The Last Constellation of the Knight
LeeRyder
Summary:
Kaeya was honestly having a decent day until the blasted owl showed up.
Now civilians and Knights alike are vanishing. A curse has descended over the land of freedom and is taking its people one by one.
Feat. Art
Completed
Notes:
This is a fic I've been writing in-between my other projects and fics. Updates will be inconsistent as I will just post when I have the next one. Nothing scheduled at this time.
Edit:
Updates on Mondays now
(See the end of the work formore notes.)
Chapter 1: Nunu Biat Mimi Ika
Chapter Text
The owl had been following him for three days now.
The first time he had noticed it was right outside the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. The bird had flown into one of the towers on the roof. Resulting in a tremendoustwunk!and a disgruntled, yet mildly shocked, hoot as it bounced off the stone onto the rooftop.
Kaeya and the two guards at the entrance had all paused and looked up in surprise at the sound. The blunette frowned upon seeing it. Wondering if he needed to send some squire up there to dispose of the poor thing's body, but it had flapped its wings and managed to stand.
Though it looked severely dazed and annoyed.
Well, as annoyed as a bird can look.
The captain had continued to frown because it was the middle of the day and seeing an owl this late past dawn was atypical behavior for the species. Between that and it's blunder of a landing, he was mildly concerned that the creature was sick with some sort of avian flu.
But he had just seen Timmie when entering the city. The boy had commented on how well his pigeons were all doing, as well as the ducks in the moat. So, if this was some sort of sickness it had yet to become endemic.
However, the blunette could recall how young finches would often become drunk off fermented grapes and fly into the winery. The servants had to haul away the little things who broke their necks. Birds weren't always the brightest creatures.
Did owls even eat fruit? He would have to ask Timmie or Sucrose. Perhaps one of them would know.
Though, it probably would be best to warn Timmie's caretaker and tell her to keep an eye on the child. Just to be safe.
The Knight had then shrugged and went about his day. Forgetting about the matter.
The second time Kaeya noticed the bird was that following night. It was late and the blunette was more than a little buzzed. Though the headache in the morning was going to be worth it. The captain had managed to smuggle someveryvaluable intel from the drunk Treasure Hoarders after all.
He sighed as he searched his pockets for his house key. Ready to go inside and drink some water before going to bed. He had another long day ahead of him tomorrow.
Kaeya paused as an unmistakablehootcame from across the street. Bright red eyes that rested in a dark feathered face stared down at him a little judgmentally. The blunette blinked. Looking up at it sitting on top of the streetlamp. It wobbled a bit uncertainly as its talons clenched around the slick metal. Its wings stretching out slightly as though it was trying to maintain its balance.
The captain looked around. As though he would find some sort of clue as to why this bird had appeared here as well. It wasn't like rats or other vermin ran around. They had too many cats in the city for that— wait.
He squinted at the bird of prey. Realizing it was quite large.
"You better not eat any of the cats around here," he said as he finished the task of unlocking his door and opening it. "Margaret will have your head for that, you know."
The bird hooted at him again. Leaning forward a bit as though it was losing its balance again. Its wings flared out and its tail feathers shot up behind it as it desperately tried to stay up on its perch.
Kaeya tsked. He really needed to check in with Timmie tomorrow. Just to make sure it was a drunk owl and not a diseased one.
His door closed behind him.
The knight was surprised to find the owl still outside of his door the following morning. It glared at him. Feathers puffing up angrily, hissing. The blunette frowned. Confused as to why it had grown significantly more aggressive since the night before.
Birds couldn't become rabid could they? He thought that was a disease only for mammals. Perhaps he should go and talk to Lisa. This bird was really starting to bother him.
The said avian began to hoot at him rapidly as though it was scolding him. Its feathers growing more and more ruffled in agitation. The blunette just blinked up at it. His headache and the lack of coffee making this too much for him to fully process. He rubbed at his temple. Winching as the bird screeched at him for ignoring it.
"You're quite annoying, aren't you?" he asked it with a wince.
The bird hissed at him, flapping its wings before losing its balance and nearly toppling off the lamppost again.
Yes. He needed to talk to Lisa first thing this morning. If she thought the bird might be dangerous, he would send some Knights to capture it.
He turned his back to the owl, ignoring the loud desperate hoots that followed behind as well as the sound of flailing wings as it tried to fly after him. Kaeya planned on going straight to Jean's office. Where he would most likely find her with a fresh batch of coffee and the Librarian.
His walk to the headquarters was brief and without much event. He picked up a quick breakfast for him and his friends, because he knew good and well Jean had not taken the time to get food that morning, before making the short trek to the Headquarters.
Lisa was in Jean's office, just as he anticipated.
"Good morning," he greeted as he placed the pastries on the desk for them to sort through.
"My, aren't you just the sweetest~" Lisa smiled at him before selecting one of them.
"It is a bribe," the blunette said with a smile as he perched on the edge of the desk. "I have a question for you."
"Oh?" she asked.
"There is this owl that has been hanging around the city since yesterday," Kaeya crossed his arms, but waved one hand around as he explained. "It crashed into the building, and it seemed to have a hard time staying up right. It is acting abnormal for a wild bird of prey. Plus, it was flying around during the day. Do you think there is a chance it is sick?"
"That certainly is strange behavior," the Librarian acknowledged as she paused to think.
"Are you sure it is not Master Diluc's bird?" Jean asked him as she approached him with a fresh cup of coffee.
"I don't think it is," he shook his head as he accepted it. "His birds are better trained. They would never make a fool of themselves like it—"
Thunk!
The three adults turned in surprise as the glass window shuddered from impact. The bird in question had landed quite clumsily and a tad too forcefully on the window seal. Slamming hard into the glass. It blinked a bit, slightly dazed, before roughly shaking its feathers and peered inside. It hooted when it spotted the three staring at it.
"Is that the bird?" Jean looked at Kaeya surprised.
"That's him," the blunette shook his head in dismay.
"Seems like he is following you," Lisa hummed as she set her pastry down and went to the window.
"Careful, Lisa," Jean frowned as the Librarian slid the window open. "It might have something wrong with it."
"I have gloves on, sweetheart," the electro allogene said as she offered a hand to the bird.
The owl looked down at her arm a little doubtfully before it timidly climbed onto her forearm. Its great big talons wrapping around her forearm tightly as it wobblily tried to maintain its balance.
"See?" Kaeya nodded at it.
"Yes," she gently held it up. Looking at it. She lightly grabbed its right wing and stretched it out. "Itisacting abnormal."
It hooted in alarm as it nearly toppled over from the motion. The electro allogene was quick to steady it before carefully unfurling the other wing and examining it.
"Is it hurt?" Jean asked in concern.
The owl's head spun around to look at her before those red orbs landed on Kaeya. The blunette glared at it as its feathers raised up aggressively at him. Followed by a hiss.
"He doesn't appear to be injured, but he acts quite tame for the most part," Lisa's green eyes twinkled in amusement as she glanced at Kaeya.
"He?" the blunette questioned as his own eye flicked up her.
"It is a male," she nodded as. "Some sort of eagle owl from the looks of it."
"Do you think it is someone's pet?" Jean asked.
"I am only aware of one individual in in Mondstadt that has the means to own such a beast," Lisa raised an eyebrow at the blunette.
Kaeya frowned as Jean also looked at him. "He doesn't have any owls."
The bird glared at him.
"Maybe it is new?" the Acting Grand Master shot the bird a look.
Kaeya sighed and pushed himself off the desk, walking towards the office door with his cup of coffee in tow. "Either way, it is not my problem. If the bird isn't a treat against the people of Mondstadt through disease or aggression I could care less. And if it is said person's pet, he will be sure to come collect it when he is ready."
He ignored the bird's screech as the door swung closed behind him.
Kaeya didn't really think about the bird again until late that afternoon. A light knock on his office door and he tore his gaze away from the mound of paperwork on his desk that he was reminded about its existence.
"I brought you some tea, sweetie," Lisa smiled at him as she came in with a tray. "I noticed you didn't go to lunch."
The blunette looked up at the clock hanging from the wall. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He hadn't realized that the day had grown so late.
"Thank you," he stood to make room on the desk for her. "Is Jean joining us?""No," Lisa set the tray on the space he cleared. "She is out sparing with Eula."
"Actual sparing this time? That is good. She needed to let off some steam," the blunette sat and watched as the Librarian made their tea. Knowing good and well she would just swat him away should he attempted to touch her teapot.
The drink was just what he needed. His shoulders relaxed slightly the instant it touched his lips. "You make the best tea."
She purred at the complement before taking her own cup and leaned back in her seat. "I thought you had a patrol today?"
"I do," he sighed around the rim of his cup. "It is not until the evening shift. I'll need to head to the gate in a few hours."
"Well, be sure to eat an actual meal before then, hmmm?" Lisa gave him a hard stare.
"Of course," he purred. Though he wasn't quite sure he meant that yet. That all depended on if he was able to finish this paperwork in time.
"And you might want to keep an eye out for that bird of yours while on patrol too," Lisa continued. Causing him to tilt his head questioningly at her. "I tried to take it the Cathedral to see if any of the sisters could tell if it was sick and it flew away."
Kaeya hummed. "Hopefully it left for good."
But the bird, in fact, had not flown back to where it came from. The Calvary Captain found it waiting for him at the gate. Glaring at him with those red eyes.
He couldn't help but think how much it reminded him of a certain someone. Very few people were able to look at him openly with such pure disdain. It was actually a bit impressive an animal like the owl was able to conjure up so much hatred towards him.
"He's been sitting here half the day," one of the knights at the gate said. Following Kaeya's sharp gaze.
"I'm surprised it hasn't toppled off the wall yet," the blunette glared back at the bird. Irritated that it was still here.
He was really bothered by the fowl for some reason. Which was embarrassing in itself. It was just a mere animal after all.
The owl hissed at his words before lifting his wings and swooping away, though a bit wobblily. As though to prove something to the blunette.
Kaeya shook his head as he turned to his men. "If you see it acting sickly let me know. It is a strange beast. Best to give it some space."
"Aye, aye, Captain," they saluted.
Kaeya began to make his rounds as the moon rose. The city's activities narrowing themselves down to the Cat's Tail and the Angel's Share and the other taverns. The city's lamps glowed warmly under the starlight. It was actually quite a nice night.
Well, it was until he was assaulted by dead rat.
The captain shrieked as the rodent bounced off his head onto the pavement at his feet. He frantically wiped at his hair gasping in horror as the corpse bounced off his skull onto the ground.
A smughootcaused him to look up. The owl sat on top of a nearby roof. It waslaughing at him.
Kaeya's eye narrowed into a slit, finger raised, and his mouth opened to do something about this menace of a creature—
"About arrest a bird, are we?"
The blunette's glare shifted from the avian to the woman who melted out of the shadows. A smirk on her face.
"A criminal is a criminal no matter the species," Kaeya growled as he shot another enraged glare at the bird. "It's lucky I don't feed it to Prince."
Rosaria chuckled.
"Why are you here?" Kaeya crossed his arms. Glaring at her still. Offended she was taking abird'sside over his.
"I thought I heard a child screaming, but it turned out to only be you," her smile as sharp as her clawed jewelry.
"Ha ha," he turned his back to her. "You're hilarious, Rosa."
The owl seemed to think so. It's mocking hoots followed him before it disappeared back into the night.
The rat was only beginning. Kaeya was continuously pelted with various items throughout the rest of his shift. An old smelly shoe, a pair of wet underwear that he didn't want to know where they had been found, a spoon, a small rock, several sticks, mud wads, and even an onion.
The knight was quite paranoid by the time his patrol shift had ended. He had sprinted to his home, arms protectively raised above his head as he hurried through the streets. Afraid the blasted bird was going to drop a baby on him next.
But he wasn't safe from the terror of a bird even behind the protection of his own walls.
He had just laid down to sleep when there came atap. Tap. Tap.At his window.
He had sat up with a frown. Looking over at it. It wasn't uncommon for Rosaria to sneak into his house at night, but she was usually a lot quieter about it. His confusion turned into anger as he saw those bright red eyes staring back at him.
Kaeya threw his window open, nearly hitting the thing. It raised its wings aggressively and hissed.
"What is your problem?" he knew he probably sounded and looked like a someone who had lost their mind, but he had spent all night being hounded by the thing and now it had stalked him to hishouse.It knew where hisbedroom windowwas. "What do you want with me?"
The bird hooted and its talon began to tap against the shingles.
"You don't have a letter for me," Kaeya continued hissing at the bird. "I don't have a letter for you. What do youwant?"
The bird glared at him. The tapping growing more aggressive. Apparently, it wasn't going to be leaving anytime soon.
With a disgusted sigh Kaeya slammed his window shut and stormed down the hall to his office. Aggressively lighting a candle and yanking some paper and a quill out of his drawer.
D,
If this is your bird come and get it before I make a sweet madam out of it. This is your only warning.
-K
He rolled it up aggressively and stormed back to the window. Of course, the bird was still there. He yanked the window open and extended the letter to it.
"Here," he glared at it. "Is this what you want?"
The bird looked down at the paper before hesitantly grabbing it with his beak.
"Now, shoo," Kaeya waved his hands at it.
It bowed up at him in reflex before it hissed once more and flew away.
It was about an hour later before Kaeya was awoken by more tapping. He rolled out of bed and yanked the window open. The bird had a letter in its beak. It was sloppily rolled up and looked suspiciously like his own stationary. He hesitantly reached for it, making sure the bird didn't plan on biting him. But the avian allowed him to gently slip the letter free. He unrolled it an immediately frowned.
"What is this?" He asked incredulously squinting at the bird. "Did you bring this to a preschool?"
The bird's feathers ruffled in irritation. The plumicorns on its head flattening aggressively. It shrieked at him.
Kaeya looked back down at the letter. It was covered in lots of harsh child-like scribbles. It might have been an attempt at some form of alphabet, but it was not legible by any means. The bird began tapping its talon against the roof as Kaeya sniffed the page.
Was it written in berry juice?
The blunette sighed and dragged a hand down his face. Looking down at the bird. It was still tapping at the roof. Glaring at him.
Before Kaeya could figure out what to do, there was a loud pounding on this front door. Causing them both to jump. The blunette looked back down at the bird before sighing and shutting his window, the last thing he needed was for it to fly in and shit on his bed. It hissed at him in annoyance and pecked at the window.
Kaeya ignored it as he grabbed a robe and made his way down his stairs. Checking to make sure his sleeping eyepatch was still on correctly before opening his door. Lawrence stood there. The blunette waved his salute away.
"Sorry, to disturb you, Captain Kaeya," the man apologized. "But the Acting Grand Master is requesting you."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow. "Did she say whatever for?"
The man shook his head. "No, sir. Just that she needed your presence promptly."
The blunette sighed with a nod. "Allow me a moment to get dressed, Lawrence. I'll be there shortly."
The other knight saluted before hurrying off while Kaeya closed the door behind him with a frown. Jean would have known he had a patrol tonight. Something must truly be wrong if she was summoning him knowing he was running on an hour or two's worth of sleep at best.
He made quick work of getting dressed. A glance at the window told him the owl had left, but knowing Kaeya's luck it hadn't gone far. He made a quick glance before he exited his apartment. Racing towards the headquarters before the blasted thing could drop more items on him. He slowed to a walk before approaching the building, nodding calmly towards the knights on guard before going inside. He found both Huffman and Jean waiting for him there.
Kaeya quickly took in the scene. Huffman, normally very professional and poised, was clearly agitated by something. His fingers drummed against his side. Its eyes darted towards Kaeya immediately a flash of what looked like hope alighting in them. Jean looked tired and somber as she looked up at the entering captain. She gave him a nod.
"Captain Kaeya, thank you for coming. I apologize for fetching you right after your patrol."
Honorifics. Hmmm. This must be serious then.
"It is nothing a cup of coffee won't fix," he waved her concerns away. "You wouldn't have summoned me unless it was important."
He came to stand next to Huffman nodding a silent greeting to him before turning his full attention on the Acting Grand Master. Jean grabbed a slip of paper and handed it to him.
"I just received this. It is from Captain Eula."
Kaeya accepted the letter. Skimming its contents quickly.
"Mika is missing?"
That explained Huffman then.
"The past two days," Jean nodded somberly.
Kaeya looked back down at the letter. The Reconnaissance Company were out patrolling Stormterror's lair after reported increased Abyss mage activity. They had been out there about ten days now.
"And what do you need me to do about it?"
If Eula was already searching for him with her entire company, Kaeya doubted he would be much more help there. The Reconnaissance Captain was quite capable and so were her knights.
"You are close to Mika," Jean said taking the letter back. "Is there any place you know he might go?"
"He wouldn't desert his duties," Huffman stiffened a bit at her words, but Jean was quick to reassure.
"I know," Jean nodded at him. "But if he became injured or attacked, he might have retreated to hide somewhere until someone found him or he recovered enough to move once more. No one knows the layout Mondstadt quite like Mika. I am sure he knows of a thousand places between here and Stormterror's lair that we do not."
Huffman nodded. Swallowing a bit at his outburst.
"I am not sure if I know of anywhere in particular that someone else might not," Kaeya shook his head with a frown. "I can go and check, however. The ones I know of are mostly in Wolvendom, however. I never had the opportunity to travel with Mika to Stormterror's lair. But Mika made plenty of maps of that area. Surely there might be clues within those?"
"I am sending Huffman to bring them to Eula," Jean nodded towards the knight. "He knows how Mika thinks better than many. He will be of most use there. I am going to send him with Outrider Amber as soon as she arrives."
That meant there would be a hole in their patrolling schedule. Kaeya would need to address that before the night came.
"Very good," the blunette nodded. "It might also be a good idea to ask Klee if she knows of some of Mika's favorite spots."
"That is a good idea," Jean nodded. "I will summon Albedo and have him ask her as well."
There was a knock and Amber burst into the room without waiting for a follow-up 'come in'.
"Outrider Amber reporting for duty!"
Kaeya nodded to Jean and Huffman. "I will leave you three to it. I shall go and search Wolvendom. I'll report back this evening unless I find something first."
Jean nodded.
"Thank you, sir," Huffman saluted him.
"Amber~" Kaeya smiled at her as he passed. A bit more mischievously than was necessary, but he did enjoy how she would squint at him in return when he looked at her like that. It made her nose twitch like a bunny's.
"Captain Kaeya," she huffed back before turning her attention to Jean.
The door closed between them before he could hear her thoughts on the matter. The blunette turned left rather than right after exiting the Grand Master's office. Heading up the stairs to the roof of the headquarters. He knew from experience it was far quicker to simply glide across Cider Lake to the forest on the other side rather than walk all the way around. His boots landed lightly on the beach and he headed for the path that led deeper into the darkness of the trees. Using the light of lamp grass to guide him.
He made sure to keep his footsteps relatively loud for any nearby wolves or other wildlife to hear him and have plenty of time to avoid them should they wish. Yet he walked stealthy enough that no humans would perceive his footfalls.
Well, all humans except for one.
Razor found him much faster than he anticipated. His eyes flashing in the moonlight as he appeared in front of Kaeya on the path.
"Hello, Razor," Kaeya smiled at him. Giving him a clear view of both of his hands. "I am looking for someone. Have you happened to see a boy around your age around here? His name is Mika. You might have met him with Klee before?"
"Little bird," Razor nodded with familiarity. "Razor has not seen the little bird for many days now. He is not here."
Kaeya sighed through his nose. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.
"Have you noticed anything strange lately?" Kaeya asked instead. Many blew Lisa's student off since his common was a bit basic, but the blunette saw Razor's intelligence shining through those warm eyes of him.
The boy knew how to pick up signs others overlooked and how to listen to his instincts.
Razor thought for a moment before nodding. Turning to head into the darkness of the trees, "Yes. Come."
The blunette followed after him, turning off the path and keeping close. The light of the flowers guided them. Kaeya could sense the boy's lupical at the edge of the shadows and his vision. The wolves were keeping a close eye on their boy. Making sure that he was safe from the man.
The electro allogene led Kaeya towards the canyon leading to Stormterror's lair. Stopping at the edge of the cliff and pointing down at a small rocky ledge that hovered over the canyon. A flaming flower sat at the tip of its peak. It allowed anyone standing there to easily survey the canyon below.
It was the sort of place Mika would love.
"Strange," Razor told him. "Dark smelling. Ice. Dangerous."
"Strange you say?" Kaeya tilted his head in thought staring at the flower. "Is it like anything else you have smelled before?"
"Abyss," Razor nodded. "Magic."
Kaeya frowned. That didn't sound good. "Do you smell Mika here?"
The wolf-boy shook his head. "Darkness too strong. Can't tell."
"Hmm. Have you noticed anything else?" Kaeya asked him.
"No." The wolves began to howl. Calling their little pup back.
"Thank you, Razor," Kaeya nodded. "You have been most helpful. Please, inform your lupical that I will be wandering around a bit longer to look around and that I mean no harm."
The boy left with a nod. The blunette leapt from the ledge he was on and glided down towards the flower. Staring down at it. His elemental sight flashed into action. Trying to find the barest trace of pyro energy on its petals.
There was none.
Kaeya turned and looked around. Searching for any clues. His eyes caught sight of a flash of cryo not too far away. Resting on another cliff edge to his left. Settled between two trees.
His heart sank as he approached it and realized what was lying abandoned in the grass. The blunette bent down and carefully picked it up. Rotating the gauntlet slowly, searching for clues.
The rustling of feathers and the crack of tree bark under talons caused him to look up. He gazed into the red eyes of the owl. They appeared darker than they had before, like something akin to fury in his gaze as the avian stared down at the cryo vision in Kaeya's hands.
Kaeya tore his gaze away from the bird. Looking down into the canyon below.
An ominous feeling crept up his spine.
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Chapter 2: Noctua
Summary:
"Adelinde?"
She looked over her shoulder, catching sight at the two maids who were pretending to clean while listening to their conversation. Adelinde stepped fully outside before swinging the door closed behind her.
"He…he is not, Master Kaeya," Adelinde shook her head as she spoke softly. "In fact, if he hadn't returned by the end of the night, I was going to reach out to you."
Notes:
Kaeya needs some sleep but a certain owl has other plans
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Kaeya closed Jean's door behind him with an exhausted sigh. Mika's vision now in her possession as well as his full report on the situation. He had finished the official paperwork right after he had finished Huffman's night patrol. It wasn't very helpful paperwork, mostly what he had told Jean a few hours previously. He had found Mika's vision abandoned. Razor had reported some strange smells, but nothing else of note could be found in the area. No tracks. No trail. No other signs the little cryo mage had even been in the area.
Jean was going to send another knight report their findings to Eula and her company who were still searching Stormterror's lair. They would now to extend their search southeast due to Kaeya's findings.
The captain would need to go out to meet them later that day to show them the exact location he had found the vision, but, for now, Jean had ordered him to get some food and some sleep. Not including the 1-2 hours of napping he got in between that damn owl's harassment, it had been over 48 hours since he had been able to get the chance to shut his eyes.
Coffee could only do so much after all.
"Kaeya!"
He managed not to wince as Klee's excited shout echoed in the nearly empty hallway. Tiredness always called his eye to ache and with it the rest of his head.
"Klee," he smiled at her and Albedo as they approached. The little girl practically tackled Kaeya in a hug. Her arms thrown around his legs. "Good morning."
"Albedo and I are going to get some breakfast," she informed him excitedly. "Do you want to come with us?"
"That sounds wonderful," Kaeya nodded. Looking up at Albedo to see if he was okay with it. "I have somethings I need to tell your dear brother anyways."
The little girl cheered and then took both men's hands in her own. Leading them towards the door.
"You look exhausted," Albedo commented with a small worried frown.
"Don't worry," Kaeya smiled tiredly as Klee let go of his hand long enough to push the door open. "Jean has given me strict orders to eat and then go straight to bed before heading back out. Speaking of which…"
He glanced down subtly at Klee before looking back at the alchemist. Silently asking if the girl had any ideas of places Mika might hide.
"I checked yesterday," Albedo shook his head. "I take it you had no luck?"
"Best talk to Jean for my full report," Kaeya fought back a yawn. His silentIt is best not to talk about this out in the openleft unsaid, but Albedo understood anyways. He always did.
"Come on, hurry!" Klee encouraged them, grabbing their hands again as she tugged them down the stairs. "We want to be sure to get the best hashbrowns."
A ruffling of feathers caused Kaeya's head to snap up and for him to jump. He sighed in relief when he saw it was only a flock of pigeons taking to the sky. Not some deranged owl determined to pelt him with more items.
Much like he had done once again all last night while Kaeya was on patrol. The blunette had managed to shake the blasted creature off by throwing a snowball at it and hitting it in the back of its head with about one hour of his shift left.
While he was one to not partake in animal cruelty, he felt the bird had deserved it for dropping a cat turd on him.
"Are you alright?" Albedo inquired, noting Kaeya's skittishness over the birds.
"Have you seen an owl?" Kaeya looked down at him, wondering if he had scared the thing off for good or it was simply off hiding somewhere. Biding its time. Plotting.
"An owl?" the geo allogene asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Kaeya nodded as he looked around. "There has been one harassing me and only me these past couple of days."
Though the alchemist did his best to hide it, Kaeya could see the amused flicker in his eyes. "Is that so? I recall Lisa talking about something like that yesterday. That it seemed quite docile until it came to you."
"Laugh as you will," Kaeya glared at him, "But you didn't have it dropping dead rodents and feces inyourhair."
Albedo couldn't help his snort of laughter that time. Kaeya pouted as he squinted up at the sky suspiciously. Still looking around for the blasted bird. If itdidturn out to be his estranged brother's pet he was going to strangle the redhead for training it to hassle him.
They reached Good Hunter without any incident, however. Kaeya sat down with a relieved sigh. Hoping that the bird had gone to sleep like a normal nocturnal creature for once. He placed his chin on his palm and his eyes tiredly drift close as he allowed Klee and Albedo order for him. Only cracking them back open when he heard the clank of porcelain being placed on wood.
"I got you hashbrowns, Kaeya!" Klee cheerfully informed him as she climbed into the chair next to his. "And jams to go with them just like you like."
"Why thank you, Klee," the blunette smiled at her. Gently ruffling her hair.
She giggled and turned her attention to her own food.
"I will be going to Dragonspine today," Albedo informed Kaeya as he sat on Klee's other side, sitting directly across from the blunette.
"Oh?" The cryo allogene raised an inquiring eyebrow as he took a bite of his potato-y meal. He was a bit surprised the alchemist was leaving the city with Mika being missing.
"I recently was working on a tracking potion," Albedo informed him. "It might prove useful. It would be faster to go and retrieve the batch I was working on there rather than start over here."
Kaeya hummed. "How long will you be gone?"
"I should return either tomorrow night or the following morning depending on the weather."
"Hopefully we won't still need it by then," Kaeya murmured softly so other passersbys didn't overhear his response.
"Hopefully not—" Albedo's widening eyes was the only warning the cavalry captain got.
Perhaps if Kaeya hadn't been so sleep deprived he might have had the sense to duck or dodge. But as it were—
Crack!
Albedo and Klee's mouths fell open silently as they stared at the yolk that trickled out of the egg that rested on the blue head. Slowly gliding across his bangs and down his face. Kaeya didn't even look up as he heard the owl land on a nearby rooftop. He could feel its smug glare as it peered down at him.
Kaeya slowly, ever so slowly, sat his utensils on the table before gently picking up his napkin and laying it by his plate. The other two knight's eyes widened as he stood and spoke in a chillingly calm voice.
"Albedo, would you be so kind as to tell the Acting Grand Master that I need to go and do something and will be back by this afternoon? I have someone I need to see."
The alchemist swallowed before nodding. "Of course."
"Thank you," Kaeya's voice still much too calm. Eerily so.
He could feel their eyes on him as he made his way to the stables. Not even bothering to reach up and wipe the egg off his face. The knights standing post glanced nervously at the shattered shell that was slid off his scalp onto the ground beneath Kaeya's feet. He crushed it as he walked.
Kaeya didn't have to turn around to know that the bird was following him.
"I need a horse," was all he said.
They jumped to obey. The aura coming off the captain making it clear that it was not a good idea to make him wait a second longer than necessary.
The blunette swung himself up on the steed offered him. It was one of the few horses still in the city. One kept behind for emergencies. It was due for exercise anyways.
The horse was eager to run so it flew down the road. Charging ahead with dust flying from her hooves. Only slowing as they passed through Springdale before picking up speed again and finally reaching the winery.
The workers looked up in surprise to see him. A few waved and he waved back though his attention was on the main door he was marching towards. He knocked and a startled Adelinde found him there. Bags under his eyes, hair strewn about, dried egg yoke in his hair and on his face. The smile he gave a little more manic than charismatic. A little more of a grimace than a grin.
"Master Kaeya?" her own voice betraying her alarm at the state he was in. "Are you alright?"
"I will be," his smile strained as he heard thatblasted bird's obnoxiously loud flapping wings as it settled on the stone wall behind him.
Honestly weren't owls supposed to be silent fliers?
"Is Master Diluc here?"
There was a flicker of something in her eyes that caused Kaeya's smile to slip a bit. His brow dipping.
"Adelinde?"
She looked over her shoulder, catching sight at the two maids who were pretending to clean while listening to their conversation. Adelinde stepped fully outside before swinging the door closed behind her.
"He…he is not, Master Kaeya," Adelinde shook her head as she spoke softly. "In fact, if he hadn't returned by the end of the night, I was going to reach out to you."
A cold feeling crept down his spine as he replied equally soft, "What do you mean? How long has he been gone?"
"Over a week now," she shook her head. "We expected him to be gone for four days, but not this long. Something isn't right, Master Kaeya."
He frowned. His mind quickly going on alert. "Do you know where he went?"
"He said that he was going to investigate some ruins near Stormterror's Lair."
The icy feeling fully settled over Kaeya's soul. He wasn't a man who believed in coincidences.
"Did he say what he was investigating?"
Adelinde glanced around looking a bit unsure.
"Please, rest assured that the Acting Grand Master has given me the morning off," Kaeya smiled at her. "I am officially off duty."
The head maid sighed. "He said there was some strange Abyss activity up there that he wanted to investigate."
No. There was no such thing as coincidences.
"I see," Kaeya mused with a frown.
Behind him an exasperated huff was given, causing the two to turn around. The owl was glaring at Kaeya. Talon tapping repeatedly against the stone.
"Oh, my," Adelinde blinked at the bird. "Is that yours, Master Kaeya?"
Another sinking feeling went through his chest. "You mean to say this isn't his bird?"
The head maid shook her head. "No. He doesn't have any owls I am afraid. It seems quite tame though with it being this comfortable to get close to humans."
Kaeya frowned as the turned to glare back at the avian. Now truly puzzled about the bird's specific hatred towards him and him alone. Sure, he had a long list of enemies who would happily gut him on the spot if they could, but who else would be petty enough to train an owl to assault him andonlyhim?
"I think Master Diluc had a map of the area he was going to search," Adelinde brought her attention back to the true problem at hand. "Would you like me to fetch it for you?"
"That would be splendid. Thank you, Adelinde," Kaeya nodded to her. "And if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I also have a cup of coffee?"
"Why don't you come in and wash up while I make it for you? Then you can review them in his office."
Kaeya nodded, accepting the invitation. His face and head did somewhat itch from the dried egg covering him. He made his way to the upstairs bathroom. Quickly finding a washcloth to wash his face. He scrubbed his skin clean and picked out the bits of eggshell still nested in his hair before shoving his entire head under the sink and rinsing it clean as best as he could.
After a few moments of opening drawers, he managed to find a comb to run through his wet locks before he made his way to Diluc's office. Adelinde arrived shortly later, pointing him in the right direction before she left to finish his coffee.
The blunette poured over the documents. Skimming some hurried notes his brother had left. Some were easy enough to translate, while others were in a code the captain was not familiar with. A shame.
"Here, Master Kaeya," she set the tray down. "You know, you never said why you were looking for Master Diluc in the first place."
Kaeya immediately grabbed the cup and took a large sip. He wasn't sure how much it would do battling against the lack of sleep he had, but he hoped it would be enough to see him through.
"You already answered my question," he hummed as he shuffled through the last of the papers. "I wanted to know if he was the master of that owl."
"You came all this way just to ask that?" she seemed puzzled. Rightfully so to be honest.
"He has been…quite the nuisance," Kaeya growled as he glared in the general direction the owl had been before he went inside.
"I see," Adelinde appeared to be biting back a smile as she glanced at his wet hair. She turned and went back downstairs. Leaving him to read.
The captain spent a few more moments shuffling through all the papers, just to make sure he wasn't missing any pivotal information, before grabbing a quill and a sheet of paper. He quickly scribbled down a note before grabbing the map and heading back out. He found Adelinde giving the wretched bird some meat to eat.
The avian was perfectly well behaving as she gently stroked his feathers. Even having the nerve to close his eyes a bit to lean into her touch. The glare returned when he spotted Kaeya.
"I will be off then. I'll let you know what I find, but…" he paused looking around to make sure no one else was in earshot. "I would advise to keep an eye out. There might be more afoot than we are currently aware of, and it might be wise to err on the side of caution. Should anyone else go missing report it to the Knights immediately."
Adelinde withdrew her hand from the owl's head as she turned to fully face him. "Understood. Thank you, Master Kaeya."
"It is no trouble," the blunette reassured her before handing her the note he had written. "Would you be so kind as to send this to the Acting Grand Master?"
"Of course," she took it. "I will send it right away."
He nodded his thanks before heading to grab his horse, swinging himself up onto her back. She surged forward with little encouragement. Only too happy to run once more. Not to Kaeya's surprise, though to his great annoyance, the owl flew after. Wobblily taking to the air before steadying and soaring overhead. Those red eyes watching him as they headed down the canyon towards Stormterror's Lair.
The coffee and the adrenaline from hearing about Diluc's absence were the only things keeping the blunette upright in the saddle. His body ached with the desire to sleep. Perhaps he was a fool for charging into this investigation without stopping to rest first, but time could be of the essence here. It was unlike Diluc to not alert his staff should a mission or outing take longer than he deemed it should. Though there were times he went on certainescapadesthat forced him to return a day or so later than anticipated, the fact he had been missing for this long with no word was alarming.
Especially since Mika had also vanished.
The owl flew ahead of him, seeming to know where the blunette was going. Not-so-patiently waiting as the captain slid off his horse and drew out the map. Looking around the area to find the exact thing that had caught his estranged brother's eye about this place. There didn't seem to be anything special in the area. Just the common crumbling rubble and an occasional patch of various ores. His elemental sight revealed nothing incriminating either.
Despite being in Stormterror's Lair, the area didn't show any signs of Eula's company having been here, at least recently. Their heavily armored bodies left clear and deep tracks that were easy to identify. There were no such signs here.
He turned as the owl hooted at him gruffly. The creature stood on the ground in front of a piece of rubble that leaned against the cliff wall. The bird made sure to lock eyes with him before it waddled behind the rock. Kaeya paused a moment, waiting for the bird to come back out.
It didn't.
An eerie feeling crept down his neck as he walked forward to investigate. Even through his exhaustion his instincts told him that the bird was apparently trying to show him something.
He squatted down, peering behind the debris. Noticing that there was just enough space for a grown man to be able to wriggle through to a small cavern entrance. The owl poked his head back out of the entrance, hooted gruffly at him, and disappeared back into the cave.
The blunette shot one last look over his shoulder, wondering if he had gone slightly insane from lack of sleep, before he followed the owl. Crawling on his elbows and knees as he wriggled his way to the opening. The owl hooted encouragingly at him as he squirmed his way forward and slipped into the entrance.
He pulled himself to his feet, hunched over but at least able to get off his knees. The cave ahead was dark and still. The blunette sniffed at its stale air.
It smelled like the Abyss.
The owl began to hurry forward, wings slightly outstretched as it hopped its way down the passageway. It paused once to look over his shoulder to make sure Kaeya was still following, but kept going.
Kaeya didn't like how familiar it appeared to be with the pathway. Easily walking past a couple of tunnels that split off. It clearly knew where it was going.
The blunette summoned a blade of ice in his hand. Eye sharp as he watched the bird. Was lack of sleep making him paranoid or was this a trap? Had this owl led Mika and Diluc into it as well? The two of them would both stop to help it had they thought an animal was injured or sick and need their help.
The owl glanced back over his shoulder at the cryo allogene, looking at the ice his ready hand. The blunette glared back at it. It huffed at him before shuffling on, leading him into a larger room. The bird flapped up onto a broken rail looking out into the large room.
Kaeya crept cautiously out of the tunnel, fully expecting some mages or the like to sudden appear and strike. He scanned the area and his eye immediately landed on the runes, clearly a warning, that were carved into the far wall.
And the lifeless bundle that laid directly under it.
Kaeya ran towards it. Falling to his knees as he reached for the unmistakable dark coat his brother always wore anymore. His hands pulled it up along with Diluc's shirt, belts, pants, boots, and, most importantly, his vision.
While the redhead's clothes were all here, clearly abandoned, there was no signs of blood or trauma on them. They were simply cold and damp from laying on the wet cave floor for so long. Kaeya grabbed the vision that was tangled up in the belts, hurriedly turning it over so he could get a clear look at its warm glow. Sighing in relief when he realized it looked stable, even if it was a bit duller than normal.
The owl approached him. Alighted a bit awkwardly by his side, nearly toppling over as he stuck the landing. Kaeya turned his full attention back to him.
"Where is he?" he demanded. "Where is Diluc?"
The owl shrieked at him. Pecking at the vision a bit aggressively with a glare as he began to tap his sharp talons on the cave floor, looking up at the writing on the wall.
Nunu biat mimi ika
Khaenri'ahn. It was a bit unclear as to what it was saying. A rough translation that could mean a couple of different things without proper context. 'Nighttime curses our enemy'? Or perhaps 'sleep curses our enemy'? The night shall hit our enemy? Sleep will hit our enemy?
It was hard to focus. Exhaustion was coiling inside of his head. His brain sluggish and his eye throbbing dully from the lack of sleep. And the owl's insistent tapping wasn't helping by any means.
"Can you just be still for a moment?" Kaeya growled at it as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Trying to gather his thoughts.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Pause.
Tap. Tap.
Pause.
Kaeya stilled. A sick feeling rising in his gut as he slowly realized the owl wasn't just tapping his talon randomly. He was spelling something out. His blood turned cold as he listened.
Slowly. Ever so slowly, the cry user raised his head and turned to look over at the avian. Watching that talon lift and fall up and down clicking on the cold stone. The owl shifted, huffing as he realized he finally had the captain's full attention. He kept the brunette to finally hear the message he had been trying to say the entire time.
Am. Diluc. I. Am. Diluc. I. Am. Diluc.
"No," Kaeya gasped. He could feel his breathing becoming rapid. Shallow. "No. No. No. No."
He stood up. Dropping the coat on the ground. Hurriedly stepping away from it. Shaking all over. He grabbed his head with his hands. Staring up at the writing on the wall all the while shaking his head as he suddenly realized what had happened. Why his brother had been missing for so long. Why his clothes were here. Why this owl had been harassing him, trying to get his attention. How the owl knewexactlywhere to go.
"No. No. No. No. No. No."
The owl paused in its tapping. Its eyes growing large at the blunette's unexpected reaction. Watching as Kaeya's own eye widened in terror and darted between clothes on the ground and the runes. Suddenly everything made so much more horrifying sense.
This was a curse. A transformation spell of some kind. Shoving a human form into some twisted other organism. One it wasn't born to be. Diluc was—
Just like—
His chest felt tight. His legs numb. Was he having a heart attack? Was that what was going on?
"Not you too. Not you too. Oh, gods. No. Not you too." He rasped frantically. "No. No.No."
The owl took an uncertain step forward. Giving a small hoot of concern.
Kaeya's back slammed against a wall. He was still staring at the coat. Staring at it. Staring.
His legs were shaking so bad. He slid down the wall as they gave way. His chest throbbed. The pressure in his head growing even more painful He gasped in pain. Trying to get control of his breathing and calm down. His heartbeat thundering his ears. He could feel tears try to sting at his eyes.
The blunette squeezed his eye closed. Trying to shut everything out. Trying to calm himself. He had to get in control. He had to—
Something was slapping his legs. Trying to get his attention. But Kaeya barely noticed as he folded into himself. Forehead on his knees as he desperately tried to breathe.
Focus.Focus.
Find something to focus on.
He stared at a small flower that was pushing through the cracks of the stone of the cavern floor at his feet.
Yes. There. Just focus on that. Focus on the flower, Kaeya.
The blunette did his best to focus on his breathing as he stared down at the flower.
Flower.
Flower.
Focus on the flower.
Breathe.
It had yellow petals.
Inhale.
Three leaves.
Exhale.
It looked as though a caterpillar ate on them.
Inhale.
Its stem was the same color of Lisa's eyes.
Exhale.
It smelled like summer.
Inhale.
It took him several minutes before he managed to calm enough for his shaking to stop and the throbbing pain of his risen blood pressure to finally go down. The stuttering frantic gasps became something similar to a normal person not dying from pneumonia. The urge to throw up slowly lessened, though he could still feel his heart pounding violently. All the while he was hyperaware of a ball of feathers standing near him. Seeming completely unsure of what to think of this mental break down.
Kaeya was suddenly very grateful the owl seemed incapable of human speech at the moment.
Small mercies it seemed.
The Cavalry Captain sighed again. Right. He needed to quit acting like this. He needed to figure out what was going on. Diluc still apparently had enough reasoning in him to be able to recognize Kaeya, find him, and torment him long enough so the blunette followed him. Plus, he clearly remembered how to use code to communicate. It was obvious he hadn't been turned into some simple-minded owl.
He was just a man trapped in an owl's body.
That was all. This wasn't like theothercurse. There was no way this was a Celestial one. Right? That meant there was still hope of fixing this.
Kaeya pulled his head out from the safety of his knees to find those bright red orbs staring at him from the face of an owl. Suddenly, all Kaeya could see was Diluc within those eyes.
How had he missed that before?
Diluc hooted. If Kaeya didn't know any better, he might have thought the pyro allogene was worried about him. Not scoffing about the Knight's inefficiencies.
Having a panic attack in the middle of an investigation in front of a citizen? How embarrassing.
"We need to get you to Lisa and Albedo," Kaeya stood stiffly, his voice a bit raspier than he would have liked. He was determined to go back to business and pretend the last ten minutes had never happened. He grabbed the abandoned clothes and vision on the ground. "They might be able to sort this out. I assume you don't know how to correct this? Otherwise, why would you have bothered to come and find me?"
Diluc seemed to hesitate. All the earlier annoyance and haste suddenly gone. Replaced with—no.
It couldn't be concern. Not Master Ragnvindr. Not about Captain Alberich.
"Do you know who did this to you?" Kaeya asked him instead. Slipping into his investigator role. Shoving down the rest of the anxiety and complete exhaustion aside. Clearing his throat so he shook off the last of the tremor. "Did you see them?"
Diluc nodded slowly. Watching Kaeya's face carefully. The blunette was fairly certain that had Diluc had lips at the moment they would be folded down into a deep frown. The blunette knew he wanted answers. Wanted to know about the cryo allogene's extreme reaction, but that was not something the blunette was going to give him. Especially now when he wanted nothing more than to curl up under a warm blanket and sleep until this nightmare ended.
"Was it the Abyss Order?"
Please, let it have been the Abyss Order and not Celestia.Please, let it have been the Abyss Order and not Celestia—
Diluc nodded again. Kaeya's shoulders sagged with relief.
"Good. That's good. It is reversable then."
The owl seemed to grow ever more confused by Kaeya's response.
"Are there anymore runes in here I need to see before we go?" the blunette asked him.
Diluc shook his head.
"Come on then," Kaeya began to make his way out of the cave. "We need to get going."
The captain began to storm out but paused when he realized the man-turned-owl wasn't following him.
"Come on," Kaeya snapped. Looking down at the bird. "You flew well enough to pelt me with every crusty thing in Mondstadt you could find. Either move now or I am carrying you."
The owl blinked at him wide eyed. Not even getting mad at the blunette's sharp tone. His mind clearly whirling as he tried to put the pieces of this strange puzzle together. It was truly a rare sight to see Kaeya so scared it came across as anger. Sharp enough that he lost a bit of control and didn't hide the burning emotions in his eye. Diluc was a bit stunned to be honest.
And in his stunned state the captain scoffed and snatched him up. Not in a rough way that would hurt the owl, but in a hastily way. As though there was no time left in the world. Diluc squawked a bit in protest, but settled as Kaeya's gentle, but very firm, grip tightened. His jaw set in a cleardo not give me any lipsort of way.
So, the owl didn't struggle. Just continued to watch this unexpected reaction unfold as Kaeya stormed through the cave back outside. Slinging himself up onto his horse's back and firmly planting the bird on the saddle before him, securing Diluc in place with his arms as he grabbed the reigns.
Diluc hooted in surprise as the horse immediately began to gallop. The force shoving Diluc even further into Kaeya's grip as they raced across the trail. Heading away from the city, much to the wine master's surprise.
He looked up questioningly at the blunette.
"We're going to Dragonspine."
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Notes:
After this is all said and done Kaeya is going to put horse poop in Diluc's boots.
Hilichurlian used to write the curse
Had this chapter also done so you get two updates back to back. Not sure when the next one will be because it hasn't been edited, but I'll get around to when I take breaks from nanowrimo.
Kaeya: *dodging and weaving every bird in sight*
Albedo: you good man?
Kaeya: *trying to eat*
Diluc: *drops an egg on him*
Diluc: There. Now that is a part of a complete and balanced breakfast.
Adelinde: Master Kaeya are you okay?
Kaeya: *crazed expression, covered in dried egg yolk, left eye twitching, bags on face*
Kaeya: Never been better why do you ask?
Diluc: How do I get Kaeya's attention so he realizes it's me?
Diluc: *sees dried animal feces*
Diluc: Perfect
Diluc*drops something on Kaeya*
Kaeya: *enraged shrieking*
Knights on patrol: o.0
Klee: Albedo, what's wrong with Kaeya?
Kaeya: *slowly going insane from lack of sleep and being assaulted by a bird*
Albedo: Puberty
Chapter 3: Palumbus
Summary:
Diluc pecked the side of his face. A gentle tap really. Causing Kaeya's eye to snap back open. He hadn't realized he had closed it for so long. He shook his head, clearing it and pressed on. Counting his steps. Whispering quietly under his breath to keep himself alert.
Those few hours of hiking finally came to an end well after midnight. The blunette had never been so grateful to see that small little alchemist camp. He sighed in relief as he spotted the warm campfire ablaze in the cave and the familiar figure standing over an alchemy table. Clearly attempting to work through the night.
Notes:
I had a long day, no self control, and this fic has now become my new comfort character.
Enjoy
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Night had long sense fallen by the time Kaeya and the bird made it to the outpost on the edge of the mountain. The captain handed his horse off to an adventurer there. Giving them a hefty sum of mora to tend to the animal while they ascended the mountain as well as for another large cup of coffee.
By now the bags under his eyes were quite prominent. He was so sleep deprived he ached all over and never felt more alert. Yet it seemed like every time he blinked it took a bit more effort to open them again.
He bought three cups of coffee from the cook there. Shooting them back before turning to the owl that was still perched on the saddle waiting for Kaeya to finish his transactions. Still a bit unsure why the captain had dragged him here so aggressively in the first pace.
"Here," Kaeya held his arm out for Diluc to dismount the saddle. "You can either ride on my shoulder or fly. Your choice."
Diluc, a bit peeved at having been handled so roughly by his estranged brother, leapt off the horse and flapped his wings a bit too frantically than needed, but managed to get himself air born. Kaeya squinted at him for a moment as he gained altitude, but after a moment seemed satisfied the human-turned-bird wasn't about to flop out of the sky.
The blunette supposed that is why the owl flew so funny. Humans weren't taught to fly. The poor pyro allogene had been struggling to figure the technique out. Kaeya couldn't help but snort as he remembered the indignant squawks the other had given when slamming into a window. Served the wine tycoon right for throwing dead rats at him.
Diluc flew overhead. Lazily following the captain as he began his ascension up the mountain, coming down occasionally to warm himself up with Kaeya by a strategically placed fire for a few moments before they started back up.
It wasn't until they were midway up the peak that the wind became a little too dangerous for the inexperienced flier, so Diluc was forced to take Kaeya up on his offer and settled to perch on the man's right shoulder. Careful to cover the blunette's blind spot as he trudged up the mountain for the both of them.
The trip was more painful than normal. Kaeya was only too grateful that no monsters decided to show up. He honestly didn't know what he would have done. Already his hands were shaking form the lack of supplies and the lack of sleep.
Oh, how he longed to just lay down and close his eyes. But no. Not yet. He needed to get Diluc to Albedo and then he could rest a moment.
Diluc pecked the side of his face. A gentle tap really. Causing Kaeya's eye to snap back open. He hadn't realized he had closed it for so long. He shook his head, clearing it and pressed on. Counting his steps. Whispering quietly under his breath to keep himself alert.
Those few hours of hiking finally came to an end well after midnight. The blunette had never been so grateful to see that small little alchemist camp. He sighed in relief as he spotted the warm campfire ablaze in the cave and the familiar figure standing over an alchemy table. Clearly attempting to work through the night.
Albedo blinked at the blunette's approach, apparently not expecting his fellow captain to randomly show up unannounced, especially just mere hours before dawn. His teal eyes darted over Diluc momentarily before looking back at his colleague.
"Kaeya? What is wrong?" The alchemist immediately set his beakers down, hurrying to grab a chair and place it in front of the fire. "Here. Sit and warm yourself."
The blunette nodded his thanks and held his hands in front of the flames. "Do you have any coffee?"
The man frowned. "No. How long has it been since you last slept, Kaeya?"
Kaeya shrugged in return as he leaned over so Diluc could easily hop off his shoulder onto a nearby crate. The owl relaxed a tad as the heat washed over him. His eyes closing a bit for a moment to soak the warmth in. His feathers were covered in frost.
"Getting close to 72 hours I believe."
Albedo gave a sigh of disapproval, he hurried to give Kaeya a cup of warmed water and an apple. "You can't keep doing this to yourself, Kaeya. Hiking up the mountain is treacherous in normal conditions much less at night and especially much less when one is severely sleep deprived on top of that."
Diluc hooted. Shooting the blunette a glare. As though joining in on the lecture. Kaeya shot one back at him just as fierce. Biting the apple and ripping a piece off aggressively with his teeth. A sibling-like warning.
"Is this about Mika?"
Diluc gave Kaeya a confused look. One clearly stating he wanted to know what Albedo was referring too.
"It might be," the blunette nodded, turning to look tiredly up at the alchemist. "I am not sure yet. But I need your help with another matter."
"Go on," the geo allogene encouraged.
"This is Master Diluc," Kaeya jerked his head in the owl's direction as he quickly got to the chase. He didn't have the energy to mince his words. "The Abyss has appeared to have cursed him. There were some runes there."
The alchemist shot the bird a questioning look, to which the avian replied with a head bop of confirmation. Albedo turned his attention back to Kaeya.
"Were you able to decipher them?
Kaeya made a so-so gesture. "The meaning was a bit vague. A riddle of sorts. They said 'Nunu Biat mimi ika'."
"Nunu bait mimi ika?" Albedo repeated slowly. Tapping his finger to his chin. 'Nunu' normally means 'to sleep'."
"Though sometimes it is used to speak of night and things of the night," Kaeya stifled a yawn.
"That is true," the Alchemist nodded thoughtfully. He turned to Diluc, "Were you cursed at night?"
The owl shook his head.
"Did you fall asleep and wake up like this?"
Another no.
Kaeya leaned back heavily in his chair. Sluggishly biting into the apple as the exhaustion slammed into him like a horse. Sitting down had been a mistake.
