing yellow ball of energy appeared, moving toward Esmeralda. It turned into a sigil that fell into her hand. "This sigil shall tell the other Adepti that one has sent you. But should your companion ever make a move against any human or Adeptus, one shall see that it is purged. Do you understand?"

"Understood," Esmeralda agreed. Daisy would not hurt anyone if she could help it anyway. "She won't hurt a soul."

The stag nodded. "One sees that you care deeply for your companion. Go. Seek Cloud Retainer with my blessing."

"Thank you, Adeptus!" Esmeralda said. Moon Carver left without a further word and Esmeralda finally sighed in relief. Daisy moved closer to her, protectively, and she placed a hand on its armor.

Shenhe suddenly spoke. "Moon Carver does not like being interrupted. Remember to show the appropriate respect to the Adepti, including my master."

Esmeralda nodded vigorously. "Of course!"

"Are you ready? I shall guide you to Cloud Retainer," Shenhe asked.

"Let's go," Esmeralda agreed, picking up her tools. Daisy's amputated arm was now tied to her back, bound as securely as she could make it.

Shenhe led Esmeralda up the hills and over numerous wooden bridges that were an affront to engineering. She made a mental note to repair and improve them if she ever came back around. The swaying rope bridges looked unsafe for humans, let alone giant robots. It was a good thing Daisy could fly, or there would have been no way past.

"We are here," Shenhe soon said, coming to a stop at a pond near the peak of a mountain - Mount Aocang. It was completely unexplored territory, where few people had dared explore and even fewer returned.

Esmeralda choose to stay close to her guide as she walked confidently into a cave, where a wall of glowing red sigils blocked their path. Directed to the air, Shenhe spoke, "Master, it is I, Shenhe. I bring a friend who requires your aid."

"Shenhe," a voice echoed from nowhere. It was definitely that of an Adeptus, but softer and more feminine compared to Moon Carver's. "You know that one does not like to be interrupted during one's work."

"This will certainly intrigue you, master. It will be worth the time."

"Hmph, very well. Enter, Shenhe and friend," the voice, Cloud Retainer, agreed. She - Esmeralda assumed from the pitch that this Adeptus, Shenhe's master, was female - did not seem especially thrilled about her visit.

The field blocking their path dissipated and the two of them stepped in. It was a tight squeeze for Daisy, even missing an arm, but it too followed a moment after.

Esmeralda had not expected the legendary Adepti to live in any ordinary cave, and she was right. She was, however, not expecting an entire realm of floating rocks and strange devices, all within the unassuming cave entrance.

It was on one of these floating rocks that a majestic white crane with blue, gold, and black plumage arrived to meet them.

Whatever Cloud Retainer was about to say was forgotten as she laid eyes on Daisy. For a long time, no one spoke. Shenhe was the first to break the silence.

"Master, this is Esmeralda," she introduced.

"One is certainly intrigued," Cloud Retainer said. "Tell me, mortal, how did you create this machine?"

"Her name is Daisy, and I didn't create her. I managed to find a disabled Ruin Guard and reprogram it," Esmeralda answered. "Do you know about them?"

"One has certainly studied these Ruin machines before. Yet each one had to be disabled before research could begin. To be able to control one is a feat even one finds challenging and thought to be far out of reach of common mortals."

"Oh, well, I'm the only one who managed it, as far as I know. Daisy is one of a kind."

"Master, if there is nothing else, I will be taking my leave now," Shenhe suddenly cut in.

"You are dismissed, Shenhe," Could Retainer told her.

Esmeralda was somewhat embarrassed that she had ignored Shenhe for the past few minutes, so she waved and thanked her, "Thanks for the help, Shenhe!"

With a bow to the Adeptus and a wave back at Esmeralda, Shenhe turned and left, vanishing from the realm.

The two researchers turned back to face each other.

"One does not recognize the type of Ruin machine that this... Daisy... belongs to. Have you perhaps modified it?" Cloud Retainer asked.

"Yes! She was originally a Ruin Guard, but I removed the legs and used some Plaustrite to allow her to float. I also improved her power core with a Ruin Grader's, as well as gave her additional armor," Esmeralda explained. She paused. "And, as you can see, Daisy is damaged. I need help to repair her. Will you help me?"

"One would never allow such an opportunity to work on such an interesting machine," Cloud Retainer declared. "You, too, pique my interest. Never before has anyone managed a feat such as controlling a Ruin Guard, let alone possess the ability to remake it. Come, child. Let us begin."

They got to work.


A/N: This chapter was mostly for practice with writing character interaction, which I kind of suck at. So will the rest of this story, really. If you have any suggestions for that, do let me know. As for the plot, there probably won't be much. It'll just be Esmeralda interacting with whoever I want.