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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
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Chapter 16: Childish Innocence
P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
It's been two days since Osial's attempt had been thwarted, and it would be an understatement to say that Kratos was glad he had been spared from any political repercussions.
The Qixing, this harbor's council, had taken note of his presence and, after convalidating Lumine's testimony with the lingering Adepti, they were all exhonerated from the investigation. This was good, but it wasn't enough to give Kratos a sense of calm as of late.
Sitting by Shenhe's temporary room at the medical area, the tall man had been true to keep vigilant over her resting body. Something he never thought he would do once more, this time with many thoughts weighting his mind.
It all started when the girl left his side, her parting words containing a most unexpected title had robbed him of much of his composure. Then, as she did the unthinkable and was nonetheless hurt in the process, he was subjected to quite the lecture from a very familiar-sounding and very annoying lady.
"It was an outrageous display. You gave this one's student the means to fell a god- do you have even an understanding of what this means? How come did you not claim such responsibility yourself?"
Kratos remembered how harsh that first part had been, and he had been glad that Shenhe had been forced to go to rest. It was a shared belief between himself and 'Xianyun' that the young woman needed to heal from her sustained injuries.
"I would have been more than fine in helping but-"
"But!?"
The snappy tone was getting to his nerves, but he could tell this was a worried mother trying to turn her longering concern into rage. And that rage was within a most divine being, so it was fair to feel particularly nervous around such a combination.
"But I was told by someone of importance that it was best for me to not intervene in the upcoming battle."
There was a pause. A lengthy one.
"Was she present?"
"Yes."
"Then this one will ask her privately about it," The bespectacled woman remarked, sounding more relieved but nonetheless still furious. "What about the deed itself? Having her join such a troubled fight- and quite on her own. The blade, yes, it was effective, but what if things had gone worse?"
"She had said that-"
"This one cares not if she wished for it or not. The deed itself, even if she had succeeded in the fullest and gotten no injury from this brawl, is monumental. A mortal slaying a god? Perhaps in your land that is feasible, but here? You made her a target. She will be troubled for many years to come until she perishes."
"She is stronger than she looks."
"This one is aware of her strength, both of body, mind, and heart. But that doesn't mean that the danger she has warranted with her choices will be easy for her to dabble with. While Celestia had gone quiet in the last few centuries, this doesn't mean other deities on the loose will not know what occurred."
The rest of the chiding went on in a seemingly aimless assault. Kratos had built a tough skin for himself, so he brushed that squawking just fine, but it became somewhat irritating when Xianyun would claim time when Shenhe was awake and deprive him of the means to speak with her when awake.
Infuriating, but not the worst he had suffered. In those rare times, Kratos would be out to check on Liyue.
Despite the recent disaster, the harbor was bustling with the usual energy. He almost smiled as he felt Pandora's own words vindicated by Liyue's optimism for the future.
Hope never dies.
Kratos also found himself followed around. While Lumine was busy with some 'fetching quest' involving lady Ningguang's need for material which he decided against assisting as to follow Zhongli's warning, Kratos found himself making the acquaintance of the one following, which he identified as Lady Ganyu, another student under Xianyun, and...
"Mister Kratos!"
Well, a 'little adult' as she defined herself.
The name 'Yaoyao' wouldn't give locals the idea of a proper Disciple of an Adeptus, but the girl was one and he could tell it was the case due to the unique equipment at her disposal.
"Little one. Free once more from your studies?"
"Yep. How are you? How is Miss Shenhe?"
"She is doing well and I am fine. What about you?"
"Oh, I am peachy," She answered brightly, her smile reminding Kratos of... the past, before his revenge. "Still, I wanted to ask if you could help us. Qiqi and I were planning to find some Glazing Lilies for a nice bouquet, but there may be monsters around so..."
He huffed. "Lead the way."
It was the first time he made his acquaintance with a 'non-feral and good-minded' undead, but maybe it was related to Qiqi's unique nature rather than just a random chance of luck.
The little worker at the local pharmacy was quite the slow-speaking and forgetful 'child'. Despite appearing quite young, the cold-bodied little one had lived for more than a century now and... Kratos found this experience relaxing.
After fending off some hilichurls, he took to sit as he monitored the two children moving around to fetch the flowers, Yaoyao beaming happily, while Qiqi's own smirk was tame and thin.
The circumstance was peculiar as it reminded him of something that he grew dismayed over - he never gave his son the chance to meet friends his age. And while Kratos doubted this was feasible with the sheltered life they had to live, it reminded him of the few lovely times he had in his childhood.
Spartan children, while subjected to intense training as young as it was possible, were taught about companionship and the importance for friends to be tight to preserve cohesion during battles. They never went to war as soldiers, but as brothers.
To see and hear the giggling Yaoyao give chase after the surprisingly teasing zombie-girl made his heart soar a bit and-
"I am surprised you weren't in Liyue to enjoy the petty victory with the rest of the sheep."
The familiar voice shredded at the little moment of peace he had found, making his posture harden in response.
"You should not be here," He muttered, his voice quiet and yet the warning as loud as it had to be for the intruder.
"Perhaps. But the same goes to you," Signora remarked, the sneering lady stepping and stopping beside Kratos. "Children are meant to play without being looked upon by fools of any sort."
She sounded just as boisterous, arrogant, and hurt as before. And Kratos was unfazed by that unchanging stance of hers, almost saddened actually.
"You speak like you know how it feels to be one."
There was a brief moment where the head increased, but it wasn't anything close to what truly fazed someone like Kratos.
"Then it will please you to know this 'fool' has secured the power of the Geo Archon. He was most submissive of our Tsaritsa's requests."
...
"Are you not fazed by such notion? I hold the power of Rex Lapis-"
"By his own decision," Kratos muttered, interjecting la Signora's comment. "A tired God giving up his powers... he is not a fool. He is clumsy, yes, but he knows what he wishes to give this land. The process to it? It starts by giving up the 'real' power to the 'sheeps' you mentioned."
He expected a fiery rebuttal. An explosion of anger as he had touched and prodded that line of hers for long enough to warrant a strong enough reaction. But there was a tense silent and then... she turned and walked away.
"You will see to it next time. There will be no dialoguing."
"Perhaps. Or you will hesitate," Kratos spoke up, making her pause for a moment. "Like now."
La Signora 'fled' the scene within seconds, granting Kratos back that peace that was rekindled by a most distracted Yaoyao and Qiqi as the two children wandered back to grant him a crown of flowers.
Despite his pride and disdain for simple things, he accepted the gift like he would have back when he was a General of Sparta. But instead of these two girls, there was just one smiling at him with the kindness she inherited from her mother.
And as Kratos felt his heart touched once more by the innocence of this world, he felt compelled that it was best to handle the situation about Shenhe at once rather than lose himself in the memories of old - the faltering past unlike the uncertain future.
AN
Next interlude will see my beloved (but third to Peruere) Ning-Ning at it trying to make sense of the big warhead (Kratos), little warhead (Shenhe), Asian Mom (Xianyun), and Traveler & Emergency Meal.