"Owls are mostly nocturnal," Albedo continued to muse. "Perhaps it is referring to that?"
"What about the use ofbiat?" the blunette rubbed at his left eye. Trying to force the eyelid to stay open.
"I would think it would be referring tocursemore so thanhitin this situation," the geo allogene frowned at him before heading towards a crate and pulling out a bedroll and placing it near the fire.
"I would think so too, but it would be foolish to write it off so quickly," Kaeya insisted.
"I agree. Have you sent word to Jean about this situation yet? Also, weren't you supposed to show Captain Eula where you found Mika's vision earlier?"
"I sent word to her that I had an unexpected lead and described where to find the location using Razor's help," his eyes were starting to drift shut despite his best attempts to stay alert.
"I will send word that you are here," Albedo gently took the cup and apple from his hands. "I can also run a few tests on Master Diluc to see if we can't narrow down what is happening while you get some rest. You're useless to us currently."
Kaeya sighed in frustration. There was no point in arguing with that statement. "Send word to the Dawn Winery as well. Tell them that Master Diluc is currently with me, and further details will be sent later."
The geo allogene nodded as he pulled Kaeya to his feet and lightly shoved him towards the bedroll. Kaeya wearily climbed down onto it. Giving Diluc a look and a raised eyebrow. Asking him if he needed anything before he finally rested.
The man-turned-owl hooted at him. The gruff call sounding very much like the elder telling him to go to sleep already.
Kaeya pulled his boots off and then slid between the blankets. Sighing a bit at their soft warm fur.
Sleep came for him swiftly.
:•.𓅓.•*
Kaeya woke as a beam of sunlight fell over his eye.
He grunted a bit. Blearily blinking sleep away as his memories of the past 72 hours resurfaced. Albedo wasn't in the camp, but a certain owl sat perched on one of the nearby crates. Eyes closed as he dozed in the sunlight. The blunette glanced around. Noticing a pot of something cooking on the fire.
His stomach growled eagerly. Kaeya wiggled out of the bedroll, hissing a bit as the cold mountain air immediately sapped the body warmth he had spent all night developing. He hurried to pull his boots on before stepping towards the path, looking around for Albedo before quickly relieving himself and heading back.
Diluc pried his own exhausted eye open as Kaeya came back, boots crunching on snow. Watching the blunette as he went to a chair near the fire and held his hands out in front of it. Warming himself.
"Any luck with Albedo?"
Diluc hooted gruffly, but Kaeya couldn't really make heads of tails of what the redhead was trying to tell him.
Luckily, Albedo returned in that moment.
"Ah good. You're awake," the alchemist nodded as he made his way to the pot and hurried to scoop some warm soup into a cup for Kaeya to drink.
Kaeya thanked him and asked, "How long did I sleep?"
"About five hours. It is approximately nine in the morning," the geo allogene began to pack his bag with notes and a few other items. "We need to go back to Mondstadt as quickly as possible."
"What news of Master Diluc's condition?" Kaeya asked him, blowing on the mug.
He scooped out a piece of the poultry swimming around in it and offered it to the redhead. As far as Kaeya knew the last time the pyro user had eaten was the morning before when Adelinde slipped him some meat. Who knew how well the wine master had been sleeping and eating since being turned into a bird? Judging by his clumsy flight, Kaeya wasn't too confident that his brother had the capabilities to catch unaware prey. Much less have the stomach and mental strength to eat it raw and whole only to yak up a pellet later.
Diluc lean forward, gently taking the poultry with his beak and trying to swallow it whole. It slipped. Landing on the crate he was standing on. He looked down at it and sighed so deeply it must have come from his bone marrow itself. Kaeya reached down and grabbed it again before he had the chance to bend down and pick it up again. Gently and patiently holding it again while his brother attempted to grip it better. He swallowed it that time.
"It is definitely Abyss magic at work here," the geo allogene confirmed, "But that we already knew. It is quite remarkable really; his entire DNA structure has been compromised. Quite extraordinary. I wasn't aware that they had the capability to produce such magic."
"How do we reverse it?" Kaeya asked him, sipping the soup.
It still burned his tongue. He applied a bit of cryo to it. Trying to make it drinkable. He then slipped another piece of poultry to Diluc, who managed to get it in one try that time. He stared at Kaeya's cup. Waiting for the next bit. It seemed the wine master was indeed hungry.
"That I am unsure of," Aledo shook his head. "I want to consult with Lisa. She might know something more about this sort of magic than I. But whatever it is it is quite permanent, and I do not see it weakening. Master Diluc was able to confirm he has been like this for several days now."
"Have any changes occurred since the initial cursing?" Kaeya looked over at the ball of angry feathers and gave him some more chicken.
A shake of a head.
Kaeya sighed in relief. "That is good then."
Good that there was no indication of mental decay as well.
"He indicated that you have his vision?" Albedo asked as he closed his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Kaeya reached into his pocket and pulled it out. Diluc reached for it with a taloned claw. The blunette allowed him to take it.
"Would you be so kind as to see if you can still use it in your current condition, Master Diluc?" Albedo offered the former redhead his arm before gently carrying him to the edge of the cave where snow provided a safe fire-proof zone. "Just try to summon your weapon for starters."
Diluc gripped it tightly his eyes locking on the vision in concentration. They all started in surprise when the giant red and black claymore appeared out of thin air and dropped sharply to the ground. Nearly skewering the bird then and there. Diluc frantically flapped his wings and hopped out of the way as the weapon toppled over and landed heavily on the ground.
"Well, that is a good sign," Albedo nodded. "Now can you try to summon some pyro?"
Seeming to feel a bit more confident, Diluc flapped his wings, causing a flash of fire to erupt in the air before him before going out. It wasn't nearly as bright or strong as his normal flames Kaeya noticed, but it was good that the man-turned-owl wasn't completely defenseless like this.
"Excellent," Albedo sounded pleased as he took Kaeya's cup and ladled another scoop of soup in it before getting a second one to place in on the crate for Diluc and helping the owl get back up there. "I need to pack a few more things. You two finish eating and then let's go."
Diluc hurriedly dipped his beak into the soup, not bothered by its steaming heat in the slightest. Kaeya cooled his own once more. Eating quickly so he could clean his out and get a drink from Albedo's boiled water. He offered Diluc some as well. The avian nodded his thanks. The glare on his face lessened considerably now that was full and rested. Kaeya made quick work of cleaning Albedo's pot before placing it back.
"Let's go," Albedo nodded at the two.
"Flying or riding?" Kaeya asked the other.
Diluc raised his wings, crouching low before launching himself up and frantically flapping his wings as he gained altitude. The air from his wings blew harshly against Albedo and Kaeya's faces as he flew ahead. Tucking his legs and vision close to his body.
"He flies pretty well," Albedo commented, holding a hand above his face as he watched Diluc begin to circle above them.
"You should have seen him a few days ago," Kaeya smirked recalling how Diluc had smacked face-first into the Head Quarter's tower.
The two captains fell into a companiable silence as they began to trek down the mountain. They were much quicker going down than Kaeya had been going up. Gliding when they could since the weather was gentle and calm. They made their way to the camp where Kaeya and Albedo collected their horses.
"What made you get a horse?" Kaeya asked as they began heading out of the camp. "You don't normally take them even when they are plentiful."
"Jean insisted because of the disappearance," Albedo glanced over at him.
"Ah," Kaeya nodded. That made sense. "Were you ever able to finish that tracking potion? Or did I halt your progression?"
"I finished it shortly before you woke up," the alchemist reassured him.
Kaeya looked up at the sky where Diluc was still overhead. His dark feathers silhouetted against the blue sky. "Did Master Diluc tell you how exactly he was transformed?"
Albedo flicked his own gaze up. "He managed to convey that it was an Abyss Lector and some mages. He said they hit him with something and when he came to he was alone and like that."
The cavalry captain frowned. That wasn't much to go on.
"Do you think Mika's disappearance is related?" Kaeya asked him.
"It is highly possible," Albedo frowned worriedly. "Which means he could also be cursed and have taken some shape we are not aware familiar with."
Kaeya growled. "That is what I was afraid of. We will need to warn Eula of that possibility as quickly as possible. Though, Mika is clever. And if Diluc managed to maintain his mental state, Mika might have too should that be the reason he went missing. He'll probably come to the Knights if he can."
Albedo nodded in agreement and the two fell into silence as they traveled. About another hour passed by when Albedo offered him a bit of bred and dried chicken. Kaeya took his cape off and wrapped it around his arm, whistling for Diluc. The pyro allogene flew down to him. Managing to grab land on his forearm, but smacking Kaeya in the face and nearly falling off the horse in the process.
Kaeya managed to both catch him and steady the steed without dropping the food.
The blunette scooted back in the saddle. Giving Diluc room in front of him. The ball of feathers settled down, carefully accepting the food.
"Are you tired from flying so long?" Kaeya asked him, tearing off a bit of the chicken to give him while he ate the bread.
The pyro user's beak clicked as he swallowed giving Kaeya a sideways bop of his head. An indication that he was tired, but okay.
"We're almost at the city," the blunette pointed out the obvious as the windmills filled the sky. "Why don't you just ride with me? We need to explain the situation to Jean and Lisa."
Diluc hooted again. Seeming to agree. He shifted in the saddle as he tried to get a better grip on his vision without accidentally dropping it. Kaeya frowned as he watched how his brother's sharp claws struggled not to drop the slick metal and glass object.
"May I see your vision?" Kaeya asked.
Diluc carefully handed it over. Looking up at him inquiringly.
"Hold this would you?" Kaeya gently set the reins before the owl.
Diluc grabbed them with his now-free foot so he could stand on it. Seeming even more confused as Kaeya pulled a first aid kit out of his own cryo vision storage space, taking a roll of bandages out before dismissing it. The blunette paid him no mind as he summoned a sewing kit next before carefully extracted a needle and thread from his kit before dismissing it back into the void. Kaeya turned his attention to the vision and bandage.
Understanding seemed to wash over Diluc as he saw Kaeya begin to sew the bandages into a pocket-like shape, careful to secure Diluc's vision inside. The cryo user then reached for the wine master's leg and carefully tied the bandage to it, wrapping it tightly so the vision was quite secure against him.
"There," the blunette nodded as he summoned his sewing kit to put the needle back inside. "That should hold until we get you something a little more sophisticated to do the trick."
Diluc moved his leg, flexing his claws as he adjusted to it. He looked up at the blunette and hooted softly. Eyes open and grateful as he nodded his head in thanks.
"Do not mention it," Kaeya waved him away. "I imagine being an owl is nerve wracking enough. Being without a weapon even more so."
Diluc huffed. His eyes falling as Kaeya gently took the reins back. His feathers flattened. Making him look very small in that moment. It made the blunette's heart ache.
"I…" Kaeya licked his lips. Gathering his thoughts. "I am sorry it took me so long to realize something was wrong and for me to recognize you. I am sure that this entire ordeal must have been very hard to bear. Especially alone."
Shame filled him then. As he realized in the not-so-distant-past it would have never taken that long for Kaeya to realize that Diluc was in danger. He would have known instantly. Probably would have recognized the owl for who he truly was sooner.
Red eyes landed on him. Burning and seeming to try to peer directly into Kaeya's very soul. The blunette smiled a bit sadly before looking away. They had reached the city.
The two captains drooped their horses back off at the stables before they set off towards the Headquarters. Diluc perched on top of Kaeya's forearm. Uncomfortably watching the citizens point and whisper as Kaeya and Albedo made their way past. Curious about why the cavalry captain was holding an owl.
His plumicorns flattened against his head in discomfort. Leaning a bit closer towards Kaeya before turning his head to hide his face in a wing.
They found Jean in her office where they always did, and she looked as exhausted as Kaeya felt. She sighed in relief upon seeing them both, causing the owl a curious glance before turning her attention to the two of them.
"Please, tell me you both found something."
"Mika is still missing I take it hen?" Kaaya clarified as he set Diluc on the back on a chair. Allowing him to roost there.
"Yes," Jean nodded.
Albedo and Kaeya shared a grim look before looking at her.
"This might be Abyss Order related," Kaeya explained. "You might want to sit down for this."
:•.𓅓.•*
Two hours later Kaeya was back on a horse riding out towards Stormterror's Lair with a new set of orders.
Lisa had been brought in back at the Headquarters. She and Albedo were running more tests on Diluc. Jean was creating a new plan up and would be calling an emergency meeting within the Knights. Informing them of the current situation.
Kaeya, in the meantime, was to personally go and inform Eula of the situation and let them know that Mika no longer might even be human. He found the Reconnaissance company on the outskirts of Stormterror's Lair. Their tents were pitched, and camp had been made. The knights saluted him as he passed, heading straight Eula who was currently standing at a transportable table staring down at a map.
She looked up at his approach and waited until he dismounted before talking to him, "Captain Kaeya. What brings you out to our company? We have already spoken to the wolf boy Razor. We do not have need of you to show us the location of Mika's vision."
"That isn't why I am here," Kaeya said solemnly. No faux smile or toothy grin like he would normally have. "Is there somewhere we can talk?"
Eula straightened from her position of leaning braced over the map. Sensing the seriousness of whatever Kaeya was about to tell her, "My tent will offer privacy. Follow me."
Kaeya nodded. Gesturing for her to lead the way. He cast a sharp eye over the camp. Appreciating how orderly Eula always ran them. Following a grid system to precision.
"Why won't you stay put?" an exasperated sigh caused both Kaeya and Eula to turn as they made their way.
The blunette frowned as he took in Huffman who was currently kneeling on the ground in front of a tent, trying to shove a little blue and white pigeon back inside. The bird cooed at him, flapping its wings as it tried to climb out of the tent to follow the knight.
"Huffman," Kaeya called causing the knight to turn and stop trying to push the avian away with his boot while he closed the flap behind him. "What are you doing?"
The knight looked up in surprise. Obviously not noticing the two captains approaching. "Ah! Captains Kaeya and Eula."
He hurried to stand. Saluting. The pigeon seized the opportunity to climb out. Scurrying to hide behind Huffman's boots.
"This bird has been following me everywhere," Huffman explained as he side-stepped with an exasperated sigh. "I found him yesterday. He is so tame I was afraid he was Timmy's or someone ese's pet that got lost. I've just been keeping him in my tent, but he keeps finding a way to get out to follow me. He's a clever little thing."
"Is that so?" Kaeya's frown deepened as he stared down at the bird. It shrunk a bit under that star-filled eye. Peering up at the captain shyly. "Where did you say you found him?"
"In Wolvendom," Huffman said. "I didn't want to leave him and the wolves get him."
Eula was watching Kaeya. A frown rising as she realized blunette was giving far too much attention on the bird. The calvary captain approached the knight and pigeon. Slowly coming to kneel before the creature.
He studied those large blue eyes. Searching them. They stared back up at him. Full of fear and uncertainty. But Kaeya didn't think it was specifically towards him.
"Uh, do you recognize him, Captain?" Huffman asked a bit confused at Kaeya's intense scrutiny.
Kaeya gently reached a hand down to the pigeon. Giving it a gentle smile. Slowly, the bird crept out from the knight's boot and settled down on Kaeya's palm. The blunette stood, carefully tucking the bird close to his chest so it felt secure by the sudden motion. He then helped the pigeon balance on his forearm. Holding him up at eye level.
"I believe I do," Kaeya smiled reassuringly at the pigeon as he gently patted the little bird's head with a finger. "I believe we are quite familiar with each other. Aren't we, Mika?"
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Notes:
Kaeya*shows up looking like death swaying on his feet*
Kaeya: Can I get some more coffee?
Albedo: *scoffs* *hog ties him and throws him in bed*
Diluc: *having survived off scraps and hasn't eaten a decent meal in days*
Kaeya: Want some chicken?
Diluc: *cries*
Kayea*hands Diluc chicken*
Diluc: *drops it*
Diluc: I'm going to kill myself
Kaeya: Well, you were close. This isn't Diluc's owl, but it IS Diluc :D
Jean: wtf
Albedo: *running tests on Diluc*
Kaeya: *passed out*
Albedo: Anyways can we talk about how impressive your aim with that egg was—
Adelinde: *opening note from Albedo*
Note: Hello Dawn Winery. Your boss is a bird, but is fine. He is with Kaeya. Kaeya is sleeping. Good day.
Adelinde: ?
*the note didnt really say that but that would have been funny*
Eula*stares unblinkingly at Razor*
Razor *stares unblinkingly at Eula*
Huffman *nervously blinks at both of them*
Mika*sees Huffman*
MIka: THANK GOD YOU FOUND ME. IVE BEEN SO SCARED. I LOST MY VISION AND THEN I WAS TURNED INTO A BIRD—
Huffman *only hearing frantic coos*
Huffman: hey lil guy ):D You wouldn't have happen to see my little brother around here would you?"
Mika: ...
Mika: Am I a joke to you?
Huffman: *locking Mika in tent*
Mika: *mission impossible music starts playing*
Chapter 4: Tempus Fugit
Summary:
"What I am about to tell you would be best to be considered sensitive information," Kaeya began. "As I am sure you will agree."
"Is this about Master Diluc, Master Kaeya?" Adelinde asked worriedly. "We received Captain Albedo's letter yesterday. He said you had found Master Diluc and that he was currently alive and healthy, but that is all it said."
"It is," the captain reassured her.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)
Chapter Text
Poor little Mika was shivering in Huffman's grip as the knight held his little brother rather protectively in his hands, cradling the boy-turned pigeon closely. The cryo user's eyes kept darting nervously towards the other side of the room where Diluc was currently perched. The red-eyed owl was doing his best to not appear threatening towards the other, but Kaeya figured itwouldbe a bit nerve wracking to suddenly being an item on an owl's menu and sitting in the same room as them.
Kaeya made sure to protectively stand between the two cursed individuals. Not because he truly thought Diluc would attempt anything. So long as the wine master kept his mind there was no risk in that, but Mika appeared to trust Kaeya well enough that he believed he would help protect him from becoming an unexpected chicken nugget.
Jean was rubbing the bridge of her nose from behind her desk and Eula still looked both utterly perplexed and furious. Her facial expression had yet to shift during their long journey form Stormterror's Lair to the city. Her eyes constantly glancing over at her best surveyor. Worry etched into her face.
"So the Abyss Order is turning everyone intobirds?"Jean shook her head in exasperation.
"That seems to be what the evidence is suggesting," Albedo frowned in confusion as well. "But That doesn't really make any since regarding the runes left behind. While Master Diluc is an owl, which is a nocturnal bird of prey, Mika is a common wood pigeon. Those are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. So the use ofnunuwouldn't mean that they were turning them into creatures active at night."
"Diluc and Mika both mentioned that they fell unconscious and woke up changed," Lisa pointed out. "Perhapsnunuis referring to that and does mean sleep?"
"Yes, but whybirds?" Kaeya asked with a frown.
Albedo sighed heavily. "I am unsure. We don't have enough evidence or data to really help us come to a proper hypothesis on the matter."
Diluc let out a deep sigh. Looking frustrated.
Mika shrunk back further in Huffman's grip.
"Well, we know it was an Abyss Lector who cursed them both," Kaeya pointed out. "Those aren't too common around Mondstadt. Th citizens will be sure to inform us immediately if they saw that walking around."
"I will be making a public statement later today regarding it being in the area and how dangerous it is and tell the civilians that if they encounter it they are not to engage and immediately vacate the area and report the sighting to the Knights. I will also instruct Katheryn to report of any commissions that involve a lector to contact us," Jean said.
"I would like to go and retrieve Razor from the forest," Lisa turned to her. "I would hate for him to be out there all by himself and encounter it and have to go through what poor Mika has. I would like to bring him here for the time being."
"I don't think it is wise to go alone," Eula pointed out. "Wolvendomiswhere Mika was attacked after all."
The small pigeon cooed sadly in agreement.
"I will go with her," Albedo volunteered. "It will be helpful to go and investigate the area where Mika was transformed. It might reveal some additional clues."
Jean nodded. "That is fine."
"I would like to go to the winery personally and tell them what is happening," Kaeya spoke up. "I am sure Master Diluc would also like to go and convey things there and he will need a translator. I can also swing by Springvale an issue a warning there."
Jean glanced at the two. "I do not like the idea of you going alone."
"My company can go with him and tend to Springvale." Eula spoke up. "We will need to explain that Wolvendom is off limits to the hunters for the time being. Afterwards, with your permission Acting Grandmaster, we can set patrols to make sure no one enters Wolvendom of Stormterror's Lair."
Jean nodded. "That would be perfect. Thank you, Eula."
"I think it goes without saying that Klee is to be contained within the city walls until further notice," Albedo said. "I will ask Noelle to keep an eye on her while the rest of us are dispatched."
The other captains agreed.
"Hertha," Jean turned towards the other captain. "We might need the last census so we can refer to that if people begin to go missing. I also need you to work with the Cathedral about possible animal care and medical supplies as needed. If people keep getting turned into animals we may need additional help in that regard."
Hertha nodded.
"I will also write to our Honorary Knight. Aether is well traveled as we all know and has fought many lectors. He miht know something useful that can help us."
Kaeya nodded. That was a good idea.
"Huffman," Jean turned to him. "Stay nearby and keep Mika safe. Mika just…take it easy for now."
"Yes, Acting Grandmaster," Huffman nodded gently putting Mika up on his shoulder.
The pigeon pressed close to his neck. Cooing softly.
"Alright," Jean sat down, "Everyone is dismissed."
Kaeya walked over to Diluc and offered his arm, now secured with a falconry brace he had dug out of the Knight's supply closet. The owl carefully climbed up. Settling nicely as Kaeya followed Eula. The three headed down to the gate.
"I'm going to take a horse," Kaeya informed her on the way. "I think it might be wise for you to bring one as well. Just in case your company needs to report something quickly."
Eula nodded, "I concur. It would be best to be prepared in a situation like this."
Diluc spread his wings out and crouched looking at Kaeya to indicate he was ready to fly. The blunette did his best to launch him. Watching as the pyro user gave a few powerful flaps and took to the sky. He was much more stable than the previous day's attempts.
Practice made perfect Kaeya supposed.
Diluc continued to follow them from overhead. Patiently waiting while Kaeya and Eula gathered two horses and then began to lead the Reconnaissance company forward towards Springvale. Kaeya watched him back, not too concerned as Diluc was quite a large owl and the only real threat to something trying to eat him would be on the ground (unless Dvalin decided he randomly wanted a small snack). The blunette's thoughts drifted to poor Mika. Eternally grateful that Diluc had not turned into such a defenseless bird. One that even the stray cats of the city could easily capture and kill.
"I trust I can leave you to deal with Springvale while I continue on to the winery?" Kaeya asked the other cryo captain.
"My company will fair just fine without your aid. Vengeance will be mine for any implications otherwise," Eula nodded. "Shall we wait for you before embarking on to Wolvendom?"
"No," Kaeya shook his head. "I am not sure how long this business will take. It is best you move out with your knights as quickly as possible."
Eula turned her attention to her company while Kaeya kept going. Riding through the small village and turning southwest. Diluc's shadow washed over him as he finally made it to those familiar grape vines.
A worker came and offered to take his horse as he dismounted. The blunette thanked them as he handed over the reins. Diluc landed on the stone wall and then gently climbed up on Kaeya's offered forearm. The blunette went to the door, gently pushed it open and headed inside. Blinking at the dim interior lighting and needing a moment for his eyes to adjust.
"Master Kaeya," a warm welcome came.
The blunette turned. Spotting Elzer coming out form the corner where his desk sat.
"Elzer," the captain smiled at him. "Just the man I was looking for. Would Adelinde also happen to be nearby?"
"She is just in the kitchen," Elzer gestured in that general direction. "Shall I go fetch her?"
"Please. Would you two both be so kind as to also get some fresh meat and water?" Kaeya indicated to the owl. "I don't think he has been eating all too well these past few days."
"Of course," Elzer nodded shooting the owl on the captain's arms a curious glance. "Please, give me just a moment to fetch her."
"Thank you. Please, meet me in Master Diluc's office at your earliest convenience,"
Kaeya nodded and headed up the stairs while the other man went the other way.
Kaeya set Diluc down on the hardwood desk upon getting there. "Now are there any other documents about that might be helpful that I should see?"
Diluc swiveled his head and pointed towards a bookshelf in the far corner of the room. Kaeya went to it. Slowly dragging his hands across the spines until Diluc indicated for him to stop. The blunette pulled the book down and opened it. Finding it hollowed out and a stack of papers inside. Kaeya hummed and placed the book back, taking the pages to the desk and sitting down to sort through them.
It took Elzer and Adelinde about ten minutes to come up. One carrying a tray of food for Diluc while the other one full of tea and snacks for Kaeya. Diluc was careful to hop out of the way, allowing them to have plenty of space to set them down. Adelinde placed a small platter of various meat before him. Diluc hooted at her gratefully before bending down and picking one up. Able to swallow it much easier this time around.
Kaeya waited for Elzer to shut the door and for Adelinde to pour their tea and the two to settle down before he looked up from the papers Diluc had shown him. Hecleared his throat.
"What I am about to tell you would be best to be considered sensitive information," Kaeya began. "As I am sure you will agree."
"Is this about Master Diluc, Master Kaeya?" Adelinde asked worriedly. "We received Captain Albedo's letter yesterday. He said you had found Master Diluc and that he was currently alive and healthy, but that is all it said."
"It is," the captain reassured her. "Master Diluc was attacked by an Abyss Lector shortly after going on his little expedition."
Elzer and Adelinde shot each other worried looks.
"Unfortunately," Kaeya sighed. "The Lector was able to successfully curse, Master Diluc."
Their faces paled at the news.
The cryo allogene cleared his throat and turned to the owl on the table who looked a bit sheepishly up at their once-caretakers. "And in the process, it turned him into this owl."
Their eyes snapped to Diluc. Their mouths opening and closing for a moment as they took in the information.
"M-Master Diluc is this owl?" Elzer asked, looking back at Kaeya as though he expected the blunette to suddenly burst out laughing and declare this all one elaborate hoax.
"Yes," Kaeya nodded. "And what is more is that Diluc is not the only victim to this curse. A young knight was also struck down and turned into a bird."
"Oh, my word," Adelinde shook her head a bit in disbelief.
"Right now we do not want the general public to panic. We are currently telling them that there is a current Abyss Order threat against Mondstadt lead by an Abyss Lector and mages and to be cautions. However, I would like to inform you that should you see any of these entities on the property do not engage. Report it to the Knights immediately The Reconnaissance company will be standing guard at the canyon entrance to Stormterror's lair. Utilize them if you need help."
"What about Master Diluc," Elzer looked over at him. "How can we change him back?"
"The Knights are currently working on a way to reverse this," Kaeya reassured them. "Luckily, Diluc here has retained his full cognitive state and is able to understand us and everything thing that is going on just fine."
Diluc nodded his head in confirmation.
"That's good," Elzer sighed in relief. "Hopefully the Knights can wrap this up quickly."
Kaeya smiled at them, "With Albedo and Lisa on the case, I am sure we can have a cure sorted out very soon. In the meantime, the rest of us will prioritize getting rid of the threat."
Kaeya looked back down at Diluc's notes before looking up at the head maid, "Speaking of which, Adelinde, would you be able to make Diluc something to help hold his vision in place? I made something very elementary to get him by, but I think he would appreciate it if you could have something sturdier crafted."
Kaeya gestured to the owl who held out his leg for her to see the makeshift bandage-pouch strapped to his leg.
"Of course," Adelinde nodded and stood. "I'll do that right now."
"Master Diluc," Elzer looked over at him. "Why she works on that would you like to oversee me create an emergency plan for the winery should the lector arrive?"
The owl hooted at him. Nodding his head. The head maid and butler were quick to grab the wine master's food and water and carry him downstairs. Leaving Kaeya to go over the paperwork his brother had turned his attention to. The cryo user sighed, grabbed a cookie from the tray, and began to read.
:•..•*
It was a few of hours later when Kaeya heard the rustling of feathers and the clacking of talons on the hardwood floor. He didn't look up from his task as the door to the office gently swung open as Diluc pushed through it. The blunette only paused as he felt a beak gently nibble and tug at his pants leg.
Kaeya glanced down, raising an eyebrow at him.
Diluc was now sporting a leather strap of sorts over his torso and back, carefully constructed so not to restrict his wings or other movement. His vision was fastened snuggling on his breast bone. Glowing warm and friendly. The pyro allogene hooted, clicking his beak and tapping his talons. The cryo user patiently listened as he spelled out what he was trying to say.
"I'm almost done," Kaeya reassured him. "It took some time for me to crack this code of yours."
Diluc huffed at him. Tapping some more.
"I'll be down momentarily," Kaeya nodded.
The owl strained his neck, trying to see what the blunette was reading. The cryo user sighed, bending down to offer him his arm. The tycoon climbed up, allowing Kaeya to elevator him up onto the desk so he could watch the captain finish analyzing the reports Diluc had gathered.
"An impressive bit of information I must say," the blunette complemented. "Though nothing really here to help us with this current situation. Whatever base they had set up that you discovered and managed to get curse in is now abandoned. We will have to start from scratch trying to find their new base of operation."
Diluc made a bird-like growling sound. Plumicorns flattening in anger. He glared at the papers
Kaeya gently stacked together and stood up to return them to their place in the bookshelf.
"Adelinde made dinner you said?" Kaeya stretched, spinning his torso back and forth. Causing his spine to crack deliciously.
A nod.
"Best not keep her waiting," Kaeya turned to look at him properly. "Shall I carry you or…?"
Diluc huffed, spreading his wings for balanced as he hopped off the desk onto the chair and then the floor. Walking on his own back to the door before making his way down the hall. Kaeya followed, gently shutting the door behind him.
Diluc seemed to be getting the hang of being a bird, but even he paused at the top of the stairs. Glaring down at them like they were a foe to be vanquished.
"Careful," Kaeya warned, earning him a glare. He threw his hands up in surrender.
Diluc hopped down the first one, landing perfectly alright. Then another. Then another. His confidence clearly seemed to grow, causing him to move a bit faster in his decent. Which was a mistake. His claws slid on the slick wood, causing his leg to slip out from under him. With an undignified squawk, he tumbled down he last five stairs, landing in a furious heap of feathers.
Completely fine, but very miffed.
A good chivalrous knight would have rushed to the pyro allogene's side. Making sure he was okay and reassure him that mistakes happen to everyone.
Kaeya, on the other hand, burst out laughing at Diluc's pissed expression. His hand desperately trying to cover his mouth to smother the sound. The urge to chuckle only growing as Diluc shrieked and hissed at him. His feathers puffing out indignantly and making him look like he shoved his talon into an eclectic slime.
"Master Diluc, are you alright?" Elzer appeared and knelt by the owl. He also seemed to be biting his lips. But his duty overriding any urge he may or may not of had.
Diluc grumbled, glaring at Kaeya as the cryo user's laugh managed to break free from behind his hand. Causing him to snort.
"I—I'm sorry," Kaeya apologized as the laughter continued. "But yourface—"
"Master Kaeya," Adelinde chided from the table. "Don't make fun of your brother."
Kaeya tried to reign in his laughter but one glance at Diluc sent his resolve crumbling. The mental image of Diluc's eyes wide in shock as he summersaulted down coming back into his mind. The indignant hoot as he landed at the bottom. Kaeya mimicked the sound as best as he could before roaring with laughter again. All hope of containing it lost.
Diluc hissed at him again. Clearly not amused.
Tears stung at Kaeya's eyes and Elzer's own straight face was desperately trying not to break as the blunette's laughter rang out. Even Adelinde was taking on a fondly exasperated expression. Slowly Diluc's glare settled for mildly disgruntled as he saw his estranged brother cackle in a way he hadn't in years.
Shaking his head, the pyro allogene made his way over to the table .Flapping his way up onto the piece of furniture. Pouting as Kaeya continued to fail to contain his laughter and Adelinde and Elzer were both starting to break
"Now, now, Master Kaeya," the head maid cleared her throat. Struggling to maintain her straight face. "Come and eat before the food gets cold."
The calvary captain was careful not to look any of them in the eye. Knowing full well he would burst out laughing the instant he did. Instead he cleared his throat and turned his attention to the food while chuckling under his breath. A meat platter with some sides and a small glass of red wine.
Bless, Elzer.
"Thank you," The blunette said as took a long appreciative sip. "My, is this new?"
"Yes," Elzer said coming over. "A new product we were experimenting with valberries and sunsettia."
"It's quite good," Kaeya nodded his approval as he turned to the food. Eagerly digging in.
"Are you planning on going back to the city tonight?" Adelinde asked.
"Yes," Kaeya swallowed. "I need to report what I learned to Jean and see if they figured anything else out about a cure. That being said, if anything happens or turns up, send for me. I will come back. But Master Diluc can still use his vision and you two are more than capable so and the knights will be posted at the canyon of Stormterror's Lair so the winery will be far from defenseless—"
Diluc looked up from his plate of meat. Hooting at Kaeya and interrupting him. He began tapping his talon.
Kaeya looked over at him, listening. Surprised.
"You want to come back with me?"
Diluc nodded.
"You're not going to stay and look after the winery?" the blunette's brow furrowed.
The owl shook his head. Hooting firmly.
"We will be able to hold the fort down," Elzer reassured the captain. "Master Diluc wants to help you and the Knights with this."
Kaeya gave him a one-sided smile. "Who knew all it took for Master Diluc to finally accept help would be to turn him into an owl?"
The redhead glared at him before aggressively bending down and ripping a chunk of meat off his plate, not breaking eye contact. Kaeya laughed, still a bit giggly after Diluc's tumble.
"Well eat up then. I would like to get swing by Wolvendom to see how things are going there before going back to the city."
Diluc nodded and the two returned to their meal.
:•..•*
Eula was nothing if not a force to reckon with. Her company had already set up patrols and guards along the borders of Wolvendom stopping any traffic, hunters, or other civilians from entering the woods. Apparently, she had been successful in roping in Amber to help her for Kaeya found her posted outside the forest her bow at the ready.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite Outrider," the cavalry captain smiled at her toothily.
"Kaeya," She sighed in a way a younger sibling would when seeing their elder out in public. Exasperated. "What do you want?"
"How are things going?" Kaeya asked. Diluc watched the encounter from above.
"We have everything under control. Nothing of interest to report," she said. "All is quiet."
"Good," Kaeya nodded with a relieved sigh, looking up at the darkening woods. "Where is Eula?"
"She went north of Wolvendom to set up a patrol there as well," Amber explained. "She left me here to oversee these operations."
Kaeya nodded. "Good. Did Albedo and Lisa make it out alright?"
"Albedo and Lisa?" Amber frowned.
Kaeya paused, looking back at the knight. "They went in earlier today to search the area and get Razor. They should have left hours ago. Have you not seen them?"
"No," Amber frowned and looked over her shoulder. "We have stopped people from going into the forest but no one has come out. I've been here since this morning and I haven't seen them."
A bad feeling settled in Kaeya's stomach. He looked up at the forest and then the sky. They would have been in there over six hours by now. Surely that was plenty of time for Albedo to do a quick investigation and to find Razor and leave.
Something must have happened.
"Is there any chance you just happened to miss them leaving?"
Amber crossed her arms defensively. "I've been here all day, Kaeya. I left immediately after Eula found me at Springvale and came here."
There was no way Albedo and Lisa were fast enough to get in and out before Amber got there then. Especially with Lisa's walking speed.
"I'm going to go look for them," Kaeya nudged his horse forward.
"Kaeya!" Amber called after, following him. "You can't go alone. It's dangerous!"
"I won't be alone," Kaeya smiled down at her. Holding out an arm.
Diluc landed on his falconry glove. Sticking the landing this time. He hooted at the Outrider.
"But you can't just–Kaeya!" she hissed at him. "That's a civilian."
"He is perfectly capable to keeping a better watch than most knights at the moment," Kaeya pointed out looking up at the rapidly darkening sky. "He is anowlafter all."
"If you get turned into chicken, I'm going to hand you over to Sara," Amber called after him. Earning a hearty laugh from the blunette.
"Just be sure she makes something delicious out of me~" Kaeya waved back at her as he nudged his horse forward.
His jovial attitude quickly faded as the shadows of the trees washed over him. Glancing down at his horse as she made her way. She seemed calm which was reassuring. Animals tended to pick up traces of Abyss magic before humans did.
Kaeya glanced down at Diluc, "Can you scout? Albedo and Lisa never left with Razor. I'll stick to the path unless I find something."
Diluc nodded and flew away. His wings much softer than before. He vanished into the rapidly darkening forest.
Kaeya summoned his sword. Keeping it ready in case any ambush rose. His horse continued on. Her ears flicking back and forth. An unsettling cold seemed to wash over them. The forest was quiet. Much too quiet.
His gloves creaked as he tightened his grip on his reins and sword. Something was wrong.
He activated his elemental sight, much more helpful in this dark area than his normal one. A flash of purple caught his eye nearby in the bushes. He cautiously heaved himself off his saddle. Landing lightly, sword at the ready.
He knelt to pick up a familiar purple rose. This was Lisa's. The very one that she wore on her hat. Kaeya scanned the bush it was under. The branches were snapped. As though they had been snagged by something.
He crept forward following the trail.There.A pair of footprints. Two of them. Whoever made them appeared to be hurrying.
Kaeya hunted down the next set. His horse walking obediently behind him. Staying quiet as the captain continued his way. Only stopping when he lost sight of the trail. He looked up, recognizing that he was near Andrius' arena. Had Razor and Lisa been trying to make it there?
He stood. Contemplating if he should keep searching this area for clues or to and see if that is where the two ended up when something snapped behind him. Kaeya spun around, weapon raised. His heart thundering in his chest.
He held his breath. Waiting.
Nothing else came. Slowly, he lowered his weapon. He turned back to find a pair of cyan eyes staring up at him.
Years of training alone prevented him from screaming in that moment.
"Archons above, Albedo, you can't sneak up on people like that," Kaeya hissed, clutching at his heart. "You could kill a man."
"My apologies, "Albedo dismissed his own weapon. "I thought you might be an enemy."
Kaeya huffed and looked around. "Where is Lisa and Razor?"
The alchemist's expression darkened. "That is who I was looking for. They failed to meet up with me at our designated time and place. I haven't been able to find them but I did sense some sort of power go off earlier."
"Some sort of power?" Kaeya asked him.
"It was like a surge of energy or something similar," Albedo nodded. "I haven't quite felt anything like that before—"
The alchemist stopped talking as a loud hoot echoed across the forest.
"That's Diluc," Kaeya hurried towards it. "Come on."
The cavalry captain grabbed his horse's reigns and allowed Albedo to climb up behind him. The horse cautiously made her way forward in the dark forest. Following Kaeya's direction as Diluc called to them.
They found him perched on a giant log. His head snapped over to Kaeya as they approached.
"I found Albedo," Kaeya informed him, curiously looking around for what had caused Diluc to summon them.
The pyro allogene hopped off the log and peered inside and then looked back at Kaeya. Kaeya hurried to slid off his horse, going to crouch before the log's hollow entrance. A pair of red eyes peered back at him.
"Razor," Kaeya sighed in relief. "Are you alright? Where is Lisa?"
Razor's eyes shimmered and he whimpered softly. It was then that Kaeya noticed the boy had a bundle of something in his arms.
"Razor, it's Kaeya. I'm here to help," he reached forward. A bad feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. "It's safe. Can you come out so we can help you?"
The wolf boy sniffed, but not in the way he normally did as he tasted the air with his nose. No, he was fighting back tears as he scooted forward. Timidly coming out form his hiding place.
"That's a good boy," Kaeya smiled at him, taking on a soft tone. "Well done. Now do you think you can tell me what happened? Where is Lisa."
"Teacher—" his voice choked as he held the bundle towards Kaeya.
The blunette's heart sank as he realized it was Lisa's clothes.
Diluc made a low growling-like sound as he recognized them. Beak chattering angrily.
"Is she…?" Albedo leaned forward, trying to get a look.
They all watched as Razor began to pull the clothing away to reveal what was carefully bundled inside. "Bad monster. Hurt Teacher. Teacher tried to fight but—"
Razor sniffed as he final revealed what had become of the Librarian. Kaeya's heart sunk as stared down at item in his arms.
Lisa had become an hourglass.
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Thanks again for reading 3
Notes:
Kaeya: Careful of the stairs
Diluc:I can walk down stairs just fin—
Diluc*falls down*
Kaeya: *Loses his shit*
Kaeya: *exists*
Amber: UGH
Lisa*Turned into hour glass*
Razor: *having existential crisis*
Razor: It is log time now
Albedo: *Looking at a patch of dirt or something idk*
*pulse of energy bursts through the air*
Albedo: Welp, that probably isn't good.
Diluc: *finds Razor crying*
Diluc: KAEYA COME QUCK I AM NOT EMOTIONALLY PREPARED TO HANDLE THIS
Kaeya: *in dark creepy woods alone with a monster about*
Albedo:
Kaeya: FUCKING ARCHONS-
Lisa*is an hour glass*
The boys: *staring down at her*
Kaeya: Now that's the weirdest fucking bird I've ever seen–
sometime in the near future*
Amber: *eating a sweet madam*
Kaeya: *walking past good hunter*
Amber: *makes direct eye contact and takes a large bite out of the leg. Chewing slowly*
Chapter 5: Aphros Delos
Summary:
"Quite," Kaeya sighed in agreement. "It is Eula we need to worry about."
"Why?" Amber looked up in alarm. "What is Eula's?"
"Aphros Delos," Kaeya grimaced. "Brilliant sea foam."
Notes:
I lied on twitter. I changed the name of the chapter.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
They left the horse with Amber.
"Keep her near," Kaeya spoke low to the Outrider as he handed her the reins. "If this Lector can get Lisa and Master Diluc both I would hate to see anyone go up against it alone. Should you see it, fall back. We cannot afford to lose anyone else."
The pyro allogene had nodded, face pale and eyes wide as she stared at the hourglass in the wolf-boy's protective grip. Razor refused to let either Albedo or Kaeya take Lisa from his grasp. He cradled her, his face stained with tears and snot. His red eyes darting around as they made their way out of the forest back to the road.
Diluc flew overhead, keeping an eye out for the two captain's and the traumatized boy as they made their way back to the city.
"We'll fix this, don't worry, Razor," Kaeya tried to reassure him.
But even he felt disheartened as Lisa gave no sign of being alert. The only thing indicating that she was even still alive was the vision Kaeya was currently carrying. The purple light inside thrumming and strong.
"Teacher hurt protecting me," Razor sniffed looking down at the hourglass. "Teacher would not have been in danger if not for Razor."
"But you protected her when she was hurt," Albedo pointed out. "And you are protecting her still. Is that not what, uh, Lupical do?"
Razor nodded. "Yes. Lupical protect. Teacher Lupical."
"And you are hers," Kaeya said firmly, pocketing the electro vision. "And she is ours. We will return her back to normal, Razor. Do not worry."
The wolf-boy nodded and the three fell quiet the rest of the journey to the city. Lisa remained motionless and silenced.
Mondstadt was on edge when they returned. The knights on guard and patrol were alert and at the ready. People were lined up at Wagner's with new weapon orders or sharpening requests despite the late hour. The streets were alarmingly empty besides that small crowd, with windows bordered up and the children swept inside out of harm's way.
It seemed like Jean had made the announcement about the dangerous Lector moving about.
"Come along, Razor," Kaeya gently guided the child along. "This way."
The wolf-boy followed obediently. Keeping his head down as they climbed all the way up the stairs. Heading to the Grand Master's office where Jean was currently standing over a large stack of papers with Captain Hertha by her side.
The anemo allogene's smile of welcome instantly fell at their solemn faces. Her eyes darted around behind them as she noticed who was missing, before beseechingly looking over at Kaeya.
He shook his head before looking down at the hourglass.
"There was another casualty to the curse."
Both of the women's faces paled as they looked at the bundle in Razor's arms.
"What do you mean?" Jean's eyes darted back to him. "I thought it was turning the victims into birds?"
"It appears our original hypothesis was incorrect," Albedo spoke up. "While Master Diluc and Mika did change into birds, Lisa has turned into an inanimate object."
"Inanimate?" Hertha's eyes widened in alarm.
"She has been quite unresponsive since she became this," Kaeya confirmed grimly as he pulled the vision out of his pocket, "Though she is still alive."
Jean walked around her desk and approached causing Razor to growl at her, hugging the hourglass closer to his chest protectively.
"It's alright, Razor," she spoke softly, gently. Though Kaeya noted the small tremor in her voice. "I would like to help, Lisa. May I be allowed to see her? Please?"
The wolf-boy watched her closely. Sniffing the air a couple of rapid beats before slowly extending the bundle forward, allowing Jean to carefully take the hourglass in her grasp. Giving everyone a clear look at what had become of Lisa.
She made a fine hourglass. The sands within pure white and glittering. The metal frame was made of a bronzed gold with intricate vines and roses intertwining and wrapping around the glass container. Jean had to hold her with both hands, due to her size. Kaeya supposed if Lisa had been placed on the floor, she could have easily reached Jean's knee.
"Lisa?" Jean pressed her face so close her breath fogged the glass. "Lisa, can you hear me?"
They all waited with bated breath. Yet the only response was the trickling sand falling from the upper chamber to the lower.
"Lisa?" Jean tried again, but it was clear her hope was waning.
Diluc, who had come inside with Kaeya and the others, hooted a bit gruffly. Shaking his head sadly with a sigh. The blunette glanced down at him while Diluc looked at him pointedly. Hooting once more while tapping his talon against the floor.
Kaeya sighed back in agreement, looking up at Jean who was determinedly searching for even the slightest indication that Lisa could hear them and had responded.
"Master Diluc seems to be pointing out that this curse makes it where the individual is completely transformed into whatever the Lector turned them into. Otherwise, he would not be having to resort to bird-speech and code to speak," Kaeya cleared his throat, "And considering Lisa lacks any mouth or other means of communication at this moment…"
"Oh, Lisa," Jean shook her head as she moved to place her friend carefully on the Grand Master's desk. "I am so, so sorry."
"Were you able to find anything helpful in your investigation, Albedo?" Hertha asked as she turned to look at the geo allogene.
"I did find a few things," the alchemist nodded as he reached for the bag strapped to his waist. He pulled out a rolled-up bundle of clothes.
"Those are Mika's," Kaeya pointed out. "You found where he was cursed?"
"I did," Albedo nodded. "I requested that he show me on a map before we left. They were right where he indicated, though it does appear that some wolves might have curiously investigated them before I was able to get the chance."
"Can anything useful be gleaned from them?" Jean asked hopefully.
"I am not sure yet, but there does appear to be some energy residue on them so I will be analyzing those further," Albedo carefully placed them back in his bag. "Hopefully. Since that is really the only lead we have so far."
"This situation is escalating far too quickly," Hertha shook her head. "Should we extend a curfew to the area? Or require knight escorts between Springvale and the city?"
"There is no way we could properly sustain that," Kaeya shook his head. "We are already shorthanded as it is with the expedition."
Not a day went by that Kaeya didn't curse Varka and that blasted expedition.
"We need to focus on figuring out what this curse is exactly and how to reverse it as well as hunting down the lector and making sure he cannot harm anyone else," Jean moved to stand behind her desk. "Albedo, you will head the research, Eula is heading the Wolvendom patrols, Hertha you are over monitoring the citizens and taking care of any missing person's reports that begin to pop up, and Kaeya you—"
They all turned as a knock sounded at the door.
Jean sighed. "Come in."
The door creaked open and the disruptor stepped inside. Kaeya blinked at the dark feathered raven that sat perched on her shoulder.
"Oh, my. It appears I am interrupting something," she looked around at all the faces, her eyes curiously pausing as they passed over Diluc. Her brow furrowed a bit as she spotted him.
Kaeya shifted slightly, protectively getting between the newcomer and his vulnerable brother.
"Mona," Albedo greeted her surprised. "What brings you here?"
"Perhaps," her eyes slowly lifted from Diluc towards Albedo. "The same thing that has brough you all here?"
The door closed behind her as she fully stepped inside to office. She gently reached up and allowed the raven to climb onto her hand. It cawed a bit as it clumsily hopped onto the newly offered perch. Flapping its wings as it nearly fell over, balance clearly thrown off as though it were drunk or—
—or as if it wasn't used to being a bird.
Kaeya's eye narrowed as he took in the avian. Its right eye was sunken in, as though it was missing. The bird locked its eye on his and the blunette felt his heart clench as he saw the fear shining through. Even from where he stood, he could see she was shaking.
"They got Fischl too," he swore.
Mona looked up at him, seeming surprised who knew who the raven on her hand was.
Hertha gasped. "From the Adventures Guild?"
"Yes," Mona nodded giving Kaeya a shrewd look before glancing down at Diluc. "It seems I was right. I suspect this is another victim to this spell?"
"Indeed," Albedo nodded, seeming to trust Mona for her word immediately.
Which was unsurprising to Kaeya, he knew the two frequently had in-depth discussions about their independent research. Their masters and Alice were all familiar with each other after all.
"What happened?" Kaeya asked her. "How did Fischl end up like this?"
"I must say I'm not entirely sure," Mona looked over at him. "She can't really speak while like this. She found me on the outskirts of the city while I was taking a stroll."
"You didn't see her turn then?" Albedo inquired.
"No," Mona shook her head.
"Then how did you discover this was Fischl?" Kaeya frowned. It wasn't like an overly familiar bird would make one automatically think it was their loved one turned into a fowl. Kaeya would know. He had had enough garbage dropped on his head because of that.
"Well," Mona sighed as she looked down at her friend. "I must admit it took me a day or two before I did figure it out. But I discovered that Fischl was missing when she missed our designated time to meet up and then I began to see other signs. Like her eye and how intelligent she was. Plus Corvus is her constellation so anytime I see a raven I automatically think of her —"
"Wait," Albedo interrupted as he stiffened with attention. "Corvus is her astrological constellation?"
"Yes," the astrologist nodded. "Why? Is that significant?"
The alchemist shot Kaeya a pointed look.
"Nunu Biat Mimi Ika," Kaeya breathed before looking at Mona himself. "Everyone has their own individual constellation, correct?"
"Yes," Mona shifted to place Fischl back on her shoulder before summoning a circle of hydro before her. A liquid map of the night sky appeared before her.
Kaeya stepped closer to see better. "Would it be possible to tell me Diluc Ragnvindr's constellation?"
"The wine tycoon?" Mona raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I normally don't go sharing other people's fates, but considering the circumstances…"
Kaeya bent and offered Diluc his arm, to which his brother climbed on. Peering at the watery disk as Mona waved her hands about. A constellation appeared before them; thin lines of hydro connected the individual stars.
Showing a very distinct image of an owl.
Diluc hooted triumphantly. Staring at the image.
"There. It is Noctua or night owl."
"What about Lisa Minci?" Jean's eyes widened as she turned to look at the hourglass on the desk.
"Hmmm, let me see…." Mona waved her hands some more. Watching as the projection shifted before her. They all gathered around to see an hourglass constellation appear before them. "Tempus Fugit or Time Flies as it is translated."
"And Mika Schmidt?" Albedo asked.
"Palumbus," Mona confirmed. "Or common wood pigeon."
"So the lector certainly isn't turning them into birds," Hertha clarified. "It is turning them into whatever their constellation is."
"The night curses our enemy," Kaeya shook his head glancing at the owl perched on his arm. "My, my. How fascinating. You always did love birds. Perhaps this is why."
Diluc huffed exasperatedly at him. Giving a low screeching sound that Kaeya new probably meant something along the lines of 'shut up'.
"Mona," Albedo turned to her. "It seems that you are the expert in astrology. I am currently working on a cure to fix this curse. I believe your expertise would be quite helpful in the matter since it appears that it is linked."
"Of course," the hydro allogene nodded. "I'll help however I can."
"Wait," Hertha went back to Jean's desk and grabbed a piece of paper. "Before you two go and lock yourselves in Albedo's lab, we should note what the other's constellations are. That way if any of us are also turned we can refer to this list."
"Good idea, Hertha," Jean nodded. "Would you be able to do that for us, Mona?"
"Of course," she nodded. "Though wouldn't you need to make a list of everyone in Mondstadt in order to be able to keep track?"
"If you are willing," Hertha nodded. "I know that seems like a lot, but if someone were else were to turn into an inanimate object like Lisa here, it would be impossible for them to communicate who they really were."
"Fischl," Kaeya turned back to the raven perched on Mona's shoulder as Mona and Hertha began to discuss a plan on how to best go about this. The bird's sharp eye turned to him. "Was Oz there when it happened?"
The girl-turned bird nodded. Cawing.
"Where is he?" the blunette frowned. The girl's familiar was always around. It was strange he wasn't here now.
Fischl flapped her wings, cawing loudly as she shook her head.
Kaeya, frowned. Trying to understand. "Did you…lose your vision when you were cursed?"
She nodded.
"Do you know where it is?"
Another nod.
"Can you take me there?" Kaeya asked her.
"Careful," Mona warned, glancing away from Hertha towards him. "She is not the best flier."
"Well then," Kaeya tried to keep his smile warm and friendly. "Perhaps I could escort the Prinzessin and have the honor of carrying you on my shoulder?"
He extended his free arm, the one Diluc was not currently perched on, to her. The electro allogene cautiously hopped onto his hand, swaying a bit unbalanced as he moved her to sit on his right shoulder. She settled into the fluffy fur collar, tightly gripping it with her talons.
"Kaeya, I really don't like the idea of you going alone," Jean frowned as the blunette turned to go.
"I won't be alone," Kaeya reassured her. "I have Master Diluc and the Prinzessin to help me along. Besides you are all needed here. I will be quick."
Jean shot Lisa a look and opened her mouth to argue, but Kaeya quickly cut her off.
"Besides I can inform our dear Outrider of the situation and she can inform Eula," The captain smiled at her. "That way they are both aware of the details of this curse."
Jean sighed, seeing the logic to his idea, "Fine, but be careful, Kaeya. Don't do anything reckless."
He chuckled at her. "As you command, Acting Grand Master."
"Wait!" Hertha called to him, looking up from her scribbling. "You need to tell them each other's constellations, and you don't even know your own."
Kaeya sighed as he paused before the door. "Let's have it then."
Mona peered into her hydro, "Hmmm. It seems like Outrider Amber is Lepus. The hare."
Kaeya couldn't help his small smirk. Of course, Amber would be a rabbit.
"And what of Captain Eula?" Hertha looked up from her paper, quill waiting on the answer.
The hydro allogene winced. "Aphros Delos. Brilliant Sea Foam."
Silence filled the room as the words settled over them. All eyes drifted over to the hourglass sitting on the table.
"Well," Kaeya hummed grimly. "That isn't ideal."
"Kaeya," Jean turned to him, "You are to go to fetch Captain Eula at once. She is to stay in the city here until this lector has been captured. Tell her to assign her most trusted knight to take over for her and then to return immediately. Escort her back yourself. After you may go and help Fischl retrieve her vision."
"Yes, Grand Master," Kaeya nodded to her.
"But we still don't know Captain Kaeya's constellation," Hertha reminded them all.
"I'm sure it will be fine—" the blunette began to argue. Not eager for anyone else in the room to know of the fate Mona had so ominously told him one day.
"Pavo Ocellus," Mona interrupted him looking at him an image of a shimmering bird appeared in her astrological map. "Peacock eye."
"There, you see?" Kaeya forced a smile on his face. "I will be fine."
"Peacockeye?" Hertha shot him a concerned look. "Does that mean that you will turn into an eye?"
Diluc shot him a look. His talons tightening slightly on Kaeya's arm.
"Lisa's constellation was a vision of an hourglass," the cryo allogene reminded her before Jean could stop him from leaving and being quarantined to the city like Eula was about to be. "Mine is of a peacock. Therefore, I will be fine."
"But—" Hertha started again.
"I will be fine," he hurried to leave before anyone could stop him. Fischl squawked a bit at the sudden motion. Diluc flared his wings out slightly.
Luckily no one stopped him as he left. Though Diluc was giving him a screwed stare. "Right, Prinzessin," Kaeya ignored him completely and turned a gentle look towards the cursed girl. "We will fetch your dear Oz shortly. Be sure to let me know if we are near it as we go and find our Outlander and Captain Eula."
The raven made a grating purr-like noise and nodded her head.
Kaeya retrieved two horses this time. Tying the second to his saddle before heading off. Diluc opted to fly overhead while Fischl settled down on the saddle before him. Protectively surrounded by Kaeya's arms as he rode out.
Her eyes were not made for the night, but Diluc offered a perfect guide as they headed back to Wolvendom towards the Reconnaissance camp.
The knights saluted him as he approached. Immediately directing him to Amber's tent. His brother swept down as the blunette reigned the horse in and tied it to a nearby tree.
"Master Diluc, would you be so kind as to keep our dear Prinzessin safe while I inform the Outrider of the situation?" Kaeya glanced at the owl who was perched on the tree branch above.
A hoot and a nod on consent.
"I will be right back, Fischl," Kaeya smiled reassuringly at her and then whispered softly. "Don't worry. Master Diluc make look like a bit of a grump, but he will keep you safe until we have your Oz back. Alright?"
The raven nodded. Shrinking a bit from her perch on the saddle horn. Looking very small and scared.
"I promise," Kaeya gently tapped her head with a finger. "We will get you back to normal soon. All will be well."
He then turned to the tent, noting it was dark. Amber had long sense gone to sleep it had seemed. Kaeya cleared his throat and called.
"Amber? Are you there?"
He could hear the shuffling of someone throwing a blanket off and the gentle padding of feet before the tent flap was thrown back and the pyro allogene peered up at him. Tiredly rubbing at her eyes, but alert.
"Kaeya? What is it? What is wrong?"
"May I come in?" his smile grim to show her he was not jesting. "I have some news from Jean."
Her eyes widened and she stepped back allowing him in. He crouched and slid inside. Coming to sit cross-legged by her bedroll.
"What is it?" Amber whispered.
"Do you know Eula's exact location?" the blunette asked.
"I told you she is north of Wolvendom seeing to the patrol there. Somewhere around Cecelia Garden I think. Why?"
"We believe we have found what the curse is," Kaeya kept his voice low, low enough the pyro allogene had to lean in to hear. "Are you familiar with the astrologist Mona Megistus?"
She listened as Kaeya grimly explained the situation. Her eyes growing wide as she took it all in.
"You are Lepus," Kaeya informed her at the end of the tale. "The hare."
"Hare?" Amber blinked as she took it in. "Well…that is better than being an hourglass like Lisa I suppose."
"Quite," Kaeya sighed in agreement. "It is Eula we need to worry about."
"Why?" Amber looked up in alarm. "What is Eula's?"
"Aphros Delos," Kaeya grimaced. "Brilliant sea foam."
"Sea foam?!" Amber exclaimed, her voice rising dramatical and earing a hiss to be quiet from the captain. "Kaeya, what would even happen to her if she was turned? She would dry up! Evaporate!"
"I know, I know," Kaeya reassured her. "I am under Jean's orders to find and fetch her. She is to remain within the city until further notice."
"I'm coming with you," Amber began to stand, but Kaeya shook his head. "No, Outrider. We need you here."
"But—!" her cheeks grew red as she began to argue.
"I will keep her safe, Amber," Kaeya said firmly, yet gently. "But Eula needs you to do the job she assigned to you. You will be helping her more by giving her peace of mind her company is safe and in good hands until she has the chance to appoint someone else or take control again. You are to stay here and monitor the situation. Is that understood?"
The pyro allogene pouted but nodded. "Fine. But promise you'll keep her safe, Kaeya. Promise me you'll get her to Mondstadt okay."
"I promise," Kaeya vowed. "And you stay sharp, Outrider. I don't want to come back and find you hiding in some burrow."
"Ha ha," Amber glared at him dryly.
Kaeya slipped back out.
He approached the horses, carefully climbing up and not disturbing Fischl too much from her perch. He looked up at Diluc, "Cecelia Garden. We must make haste so I think we should follow the bank of the lake. Can you scout and warn us of anything ahead?"
The owl nodded and launched himself from the branch. Wings silent on the wind as he rose.
"How are you holding up, Prinzessin?" Kaeya pulled his reigns free from the branch he had tied them to and nudged the horses forward, following after Diluc's silhouette against the moon.
She pressed closer to him and settled down on the saddle seat. Cawing sadly.
"Just a bit longer and we will get Oz, hmmm?" He made sure she was secure before nudging the horses to walk a tad faster. "Just a bit longer, my dear."
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Their trip through the edges of Wolvendom was tense and nerve wracking, but luckily the two birds and captain made it through to the other side with no complications though Kaeya had to be a little creative and create a small ramp of ice to help the horses down from a short cliff. It had been a slick, but luckily they all made it in once piece with no broken legs.
Kaeya could only sigh with relief as they finally spotted the silhouettes of the other Reconnaissance Company's tents scattered around near the bank of the lake right as dawn began to brighten the sky.
Diluc swooped down and landed on a nearby tree while Kaeya tied his horse to it. Fischl, who had fallen asleep by this time, stayed perched on the saddle.
"Watch her again, will you?" he murmured softly up at his brother.
Diluc nodded. Hooting softly as his red eyes turned back to the cursed child.
"I'll be back quickly," Kaeya reassured him as he slipped away to find the other captain's tent.
He found her right as she was exiting. She blinked in surprise as they came nose-to-nose.
"I need to speak to you," Kaeya whispered to her.
She nodded, stepping aside to allow him inside. Kaeya glanced around taking in the neat and orderly temporary living space. Eula always was an organized one.
"Jean sent me," the cavalry captain turned to look back at her. "She has orders for your immediate return to Mondstadt City. I am here to escort you."
Eula frowned. "Has the lector been captured?"
"You mistake me," Kaeya shook his head as he crossed his arms. "The reconnaissance company is to stay posted; you alone are to return. Jean fears for your safety regarding this curse."
"I am not abandoning—" Eula began growing red in the face.
Kaeya raised a hand up, "Let me finish Eula. We have discovered that the curse is turning people into their astrological constellations The curse has already gotten Diluc Ragnvindr, Mika, Lisa, and Fischl from the Adventure's Guild."
"Lisa?" Eula blinked in surprise.
"Yes, and unfortunately her constellation was an hourglass," Kaeya locked eyes with her. Trying to get her to understand the seriousness of the matter. "She is unresponsive and shows no indication of being sentient or cognitive though her vision is still active."
Eula stared him down. Taking in the information and reading in between the lines.
"What is my constellation, Kaeya?"
He hesitated a bit then sighed. "Yours is sea foam, Eula."
The captain stilled. Face going a bit pale. "I…I see."
"As such," Kaeya continued, "Jean has instructed your immediate return. You are to place who you deem qualified in your stead. We cannot afford to lose you too, Eula."
She growled. "I do not wish to run and hide behind my knights—"
"Eula, are you refusing to obey your Acting Grand Master's very direct order?" Kaeya snapped back. Glaring at her. "What are your knights going to do if the lector curses you and you turn into a pile of foam and evaporate in the hot sun? Don't you think they would rather you step back and be able to lead them another day?"
"A Lawrence does not cower—"
"It is not cowering, Eula," Kaeya said firmly. "It is following your orders. The same as everyone else." His eye softened a bit. Seeing her shame for being in this position. "We are just trying to protect you, Eula. Would you not want the same for the rest of us?"
"And what about you?" She glared at him. "Why aren't you being locked away within the city instead of acting like my chaperone as though I was a mere girl?"
"I won't dissolve upon the air if the curse hits me," Kaeya smiled grimly at her. "And peacocks are very easy to spot in Mondstadt. I would be quite easy to spot."
The other captain grumbled. "Of course. I would be the one to receive the most ridiculous constellation. Vengeance will be mine for whoever deemed me to have such a ridiculous fate."
Kaeya sighed, sensing that she had given up arguing. "Get your orders and knights arranged. I will wait until you're ready."
He stepped back out, giving her a moment to digest all of that alone. He squinted up at the sunrise that was fully underway now. Knights shuffled about as they readied for the day and as the night patrols came back. The smell of boar meat filled the air and the blunette turned to follow the smell. Grabbing a few pieces and a few apples before making his way back to the horses.
He found Diluc sitting protectively on the saddle next to Fischl who was still sleeping peacefully. Red eyes glaring at the knights who were watching the scene curiously. The wine master's head spun to face him as he approached. Eyes immediately landing on the steaming meat he had obtained.
"Hungry?" Kaeya spoke softly so not to wake the sleeping raven. She looked very small pressed against Diluc's side.
The pyro allogene clicked his beak and stared at the food in response. Watching as Kaeya gave the horses two of the apples before carefully breaking a few pieces meat off and held it out to the owl. Diluc expertly gripped the food and swallowed. Looking up at him to indicate he was ready for the next piece.
Kaeya ate the last apple in between feeding his brother. Eye roaming over the camp as Eula summoned a few knights to her tent.
Fischl snapped awake with a squawk as a trumpet blared, the official alarm clock of the camp. Her feathers proofing out. She nearly topped back off the saddle, but Diluc's quick reflex and sturdy wing prevented her from falling off.
"It's alright," Kaeya was quick to sooth. "You're safe, Fischl."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she slowly calmed down. Eye darting around the camp as she seemed to recognize and remember where they were.
"Are you hungry?" Kaeya broke off a piece of meat and offered it to her as well. "It's boar meat."
Diluc hooted encouragingly at her as he accepted another piece from Kaeya as well. Eating it before swiveling his head to look down at the electro allogene and clicking his beak in a pleased manner.
Fischl timidly accepted the offering. Clumsily eating it and then a few more pieces as Kaeya finished dividing the meat between them. Followed by a quick drink from his canteen.
"We are just waiting for Eula," Kaeya told the adventurer as he poured a bit of water over his fingers to wash the grease off his hands. "Then we should be able to go back to the city and then find Oz."
Fischl looked around, standing, and the cawed. Flapping her wings and turning to look west.
Kaeya frowned. Trying to understand. "Is…is Oz nearby, Fischl?"
She bobbed her head up and down. Flapping her wings eagerly.
Kaeya looked out the directing she was looking. "Is he in Wolvendom?"
A shake of her head. No.
"Is he in Stormterror's Lair?"
No.
"Is he in the canyon?"
No.
Kaeya sighed and looked back at Eula's tent. "Wait here a moment, will you?"
He went to it and gently pulled the flap back, clearing his throat upon entry. Eula and three knights turned to look at him. The cryo captain was clearly in the middle of informing them of the situation.
"Pardon the intrusion," Kaeya dipped his head a bit sheepishly. "But might I borrow a map of the area, Captain?"
Eula glared at him, but sighed and then pointed to a corner where a barrel of rolled up maps were. Kaeya nodded his thanks and was quick to retrieve one before going back to the horses. He opened the map before the raven.
"Can you show me, Fischl?"
She leaned forward and gently pecked a small spot on the map. A place slightly northwest of Cecelia Garden. It would honestly take a couple of hours to get there and back. Kaeya glanced at the sky. The sun had just risen which meant if he hurried he could get Fischl's vision and be back to escort Eula by 8:00 am.
They had already trekked across the Wolvendom once. They might as well take advantage of that.
Kaeya turned and looked over at a knight who was passing by. Recognizing them.
"Arthur," he called to them. The man immediately stood up straight, noticing Kaeya there for the first time. "Might I have your assistance?"
The knight hurried forward, saluting. "Yes, sir."
"I need you to tell Captain Eula that I am going to be going to Cecelia Garden momentarily per Jean's orders. Tell her I will return shortly, and we can go from there," Kaeya untied his horse.
Diluc took to the sky, already anticipating where the blunette was going. Fischl shuffled to the saddle horn, perching on it as Kaeya rolled the map up and climbed up behind her.
"Yes, sir," the knight saluted, and Kaeya urged his horse forward.
Diluc flew ahead, already acting as a scout as Kaeya urged the steed into a fast trot. He wanted to get there and back as quickly as possible. They passed a couple of hilichurls along the way, but his horse easily outran any chase they tried to give. They slowed only as they approached the ruins.
The wine master swooped overhead, hooting as they entered the area. Indicating that everything was clear. Fischl perked up in the saddle. Flapping her wings excitedly as they made their way past the domain to the small cliff there.
"Up there?" Kaeya asked as he slid off the horse, wincing a bit at how stiff he was from riding all night.
She bobbed her head eagerly. Flapping her wings to awkwardly fly up to the ledge. Kaeya dropped his horse's reins and sighed as he climbed up after her. Hauling himself up and rolling to his feet and looking at where Fischl had now perched herself.
It was a small campsite with a pitched tent and a little campfire that had long gone out. The pot of food that had once been on it was knocked over and eaten by some form of wildlife. A pile of purple and black clothes lied dirtied and abandoned on the ground.
It was clear they were in the right place.
Fischl pecked at a log that sat by the camp. Clawing at the ground with her talon before looking back at Kaeya and cawing sadly. He approached. Dropping to his knees and peering under where he could see an electro vision had been wedged under it.
He gently pushed the log back and Fischl darted forward. Grasping it in her beak and getting out of the way so Kaeya could roll the wood back into place. The electro vision in Fischl's mouth flashed and Oz burst to life before them, the air crackling with static electricity and electro.
His pale eyes darted around frantically. "Mein Fräulein! Mein Fräulein, where are you?"
Fischl cawed at him, a broken sounding thing. Causing her familiar's eyes to fall to her. They widened in shock.
"Mein Fräulein?"
She gave another broken caw and Oz immediately landed beside her. Taking her trembling form under his wing as he soothed her. His eyes flicked up and seemed to notice Kaeya for the first time.
"Captain Kaeya, what happened? Why is the great Prinzessin like this?"
"I was hoping you could tell me," Kaeya sighed as he rocked back to sit on his knees.
"We were resting," Oz recalled. "When suddenly a great abysmal monster appeared behind us. I—I am unsure of what transpired after."
Diluc hooted at them. Glaring slightly as he looked back the way they had come. Clearly indicating now wasn't the time to be discussing this.
"I can explain on the way, but we need to get back as quickly as possible," Kaeya agreed as he stood.
"Of course," Oz nodded gently pulling his wing away from the electro allogene.
"Fischl we can have a vision holder made for you when we get back to the city like Master Diluc has," Kaeya offered her his arm, allowing her to climb up on it. "That way Oz has no risk of disappearing anymore. How does that sound?"
She gave a small noise of appreciation. Nodding her head as she awkwardly regained her balance and clutched her vision in her beak. Diluc flew ahead of them. Ready to scout to make sure no dangers were ahead.
The trip back to the Reconnaissance camp was just as peaceful as it was leaving it. Though their reception from Eula was a bit icy, not that Kaeya was very surprised. She had made her frustration towards the situation quite clear.
Though she did not fuss as she climbed up onto the spare horse and followed him out of the camp. They made their way toward the edge of the lake, climbed down from their steeds, and proceeded to ice bridge their way across it to the city.
Kaeya didn't want to press their luck by any means. They had managed to secure both Eula and Fischl's vision, so he saw no need to tempt fate and travel by land through Wolvendom again. With Eula there to help him maintain the horses and supply extra cryo energy, they were easily able to cross the water and climb up the bank to the city.
Kaeya could only breathe a sigh of relief as they dropped their horses off and the two captains and three birds made their way back to the Headquarters.
They had done it. It honestly couldn't have been a better trip. He was quite proud of them, though he knew that the instant they got into the Grand Master's office Eula was probably about to proclaim her revenge towards Jean for forcing her to come back to the city and leave her company behind.
But that was a problem for the Acting Grand Master, not the cavalry captain.
The blunette did sigh as they pushed the doors open to the Headquarters. Diluc, now perched on his left shoulder with Fischl on his right as they entered Jean's office. They all felt a wave of relief flow through them as they spotted who was standing there.
"Well, if it isn't our dear Honorary Knight and Paimon," Kaeya smiled fondly at the blonde traveler and their companion. "Hello, Aether."
The Traveler smiled brightly back at them, but before they got a chance to say anything in return ashudderran through the air. A cold wave of dread washed over the room. Causing Fischl to squawk in surprise and fall off Keya's shoulder and flutter to the ground. Diluc's head wiped around, hooting in alarm. His feathers standing up on ends.
"What—?" Jean gasped as she felt it to.
Kaeya immediately spun around. Running back out of the room, causing Diluc to also leap from his shoulder and flutter to the ground as the cryo allogene raced up the stairs, following the trail of energy that oozed through the building.
He sprinted past the stupefied knights who stood on guard with their swords drawn, yet not knowing where their enemy was. But Kaeya had a sickening feeling he knew exact who it was. Because he knew what that pulse of power was. He had felt is curling, cold sickness creeping in his skin for years. Coiling and suffocating.
The feeling only a curse could bring as it descended upon its victim.
The blunette burst into the Alchemist's lab right as the portal was sealing shut. His eye wide and desperate as it darted around the room, landing on a pile of clothes on the ground.
Kaeya swore as he ran to it, falling to his knees as the tiny mass trapped inside squirmed and struggled to break free. He gently dug them out, gasping as his eye landed on the scene before him. A large pair of teal eyes blinked up at him. Staring at him in shock as tears slowly began to fill them and the tiny toothless mouth began to wail. The pale face growing red instantly.
The blunette blinked in stupefied horror as he took in the scene. Staring down at what had become of the Captain of the Investigations Team.
The Abyss had turned Albedo into a baby.
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Notes:
Knights: *staring at hourglass-Lisa sitting on desk*
Hertha: *whispering* how do we know she is not upside down?
Knights: *tilting their heads sideways to look at her from the other angle*
Jean: *slowly moves to flip her over*
Knights: *processing. Turning their head to lean the other direction*
Jean & Kaeya: *has candles, summoning circle, Ouija board, Lisa's fav tea*
Jean: LISA. CAN. YOU. HEAR. ME?
Kaeya: *wearing a religious cloak and hood he stole from the church and holding a holy relic upside down and incorrectly but trying his best* Lisaaaaaaa, Jean accidentally ripped a page in the book she borrowed.
Jean: Kaeya! D:
Kaeya: What? If that won't get her attention idk what will
Diluc, Mika, Fischl: *all sitting on Kaeya's shoulders and wearing sunglasses*
Kaeya: *also wearing sunglasses* *throws a peace sign up*
Kaeya: Bird Gang
JeanL *facepalming in background*
Hertha: Mona what is my constellation?
Mona:Hmmmmm all I am seeing is an 'Error 404' message. It seems you are not important enough in the universe to have a constellation. Sorry about that \_(ツ)/ .
Hertha:oh... :(
*this did not really happen*
Fischl: *scared and nervous*
Diluc: *master expert at bird body language*
Diluc: *Big brother instincts activating*
Diluc: I will protect this child with my life
Fischl: *sleeping*
A random knight: Hey look at that raven sleeping on the saddle. I'm going to go pet it—
Diluc: *descends upon them shrieking*
Kaeya: Mom says it's time to go home.
Eula: But I don't want to :((
Kaeya: She says if you don't come home right now you won't get any cookies
Eula:... Fine [
Fischl*just a lil' birb who wants to cry*
Diluc and Oz: Protect
Kaeya: Ah. We did it. Good for us. Everything is going perfectly—
*Crashing Abyss Order sounds in the background. *
Kaeya: :' ) nvrmind
Albedo: *Just chilling in lab*
*portal opens up*
Albedo: Well fuc—
Kaeya: *looks at baby Albedo*
Albedo: *immediately starts crying*
Kaeya: Well, that's just rude :(
Chapter 6: Princeps Cretaceus
Notes:
The edit to this chapter does not exist. I'll do it later. For now, here is a chapter to distract those who might be going home to stressful situations this weekend. 3 Good luck everyone
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Things were going from bad to worse very, very quickly.
"This was very deliberate and targeted attack," Eula growled as she stared at the scene before her. "The Abyss targeted Captain Albedo."
Kaeya bounced baby-Albedo in his grip. The infant was so incredibly tiny and pale. Dwarfed in the shirt that had fit him so snugly only a little while ago. The alchemist's high-pitched wails had not ceased since Kaeya had found him. The blunette felt he might start crying with him at any moment.
"There, there," Kaeya cooed as he and Jean stood in the lab with Timaeus, Sucrose, Mona, Eula, Diluc, Aether, and Paimon.
"We only left for a moment," Timaeus gaped at what had become of the chief alchemist. "He needed us to go and fetch some supplies—"
"How did they even know where he was?" Paimon asked as she worriedly hovered by the Traveler's shoulder. "Were they trying to get him specifically or did they just happen to teleport into the lab and Albedo was unlucky?"
The baby in Kaeya's grasp continued to wail. No even attempting to answer any of these questions.
"Albedo?" Jean questioned once more, trying to see if she could get some response from the geo allogene that time. But he merely cried, not even remotely trying to communicate.
"It is no use," Kaeya sighed as he rocked the captain in his arms. "It is clear his cognitive abilities reverted. There is no way our Albedo would be behaving like this otherwise."
Eula frowned as she shook her head, "I don't understand why he would think like a baby when the others retained their own mental state. Why is he different? Has the lector created a more advanced curse? Is that why Lisa is also unable to speak?"
"It is possible," Jean rubbed the bridge of her nose. "We know that Master Diluc, Mika, and Fischl were cursed before Lisa and Albedo based on what they told us."
Kaeya looked down at the baby in his arms. His finger gently tracing of the golden star on his neck. He glanced up and locked eyes with Aether. The Traveler's golden eyes narrowed slightly as well. Seeming to understand where Kaeya's silent thoughts were going. He raised an eyebrow back at the blunette. Earning a small one shoulder shrug that the others didn't even notice.
Well, everyone except a pair of red eyes that were watching Kaeya a bit too closely.
"Well, at least he didn't turn into a chalk statue," Mona sighed as she frowned at the screaming baby.
They all turned at the sound of a knock and the door creaking open.
"I brought Barbara like you requested, Master Jean," Noelle appeared in the doorway with the deaconess trailing behind.
"Oh, my," Barbara hurried forward, placing a bag on the table and reached for the infant.
Kaeya gently handed him over before looking over at Noelle, "Where is Klee?"
"I left her and Razor in the library when Master Jean summoned me," she glanced over at him.
"Good," Kaeya nodded as he watched the hydro allogene quickly check over the infant, making sure he hadn't hit his head or had any other harm come to him during the transformation.
"Can you go and warm this bottle of formula, Noelle?" Barbara dug into her bag and pulled a bottle out and handed it over to her. "I brought the emergency baby bag we keep on hand at the Cathedral."
"Right away," she placed her hand over her heart before hurrying back out.
"How is he?" Jean asked.
"He seems fine," Barbara reassured her as she dug into the bag and pulled out a diaper and a pair of clothes. She expertly strapped it on and dressed him her eyes darted to the floor where Albedo's clothes were lying abandoned on the floor. "What is going on?"
They all looked at Jean.
"I will come explain everything to you shortly," the anemo allogene sighed. "I need to take care of the situation first."
Barbara shot her a small glance, her brow dipping a bit, but it fell away quickly as she drew a blanket out of the bag and swaddled the crying infant.
"There, there," she cooed at him, gently tickling his lip with her finger. "It's alright, little one. It's alright."
"While you're here, Barbara," Jean spoke lowered her hand from where she had been rubbing the bridge of her nose, "Would you also be able to swing by the Grand Master's office and do a wellness check on a raven in there?"
"A raven?" Barbara looked up in surprise.
"Yes," Kaeya noticed how exhausted Jean looked. The bags under her eyes were darker than they had been in a while.
He frowned. Wondering when the last time she had gotten some sleep.
"Of course," Barbara offered Kaeya baby-Albedo and he gently took him. Bouncing he wailing alchemist. "Shall I return for the infant and take him to the church after or…?"
"Just," Jean sighed shooting Albedo a lost glance. "Just wait for me in there if you don't mind. I'll be there shortly."
Barbara nodded and hurried out, passing Noelle in the door on the way out. The geo allogene went to Kaeya, handing him the bottle.
"Here we are," Kaeya sighed as he gently pushed the bottle's nipple between the toothless-lips. "Are you hungry?"
Albedo's cries stopped in shock but instinctually began to suck on the offered food. A content baby-grunt escaped him and his legs and arms squirmed around as he ate.
They all sighed in relief as his crying stopped.
"I do not see the point in bringing me back to the city if the Abyss has the ability to penetrate our forces," Eula turned to Jean. "I request that I be sent back out to my knights and company."
"No," Jean said firmly. Taking on a tone she rarely used with her commanding officers. Indicating how tired and scared she actually was. "You are to stay within the city and that is an order, Captain Lawrence. Albedo is lucky he was here rather than out in the wilds when he was attacked. You are in an even more precarious situation. You stay here and that is final. You can help organize the knights here and keep the citizens safe."
"We need to find out where the Abyss' new hideout is," Kaeya stepped into the conversation before Eula could try to argue. "If we can find that lector we can nip this entire problem in the bud."
"I agree," Jean turned to look at him, "But how would we even begin to do that?"
"The wind might be able to help us," Aether shot Jean a knowing glance. "I can see if I can gain some information that way if you want."
Kaeya glanced down at Albedo's pudgy cheeks and scrunched up face. His eyes were closed as he sucked on the bottle. Tiny, curled fingers making little fists. Little baby-sounds bubbling out of him as he laid in the blunette's arms.
He was so tiny. Small even for a newborn. The clothes Barbara had brought were still too big, yet he seemed to be breathing fine and there was no indication of yellowed skin. The Alchemist was as pale as always.
Jean nodded, seeming to understand what the Traveler was indicating. "Yes, but before you go—"
She looked over at Mona who was stealing glances at Albedo before turning to her conjured astrolabes.
"Hmmm? Oh, the Aether's constellation isViator.A wayfarer; traveler," the hydro allogene shot the Acting Grand Master a glance. "To be honest they are probably among the safest regarding their risk with this curse."
Jean nodded, relieved, "Still, please be careful."
Aether nodded, but paused as Diluc hopped forward. Hooting and flapping his wings a bit as he hopped forward towards the Traveler. Looking up at him.
"It appears Master Diluc wishes to go with you," Kaeya translated at Aether's puzzled glance.
The blonde smiled down at the wine master, bending and offering his arm for Diluc to climb on. The two and Paimon hurried out. Off to find the wind.
Kaeya had a feeling he'd be slinking around somewhere trying to earn some mora for his night at the tavern. His lyre and songs charming the coins straight out of the listener's pockets.
"Sucrose, Timaeus," Jean turned to the two alchemists. "You were helping Albedo, correct?"
"We were," Timaeus nodded and glanced nervously towards the baby, "But Captain Albedo hadn't really explained what he was working on to us. He just sent us to fetch some ingredients as he asked of us."
"Did he leave any notes about what he was working on or his thoughts?" Hertha glanced around the lab. "He always seemed quite organized and well documented."
Kaeya walked over towards the blonde's desk, frowning as he noticed the papers there had been disturbed. He carefully balanced Abled and the bottle with one arm before quickly reaching down to grab one of the slips. It was charred.
His elemental sight burst to life. The paper was drenched in electro.
"The lector destroyed them," Kaeya held the papers up for the others to see. "Anything Albedo had written down is no longer of use to us."
"So this was a targeted attack," Eula growled. "Vengeance will be mine on the abysmal creature that struck our only lead on fixing this down."
"What do we do with him?" Hertha worriedly looked towards Jean, who looked on the verge of collapse from exhaustion.
"We continue on," she said firmly, somehow managing to still sound inspirational despite running on a few hours of sleep. "Sucrose, Timaeus, and Mona I know you are not knights, but we have no other experts or alchemists' to depend on. Will you help us find a way to reverse this curse?"
"Now wait a minute," Mona shook her head alarmed, waving her hands in front of her as her hydro dissipated. "It is one thing for me to help you figure out everyone's constellations and fates, but it is an entirely different matter to figure out how to get rid of a curse. I only know fates and the stars not alchemy or other forms of witchcraft."
"And we are nowhere near Captain Albedo's level of expertise or intelligence," Timaeus panicked.
"Albedo believed in your capabilities," Kaeya said firmly, trying to dissuade their doubts. He showed doubt in their skills then they would only crumble. "Besides it is not like we have a choice. At the rate this lector is going we will all be either an animal or a pile of dish soap by the end of the month. We need you all to help us stop this."
"Kaeya is right," Jean nodded firmly. "We can offer you support and protection, but we cannot solve this."
"What about gathering other experts?" Timaeus' panic was still going strong. "Couldn't we reach out to someone at the Akademiya?"
Jean turned to Mona," You studied in Sumeru, right? Do you know of anyone who could help find a cure?"
Mona sighed, folding her arms. "I can…try to see if any of my collogues could help. Though I am unsure if they would be willing to risk their own safety for another nation. But I cannot guarantee any results."
"I can, um," Sucrose spoke softly, "Also attempt to see if Captain Albedo left notes in other places. A lot of times he makes duplicates for us if he needs us to follow specific instructions."
Kaeya shifted said alchemist to his shoulder, setting the bottle down and placed in over his shoulder. Gently patting his back, and earning a tiny burp. "In the mean time I can try and find some information about this lector and try to find any clues regarding a hideout."
"I don't want you going alone," Jean stated firmly. "I don't want anyone getting caught unawares. We go in pairs from here on out."
"Of course," Kaeya smiled at her as he shifted Albedo back into his arms, the tiny alchemist drifted off to sleep. "I'll go and fetch Master Diluc. He has been quite handy despite having none."
"Eula and I can organize the city," Hertha volunteered. "We might experience an influx of refugees wanting to hide behind the city walls. If that is alright with you as well, Eula?"
The reconnaissance captain scoffed, "It is better than being babysat when there is work to be done. I will take over patrols and our defenses."
"Very well," Jean nodded, "But should the lector appear fall back, Eula. That is an order. I cannot have my reconnaissance captain ending up as a casualty."
"I will go and inform the church what is going on," Jean said with a nod. "And begin helping Hertha and Eula organize the city. We need to prepare for more casualties and an Abyss Order attack."
"What about the Fatui?" Kaeya raised an eyebrow at her. "They're going to catch wind that something is wrong soon enough."
"Right," she sighed. "I will also devise a plan on how to deal with them. The last thing we need is to appear weak in front of them."
Everyone murmured in agreement.
"What about the lab?" Sucrose's soft voice rose up. "If the lector knows its here and can get to it, who is to say it won't return to ttry and stop us from developing a cure?"
Jean's face darkened. "We will relocate the lab down to the Catacombs."
"The Catacombs?" Timaeus asked alarmed.
"It would be for the best for now," Jean nodded. "They are difficult even to navigate to those familiar with them. Much less a lector. Most people have even forgotten they existed."
"We can set up extra guards in another location to add as a decoy," Kaeya offered, gently wiping a drop of formula from Albedo's cheek. "It might distract them long enough to get the cure completed."
"That is a good idea," Jean nodded.
"Right, that just leaves this little one," Kaeya continued to rock Albedo. "And dealing with Klee."
Jean sighed looking over at the slumbering infant, "Noelle has been tending to Razor and Klee, but perhaps it will be better if he goes to the Church?"
"Recruit Mika help her watch them, whether Albedo goes with her or the sisters," Kaeya said. "I am sure that he would like to be useful right now and we need Huffman on patrol duty if nothing else. Noelle and Mika can work together."
"That is a good idea," the anemo allogene sighed as she reached for the sleeping alchemist. "I will do that."
Kaeya gently handed him over, "Right. I will report back once I find something."
"Stay safe, Kaeya," Jean called after him. "I can't afford to lose you too."
"As you command, Acting Grand Master," he smiled confidently at her and gave her a one-eyed-wink before sauntering off.
His smile fell the instant the door closed behind him. He turned to his left, heading up the stairs to the roof. Despite the morning hour, the city was quite silent below. An air of foreboding crept through the streets. Kaeya made his way to the edge of the building, overlooking the lake and the forest beyond.
A coin in his hand as he flipped it in thought.
As far as they knew Diluc was the first victim, having been cursed nearly a week ago now. Mika and Fischls a few days after, then Lisa, and finally Albedo the day after Lisa's attack.
So far, the only one who had survived an attack from the lector was Razor.
Kaeya caught the coin. Tossed it again.
Why was Razor spared? Had he been hiding and the lector not seen him? Had he managed to just run away with Lisa in his arms? What had happened?
Kaeya frowned. Snatching the coin out of the air before turning and going back inside. This time to the library. He could hear Klee's not-so-quiet-whispers and found the two easily enough. Noelle was supervising the little pyro allogene as she drew a picture while razor was glaring at his own coloring book page before him. The crayon he had been holding was snapped in two in his hand.
The wolf-boy perked up at his approach. Tense and ready to fight, but he seemed to relax somewhat when he recognized it was merely Kaeya. However, he was quick to stand and hurry over to the blunette, causing Noelle and Klee to notice him as well.
"Kaeya!" Klee grinned excitedly at him, "Are you here to play with us?"
"As much as I wish I could I am actually here to see Razor," he turned and smiled reassuringly at the electro allogene. "Might I talk to you for a moment?'
Razor glanced at Klee worriedly. "I do not want to leave Klee."
"Noelle will make sure Klee stays safe," Kaeya noted the protective look the boy gave the little knight. Bristling at the thought of leaving her alone and unguarded. "We won't be long. I promise."
"Of course," Noelle stood to curtsy. "Klee and I will be right here."
Razor didn't look convinced, looking back at Kaeya, "Dark smell back. Bad feeling. Like with Teacher. Danger here."
Kaeya frowned. So, Razor had also sensed and understood the curse.
"I would just like to ask you about what happened to Lisa," the blunette whispered softly. Glancing over at Klee. "It won't take long and will help us help your teacher. We can stay within eyesight of Klee if you wish, I just don't want her overhearing and getting worried."
Razor shot Klee a look too, who had happily returned to explaining to Noelle why she was coloring a horse blue (something about it being Kaeya's favorite color and he liked horses a lot), before slowly nodding. Allowing Kaeya to lead him a short distance away where their whispers couldn't be heard.
"Did you see the lector attack Lisa?" Kaeya asked, he had come to realize it was better to prod the teenager along when it came to talking rather than wait for him to explain.
"Yes. Teacher protect."
"Lisa protected you from the lector?" Kaeya clarified.
"Yes. Lector attack. Teacher shield. Tell Razor to hide."
"And did you?"
"No," Razor bristled. "Razor fight. Razor stay and help. But lector too strong. Electro like Teacher and Razor."
An electro lector. Kaeya rubbed his chin. That would explain why it was difficult for Lisa to hold it off. Her catalyst would have been useless to her.
"What happened after Lisa was cursed? What did the lector do?"
"Laugh," Razor growled. "Then vanish. Darkness. Cold."
So the lector had immediately fled after cursing Lisa? Why? Why hadn't it taken the opportunity to take care of Razor as well? Eliminate two birds with one stone so to speak.
"Why didn't it curse you too Razor?" Kaeya glanced at him.
Razor shook his head. Huffing in frustration. His fists clenched.
"Is there anything else I should know?" the captain asked. "Anything that might be useful?"
Razor shook his head.
"Kaeya!" Klee called showing off her coloring. "Look!"
"My," he whistled in appreciation. "That is quite beautiful, Klee. You'll surpass even Albedo himself if you keep that up."
She giggled before turning back to her book. Kaeya looked back down at Razor.
"Trust your nose and your gut," Kaeya told him softly. Squeezing his shoulder. "Leave this to me. We'll get Lisa back to normal and keep Klee safe."
Razor nodded watching as Kaeya hurried away after a quick farewell kiss and hug to Klee.
:•. .•*
Diluc had a method to gaining his intel. A secure and deep-rooted network of trusted winery workers and other powerful outsiders. His birds brought him info and they delivered the wine master's own acquired information to the parties who needed to know.
Together they became a light in the dark. A beacon on a hill and a guide and refuge to those who needed. A group of stalwart individuals determined to make the world a better place no matter the cost to themselves.
Night after night, the redhead and his claymore terrorized threats to Mondstadt. Slaying the Abyss Order down where they stood. Using his own skills and the skills of his people to help him vanquish all evils in the land of wine and song.
So, had Diluc merely been led to the Abyss lector's hideout because of his highly intelligent and capable network?
Or had it been a trap the entire time?
It would make sense for the Abyss to want to get rid of the Darknight Hero. He was a liability and a serious threat to their plans.
But why would the lector then go after the others? Was it merely because Wolvendom happened to be nearby Stormterror's lair where the original hideout had been? A simple relocation? An opportunity placed before it? Two unexpecting teenagers who easily fell into its trap?
According to Oz, they had been attacked by the lector. They had not accidentally stumbled into its den. Kaeya was unsure of how Mika was attacked. He still needed to talk to the knight about that.
And why spare Razor? Why would the lector go out of its way to target Fischl, but spare Razor when he was right there? And why had the lector specifically targeted Albedo, but not tried to take anyone else down before it left.
Kaeya stood on the roof of the Headquarters once more. Staring out across the lake towards those dark trees.
Wolvendom was probably his best bet.
He glanced down over the town once more. There was no sign of an overbearing owl in sight. Now would be his best chance.
It was a gamble, but he had his lucky coin by his side.
The blunette's glider snapped out as he leapt off the building. A gentle breeze guided him across the lake. His boots landed safely on the other side. He threw a glance behind him at the city. Perhaps he was being a fool for taking this risk yet…
His eyes landed on the giant statue that stood over the windmills before turning his back on it and vanishing into the shadows Wolvendom.
The blunette's footfalls were silent as he crept along, careful to avoid where the Reconnaissance patrols currently were. Making his way north of Andrius, back towards Cecilia Garden to where a lone little cryo mage stood basking in the sunlight.
Kaeya stood at a distance. Calculating.
He would have to be quick if he were to attack. His cryo would do nothing to take that shield down.
Yet, flies came to sugar.
The blunette sighed. It was probably a fool's errand, but who was to say he wasn't' a fool?
He stepped out from the shadows and walked towards the mage. A friendly smile on his face.
The abysmal creature spotted him immediately. Its shield flying up and its staff secured in its grip. Kaeya held his hands up in a placid gesture. Smile still there.
"Greetings, wayward star," Kaeya's lips and tongue rolled as he spoke his motherland's language. The Khaenri'ahn greeting smooth and his accent as rich as it had used to be when he first moved to this Celestial land. "I mean no harm. I only want to talk."
The Abyss mage, being no idiot, kept its shield up as it defensively held its staff aloft. Ready to strike at any moment.
"Why are you here, Fated One?" the creature hissed at him. Clearly hostile. "Do not come here with sweet words of Old as though you honor them."
Kaeya's smile did not falter, continuing in that ancient tongue, "Ah, are we both not creatures just trying to survive? Do we not both wear masks here. Yours may be plain on your face for all to see, but mine is a bit more fragile and transparent."
The blunette could feel its glare behind the mask. "Why are you here?"
"What do you know of the lector?" Kaeya asked. Figuring there was no need to elaborate on specifics. There were no other lectors in the area as far as he was aware. Their holy business usually kept them occupied elsewhere.
The Abyss Mage chuckled darkly, "He is one the Truth has called. He spreads the Light and the Truth. Mondstadt is not ready for what is coming."
Kaeya's eye twitched slightly, but his lips did not. Still as innocent and friendly as possible, "I assume you have had the opportunity to speak to Truth's harbinger then? What would it cost to get an audience with him?"
The Abyss Mage cackled. A glint behind that mask.
Yes, Diluc's network was full of loyal and good people. To be a part of it was to dedicate yourself to vanquishing the darkness and evils that plagued the land.
Kaeya's networks were not so pure.
:•. .•*
Diluc found Kaeya.
The cryo allogene stood at the top of the city wall, rubbing his hands across the stones.
The cavalry captain glanced up at him as he landed, not paying too much attention to him as he traced the rock with a finger. Listening as the pyro allogene's talon tapped against the wall.
Kaeya shrugged, "I am sure your day was much more interesting than mine. Chasing down thewindafter all. Did it have anything interesting to say?"
His brother glared at him, squinting suspiciously. Tapping some more.
Kaeya ignored the look. Instead glancing up abruptly and crossing his arms. "I say, Master Diluc, you're always so distrustful. I was doing what our dear Acting Grand Master asked of me and nothing more. You're so suspicious."
Diluc hooted at him. Tapping some more.
"No, I didn't go after the lector directly," Kaeya snorted. "I wouldn't even know where to being even if I did. What? Why are you so suspicious? Do you think I went out to seek an audience with it or something?"
An angrily click of a beak. More tapping.
Kaeya laughed at the expression on his brother's feathery face, "I would like to remind you that out of the two of us it isyouwho did
More tapping.Jean said you were to fetch me, but you didn't. Where were you all day?
Damn it Jean. Ruining his plans.
"Oh, you and Jean were talking about me?" Kaeya leaned forward on the wall, resting his elbow on it and pressing his chin on his hand. "I didn't realize you two were such gossips."
Diluc huffed at him with a low rumbling bird-like growl. He leaned forward and aggressively pecked his arm. Glaring. Clearly indicating he wanted an answer to his question.
"I couldn't find you," Kaeya stood and held his hands up in mock-surrender. "You and Aether were quite cryptic in your quest to find 'the wind' and didn't really leave anyone any time to figure out where you had gone."
Those red eyes searched his. Trying to find any ounce of evidence Kaeya was lying. The blunette held his gaze and smile.
At last, Diluc seemed to believe him.
He always had been a fool when it came to Kaeya.
The blunette's eye glanced down at the tapping talon.Jean wants you back.
Kaeya sighed, glancing up at the sky. It was nearly sunset. "Alright. But let's swing by Good Hunter First. I highly doubt she has eaten anything proper all day."
The owl huffed in agreement.
:•. .•*
Armed with several mushroom pizzas and Diluc on his shoulder, Kaeya pushed through the Acting Grand Master's door to find Jean slumped in her chair staring up at the ceiling unblinkingly.
An avalanche of papers were scattered all over the room. The only place spaced spared was the hourglass sitting on the edge of her desk.
"My. It seems you've been busy," Kaeya commented as he stepped froward and gently pushed some papers out of the way and set the pizza box before her.
Jean blinked and slowly looked down at the food. The bags under her eyes looked like bruises they were so dark.
"Thank you," she sighed as she pulled off her gloves and reached for the food. Her eyes closed in a moment of bliss as she chewed.
Kaeya opened a second conainer, one containing some steak, cut into strips upon his request. He cleaned another spot off the desk and leaned forward so Dilcu could hop onto it, His brother hooted his thanks as he bent over the food, hungrily eating the offered meal.
Kaeya settled in a chair across from Jean, opening the last box and taking out his own pizza. Sighing deeply as his body finally found an opportunity to relax.
"After you finish," Kaeya swallowed his bite, "Let me stay here and man the office while you go and sleep. You look like you're about to pass out any second, Jeanie."
The anemo allogene sighed deeply, "I still need to help Hertha—"
"You will do Hertha no good if you can't even think straight or if you fall over and break your nose from falling asleep while standing. We need you clear headed, Jean. If you won't take care of yourself for your own sake at least do it for us," his eye drifted over to the hourglass. "You and I both know if Lisa was able to she would be dragging you off your bed."
Jean shot their cursed friend a guilty look.
Kaeya's expression softened, "You are not to blame for this, Jean. Abusing yourself by not letting you sleep will not bring her back any faster."
Diluc looked up at her and hooted. Affirming Kaeya's words.
"What about you?" Jean deflected. "When did you last rest?"
"I had quite the lovely nap in Dragonspine," Kaeya smiled at her.
Jean stared at him unimpressed. "That was over 48 hours ago, Kaeya."
"I would venture to say it was more recent than you," the blunette smirked innocently over his slice of pizza.
He laughed when Jean grumbled into her next bite. Knowing he had won.
"You go and rest first," Kaeya's smile turned into something more genuine that time. "I'll relieve myself once you're done."
"Fine," Jean sighed. Accepting her fate. "But I will be staying in the Knight's dorms. If anything happens—"
"I will fetch you immediately," Kaeya vowed, hand over his heart.
The anemo allogene hummed in acceptance. Then, "What all did you do today? Master Diluc said he never saw you."
"Nothing extraordinary unfortunately," Kaeya sighed. "I did speak to Razor , Mika, and Fischl, however, and had a look at Mona and Hertha's constellation list. They've managed to track down all the vision users' constellations already. It would be safe to assume that those with a vision might be a target."
Jean hummed. "What did Razor and Fischl have to say?"
"Razor stated that he was there with Lisa when the lector struck, but it spared him for some reason," Kaeya took another bite, chewed and swallowed. "I have yet to find out why that is. It seems like a wasted opportunity. While Diluc here stumbled upon the lector's base, Mika and Fischl both stated they were attacked unprompted. It clearly shows aggressive behaviors and has no qualms with cursing teenagers, so why spare Razor?"
Jean frowned, chewing in thought. "Perhaps it must rest between cursing people?"
"That is one theory," Kaeya nodded, "Another is perhaps it was trying to lure Lisa out specifically to Wolvendom."
"You think she might have also been a targeted attack?" Jean's eyebrows shot up. "That the lector would have anticipated she would go out to fetch Razor since there were multiple attacks in the area already?"
"I think it would be foolish to disregard that idea so quickly," Kaeya stated solemnly.
The two humans turned towards the owl as his talon tapped against the desk.
"I am not sure why it would rather lure her out rather than attack her here like it did Albedo," Kaeya admitted. "Maybe it was because an alchemist's lab is not a public area while the library is? This is all merely speculation at this point."
Jean finished her pizza, closing the box as she thought while Diluc glared at the desk. His own mind clearly trying to piece together this puzzle.
"It was an electro lector who cursed Lisa. I can only assume that was the same one who got you?" Kaeya glanced at the owl.
Diluc nodded
"Well, then that confirms that it was the same one who cursed everyone else," Kaeya nodded. "At least we don't have to worry about two lectors."
"Some comfort at least," Jean sighed.
Kaeya stood, grabbed their empty boxes, and throwing them away before pulling her to her feet. "Go get some sleep."
"I'll only be gone a couple of hours," she vowed.
"Sleep as long as you need, Jean," He glanced down at Diluc, "Can you escort her there?"
The owl hooted. Hopping down from the desk to escort her to the dorms.
He watched them go. The door closing behind them. His smile and shoulders fell as it did. The need to maintain his mask no longer required. Exhaustion made its home on his face. He glanced over at the hourglass sitting on the corner of the desk.
"Oh, Lisa," Kaeya sighed heavily. Feeling the day and the sleepless nights catching up to him. "I sure wish you were able to make me some of your tea right about now."
His shoulders sagged a bit more as she remained stoic. The only sound coming from her was the gentle trickling sand. It seemed like she never ran out.
"I am…" he paused glanced down at the mora he had pulled from his pocket. Slowly rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. "I am not sure if you can even hear me, but sorry I was not able to save you. Or be there when you needed me."
He gave another exhausted sigh. Trying to control the way it trembled.
"But I promise that I will do my best to right this," he turned to face her better, causing his hip to bump into the desk.
The blunette paused as his pocket made a dullthunk. He reached into it and pulled out Lisa's vision. He had forgotten he had put it there. With everything happening it had just slipped his mind.
"I guess you'll be wanting this back, huh?" He murmured as he reached over and gently set it on top of her. "Sorry. I didn't realize I still had it on me. It's been quite the long day you know."
To his utter shock, electro erupted from the vision. Sparks and tiny threads of purple electricity danced in the air above it. Kaeya leapt back, clutching his hand to his chest as he watched the light show die back down with his mouth slightly open.
Nothing happened for several seconds.
"Lisa?" He eventually whispered.
The vision flashed again. Shooting a spark of two.
"Lisa," he stepped closer, his heart racing. "Lisa, can you hear me?"
Another spark.
"One spark for yes two for no," Kaeya immediately said. "You can hear me?"
A spark.Yes.
"Is my name Jean?"
Two sparks.No.
"You know who I am?"
A spark.
A laugh burst from his lips. Relief flooded him as he realized his friend was indeed not lost. Trapped, yes, but not lost.
"Lisa, you have no idea how much I've missed you," Kaeya went and grabbed the chair he had originally been sitting in. "I have so much to catch you up on."
The hourglass sat there as the captain began.
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Notes:
Timaeus: OUR BOSS IS A BABY. WE WERE GONE FOR LIKE FIVE MINUTES-
Sucrose/Timaeus: Our boss is a genius beyond our mere mortal minds. There is no way we can mimic his greatness and develop this cure.
Albedo: *spits up all over Kaeya*
Kaeya: :0
Klee/Razor*off coloring somewhere*
Albedo: *turned into baby*
Razor: I sense a disturbance in the Force
Sucrose: What are we going to do? The lector will just come back to the lab and destroy the cure.
Jean: *sighs as she knows what they must do*
Jean: Secret Tunnel
Kaeya: *pulls out a banjo from nowhere* SECRET TUNNEL. SECRET TUNNELLLLLL THROUGH THE CATACOMBS! SECRET SECRET TUNNELLLLLLLL!
Kaeya: *strolls up to an Abyss Mage*
Kaeya: Yo. What's up, my man?
Abyss Mage: D:
Kaeya: *up to something*
Diluc: *big brother instincts activated. Squints suspiciously*
Kayea: *smiles innocently and bats his big baby blue*
Diluc: hmph. Someone can't be that adorable and guilty.
Kaeya: Oh, shit. Here's your vision Lisa—
Lisa: ABOUT FUCKING TIME
Chapter 7: Noctua II
Summary:
"This is my home?"
Diluc nodded. Pointedly looking at the door before back at Kaeya.
"You…want to go inside?"
Another nod.
Notes:
Here's an update. I'll see you again when the next one is done.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Most Mondsadtns hated the Catacombs. The tunnels and passageways that were hidden beneath the Cathedral and Cider Lake. Where cold leaked from the stones and the wind could not reach. It made the people of the land of wine and song shudder and recoil in discomfort. The thought of tons of water drifting over their heads, waiting to bury them beneath the waves where their beloved breezes could not reach them.
It was almost too much for them to bear.
Kaeya, on the other hand, loved them. They were quiet. Somber. Their stone ceilings were comforting in a way the open sky sometimes wasn't. Heavy and sturdy, promising to protect and shield him from Celestia's gaze above.
He always volunteered for trips and jobs within their halls. In their younger days, Diluc would always cringe and ask him why he would go down there. They were so creepy and dark after all.
Kaeya would merely smile and then tease Diluc about being scared of the dark or that a rat might get him.
Never mentioning the true reason why he found comfort down there.
To be honest, Kaeya had expected to make the trip down to the new secret alchemist lab alone, well except for the hourglass he was carefully holding in his arms. But it seemed like a certain owl had decided he didn't want to let Kaeya out of his sight and, despite the way his feathers were flattened against his frame in obvious discomfort, had insisted on coming with Kaeya down into the underground passageways.
"This should be it," Kaeya murmured to both of the cursed individuals. He carefully, and as respectfully as possible, shifted Lisa in his grip as he reached up and pulled a torch function as a lever down.
The stone rumbled as the door slid open, revealing the large hidden chamber that had been hastily established to be the new alchemist lab.
Mona and Sucrose glanced up as he entered. They were surrounded by equipment of all sorts. Timaeus was in the corner fiddling with something at a crafting table, though Kaeya wasn't entire sure what.
"I brought food and some help," Kaeya smiled at them, leaning over so Diluc could hop off his shoulder onto a nearby table. He set the food and Lisa next to the wine master, careful to make sure her vision was still balanced on top of her.
Mona raised an eyebrow at him, "What help is this?"
"This is Lisa Minci," Kaeya smiled a bit too hard, perhaps even a bit manically. He was running on very little sleep after all and his facial muscles weren't quite as in order as they normally were. "She is still conscious and able to communicate with her vison."
At his words, the electro orb shot a spark out.
"She retained her cognitive abilities?" Mona said in shock. "Despite being an hourglass?"
Another spark.
"One for yes, two for no," Kaeya translated for her. "We haven't really gotten a chance to develop a better way of communication for her."
"Fascinating," Mona paused in whatever she was doing to come forward and really study the cursed woman.
Sucrose came up and joined her, frowning. "If Lisa maintained her cognitive functions as an hourglass, having no brain in this state, how is it that Albedo seemed so unresponsive?"
Mona shot her a glance, "That matters not at the moment. He is an…outlierof sorts. So far, the curse seems to be following a pattern of physical, but not mental transformations for everyone else. We should stick to worrying about that. Once we are able to cure the majority, like Ms. Minci here, then we can have help figuring out a way to help Albedo as well."
Kaeya tilted his head curiously. Watching as the astrologist turned away from the anemo allogene before she could ask any more follow up questions. Clearly indicating she was done speculating on the matter of why Albedo was a strange case.
How interesting. It appeared the hydro user was very well informed about things indeed.
"I am also here to let you know that you will have a set of personalized guards to protect you. They will be coming in a few moments," Kaeya continued. "Jean is sorting out who to send down here. They will stay with you here and hopefully we can allow a limited amount of transportation between this lab and upper Mondstadt to avoid giving our position away."
"You mean we're stuck down here until we figure this out?" Timaeus looked up in alarm.
"I mean, the fewer number of times anyone goes to and from here the better," Kaeya sighed at him. "If the lector knows where you are, well…"
He didn't have to finish his statement to cause the other man to swallow. Diluc hooted gruffly at the blunette. Glaring at him.
"Right," Kaeya nodded looking back at Mona, "Is there anything else you need at this time? I will let the Acting Grand Master know and we will send for it immediately."
"Not right now," Mona shook her head. "We did manage to find an extra set of notes from Albedo, but they are far from complete or comprehensible. We are currently trying to make sense of them. Once we do that we might be able to move on and develop this cure quicker."
The hourglass sparked.
"Be sure to involve Lisa in the discussion," Kaeya crossed his arms while looking down at her. "She is quite sharp and very well educated. She will be a great asset to you."
"Indeed," Mona looked back over to her with a nod. "I have read her work. We will indeed be putting Ms. Minci to work."
"Excellent," Kaeya managed to smile much more politely that time, not so sleep-deprived-crazed. "Then I shall report to the Acting Grand Master. Expect your guards shortly."
Kaeya offered Diluc his arm and then turned to leave. Being careful to close the secret door firmly before heading back towards the Catacombs exit. Diluc shuffled up his arm to perch on his shoulder. The blunette could feel those red eyes watching the blunette soundlessly. He shifted uncomfortably, Kaeya could hear the rustle of his feathers as he looked around.
"I don't know why you insisted on coming with me if you were just going to be miserable the entire time," Kaeya didn't bother looking at him, knowing his eyepatch would just get in the way and he didn't have the capability of turning his head as far around as the wine master currently did. "We both know you hate these passageways."
Diluc made a grumbling like sound, but didn't try to communicate further. Not that Kaeya really expected him to. The blunette knew the tycoon would have been closed lipped even if he still did have a pair of them. Couldn't allow him to show any weakness after all.
"Are you still upset I didn't find you earlier today?" Kaeya slipped in a bit of teasing into his tone earning a huff from the owl. "Aw, Master Diluc, I didn't know you were so looking forward to listening to me talkallday long~ Though I am a bit surprised you didn't go and find an old rotten cabbage somewhere to drop on my head."
Kaeya swore the owl snickered.
He turned down the passageway and entered a large chamber. His boots echoed in the stone walkways. The large overhead ceilings made the sound reverberate. The blunette and redhead instinctually fell silent. Not wanting their voices to be heard for miles around.
They didn't make a sound until Kaeya reached the base of a ladder and began to climb. He shimmied up, squeezing through the narrow opening inside of an old broom closet inside of the Headquarters. It was one of the lesser-known entrances since it was so tiny, but Kaeya preferred it as it allowed him to expertly slip in and out of them without anyone noticing.
Kaeya bit back a grunt as he heaved himself up and carefully slid the stone flooring back into place. He pressed an ear to the door and then upon deeming the coast clear, stepped out into the hallway.
"Right," Kaeya bit back a yawn as he turned and headed towards Jean's office. "Let's check in and give her an update."
Diluc shifted on his shoulder, but didn't argue as Kaeya headed towards the Acting Grand Master's office.
He found Jean inside with Barbara.
The anemo allogene looked much better after her five hours of sleep, though Kaeya actively believed she could do with at least double that. However, he figured he should just be grateful for what he could get.
"Lisa has reached the others safely," Kaeya smiled at them as he closed the door.
"Excellent," Jean smiled back. "Thank you again for going down there. And thank you again for realizing—"
Kaeya held up his hands to stop her. She had already practically tackled him to the floor in a hug when he explained that Lisa was indeed cognitive. Well, she had after the blunette had finally convinced her and Diluc that he was indeednotinsane and that he was not so sleep deprive he had gone a bit mad. Not that Lisa had been much help on the matter. She had teasingly remained silent for the first few minutes, making it appear that Kaeya was indeed going insane from the lack of sleep.
Probably her way of getting back at him for taking so long in getting her vision to her.
"It is quite alright, Acting Grand Master. I am just glad we figured it out. As is Lisa. I can't imagine how frustrating that was for her," Kaeya said.
"Right," Jean nodded. Taking a deep breath. "Okay."
"What are you two working on?" Kaeya tilted his head curiously, trying to see what was on the desk before the two sisters.
"An emergency plan," Barbara answered. "The Church needs to be ready to aid those who need us if we get more casualties. After reviewing Mona's list, it appears that most individuals constellations are either animals or non-human entities. Which means we are a bit out of our depth when it comes to healing."
Kaeya hummed in concern.
"But," Jean glanced over at the blunette, "That is not your concern at the moment. Now it is time foryouto go and rest."
"Yes," Kaeya nodded. His body aching in agreement. "I will be back after a couple of hours."
"At least five, Kaeya," Jean's tone left no room for argument. "If we need you before then I will summon you."
"As you decree," Kaeya gave her a teasing salute before glancing over at Barbara, "Make sure she doesn't run herself ragged while I'm gone, will you, Deaconess?"
"Of course, captain," the hydro allogene nodded diligently.
The cryo user waved to the two sisters and headed out. Glancing up at the sky. The moon was still high above.
"I suspect you're about to go and do your rounds while I sleep?" Kaeya asked the owl on his shoulder.
He expected Diluc to fly off in silent confirmation, but to his surprise, the pyro user seemed to settle more firmly on his shoulder. Kaeya twisted his head a bit awkwardly so he could see the other with is left eye. Diluc was glaring down at him.
"What?" Kaeya frowned. "Jean said you slept on the chair in her room. Did you not?"
Diluc just continued to stare down unimpressed. Waiting for the blunette to guess correctly.
"Are you hungry?" the younger tried again.
Those red eyes continued to bore into him.
"Do you…need me to do something?" Kaeya asked him. Growing a bit frustrated that the elder wasn't even trying to give him some sort of clue. The captain was too tired for this kind of game right now.
Plus, he had somewhere else he wanted to be.
Diluc huffed and sank further onto Kaeya's shoulder before leaning forward and grabbing a strand of Kaeya's hair in his beak and pulled on it. Not in a rough way, but as though he were leading a horse by their reins.
Kaeya, perplexed, took a stumbling step towards the right, the direction Diluc was pulling, and began to walk that way. The owl released the strand. Content the captain was heading in the right direction.
"You know you could just lead me to where you want me to go?" The cryo allogene shook his head. "I would follow you."
Yet, Diluc still made no move to fly off, instead he grabbed Kaeya's hair again and gave another gentle tug. Telling him to make a left now.
"I'm not a dog," Kaeya muttered under his breath as he followed the owl's silent instructions.
It must had been important if Diluc was insistent on him seeing it, and a little concerning since he didn't seem willing to leave Kaeya alone long enough to fly where the blunette could follow him.
"Did you find something?" the captain tried to ask, but Diluc didn't respond other than to gently tug on his hair. "Could you at least give me a clue?"
Diluc finally released the strands and hooted. Looking towards the building he had led Kaeya to. The blunette frowned at it, unimpressed.
"This is my home?"
Diluc nodded. Pointedly looking at the door before back at Kaeya.
"You…want to go inside?"
Another nod.
Kaeya sighed, fighting back an eyeroll. "I hardly know what you need to see inside my house. There isn't anything interesting in there."
Despite that, he reached for his keys and stepped up to the door and entered. He flicked the lantern on as he closed the door behind him. He looked expectantly at Diluc. Raising an eyebrow and giving a subtle smartass head shake.
"Well?" the blunette demanded. Starting to get a bit irritated by how blatantly unhelpful his brother was being about letting the cryo user know what he wanted.
Diluc hopped off his shoulder, wings spread wide as he glided lightly to the floor before walking over towards the stairs. He reached the foot of them and looked aback at Kaeya expectantly.
Muttering under his breath, Kaeya yanked his boots off and kicked them to the side before stomping after the owl as he hopped up the stairs and waddled towards the bathroom. Kaeya flipped the light switch on as the other hopped up onto the rim of the bathtub, his wings smacking against the wall as he teetered dangerously on the slick edge before gaining his balance.
Kaeya stared down at him. Diluc looked up.
"What?" Kaeya frowned, honestly having no idea what the other wanted.
A talon tapped against the bathtub. The blunette listened.
"You want a bath?" Kaeya's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
The owl nodded and hopped down into the tub. Looking back at him expectantly if not a bit frustratedly.
Kaeya blinked at him. He genuinely would have never guessed that this would have been what Diluc had dragged him across town for. Though, if the blunette thought about it, the pyro allogene had probably not had an opportunity to really wash himself with clean water since he had been cursed, which was about a week ago now.
"My apologies for not thinking you might want one sooner," Kaeya softened his tone, genuinely meaning it. Judging by Diluc's body language he was incredibly embarrassed to have to ask for help with so basic of a need. Kaeya would have to be sure to be more considerate of the other's needs.
The blunette instantly went to the tub and turned the knob. Carefully feeling its temperature before plugging the drain and allowing the water to begin to fill it up.
"Shall I take off your vision belt?" the captain offered.
Diluc turned towards him. Giving him clearer access to the buckles. Kaeya expertly undid them before carefully setting the vision holster aside.
"Tell me when there is enough water," Kaeya said as he settled down on his knees. Figuring he might as well give his exhausted feet some rest while he could. He didn't feel comfortable leaving Diluc alone with a bathtub full of water.
Owls weren't exactly known for being swimmers. And it would be incredibly embarrassing having to explain to Adelinde that he allowed his estranged brother to drown in his bathroom.
Diluc experimentally touched the water with his talons before settling into it. Sitting down a bit as he awkwardly tried to rub his feathers into the moisture.
It was a very poor and sloppy attempt at a bird bath. Diluc just managed to fling a bunch of water everywhere. He huffed, clearly frustrated as he dipped his face into the rising water and shook it around. Splashing Kaeya in the process. The blunette jerked back, sighing as his shirt quickly became drenched. Diluc gave him a mildly apologetic look, but the anger in his eyes made it clear he was more than frustrated and was unsure the best way to accomplish his goal.
"Give me a moment," Kaeya sighed once more as he stood, eyeing the water and judging how much time he had before it got too deep. He hurriedly slipped out of the bathroom to the kitchen. Grabbing a small bowl and returning.
Diluc looked up at his approach, eyeing the bowl with a puzzled expression.
The blunette gently scooped some water up and gently poured it over the back of Diluc's shoulders. The owl shivered in response, twisting his head so he could help pry his feathers apart with his beak to help rinse the dust that had accumulated in his plumage.
"Does that help?" Kaeya asked, waiting for a nod of confirmation before scooping some more water and repeating the action. "Just tell me where and when to stop."
Diluc sighed as he spread his wings out as far as he could, but the tub was too small for his full wingspan. Forcing the two to carefully and awkwardly move his wings about so they could help wash them without drenching them.
"I don't want to soak you," Kaeya muttered as he poured more water over his brother's back and gently helped wash the feathers. "I don't imagine beings soaking wet would be very comfortable."
Diluc huffed in agreement before clumsily trying to help clean his plumage.
"Birds sort of…puff up when they bathe?" Kaeya gestured with his arms, holding them out in a squared position on either side of himself. "You know? Like how the pigeons do?"
Diluc huffed again, before awkwardly extending his wings out a bit. He stared at the water, as he shifted subtly. As thought trying to figure out how to move the feathers on his back and wings the way he wanted to. He concentrated on feeling his muscles and skin.
The feathers perked in response. Twitching and rising as he splashed around some more. Shaking himself. He hooted in a satisfied manner, seeming to finally get the results he wanted. Which only caused more water to fling up and smack Kaeya in the face and fly across his bathroom.
The blunette sputtered he stood to get out of range. He was half as wet as the pyro allogene by this point. Diluc gave an apologetic hoot before clumsily turning back to the water and reattempted the process.
Nearly a half an hour later, the two figured Diluc was as clean as they could manage. The owl hopped up on the tub ledge and shook himself. Kaeya didn't even care at this point. Half of the bath had already ended up all over the bathroom of Kaeya himself during the process.
"Feel better?" Kaeya asked him.
The owl nodded, looking down a bit begrudgingly.
"Right then," Kaeya sighed, and handed him back his vision holster, "The fireplace has some wood in it and is ready to go. You can dry off there. I assume you don't need help starting it?"
Diluc carefully took the leather straps in his beak before hopping down onto the floor and making his way out of the bathroom.
Kaeya placed his hands on his hips and surveyed the bathroom. The blunette shook his head as he immediately gave up, stripping his own clothes off and getting into the shower himself. He was already drenched, he might as well finish the job Diluc had started. He kicked the drain open as he turned the overhead shower on, stepping into the stream.
The hot, steaming water did wonders to his tense shoulders and muscles. Causing his head to swim with fatigue.
He gruffly shook his head. Now was not to the time to relax. He had things to do. And once he was bathed and dressed again, he needed to go out and do them. Hopefully he could get at least an hour nap in once he was done.
Diluc was going to prove to be a problem. He was going to have to shake him off somehow. Perhaps lull him to sleep before sneaking out himself?
All Kaeya needed was him sticking his metaphoric nose where it didn't belong and ruin everything.
Kaeya groaned softly as he stepped out of the shower, toweled off and threw a few more on the floor to soak up Diluc's mess for good measure before grabbing his robe off the back of the door and tied it on. His fingers mindlessly braided his hair as he walked downstairs to check in on Diluc before he returned to his room to 'go to sleep'.
The blunette could hear the crackling of pyro and found Diluc perched on the back of the couch. Staring at the mantel above the fireplace. Where a mirror was hanging.
Kaeya paused.
Diluc looked so small as he sat there staring at his reflection with an intensity he normally only resolved for a curious puzzle he had yet to figure out. His plumicorns lowered in distress. His feathers fluffed out as thought he had seen an emery.
Yet the only thing staring back at him was his own self.
This was probably the first time Diluc had ever gotten a proper look at himself like this. The blunette's heart sank. Suddenly feeling very uncertain.
Diluc slowly spread his wings out, studying them in the mirror. His plumicorns lowered even more so. His feathers flattening against his body. He seemed to sag as he perched there. Accepting the sight before him.
"Are you hungry?"
The pyro allogene jumped. Head whipping around to stare at him. Looking very much like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"I'll make us some food," Kaeya didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he turned and headed into the kitchen. Suddenly full of the desire to distract the redhead from looking like that a moment longer, and a sudden realization his heart couldn't take watching him looking like that a second longer in his sleep-deprived state.
His throat was already burning suspiciously.
He might have cracked the eggs a little too aggressively as he whisked them together in a bowl, scrapping the shattered shells out before pouring the beaten eggs into a pan. The yellow liquid sloshed around as he tossed another pan onto the burner next to it. Tossing in some breakfast ham before washing his hands and began busying himself with finding a good drinking dish for the owl.
The smell of late-night breakfast made the little kitchen feel a bit warmer. Reminding Kaeya of Klee, the reason he was always sure to keep some cooking ingredients on hand. She always seemed to catch him of guard with her visits and more than once it was because she was hungry and in need of a meal.
Kaeya glanced up as Diluc's talons clicked against the kitchen tile. He looked up at Kaeya with an expression the blunette found hard to read on a bird's face.
"Eggs and ham," Kaeya clarified incase the other couldn't tell. "Safe enough for an owl diet, wouldn't you say?"
Diluc continued to stare at him. As though he were a puzzle he hadn't figured out.
"I got you some water," Kaeya turned his back on him. That stare too intense for him just now. "Feel free to sit on the table."
There was a moment of silence before the scuffling sound of wings flapping and talons clenching on wood. The blunette glanced over to make sure the pyro allogene had successfully hopped onto the furniture before grabbing one of the plates he had plucked from his cabinet and scooped some of the scrambled eggs and warmed ham onto it.
He wordlessly cut the meat into tiny chunks before setting it down bfore the other. "Here."
Diluc hooted softly, his head down as he stared at the food. Waiting until Kaeya turned off the stove, made his own plate, and placed the dirty dishes in the sink to deal with later. The blunette sighed as he sat at one of the chairs.
His body begging him to go to bed already.
The blunette negotiated by resting his chin on a fist while stabbing his own food with a fork and shoving it into his mouth. It wasn't a five-star meal by any means, but it was energy and that is what mattered. Besides, owls didn't even have the ability to taste their food.
Which might explain Diluc's pitiful state as he poked at his food before dejectedly eating it.
"It's going to be alright, you know," Kaeya spoke softly as he stabbed some more eggs onto his fork. "I'll make sure you are turned back to your old self."
Diluc turned to look over at him. Red eyes staring.
At one point in time, Kaeya would have turned and looked in back in the eye. Vowing and pledging to save Diluc no matter what, and his brother would have immediately accepted his words. Trusted them more than anything else and held onto that hope they brought.
But those days were long past. And Kaeya was in no mood to be reminded of that so he kept his gaze glued to his plate.
"Finish your food so we can go to bed," was all he said.
Any plans Kaeya had had of sneaking out were dashed as the food and bath did little to cheer the man-turned-owl up. The moment of stillness and the domestic tasks of taking a bath and eating, two things he had taken for granted as a human, fully suffocated the wine master. He was forced to face the truth of the situation.
Leaving him looking like a small child who had lost their balloon to the wind or dropped their ice cream on the muddy ground. Kaeya cursed his sentimental heart and how loud it became the more tired he was as he placed their dirty dishes in the sink and offered the redhead his arm.
Diluc climbed onto it while glaring at the ground. Not really paying the blunette much mind as he walked them back upstairs and into his bedroom. The owl only looked up when Kaeya gently deposited him on a pillow. Seeming surprised to find himself in the blunette's bed and not on the back of a chair or something.
"You're still quite clumsy when it comes to perching," Kaeya tried to sound lighthearted, but a large yawn stopped him midway. "You need to get some good sleep as well. Besides, we used to sleep together when we were younger didn't we? What is one night going to hurt?"
The blunette refused to meet the red eyes staring at him as he grabbed some pajamas to change into behind the privacy of his closet door. He deposited the robe on its doorknob before disappearing back into the bathroom to grab one of his softest towels.
Diluc had sat down and appeared to be fighting off sleep. His lower eyelids were drifting up as he fought to keep them open, yet his beak dipped in exhaustion.
Once again guilt flooded the blunette. How long had it been since the redhead had had the chance to sleep properly somewhere warm and safe?
A red eye creaked open as Kaeya draped the towel over him like a tiny blanket. It watched as the blunette walked around the bed and climbed in the other side. Keeping his back to the other as he laide down and reached over and flicked out the light.
"Good night."
A soft hoot in return.
The blunette stared out the window, looking at the starlight filtering through as his own eyes slowly drifted shut.
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FAN ART TIME!
We have gotten our very first fan art by none other than writerandbaka! Be sure to check out thevery adorable illustrations and see Bird Gang
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Thanks again for reading 3
Notes:
Kaeya: *laughing at something hour-glass Lisa said*
Jean & Diluc: *comes into office*
Kaeya: Oh hey! :D Lisa was just telling me the funniest joke.
Jean & Diluc: *shares concerned look*
Jean: Kaeya, sweetie. I think it is time you took a nap.
Kaeya: No, I'm fine I swear. Tell them Lisa.
Lisa:...
Kaeya: Tell them Lisa.
LIsa:...
Jean/Diluc:...
Kaeya: Lisa? *nervous sweating* Lisa? They think I'm crazy. Lisa!
Kaeya/Diluc: *in catacombs*
Kaeya: Ah so refreshing. I love being underground like this. It makes me feels so safe and secure
Diluc: I'm about to fuckin lose my shit down here *dead Crepus meme*
Kaeya: *planning on going off and NOT sleep like Jean told him to*
Kaeya: *yawns* oh my how sleepy I am. I must go sleep in my bed like the princess I am. You might as well go fly around or something, Master Diluc
Diluc: I'm not fucking falling for that.
Diluc: *proceeds to lead Kaeya to his apartment by the hair on his head like he is a horse*
Kaeya: D: You're such a meanie
Diluc: *in bubble bath with a rubber ducky*
Diluc: I am battle ready. Nothing can stop me or slow me down from defending this land. I am the last defense of Mondsadt. I am—
Diluc: *sees reflection*
Diluc: *error 404*
Kaeya: Im done with my bath—
Diluc: *having a full blown mental crisis*
Kaeya: Well fuck. There goes my hot girl plans for the night.
Kaeya: Man Diluc won't trust me no matter what I say or do. There is no point trying to reasure him because it won't mean anything. :((
Diluc: *upon hearing Kaeya say he'd help him fix the curse*
Kaeya/Diluc: *eating at the table*
Diluc: These eggs taste like ass.
Kaeya: How do you know what ass tastes like?
Diluc:...
Kaeya:...
Diluc: *being placed gently on Kaeya's pillow when he expected to be set on the back of a chair*
Diluc:
Chapter 8: Lepus
Summary:
Aether wasn't smiling like normal. Instead, his brow was lowered in concern. That probably wasn't good.
"What seems to be the trouble?"
"Amber has disappeared," Paimon answered him. "Captain Eula received a letter from her company about it. Jean wants you to come with us to search for her."
Notes:
drops this and leaves*
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
The sun was much too high in the sky for Kaeya's liking by the time he felt Diluc shuffling beside him and he managed to pry his own eye open. The blunette groaned as he rolled onto his back. Dragging a hand down his face as he glared at the sunlight filtering through the window.
He was behind schedule.
Kaeya's body protested as he pushed his blanket aside and swung his legs over the bed. He paused a moment to stretch, trying to bribe his muscles to wake up and get the blood flowing properly. He didn't have time to become stowed up.
Diluc was also stretching. Flapping his wings a few good times as he shook his head to brush aside the last of his drowsiness. He blinked a bit tiredly up at Kaeya as the blunette made his way to his closet and grabbed the first pair of clothing that fell into his hands. Hurrying to tug off his pajamas and yank them on.
He went to the bathroom next, hurrying to brush his hair, teeth and splash some water on his face followed by some perfume. He left the door and the toilet seat up for the owl as he loudly announced he would be downstairs
He wasn't sure if the redhead would prefer to relive himself as Barbatos intended birds do or if he wanted to attempt to try and wrangle indoor plumbing, but judging by how porcelain seemed to slide dangerously between his avian brother's talons, he doubted Diluc would even attempt trying to use the bathroom lest he fall into the commode itself.
Kaeya snickered at the thought.
Diluc met him in the kitchen. Gracefully swooping from the top of the stairs to the kitchen entry way. Landing quite expertly as Kaeya began making some coffee.
"Eggs and ham okay again?" Kaeya asked glancing at him.
The older nodded as he flapped his way to the tabletop. Twisting his head to help smooth out some feathers in his wings before turning to watch Kaeya hurriedly grab another pan and toss the food into it. Normally the blunette would just swing by Good Hunters on days like today, but he doubted Diluc would appreciate everyone in Mondstadt watching him eat like he currently was.
Kaeya might not be able to do much for the pyro allogene in his current state, but he could at least offer him a bit of privacy.
"Water," the blunette filled the wide rimmed bowl and placed it before his brother. "Better stay hydrated while you can. Who knows what today will bring."
Diluc hooted gruffly before bending to drink. Seeming to have already gotten the hang of how to use his beak and mouth to perform the action.
"I need to go by the Cathedral," Kaeya turned his attention back to the stove. "I want to check in with Albedo."
A talon rapped across the table questioningly.
"Lisa wasn't able to communicate until she was given her vision," the blunette shrugged. "While I doubt that is the same case for Albedo, I would like to just see what happens when it is given to him. I doubt Jean has thought to try with everything else going on, and I highly doubt any of the sisters did either. Most don't even know his real identity."
More tapping.
"No," Kaeya shook his head. "I would rather you go and patrol the city. You've gotten quite good at flying around. See if you can spot anything out of order or an area that needs to be looked into regarding raising defenses. I know Captains Eula and Hertha have been busy working on all of that, but a bird's eye view is a helpful tool."
Diluc huffed at him. Glaring a bit. His talon clicking against the wood.
The captain sighed as he piled their food onto plates. Hurrying to cut the owl's portion before setting it down in front of him. "No. I am not trying to ditch you. I wouldn't tell you where I was going if that were the case.
He paused a moment thinking before smirking over at the other, "Or I would just lock you in my bedroom. It's not like you have thumbs to open the door."
Diluc's subtle glare turned into a full one.
Kaeya laughed at his expression before gesturing to the food. "I promise I won't exit the city gate without your surveillance, Master Diluc. Now eat. We both need to get a move on and see what happened while we were dreaming."
The owl sighed, before doing as asked.
:•.𓃹.•*
The city was just as wary and silent as it had been the days of Stormterror. Most of the citizens were staying safely tucked away in homes, taverns, and shops. Not loitering on the street longer than necessarily. Knights patrolled the city, not as many as Kaeya would have liked with the expedition Varka was leading, but more than normal. Most looked exhausted, clearly pulling longer hours than normal as Eula and Hertha extended patrols.
Diluc had flown off the instant they both walked outside. Agreeing to meet Kaeya at the Cathedral in about an hour's time before they both went to check in with Jean and catch up on the news of what had occurred in the past seven hours.
The blunette was quick to make his way up the church's steps. He paused at the front door, his finger idly tracing the wood next to the handle. Head bowed in thought.
"Most people prayinsidea church."
The blunette turned and smiled at the figure who suddenly appeared behind him like a shade in the night.
"My apologies, Sister Rosaria, I was just lost in my thoughts."
She huffed at him. Crossing her arms and squinting at him suspiciously. "Your thoughts, huh? Well, that is a labyrinth indeed."
Kaeya chuckled at her before grabbing the handle and pulling it open, holding it for her as they both entered.
"So why are you here? Need a hangover remedy?" Rosaria shot him a dead-pan stare.
"Sister," Kaeya placed a hand over his heart in mock offence, "To imply I would go and drink when given strict orders from our dear Acting Grand Master is hurtful. I am here on other matters. Mainly to see the babe that was brought to be tended to by the sisters here."
"Follow me," she waved at him as she walked down the pews and headed towards the back of the church leading him to the medical ward section of the building.
They hadn't even made it to the door before Kaeya heard muffled destressed baby sounds coming through the wood. Rosaria didn't hesitate to shove it open and stepped to the side to allow Kaeya access into the room.
There, in the corner of the room, was an occupied crib where a very red-faced infant was squirming and kicking his legs as he grunted in frustration. His tiny sounds grew into actual cries as Kaeya approached him. Peering down into the crib.
"Hello," the blunette tried for a smile, but it felt weak even for him. "A bit upset this morning are we?"
"He is quite noisy," Rosaria sighed as she twirled her knife.
"Do you know if he was brought here with some items or belongings?" Kaeya reached down and gently stroked Albedo's clenched knuckle with his finger. Trying to sooth him.
The sister grunted in affirmative before walking across the room and grabbing a bottle that was sitting in a bowl of hot water. "I'll get it for you, but you feed him."
"What—?" before Kaeya could even finish his question his arms were suddenly full of the baby alchemist and a bottle and Rosaria was gone. The door closed behind her.
The blunette blinked after her before sighing and turning to look down at the crying infant in his arms.
"There, there, Albedo," Kaeya whispered softly. "It can't be all that bad now can it? I know bottled milk is not cake, but it is hardly the worst thing to eat."
Albedo settled into the crook of his arm, but that did little to ease his cries. Kaeya tested the warmth of the milk on his own skin before gently nudging the geo allogene's lips apart and slipped the bottle into his mouth.
The alchemist's' distressed cries instantly morphed into content little baby grunts. His legs kicking a bit in pleasure as he sucked down his breakfast. Kaeya sighed, but a small smile twitched at his lips.
"See? I told you so."
The alchemist didn't respond, though his eyes did look up at the blunette. Staring up at him.
"Are you in there, Bedo?" Kaeya stared down at him seriously. Looking for any sign of recognition or understanding in that tiny face. "Blink once for yes twice for no."
Those teal eyes didn't so much as twitch, they just stared up at him wide-eyed.
The cryo allogene sighed and shook his head, turning as Rosaria reentered with a bag.
"There should be a geo vision in there," Kaeya nodded towards it. "Will you get it out for me?"
The nun opened the tote, shuffling through it before pulling out the said artifact. Its golden light glowed vibrantly in her grasp as she handed it to the other.
"Here," Kaeya gently set the vision on top of the babe's chest. "Can you do anything with this?"
But once more those large eyes merely stared up at him, dutifully finishing his breakfast and not trying to communicate in anyway whatsoever.
"Thank you," Kaeya sighed in disappointment as he handed the vision back to Rosaria.
"He doesn't do anything besides act like a baby," Rosaria took it and shoved it back in the bag. "Barbara has run tests on him. Nothing came of it."
Kaeya hummed as he slipped the now empty bottle out of the geo allogene's grasp and grabbed a small towel from on a nearby counter and draped it over his shoulder like he had seen many of the local Mondstadt parents do after feeding their own children. He propped Albedo over his shoulder to gently pat and rub his back.
The geo allogene had just managed to burp when the door flew open and a certain tiny pyro allogene burst in.
"Kaeya!" Klee cheered upon seeing him.
"Hello, Klee," the blunette smiled down at her as she raced to hug him. Her arms flung around his waist and lower back. He gently patted her head and returned the hug with one arm as best as he could.
He looked up as Razor and Noelle entered behind her. Accompanied by a small pigeon perched on the geo allogene's shoulder.
"Razor, Noelle, Mika," he greeted to the other three. "What brings you all here this lovely morning?"
"We're here to see Albedo!" Klee excited leapt back twirling a bit side to side. "Jean explained that Albedo is now very small and needs Klee to be his big sister for a little bit until he is all better."
"Is that so?" Kaeya asked, smiling gently down at her.
"Can Klee hold him?" the little elf stood on her tiptoes and stretched out her arms. "I want to give him a good morning kiss."
"Remember you need to wash your hands first, Klee" Noelle stepped forward to gently remind the child before Kaeya had the chance to reply.
"Right!" the pyro allogene gasped before pulling her gloves off and hurrying to the sink in the corner of the room. Razor helped pick her up so she was tall enough, earning a giggle from Klee.
"Sit down on the rocking chair, Klee," Kaeya instructed as she rushed back, ready to hold her brother.
She obediently did as instructed, going from shivering with excitement to still and calm as Kaeya bent over to gently place a now sleepy Albedo in her lap.
"Hi, Albedo," she whispered with a giggle. "Bigsis Klee is here again. Just like I promised."
The geo allogene reached a tiny hand out to her, grasping onto her finger before his eyes fluttered shut and he snuggled into her warm grip. Razor peered curiously over her shoulder. Staring down at the baby.
Kaeya smiled at the sight before turning to look at Noelle and Mika speaking softly, "How are you two holding up?"
"I am fine," Noelle smiled at him. "Acting Grand Master Jean has instructed that I oversee both Klee and Razor. They are both doing well despite what has happened."
Kaeya nodded pleased before looking at the other, "Are you okay, Mika?"
The pigeon perched on Noelle's shoulder nodded at him.
"Mika has been a great help," Noelle smiled down at him. "I don't know if I could keep up with keeping an eye out for Klee all by myself, but since Mika has gotten much better at flying he's been great at helping me find her when she runs off."
"Good at flying, eh?" Kaeya smiled at him. "Well done adapting to the circumstances, Mika. That is a quality all good knights must have."
While the blunette couldn't see the boy's skin underneath the feathers he could tell the younger cryo allogene flushed at the praise, but, before either could say anything more, the door to the cathedral nursery opened once more. This time a familiar blonde Traveler and their ever trusted companion entered.
"Kaeya!" Paimon exclaimed upon seeing him. "There you are. We've been looking all over for you."
"Have you now?" the blunette crossed his arms as he studied them. Trying to figure out why they were looking for him just by judging their expressions.
Aether wasn't smiling like normal. Instead, his brow was lowered in concern. That probably wasn't good.
"What seems to be the trouble?"
"Amber has disappeared," Paimon answered him. "Captain Eula received a letter from her company about it. Jean wants you to come with us to search for her."
"Amber, huh?" Kaeya frowned.
Lepus. The hare. If the lector had managed to curse her the little outrider could be in severe danger. Therewerewolves in Wolvendom after all.
Finding her quickly could be a matter of life and death.
"Mika," Kaeya turned to the little pigeon on Noelle's shoulder. "I need your assistance."
The little bird perked up at the command, carefully stepping onto Kaeya's offered arm.
"I am afraid I am going to have to steal him from you for the day, Noelle," Kaeya smiled apologetically at her before glancing over at where Klee, Razor, and Albedo all were.
"Oh, that is fine," Noelle hastily waved her hands in front of her reassuringly. "If Outrider Amber is missing Mika should go with you. He is an expert of the layout of Mondstadt."
Mika cooed bashfully at the praise .
"Are you leaving, Kaeya?" Klee looked up at him with a concerned frown.
"I am, Little Spark," he smiled as he stepped forward to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before booping her nose. "But I'll be back later. Be good and listen to Noelle for me, hmm? As your new role asbigsister Klee you must set a good example for your brother."
"I promise," she vowed with a giggle, but determinedly. "I'll be extra good just for Albedo."
"Atta girl," the blunette smiled and as he nodded to Aether and followed him and Paimon out.
The Traveler hurried out of the Cathedral, turning his head as a flash of feathers swooped above them and landed on the stone wall framing the stairs. Diluc's brow furrowed as he questioningly looked between the four of them.
"Amber is missing," Kaeya filled him in. "Jean needs us to look for her."
The owl's features darkened.
"Mika," Kaeya looked down at the pigeon perched on his arm. "Can you scout by flying for us?"
The little cryo allogene launched himself off Kaeya's arm. Wings fluttering as he flew over to a stone bench to display his skill.
"Excellent," Kaeya nodded. "I need you to search with Master Diluc. Aether and I will search the ground."
Mika nervously glanced at the owl's dark countenance, seeming to shrink a bit at the idea of having to look around with him.
"You are a master of the land, Mika," Kaeya explained, hoping to reassure the timid boy, "But Master Diluc is a currently a lot larger than you and can help should you run into any trouble. He will make sure no other birds of prey or animals harm you."
Diluc nodded firmly, turning to hoot reassuringly at the cursed teen.
"Master Diluc may look grumpy, but I reassure you he is quite a softy," Kaeya smirked over at the other, quite amused that Diluc's indignant huff was the only way he could dispute the claim.
"What about Fischl and Oz?" Paimon asked, clasping her hands behind her back. "Should we ask them for help?"
"That would actually be a good idea," Kaeya placed hand on his chin in thought. "It is not like she is in danger of being cursed herself since she already is. And their expertise would also be greatly appreciated."
"I can go get her," Aether volunteered.
Kaeya nodded. "Do that. Meet us at the Reconnaissance Company's camp after you find her."
Aether nodded and darted off with Paimon gliding behind, a trail of stars and glitter dripping behind her.
"Right," Kaeya nodded as he began to hurriedly make his own way, glancing at the two birds. "We best be off."
:•.𓃹.•*
"She left about three hours ago," Allan shook his head while glancing curiously at the owl and pigeon that sat perched on either of Kaeya's shoulders. "Draff recruited her to help him find Diona."
Kaeya, Aether, Paimon, Diluc, Mika, Fischl, and Oz all sat listening to the hunter's account. They had already wasted about two hours of time from heading out towards the Reconnaissance Company patrol line, only to be redirected back to Springvale after learning Amber had gone to the small town to check in on the people there and had not return when expected.
Aether, Paimon, and Kaeya had immediately began questioning the citizens, trying to figure out the last known location of the Outrider. They had finally come across Allan, not the most successful of hunters but a hard worker all the same, after another hour. Kaeya was more annoyed than relieved to finally be getting some answers, and, judging by the other's expressions he wasn't the only one who felt his impatience rising as more time passed with little to no helpful information about the Outrider's whereabouts.
"Diona was missing as well?" Kaeya raised an eyebrow at the statement.
"Well, missing is bit of a stretch," Allan rubbed the back of his head with a sigh before crossing his arms. "She stormed off this morning after Draff woke up because he had drunk so much he passed again. She waited to make sure he was alert and stuff before she left. She does this quite frequently, but with the Knights issuing out patrols and warning everyone to stay indoors Draff was worried about her and recruited the Outrider to help him find Diona."
"I see," Kaeya frowned in worry, glancing at the owl on his shoulder who also looked a bit concerned, if not a little peeved, that Diona had left the village.
"I don't think it's anything to worry about, really," Allan was quick to reassure the captain, waving his hands in front of himself. "Diona runs off all the time and is fine. She has a vision and is an excellent shot with her bow."
"What direction did Diona go?" Kaeya inquired, ignoring the statement altogether.
"South towards the pond I believe," Allan turned and pointed. "She likes to go and talk to the water over there."
"I see. Thank you," Kaeya nodded and dismissed the man.
The captain waited for him to be a little ways off before turning to the others. "Right. You all know what Amber and Diona look like, correct?"
Nods of confirmation.
"Amber's constellation was Lepus, or hare," Kaeya informed them, "So keep an eye out on for any rabbits you come across as well as piles of clothes. We all know that the curse doesn't transform attire so if you see some suspiciously abandoned boots or weaponry investigate it."
More nods.
"Aether can you teleport yourself, Paimon, Fischl, and Oz to the pond?" the blunette turned towards them, "With any luck, our missing persons will be there. Diluc, Mika, and I will form our own party and travel there on foot and through the sky to make sure Amber, Diona, or Draff didn't get caught up in something on the way there. Does that sound reasonable to everyone?"
More nods.
"Alright, let's go," Kaeya nodded, helping both Mika and Diluc take off by launching them into the air one at a time.
Aether was quick to transport the others, leaving Kaeya alone to swing up on his horse and start heading south. His sharp eye scanned the ground as he rode on, watching out for any signs of burnt grass or footprints. Unfortunately, Amber had left the horse he had given her back with the company so he didn't have a convenient path of horse hooves to track.
The girl enjoyed running around far too much for Kaeya to consider reasonable. Though, considering all the other pyro allogenes he knew, thst seemed to be a trait they all had in common.
The blunette sighed as he settled back into his saddle. Enjoying the bright beautiful day and the gentle weather. It really was a nice afternoon. It was quite the shame he wasn't able to just go for a nice stroll or find a beach to take a nap on. He patted his mount's neck fondly as the horse walked steadily down the path, ears flicking up every now and again as she heard something.
"I bet you enjoy getting out for once, hmm?" he crooned softly to her. "You few who were left behind don't get near the amount of exercise you used to. Always kept in your stalls for emergencies and just-in-case moments."
She snorted as though to answer him.
"Well, when we get back, I'll be sure to get you a nice apple or carrot or something of the sort," he promised. "You deserve it with all the extra work you've been doing."
A loud hoot caused him to glance up, spotting Diluc as he swooped down low enough to catch the blunette's eye and attention before purposefully flying off to Kaeya's left.
"Looks like they found something," Kaeya muttered, tugging on the reigns and urging the horse forward.
She sprung into action, quickly galloping after the low-flying avian as he led them away from the path. It didn't take long for the blunette to see what had caught Diluc's attention. There was a clear trail of dead grass and plants to follow, but it wasn't just from ash and fire. Some of it was wilted and brown from frostbite.
Diluc alighted on a tree branch next to where a little pigeon sat perched there, waiting for them. Kaeya reigned his horse to a stop before sliding down.
Mika cooed at them before flying off himself leading them along. It was clear to see that a battle had taken place here.
Kaeya's and the other two's eyes followed the tracks as they read the story they told. There were two sets of footprints. One, the very distinct cat-like paws of Diona. The other was human though smaller than a fully-grown man and wearing Outrider boots. It was definitely Amber and not Draff who had found the cryo allogene first. There were large patches of mud across the ground, most likely a hydro mage's doing rather than a Diona's cryo.
The two allogenes had been holding their own with their bows it seemed. Their footprints a safe distance away from where Kaeya expected the hydro mage's shield had broken. But then…
He frowned as he knelt, hand hovering over a plant that was singed. His eye flashed as his elemental sight activated. It was not pyro that coated the leaf. It was electro.
Kaeya looked up, taking in the scene with a fresh perspective.
The electro being had appeared behind the girls. Heavy footprints had indented the grass. This was no mage. Nor was it a mitachurl or lawachurl. It was a Lector. Kaeya's heart began to pick up as he stood, hurrying to follow the trail. Diluc and Mika followed close behind.
Suddenly Diona's tracks were gone. Amber's twisted as though she turned, before they continue onward again. She was running. Fast. The electro in the air shows she was chased. Kaeya's own pace picks up, jogging at this point as he followed the trail. Hurrying forward.
Amber was dodging and weaving. Taking evasive maneuver tactics. She had suddenly jerked to the left. Her path cut off as the Lector teleports in front of her. Again and again this happened it seemed. The Abysmal creature was herding her. For some reason Amber does not seem to attempt to stop and fight. She must have been carrying Diona, her arms too full to shoot her bow.
Was the other girl injured? Cursed?
Kaeya pushed his way through some bushes, searching the ground. He heard Diluc land on a branch above him. His red eyes searching the area. Mika cooed as he found the next clue on the trail. A broken branch.
Kaeya hurried forward and his heart sunk as he looked up. Realizing he has come to a dead end. Amber and Diona had been cornered against the cliff. But what was more, the trail had gone cold.
"Search for them up there," Kaeya turned to the two birds. "I'll look down here for any signs."
The two avians hurry to do as instructed. Zipping away over the cliff while Kaeya hurriedly searched the ground below. His eye flashed as he used his elemental sight. Trying to search for—
His heart sunk when he spotted a spark of pyro glowing under a nearby bush. He crouched low and reached forward to grab the pyro vision that laid there. Kaeya carefully held the feathery trinket attached to it.
It was Amber's alright.
Kaeya began searching through the bushes. Digging through the leaves until he found what he was looking for. A pile of Outrider gear and Diona's tiny outfit. Kaeya whistled loudly as he gathered the items in his arms.
The sound brought both his horse and the other two.
"They have been cursed," Kaeya said grimly as he hurried to place their belongings in his saddle bag. "We need to find them as quickly as possible. The Lector might still be in the area so if you see him let me know. I am unaware of what Diona's constellation is, so keep your eyes open for anything that seems odd or out of place. Hurry."
Kaeya turned his attention back to the crime scene as Diluc and Mika flew off once more. Calculating.
Amber would never leave Diona behind. So, if there was nothing here with their clothes either both of the girls had been taken by the Lector or Diona had been able to travel with Amber some way or another.
But where would Amber have gone?
Kaeya looked around. Frowning as he thought.
One option would be to go back to Springvale, but with it being a town full of hunters that would not have been the safest decision for ahare. So, it was most likely that Amber would have gone and hidden elsewhere to wait for help to come.
If that was the case, she probably wouldn't have strayed too far from where her vision was unless forced to by the Lector.
Kaeya searched the area again, looking for traces of electro that led off somewhere. There didn't appear to be any. So either the Lector had immediately teleported once cursing them or had not seen the need to attack them if he had given chase.
"Amber!" Kaeya shouted, hoping she was nearby enough to come out where he could see her. "Amber, where are you?"
After a few seconds of no answer he stood moving along the cliff side, searching the ground for any clues. Periodically calling her name every now and again. His horse trailed after him loyally, pausing to eat some grass every now and again as Kaeya knelt to inspect the grass or dirt.
He was wondering if perhaps the pyro allogene had turned into a rabbitstatuewhen he heard a soft mewing sound.
"Amber!" the blunette called again, pausing to listen. "Diona!"
A shrill, high-pitched sound answered him that time. Kaeya hurried forward, pushing his way through the brush until he came upon a large tree, andthere—!
He approached the small hole that rested in its base. It had probably some small animal's den at some point, "Amber?"
And there, peering up at him with a pair familiar golden eyes, was a hare.
"Oh, Amber," Kaeya sighed as he knelt on the ground. "Thank the thousand winds we found you."
The hare eased out, her nose quivering as she sniffed the air. Her ears perked up as she looked up at the blunette. Seeming to huff in relief at Kaeya's presence. As the pyro allogene moved, she shifted out of the tree hollows entrance. Allowing Kaeya to get a glimpse at the other little creature hiding inside.
A tiny calico kitten growled at him. Ears pinned back as she pressed closer to Amber's hindquarters.
"Oh," the blunette sighed deeply as he recognized her. So glad that she was not some inanimate object unable to move or express herself. "Diona, are you alright?"
The kitten's ears flattened even further as she dejectedly crouched lower. Amber turned to her, gently nuzzling little girl's head with her snout.
"How about we get you checked out at the Cathedral for any injuries, hmm?" Kaeya reached down for them both. "I'll send word for your father to come fetch you there, Diona. How does that sound?"
The little kitten growled low, but shuffled towards Kaeya's hands per Amber's encouragement. The knight carefully picked her up and placed her on his furry collar. She instantly settled down. Seeming to appreciate not being directly in the blunette's grip.
"And I'll get you back to Jean," Kaeya looked back at Amber who nodded with a huff and allowed Kaeya to also carefully scoop her up.
The blunette glanced up as a shadow washed over him, followed by the fluttering of two pairs of wings. Diluc and Mika landed on a nearby tree branch. Apparently having heard Amber's cry.
"Fetch the Traveler and Fischl would you? Let them know Amber and Diona have been recovered and I am heading back to the city. I will have the Knights find and fetch Draff," Kaeya requested.
They both nodded before taking off, circling a moment to make sure Kaeya got everyone up on his horse alright before setting off. Amber laid calmly against the blunette's chest as he held her with one arm and the reins in another. The pyro allogene gently rested her head next to Diona in a comforting manner and settled in for the long ride back to the city.
:•.𓃹.•*
Kaeya sighed heavily as he finally left the Cathedral long after the sun had set.
He paused as he stood at the top of the stairs. Staring up at the moon slowly drifting across the sky. Archons he could use a drink.
"Captain Kaeya."
The blunette turned as Eula marched up the stairs. A worried frown on her face.
"Captain Eula," Kaeya greeted back with a tired smile. "I take it you heard the news?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I would have come sooner but I was on patrol. I only have a moment between shifts, but I wanted to come and check on Amber."
"When did you last sleep, Lawrence?" Kaeya sighed at her, hands on his hips as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"I shall sleep when the threats against my city are no longer active," she growled.
Kaeya tsked, shaking his head. "Now, now, Eula. Jean made me go to sleep. It's only fair that you have to sleep as well. Let me take over your next patrol for you."
The Reconnaissance captain opened her mouth to argue, but paused as Kaeya raised his hands, stopping her with his argument, "Besides. Amber might have been acting strong for Diona, but I cannot imagine she is dealing with being turned into a hare very well." His gazed softened. "She needs you right now, Eula. Go. Get some sleep and tend to Amber. I'll take your patrol."
Kaeya could see the moment the other cyro allogene's resolve broke. She sighed, nodding. "Fine. I shall pass my patrol into your care, but mark my words vengeance shall be mine for such tactics being used against me."
The blunette smiled at her, "Naturally."
A pause.
"How did it happen?" Eula's fist clenched as she came to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the cavalry captain.
A long, deep sigh. "Diona Kätzlein from Springvale was reported missing. Amber went searching for her. They were attacked by a hydro mage who was working with our electro Lector. While the two were distracted by the mage, the Lector attacked. Diona was struck first, turning her into a kitten. Amber was struck shortly later after a small chase was given. The Outrider was able to carry Diona to safety and they hid inside a hollowed tree until we managed to find them."
Lawrence's jaw clenched, "This lector will lament the day he decided to show his face in this land."
Alberich grunted in agreement.
Kaeya paused as Eula's bright, eyes turned to him with an intensity he had only seen within her own clan, "I heard you were the one who found her."
"It was a joint effort," he shook off the potential praise with a wave of his hand. "I can hardly take credit."
"Still," she said firmly with a nod. "Thank you for your contribution."
"Of course. We couldn't leave our dear little Outrider stranded out there now could we?"The blunette cleared his throat, hurrying to change the topic, "Now, I best be off to this patrol of yours. Where in the city is your post?"
"The shopping district," Eula began to climb up the remaining stairs towards the Cathedral. "You'll be taking over for Huffman."
"Right," he waved his thanks as he began to make his way down the stairs.
Yet, as the blunette reached the ground level of the city, he did not head towards Good Hunters or the other shops. Instead, he veered left. Taking the stairs and heading towards the side gate where he found Guy yawning in exhaustion as he stood at his post.
"Are you the waiting to be released from duty or have you just arrived?" Kaeya inquired, causing him to jump.
"C-captain," the man hurried to straighten up and salute. "My shift is ending soon, Sir."
The blunette nodded. "Who is replacing you?"
"I believe it is Phonia, Sir," Guy answered. "Though I am unsure. Captains Hertha and Eula have changed our normal rotations due to the increased risk of attack."
"Go and find Phonia and inform her that she will be taking over Huffman's patrol in the shopping district. I shall be taking this post," Kaeya nodded, waving him away.
"Yes, sir," the man nodded,saluted, and hurried away before Kaeya could point out he was getting off duty fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.
The blunette sighed as he settled into position in front of the gate. Finger gently tracing over the stone archway as he looked out at the lake. Listening to the gentle sounds of the water lapping at the dock, keeping a wary watch on the sky above him incase Diluc decided to show up suddenly and drop more unpleasant items on his head.
Not that he probably would. Jean had asked him and the Traveler to go back and search Springvale for any clues regarding the Lector after all. Kaeya suspected that would occupy the redhead for a few more hours at the very least.
Not that they were going to find the Abysmal crest out there tonight.
The blunette's footfalls were silent as he made his way down to the water. The wood creaked as he walked out onto the dock. He stared down into the murky, dark water. His arms crossed as he lingered there.
He didn't have to wait long.
"I must admit I didn't think intended to keep your word and show. Especially after your absence last night," a chilling voice washed over him.
"My apologies," Kaeya smiled warmly as he turned to face his guest. "Some unforeseen circumstances came up. I meant no disrespect."
A portal opened on the dock between him and the city gate. A large, towering figure stepped out. The air cracked with electro as the Lector stood before him.
"So what is it you wish to speak to me about, Fated One?"
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𓃹
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Notes:
Diluc: *staring at the toilet*
Diluc: *Imagines himself falling into it and Kaeya never letting him live it down ever in his life*
Diluc: I'll take my chances outside
Kaeya: *jokingly threatening to lock Diluc in his room*
Diluc: I will burn your door down and find every crusty disgusting thing in Mondstadt and shove it down your shirt.
Kaeya: ... damn I was just teasing
Kaeya: *holding baby Albedo*
Kaeya: Please, Celestia above, Albedo, don't make me have to change your diaper
Albedo: *incoherent baby noises*
Klee: Now I'm YOUR big sister Albedo :D 3
Albedo: *gurgle nosies idk*
Klee: I'm going to take such good care of you. I'll help feed you and take read you stories and I'll show you all kinds of cool stuff!
Noelle (thinking): Oh, she's so adorable.
Klee: Like all my treasures! :D
Klee: *pulls out bomb*
Noelle: KLEE NO—!
Kaeya: Okay, Mika, you're with Diluc
Diluc: *Dark ominous storm cloud of angst and anger churning over him*
Mika: *gulps*
Diluc: *Dark ominous storm cloud of angst and anger churning over him*
Mika: Oh man this guy is so scary. I hope I don't mess up and get him mad at me
*cold winds of Mondstadt blow*
Mika: *n shivering because he is cold*
Diluc: *glances at him* *huffs* *scoots closer and activates pyro vision*
Mika: *settles down, cooing softly*
Mika: Oh ): ) Maybe he's not so scary after all.
Kaeya: *finds Amber*
Amber:...
Kaeya:...
Kaeya: So remember how you threatened to eat me if I got cursed—
Eula: *sees rabbit Amber and her cute twitchy nose*
Eula: If anything happened to rabbit Amber I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.
Diluc: *has been doing his best to make sure Kaeya doesn't do something stupid on his own*
Diluc: *leaves Kaeya alone for five seconds*
Kaeya: *in city meeting with lector*
Diluc: I am suddenly filled with rage and I don't know why...
Chapter 9: Carmen Dei
Summary:
Charles instantly filled it before asking softly, so soft no one in the Share would have been able to hear, "Should we be worried, Captain?"
The blunette took the cup, looking into the black liquid and the reflection that stared back, "You shouldn't be worried for yourself or your family. At least not yet."
"And you?" the barkeep looked at him. "Should I be worried for you?"
Kaeya drank the coffee in one go, setting the mug down with a soft tink. "Thanks for the drink, Charles. Take care of yourself."
Notes:
This is y'all's holiday gift from me. Happy whatever you celebrate. Hope it is good. Take care to those who have to visit toxic family. 3
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
"Alright, alright," Jean shouted over the antagonistic crowd, her hands held out in front of her as she addressed the citizens that had gathered in the plaza outside of the Cathedral. Their angry and scared shouts ringing out over the city. "I will answer all of your questions, but I need you to all to quiet down so I can do so."
Kaeya stood behind her, arms crossed as he surveyed the frightened citizens. Silently cursing Draff and his big mouth for going around and telling everyone about the curse. Now all of Springvale and the surrounding settlements were sweeping into the city, demanding refuge and sanctuary behind its walls. That had caused the Mondstadt City citizens to become alarmed by a sudden surge of refugees, that alarm had only grown as they listened towhypeople were suddenly seeking refuge.
"Why haven't the Knights stopped this Lector?" one shout rang out.
"Is there a cure?" another came.
"Why doesn't the expedition come back to help?"
"Where are the refugees going to stay?"
"What if I turn into a toilet?"
"We are currently in the midst of locating and defeating the Lector," Jean shouted to be heard, yet she did not cower under the onslaught of questions. "The Knights have increased our patrols and security throughout the region."
"The Knights are too inefficient! The Darknight Hero would have stopped this by now if you would just stop harassing them!"
"The Knights are too inefficient! This is ridiculous!"
Kaeya really could throw a rock at a certain owl in that moment.
"Does Grand Master Varka know what is going on?" another cried.
"We have sent word to Grand Master Varka of the situation, and he is confident in our abilities to protect you and keep you all safe," Jean said firmly.
"How long until you cure those cursed?" A hunter raised the question.
"We are currently in the midst of developing a cure now," the anemo allogene promised. "But these things take time."
Unsettled whispers washed through the crowd. Kaeya couldn't help but notice the Fatui diplomats in the back as they leaned close together and conspired. No doubt about to reach out to their Harbinger Lords the instant they got the opportunity.
The blunette glanced over at Eula and Hertha next to him. They returned his look. Eyes flicking to him and away.
"The Knights will hold an official public conference later this evening at the Cathedral," Jean promised. "We will answer your questions then. In the meantime, we will be helping to organize accommodations for everyone who had fled to the city for refuge as well as continue our manhunt for the Lector. Thank you for your time and understanding."
Kaeya stepped forward as Jean began to make her way down the stairs to the Knight's Headquarters. Eula did as well, coming to flank her other side and shooting anyone who dared get too close to the Acting Grand Master with an icy glare.
The three of them managed to make it through the crowds relatively unbothered, leaving Captain Hertha to help the Cathedral set up accommodations for the public conference later. They all sagged a bit in exhaustion the instant Jean's office door closed behind them.
Jean groaned, placing her face in her hands. "I knew it was only a matter of time before word got out, but I really wish it would have been later rather than sooner."
The two bluenettes could only grumble in agreement.
"Right," Jean took a deep breath and stood a bit straighter. "We need to make a plan."
"When was the last time someone checked in on Mona and the others?" Kaeya asked.
"Not since I sent the guards down there," Jean shook her head. "They were supposed to contact us regarding any breakthroughs or news they had. But I haven't personally had the time to go check in myself."
"I was resting," Eula shook her head. "Before that I was overseeing the patrols, so I have yet to go down into the Catacombs myself."
They all turned as a knock sounded at the door and the Traveler, Diluc, and Paimon hurried to slip inside.
"Whoa!" Paimon exclaimed. "There sure is a lot of people out there. What's going on?"
"Welcome back," Jean smiled tiredly at them. "Unfortunately, because of Diona, word has gotten out about the curse and with that knowledge a wave of refugees seeking protection behind our walls."
"Does the city have the capacity to take care of them all?" Aether questioned with a frown.
"We do," Jean nodded, "But with the Lector having the ability to teleport into the Headquarters itself, I am unsure how helpful our fortress is currently."
Diluc huffed in agreement, carefully hopping off Aether's shoulder to perch on a nearby chair. He shot Kaeya a glance who nodded back in return. Glad to see the other alright despite the circumstances.
"Did you happen to find anything in your investigation?" Eula questioned.
"No," Paimon shook her head. "The Lector wasn't there. And he didn't leave any clues."
Jean sighed in disappointment. "While that doesn't surprise me, it sure would have been useful."
"How is Amber and Diona?" the little fairy worriedly asked.
"Amber and Diona are currently with Noelle and the others," Eula crossed her arms. "They are handling this as well as can be expected."
"Diona didn't go with her father?" Kaeya questioned in surprise.
"No," Jean shook her head. "He and a few other hunters approached me requesting that they help protect the city as well. Captains Hertha and Eula are supposed to figure out how best to incorporate them into our defenses."
"We feel it would be best to add them to our wall patrol since they are skilled archers and would be able to use the high ground to their advantage," the cryo allogene answered. "I was going to adjust the schedule and rotations to accommodate them."
"Yes," the anemo allogene agreed. "That seems like a good idea."
Another knock came and this time captain Hertha entered the office. Looking just as tired as Kaeya felt.
"I managed to calm the crowds down somewhat," she sighed. "Sister Victoria and the other sisters have volunteered to get the Cathedral ready for the public conference and they are organizing the refugees. I told them the Knights will assist them any way we can, but they are prepared to take the brunt of the labor in those regards so we can focus on defense."
"Excellent," Jean sighed. "Right. Now we just need to find some more information to be able to inform the people about this curse and Lector."
"And you need to get some rest so you can think straight during the conference," Kaeya pointedly said. "We can't have our Acting Grand Master falling asleep while answering questions."
"There is too much to do," Jean started to argue.
"He is right," Eula sighed shooting Kaeya a glance. "We need to be able to uphold the people's confidence. If you look brow beaten and exhausted, you will not inspire confidence."
"You get some rest, Acting Grand Master," Hertha smiled at the anemo allogene. "We will get things ready for you."
Aether placed a hand over his heart in a silent vow to help.
"Alright," Jean finally gave in. "Kaeya, you are in charge in my absence."
"As you command, Acting Grand Master," Kaeya gave a small salute before turning to the owl perched on the chair. "Master Diluc, would you mind escorting her again? It would be best if she wasn't alone with that Lector running around."
The owl shot him a suspicious glance but nodded all the same. Allowing Jean to offer her arm for him to perch on.
"I'll be back in four hours," she promised. "We can go over what I need to say at the conference then."
"Right," Kaeya turned to the others before Jean had even fully left. "Aether would you be able to construct a temporary teleport waypoint for us?"
"Of course," Aether nodded.
"Hertha," Kaeya turned to the other captain. "Escort Aether to the lab and check in on the status of the cure. Make sure Lisa is also doing fine while you're there. Once you are done with that report back to either Eula or me. In a case like this it is probably a good idea to let multiple people know."
"Yes, sir," Hertha nodded and then turned and left with the Traveler and Paimon in tow.
"Patrol went well last night," Kaeya looked over at Eula. "No one reported any attacks or strange behavior."
"Good," Eula nodded content.
"Go and oversee the Knights and adjust the hunters into your rotation like you were planning," Kaeya instructed. "I am going to check in on a lead I had. I think we should plan to meet back here to help Jean with the conference in four hours. Can you be back here by then?"
"Yes," Eula nodded with a nod and then swept out of the office.
The blunette turned his attention to Jean's desk. Gently pushing the various papers around until he found the list he was looking for. His eye scanned the names there. Carefully reading them, memorizing the important ones.
Kaeya sighed. Rubbing a hand down his face before idly tracing the wood on Jean's desk with his for a moment. Letting how tired he already was once again. He needed to grab some coffee if he didn't want to crash in the middle of the day after another all-nighter. Plus, someone still needed to go and check in on Noelle and see how she was doing with everyone.
Though, he was starting to run out of people to ask.
He groaned as he pushed himself away from the desk and headed outside, informing the knights at the door that he was going to be patrolling the city and if anyone needed him they could search for him there, before immediately heading up the stairs to the roof.
Yes, it was illegal to glide through city, but the blunette already knew the instant he headed back out he would be swarmed with concerned citizens and questions, and he currently didn't have the time to deal with that. So he took a running leap and snapped his glider out. Sailing over the streets and rooftops as he gently descended towards his destination.
Patton looked up in surprise as he landed lightly before Angel's Share. The blunette nodded a greeting before pushing through the door and locking eyes with the bartender for a brief second before he scanned the rest of the tavern. His thumb resting on the doorknob a moment longer than necessary as he traced it.
It was eerily empty. Only a few of the true alcoholics littered its corners. Kaeya could make out a gentle tune from a lyre being plucked upstairs.
"Hello, Charles," Kaeya smiled at the man as he approached the bar. "A coffee if you would. Make it strong."
"Sure thing, Sir Kaeya," the bartender hurried to fulfill the order while the blunette sprinkled the mora it cost on the wood before him.
"How are things fairing here?" the blunette didn't bother to sit as he waited. Knowing if he did he would regret it the instant he had to stand again.
"Oh, you know," the man grabbed the coffee pot and a clean mug. "People are restless about what's happening. It's just like when Stormterror or Ursa was causing havoc."
"Anything you can't handle?" the captain took the coffee followed by a thank you. He gently blew on it before taking a deep sip.
"Nothing of concern," the man shook his head before giving Kaeya a worried once-over. "How are you holding up, Sir? You're looking tired."
Kaeya hummed as he finished the cup and slid it back to the man, his finger tracing against the wood. "Another, please."
Charles instantly filled it before asking softly, so soft no one in the Share would have been able to hear, "Should we be worried, Captain?"
The blunette took the cup, looking into the black liquid and the reflection that stared back, "You shouldn't be worried for yourself or your family. At least not yet."
"And you?" the barkeep looked at him. "Should I be worried for you?"
Kaeya drank the coffee in one go, setting the mug down with a softtink. "Thanks for the drink, Charles. Take care of yourself."
The man only watched him as he turned to head up the stairs. Following the sound of music. Letting his feet lead him towards a table where a bard in green sat plucking at the strings and a glass of cider before him.
Bright, sharp eyes flicked up to meet his.
"Venti," the blunette smiled widely. "Just who I was looking for."
:•.｡ ｡.•*
The Previous Night
The Dock groaned a bit under the weight of the heavily armored Lector. The being's boots rested on the wood. Kaeya glanced down at them for a moment. Wondering why this Lector preferred to stand rather than levitate like most.
"You've made quite the name for yourself in the land of wine and song," Kaeya casually turned to fully face him, looking up into his masked face. "I must say, people haven't been this riled up since the Abyss Order's attempt to corrupt Stormterror."
The Lector stared back down at him. Not saying anything.
"And forming your own curse to transform people into their own fated constellations?" the blunette whistled impressed. "Quite a feat."
"The mage relayed your message to me," the Lector interrupted. "What is it you wish to say, Fated One?"
"So impatient," Kaeya sighed in disappointment. "Why are you in such a rush? It's not like I get ample opportunities to talk to a being such as yourself. I'm quite isolated here after all."
"Not so isolated that you do not actively participate in slaying members of the organization your own clan created," the Lector growled back, his hands moving into a prayer-like position in front of his chest.
"Come now," Kaeya waved the comment off. "You have your role to play, and I have mine. Anything that threatens that must be stopped, no?"
"Indeed," the Lector said pointedly, glaring at the blunette.
Kaeya just smiled charmingly. "Speaking of threats and roles to play, you are beingquitethe nuisance to mine. Justwhatare you up to? Don't you think it is only courteous to inform me so I can make sure my own plans aren't ruined? I was faithfully posted here for a reason you know. You can't just waltz in and ruin decades of hard work in a fortnight. If you keep the rate you're going up Mondstadt will have no choice but to accept the Fatui's help in defending its borders. Wouldn't you much rather deal with me than the Tsaritsa?"
"Mondstadt is only the beginning," the Lector said. "It will matter not if the Fatui are placed here because soon all of Teyvat will fall."
"So your great plan of causing Teyvat to collapse is attacking children and turning them into kittens?" Kaeya raised his eyebrow, unimpressed.
"The kitten was her own doing," the Lector sounded annoyed, his weight shifted. "She thought her shield would protect the Outrider. She was mistaken and paid the price."
"So youareafter knights?" Kaeya crossed his arms. Tilting his head.
"All allogenes must be dealt with in order for the cycle of godhood to be stopped. Though, in order to cause the anemo god to rear his head a threat to his city and its powers must be established. Targeting the Knights and other entities who protect the city, such as the Darknight Hero, is the fastest way to cause the sleepy god to step forward and reveal himself."
"Allogenes?" Kaeya frowned, not familiar with that term.
"Vision bearers," the Lector clarified.
"Oh, ho~" Kaeya smirked, sharp and dangerous. His vision glinting on his hip. "And does that put me on your list as well?"
"Perhaps," the Lector stared him down. "That is entirely up to you, Fated One. Though, I do wonder if the curse would affect you as it does the others considering what you are."
"Well," the blunette's teeth flashed a bit in the moonlight. "Let's keep it a mystery, hmm?"
"As long as you do not interfere," the Lector agreed.
"So you are doing all of this to gain Barbatos' attention?" Kaeya allowed the topic to drop. Not entirely surprised by the comments. He knew this lector was not his friend. "Are you planning on using this curse on him as well?"
"The Anemo Archon will feel our wrath soon, as to what we plan for him is not any concern of your own."
"Hmmm," Kaeya hummed. "So why did you personally see fit to teleport inside of the Knights of Favonius' Headquarters and attack our headalchemistand not the Acting Grand Master herself?"
"The Acting Grand Master's time will come soon," the Lector vowed, "But it was the alchemist and librarian who poised the greatest threat to our cause with their expertise in research. The librarian was easy enough to lure out, but the captain took a bit of risk. It is a shame. I offered to spare him should he come with me and join our forces. He sought to trick me and subdue me and paid the price."
"My," Kaeya's voice was soft, but his smile was sharp. "Is that a threat I detect?"
"A warning," the Lector promised.
The cryo user paused a moment, tilting his head up at the creature. Collecting his thoughts.
"What are you going to do once you have Barbatos? Do you plan leaving the rest of the allogenes, as you called them, alone?"
"The allogenes must be stopped in order to sever Celestia's power over humankind. Even after we have Barbatos they still must be subdued in time should they chose not to side with our cause."
"Do you really think you're stopping that with this little trick of yours?" Kaeya scoffed at him. "The allogenes still have full control of their visions even if you do turn them all into birds."
"That may be so," the Lector agreed, "But the Abyss now runs through their veins along with their celestial blessing. The taint shall lie in wait for the Truth to set them free."
"Yes, but therearebetter means of accomplishing that other than turning them all into pigeons," the blunette pointed out. "We both know that."
"Yes, but those ways do not force the Lord of Freedom to play his hand."
"And howdidyou come up with this little trick of yours?" Kaeya asked as casually as possible. "That Princess of yours figure out? Or is this some great Sinner's trick?"
"The Truth holds much knowledge," the Lector cryptically said.
Kaeya hummed again. Glancing up at the moon, gauging how much time had passed. He sighed dramatically before leveling the Lector with a stare, "And it would be safe to assume that you don't plan on stopping your little attack until you complete your goal?"
"That is correct."
"Then let me offer you a proposition," the blunette's smile was wicked in the moonlight.
:•.｡ ｡.•*
Kaeya held a stack of papers as he wearily made his way up the stairs back towards Headquarters, walking alongside Eula who had just happened to finish her own tasks and trying to make it back before their designated meet up time.
"The Adventure's Guide also has some people who wish to volunteer for patrol and other necessary tasks," the blunette bit back a yawn as he handed over the stacks of papers to her. "I took the liberty of gathering their names for you and Hertha to sort through."
"You have my thanks," Eula accepted them and began flipping through them.
"Fischl has also proven willing to scout," Kaeya added. "She helped us look for Amber, so if she is not on that list be sure to keep her in mind."
"Will do—" the other captain paused as the quartermaster's name was shouted from behind them.
Kaeya paused, twisting around to spot who was running to catch up to him. It was Bennett. The boy managed to trip and fall in his haste to reach the captains, but he instantly turned it into a summersault and sprung back to his feet so naturally the blunette might have thought he had imagined the entire thing.
"C-captain Kaeya, wait!" the pyro allogene panted as he ran up the stairs only to finally stop a few down from the two. "Captain, can I talk to you?"
The blunette turned towards his coworker, nodding to indicate she should go on without him. "Tell them I'll be there momentarily. Feel free to start without me."
The woman nodded before turning and leaving the two.
Kaeya turned towards the teen, gesturing him to follow him to a nearby bench. He gently had the boy sit down why he desperately tried to catch his breath. The man placed his hands on his hips while he smiled worriedly at the boy.
"Are you quite alright, Bennett?"
"I-I'm fine," he gasped with a nod. "I just wanted to talk to y-you."
"Well, you have my full attention," the blunette nodded. "What's up?"
"I know my dads gave you a list of Adventures to help with what is going on," the pyro allogene said frustratedly. "But they didn't add me to it. I want to help, Captain!"
Kaeya's eye glanced down at the vision that was clipped to the boy's bag.
Rota Calamitas.
"I am afraid I just gave the list to Captain Eula," the blunette said. "It is she and Captain Hertha in charge of the rotations and patrols."
"Then can I talk to them?" the pryo allogene leapt back to his feet. Determination settled fully across his face. "I want to help!"
"You could," Kaeya placed a hand on his chin as though deep in thought. "Oryou could help me with a special secret mission instead."
The boy's eyes began to sparkle, "A-a secret mission?"
The blunette nodded seriously. "Very secret and very important. Do you think you'd be up to the task?"
"Yes, sir!" Bennett straightened up, saluting the knight. "I will do whatever it takes to help protect Mondstadt."
"Excellent," Kaeya smiled at him, gently tussling his hair. "This mission will come in several parts I am afraid. The first is intel."
"Intel?" the boy questioned.
"Yes," the captain placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "It might appear a bit boring, but I assure you it is invaluable when it comes to protecting the city."
"Just tell me what to do and I'll do it," the boy vowed.
"Excellent," Kaeya threw an arm around the boy's shoulder, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "I need you to do two things. The first is I need you to search the city for any strange energy. As a vision bearer you can use elemental site, but most people cannot. If you see anythingoddor a lot of built-up elemental energy that seems out of place report it immediately. Do you understand?"
"Yep! Oh, uh, I mean, yes, sir!" Bennett nodded firmly.
"Do not engage with the energy or linger there investigating it," Kaeya emphasized. "It could be dangerous. Report it immediately. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"The second thing I need you to do is just take note of the general mood and commentary of the citizens. Listen to them. Take note of what they are saying or any fears they are having," Kaeya instructed.
"Roger," the pyro allogene turned to go, but paused as Kaeya grabbed his arm.
"One more thing before you go, Benny," Kaeya smiled at him. "Stay within the city. We need to know what is going on in here. Not outside. Okay?"
"Right!" he saluted the knight once more before pulling away and running off, shouting over his shoulder. "I got it! I won't let you down, Captain. "
Kaeya warm smile fell as the boy vanished from sight.
Rota Calamitas.
He turned and headed back towards the Headquarters.
Wheel of misfortune.
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Notes:
Random Citizen: The Darknight Hero would take care of this Lector problem :((
Kaeya: Funny that you mention that~
Diluc: *Elsewhere* *accidentally toppels off a tree branch and falls onto the ground of tangled wings and feathers*
Kaeya:Diluc go with Jean and make sure she sleeps and stays safe
Diluc: *squints* I'm going to come make YOU nap next
Charles: I'm worried about you, Kaeya
Kaeya: *sweats* omg would you look at the time? I have to go. bye Charles!
Kaeya: *runs away*
Charles: *sighs in exasperation* Crepus wtf am I going to do with your kids?
Kaeya: VENTI! Hey, ole buddy ole pal. ; )
Venti: ...so the wind told me some VERY interesting stuff this morning.
Kaeya:
Lector: So I heard you want to talk to me
Kaeya: Sure do! Wanna tell me your entire diabolical plan? ̈
Lector: da fuck. No.
Kaeya: :((
Bennett: Kaeya they won't let me help. Please let me help :(((
Kaeya: *war flashback meme of all of Bennett's bad luck exploding in Kaeya's face flashing through his head* Oh man. That's wild I wonder why that is.
*sweats*
Chapter 10: Viator
Summary:
You keep disappearing every night. Don't think I don't hear you slipping out. Where are you sneaking off too? What are you up to?
"Why don't you just come out and say it, Diluc?" Kaeya laughed coldly, quietly so no one could overhear them upstairs at him. He could feel his anger churning under the surface. "Tell me what you really think I am doing."
Notes:
Trouble in paradise
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
It had been a week since the last Lector attack, and the city of wind and song had drastically changed in that time.
There were constant patrols through Mondstadt and escorts to and from various settlements and the port. A curfew had been put in place for the city, meaning no civilian was allowed out and about between midnight to dawn unless given special permission by the Knights of Favonius.
Diluc and Fischl had taken control of escorting many caravans that traveled out of and into the city. They and Oz proved to be quite the bird trio as they quickly got used to their wings and their visions in new ways. Wagner had even graciously given all cursed individuals Catalysts in order to help them still fight since they all had lost the ability to hold their old weapons with their hands. Kaeya was honestly quite impressed how quickly they had adapted to the new weapon.
The cursed individuals' identities had all been made known to the public in an effort to keep those individuals from being harmed accidentally. Currently, there was a newly established law that no birds nor animals could be killed at this time without giving the animal a proper opportunity to prove itself to be human should it do so and a certified witness must be present at the said slaughter.
Though, with the hunters were all too busy patrolling to be setting their traps or stalking boars through Wolvendom with the threat of the Lector.
However, the Abysmal creature had seemed to have vanished as mysteriously and quickly as he had come.
Along with a certain bard.
The silence and the tension of waiting for an attack seemed to be slowly driving the Knights and citizens of Mondstadt crazy, all except for one certain cavalry captain who could be spotted merrily making his way through the streets with a reassuring smile and wave. Seeming not to have a care in the world as he went on his patrols and being chided by a certain owl with a pyro vision. Brushing off the disappearance of the bard. Saying he probably was just off finding new things to write about. Reassuring Jean, who despite what he said, had issued out missing posters for the little musician in case he too had fallen victim to the Lector. His name and constellation name printed in bold print at the top of poster:
Venti the Bard.
Carmen Dei.
Song of God.
Speaking of god, the Cathedral had done an excellent job at organizing the refugees and helping organize supplies and volunteers. Leaving the Knights' Acting Grand Master plenty of time to focus on a battle strategy and trying to guess where the Lector would strike next.
"Why hasn't it attacked again?" Jean shook her head in frustration. "Has it left? Is it waiting for something?What?"
Yet there were no other reports from the other nations about the Lector showing up there. No one had vanished or seemed to have been turned into a tree or whatever. No strange reports occurred at all.
"Do you think it is planning something?" Jean looked over at her cavalry captain, her top advisor as he leaned against a window flipping a coin.
"Perhaps it already got what it wanted and left?" Kaeya shrugged, staring out the window.
"And what could that be?" the anemo allogene shook her head in exasperation.
Kaeya snatched his coin of the air, staring down at its golden surface. "How can a mere human hope to know the workings of an Abysmal creature's mind, Acting Grand Master?"
Jean huffed in frustration as she glared down at the maps of Mondstadt before her, as though she would find all the answers there.
"And Diluc hasn't mentioned of hearing of anything in his…acquaintances?"
"Not even his resources have heard," Kaeya shook his head wincing a bit at the mention of the redhead.
"He still is staying with you, correct?" the anemo allogene glanced over at him.
"Yes," the blunette sighed. "He is determined to stay at my apartment until this is all cleared away. I think he quite enjoys tormenting me every night before bed."
While the last part was meant to appear like a joke, a bit of annoyance crept in. Hm. It appeared he was more tired that he originally thought if he was slipping up so easily.
Jean shot him a concerned glance, but before she could begin to ask he pushed himself up, "It's getting late and I have the children tonight. I better go get something for them all to eat before they arrive."
The Anemo allogene nodded hesitantly, seeming to think it was better to focus her energy on the task at hand rather than trying to wrangle answers from the blunette who clearly wanted to avoid the said topic.
Kaeya always did admire her for being so clever.
"I'll see you later, Jean," a quick wave before he was out the door.
He nearly smacked Eula and Amber with the door on the way out. The blunette blinked a bit in surprise to find himself nearly nose to nose with the whiskers of the Outrider who was protectively held up by the other cryo allogene, who she was constantly with these days. Amber had refused to stay with Noelle and Mika and help them watch Klee, Diona, Razor and Albedo, who were growing ever more antsy with each passing day. Instead, she insisted on helping the other Knights protect the city.
Luckily, the pyro allogene had adapted well to the curse so it was an easy decision on Jean's part. She immediately pared her up with Eula. Because while Eula's cold demeanor and family history made many have a frosty attitude towards her, the warm little rabbit that Amber had turned into was quick to melt all hearts.
Especially with the little red vest Hertha had made for her with a Knights logo sewn onto her back. She was positively adorable.
"Captain Eula," the blunette nodded as he held Jean's door open for them, "Outrider. How are things?"
"As well as to be expected," Eula nodded back. "I hear it is your turn to stand guard?"
"As sharp as always, Lawrence," Kaeya smiled at her, though exhaustion did clip at his lips. "The others should be arriving at my home shortly. I promised them I'd have food ready for their arrival."
"Try to get some sleep as well, I won't tolerate having you fall asleep while on duty," she and Amber both glared at him.
"Alright, alright," he held his hands up in surrender. "I'll be sure to get some sleep before I return."
"Good," Eula huffed as she walked past him into Jean's office. "Then we shan't keep you,"
Kaeya sighed as he made his way through the town, mentally going through his to-do list before the others were expected to arrive in a little over a half-an-hour. While he was exhausted and wanted nothing more to fall face first into his pillow and sleep for three years, he was glad for the buffer between him and Diluc that was going to occur tonight. Hopefully the owl would be slow to be quite so harassing in his questions and demands with children around.
Sara perked up as she saw him approach, hurrying to grab his preorder as she saw him making his way towards her counter. She handed out the bags to him so she could get back to serving the other customers and cooking. The crowd around her place of business proving how busy she was with the influx of citizens constantly in the city.
"Here you are, Captain," she looked as tired as the blunette felt Her hair frizzed and sloppy from running around all day and standing over the hot stove. "I threw in some free hashbrowns as well."
"Thank you, Sara," Kaeya made a mental note to be sure to slip even more mora into the donations jar later.
They both turned away as their own responsibilities called them away. The blunette made his way through the crowd, careful to keep the food safe as he headed to his door. Hurrying to open unlock it and close it behind him. He set the bags down before going to open his bedroom window and then head to the shower.
He managed to get in and out of the bath and into a new set of clean work clothes with a few minutes to spare. Kaeya's feet throbbed in protest as he ignored them and made his way back downstairs to start unpacking the food.
The blunette took a deep breath as he just took a minute to absorb a moment alone. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he had been by himself in the past week. It seemed like he was either overseeing patrols, in meetings, consoling civilians, or being harassed by a certain owl all waking hours. Only finding a moment of silence as his he fell face first onto some soft surface to gather an hour or two of sleep before heading out again.
The blunette's moment was short lived as he had just managed to lay everything out of the bags when a knock sounded at his door seconds before it was hurriedly shoved open.
"Kaeya!" A cheerful voice called. "We're here!"
"Remember to take your boots off, Klee," Kaeya called as he opened his silverware drawer and pulled out all the utensils he owned. He had just set them on the table when the little pyro allogene ran in and hugged him from behind.
"Hello, little Spark," he bent down and picked her up. Hugging her as he settled her against his hip and turned towards the others entering. Glad she seemed to be doing well despite the upturned city.
"Hello, Captain Kaeya," Noelle smiled at him, looking utterly exhausted as she came in next. An equally tired Mika perched on one of her shoulders while a small calico kitten sat on the other. Razor and Bennett trailed in after her. Both of their noses twitching in anticipation as the smell of the food hit them.
"Is Albedo at the church?" Kaeya asked as he gestured for them to come and get something. He had made sure to buy a variety of items and a lot of it.
He knew how much Razor could put away and that Bennett was most-likely going to spill a serving or two all over the floor before the meal was over.
"Yes," Noelle sighed. "Sister Veronica was kind enough to take him for the night.
"Good," he set Klee down and stood back as the teenagers hurried forward to grab the food. The blunette carefully monitored Klee as she made her own plate and then sat down to eat.
"Anything new to report, Bennett?" The blunette helped Klee scoot her chair under the table.
"Nothing," the pyro allogene shook his head as Noelle handed him a spoon. "No sightings or reports of that Abyss Lector or anything. People are still mostly just talking about that missing bard."
Kaeya grabbed a small plate from his cupboard and reached inside of his icebox and pulled out some berries. He carefully placed a few on the plate and gestured for Mika. The cursed boy fluttered off Noelle's shoulder to the cabinet. Cooing his thanks.
"And how hislittlebrother Albedo, Klee?" Kaeya grabbed another plate and helped make a plate for Diona. The kitten begrudgingly mewed her thanks to him as he set it next to Klee's. Allowing the two to eat next to each other.
"He's doing good!" Klee bragged. "Sister Veronica even let me rock him to sleep today."
"My," the blunette smiled at her as he began making two more plates. One full of cut-up meat and the other a mixture of fruits and meat. "That is quite exciting."
"Mmmhmmm," Klee nodded around a mouthful of fish.
"Captain Kaeya," Noelle looked up from her own plate. "Are we staying here tonight or is there another place…?"
"Here tonight," Kaeya nodded. "It's been a couple of days since you were last here. I think it will be safe to assume that the Abyss won't be able to anticipate you being back. Tomorrow you shall stay at Captain Hertha's house. She will stand guard."
"How come we have to move around so much?" Bennett looked up at him, his piece of food slipping off his fork and falling down the front of his shirt.
"We don't want to be too consistent regarding the Lector," Kaeya handed him a napkin. "That was how he was able to get Captain Albedo after all. Plus, it appears he is targeting allogenes, so it is best to just keep your schedules as unpredictable as possible in order to keep you all safe and human."
"Razor keep everyone safe," the electro allogene growled threateningly. "Lector won't hurt lupical anymore."
Kaeya smiled at him as he agreed, "No one else."
"What about Barbara?" Bennett looked worriedly over at Kaeya. "Shouldn't she be moving around with us?"
"I am afraid the Deaconess refused our offer. She is a bit too much like her sister when it comes to her duties and her dedication to protecting Mondstadt," Kaeya still hadn't decided if that was a good or bad thing yet.
A loudthunk! sounded from upstairs, causing the blunette and everyone else to glance up at the noise.
"Ah. That should be the others now."
Right on cue, Diluc, Fischl, and Oz all swooped downstairs and landed on floor in the entry way of the kitchen having used Kaeya's open bedroom window to access the home.
"Your food is over here," Kaeya called to them over the commotion of the kitchen, "Gesturing to the other two plates he had made and set on the cabinet next to Mika's.
Fischl crowed her thanks before fluttering up to her food. Diluc followed after. Those sharp red eyes burned into the blunette's back as the captain made his way to the sink.
"And here is your water," Kaeya set a few more bowls before the bird-cursed individuals. "Do you three need anything else?"
They shook their heads as they pecked at their meals. Though, Diluc glared at him until the blunette made his own plate and leaned back against his cabinet, eating a bit of fisherman's toast. It was only then the owl huffed and began to eat as well.
"Oz," the captain asked the elemental raven who sat perched on the icebox while everyone ate. "Anything of relevance happen why you three were out escorting?"
"Nothing of note, Sir Kaeya," the bird shook his head. "Not even a hilichurl in sight. I must say both Mein Fräulein and Master Diluc found it odd that even areas of high hilichurl congregations appeared to be abandoned by the creatures."
"Are there any reporting of them congregated elsewhere?" Noelle asked, looking up from her plate.
"No," the raven shook his head. "They seem to be disappearing."
"Thatisstrange," the blunette hummed with a frown. "I'll be sure to tell let the other Knights of this abnormal occurrence."
Fischl looked up from her plate, cawing at Oz for a moment. The later turned back to the blunette to translate.
"Mein Fräulein reminds me to tell you that we met The Traveler and Paimon on the way back. They said they would be back in the city tonight and would report back to you then."
Kaeya had to fight back a wince. Once again feeling those burning red eyes settling onto him. What horrid luck. What were the odds of Aether coming across the trio out in the field?
"Did they say anything else?" Kaeya needed to be able to strategize should Diluc had heard things he wasn't supposed to earlier due to Paimon's loose tongue.
"No," Oz and Fischl both shook their heads.
"Excellent. Thank you, Prinzessin," the blunette smiled as he nodded graciously at her.
The girl turned raven bowed majestically with a flare of her wing. Cawing.
Klee yawned loudly at that moment. Causing the blunette's attention to turn to her. "Now why don't we finish our meal and then start getting everyone ready for bath and bed hmm?"
It took about two hours of baths and Kaeya hunting down every pillow and spare blanket in his house before he and Noelle managed to corral Diona and Klee with Noelle into his bedroom and Razor, Mika, Fischl, Oz, and Bennett in the guest room. The teens and kids all settled down on the beds or perched on a pillow nest created for them. Tucked safely away within the cavalry captain's own house. All sound asleep.
Well, except for two individuals.
Kaeya had been a fool to think the presence of the children in the home would deter his brother. For Kaeya didn't get a moment of piece as he settled onto his couch with a deep sigh and a glass of wine. The last spare blanket, a skimpy little thing but better than nothing, spread across his lap.
He bit back a groan at the sound of wings flapping and the burst of air that hit his face as Diluc flew to perch on the back of the couch. Watching the blunette with sharp, judging eyes. While his brother might have been speechless, his intentions might as well have been shouted with how he looked at the captain.
Kaeya stared down into the fire, swirling his wine even as his exhausted body crooned at him to sleep. To slumber. Quite content to ignore the bird for as long as humanly possible.
A talon rapped against the back of the couch.
Why are you meeting with the Traveler tonight?
"I sent them out on a patrol," Kaeya sipped his wine. "It is only natural for them to report back as the Honorary Knight."
What did you have them patrol?
"Just a few spots I thought might need looking into," Kaeya shrugged innocently. "Probably nothing relevant, but I thought it wise to double check."
And why those spots?The owl's annoyed look was growing stronger by the second with every dodged question.
"I thought they might be possible locations for an Abyss base," the blunette glanced over at him. "As I said, my suggestions must have been useless if they haven't teleported back immediately to sound the alarm."
Are you sure this has nothing to do with Venti's disappearance?Diluc squinted suspiciously at him.
"I've already answered these questions, Master Diluc," the captain sighed, turning his attention back to the fire. "How many times must I tell you? I do not know where the bard has blown off too."
More tapping as the owl hopped down from his perch to glare up at the blunette. His beak angrily pecked at Kaeya's sleeve.
"Assaulting my clothes will not cause the answer to change I'm afraid," Kaeya sipped at his drink, before hurriedly lifting it up and out of the way before Diluc's wings could swat it out of the blunette's grip.
Diluc's beak snapped angrily once more.Why are you lying to me about this? I know you know something.
The blunette didn't meet his gaze, "We both know that you only think of me as a liar anyways, no matter what I do or say. What is it you told the Traveler about me? Ah, yes 'you can only trust half of what he says at best'. Honestly, aren't you tired of having this same conversation? Nearly every night now you have asked me where Venti vanished to and then get mad when I tell you the same thing. I do not know where he is."
I know you were one of the last people to see him. People said they saw you talking to him alone.
"So what? Do you think I kidnapped him or threw him to the Lector or something?" Kaeya scoffed before pinning the owl with a hard stare. "And what would motivate me to do that? Heisjust a simple bard is he not? What could I possibly want with abard?To sing the Lector to sleep?"
The owl glared at him while Kaeya just stared back. His gaze hard and firm. He was not about to lose this staring contest knowing his brother would have to back off less he reveal the bard's true identity to the blunette. And while the redhead suspected the captain was aware that Venti was the anemo god, Kaeya had never confirmed nor denied whether he knew or not.
Diluc began tapping again.Then what did you talk to himabout? What did he say?
"I've told you this all before. He had been drinking for an hour by the time I checked in with him," Kaeya rolled his eyes and turned back to his own drink. "Do you honestly think he was very coherent by that point?"
Why can't you just answer my questions?A spark of frustration spun off the owl's vision.
"Why can't you just let it go?"
Every night for the past five nights Diluc had been harassing the blunette about this. At first it had just started off as a suspicious glance and a question here or there, but it seemed the longer the bard was missing the more adamant Diluc became that Kaeya had something to do with it. Normally, the blunette ignored the indignant bird by merely shutting him out of his room and placing a pillow over his head and sleeping through the wracked the other caused.
But with a roomful of children sleeping upstairs, that was not an option. Something Diluc was determined to take advantage of. Much to Kaeya's frustration.
Another angrily huff. The pyro allogene's feathers puffed out. Hissing at him.Because you are lying to me.
"I have not said a single lie to you," Kaeya allowed his head to roll back onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "There are children sleeping, Diluc. Can't you just drop it tonight? You're going to wake them."
The owl puffed up. Tapping more aggressively. Clearly angry he could not have a normal conversation with the blunette and call him out on his bullshit.
"I told you before, Master Diluc," Kaeya's tone shifted from exhausted to borderline irritated as he took another sip of his wine. "I went to Angel's Share for some coffee, I heard Venti playing and checked in on him and then left immediately after. I haven't seen him since. No matter how many times you ask me that is what happened. I did nothing to him. What more do you want from me?"
The owl hooted in frustration at him. His face clearly telling Kaeya he did not believe a single word of it.The full story.
Just like he had the past five nights. Kaeya washed down the bitterness rising in his throat with the last of his wine. He had been a fool to think having the children over would stop his brother's onslaught of questions. There would be no rest for the blunette tonight it seemed.
"Let's be real, Master Diluc. You're not going to believe me when I say that I am not responsible for his disappearance," he sneered as he stood. "You haven't believed a word I've said since your eighteenth birthday. Who am I to try and break that streak now?"
Diluc hopped from the couch. Following him into the kitchen as the blunette placed his glass in the sink. That talon of his never ceasing in its insistent tapping.
Kaeya's knuckles tightened around their grip of the cabinet. Turning a bit white as he listened. He stiffened and turned to look down at Diluc in cold fury as he translated the owl's message.
You keep disappearing every night. Don't think I don't hear you slipping out. Where are you sneaking off too? What are you up to?
"Why don't you just come out and say it, Diluc?" Kaeya laughed coldly, quietly so no one could overhear them upstairs at him. He could feel his anger churning under the surface. "Tell me what you really think I am doing."
Diluc's talon wrapping on the floor,I don't know what to think! You never tell me the full truth.
"Can you really blame me? I did try to once," Kaeya couldn't help the bit of hatefulness that singed his tone, his finger came up to tap his eyepatch. "It didn't work out too well if you remember."
Diluc went stoic, eyes widening as Kaeya turned to glare at him.
"So what makes you think I can trust you with the 'full truth', as you put it, now? Hmm, Master Diluc? Especially when and if it comes to Abyss matters," He hissed coldly at the bird, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the children upstairs. "When the only reason I am standing before you now is because Celestia stayed your blade that day. Despiteyourbest efforts."
The owl stared at him, wide eyed. Stumbling a bit as Kaeya shoved his way past him through the doorway and headed towards the front door.
"I'm going to meet the Traveler. Guard them while I'm out," Kaeya grabbed his boots and yanked them on.
Suddenly his apartment was much too small. Much too cold as his vision flashed dangerously. The ice in his eye growing sharp and deadly. He needed to leave before he did something he truly regretted or woke the children up.
It had been a mistake to drink that wine when he was so sleep deprived.
He did not bid the owl farewell as he stepped out into the cold of the night. His breath freezing in front of him. He didn't even have his cape and fur to keep him warm. He shook his head.
It didn't matter.
He sighed as he dragged a hand down his face.
Right. Get it together, Alberich. Aether. You need to meet Aether.
The blunette huffed as he turned and headed towards the city fountain. Eternally grateful that owls didn't have the capability of opening doors and storming after him.
:•.｡𓆩𓆪｡.•*
"That isn't exactly ideal," Kaeya muttered as he frowned down at Aether's map.
He, the Traveler, and Paimon all sat hunkering down at one of the tables outside of Good Hunter. Sara had long closed up shop with the curfew in place and Kaeya was in earshot of both of the entrances of the city should an unexpected attack occur.
"No," Aether shook his head. "And have you heard from…?"
"Not yet," Kaeya sighed. "Though we are running out of time."
The Traveler hummed in agreement. "The Lector's new base must be underground somewhere. In some hidden domain where the wind can't see."
"That is the most logical explanation," the blunette huffed, "Though with Lector being able to teleport wherever he wants he could easily have a bast anywhere between here and the Chasm."
"The other nations will contact us if they find it," Aether leaned back in his chair, exhausted as Paimon chattered. "Paimon told them to contact the Adventure's Guild should they find anything."
"That is all well and good if the Lector is hiding out in Fontaine, Inazuma, Sumeru, or Liyue," Kaeya stared at the map, frowning, "But that doesn't help us if it is in Natlan or Snezhnaya or, Barbatos forbid, somewhere like Enkanomiya. You do not have eyes there."
Aether winced.
"Well," Paimon held her head as she realized this. "No…"
Kaeya sighed at their disappointed expressions, "Forgive me. You have done a marvelous job at helping us establish contact with the other nations so quickly. I do not mean to take away from what you have done. I am just tired and a bit frustrated with the situation if I am completely honest."
"It's alright. I understand," the Traveler placed a hand over his heart. Smiling gently at the exhausted blunette.
They all sat there a moment. Kaeya staring out into the night, while the Traveler stared at him. Golden eyes soft as they considered him.
"You should go get some sleep," they whispered softly to him. Hand sliding to settle over his. "You look exhausted."
The blunette shook his head. "I'm on guard duty tonight with a certain pyro bird. Though…I have been gone long enough. I should be returning before he suspects I've run off and joined the Abyss Order during the time I've been meeting with you."
Aether stood as the captain did, frowning a bit at Kaeya's bitter laugh.
"Goodnight," the blunette nodded to the both of them.
"Goodnight, Kaeya! Oh, Aether! We should probably go report to Jean. Maybe she still has some of those cookies Sara brought in her office!" Paimon said before turning and beginning to fly off. Her hunger giving her a burst of energy and motivation to hurry to the Headquarters.
The Traveler paused as the blunette reached out before they could go after her, fingers brushing lightly against their arm. They gave the captain a questioning look.
"If you don't mind," Kaeya glanced at Paimon, making sure she was out of earshot, "When you make your report to Jean, I would appreciate you leaving out the part I was involved if possible. Especially concerning the things I've told you."
"Is there a reason you want to keep this hidden?" Aether nodded, but questioned him all the same. "You also told us not to say anything to anyone about…well…the other thing."
Kaeya smiled at the Traveler. A bitter little thing.
"You are different from the people of Mondstadt, Aether. An outlander who also has familial ties to the Abyss Order. I know first-hand what it is for the people here to learn that. I believe I told you that story once."
Aether's golden eyes dimmed with sadness as he looked at the blunette's eyepatch.
"He wouldn't hurt you for this," Aether whispered. "Neither would Jean."
A little laugh. Fringed with sadness. "That is not a risk I am willing to take right now. Mondstadt needs to focus all of its attention on protecting this city, not questioning its cavalry captain and his intentions. A house divided cannot stand. We do not have the luxury for doubt. They will trust you and not question how you came about this information. They would do so to me. If I told them the full story well…I would most likely be detained, questioned, or placed on probation until they could investigate me further. None of those options would help us with this current situation."
Aether reached out and gently squeezed his hand. Wordlessly comforting him.
"I am sorry to place this burden on your shoulders," the blunette squeezed it back in apology. "It is not fair that I ask you to keep my secret. But it is best that at least one other should know in case, well, none of us are too sure what aPeacock's Eyeis exactly. I may not get the chance to tell someone later."
"I trust you, Kaeya," Traveler nodded as he allowed the captain to pull away. "There is no need to explain. I will help you however you need. You just have to say the word."
The blunette smiled at him. A hollow feeling crept into his chest.
Oh, how he wished it had been another who had said those words.
"Thank you," the blunette nodded. "Now you best be going before Paimon drags you after her."
Aether laughed softly that time. Nodding and bidding the captain goodnight as he vanished into the night.
Kaeya turned and faced the direction his home was. His feet slowly bringing him back to his abode, though he didn't go inside. Rather he lowered himself onto the steps before the entrance. Drawing one knee into his chest as he leaned back against the door. Not quite ready to slip back inside and deal with a certain someone and those accusatory looks, but nearby should something happen.
He couldn't really see the stars above very well through the buildings and streetlamps, but he could make out on particularly bright celestial body. It twinkled down at him. The blunette briefly wondered what constellation it belonged to, whose fate it was tied to.
Fate. Ah. What a topic. One he typically tried to avoid thinking about at all costs for the most part. That particular thought had led to more than one drink in his short lifetime. Sometimes only liquor burned away the pain and the fear of what was to come.
The captain couldn't help but reach up for his eyepatch. Stroking it with his fingers as he stared up at the star.
He couldn't help but feel like it was watching him back
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𓆩𓆪
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Notes:
Kaeya:...Noelle? Are you quite alright
Noelle: *Hair singed from Klee's treasures, bruises from Bennett's bad luck and mishaps, Razor gnawing on her ankle, Diona tangled in her skirt Holding all the other teens and kids on leashes as they run around setting everything on fire*
Noelle: I'm perfectly fine why do you ask
Kaeya's neighbors: *Seeing a whole ass flock of birds fly through Kaeya's window*
Kaeya's neighbors: wtf is he a princess or something?
Diluc: *Shrieking in Kayea's ear trying to get the blunette to tell him the truth*
Kaeya: *has duct taped a pillow over both his ears and is ignoring him*
Jean:...wtf
Venti: *missing*
Everyone: *panics*
Kaeya: *whistles as he walks past the chaos*
Diluc: *Glares* wtf are you up to?
Jean: *slowly going insane because the Lector has disappeared and lack of proper sleep*
Jean: *has maps and strings pinned to wall and looking like the conspiracy theory man meme*
Eula and Amber: Um...boss?
Jean: *laughing manically*
Eula: Amber...go get Barbara. We might need to sedate her.
Kaeya: Thanks for helping me, Traveler ): )
Aether: ofc I trust you ̈ 3
Kaeya: *instantly starts sobbing*
Aether: ):0 *hugs him*
Chapter 11: Leo Minor
Summary:
Though, now, he supposed it was a lucky thing he had never been a religious person. Not with what he was about to attempt to do now. It had to be sacrilegious if not a higher sin to commit."Quite right," Kaeya could hear the smirk on its voice. "Tell me, Fated One, what have you brought me this night?"
"I have brought Lord Barbatos with me as we agreed," Kaeya smiled back. "Just as I said I would."
Notes:
Yo~
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
When Kaeya had first arrived at Dawn Winery all those years ago, he had been a small frightened little thing. Shivering and quaking at very sound. Stuttering and stumbling over the simplest of questions:
What is your name?
Kaeya.
Where are your parents?
I don't know.
How did you end up here?
My father left me.
What did your father say to you when he left?
That he was going to go buy some grape juice.
The adults around him had no reason to doubt the shaking child's answers as he wrung his hands raw from nerves. His fingernails red and peeling from his teeth biting down. His hands picking at them again and again. The boy's one lone eye wide with fright but drooping with the utmost fatigue and sadness.
The main reason they believe him was because it soon became quite clear he couldn't lie to save his life.
Kaeya would instantly begin shaking, as though he were having tremors. Anything within his grasp fell from his fingers. Face going pale and slightly green as he sputtered and failed to even finish properly saying the lie. Vomit all down his shirt and on the floor. Quite sick from even trying to utter a simple 'no' to the question "did you eat today?"
"Such a petrified little thing," Adelinde would tsk softly in the shadows of the night when she thought he couldn't hear her. A bucket full of rags covered in sick from where she had cleaned up his mess in her hands.
"Honest to a fault I suppose," Crepus agreed with a shake his head with a light chuckle. "A good thing at least."
Maybe for them.
But for a little boy whose sole survival depended on the truth being hidden, well. It was a form of torcher all on its own. Had he been a religious child, he would have prayed that they never asked him the right questions.
Such as:whyhad his father left him there.
Whywas he here?
Why?
Why?
Though, now, he supposed it was a lucky thing he had neverbeena religious person. Not with what he was about to attempt to do now. It had to be sacrilegious if not a higher sin to commit.
A lone figure made their way under the cover of darkness. The clouds above rumbled as a storm threatened to roll in. Wind ripped at the individual's cloak. Sweeping dust from the road against their legs. Clawing at their limbs as though to slow them down. As though to stop them.
A wrapped bundle laid draped over their shoulder. Suspiciously still and limp. As well has humanoid shaped.
Kaeya glanced behind him, looking back to make sure he hadn't been followed. And that the sky above remained bird-free as he continued his trek towards the Thousand Winds Temple.
Not that Diluc had even spoken to him since their argument.
The man-turned-owl had found some other place to roost and have his meals the past couple of days. Always arriving to report to Jean when the blunette was conveniently on patrol. Now, by the time he found out what Kaeya was actually doing, well, it would be too late.
The captain's boots were silent as they crept over the grass and dirt. There were no hilichurls about on the path. Only the wind as it grew stronger and seemingly angrier the closer he got to his destination.
It was just such a shame it had to come to this. The blunette would have much rather had been able to find the Lector's base and attack him there. Flush the wasp out of his nest and kill the workers in their hives. But beggars couldn't be choosers he supposed.
The wind tore at the blunette once more. Ferociously slamming against him. He had to pause a moment to lean into it, preventing himself from blowing away. Kaeya glared at it. He was almost there. Just a little further.
The ruins rose ominously ahead. The shattered pillars and columns like jagged teeth ready to bear down and sever him in half at one mistake. The normal ruin guard was not at its usual patrol. The absence of those familiar stomps of the temple's ancient guardian caused the hair to rise on the back of his head as he spotted why that was.
The Lector hovered above the shattered remains of the robot. Its golden eye dead and dull. Still crackling with electro.
"You are late," the Lector said as a way of greeting.
"My apologies," Kaeya huffed as he dropped his bundle onto the ground at his feet. "But finding, drugging, and hauling an archon half-way across Mondstadt unnoticed isn't the easiest of feats."
The Lector hummed before pointing towards a caged area in the far side of the temple, "Place him in there."
The blunette glanced over at the iron bars. It was one of the cells ancient Mondstadtns had used to keep gladiators during the time of tyrants. Though he couldn't see anything currently looming inside, it was most likely the cell had been littered with Abysmal magic and runes. Making it an effective trap for whatever laid in store for whoever went inside.
"Well, now," Kaeya crossed his arms and possessively placed a boot over his bundle. "You can't expect me to do all the dirty work without any sort of sign you're keeping your end of the bargain, now can you?"
The Abysmal creature glared at him for a moment before it summoned a book before him. Kaeya felt his breath halt in his lungs for a moment. It positivelyvibratedwith the Abyss. So much so his eye throbbed from it. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His blood pulsed in response.
"The Book of Truth," The Lector spoke its name like a prayer. Like a lover. Like it was the most precious thing in the microcosm. "Have you heard of this tome before, Fated One?"
"For the sake of a good conversation, let's pretend I haven't," Kaeya smiled pleasantly at him, only wincing as a particularly hard burst of wind tried to knock him over. He glared off in the general direction it flew off too, a silent orderedcalm down.
The Lector shook his head before bending over its pages, its armored fingers light and delicate with it. "It is an ancient book. From several samsara cycles past. Molded to fit each new world it is born into. Like a phoenix from the ashes."
The book flashed and a page fluttered out of it. It hovered there. Shimmering in the lightning that flashed across the sky. But the wind did not disturb it as it floated. It held still and perfect, its text glowing in the darkness. As though it couldn't be touched by it.
"You part of our bargain lies here," the Lector promised. "I speak only Truth as you know. Those who have read from its pages cannot lie. Not without a price."
"No," the blunette agreed, looking at him. "But that doesn't mean you are telling me thefulltruth now does it? We both know how easy it is to spin things in ways people think what we want them to."
"Quite right," Kaeya could hear the smirk on its voice. "Tell me, Fated One, what have you brought me this night?"
"I have brought Lord Barbatos with me as we agreed," Kaeya smiled back. "Just as I said I would."
The Abysmal creature hummed, "And who is that before you?"
Kaeya laughed as though finding the question absurd. "The wind is before me."
A burst of anemo hit him aggressively, nearly pitching him over. The cryo user glared at it. "See? Even the smallest of breezes is trying push me away. Is that not proof enough?"
The air began to crack as the Lector took a step towards him. The book glowing, "Tell me. What passages did you read?"
The blunette kept his smile plastered to his face. Eye locked onto the Lector even as something moved in the shadows behind him.
"I have read many things in my life," Kaeya said innocently. "How am I to remember all of them? Besides, when did I ever say I read from this Book? This is the first time I have ever heard of its name."
"I can smell your half-truths, boy," the Lector towered over him. "I can see the Truth in your eye."
Kaeya managed to keep the smile on his face, "And what does it say?"
"Did the Truth not set you free?" the Lector hissed in dismay. Staring into that star-filled gaze. "The power of revelation was at your fingertips. Before your eyes. Did you bones not hum with the power? Did your blood not sing its praise? Fate herself kissed and blessed you, yet stillhereyou remain."
"Truth has many forms," the captain spoke back, softly. As though to hide it from the wind as it raged past his ears and throat. Catching his words. "Truth is a shapeshifter. Taking the form of whoever wields it. Your Truth and my Truth are twoverydifferent things."
"Truth is as it always was," the Lector hissed as he levitated backwards holding out his arms for Kaeya to see him clearly. "Behold its glory. Behold this magnificence. I have accepted Truth into my heart."
"You have acceptedyourTruth. I have accepted mine. We have both changed because of it." Kaeya countered before raking his eye up and down the being judgmentally. "Some of us more gracefully than others."
Ignoring the flash of green behind the being.
"And what is your Truth, pray tell, Fated One?" The Lector's electro began to crackle intimidatingly. Sensing a change in the air.
Kaeya's smile shifts into a smirk before pointedly looking over the Lector's shoulder, "That Lord Barbatos stands before me."
The Lector turned to look and the cryo allogene lunged forward. Hands reaching for that book that hovered in front of the Abysmal being's hands. The captain's fingers kissed the pages before the Lector kicked him back. Kaeya grunted as he staggered back.
The wind shifted directions abruptly. No longer harassing and tugging on the blunette as he stumbled back. Instead, it darted forward. Slamming into the Lector. It swirled around him, keeping him pinned in the center of the vortex.
Venti's arrows slammed into the creature's chest. One. Two. Three. Laced with anemo and knocking the being's breath form his chest as he stumbled back. The wind pinning him to the stone ground.
"About time," Kaeya grunted at him. "Did you really have to be so aggressive with the wind on my walk up here?"
"Had to make it believable," the bard shrugged innocently as he darted forward, notching three more arrows onto his string.
The bundle at Kaeya's feet ripped open and the Traveler cut their way through the cloth and rope. Quickly hurrying after the blunette as he too charged the Lector. Kaeya swung his blade the being with a mighty cry. It clashed against the Abysmal creature's forearm. The armored limb easily keeping the blade away from the book the cryo user had been aiming for.
The Traveler slammed his fist into the ground. Shards of geo erupted around them, piercing the Lector, knocking off balance. Kaeya skipped back, throwing out his cryo and causing the Lector's own electricity to react against him. The Abysmal creature grunted in pain, hurrying to levitate backwards and out of Kaeya's range of attack.
"Venti!" the captain shouted the command, running towards him.
The bard nodded, spinning in the air as he created an air current, hurrying to glide out of the way as the blunette leapt into it, snapping open his glider to fly above the Lector Aether rushed him. Distracting the being as Kaeya plunged down with all his strength, aiming for that book.
The Lector growled in rage, managing to blast the Traveler back with a wave of electro. Aether grunted from the hit, rolling to a stop as he slammed into a pillar. His head colliding with the stone loudly. The monster spun way from the blunette's grip just in time. Causing the captain's fingers to brush against the glowing page for just a second before it was snatched away.
Kaeya snarled with frustration as he slammed into the ground, sword digging into the stone as he looked up at the Lector with another growl. He darted forward as he dismissed his weapon only to summon it back in his hand a second later, now free from the rocks.
His blade bounced off the lector's own attack. Cutting through the electro as he chased after that tome. Determined to get it.
He had to get it.
"Foolish, boy," the Lector sneered. "Did you really think I did not expect your betrayal?"
Kaeya didn't answer as he swiped at him. Blade hissing with hoarfrost.
"You were not the only one to plan an attack tonight."
Venti darted forward, bow ready and firing. They snapped like twigs as the Lector activated his shield. Sending Kaeya and Venti both flying back as a burst of electro snapped out. The blunette gasped as his limbs seized with the currents of electricity churning in his limbs. His body completely out of his control as it spasmed.
His sword skittered away. Vanishing into a puff of drifting lights leaving the captain quite vulnerable as portals rippled above him. He would have glared up at the six Abyss mages that tumbled out had he been able to control his eyebrows.
As it was, at least he hadn't pissed himself. That wouldn't have struck fear in anyone's souls.
"It is your move, Barbatos," the Lector taunted as he hovered beyond all their reach. "You can come with me and these two shall be spared. Stay or fight and they too shall come face to face with the Truth."
Venti glanced over at Kaeya (who was grunting in pain as his muscles still seized) and Aether (who was bleeding everywhere, trying to sit up and most likely suffering from a concussion as his own muscles finally stopped throbbing from electro) before looking back at the Abysmal being.
"We both know that even if I go with you today, you'll only bring that book of yours across the rest of Teyvat," the bard sneered at him. "Stand down before you are destroyed."
The Lector tsked as the book vanished from before him and a portal opened from behind, "I wonder. Who shall you pick? The sibling of the Order's princess and a soul tainted with the Abyss or the city you love so dearly?"
Venti fired his arrows, but it wasn't at the Lector as the being vanished into the darkness and void. It was at the mage raising her staff to fire at Kaeya. The blunette winched as the vortex formed above him, sucking all the mages into its powerful churning winds, their own elements used against each other. Shattering each other's shields.
They fell like dropped flies and vanished soon after under the glowing, piercing gaze of the bard. Leaving only a pile of pure white branches and a few arrows behind.
Aether groaned as he reached up and felt his head. Blood stained his palm as he summoned a bowl of food before him. Hurrying to eat as he struggled to stay alert. Venti hurried forward, helping Kaeya sit up.
"The city—" he gritted out between clenched teeth.
"Jean is there," Venti reassured him as Kaeya's muscles tightened up painfully, causing him to groan at the smallest of movements. "She can hold off until you can stand."
"Here," Aether came forward. Appearing much more alert as he shoved a bite into Kaeya's own mouth. The hashbrowns smearing across his chin as the Traveler managed to push some between his lips.
The flaky potatoes melted onto his mouth. Seeming to help with the pain.
Aether's cooking had to be magic. There was just no other explanation.
"But—"
"Jean will be ready," Venti said firmly. "Besides this attempt went about as good as we all expected. Let's just hope that phase 2 works."
Kaeya grunted as he hauled himself up. Feeling worlds better from the food. "Aether, can you teleport us?"
The blonde Traveler nodded.
"Then let's go."
:•.｡𓃬｡.•*
Angel's Share 9 days ago
"You were looking for me you say?" the bard before the cavalry captain chirped. Fingers lithe against the strings of his lyre. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company on this fine day?"
Kaeya ignored the drunken hiccup at the end of Venti's sentence as he pulled a chair out and sat down. Leaning forward as he interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them.
"It is a knight's duty to see how the civilians are faring in a time of crisis, is it not?"
"Crisis you say?" Venti reached for his tankard taking a long gulp from it.
The blunette hummed, his starry eye watching the bard. "Surely, you've heard whispers on the wind? Noticed the increased patrols and such."
"It is not my affair what the Knights do," a shrug. "Iamjust a humble bard after all."
"Right," a dip of his head. "Of course. One full of seemingly an endless amount of songs and stories. So many, in fact, it is amazing you're able to recount them all. Quite a long memory."
"That is part of the trade," Venti set his, now empty, tankard on the table.
"Perhaps you'd like to hear another story? One you have never heard before," a coy smile. A glimmer of teeth through the barely parted lips.
Sharp eyes turn to land on Kaeya's serine smirk. Braids blowing in a nonexistent wind.
"Why, of course, good sir. For how I could claim to be half the bard I am if I turned down a knight's epic tale of heroic deeds and woes?"
"Thank you for indulging me," Kaeya reclined back, casually rapping his painted nails against the wooden table. "Ah how does it begin? Oh, yes. Now I remember. There once was a mighty king who dearly loved his little kingdom. And, oh, how how they loved him back. His name was sung across the land, tunes of praise for all his mighty deeds. Tales of how he had slain great beasts to protect them from harm."
Kaeya's finger began to trace the wood on the table. The bard's eyes watched it closely.
"But the king, after years of leading his people, decided it was time to step down and allow the others a chance to rule. So, with the crown upon another's head, the king took his loyal horse and rode away. Determined to see the world he had never been given the chance to when he was king himself.
"He traveled the world for many years before he finally returned to his homeland. Do you know what he found when he got there?"
The bard's eyes seemed to glow as he shook his head. Watching the blunette's finger closely as he finished dragging itself across the wood. His nail tapped the table.
"His people were prospering under the regent. Things were perfect and peaceful and the citizens, though they still loved the king dearly, did not recognize him when he returned. For he had grown old and aged beyond their memories of a golden-haired youth," Kaeya smiled at the bard tilting his head. "The king was pleased and saw no need to disrupt his people's peace, so he merely settled down in a small village at the edge of the kingdom. Taking on a new name and occupation. Content to live the simple life of an apple farmer for the rest of his days."
"That sounds like quite a life," Venti tilted his head. "A happy ending for both the king and his kingdom."
"Ah, ah, ah," Kaeya wagged a finger at him. "That is not the end of this tale. For you see, right as peace had been established across the kingdom and the king settled down, a monster rose up in the land."
"A monster you say?" the bard raised his brows at the blunette. "What type of monster was this?"
"One cloaked in darkness and stars. It began to curse the land. Taking out the king's beloved friends and loved ones. One by one they fell to the monster, unable to stop it. No matter how bravely they fought," the blunette leaned forward, throwing out his hand dramatically. "Darkness fell across the empire. The people's songs fell silent."
Kaeya leaned back into his chair. Crossing his arms as he stared off into the distance. As though lost in thought.
"So what became of them?" Venti took the bait, watching the knight suspiciously.
The captain huffed and shrugged his shoulders. Waiving his hand flippantly as he turned his big blue eye towards the bard. An apologetic smile on his lips. "Why, you must forgive me, kind bard. I believe I don't know the ending of the story."
A crisp snap of the blunette's fingers, as though he has come up with the most brilliant of ideas, "Say, you are a much better storyteller than I. What do you supposed happened? Did the king come to their rescue? Or did he leave the kingdom to the mercy of the monster?"
Kaeya leaned forward challengingly as he raises an eyebrow at the other.
"How does this story end, dear bard?"
:•.｡𓃬｡.•*
Aether teleported them to the top of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. Giving them all a perfect view of the battle going on in the city streets below.
It soon became quite clear where all the vanished hilichurls had eventually wound up. They clawed at the stone walls of the city, beating the stone with their clubs and shields. The city gates had been sealed by iron bars, keeping the majority of hilichurls outside of the walls though the mitachurls were already beginning to attack the city's blocked entrace. Causing the iron to groan under their brute strength.
Draff and his hunters stood ready on the wall, picking off the Abysmal creatures one at a time with their arrows while the Knights busied themselves with fighting the threats that had been directly teleported into the city, mainly a large hoard of Abyss Mages.
Already causalities were being hauled away from the front lines back towards the Cathedral where Kaeya could see Rosaria and Hertha standing guard at the front doors with a few other Knights. Ready to spear and cut down any creature that dared try to attack the civilians and injured who were taking refuge inside.
An elemental explosion erupted from the shopping district. Causing Kaeya to swear as he tried to find his Acting Grand Master amongst the ranks through the smoke.
She should be down there if she followed their plan.
"Venti, get me to Jean," the blunette ordered as he leapt from the building, snapping his glider out. Allowing the winds to lift his wings up and propel him forward.
Aether and Venti quickly followed after. The three of them gliding down towards the heart of the battle.
"Do you see the Lector?" Kaeya called to them over his shoulder.
"Not yet," Aether shouted back.
Kaeya growled as his eye scanned the battlefield. The Lector was buying his time then. Allowing their defenses to wear down before he struck.
And Kaeya would bet everything that his next target was none other than the Acting Grand Master. Especially since he had given up the opportunity to curse the blunette, Aether, and Venti. Perhaps it was because the Lector was unsure of whatwouldhappen to them should they be cursed and didn't want to waste his energy on them.
Albedo had not been affected like the others after all. Perhaps the Lector knew that. Perhaps that meant that the curse wouldn't work as well on Venti and Aether either. The being had already expressed uncertainty about what would happen to Kaeya should he suffer from it.
Perhaps only humans were the predictable targets.
Leaving Jean to be the next best thing for the Lector to go after.
Kaeya spotted Huffman locked in combat with a hydro mage. His sword doing nothing to break the shield, his focus broken as a bubble appeared around him. Encasing him in a watery prison. The cryo user summoned his sword and plunged. Dust flew up as he landed, chunks of the cobble stone flew up from the force as he leapt to his feet behind the mage. Thrusting his blade at the creature before it even had time to turn around and spot him.
"Freeze!" Kaeya shouted, shattering its shield in one powerful blast of cryo.
Aether's own plunge attack finished it off. Causing it to dissolve in the breeze and for the bubble to burst. Sending a wave of water and Huffman spilling all over the ground.
"C-Captain!" the knight sputtered, spitting out water.
"On your feet, Huffman," Kaeya reached a hand down towards him, clasping the other man and hauling him up. "We've got a lot more enemies to fight, yet."
"Yes, Sir!" Huffman panted with a nod, his sopping wet hair flopping over his face.
"There's Jean!" Aether shouted, pointing towards the main gate.
Kaeya hurried to turn, catching sight of that blonde ponytail as his friend dashed forward into a hoard of mages.
Had the blunette not known before, it would have become blatantly obvious why the Dandelion Knight was called the Lion of the South.
She was ferocious on the battlefield. Her sword her fangs, the wind her claws. The Acting Grand Master's enemies fell before her as she charged forward. Cutting through the mages as she used their own elements against them. Blasting them against the stone wall, before her weapon pinned them in place. Right through the heart. Before she ripped the blade out and allowed them to crumble before her.
Her eyes unforgiving as their pained whimpers faded on her breeze.
No one would attackhercity and live to tell the tale. Not while she was around.
Kaeya ran towards her. Dashing forward with a burst of cryo over the hydro-soaked road. Skating past other battling knights, offering aid with a blast of ice or a well-placed strike of his own blade. But he kept going forward. His eye darting around. Trying to spot the Lector before it could strike.
The Acting Grand Master turned toward the gate as it groaned under the heavy strike of a lawachurl's fists. The hunters' shouts gave warning as the iron began to buckle under the attack.
Jean raised her sword, ready to face the cryo monster. Her cape billowing behind her.
A furious screech rang across the air, causing the hair on the back of Kaeya's neck to stand on end as he looked up towards the sound. An owl flanked by two ravens flew over him, heading straight towards the overgrown hilichurl. Pyro and electro erupted from their wings. Spinning around them, forming one of the largest elemental animal creations Kaeya had ever seen.
Diluc and Fischl's powers bloomed into wings and a beak of their own forming some hybrid phoenix and thunderbird. The elemental shape beat its wings before plunging straight into the gate. The overload creation slammed into the massive lawachurl, vaporizing it and the surrounding mitachurls and hilichurls immediately. Sending them and their ashes raining down over the hunters on the wall.
The humans coughed and spat, their hair standing on ends as the static electricity and falling ash peppered the air.
Jean held an arm over her face, protecting her from the blast as she waved her thanks towards the two birds. Watching them for a moment as the two allogenes and Oz followed the air currents the blast of heat had caused.
For one brief moment, Kaeya locked eyes with the owl. Grateful to see the grumpy ball of feathers was still alive and well enough to fight. Though he saw the instant Diluc caught a glimpse of Venti gliding after the captain. Those red eyes turning to look back at Kaeya right before a plume of smoke came between them and blocked the bird from the captain's sight.
The blunette bit back a sigh. Already planning on someone cohering Venti with a bottle of cider if he answered all of his brother's questions so he didn't have to deal with the glares and suspicious accusations.
But that was a problem for future Kaeya. He currently needed to focus on the present and the Lector problem.
"Jean!" Kaeya shouted as he neared her, blasting an electro mage out of his way. "Jean!"
"Kaeya!" his friend turned toward him in relief, reaching out for him as he finally made it to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he clasped her forearm back. "Are you?"
"I'm fine. We got all the civilians into the Cathedral and Catacombs according to our plan," she nodded back. Looking exhausted, but full of adrenaline.
"Have you seen the Lector?" the blunette looked over her shoulder to make sure the Lector didn't appear while she was distracted by him.
"No. What happened? Did your plan not work? Did he escape?" worry crinkled the corner of her eyes.
"The first phase was a failure," her Quartermaster grimaced. "But we aren't out of tricks yet."
"What do you need me to do?" she asked.
"Remember the map Aether showed you?" his eye flicked down to hers a moment before he was looking around again.
"Yes. Do I—"
They both froze as a long, blast of what sounded like a particularly large lawachurl bellow across the city. All the hilichurls instantly shouted to each other, garbled commands as they turn and began to run away from the wall. Heading back over the bridge and fleeing towards the wilderness.
Diluc and Fischl circled back, their fire and electricity chased behind them. Making sure to get any of the monsters who were not hasty enough in their retreat.
Kaeya's gaze darted towards the Abyss mages as they clutched their staffs and masks and spun into oblivion. Vanishing as quickly as they had most likely come.
In a matter of seconds, their enemies were all gone. Leaving behind only the crackle of elemental reactions and panting Knights in their wake. The entire city was void of attackers in a matter of seconds.
"What—what just happened?" Jean frowned, blinking in confusion as she looked around at all of the other stupefied Mondstadtns at the sudden lack of enemies to fight.
"Don't let your guard down," Kaeya kept his sword gripped firmly in his grasp. Eye raking over the area around them. "This could be a trap."
Venti landed lightly beside the two. His face dark as he glared at the bent and warped city gate, "This is not a victory. This fight is not over until that Lector is taken down."
Keya opened his mouth, to ask the bard what the wind said on the matter, but stopped as a frantic shout rang out over the silent square.
"Jean!"
They all turned as Hertha hurried forward on the upper landing above the fountain. A hand pressed against her side from an injury. Kaeya and Jean ran towards her. Eyes locked on the blood on her side.
"Master Jean!" she cried again as she stumbled, catching the stone rail on the level above them.
"Hertha," Jean didn't bother with the stairs. She leapt up, climbing the wall to hurriedly grab her captain before she could fall. Her anemo
"It's Barbara, Master Jean. And Sister Rosaria."
The anemo allogene's face paled as she helped Hertha stand back up. Kaeya's stomach dropped into his feet. Realizing he had made a terrible miscalculation.
The Lector had already gotten his target. And it wasn't Acting Grand Master.
"They both were cursed."
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Notes:
Kaeya: Okay Venti get the wind to act like its pissed because I've captured you. It'll trick the Lector.
Venti: Roger, SIr!
Venti: *proceeds to beat the shit out of Kaeya with said wind*
Kaeya: [ QUIT BEING A LITTLE SHIT VENTI
Venti: But I'm just doing what you said 0 : )
Kaeya: *holding some rope* Traveler, I'm going to tie you up so you can help me
Traveler: *glances at rope and then at Kaeya's lower abdomen *
Kaeya: *beet red and sputtering* NOT LIKE THAT
Diluc and Fischl: *using magical girl powers together and creating giant flamey-electro birds of death together*
Diluc: *spots Venti and Kaeya running onto the Battlefield together*
Diluc: YOU BITCH I KNEW YOU KNEW WHERE HE WAS
Barbara and Rosaria: *chilling at Cathedral*
A Wild Lector Appears!
*Pokemon fight music*
Barbara helping injured Knights: *looks up and sees Lector*
Barbara: Oh, Fu—
Hertha: Barbara and Rosaria were cursed
Kaeya: *office Meme* NO! GOD PLEASE NO! D:
Chapter 12: Crater
Summary:
He had been so thorough. So careful. Had thought everything through.
Yet still. He had failed.
And his failure was already haunting him.
Notes:
This is a set up chapter. Lots of info and some answers to what Keaya and Venti were up to.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Kaeya sat in his office. There was no candle nor lantern lit. Only the moonlight trickling through the glass illuminated the room. Not that the blunette was using it with his elbows braced on the desk, face in his hands.
His mind repeated the last few hours repeatedly in his head. Trying to figure out where he had gone wrong. How he had miscalculated so badly.
He had been so thorough. So careful. Had thoughteverythingthrough.
Yet still. He had failed.
And his failure was already haunting him.
Jean had shook as she reached out for a two handled vase that was sitting perched on a pew in the front of the Cathedral. A hydro vision looped onto one handle with a ribbon. The anemo allogene took the krater in her grasp, staring at the images painted on the side. They showed the last few moments Barbara had before the Lector struck. A painted depiction of she and Rosaria fighting the monster in front of the Cathedral steps over the wounded Hertha.
Displaying the moment it struck. Cursing the two women and leaving a simple krater and a crown behind.
Kaeya sighed heavily. Digging his nails into his skin as a small punishment to himself. The pain deserved. He should have known the Lector would have gone after the two of them. What biggerfuck-youwas there towards the Anemo Archon than to take out the two allogenes who helped run his own church?
The captain had been a fool to think it would have been Jean next.
Gods. He could still hear her sobs echoing in his mind from when she had picked up her cursed baby sister; haunting in the empty high ceiling room. Kaeya had herded everyone else out of the as the Acting Grand Master finally broke. Her cries chasing after him as the door sealed her in there alone.
Hertha was escorted off to a wardroom to have her own wounds tended to and Rosaria was taken away somewhere by Sister Victoria after promising to find a way to attach the cryo allogene's vision to her new form somehow. Kaeya vowed he would come check in on his friend later, but first he had to tend to the city and the casualties. He hoped that brought her some comfort at least.
Venti, Aether, Paimon, and Diluc had been waiting for him as he exited the church. His face dark.
"Crater and Spinea Corona," Kaeya's voice had been tight with anger as he shook his head, looking out over the smoking city. "Not a good day for Team Mondstadt, I must say."
"What do you need us to do?" Aether placed a fist over his chest. Looking up with Kaeya with the same amount of trust he had the night before.
When they still believed they could succeed.
"We need to tend to the wounded," Kaeya said firmly. "The civilians are all safe down in the Catacombs with Eula, Paimon, and the other vision bearers and children for now. So luckily, we only need to worry with tending to the Knights."
Kaeya turned to Diluc. The owl was staring at him, red eyes boring into him clearly full of questions and anger. The blunette could already hear the lecture and the accusations he was about to get once things had been settled.
"Can you and Fischl act as a watchmen? Keep an eye out on things. Warn us if they return."
The owl hesitated a moment, looking at him with an expression that clearly said he had questions that he wanted answers tonow.
"Later," Kaeya cut him off before he could start. "Right now we have more important things to focus on. Jean showed you the map, correct?"
Diluc sighed, seeming to hate that he had to agree with the blunette. He nodded.
"If you spot a mage, try to bring them to one of the locations. See if our trap works."
Diluc hooted in agreement before taking off. Leaving the other three behind.
"Venti," Kaeya turned ho him, exhausted. "Does the wind give a clearer account as to what happened? Captain Hertha said she was fighting a lawachurl that appeared behind the city wall. She wasn't able to see the moment the Lector struck Barbara and Rosaria because she was wounded."
Venti grimaced. "The Lector opened a portal and released the lawachurl. He used it to distract the others while it struck."
"And where is that beast now?"
"Gone with the Lector," Venti glared off into the distance.
"And we still have no idea where their base is?" Kaeya frowned.
"No," the bard crossed his arms, "I told you: I searched everywhere the wind reaches and then some this past week. I could find no trace of them. They must be hiding in some domain or an underground cavern that we are unaware of."
Kaeya sighed through his nose, shaking his head.
It looked like all their planning had been for nothing.
"We will get the Lector, Kaeya," Aether's gentle voice pulled him from his troubled thoughts. A hand placed over his chest at his vow. "You'll think of something. I know it."
Kaeya smiled at him, hoping he managed to make it look grateful and reassuring despite the hollow feeling in his chest.
"Right. No point in wallowing in mistakes of the past," Kaeya forced his smile to stay. "Venti and Aether will you go and check the perimeters and defenses? Make sure nothing looks weak or an easy access point to the city?"
The two nodded, hurrying off to do as requested.
Kaeya in turn headed towards the Knights who were beginning to bring in more wounded. The healers had already started their triage efforts down in the courtyard at the feet of Barbatos' statue. The more serious cases were ushered inside the Cathedral while the smaller and less serious injuries were tended to there.
"Huffman," Kaeya called to the knight as he approached. The lower ranking Knight was helping one of the sisters with a list of casualties. "Report."
"Captain," Huffman saluted before sneezing and then sniffing loudly. He was still soaking wet from the hydro mage and the crisp air wasn't helping. "No casualties so far. Though we do have a few serious cases of frost, electrical, and regular burns to deal with. But since the mages were the only ones able to breech the wall, for the most part, we are only dealing with elemental damage. No blunt force trauma or broken bones."
"Good," Kaeya nodded. "Captain Albedo has supplied the sisters with ample healing ointments regarding those types of injuries."
"Indeed, he did," the sister nodded. "We have everything in hand here, Captain. Your Knights will be back on their feet in no time."
The blunette nodded his gratitude to her. "Thank you, sister."
Kaeya began making his way to his other knights, lieutenants, adventurers, and hunters alike. Checking in on the progress of maintaining the city wall. Instructing the knights to aide Wagner in fixing the damage to the gate as quickly as possible before he accessed the destruction to the buildings and made sure the fire brigade was on the job for any loose fires that the pyro mages had started.
While there was definitely a lot of damages to repair, the city was still standing and the buildings all mostly intact.
Kaeya had then gone to report his findings to Jean only to find that she was passed out in her office couch with the krater her sister had become wrapped in her arms. He had sighed softly upon seeing her exhausted tear-stained face, grabbed a blanket from off the back of the couch and gently draped it over her.
His eye glanced down to the vase. His shoulders sagging as he watched the hydro vision attached to it shimmer lightly. Flashing softly as though to give him a greeting.
"I'll right this wrong, Barbs," he smiled at her, hoping to look more confident and comforting that he felt. "You just watch after her for us, hmm?"
The vision flashed again as Kaeya turned and left. Closing the door to Jean's office and ordering the knight outside to not let anyone inside. It had been then that Kaeya found himself locked in his own office. Face resting in his hands as he ran everything in his head again.
Trying to figure out where he had miscalculated.
He went back to the night he had met with the Lector. Remembered the deal he struck with the being: The Lector would leave Mondstadt and the rest of its allogenes alone for Barbatos within nine days and deliver the Archon to the Thousand Winds Temple.
Leaving Kaeya alone to figure out the best way to go about fulfilling this deal. It hadn't taken him long to figure it was best to utilize the wind rather than try to box it himself. Which led to Venti helping him scheme and come up with a plot.
The bard had set out to find the Lector over a week ago, shortly after their discussion at the Share, agreeing to make it seem like he disappeared so if the Lector was taking on a disguise and walking through the city as a human, which some Lectors were able to do, he would see Mondstadt panicking over the missing bard.
Making it appear that Kaeya had indeed kidnapped the anemo archon as was waiting for their designated meeting time.
During that time, Aether had gone to all the surrounding nations he had allies in. Asking them about their encounters with the Lector (there had been none) and asked for their help searching for a base in case the creature was hiding beyond Mondstadt's own territory.
They had even gone all the way to the Chasm to look. Returning with nothing.
Meanwhile, Venti had also been searching while keeping a low profile. Using the wind and his own abilities to search for the base. The three of them had hoped to be able to destroy the Lector there at his base, attacking it while it was recovering from his last attack, but had also made backup plans should they fail to find him.
Which lead to the impromptu meeting the three of them had had with Jean only fourteen hours before. Where Aether and Venti pretended to set up plan to meet the Lector all on their own. Leaving Kaeya out of it so he did not have to admit to his Acting Grand Master that he was on speaking terms with the Abyss Order.
Nor did he have to explain why the Lector did not curse him with everyone else.
Venti had told her the plan: Kaeya, Aether, and Venti would go to the Lector and try to capture or defeat him. While the Acting Grand Master and Hertha would have the city on lockdown due to the high risk of an impending attack should the three fail.
They left the Jean to create her own plan of defense with Eula and Hertha, leaving only a map of the city Kaeya had drawn over for them. With certain areas circled in red.
Kaeya was only too grateful that his brother was avoiding him so. Leaving it ti fall on Jean's shoulders to explain the plan to him. Making it where by the time Diluc finally heard it, it would be too late follow him to the meeting. Making the blunette's life a tad easier.
For while everyone else might have all believed it was Venti and Aether who came up with this extravagant plan, he knew the redhead would not be so easily fooled. He had been part of more than one of Kaeya's schemes in the past after all.
Kaeya sighed as he leaned back in his chair, finally pulling his face out of the sanctuary his palms had made. Staring out the window at the stars above. They seemed to be taunting him as they winked down on the city.
"Book of Truth, huh?" Kaeya murmured as he turned to look away. Sighing through his nose. Trying to remember what all he recalled about the ancient Tome.
It wasn't much unfortunately. Just the feeling he had when he held it in his hands. How heavy it had been.
How crushing.
The blunette stood, cloaked in darkness as he exited his office. Heading directly towards the broom closet down the hallway. He stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He descended into the Catacombs. He was careful to avoid the parts he knew the citizens were currently hiding in. He was never so grateful to his obsession with the maze of hallways and exploring them as a youth as he was now.
He finally made his way to the secret hallway. He pulled the torch down, slipping through the hidden stone door before it slid back into place. Gesturing for the knights on guard duty to stand down as they sheathed their weapons.
"Captain Kaeya," a knight saluted him as he walked inside.
"It is only me," the blunette reassured as he looked past them towards Mona who was still awake and staring at a beaker with a frown while Sucrose and Timaeus were taking a temporary break in the far corner on a set of cots.
She glanced up at him before shaking her head sadly.
"I already told the Acting Grand Master I do not know when the cure will be ready. We are still trying to figure something out."
"That isn't why I am here," the blunette reassured her. "I've come to see if Lisa would be so kind as to come with me and help me momentarily."
He looked over at the hourglass. A spark shot up.Yes.
The hydro allogene didn't pay them much mind after Lisa's consent. Immediately turning her attention back to whatever book was before her while Kaeya carefully scooped the hourglass into his arms and left.
The cryo allogene was silent as he made his way through the Catacombs. Grateful that Lisa seemed to sense that he needed a moment to brood and didn't try to get him to talk until he was ready. She was wise like that.
"Almost there," he murmured as he went back to the entrance of the broom closet. While therewasan entrance to the library from the underground tunnels, he didn't want Lisa to know he knew that.
She might lock it and then how would he be able to slip in unnoticed in the middle of the night and do his research when she had long shut the room down?
The blunette carefully climbed up the ladder and closed the trap door behind him before carefully checking to make sure the coast was clear and headed to the library. It was empty, allowing Kaeya free range to talk without worry of eavesdroppers.
"Do you have any text regarding ancient tomes?" Kaeya looked down at her. "Particularly one by the name of The Book of Truth?"
A spark.Yes.
"Can you direct me to any relevant information regarding it?"
Yes.
"Upstairs?"
Two sparks.No.
"Downstairs it is then," Kaeya nodded and strode forward. Grabbing a lantern on a nearby desk and taking it with him in his other hand. He paused before the shelves. Waiting for Lisa to indicate the location. She directed him towards a locked door in the back. The restricted section.
Kaeya set the lantern down and grabbed his keys, unlocking it before shoving it open with his shoulder and bending down to grab the light once more. He didn't bother closing the door behind him as he stepped inside. Staring at the rows and rows of books before them.
"Which way?" Kaeya slowly turned, waiting for Lisa to send a small spark out before heading forward.
Going deeper into the room. All the way to one of the darkest and smallest corners there was. Were a thin black book was draped across the tops of larger tomes. Lisa shot a spark as his fingers brushed against its leather bound cover. He pulled it out. Staring at its worn leather before setting it on a nearby shelf and turning back to the spines.
"Are there more?"
Lisa helped him select a few more texts before she finally signaled the end of the collection with two sparks.
"Well, hopefully this will have what we need," he murmured as he took them over to a nearby table. He carefully placed his friend down next to the lantern before swinging his legs over the bench and sitting on it.
He began to flip through the books, eye hurriedly scanning the text. Flipping through the books until an inked drawing caught his attention. He paused. Gaze locking onto the runes penned on the paper.
The language of the Abyss. The language of angels.
A spark shot off of Lisa as he paused. His gazed flicked up to her. "Is this what you wanted me to see?"
Another spark.
The blunette took a deep breathe, nodding and turning back to the pages before him. He Skimmed the information. The captain was so entranced in the text he didn't notice someone approaching him until they were practically before him.
"What are you doing?"
Jean's eyes were still a bit red despite her clear effort of trying to clean her face up and a crease in her cheek from whatever she had rested her head on. Her exhausted gaze moved from him, to Lisa, to the tome in his grasp.
"Hey," Kaeya murmured softly at seeing her. Instantly laying the book down and giving her his full attention. "How's Barbara?"
His friend's shoulders sagged as she shook her head. Coming to sit at the bench across from him. Her exhausted eyes glanced over at Lisa who was sitting still for the moment. "I'm not sure. She really can't communicate very well right now. She can fill herself up with water with her vision and that is about it."
"I'm so sorry, Jean," Kaeya shook his head as he glared down at the book in his hands. "I should have known—"
"Stop," the anemo allogene held up a hand. "Blaming yourself isn't going to help the situation, especially since it wasn't your fault. I was the one in charge of protecting the city. I am the one to blame."
"No, Jean," the cryo allogene didn't back down. "You did everything you could. You had the entire city to look after. My job was to look after you and in turn that includes Barbara."
"Kaeya—"
Lisa shot burst of electricity between them, causing the air to smell like ozone and Kaeya and Jean to both jump back in shock. The room buzzed with static for a few more minutes, and even though Lisa didn't have a voice, she made it quite clear she was chastising about them blaming themselves for the situation.
She had giving them the same lecture many times before.
Kaeya could just hear her saying:Standing around moping and taking unnecessary blame is doing no one any good. What are you going to do to fix it?
"Sorry, Lisa," the two muttered, casting their eyes down.
Jean slowly reached forward. Grabbing one of the books before him. Her eyebrows raising as she read the title.
"Any luck?"
Kaeya looked back down at his book. "The Lector mentioned something about the source of the curse. Lisa directed me to these texts. I'm hoping something useful can be obtained from them."
"Have you found anything so far?"
Keya sighed in frustration. "Based on what Razor managed to convey to me when I asked him what happened to Lisa, he said the Lector's book glowed before he struck her after he read something from it."
"So, the book is what caused the curse?" Jean's expression darkened with determination, as though she finally spotted the enemy she needed to vanquish.
"The text inside of it I think," Kaeya began slowly, trying to figure out what he could tell her without causing red flags. While he might be able to sidestep some speculation on the anemo allogene's part, it would be harder not to be suspicious to the hourglass before them.
Lisa had been the sharpest student the Akademiya had seen in years after all. She would probably instantly know that what Kaeya was talking about certainly wasn't common knowledge.
It wasn't even knowledge found in the restricted section of the Knights of Favonius.
"If we destroyed the book would the cures be broken?"
"No," Kaeya shook his head. "It is not destroyable."
"Not destroyable?" Jean blinked in confusion.
"The Lector claimed it was The Book of Truth," Kaeya admitted. Causing the air around Lisa to crackle in alarm.
"What does that mean?" Jean glanced shiftily between the two
"The Book of Truth is ancient," Kaeya said. "It is said to come from beyond this world and written in a language not even the gods dare to read. Some say it is a holy language and text. A Sacred Tome that recorded all things. Yet other legends say it is an evil work. And whoever reads it is cursed."
"That seems more accurate," Jean growled.
"Maybe," Kaeya shrugged. "Truth is both things, is it not? Both a blessing and a curse?"
"If it is a book of truth how did the Lector use it to curse people?" Jean asked.
"He might have asked it to show him the Truth of the individuals he cursed," Kaeya's face darkened a bit. Glancing at Lisa. "Asked to know who they truly were. What Fate decreed they were."
A chill ran down his spine and he gripped the book tighter.
"But reading from the Book has a price to pay," Kaeya shook himself to rid himself of the feeling.
"What do you mean?" Jean's brows dipped.
"The closer you are to knowing Truth the more you are bound to it. Unable to unsee it, unable to speak lies or anti-truth. It changes you. Molds you. Shapes you. Some Truth gives your armor and power while other times it saps you of strength," Kaeya resisted the urge to reach up and touch his eye patch. "I am sure that every time this Lector reads from that book it takes up energy at the very least. Much like how using our visions take from us."
Jean frowned her eyes fell to the wood of the table before her in thought.
"Have you noticed," Jean said slowly, "That the lector hasn't ever struck more than two people at the same time?"
"Yes," the blunette nodded. Recalling the Lector as it stood before him on the dock. Of the footprints in the grass as he stalked Amber and Diona down. Determined to finish the job. "I think it is because he cannot do more than that at a time. And even then, he would rather only take on one threat because it weakens him so much."
"That is why Razor was spared," Jean said firmly.
"Amber was his original target, but Diona got in the way. Rosaria would be sure to go down before Barbara did," Kaeya looked up and met her eyes.
"So that means he is currently weak," Jean sat up straighter. "He is vulnerable."
Kaeya nodded. "I believe so."
"Give these to me. I'll get them to Mona and Sucrose," Jean held out her hand, gesturing for Kaeya. Her eyes flashed with rage as she said the next part, "You go find me that Lector."
:•.｡𐃢｡.•*
Kaeya stood on the wooden platform of the city's northern windmill. His hands braced against the wooden rail, his hair blowing in the wind as he watched the moon slowly makes its way across the sky.
He had been there a while now.
Waiting.
His jaw ached as he clenched it. Taking in the damage of the city below and the knights as they patrolled the wall and streets. His frustration still causing his muscles to tense painfully.
He had yet to go back and check in on Rosaria as he promised. Partially because he had been busy, but mostly because he wanted to havesomethingto tell her when he did. To reassure her he knew where the Lector was or to tell her they had found a cure or a lead at the very least. The blunette was aware that he'd have hell to pay for that when she was human once more. But that was a problem for future Keya.
Right now, he had bigger issues at hand.
Like a certain owl who had finally found him hiding away up here.
Kaeya didn't turn as he heard the unmistakable sound of wind passing through wings and the tinyclickof talons wrapping themselves around wood. Nor did he move as that familiar tapping began.
I spoke to Venti.
The blunette hummed. Staying in the shadows of the windmill's blades as they slowly rotated the darkness of the night.
"I figured."
It was partially why he had sent Venti off to check the security of the city while Kaeya himself had been sure to be completely be surrounded by people or hidden in a building where Diluc couldn't find him. He figured the owl would spot the bard first.
He knew the Archon would explain things to his brother. Making it where Kaeya didn't have to hear all the accusations Diluc surely was wanted to throw at him.
Why didn't you just tell me the truth?Diluc tapped his message out. Staring at the blunette.
The blunette laughed, not able to keep the bitter twinge out of it.
"Like I said before, Master Diluc, how was I supposed to anticipate what you would do when you found out I was coordinating a planned kidnapping of Lord Barbatos with an Abyss Lector?"
Kaeya was hyperaware of Diluc's every movement. Of every feather that twitched in the breeze. Of that glinting vision on his chest.
"I made a grave miscalculation regarding your reaction before, if you remember. I could not afford to have mistrust thrust upon me that could possibly lead to Jean and the Knights wasting precious time investigating me when all our energies and resources needed to be directed at the problem at hand. Not whether I am trustworthy."
Diluc looked a bit hurt.I wouldn't tell Jean.
"Wouldn't you?" Kaeya shot back, sending him a side glare before turning his attention back to the wall. Sighing in frustration. Archons. He was in need of some sleep. His irritation was getting the best of him. Normally he didn't crack this easily.
I didn't last time.
The blunette paused. A pang of guilt rose in his chest from the hurt expression on the other's face.
Well, he had to admit. His brother had him there.
"Even still," the captain shrugged, not looking at the other as the bitterness still churned inside. "It wasn't worth the risk."
Kaeya, as much as he hated it as much as it caused his chest to throb and his stomach to clench and his head to ache, had learned to survive without his brother. Had learned how to not have to depend on him. To keep all his secrets and truths wrapped up and bottled up so tight no one would know him ever again.
Not the way he had once wanted Diluc to know him. Once upon a time.
The avian grounded his beak together. Falling silent for as he glared out over the city. Seeming to understand all of Kaeya's unsaid words as the blunette shifted his weight. Turning his blind side towards the owl so the wine master was unable to see any emotions that might slip out due to his sleep deprivation.
The silence was heavy in the night air. Cold and pressing. They brooded there for nearly a half an hour before Diluc's talon hesitantly typed out one final message.
I made a mistake the last time you told me the truth.
The blunette went still under the moonlight. Not daring to spare the other a glance in case Diluc stopped tapping. His ears hyperactive in that moment, drilling in on the sound.
I won't make the same one again. I know that your heart lies with Mondstadt. You have made that clear.
Kaeya turned; his eye wide as he looked down at the owl. Trying to depict some form of sarcasm or humor. Surely, this was some joke.
Yet his brother looked as serious as any owl could. Locking eyes with him and not blinking. He was not laughing by any means.
The captain would blame the stinging of his eyes to the lack of sleep and the stress from the past couple of weeks. He cleared his throat. Nodding in acceptance, offering his own olive branch in return.
"I will…remember that and will do my best include you more regarding my plans with trying to take this Lector out."
He glanced away from the bird, who was watching him closely. Those red eyes boring into him. His brother nodded. Accepting it.
And I will do my best to show my trust in you.
Trust.Kaeya's heart picked up its pace and a warmth sparked in the hollowness that had settled there. Diluc trusted him? The blunette knew he did to a certain extent, I mean hehadlet Kaeya help him set up one of Il Dottore's lackies and followed the blunette's elaborate scheme of freeing Collei a couple of years ago, but to hear his brother actuallysayhe had trust in him.
That was another matter entirely.
Suddenly the night didn't seem so cold anymore.
Before Kaeya could respond there was a flash of light to the north wall followed by an angry shriek.
The brothers instantly flew into action. The rest of this conversation would just have to wait.
Kaeya leapt down from the windmill, gliding and landing on the city wall. Peering at the web of runes that glowed on the stone. Tangled inside of them, pinned to the walkway, was a creature. The Abyss Mage trashed against its magical binds, shrieking in anger as it spotted Kaeya and Diluc approaching.
"My, my," Kaeya smirked down at them. "It looks like we have a visitor to our dear city."
The knight lowered himself to one knee. His smile growing sharper. More wicked. The Mage's outraged cries softened into whimpers as he leaned closer. Voice velvety soft, eyes hard as steel.
"How about we give you a nice Mondstadtn greeting? Hmm? What do you say, Master Diluc? Feel like helping me play host?"
With pleasure.
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Notes:
Jean: *having mental breakdown and hugs her vase sister*
Barbara: *overflows and drenches her in water while trying to communicate that she's okay*
Jean: *cries some more*
Barbara: *overflows more because she is now crying too*
Rosaria: *A dark cloud of fury hovering over her*
Sisters: *doing signs of cross and praying*
Venti: *doing what Kaeya asked of him*
Diluc: *Appearing out of no fucking where*
Diluc: Talk. Now. :(
Kaeya: *Trying to be sneaky so he doesn't reveal too much about his past to Lisa*
Lisa: Oh, baby. You have to do better than that.
Mona: *trying not to have a mental break down from lack of sleep and trying to figure out how to break curse*
Jean: *returns with Lisa*
Jean: Kaeya and Lisa said to give these to you and that the Lector is using something called the Book of Truth
Mona: THANK FUCKING GODS. FINALLY A LEAD.
Kaeya: *brooding on top of a windmill*
Diluc: Your going to talk about your feelings and you're going to LIKE it
Kaeya: :(
Abyss Mage: Hehehe I am so clever. They will never catch me—
Abyss Mage: *immediately gets caught*
On a bit of a hiatus. Posts will be slow, but I finished editing this so here*
Chapter 13: Noctua III
Summary:
Panic lanced his chest as his wings lifted him up. The sound of the church bell's warning toll shaking the air as screams and the clashing of arms picked up. If they were being attacked, it meant Kaeya hadn't stopped the Lector. It meant he was in danger or hurt or worse.
Notes:
Our first Diluc POV
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Diluc Ragnvindr was not an obtuse man. In fact, he was one of the smartest and well-informed individuals in Mondstadt. No longer was he blinded by the golden sun or idealic innocence that youth brought. Now he dealt in darkness and secrets just as much as he did in mora.
Facts reached his ears before whispers could even spring up in the land of wine and song. By the time rumors of a problem even reached the Knights the redhead had already dispatched and taken care of the problem. Leaving a bundled of bandits tied up by their feet in the plaza for them to find the next day.
Those red eyes sharp, those ears keen, and that claymore of his always one strike ahead of the enemies. One step ahead of the Knights and the bad guys alike.
Well, all the Knights but one. That cunning blue eye peered over a glass of wine the nights Diluc took a shift from Charles. Deep, so deep that one could never even begin to hope to understand the things hidden in its depths. The smile on sardonic or sweet lips would try to distract the other from the chaos and stars that swam in it.
Trying to appear casual, relaxed and as poised as ever as he watched the redhead. Sometimes up close, sometimes, on the bad nights when the rain pounded against the glass of the windows, from afar.
Diluc did not miss the way the other would sometimes flinch. When his own gaze landed on that blue eye. Nor did he know how to feel about the couple of things he managed to detect floating to the surface of it when his estranged brother had a bit too much to drink.
Some nights it was defiance. Others it was nostalgia. An occasional mirth if Diluc found himself having a bit of fun while playing a game of TCG. Mostly it was just regret.
But on the nights it rained, fear shined beneath the waves. Churning there until the alcohol had warmed his brother's cheeks and dulled the emotion into something close to dissociation. Leaving the other with a dim and hollow look in his gaze as he placed his coin on the table and didn't meet Diluc's eye before slipping out into the storm.
Going home to burden whatever lurked in his depths on his own or, most likely, to ignore it all until the morning light burned them away and the process started all over again as soon as the moon was above.
Had Diluc still been young, and full of naivety, he would have believed that he could go and help his brother. That it was possible to help shoulder Kaeya'sburdens until they defeated them together. Would have believed that they could overcome anything as long as they were together.
He knew that was all fictitious thinking now. Something that belonged to story books and myths. Not something that could actually occur in reality.
For he knew why Kaeya looked at him with such a look of hopelessness. So full of longing and distrust. After all, Diluc had not been the only one who had been traumatized by their fight. His brother still bore its scars. Both on his skin and in his heart.
Diluc had resigned himself to accepting that. It was just a fact of life. Kaeya lived in a world veiled by shadows and secrets. Just like he did now. Sure, they had come together and worked to stop the Fatui and other issues that threatened their home. But that chasm of misunderstanding and distrust still lingered between them.
That had been the reason that when Diluc received a letter stating there was strange Abyss Order activity in Stormterror's Lair he had not relayed it to anyone other than to tell his trusted staff he would be gone a few days. Why he had not written to the blunette or sent word he was going to investigate a dangerous Lector base.
A mistake that had cost him dearly.
It had been horrifying to wake up small, covered in feathers, and completely unable to communicate with anyone who he truly was. Completely disoriented and absolutely terrified. He had been shaking so hard that he hadn't even been able to stand upright for the first thirty minutes upon waking. It had taken himdaysto figure out how to fly properly enough to make it towards the city, where he hoped to get some help.
He still remembered the absolute relief he had felt when he had first spotted Kaeya upon making it there. Because he finally get some help, even if it did take a few days longer than he had liked and required him to master the art of dropping dried animal feces on someone's head mid-flight.
Though, Diluc hadn't anticipated how upset Kaeya would become upon receiving the news.
He still felt sick to his stomach at the horror on his brother's face as the pieces finally fell into place. The choked whimper that had managed to slip out before Kaeya bit his lip and swallowed the panic attack down.
Diluc had been so helpless. All his frustration at his brother's obtuseness instantly vaporizing into panic of his own as the blunette crumbled to the floor in the base. The pyro allogene helpless as Kaeya desperately tried to steady his breathing.
To Diluc's surprise, he had been nearly overcome with the desire to draw the other up into his arms. To whisper comforting words and help ground Kaeya and calm him. More than anything, Diluc had wanted to step forward and chase whatever fear the younger was experiencing away. To play the roll of the big brother. A roll he had tried to convince himself he no longer wanted nor deserved to play.
He almost had tried to press his tiny body against the other. To wrap his wings around those shaking shoulders and warm him with his vision. But a sick feeling in his chest held him back. The memories of Kaeya flinching when he caught the blunette off guard. How his gaze grew darker when the sky rumbled with approaching thunder.
No. Diluc could not help that situation. He would only make it worse. So as much as it pained him, he had held back. Had just stood thereuselesslyas the other struggled tobreathe. The owl desperately wracking his brain to figure out what, exactly, had caused the other to panic so badly.
Was it because it was him? Was Kaeya truly that scared of him?
It shamed Diluc to admit that it was entirely possible, but even if that wasn't the true source of such a panic attack, the guilt still burned at him because he realized he didn'tknowwhy the other was so afraid. How could he even be considered a brother and not know something that apparently triggered the other this severely?
Kaeya was many things, but he was never one to let emotions get the best of him like this. Especially after the last time he had. When the blunette's guilt had finally eaten through everything on his soul and he had broken before the redhead. Unable to hold the truth back a moment longer.
But then, as though the break down had never even happened and Diluc had imagined the entire thing, Kaeya was back on his feet. Hurrying off to fix the problem.DraggingDiluc after him and all the way to Dragonspine. Pushing through his obvious sleep deprivation, nearly falling asleep on his feet as he made his way up the mountain.
All to help Diluc.
If that hadn't been enough to eat away at Diluc's own soul, the blunette had continued to show such consideration and care for him upon knowing the situation the owl had gotten himself into. Kaeya made sure the redhead had food to eat, water to drink, helped him find ways to secure his vision to his person so the pyro allogene wasn't defenseless, had talk Diluc and listened to him with as much consideration and thought as he ever had while Diluc had been human.
Kaeya had even taken him into his home, though that part had been a bit of a manipulated strategy on the redhead's own part. Preying on the fact he knew Kaeya would not take care of himself and would only return to his own home to rest if Diluc requested aid.
Because Kaeya never did really take the time to take off himself, did he? Despite everything Diluc had and had not done to the blunette the past five years Kaeya was always there to help him. Always reaching out. Always checking in. Even on nights it was obvious the other was dead-on-his-feet from exhaustion, he made sure to swing by the Share when Diluc was bartending. Even if it was only to quickly pop in, make some obnoxious excuse to check in on the redhead, before stumbling back home to finally collapse in his own bed.
It was always Kaeya who swung by the bar and winery when he knew Diluc would be there. It was Kaeya who always happened to be patrolling the very street the Darknight Hero was enacting his vigilantly duties on. It was Kaeya always sending him letters.
When was the last time Diluc had made the first move? At least where his brother was aware of him. Sure, he had his network keep tabs on his brother, and Charles always filled him in when the other drank too much or got into some dangerous crowds at the Share, but when had Diluc himself last gone up to Kaeya and asked him how he was? Asked him if he was eating alright. Asked him anything.
After all of the negligence on Diluc's part, how could Kaeya still carefully help him wash his feathers and not make fun of him once or mock him. How did he not find the hatrid in his soul to rub it in Diluc's face that this is what going solo got him and it served the redhead right for not accepting Kaeya's help after all those times he offered. To not say "I told you so".
How could the blunette be kind enough to let Diluc even sleep beside him? To cut up his food without even asking about it? To help him in all the ways he had done these past week or two, unprompted and wordlessly. Just silently being there for the redhead during this difficult time all the while doing everything he could to figure out how to fix this.
And what had Diluc done to thank him for it?
He had made Kaeya think he hadn't trusted him. Had caused Kaeya to flee his own house because the redhead kept hounding him for answers he clearly was uncomfortable telling him. When he had every right to be uncomfortable telling him.
Because Kaeya didn't trust him anymore and it was all Diluc's fault.
The blunette's hissed words, so full of anger and pain, in their late night argument had cut the owl's heart in two.
"So what makes you think I can trust you with the 'full truth', as you put it, now? Hmm, Master Diluc? Especially when and if it comes to Abyss matters. When the only reason I am standing before you now is because Celestia stayed your blade that day. Despiteyourbest efforts."
It had been the first time Kaeya had ever referred to their fight. The first time Kaeya had mentioned how Diluc had raised his blade and demanded the other to do the same. The pain was raw in that star-filled eye as it glared down at the owl. The rage and hurt and a slew of other emotions churned like the sea in the midst of a hurricane within it before the eye was torn away and his brother stormed out of the apartment to meet the Traveler.
Leaving Diluc standing there stunned. Sick to his stomach as he realized the other was right.
Why would he trust him?Diluc certainly wouldn't have trusted himself had the situation been reversed.
It dawned on then him how selfish he had been these past several days. Depending on Kaeya so heavily, taking advantage of his kind heart and the guilt he had. Imposing on the blunette and forcing him to take the redhead inside of the blunette's home, his one sanctuary from the world.
So Diluc had backed off, trying to give the other some much needed space from him. He slept in the city on top of the windmills. He had gotten used enough to perching that he didn't topple off things anymore and Sarah at Good Hunter had started a tab for him and would give him a piece of meat for him to eat.
Though he kept his distance, he had tried to keep an eye on the blunette while the other didn't notice him. He was relieved to see him still human and doing well despite the bags under his eyes.
And then the idiot had gone and met up with the very Lector who had cursedsevenpeople. Without him. Diluc had been furious and sick to his stomach when Jean old him where Kaeya had gone. And while he had taken Venti and Aether, it did little to comfort the redhead.
Because Kaeya hadn't even bothered to tell Diluc himself where he was going. Of the plan he had been apparently cooking up for several days now.
Diluc had realized then how much he had fucked things up as he sat helpless on the Barbatos' statue's outstretched hands. Red eyes scanning the horizon as though he would somehow see his brother out there so he could go after him.
No one even knew what a peacock's eye even was, the translation of Kaeya's own constellation. For all Diluc knew his brother was now some bird eye rolling around on a domain's stone floor. Being squashed like a grape underneath the Lector's boot.
He had shuddered at the thought. Feathers pressing close as he shrank down. Worry clawing at his insides. Regretting not clearing everything up when he had the chance. He should have told Kaeya it wasn't because he didn't trust the blunette that the pyro allogene kept pushing. It was because he wasworriedabout him.
Even though he didn't have the right to be.
Diluc clicked his beak in frustration. A spark flinging itself off his vision in retaliation to his emotions. He hated he was perched there. Useless. While Kaeya was off facing the Lector without him.
Was this how his brother felt about his own vigilantly activities? This sickening feeling of helplessness and the unknown? Wondering, hoping, praying, that the other was okay. That the cryo allogene's fighting skills didn't fail him. That the winds blessed him.
Suddenly even more shame flooded Diluc. He really had been putting Kaeya through the ringer all these years, hadn't he? In ways he hadn't fully appreciated before.
He really owed the younger an apology or a free drink at the very least.
A shout rang out below the owl, snatching him out of his brooding thoughts. Diluc perked up, plumicorns arching up as he turned his attention to the gate where a single flaming arrow shot up into the sky.
His heart plummeted into his talons as he watched the signal in horror. The sound of knights engaging in combat filled the streets and the hunters and adventures ran to arms. The city was under attack. The Abyss Order had struck.
Meaning Kaeya had failed.
Kaeya had failed.
Kaeya.
Panic lanced his chest as his wings lifted him up. The sound of the church bell's warning toll shaking the air as screams and the clashing of arms picked up. If they were being attacked, it meant Kaeya hadn't stopped the Lector. It meant he was in danger or hurt or worse.
He swooped down over the battlefield searching the Knights for a familiar shade of blue or the Traveler's golden locks or even Venti's signature cape. Yet they were nowhere to be found. Only Jean could be spotted amidst the non-vision wielders. Her anemo swirled their enemies and blasted them away.
Diluc wanted to throw up, but now wasn't the time to fall into despair. No. There was still hope. Kaeya was strong. He was smart. He was okay. Hehadto be okay.
Then.Then he had spotted his brother. His eyes locked onto the star-filled one that shone up at him through the smoke. Relief flooded the owl's system as he spotted his brother.
Alive.
Human.
Safe.
Thank gods he was safe.
Diluc had wanted to fly down to him then. To land on his shoulder and refuse to leave. To go with the cryo allogene wherever he went. To make sure that the youngerstayedsafe, but he had to help stop the invaders first. Because he dared some mitachurl to lay a single finger on his brother's head.
The redhead had finally gotten to see Kaeya after the fighting was over and the wounded were being rounded up and his brother was descending the stairs to the Cathedral. His face twisted into one of anger and frustration.
Yet Diluc wasn't able to talk to the cryo allogene quiet yet. The captain's quick glance firm as he said, "Later" before asking the owl to scout for him.
Dismissing him as quickly as he acknowledged him.
Diluc was surprised how much it hurt. How his heart sank as he was clearly brushed aside by his brother as the knight turned his attention to other things.
Had he truly fucked things up between them so terribly? Was there no going back now? Had Kaeya finally realized that Diluc wasn't actually worth his time and effort?
The redhead hated how much that thought twisted him up on the inside. How it made his entire beingach.
"Ah, Master Diluc," the owl jumped a bit as Venti suddenly appeared by his side. Seemingly having made no noise to scale the wall that the cursed man was currently perched on as he did what Kaeya asked and looked for anything that could be a security threat. "It's been a while."
Venti smiled as he came to lean against the stone next to him. His braids blowing in the breeze.
The wine master hooted at him, tapping experimentally on his perch. Using the same code he and Kaeya did to communicate.
The bard winced apologetically, "Ah, sorry. I don't believe I know how to translate that. I never was one much for code."
The redhead huffed in frustration but not surprise. Brow furrowing as he tried to think of another way to communicate with the bard. He glared at the ground.
Archons who would have thought he would miss talking this much?
"Though," Venti's gentle tone caused him to look back up, "If I were to take a gander, I would say that you are wanting to know what happened with the Lector?"
Diluc hooted, pleased. Nodding hurriedly.
"Well," the other sighed heavily, his shoulders sagged a bit. "Sir Kaeya's plan didn't work as well as we had hoped. We managed to meet up with the Lector but, well, he figured out it was a trap and managed to evade us."
That proved it. He had been right. Kaeyahadbeen the one to come up with the plan. Which meant the blunette truly hadn't wanted him to be a part of it.
The owl turned away from the bard. Glaring out across the city. Trying to convince himself it didn't really bother him. That he had no right to feel sad that he had been excluded from his brother's plan.
It was his own fault after all.
"You know," Venti spoke again, turning to look out over the city, "Sir Kaeya is blaming himself pretty hard right now."
Diluc glanced over at him again. Indicating that he was listening.
"He puts so much pressure on himself. Usually, he is able to pull off the impossible, but anytime he miscalculates, or things don't go quite as planned…" The bard sighed sadly, shooting Diluc a look. "You know how he can be. He's really beating himself up over this entire ordeal, but I'm really worried about him with Barbara and Rosaria being cursed rather than Jean like he predicted. He's already so protective over both of them."
Diluc sighed in agreement. Of course, Kaeya would feel terrible about it. Diluc knew he would feel bad about it as well if he had been in Kaeya's shoes. Like he had failed them.
"I think he could really use some encouragement right about now," Venti continued. "Especially from his brother."
Diluc shrank a bit at the title. His feathers fluffing out in discomfort. Unable to inform the bard that Kaeya no longer viewed him as such. That the blunette would not find any such comfort in the redhead's words.
"He cares about you and your opinion in him," Venti seemed to hear the wine master's unspoken thoughts anyway. He placed a gentle hand on top of Diluc's head. Patting him gently. "Truly, Master Diluc. He may pretend he doesn't, buthe pretends about a lot of things, doesn't he?"
The pyro allogene huffed. Venti had gotten that right.
"Talk to him?" his archon pressed as he gently stroked his head once more. "He needs to know you're by his side, Master Diluc. I fear that this Lector is only getting started. You two have always been stronger together. Mondstadt needs you two at your best and you two need each other."
Diluc sighed as Venti withdrew his hand. Lifting his wings and leaning forward.
"The wind tells me you'll find him on a windmill," the bard called as he flew off. Wings carrying him.
Which led them to where they were now.
Diluc sat perched on the stone wall, watching as Kaeya stared down at the hydro mage before them. Her cloak was singed from his own vision and frost tickled her toes. She whimpered before the two, squirming against the runes that held her in place.
The runes that now glowed bright blue, as cold as cryo against the wall. The very same place his brother had been tracing a week or so ago when Diluc had hunted him down and demanded to know where he had disappeared to after Jean had told Kaeya to find him and the cyro allogene had just vanished for several hours.
It seemed as though his brother hadn't been absently tracing the stone like he had previously thought.
"Now, I'll ask you once last time.Nicely," Kaeya's smile was deadly sweet as he blinked down at the being, nearly causing a chill to run down Diluc's own spine. "Where is the Lector's base?"
"I told you I don't know!" The creature hissed frantically at him. Her squirming growing more desperate. "I was only told to scout and see the conditions of the city after the attack! I report to another."
Kaeya locked eyes with her as a sharp, jagged icicle formed in his hand. It grew slowly. Threateningly. Diluc merely watched the show as his brother interrogated the creature.
"Are you sure that is your final answer?" he asked oh, so sweetly.
The being yelped and began to thrash frantically.
"That's all I know! I swear, I swear," the Abysmal creature began to cry, though no tears fell down her cheeks. Her voice cracked all the same in desperation as she twisted her head away as though to hide from the brothers. "Please! No more!"
Kaeya shot the owl a look. His eyebrow only twitched upward in the slightest of motions, yet Diluc understood all the same and nodded in return. The mage wasn't lying. She really didn't know the base's location.
"Who are you reporting to?" the captain switched tactics, turning back to the creature.
"Another mage," the being whimpered. Still curling in on themselves and clutching her burned hands as close to her body as possible.
"Where at?"
"Past the ancient wolf. On the outskirts of the forest."
Diluc watched as Kaeya frowned in thought, placing a contemplative hand on his chin, "Is it a cryo mage?"
The hydro mage whimpered with a nod.
Diluc shot the blunette a questioning look. How in the world had he known that?
"I have had words with them before. I am familiar with them," The blunette shrugged, as though it was the most common thing in the world to be on speaking terms with an Abyss Mage, before turning back to the interrogation. "When are you to meet them?"
The mage held silent. Frantically clawing at the binds that held her. The blunette took a step closer. Foot toing the edge of the runed circle that held her in place.
"In three days time," she shrieked in fright before the captain could do anything.
Kaeya turned to look at Diluc. Completely turning his back on the mage as he tapped his chin with his icicle in thought. The owl listened, though he kept the corner of his eyeon the Abysmal creature.
"I highly doubt the other mage is going to tell us the location of the Lector very easily. He seems to have a bit more honor when it comes to selling out his collogues."
The hydro mage continued to squirm against her bindings. Shooting him a glare.
"But we need to move fast," the blunette continued, paying her no mind. "We suspect the Lector needs time to recover between cursing people. So right now, he should be weakened."
Let me go and get him then,Diluc tapped out with his vision sparking in anticipation.
"Not so fast," Kaeya held a hand up, "In case you haven't noticed, there is no way you can handle this solo. I'm coming with you."
You haven't been cursed. I have. It is not worth risking you when there are only a handful of adult allogenes left.
"That might be so," Kaeya agreed easily, "But you don't exactly have any means of interrogating the mage now do you? I highly doubt it can speak owl."
Diluc glared down at the ground. Huffing, but not disputing the blunette's point. As much as he hated to admit it, Kaeya was right.
"We should go inform Jean of the situation," Kaeya continued ignoring the mage as she inched one hand out towards the staff that had fallen from her grasp upon triggering his trap, biting back a yawn. "That way if I happen to get cursed, someone else is aware of what we learned and can continue with our lead. Then go and find Aether and see if he is willing to teleport us as close as he can to the meeting place."
The mage's finger managed to graze against the staff. Gently tapping it a bit closer.
When is the last time you got some sleep? You are going to get hurt because you're running on nothing but adrenaline,Diluc shot him a pointed glare.
Kaeya waved the concerned look on the owl's face away. "That's a bit hypocritical don't you think, Master Diluc? When is the last timeyougot some sleep? Hmm? Yet you planned on swooping in with nothing more than a pair of wings and a vision to stop the Lector you couldn't even get at your best."
The mage grabbed the staff. Going still for a moment to make sure the brothers hadn't noticed before she dragged it close. The tip of it began to glow.
That was her last mistake. A catalyst appeared before the owl as his vision flashed. A burst of pyro consumed the mage where she laid. The staff and body dissolving into ash and particles in less that a few seconds.
Kaeya sighed dramatically, glancing down at the charred marks on the stone. "Was that really necessary? I wanted to interrogate her some more."
You got everything you could out of them. There was no need to drag it on. We need to move as you said,Diluc tapped out unapologetically.
There was no way he was going to let the mage have the chance to harm the younger.
Kaeya tutted, turning to the wall as the rune faded away. He carefully traced the stone once again. His finger dragging across the gritty surface.
"It is what it is I suppose," he stepped back. Allowing the new rune to replace the old one before he shot Diluc a glance over his shoulder. A bit of a challenging stare.
The redhead met his gaze head on. Of course, he had questions about how Kaeya could read Abyss mage runes much less write and use them. Yet, he knew their compromise was a fragile thing. One where a simple grain of sand might cause it to come crumbling down.
Which caused him to keep his talon still as the other finished. He merely watched as Kaeya stepped away from the wall and the rune fade from sight. The blunette's shoulders seemed to relax just a hair. Diluc's only sign that he had successfully passed his brother's little test.
Let's go then, Diluc tapped out. Stretching his wings.
Kaeya smiled at him. It was full of exhaustion and grit, but it warmed Diluc's heart all the same.
"Let's."
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Notes:
Kaeya: *has a panic attack at Diluc being cursed*
Diluc: *has a panic attack because of Kaeya's panic attack*
Kaeya: *leaves his house because he feels like he is unworthy of Diluc and his trust and Diluc hates him*
Diluc: I have upset my brother. He hates me. I must now go sleep in the rain to atone for my sins so he does not have to bear being near me. Farewell.
Kaeya: *upon Diluc now avoiding him*
Kaeya: I was right. He hates me. ,(
Ghost of Crepus: I swear to fucking Barbatos—
Venti: *sees Diluc moping*
Venti*sees Kaeya moping*
Venti: sighs. What am I going two knuckleheads?
Ghost of Crepus: THAT IS WHAT IM SAYING
Venti: *pats Diluc's head*
Diluc: *melts because he is severely touch starved*
Mage: *twitches and looks at Kaeya wrong*
Diluc: *sets her on fire*
Kaeya: Well that was a bit much.
Diluc: *eyes reflecting in firelight. Looking kinda like a little demon*
Diluc: It wasn't enough.
Kaeya: *writes magical runes that have the ability to trap mages on wall*
Kaeya*looks at Diluc*
Kaeya: Whatchu going to do about it?
Diluc: nothing
Kaeya*clearly relieved but still trying to act tough. Sweating*
Kaeya: That's what I thought
Chapter 14: Spinea Corona
Summary:
"No," The Abysmal shook its head. "I accepted the gift of grace, but I am not a prisoner to Truth."
Kaeya stiffened as he heard the pity on its voice. A snarl curled on his how face. His smile morphing as ice crackled on the surface of his vision.
Notes:
Okay, we're trying another Monday post schedule. I got the next couple of weeks lined up for sure because currently chapters 15-18 are roughed.
Next chapter is a little shorter, but I make up for that later. Lots of action though.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Kaeya always liked small, enclosed spaces. They made him feel safe. Hidden. Like a little mole in its den, hiding from the world. He had grown up sneaking under shadows and watching the world from below. While the realm of gods danced above his head, he was stalking beneath their graves. Hiding under death itself.
The blunette grew learning how to climb and scale cliffs, how to slip through chutes and chambers in the underground caves and stones. He knew the importance of being able to tell a tunnel that would help him escape whatever chamber he was in from a dead-end death trap. His feet were already calloused from running barefoot over sharp stones. His toes and fingers strong from gripping rocky surfaces as he climbed.
Khaenri'ah was an underground nation after all.
His father had taught him how to traverse the treacherous landscape. The rough and shattered thing it had become after the Cataclysm. Full of jagged, sharp stones and giant craters from mistle and god impacts alike. Echoing and dark. A haunted graveyard full of sinners and the hopeless. Those lost souls churned in the air, their souls unable to escape through a breeze or the Ley Lines.
Those who had the fortune to quickly die those centuries ago, realized a swift, painless death meant nothing now as their souls churned in the rubble and soil. Sometimes one or two became strong enough to shift into a subtle shade that would form in the corner of the boy's eyes. But most only had the strength to whisper and murmur from the shadows. A hiss so soft one might only think it was the wind.
Only to remember there were no breezes in Khaenri'ah. Not anymore.
"Come along, son," his father's gentle voice stirred the child from his musings.
The tiny child quickly abandoned trying to figure out what one particular lost soul was whispering. His small hand slipped easily into the man's larger one. The boy's flesh soft and squishy compared the hardening exoskeleton-like armor that was creeping up his parent's skin.
Even with the tough skin, the fingers that wrapped around his own squeezed Kaeya gently as they made their way through the darkness.
They had been traveling with purpose that day. Going around the hilichurl camps they came across, trying to indicate to the cursed people who sat around their campfires that the father and son were no threat. Hilichurls usually never bothered the two, not unless they were hungry and were searching for a spare stalk of wheat or a cooked fish. Something Kaeya's father always gave them if they had one to spare.
The two humans continued for a long while. Long enough for the boy's legs to grow tired and for the man to stoop down and pick him up. Letting the child perch on his back as he wrapped his arms around Kaeya's legs and butt in piggyback style. The blunette slept while he could. Safe in his father's arms and with nothing better to do. He stirred only when he felt the man stop and heard a high-pitched voice begin to speak.
The child's starry eyes peered up over his father's shoulder. Looking down at a cryo Abyss Mage that stood there. Staff curled in its hand as it spoke to them.
"You have come a long way for this, Alberich. I see you are not long for your own descension."
His father's mouth drew into a tight line. Shoulders rising defensively.
"You know why I come."
"He doesn't let just anyone look at it," the mage countered back. Glancing over at Kaeya who was watching him. "Not even the innocent."
"He will," Kaeya was surprised by how hard of a tone his father had taken. The firmness and subtle anger that churned in his voice. "I will make him.
The blunette rarely heard his father speak that way.
The mage cackled and began to levitate, a hand reached for its mask and lifted it just slightly above its face. Allowing Kaeya to get a clear glimpse of what laid beneath. His stomach dropped with horror, a soft gasp escaped his lips.
"He lies within. May Fate take pity on you, Alberich," the mage vanished before them in a burst of cryo. Its voice echoing in the darkness around them.
Kaeya's father merely grunted, pushing past the space where the cursed individual had been only seconds before. Marching up to a large, towering domain entrance. The stairs were crumbling and littered with damage.
The blunette shifted, causing his father to allow him to slide down his back and walk beside him once more. The boy clutched at his father's hand with both of his. The air was different here. In a way Kaeya wasn't familiar with.
"Stay close to me," his father whispered as they approached a large stone door. Coming to a stop before it.
The door flashed blue, causing Kaeya to jump and press closer to his parent. The stone began to shake under their boots, vibrating up their spines and rattling the boy's teeth as it opened. A strip of light washed over them, growing larger and brighter as the entrance fully opened. Blue energy flowed out of it. Kaeya gasped as it fell over him. A rush of power and awe filled him. Caused his heart to swell and a surge or emotions he didn't understand to fill him. He glanced up at his father, trying to understand what was going on.
His heart sank at his father's grim expression.
"Keep your head, boy," was the last warning given as a large creature donned in armor exited the room beyond.
Kaeya shrunk behind his father. That warm feeling instantly replaced with fear as the creature approached. Towering over them. Kaeya clutched at the back of the man's robes. Closing his eyes and pressing his face into the back of his father's legs and hips.
"Halt, humans," the giant being commanded them. "Fate has not granted you the right to enter this place."
"Please," Alberich stepped forward. "I need to speak to Him."
"You insist on an audience? Not even your ancestor dared face Him alone," the being clarified. Its gravelly voice caused shivers to go down Kaeya's spine.
"Yes," Alberich spoke clearly. Gently extracting himself from Kaeya's clenched fingers.
"You understand what that means?" the being tilted his head slightly to look down at Kaeya. "He will be alone in this world should you fail."
"I will not," the man said firmly as he drew a sword.
"Very well," the being nodded. "I grant you the trial of destiny. Ready your weapon and place your offspring to the side."
"Father," Kaeya whispered as the man looked down at him. The boy's eyes were wide with fear. "Father, please—"
"Stand to the side, Kaeya," his father interrupted. Nudging the boy away before turning to face the giant armored creature with a black star pinned to its chest.
Kaeya watched as the being grew swords on its arms, as cryo filled the air. It burned at his lungs and caused the condensation to freeze over. He stumbled as his father pushed him gently to the side, slipping on the ice.
"Stand aside, Kaeya," his father said a tone the child knew he could not argue against. The man turned to face the towering beast.
"Are you ready?" the Herald lowered himself, bracing for an attack.
"The Truth shall set you free,' his father whispered in response, hoisting up his own sword in return.
:•.｡ ｡.•*
Kaeya shivered as the ice crept over his skin and boots. His breath freezing before his face.
"Oh, come now, Rosaria I came as soon as I heard something," Kaeya winced as the thorny crown before him caused the room's temperature to plummet. The door had frozen shut the instant he'd closed behind him "I wasn't ignoring you. I swear."
He knew he would be a dead man if he did.
The cursed woman that sat on a cushion before him did not ease up, the cryo allogene continued to shimmer with ice and hoarfrost. Kaeya swore an aura of darkness was also hovering over her.
"I told you I was out scouting with Aether all day yesterday," Kaeya shivered again as another burst of cold washed over him. "I just got back into the city last night and Jean and Diluc made me sleep the instant I got back. I came here as soon as I woke up."
The ice on the door cracked as it grew thicker. Sealing him in his soon-to-be-tomb.
"Are you mad that I didn't tell you of the plan to find the Lector?" Kaeya took a step back as ice crept even further over his boot. It snapped as he jerked it back. "Come now, Rosaria, I made sure to have Jean tell you what was going on. I had to act quickly, and I figured you would be the best defense left in the city."
The ice only continued to creak around him.
"Please, Rosie," Kaeya dodged more of the cryo. Trying to reason with the crown before him. She really was quite beautiful like this. She looked as though she was made of iced thorns and diamonds. She glittered and shimmered under the lights. "I promise to tell you what happens after the stakeout tonight. I swear."
The ice continued to creep up his boots. Trying to lock him into place.
"I have to go, Rosaria. Please. Jean is waiting on me. We can't miss this opportunity," the blunette tried to reason with her.
A shard of ice formed under her. Slowly and carefully growing larger as it lifted her up and slowly extended towards him. Causing her to dangle on it. The ice only stopped when it was mere centimeters before him. The crown his friend had become easily within his reach.
Kaeya blinked down at her. Trying to figure out what she wanted.
She moved even closer, causing him to take another step back. His back hit the frozen door. Rosaria had effectively pinnd him in place. Still, she moved towards him. Halting before him.
"You—?" he wracked his brain. Trying to figure out what she was trying to tell him. "Do you want to come with me?"
The hoarfrost stopped in its progress. The room grew slightly warmer.
"Is that it?" He sighed as he brushed some frost off his sleeve. His skin covered in chill bumps. "And how do you expect me to carry you around? I need my hands to fight."
The icicle inched forward again. The top of it tapping his forehead before resting there.
"What? Do you want me to wear you or something?"
The room grew even warmer.
"Isn't that…?" he frowned at her with a furrowed brow. "Would that not be uncomfortable for you?"
The ice moved forward, this time pressing a little painfully against his reddening skin.
"Alright, alright," Kaeya sighed as he gingerly reached for her. Grasping her carefully as though she could detonate like one of Klee's bombs at any second. "But I swear if you turn my head into an ice-cube, I won't buy you a drink for a year."
Kaeya carefully picked her up, hesitating a moment in case she changed her mind. She didn't freeze his fingers off, so he continued on, placing her gently around his head. The blunette winced at bit as she pricked him with her sharp edges, though not seemingly intentionally.
"Archons you're freezing," he grumbled as he removed his hands. "Do you have to be so cold?"
The door behind him cracked as the ice crumbled and faded away, allowing him the freedom to leave. Clearly seeming to say she could be as cold or warm as she wanted.
"I know that you want to come with me," Kaeya opened the door and hurried out before she could freeze him back inside. Making his way out of the Cathedral and towards the Headquarters. "But you might honestly be more needed with Eula or Jean. They are probably higher targets than I."
A snowflake fluttered in front of his face. Nearly hitting his eye. He wrinkled his nose as it landed on his cheek.
"I won't be his first target. Don't worry. Besides, I amPavo Ocellushardly the riskiest vision bearer running around," he sighed, mentally running his head through the remaining survivors. "Mona is Astrolabos. Some sort of stargazing tool. Sucrose is Ampulla. Some type of flask-like thing. Eula is Aphros Delos or sea foam as you probably know. Poor Klee is Trifolium, a plant. Noelle is Parma Cordis, shield of heart. And Bennett," Kaeya frowned. Concern growing in his chest, "Rota Calamitas. Wheel of misfortune."
The blunette jogged a bit tiredly down the stairs to make up for lost time. Diluc was bound to come searching for him if he took too long if Jean didn't first. He really didn't want to explain that he had been held hostage by atiara.
"My point being," Kaeya glanced up at his head. Feeling her gold metal press into his skin and hair. "I would appreciate knowing you were helping to watch over these others. Even as you are, I am quite sure you are still more than able to help. You did just manage to trap me in that room with you after all."
She didn't react. Taking it as a sign she was thinking about it, he gave her his final defense.
"You could also protect Razor. Make sure he didn't get hurt."
There was a burst of cold and the blunette swore she dug the thorny parts of her new shape deeper into his skin. He winced at the pressure. Sending her a glare.
"Alright, no need to be so violent," he instantly retreated. Accepting that the other cryo allogene was coming with him whether he wanted her to or not.
The crown stilled once again. Pleased.
:•.｡ ｡.•*
Kaeya heard Eula and Jean before he even got the chance to go into the Acting Grand Master's office.
He couldn't quite make out the exact words, but, judging by the tone, it wasn't a pleasant conversation. The captain sighed as he approached the door. Knowing good and well what the current argument was probably about.
Eula wasn't happy with how little Jean was letting her do.
The blunette took a deep breath let it out before pushing the door open and walking in.
Kaeya's sharp eye scanned the scene. Venti and Aether were standing to the side next to Hertha who was sitting in one of the chairs, her arm bandaged in a sling and bags heavy under her eyes. Amber sat in the chair next to her. Her ears pinned back in discomfort as Eula stood before Jean's desk, hands on her hips. Diluc sat perched on the back of Amber's chair. Turning to look over at Kaeya as he entered. His red eyes flicking up to the crown perched on the other's head.
"You are running out of Knights," Eula pressed, turning everyone's attention back to the discussion at hand. "I am more use up here than down in the Catacombs. Besides, the citizens who wish to leave have already been evacuated to Dornman Port."
"You are too great of a risk, Eula. We have been over this," Jean repeated firmly. "You are to stay down there and oversee the remaining citizens."
"You are running yourself into the ground," the cryo allogene pressed back. "Look at Hertha! The only reason she was caught off guard is because we are all so exhausted. The last thing we need is for our Acting Grand Master to fall as well."
Hertha lowered her head in shame which caused Amber to reach over and gently place a paw on her knee in comfort. Kaeya bit back a sigh. While Eula wasn't intending to blame the other Captain for her injury, poor Hertha was one to take it to heart like that.
"I will be fine," Jean insisted. "And even if I do become cursed, I am not nearly as high of a risk as you, Eula. I won't dissolve in the sunlight. You could. I cannot risk having my Reconnaissance Captain's life for no reason. You are to stay away and safe."
Kaeya crept forward silently. Coming to stand next to Diluc who gave him and Rosaria a inquisitive look. Tilting his head to the side a bit. The blunette shrugged and rolled his eye a bit helplessly. causing the owl to give him a bit of a smug, knowing look.
They both knew that when Sister Rosaria wanted something she got it. Especially when it came to Kaeya.
"Serving Mondstadt and the Acting Grand Master is reason enough to risk it," Eula pushed. Clearly not willing to back down in the slightest. "You need me."
"Exactly," Jean said firmly. "That is why I need you to stayaliveandsafe. If you want to help us, you will stay human. In the best of times, we are short staffed with Grand Master Varka's expedition. What would we do without you Eula? "
The cryo allogene huffed, opening her mouth to argue further, when Kaeya coughed. Causing them to turn to look at him.
"Sorry to interrupt," the blunette was not sorry in the slightest. "But Master Diluc and I are supposed to relieve Venti and Aether's shift in an hour."
"I am done with this discussion anyway," Eula huffed in anger. Turning so quickly her cape nearly smacked Jean in the chest. "I will be in theCatacombsas my Acting Grand Master orders."
The door shook in its frame as she stormed out. Leaving Kaeya's ears ringing a bit from the force of its slam. Poor Amber's sensitive ears must have positively ached after it.
Jean sighed as she sank into her chair. Looking out the window in frustration.
"You're doing the right thing," Kaeya said softly to her. Causing everyone to look up at him. "No one else's life is at risk the ways hers is. She is just frustrated because she wants to do her job as well as not prove everyone's accusations about her to be true. But it is better for her to be frustrated than dead, Acting Grand Master."
Jean nodded at his words though she didn't look very comforted by them. The anemo allogene leaned forward in her chair as she crossed her arms over her desk. "I know. But she is right. Wecoulduse her help. We are all running ragged."
Diluc huffed in agreement. He had taken it upon himself to make sure that Jean and Kaeya both at least got four hours of sleep the past 48 hours.
He had even sat on top of the blunette's chest the entire time; a death grip on the captain's favorite nightshirt to make sure Kaeya stayed down and didn't try to slip away while the owl himself got a couple of hours of rest between all the scouting he had been doing.
"Did anything happen during my absence?" Kaeya asked, folding his arms as he leaned back on one foot. "You and Eula mentioned the evacuees. Did everyone make it to Dornman Port alright then?"
Jean nodded to a letter sitting open on her desk, "Yes. While the majority of the able bodied and young who had no dependents chose to remain in the Catacombs, all of our city's elderly, children, and disabled managed to use the exit on the far side of Cider Lake. The Knights who escorted them returned and reported to Eula."
"Which is why she came topside," Kaeya finished. Earning a nod from Jean. "Any word from Varka on the situation?"
Jean frowned, shaking her head. "No. Though I did receive a visit from one of the Fatui representatives earlier. They wanted to reestablish their offer to send troops to help us. I denied them this time, but if this keeps up…"
Diluc let out a low, angry sound.
"It won't," Kaeya reassured her. "We will get the Lector this time."
They had no choice.
"Where did the Fatui representatives go?" Hertha asked. "Are they also still over at Dornman Port?"
Diluc huffed with a nod. The owl had made sure to escort them all out of the city days ago under Jean's order of evacuation. The Acting Grand Master hadn't wanted them down in the Catacombs with the civilians. The Knights had enough to worry about without having to deal with the Fatui trying to sneak down corridors they had no right being in.
There were secrets down there after all.
"It appears so," Jean nod. "I made Lawrence and Guy escort them out of the city after their meeting with me."
Good riddance, Diluc huffed.
Kaeya's mouth twitched in amusement.
"Now," Jean sat back up. "Let's discuss what we all came here for. Kaeya, would you recount yours and Diluc's findings so everyone here is caught up?"
"Certainly, Acting Grand Master," Kaeya straightened up. "As most of you know, Master Diluc and I were able to interrogate an Abyss Mage that tried to sneak into the city shortly after the last attack. She informed us she was to report to another Abyss Mage in-between the Cecilia Garden domain and Wolvendom. Master Diluc, Venti, the Honorary Knight, and I have all been taking turns staking out the location in order to capture that Mage and interrogate them. The hydro mage we captured said their meeting was supposed to be in three days' time."
"So tomorrow?" Hertha asked.
Kaeya nodded. "Yes. We hope that the mage will be able to lead us to where the Lector is currently hiding and most likely recovering from this most recent attack."
"How long does it take him to recover?" Hertha asked, glancing over at Jean who in turn looked back to Kaeya.
The blunette shrugged. "We are unsure. The quickest turn around was a day, but he had only cursed one individual at that point. We are dealing with him weakened even further since he cursed not only the Deaconess, but Sister Rosaria as well."
The crown upon his head shimmered with a blast of frost. Causing a few flurries of snow to drift onto his shoulders. Kaeya brushed them away absentmindedly.
"So, he still might be ready for another attack then?" Hertha frowned.
"Possibly," Jean agreed.
Diluc's feathers shivered in anger. His beak snapping.
"Who all will be infiltrating the base?" Hertha inquired, trying to catch up on everything since she had been bedbound for the last 24 hours due to her injuries. Barbara's healing wasn't what it used to be since she could no longer sing.
"Kaeya, Master Diluc, Venti, Aether, and I," Jean said firmly. Not even sparing the two brothers a glance as she stated the order.
The blunette bit his tongue. He had already tried to dissuade her from coming. Pointing out that she was needed here to lead the people. He had wanted to keep her out of harm's way.
She had ordered him to be quiet and go to bed.
Which he thought was a bit hypocritical on multiple counts.
Amber's ears flew up at the announcement. Her eyes grew wide as she gave a small squeaking sound. Hertha also blinked in surprise.
"But Acting Grand Master," the captain shook her head. "Who will lead the city if both youandCaptain Kaeya get cursed? Or worse?"
"You and Captain Eula," Jean said firmly. "Venti, Aether, and Kaeya were unable to capture the Lector alone before. It was only pure luck or spite that none of them were cursed in the last attack, especially after Kaeya and the Traveler were both temporarily disabled by it. I will not risk sending them to capture the creature without more aid. Besides the risk of me not going is greater than me going with its ability to teleport wherever it wishes."
"But Master Jean—"
"The decision is made," the anemo allogene held a hand up. Her eyes hard with her decision. It was clear she would not be swayed.
"Might I at least suggest—" Kaeya began, but before he could finish the door burst open behind them.
Everyone in the room jumped as a breathless Aether and Paimon stood there. Eyes wide. Kaeya, Diluc, and Jean all had to dismiss their summoned weapons.
"The mage!" Paimon sputtered as she tried to catch her breath. "Back! Venti. Tracking—"
"Take us there," Jean demanded, hurrying to stand beside Diluc and Kaeya as the blunette hurried to offer the owl his arm. "Hertha, you are in charge until I get back. Amber, inform Eula of the situation."
Suddenly the world around them shifted and Kaeya's boots were no longer on wooden floors, but rather hard stone. The sun blinded him momentarily. He blinked and waited the couple of seconds it took for his eyes to adjust as he found himself in front of the Cecilia Garden Domain.
Diluc didn't wait for him to recover, instead, he took to the sky. Great wings powerfully pushing him into the air as he began to scout.
"This way," Aether whispered as he began to hurry towards a cliff to their left.
Jean, Kaeya, and Paimon hurried after him. Silently making their way past a few hilichurls and a slime as they scaled the cliff. The knights and fairy kept their bodies low to the ground as they made their way through the grass and hurried to scale a second smaller ledge. Rolling on top of it before they pressed their bellies into the dirt and peered forward. There, beneath a few trees, an Abyss mage floated between them. Cryo shield already up and applied.
It seemed to be waiting for something or, more likely, someone.
"Where's Venti?" Jean shot the Traveler a glance, whispering.
"In the tree above," Aether nodded to the tallest tree resting on the small cliff. "He already took care of the Whopperflower that lives in the area, so the only thing you need to worry about is the mage."
The Acting Grand Master nodded, grabbing her sword, but Kayea reached out for her. "Let me try to be diplomatic first. I might be able to coheres some information out of it first."
The anemo allogene glanced over at Kaeya, "Are you sure? We can always just attack instead."
The blunette nodded while he carefully took Rosaria off his head and placed her on Aether's instead. Frost bit at his finger tips in protest, but he slipped away before her cryo could freeze him in place, whispering a quick apology before he moving.
While he trusted Rosaria more than most, even he couldn't risk her hearing what the mage might say.
The captain began to move westward, keeping his body low to the ground so as not to attract the mage's attention quite yet. He didn't want to give away the others' position after all.
Kaeya didn't have to look up to know Diluc was still circling above. Watching them all from the sky. The blunette hoped that the elder intended to back up what he had told the captain about trusting him.
Even if he didn't and the owl tried to dive down and incinerate the mage, Venti would hopefully blow him away until Kaeya had the chance to have this conversation. The cryo user had to admit he was still a bit annoyed the other had roasted the hydro mage before the blunette could get some more answers out of her.
Kaeya finally stood back on his feet after getting far enough away from Jean, Paimon, and Aether's hiding place. He brushed the dirt off his knees before taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. Right. Here goes nothing.
"My, my," Kaeya smiled as he approached the mage. Walking nonchalantly towards the being. "Fancy meeting you here again."
The cryo mage didn't seem too surprised at his approach, though it glanced about warily if not a bit angrily.
"Do not act so innocent, Fated One," the mage spat back at him, comfortable in the fact that Kaeya could not break its shield with his vision. "I know of your treachery."
"Treachery?" Kaeya placed a hand over his heart, sure to keep his tone low so this conversation stood between him and the mage. Bless Venti for causing the wind to blow away from wehre Jean was crouching in the bushes. He needed to be sure to buy him a few bottles for that. "What makes you say that? Your Lector was the one who wanted to go up against Barbatos was he not? And the Cathedral was nice and vulnerable for him was it not? The Acting Grand Master was quite occupied with holding the front gate like I told her she should be."
The mage glared at him. Not falling for it. Kaeya sighed as he shrugged innocently.
"What can I say to make you believe me? You know my weakness after all. I hardly see how you can doubt me after knowing that."
The mage hesitated. Seeming conflicted. "Then tell me, Fated One, what do you wish to see the Lector for?"
"I wish to talk to him."
"Is that all?" The Abysmal creature's voice churned with skepticism.
"It depends entirely on him," Kaeya smiled again. Teeth flashing. "I am all too happy leave him to his own devices if he comes to agreeable terms."
"You already betrayed him," the mage insisted. Pointing its staff at Kaeya. "You tried to use Barbatos to trap and slay him."
"Come now, be reasonable," the captain sighed. "He wanted me to capture anarchon.An archon the entire nation of Khaenri'ah couldn't even stop. Do you and he really think I had the capabilities of accomplishing what they could not? You think much more highly of me than you ought if that is the case."
The mage seemed to begrudgingly agree with that.
"So, I did what I could with the cards I had," Kaeya continued. "If Lord Barbatos thought he was working with me to trick the Lector, he would assist me. It is not my fault your friend was too weak to capture the god. How could a being as mighty as he fail and then get angry when I, a mere fetus compared to his long life, do so as well?"
The mage huffed, "You did not even try to help him capture the overgrown wind spirit."
"I was very clear with him that I have a mission of my own. Why would I risk all of that, as well as give up my position, for his ridiculous plan? It was doomed to fail," Kaeya placed hands on his hips as he shook his head in disappointment. "Honestly. If anyone should be upset by all of this, it should be I. He's trying to ruin decades of my hard work in a fortnight."
"Why are you here, Fated One? What do you seek from me," the mage asked him. Sounding a bit exhausted by the blunette. Like a parent with a child and their never-ending questions.
"Well, you seem I have a bit of a dilemma," Kaeya folded one arm across his chest while using the other hand to gesture. Looking very casual as he stood there. "You see, the Acting Grand Master is a bit desperate at this point. She is no longer willing to sit back and let me handle things. She is ready to get her hands dirty."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"I need you to cooperate with me," Kaeya summoned his sword. Looking down its blade. "Either tell me where the Lector. I can then lead her there and he can do what he sees fit with her there. She'll be like a lamb to the slaughter honestly."
"Why are you so willing to do that?" the mage squinted at him. Suspicious.
Kaeya grinned wickedly at the mage, "Well, with Grand Master Varka away, and the majority of the remaining captains of the Knights of Favonius out of commission, if Jean Gunnihildr fell that would meanIwas next in line of command. That would put me in a very comfortable spot indeed."
The mage hummed. Seeming to ponder this sudden turn of events. Kaeya held his breath and smile. A small bead of sweat ran down the back of his neck.
"Tell me," the mage's raspy voice finally came. "Before I make my decision to trust you or not, what happened to the hydro mage?"
"She was killed. It was under my supervision, but not by my own hand. It happened before I could stop it," Kaeya said instantly. Eye open and honest. "She felt no pain the moment of her death. It was quick and painless."
The mage hummed. Not revealing if it was pleased or not at the news. "Very well. There is no point in me lingering here any longer it seems. I was sent to deliver a message to you anyways."
"Oh? What sort of message?" Kaeya's smile tightened.
The mage reached into his robe, pulling out a rolled scroll. He tossed it towards the blunette, allowing it to pass through his shield for just a second before reforming it just as quickly. Kaeya caught it.
"What is this?" that starry eye looked up in confusion.
"I was not informed of the scroll's contents. He merely told me that you would come and that I should give it to you."
Kaeya swallowed as he glanced down at it. Staring at the parchment and the unbroken seal on it. Trying to see if he could tell what it said. "You weren't tempted to read it? It's not like I would have ratted you out."
"I dared not," the mage shook its head, the eyeholes in its masked glowed eerily. "It might not be for the likes of I."
"Is that so?"
The blunette turned the scroll over in his hand. The sensation of bile climbed up his esophagus grew. His teeth found purchase on the inside of his cheek. Grinding the flesh between them. Using the pain to keep his face steady as he resisted the urge to throw the scroll as far away as he possibly could.
"And why is that?" Kaeya asked again. Ignoring how the muscle under his hidden eye twitched.
"I do not know where it originated. Therefore I may not be deemed worthy to see what lies on the parchment."
"Tell me, did your Lector not let you read from its pages?" the captain's sharp eye flicked up to the mage. Watching the creature closely.
"No," The Abysmal shook its head. "I accepted the gift of grace, but I am not a prisoner to Truth."
Kaeya stiffened as he heard the pity on its voice. A snarl curled on his how face. His smile morphing as ice crackled on the surface of his vision.
The mage grasped at its mask. "But you need not worry. I speak the truth, nonetheless. The Lector awaits you, Fated One. He will find you when the time is right. He has the power of revelation after all. Peace be with you."
The mage vanished before him. Leaving Kaeya cold and alone on the cliffside as he held that parchment in his hand.
Though he wasn't left alone long. The breeze brushed against his cheek and suddenly Venti was by his side. Kaeya glanced at him, his breathing still a bit unsteady as he gave the archon a frustrated look. Judging by the bard's unusually serious and wary expression, it was clear that Venti had heard everything.
"Is that—?" the archon looked up at him. Alarm on his face.
"I don't know," Kaeya shook his head as he turned it over in his hands. "It doesn't seem to have any energy coming off of it, but…"
"They cannot read it if it is," Venti whispered as he glanced up, where Diluc was starting to descend. "Do not let them see."
"I know," the blunette did. Oh, how he did. He ground his teeth further together as he heard Jean and Aether's hurried footsteps approaching.
His hands trembled for only a moment as he hurried to unroll it. Determined to get his over with before Jean attempted to read it first.
His knees nearly buckled in relief as he saw what it was or, more accurately, what it was not. Venti also gave a sigh, eyes closing for a moment as though giving a brief prayer of thanks to some higher force.
"What happened?" Jean demanded as she finally reached the two, panting slightly from the run. "Why did you let it go?"
"It told me where to find the Lector," Kaeya reassured her. "It was best to leave it alive for now. We may need its intel later."
"Are you alright?" Aether questioned; Rosaria sat perched on his brow.
"Yes," Kaeya sighed as he handed the scroll over to them and then lifted his arm just in time for Diluc to land on it. His feathers ruffled and his beak clicked in agitation and confusion, looking over at the paper.
"It looks like a map," Paimon announced as she peered down at the scroll. "And there is a note on it? It reads: come meet your Fate."
"The Lector knows we are coming," Jean's countenance darkened as she read it. "How?"
"The Book of Truth," Venti huffed as he stepped forward to read the scroll as well. "It is a powerful Tome. Ancient and nearly all knowing."
"All knowing?" Paimon asked looking at the bard. "If he has something like that, how are we possibly going to be able to stop him?"
"I saidnearly," the bard pointed out, as he gently took the scroll from Jean. "It only allows him to see the main plot."
Diluc's brow dipped, his plumicorns lowering in confusion.
"Plot?" Jean questioned for him.
"The Book records things that have happened as we all know history tends to repeat itself," Venti explained. Looking up with a tight smile. "The book would be able to predict some things because of those patterns, but not everything. Fate controls only so much after all."
"It doesn't matter how he knows," Kaeya interrupted, ignoring the owl on his arm as those red eyes turned to watch him. "What matters now is that we are about to be walking into a trap. He knows we are coming. He's ready for us."
"What other choice do we have?" Jean sighed. "It is either this or wait for him to attack the city directly again. If we don't go after him, he will just slip inside our defenses and strike like he did with Albedo."
Her eyes landed on the blunette. Firm and fearless as she locked eyes with him. "It is only a matter of time before he comes for me. For you. And then for the children and the others."
The air turned cold as Rosaria spat out a few snowflakes. Aether shivered at her cryo touch.
"You're not going to run off and sacrifice yourself like this," Kaeya bristled. "Jean. Weneedyou."
"Mondstadt needs me to protect it," the anemo allogene pressed. "I will not shirk my duties. Grand Master Varka trusted me."
"You can protect it by stayingsafe," Kaeya pressed. Diluc hooted heartily in agreement. "We can't afford to risk you, Jean. It was different when we thought we had the element of surprise. This is an entirely different matter."
"Trap or not," Jean took the scroll back from Venti. "I am going. We must stop this Lector. At all costs."
"No," Kaeya stepped towards her, his voice a bit more desperate than he would ever normally allow. "Not at all costs. You can't be so willing to take the fall, Jean. Let me go. I won't fail you this time—"
"This isn't up for debate," Jean stopped him firmly, her hand held up and a glare on her face. "This is a direct order. I will not hesitate to bring disciplinary action against you for disobeying it,Captain Alberich."
Aether sucked in a soft breath and Diluc glared at Jean as Kaeya froze before her. His jaw ground against his teeth hard. His fists clenched as he slowly backed down. The blunette's voice was so achingly polite as he schooled his features. His emotions quickly locked away by that smile of his.
"As you decree."
Jean swallowed. Seeming to regret being so harsh, but she turned to Aether. "Can you teleport us there?"
The Traveler shot Kaeya a quick glance, but the blunette would not meet it. He was staring off towards the city. Ignoring the owl as he also tried to catch his eye. Venti sighed sadly. Readying his bow as the Outlander nodded slowly.
Kaeya shifted Diluc to rest on his shoulder so he could summon his weapon. Waiting as he felt Aether's special magic wrap around them. The world went white, the grass shifted under his boots as they materialized before The Temple of the Wolf.
Jean headed straight towards the doors. They opened before her with a giant groan. Their entrance now known by all nearby parties. That did little to stop the anemo allogene. She stepped forward, being absorbed by the swirling stars and galaxies that dwelled in the Domain's threshold.
Aether, Venti, and Kaeya followed after her. Diluc and Rosaria stayed still as they walked through the dark hallway. The chamber at the end of it illuminated in a silvery-blue light. A massive figure stood in the center of it. Back turned to them as their footsteps echoed in the abandoned temple.
Jean stopped at the top of the stairs. The other three stood behind her. The blunette summoned his sword. Ready to strike at a moment's notice.
The Lector turned. His book hovered before him.
"Jean Gunnihildr. Welcome. I have been waiting for you."
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Notes:
Kaeya: Hey Rosaria! I came to—
Rosairia: *Freezes Kaeya inside the room. Temperature plummeting*
Kaeya: Hehe Im in danger
Jean: Has anyone seen Kaeya?
Kaeya: *a human ice cube inside the Cathedral*
Kaeya: *Wearing Crown rosaria*
Random citizen: *whistles* Work it gurl!
Kaeya: *proceeds to have a small photoshoot with his bestie Rosaria*
Eula: *Angry and. frustrated down in the Catacombs*
Bunny Amber: *creeps up to her and gently gives her a cuddle*
Eula: *Trying to stay mad*
Bunny Amber: *is adorably cute*
Eula: *melts*
Everyone: Maybe its not a good idea for you to risk your life Jean—
Jean: *Wind storm knocks all the papers off her desk. Shakes the whole office.*
Jean: This bitch cursed my sister. This is now war. Now let's go.
Everyone: Yes, ma'am
Kaeya: *Planning on an elaborate scheme to get the Abyss mage to reveal the location of the Lector that may or may not involve torcher*
Abyss Mage: Here's a map. Good luck
Kaeya: Oh...well that was anticlimactic
Kaeya*given mysterious and possibly dangerous scroll*
Venti: You can't let the others read it. It could hurt them.
Kaeya: Bet
Kaeya: *proceeds to read the scroll himself*
Venti: That wasn't exactly what I had in mind...
Team Mondsadt: Knock knock
Lector: Ah, welcome to my home. Please come in
Paimon: Your interior decorator is shit—
Chapter 15: Hear Ye the Words of Joy
Summary:
Gold geo crystals erupted from the ground, encircling them all. Jean ran forward, snatching a cryo geo-shard from the ground. A shield blossomed around her as she struck the monster. Her anemo slammed into the Lector, causing him to stumble back. The allogene's blade a mere blur as she struck the Lector again and again.
"You live up to your name," the being sneered at her, thrusting a wave of electro towards her. The knight dodged, retaliating with a blast of anemo. "Lion of the South."
Notes:
Hello, it is I with an update.
Enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
"Oh, come on, Kaeya," Diluc placed those giant, pleading puppy-dog eyes on the younger boy. "Please. I can't do this without you.Please."
"I don't know Diluc," Kaeya winced, trying to look anywhere but at those red orbs. Guilt was already clawing at his chest. "I don't think it's a good idea. Father will be angry."
"We won't get caught!" the redhead vowed. "Just tell Adelinde that I went to the bathroom or something."
The blunette sighed, "You know I am a terrible liar. She'll catch on."
Diluc huffed a breath and rolled his eyes, "Which is whyIam the one sneaking down there. You just need to distract her. Get her to go into the kitchen or something. You're creative you'll think of something."
"Dee—" Kaeya tried to protest once more, but his brother was shoving him into the hallway. Hissing a few quick last-minute instructions before vanishing a half a second before Adelinde entered said hallway.
"Oh," she blinked in surprise as she spotted the young master standing there nervously. "I didn't realize you were home yet. Welcome back, Master Kaeya."
"H—hi, Adelinde," he greeted back. Swallowing as he tried to figure out what to say. It took all his willpower to not glance around the corner of the hall where Diluc had just ran down. Trying to make a break for the cellar to snag a bottle or two without their father catching.
"Did you and Master Diluc enjoy your walk?" she approached him. Hands clasped before her.
Keep calm. Don't panic. Just focus on details that are true, but not suspicious.
"It was beautiful outside," he replied with a smile. It frayed at the seams. His nerves coming up.
"That's nice," her sharp green eyes pinned him down. Watching as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat as he swallowed. "Where is your brother now?"
He's down in the cellar.
He's sneaking a bottle out of the shipment before it leaves in the morning, so Father won't catch him.
He's off getting us into trouble.
He's getting a drink," Kaeya smiled. Settling on his answer. "You know how he is. He tends to sweat more than me. He needs to stay hydrated."
Not a single lie given. Just a few stated facts. One that implied a different type of drink than he actually meant. Hopefully throwing Adelinde off their scent. Just like Crepus did in his business deals.
"Is that so?" she continued to watch him. A gleam of suspicion shone in her eyes. "He wouldn't be up to some of his antics again, would he?"
Yes.
"Oh, come now, Adelinde," Kaeya tried to put on a pout, a tactic Diluc often used on her when he was trying to slip something past her keen eye, but even he felt it was a bit weak. "Don't you think we're a little old for that?"
Answer a question with a question. Turn it back on them, their father's voice echoed in his head.
Before the maid could reply another set of footsteps entered the hall. This time behind them. Kaeya turned. His heart sinking before rapidly beginning to pound as Crepus himself walked up. As though Kaeya's own thoughts had summoned him.
"Ah, Kaeya. How was your walk?"
"Ah," he felt his cheeks flushing with anxiety. Heat crawled up his spine. His eye darted over towards room Crepus had just exited. Realizing that the wine master had just come from the direction Diluc had gone. "It was very beautiful out and the temperature was pleasant. How was your meeting with those Sumeru merchants?"
Hurry to switch topics to steer a topic away from what you don't want to disucss.
"It went well," those red eyes immediately honed in on the preteen's reddening cheeks, glancing up at Adelinde before back down to him. "Where's Diluc? Is he back as well?"
"He's getting a drink," Kaeya repeated. Knowing he couldn't change his answer now even if he wanted to. Not with Adelinde standing there behind him. Listening.
"A drink?" Crepus frowned. "I just came from the kitchen. He wasn't there."
Shit.
"He wasn't?" Kaeya blinked, hopefully innocently, up at him. "The last I saw him he was heading that way."
Just keep it together, Kaeya.
Stars. He was going to murder Diluc for putting him in this situation.
"Hmmm," the tycoon frowned at him. Clearly noting the boy's nerves. "What are you up to, Kaeya?"
I'm distracting Adelinde.
I'm trying not fumble here.
I'm trying to do what Diluc asked.
Gods I have a headache.
I just want to go to bed.
"I was about to head upstairs," the blunette said. "I want to lie down."
His blood pressure must have been through the roof, his head was pounding. All from trying to walk on eggshells as he tried to figure out what to say without giving himself away.
"Are you unwell, Master Kaeya?" Adelinde frowned, the suspicion melted into worry.
"Just a headache," His reassuring smile needed some work, but it seemed to cause the two adults to suddenly shift their suspiciousness at his behavior into concern.
Which was a good thing, because he caught a glimpse of fiery-red locks peeking out from the corner of the hall and Crepus and Adelinde were too busy trying to see if Kaeya had a temperature to notice. The elder Ragnvindr brother winked at the blunette before darting away.
"You don't feel warm," Crepus said thoughtfully. The back of his hand pressed gently against the boy's forehead.
"It's just a headache," Kaeya hated the guilt that curled around his throat. "I'm not really sick."
"Well, off to bed with you," Adelinde said as she gestured towards the stairs. "Your body is telling you to rest. Listen to it."
Kaeya nodded before hurrying away. He only let out the breath he was holding once his door was closed behind him and the thick slab of wood was between him and his father and the head maid.
They both saw too much for his own good.
"I got it!"
Kaeya jumped at Diluc's hissed whisper of victory. The redhead poked up from the other side of Kaeya's bed, using it as a shield to block him from the door. The young teen brandished a bottle of wine and a grin so large it almost made the stress the blunette had just gone through worth it.
Almost.
"I nearly got caught," Kaeya shot him a glare. Crossing his arms defensively.
"But you didn't," Diluc pointed out with an impish glint in his eye. "See? I told you that you could do it."
Kaeya huffed as he pushed himself off the door and marched over towards the other. "You know I can't lie."
"That's because you're too much of a goody-two-shoes," Diluc teased. "You throw up and start shaking anytime you try."
The blunette glared at him. Wanting to deny that fact, but knew it would only prove the other right if he even tried.
"Oh, come on," Diluc patted the floor beside him. "Let's not fight. Not when we should be celebrating our victory!"
"Father is going to be furious if he catches us," Kaeya shot a glance at the door.
"Fatherisn'tgoing to catch us," the redhead said confidently as he stood. Holding the bottle proudly. Like some trophy he had won.
"He will if you keep it out in the open like that," Kaeya huffed at him. Shaking his head.
"I know how to keep a secret better than you do," the elder teased as he shoved the bottle under his coat and hurried to the door. Off to hide the prize somewhere else in the manor.
He didn't notice the sour expression on the younger's face as he climbed into bed and drew the covers over his head.
:•.｡｡.•*
Kaeya hated everything about his life that had led to this moment.
The Lector stood behind a switch that activated the three doors behind him. Looking not the least bit worried as they stared him down.
Diluc sat perched on Kaeya's shoulder, puffed up and hissing. Aether and Venti had their weapons drawn and ready. The god of anemo pointed his arrow right at the lector's skull, a dark look on his face. Rosaria had caused the entire chamber to grow cold. An icy sheen of frost crept over the walls and stone. And there at their helm stood Jean. Her sword ready and her face set in a look of pure determination.
"Lector," her tone so chilling and authoritative even her mother would have been proud in that moment. "You have made an enemy of the city of Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius. As Acting Grand Master, I demand you cease your terror on the land of Freedom and return all those cursed back to their original state."
The Lector chuckled darkly. His feet were planted solidly on the ground. Not hovering even an inch, but Kaeya eyed the way the book levitated before the creature. The Lector wasn't completely out of magic it seemed.
But just how much energy had the Abysmal creature built back up?
"You and I both know that is never going to happen," the Lector spoke. "Not while Lord Barbatos still roams freely."
The Lector peered over at the archon and his drawn weapon.
"It is your move,bard."
Before Venti could say anything, Jean stepped before him.
"Venti is a citizen of Mondstadt and as such is under my protection as Acting Grand Master," her voice a growl. "You will have to get through the Knights of Favonius before you touch him."
"As you wish," Kaeya heard the smirk on the Lector's voice and lunged forward half a second before the being did.
Diluc squawked, throwing out his wings for balance as the captain's blade met the Abysmal creature's electro attack. His cryo caused it to explode in the air before them all. Sending a burst of air that blew the dirt on the domain's dirty floor into his eye.
Aether was right behind him. The air cracking and freezing as Rosaria's own vision lit up. A giant lance of cryo landed solidly in the center of the room, barely missing the Lector who jumped out of the way just in time, which caused him to fall right into the Traveler's own hydro attack. The creature's grounded feet were instantly frozen to the floor.
"Diluc!" Kaeya launched his brother into the air, helping him get the little altitude there was.
The wine master hooted, beating his wings frantically. His catalyst appeared beside him as his wings covered themselves in flames. He dove straight towards the Lector. Jean and Kaeya ran after him while Venti fired his bow.
The anemo tipped arrow swirled the hydro and cryo, causing the freezing effect to ascend the Lector's legs and torso. He growled in annoyance as he raised his hand, a bolt of lightning flying out of the air and striking Diluc in the back.
Diluc screeched in pain as his pyro overloaded with the electro, causing a burst of his feathers to be knocked clean off his body. He dropped to the stone floorhard. Falling straight down like a sack of potatoes.
"Master Diluc!" Paimon shouted as she flew to the limp bird's side.
Kaeya screamed in rage as he released a burst of cryo, straight for the Lector's face. The creature dodged it, yanking its feet out of the ice that tied it to the ground. The captain spun away from the blast of electro that quickly followed. Waiting for his elemental energy to return, he could feel the cryo building up in his system. Rushing down his veins into his arms.
Venti fired another arrow. It snapped in half as it collided with the Lector's hard armored chest. The pieces of it flew wild. Aether dodged the shaft as he launched himself at the Abysmal creature. His earring flashed gold and he slammed his palm into the earth.
Gold geo crystals erupted from the ground, encircling them all. Jean ran forward, snatching a cryo geo-shard from the ground. A shield blossomed around her as she struck the monster. Her anemo slammed into the Lector, causing him to stumble back. The allogene's blade a mere blur as she struck the Lector again and again.
"You live up to your name," the being sneered at her, thrusting a wave of electro towards her. The knight dodged, retaliating with a blast of anemo. "Lion of the South."
Adrenaline burst through Kaeya's entire body. He leapt forward again. Very much aware of the threat the Lector was making towards his Acting Grand Master. He remembered the constellation's name penned in Hertha's cursive beside the name Jean Gunnihildr.
Leo Minor.
The lesser lion.
Together they, Aether, and Rosaria became a whirlwind of offense with Venti taking anemo loaded shots from a distance, standing in front of the limp Diluc Ragnvindr and Paimon who knelt above the unresponsive owl with a worried expression.
"I must admit," the Lector said as it took another step back. Slowly becoming pinned against the back wall. "You all make a wonderful fighting team."
No one replied. Their brows covered in sweat from the battle, breathless from the amount of elemental energy they were using. Yet none of them allowed their guards to fall. The Lector was clearly looking for an opening and they were not about to willingly give it to him.
"It is a pity that we are on the opposite sides of this war," the Abysmal creature continued, batting away Aether's blade with a blast of electro. "You would have made fine allies."
The book at the being's side began to grow brighter, the pages flipped and came to a stop as energy began to build up. Kaeya's hidden eye vibrated with it.
It seemed they had been right. The Lector had recovered enough to have another curse ready to go after all.
"Jean!" Kaeya warned as the Lector turned towards her. Raising a clawed hand.
The Acting Grand Master grabbed another cryo shard from the ground, her hair flying around her face as her anemo swirled around her. A surge of healing and energy washed over them all.
"Now!" she ordered.
Venti released his attack. The domain groaned as a vortex of air formed above the Lector. Slowly sucking him towards its center. His own electro was absorbed into its eye. Churning and causing the air to crackle painfully with electricity.
Aether and Rosaria shot the Lector their hydro and cryo combination. The superconduct caused the Lector to fall to one knee. His Book dimmed just slightly as he gasped in pained surprise. Kaeya snarled as his turn came. His Glacial Waltz danced around him as he teleported behind the creature.
Which, to Kaeya's shock, was exactly what the Lector had been anticipating.
The blunette couldn't help but gasp as the Lector sprung up with such speed the knight had merely blinked and missed it entirely. Suddenly, a large clawed armored hand slammed into the blunette's face. It clamped around the captain's entire head. Squeezing it so hard Kaeya saw stars.
And that was before he was slammed into the wall behind him.
The blunette gave a muffled cry against the Lector's palm. The wind from Venti's attack caused electro around Kaeya to zap him with thousands of tiny sparks. Cutting and burning him as he found himself pinned there. The captain's hands reached up to grab at the Abysmal being's wrist. Trying to burn the creature's skin with frostbite in order to break free. He clawed at it. Causing terrible nails-across-a-chalkboard sounds as he fought to free himself.
"Kaeya!" Jean screamed his name, and he felt a burst of wind and energy fill him. His dizziness grew less and the pain in the back of his head soothed itself somewhat.
But then the Lector shifted and Kaeya's eye burst with pain as he could feel the creature begin to ready his true attack. But it was not directed at Kaeya, no. This time the Lector wasn't going to willingly walk way while Jean was still human.
"No," the blunette's muffled scream came in response. Realizing what was about to come.
He only had a couple of seconds to stop it.
Kaeya wrapped his wrists and arms around the Lector's own in a new desperation. He swung his legs forward, slinging them up over the arm and locking his ankles. He now dangled there like a sloth hanging from a tree branch. The Lector's on him grip tightened, which only helped Kaeya's plan. For he drew on his own strength, his eye burning with the effort and suddenly—
The air was no longer churning with electro and the roar of Venti's vortex was muted. Sealed away behind one of those giant doors.
"My," the Lector hummed as it sent a bolt of electro through Kaeya's entire body. Effectively causing the blunette to let go and fall like a limp ragdoll to the ground. "You really are quite annoying. I would have had her then if you didn't pull that little stunt."
The blunette could only clench his jaw in answer. Desperately trying to not bite his own tongue off from the spasms the electricity caused.
"I was unaware you were able to teleport passengers along with yourself," the Abysmal creature said calmly as he pressed one of his large boots onto Kaeya's chest. Pressing down hard enough to make the other wheeze. "Though not very far it seems."
Kaeya could vaguely hear the muffled shouts of Jean and Aether. They were calling out his name. Looking for him. He didn't have the wind to shout back at them. Even if he tried.
"I wanted to spare you," the Lector continued. "I really did. But it seems that is no longer an option with you proving to be so difficult."
A cold feeling ran down the blunette's spine as the Book appeared by the Lector's head. His eye thrummed and burned from behind his eyepatch as it began to glow. Reacting to the energy contained within its spine. Kaeya's cryo erupted from his hand, but it did no good as the Lector didn't even recoil from its cold. He summoned his sword, but the Lector knocked it aside.
"I wonder," the Lector tilted his head curiously. "What will this spell do to you? One already touched by Fate. One already bearing cursed bones and blood."
Kaeya squirmed under his boot. Trying to regain control of himself as the electro continued to cause his entire body to tremble. Distantly, he could hear a stone door being opened. The sounds of Aether's calls grew fainter as he took the wrong passage.
The blunette's wheezed cry did little to stop him.
"There is no need to fear. The Truth shall set you free," those long sharp fingers reached down and plucked the eyepatch off the captain's face.
The blunette glared at him. Tried to yank his head out of the other's grasp.
"Why do you hide your perfection?" the Lector sighed, like a disappointed parent as it traced the blunette's skin. Kaeya recoiled from his touch, reaching up with spasming hands to grab the hand and yank it aside. "You need to let the Light shine."
The Book of Truth began to grow brighter. Illuminating everything in the room as the Lector turned to its pages and began to read.
"Now. Hear ye the words of joy."
•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...
Notes:
Teen Diluc: You got this Kaeya. Just lie to Adelinde who is literally a mind reader and knows everything we are up to even before we get up to it.
Teen Kaeya: I hate you so much
Adelinde: Hello Master Kaeya :)
Teen Kaeya: fuck. I mean—hi, Addy
Teen Diluc: *mission impossible music as he tucks and rolls into a wall trying to be stealthy* Ow!
Crepus: *in the kitchen. Hears a loud thump sound* wtf was that?
Teen Diluc: Haha I am so smart and clever. Father will never catch me—
Crepus: *walks in on Diluc and Kaeya struggling to open bottle*
Owluc: *Gathering up energy for super attack*
Lector: *zaps him like a fly on an electric bug zapper*
Lector: *makes elaborate scheme to curse Jean*
Kaeya: Not today bitch
Kaeya and Lector vanishing in midair*
Jean: Oh my FUCKING GOD KAEYA get back here and let me do my job
Kaeya: haha! Got you! now you can't curse Jea—
Lector: *shocks the shit out of him*
Kaeya: *flopping around like a fish*
LEctor: Well NOW you pissed me off. Curse time for you.
Kaeya: :( That's not very nice
Chapter 16: Pavo Ocellus
Summary:
"Anything?" Aether called up hopefully.
The owl craned his neck a moment longer before accepting the facts. He sagged with defeat and frustration, causing the Outlander to do the same.
"It was worth a shot," Aether sighed as he stood on tiptoes and reached up for Diluc.
Notes:
Diluc POV
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Diluc vividly remembered the night Kaeya first appeared in his life. The strange boy had been cold, soaked, and nearly convulsing with shivers. That star-filled eye, so unique at the time yet so familiar now, only staying open out of sheer willpower and fear.
The adults had all bustled around the oh so thin and tiny child urgently. Hurrying to get him out of his drenched clothes, cleaned, and all his injuries tended to.
The young master of the house had watched everything with wide eyes. Sitting on top of the balcony of the winery and peering down. His father had asked him to stay out of the way for the moment, and, as much as Diluc itched to go and investigate this new child, he knew it was best to listen to his father.
The blunette had met his eye briefly before Adelinde had hurried to escort the lost child to a bath. Diluc had frozen as the other's gaze fell on him, as fleeting as it was. That deep, starry eye looked much too dull and old to be resting in the face of someone his age.
Diluc had fallen asleep thinking about that eye. That eye had been the first thing he had thought of the next morning. Especially after his father had come in and rested on the edge of his bed before he tucked him in with with a sigh and a tender palm cupping the boy's cheek.
"Who is he?" Diluc had asked as he readied for bed.
"I'm not sure yet," Crepus had given him a sad smile. "He didn't speak much."
"Where are his parents?"
A crease formed in his father's face, right around his mouth. "I am not sure of that either. We'll find them though. We've already sent for the Knights. They should be here first thing in the morning. Until then, we'll just have to go and look for them ourselves."
"Is that where Elzer and Connor went?" Diluc noted the rain and mud splattered on his father's own shirt. Still smeared from the dirt the other child was covered in.
"Yes," the wine master turned toward the window where wind and hail beat upon it. A concerned wrinkle in his brow. The two watched the rain for a moment before the man leaned down and kissed his son's forehead and gently pushed him back, tucking him in. "It's been a long day. Why don't you go to bed."
"Can I see the other boy tomorrow?"
"If he feels up to it."
"We should make him a special breakfast," Diluc grabbed the stuffed turtle doll his father handed him. Snuggling down. "Like blueberry pancakes."
"Blueberry pancakes?" Crepus' mouth twitched. "Doesn't that happen to beyourfavorite special breakfast?"
The little boy flushed and responded indignantly, "It might be his too!"
The man chuckled and stood, giving the boy one last goodnight kiss. "I'll mention it to Adelinde. Goodnight, Dee."
"Goodnight, Father."
The next several days had proven equally stressful and boring. The boy had become seriously ill during his first night. Healers were brought in and out of the winery. There was talk of moving him to the Cathedral, but the adults eventually settled for keeping the boy in the guest room. It was too much of a risk to travel so far with the child being so weak and sick.
Diluc did his best to help. Aiding Adelinde in making the other boy soup or sorting through his clothes to find things that the other could wear. Entertaining the sisters and healers who came with his new joke book Father had gotten from his last trip to Fontaine until Elzer chased him off to go practice his violin. Showing the Knights who came to talk to his father and search the grounds all his cool sword-fighting moves.
You know, important things.
His patience was rewarded nearly two weeks later when his father said their guest was well enough to see him. Diluc's smile had faltered only a moment when he barged into the room, behind his father, excited tofinallybe able to meet the boy who had been the talk of the whole house for so long. It hadn't been the way the child flinched at the sound, nor the paleness to his skin that only sickness could bring that caused the other to pause.
It had been his eye.
As beautiful as it was it was haunting. Dripping with sadness and all these other things Diluc didn't have names for. He just knew they weren't good. They locked onto those sun-filled eyes. The bright eyes of a hopeful child who had yet to experience true tragedy. Pinning them down. Flooding over him.
"Kaeya," his father placed a heavy hand on Diluc's shoulder, snapping him out of the tiny spell that eye had seemed to cast over him. "This is my son Diluc, who I mentioned to you about."
"Hello," Diluc brought the smile back. Being sure to show off his teeth and dimpling his cheek so the boy knew how eager he was to meet him. Adelinde and his father had always taught him to smile when he met new people to make a good impression.
The boy gave him a small, frightened look at it though. Causing Crepus to softly clear his throat and squeeze Diluc's shoulder slightly.
"Not so wide, son," his father whispered so only he could hear. "You look like a spinocrocodile grinning that hard."
The redhead corrected it hurriedly. His lips falling over his teeth. Whoops.
"I brought you some toys," Diluc hurried forward, indicating to the items stuffed in his arms. "We can play together if you like."
The boy had peered curiously at the contents in Diluc's arms, so the redhead took it as a sign of consent and hurried to climb up on the other side of the bed before dropping his load of goods onto the scarlet blankets.
And so their friendship had begun. Over the next few weeks and months Kaeya had grown stronger and they quickly became inseparable. Running around together. Playing and chasing each other. As well as get into a little too much trouble together. For one rainy day, when Adelinde had confided them to the manor to play due to the terrible weather, the two boys were playing upstairs. Running through the hallways and rooms despite how many times the head maid had chastised them to slow down that day.
They had been playing too rough and going a little too fast when Diluc accidentally bumped into a small table in front of his father's office window. Causing the vase atop it to fall and shatter across the hardwood.
It hadn't taken long for the adults to come scurrying to investigate the source of the shockingly loud crash. They found the two boys hovering over the crime scene. Diluc had been shaking, terrified that his father was going to be angry with him for breaking his prized vase. The one his late mother had gifted Crepus when they first started dating.
The little redhead knew how much his father loved it. Tears were already beginning to pool in his eyes.
"What happened?" Crepus had asked as he surveyed the situation.
Diluc had begun to sniff, opening his mouth to confess when Kaeya stepped forward. He was shaking a little too as he looked the man dead in his eye, took a deep breath, and said, "I did it."
Diluc had stared at him in shock. Surprised the timid little blunette had lied so boldly to his father, all to protect Diluc from getting into trouble.
His shock had doubled when Kaeya had promptly vomited all over Crepus' shoes right after making the claim.
It had been then that Diluc learned how loyal Kaeya could be, and his little heart grew even more fond of his brother as he watched Adelinde force him to drink some of that yucky medicine and put him to bed shortly after.
It was also then when Diluc learned how bad of a liar Kaeya was. For every time the blunette tried to fib outright he would grow sick. A headache or an upset stomach plagued him every time something so much as a white lie passed through his lips.
But while his newly adopted brother couldn't lie, he could tell the most amazing stories. Stories of a pirate and his grandson. Stories of a brave knight and the opus of fate. Stories about a cursed boy who could not speak. Stories about ghosts trapped in lanterns. So many amazing and wonderful stories.
Diluc would lie on the roof of their manor or the winery with his brother looking at the stars and just listened to Kaeya weave more and more stories together.
:•.｡｡.•*
Diluc stood in a large stone room. Red eyes glaring out over the empty Temple of the Wolf chamber. He had long since memorized every single crack and pebble contained within its stone walls. As well as the hallways leading in and out of it.
Not that it did him any good.
The owl didn't look up as the Traveler's soft footsteps crept up behind. Nor did he glance over as the other crouched beside him, sighing with just as much sadness and anger as Diluc felt.
"Still nothing?" Aether asked. Knowing good and well what the answer would be.
Diluc huffed, shifting carefully so as not to disturb his injured wing. It had been quite frustrating having to have it wrapped and tied up against his side. Leaving him lame and unable to fly for the past couple of days.
Being able to use it to fly would make matters of trying to find his brother so much easier. He wouldn't be quite so dependent on Aether, who had taken the liberty and time to carry him back to the Temple the past two days. Letting Diluc ride on his arm or shoulder when he could or taking over clearing out the domain of any enemies they encountered in their search.
Perhaps, if Diluc could fly, he could figure out how to go further inside the temple. Maybe he would discover Kaeya there. Hiding and trying to heal. Just waiting for Diluc to find him so he could cock his head to the side and give him some smartass response like 'took you long enough' or 'my, and here I thought you were frozen in time with as long as it took you to find me'.
But the redhead was in denial.
He had felt the blast of magic back during their fight with the Lector. The same terrible wave of energy he had felt when he himself had been hit by the curse. He relayed what had happened during their fight one more time in his head. Trying to catch something he had missed.
One moment he had been flying towards the Abysmal creature with his wings ablaze, the next the Lector had blasted him out of the sky. Diluc hated to admit how much it had hurt. How stunned he had been. His little owl body couldn't take nearly the amount of hits his human one could. The shock had knocked him clean out.
Diluc had found himself finally starting to come to several moments later when Jean and Aether began to shout Kaeya's name. The owl had tried to get up then to help, but all he had managed to do was flop around a bit pitifully as his muscles spasmed from the damage the electro had caused his nerves.
His entire left wing had been useless, painfully so. Though he hadn't realized what exactly was wrong with it at the time it had become severely sprained from his fall. The owl had just blearily gotten his bearings, managing to haul himself up to his shaky taloned feet, when he felt that blast of Abysmal energy rush through the chamber. His heart had sunk as Jean had screamed his brother's name. He instantly knew what had happened.
He knew that his brother had not managed to escape it. If he had he would have waltzed back into that chamber with a smirk on his face and some witty comeback about being much too handsome to be cursed or some other nonsense.
No. Kaeya was gone.
Had been so for two days now.
Except for a single abandon eyepatch that laid on the dirty floor, the Abyss Lector's footprint pressed into its leather with dust and dirt, there was no trace of the blunette nor the Abysmal creature. No pile of clothes. No abandoned vision. No crumbled ley line branches or statuette waiting to be harvested and collected.
It was like the two of them had vanished completely.
Jean, Aether, and Venti had spent hours searching for Kaeya after he and the Lector had vanished from sight. The Traveler went through every possible chamber with Jean on his heels while Venti had busied himself with trying to help Diluc stabilize his wing. Yet the only thing that they had found was the eyepatch.
Had anyone had not known better, they would have thought that Kaeya had left with the Lector. But that couldn't have been what happened. Because Kaeya wouldn't have abandoned them. Kaeya wouldn't have left them.
Or did he?
That dark awful thought lingered in the back of the owl's mind. A twisted, nasty thing that he really didn't believe, but it made him pause. Because what if Kaeyahadleft? That meant a slew of all these other problems and possibilities.
Because Kaeya wouldn't have left on his own willingly. Had he been kidnapped? Had he somehow managed to leap into the Lector's portal as it tried to escape and was now stranded who-knew-where?
Diluc had already began to feel restless and overwhelmed at the thought. They hadn't been able to find the Lector's true base. If Kaeya was there—
"Hey," Aether cut through the redhead's spiraling thoughts. His hand lightly rested on Diluc's back, patting him gently, but reassuringly. "It's okay."
Diluc had to admit, he was grateful for the Outlander's companionship. Especially these last couple of days. Aether's heart was kind enough to take pity on the redhead. He kept bringing the wine master back to the Temple of the Wolf to look for Kaeya when everyone else was too busy trying to hold the city and prepare for the next Lector attack.
Yet…
Diluc sighed as he looked around the room once more. These past two days had proven to be a waste with no whisper or hint of his brother or what he could have turned into. Everything had to be scrutinized. Every single crack and crevasse. In case it was Kaeya. In case he was a stone under their feet, unable to communicate with them. Unable to tell them it was him.
Because no one knew what a Peacock's Eye truly was.
Was it an actual eyeball that had been kicked into a gutter? Was it some phrase or meaning that they didn't understand? Some abstract thing that caused Kaeya and everything on him to evaporate into thin air? Was it some tiny object that went by such an obscure name that no one knew what it was anymore? Some coin that had rolled itself into a fissure and gotten stuck?
"Maybe the Lector really did take him?" Aether whispered sensing the owl's spiraling thoughts once again. "Maybe he's holding him prisoner and he's still human? That would explain the lack of a vision."
Diluc honestly didn't know what was worse. He just wanted to know where his brother was. Just wanted him safe. The redhead swore that when he found him he wasn't letting the idiot out of his sight until this Lector was nothing more than dust on the air and a sour memory behind them all.
Because Diluc would find Kaeya no matter wherever orwhateverhe was now. There was no other option.
The redhead refused to accept anything else.
"We've been here all day. It's late. We should go back. Your wing should be healed all the way tomorrow," Aether said kindly. "I can bring you back again then. Maybe flying will allow you to see something we missed? We could always check the other two passageways again. I know we found his eyepatch here in the electro chamber, but…."
Diluc highly doubted they had missed anything. Even in the other two chambers. The only place they had yet to search from head to toe three times over in this gods-forsaken temple was the other ruined and crumbling building in the distance and the huge door at the end of the last chamber. One that hadn't been opened in centuries.
And he doubted Kaeya had been able to make it to either of those places. He couldn't fly after all.
The owl huffed in frustration. Causing the nearby crates to burst into flames as his vision sparked in anger.
Aether just sighed back at him. Offering his arm to the bird, "It's getting late. Paimon and Adelinde will worry if we don't make it back for dinner in time. "
The pyro allogene looked up, spinning his head all the way around one last time just in case he had missed something. Just in case they had managed to overlook some sort of clue.
There had to besomething. People didn't just completely vanish into thin air. Besides, while Kaeya's constellation was Pavo Ocellus it wasshapedlike a peacock. So wouldn't that mean he would become one? Like the librarian had turned into an hourglass despite her constellation's name meaningtime flies?
Diluc snapped his head out of his musings as he realized that Aether was still waiting for him. The pyro allogene shot him an apologetic glance before shuffling pitifully onto his friend's arm.
Hating that he was currently so useless in so many ways.
Aether's pitying look didn't make him feel any better, but he did perk up as the other said:
"Why don't we go through one last room? It's been a while since we tried the second hydro chamber. Adelinde won't mind if we look at one more room, would she?"
The owl shook his head, spinning it to look in the direction to the second middle door. He hooted in agreement. Yes. Let them just look one last time. It couldn't hurt. Just once more.
Maybe this time…
Aether went up to the large stone control in the center of the room. Pressing down on it until the correct stone door at the other side of the room groaned and slowly heaved itself open. The Outlander walked towards it. Slowly entering the hallway and checking every step that led them up to a second doorway.
Diluc's red eyes scanned the floor and walls desperately. Looking foranything.Archons, please let there besomething. But no matter how slowly Aether walked, they found themselves at the end of the hallway all too quickly with no sign of Kaeya whatsoever.
The owl sent the blonde an apologetic look as Aether winced at Diluc's sharp claws digging into his skin instinctually at his frustration.
"It's alright," the Outlander gave him a smile that was probably supposed to be reassuring, but looked too exhausted to hit that mark. "Maybe…"
The Traveler's golden eyes searched the room once more. Skimming over the green archway in the corner of the room.
"What if you tried perching on the resurrection point here?" Aether suggested. Seeing Diluc deflate as he realized this was all useless. They were just wasting their time at this point. "Just check up there. Maybe you'll see something we missed and then we can go."
The owl didn't argue as the other brought him forward. Gently picking him up so as not to hurt his damaged wing. Diluc's talons clacked as they rested against the wooden branch Aether hefted him up onto. With a sigh he turned around. Looking out over the room even though he knew it was no use.
He would never forgive himself if he missed spotting his cursed brother just because he didn't know what he had become.
"Anything?" Aether called up hopefully.
The owl craned his neck a moment longer before accepting the facts. He sagged with defeat and frustration, causing the Outlander to do the same.
"It was worth a shot," Aether sighed as he stood on tiptoes and reached up for Diluc. The wine master crept down the vine, making his way towards a lower level so the other could easily grab him.
The Traveler held him gently in his arms, allowing the wine master's talons to rest on one of his forearms, but carrying Diluc more than allowing him to perch.
"Let's go then," the blonde sighed as he made his way towards the temple's exit. It shimmered cyan as they approached. Humming gently.
Diluc looked up at the large, closed door before them as Aether made his way towards the light structure. Summoning his elemental sight in just one last desperate attempt.
His heart froze as something glinted.
Aether jumped as Diluc shrieked and began to struggle in his grip. Accidentally dropping the owl as the redhead desperately leapt from the Outlander's arms. The tycoon landed hard on the stone floor, but didn't let that stop him as he hurried to his feet and ran towards what had caught his attention.
There, before the door, was a stone. The jagged and the crumbling foundations of the domain had caused it to be shoved partially out of place, allowing a small crevasse to form under it. The perfect size for small things to accidentally fall into. Diluc clawed at the rock, desperately trying to pull it out of its slot. His one wing flared with the effort and the other strained at the bandages securing it to his side.
"Wait, Diluc," Aether was by his side in an instant. Gently pushing him away so he could use his fingers to grasp more firmly. "I got it. Just—"
Diluc gasped as the stone shifted and the Traveler managed to lift it up and pull it away. Revealing what was hiding under it and what had caught Diluc's eye.
"Oh," the Traveler gasped as he carefully reached down and pulled out what had been trapped, or hidden, under the stone block.
The Outlander twirled the beautiful icy blue and green feather gently between his fingertips. Spinning it so the owl and he could get a clear look at it. At the eye pattern etched into its strands.
It was a peacock tail feather.
"Do you think—?" Aether's own eyes flashed with elemental sight. He swallowed as he saw the elements of cryo and abyss etched into its shaft.
Diluc found himself staring transfixed at the feather.
Or more accurately, at what his brother had become.
Because, of course, a peacock's eye could only mean one thing, couldn't it?
A low, distressed sound rippled up his chest and he leaned forward to press his forehead against Aether's hand and the feather. Both utterly relieved and distraught at their discovery.
His brother was a feather.
A feather.
A feather with no means to communicate. Who had been trapped under a rock fordayswhile Diluc had bumbled over him like a buffoon.
The cryo allogene had probably long given up hope on being saved.
"If he really is here then where is his vision?" Aether looked around the empty room. "Did the Lector take it?"
Diluc made a short, angry bird-like growl as he looked up at the feather once more. Wherehadhis brother's vision gone? The Lector hadn't made a point to take anyone else's vision after cursing them. Nor their clothes. So where was Kaeya's?
The owl looked up at Aether, hoping his confusion came across. It apparently did because the Outlander turned back the cursed man in his grip.
"The Lector did have more of a personal vendetta against Kaeya," the Outlander admitted while he mused. Causing the owl to blink at him in even more confusion. "Kaeya—well, he did try to trap him. Multiple occasions while pretending to be on the Lector's side of things."
Diluc blinked again. Grinding his beak together as he turned back to study the feather.
Thatwas a bit of interesting information. When had that occurred? Had it been when Kaeya had made the initial plan to capture the Abysmal creature before the attack on the city?
"We really need to leave now," Aether said, looking at Diluc. "We need to go inform Jean."
Diluc hooted as he nodded. Hurrying to climb back on Aether's arm. The world shifted and suddenly the two found themselves on top of the Headquarters' roof. The city was haunting and quiet as they descended the stairs. Only the occasional sniffle or cough from one of the knights on duty reached their ears as they hurried to Jean's office.
With everyone running ragged, illness had seized its opportunity. A flu had struck the ranks. Leaving the few knights who were still left to defend Mondstadt exhausted as well as sick. The Cathedral had been desperately trying to keep up with the supply and demand, but with trade having grown more dangerous with increased hilichurl and abyss order attacks the past two keeps, little was actually making it to the city.
Aether pushed Jean's door open without so much as a knock. Catching the anemo allogene in a conversation with Hertha and Amber. The blonde woman immediately stopped upon seeing them, the thorny crown on her head glinted in the light.
"Did you find anything?" her eyes, once bright, but now dull with exhaustion, pleaded silently with them. Her voice drifted off as she spotted the peacock in the Outlander's grip.
"Yes," Aether nodded grimly as he stepped forward and carefully placed the feather they had found on the desk.
Kaeya laid there silently small and unmoving while everyone, even Amber, towered over him. The three women all stared down at him in shock. Faces pale as they took in the shimmering feather.
"No," Jean finally gasped out loud. A hand over her mouth. "Lord Barbatos, please say this isn't—"
"We believe it is," Aether nodded sadly. "He was trapped under a loose stone. That is why we never saw him before. He must have been either kicked or blown under there. I honestly don't know how Master Diluc even saw him."
Amber hesitantly crept forward, her nose twitching rapidly as she sniffed at the feather. Her ears pined back in distress.
"A peacock's eye," Jean shook her head with obvious strain. Her voice trembled for the briefest of moments. "Oh, Kaeya. Oh, Kaeya. Why—"
She reached out for him but stopped midway. Her hand slowly curling into a fist as she lowered her head. "I failed you, Kaeya. I am sorry."
The crown on her head shimmered, a few snowflakes fell from the cryo vision tied to Rosaria's cursed form. The sister had refused to leave Jean's side after Kaeya's disappearance. Apparently considering it her job to protect the Acting Grand Master since her friend was no longer able to.
"Where is his vision?" Hertha asked, a shimmer of tears in her own eyes.
Aether shook his head, "We couldn't find it. We think the Lector took it."
"Why?" the captain aside with a frown, she placed her hand on her chin in thought. "It's not like it bothered to do that with anyone else."
"Because this was personal," Jean ground her teeth together. "It's obvious that the Lector didn't want us to find him. He made sure Kaeya had no means to communicate."
A spark shot off Diluc's vision as he turned his attention towards the cursed feather.
"Who all knows what became of Kaeya?" the Acting Grand Master looked back at the Traveler.
"We came straight here," the Outlander shook his head.
"Let me make the announcement," Jean sighed. "I will inform Eula immediately as well as some of our lieutenants, but I would like a little more time to get things in order before I announce to the rest of the Knights that Kaeya has been compromised as well. They are already losing moral. I would like to have a bit of good news to tell them if I can. Mona and Sucrose are in the middle of something they are quite hopeful about regarding the cure. I want to see if they have any good news with that so it can help balance out this loss."
Diluc nodded in understanding.
"How is that going?" the Traveler perked up at the mention of the cure.
"Slowly," Hertha's shoulders sagged. "But they were making progress of Captain Albedo's notes and Captain Kaeya's tip about the Book of Truth but they have currently hit a dead end. Mona says they're missing something, but they don't know what."
The owl grunted in frustration. Staring down at the feather. While he was eager for the cure for his own rights and merits, he was even more pressed for it now. Yes, it was annoying to be an owl and not have fingers or a proper mouth to communicate, but at least he couldmove.He was not in danger of becming some stray cat's dinner, like poor Mika and Amber, nor was he motionless and dependent onf the kindness of those around him, like Lisa and Rosaria, nor was he a baby who didn't even have enough developed muscles to turn himself over and required constant care, like Albedo.
Of all the cursed individuals he was the lucky one.
And his brother was the unlucky one. Just a limp little feather that could be torn out of his grasp by a gust of wind. Or burst into flame with just a spark. Or snap under someone's boot. Or—
"Has anyone spoken to Venti?" Aether's question snapped him out of his thoughts.
"I saw him yesterday," Jean said. "He said he had a possible lead that could help us stop the Lector and went to investigate it. I offered to send someone with him to help, but he said he had all the aid he required."
"Hopefully he can find something," Hertha sighed. "We are running out of options here. If this keeps up we might be forced to accept the Fatui's assistance."
Diluc's feathers fluffed out in anger at the thought of having to work with those scum No doubt they would use every opportunity to further their agenda and try to take over as much as possible.
"We aren't quite that desperate," the anemo allogene reassured him. "Though I estimate we are nearing the Lector's next attack. We will have to be on our toes and stay firm and hold our defenses."
"Speaking of defences," Hertha grabbed a scroll on the desk. "We need to go over the new plan the Adventure's Guild pitched regarding wall patrol."
"Yes. We do," Jean sighed as she grabbed the paper before looking down at the feather. "But what do we do with Kaeya? Should we send him down in the Catacombs with Lisa so he stays safe?"
Diluc hooted gruffly and shook his head. He stretched one of his feet out, clasping and unclasping his talons in a give-me gesture.
"You want him to go with you?" Jean quickly translated. "Back to the Winery?"
Diluc bobbed his head up and down.
"That probably would be the safest place for him," she sent the feather a pitying look as Aether picked it back up. "At least until we can find his vision and he can communicate with us."
"I'll take them both back to Dawn Winery," Aether vowed. "Diluc still needs to rest his wing until tomorrow anyways. We'll be back then to see if you all need help."
The owl nodded in agreement.
"Thank you," Jean nodded in exhaustion.
"We'll be off," Aether bade them farewell, barely giving Diluc any warning before world shifted and suddenly the two were standing on the cliff overlooking the winery.
The Outlander silently made his way towards the building. Gliding down a little awkwardly due to his passengers. The fields were looking good despite the chaos in the city. Many of Diluc's workers had decided to stay at the lodgings there rather than risk going back to Mondstadt. Leaving plenty of hands-on deck to run things while the master of the house dealt with other more pressing issues.
Aether used his shoulder to shove the door open and was instantly greeted by the smell of a warm meal and three individuals eager, if not a little desperate, for some news.
"Did you find him?" Adelinde, Elzer, and Paimon hurried over hopeful expressions, crowding around the two.
Aether shot Diluc a look who nodded sadly, not meeting their eyes. The Traveler held up the peacock feather. The eye pattern on it seemed to watch them all.
"Oh, no!" Paimon gasped in alarm, hands flying to her mouth in distress.
"Oh," Adelinde made a pained sound, as she hesitantly reached out to cup her own hands around what had become of the boy she had raised. The son in every way that mattered. "Oh, no. Not you too, Master Kaeya."
"His vision was lost," Aether filled them in. "We believe the Lector took it. Without it, he cannot communicate."
"Poor, Kaeya!" Paimon cried out. "How are we supposed to find the Lector and get it back?"
"That is something we will figure out tomorrow," Elzer said, quickly taking in both Diluc and Aether's exhausted expressions. "Come, Master Diluc, Traveler. You need to eat and get some rest."
Diluc wasn't very hungry, but he didn't argue with anyone as the Outlander led him to the table and allowed the owl to climb off his arm. His red eyes watched Adelinde as she gently placed the feather his brother had become on the table. It looked so small sitting there.
"We'll figure this out," Aether said softly as the redhead's maid and butler hurried to serve the food. Catching the owl's attention. "I promise. We'll fix this and get both you and Kaeya back to normal."
The owl huffed, nodding.
:•.｡｡.•*
It was a quick meal and then a few murmured words of goodnight before everyone went off to their own chambers. It had been a long two days and the adrenaline of rushing to find Kaeya had finally ended. Allowing everyone's exhaustion to fully hit them.
And while the next day promised to be full of other issues and problems, there was nothing to do about it tonight so Aether kindly helped escort Diluc to his bedchamber after dinner, as it was quite difficult for the cursed man to make it up the stairs and onto his bed with only one wing.
The two were silent as the Outlander gently eased Diluc onto the soft nest of blankets Adelinde had constructed for the wine master before carefully set Kaeya down next to him. Diluc had insisted the feather stay within his sight until a safer arrangement could be made for his brother. A feather was just such a delicate thing after all.
"Do you need anything before I go?" the Traveler stifled a yawn as he looked down at his friend.
The tycoon shook his head. Hooting his thanks for being assisted upstairs.
"You know," Aether said slowly. Looking down at Diluc. "I've been thinking…"
Diluc looked up at him quizzically.
"I was wondering why the Lector took Kaeya's clothes. I mean, I understand why he would take the vision, but the clothes made no sense," Aether rubbed the back of his neck.
The owl blinked up at him, waiting for the theory.
"And I thought maybe—" Aether continued, looking back down at the cursed captain, "Maybe he wanted us to think Kaeya betrayed us. To sow seeds of contention within the Knights between those who trusted Kaeya versus those who believed he would do such a thing as abandon Mondstadt. All the while Kaeya would just be trapped back in the Temple until…well, until his ending."
Diluc gave the feather a horrified look. His stomach churned with the thought.
"Kaeya was…" Aether sighed as he crossed his arms and continued sadly. "He was scared of the games he was playing with the Lector. He was scared to fail, but, much more than that, he was scared of people thinking he was a traitor. Maybe the Lector knew that."
The redhead closed his eyes. Pained as he remembered the look of in his brother's eyes during their all those years ago. The hurt, the pain, and, the most upsetting, the betrayal of Diluc's judgement. Because he had dared to hope his brother of all people would see the best in him and help him. Diluc had watched as that hope had died in his brother's eyes as his flames consumed it.
The tycoon also remembered what his brother had told him on that windmill. When Kaeya had told Diluc why he hadn't trusted the wine tycoon with the full story.
Diluc sighed brokenheartedly.
Of course, Kaeya would feel like people wouldn't trust him and stand with him. He had solidified all of the blunette's fears about that. Proven that those dark thoughts of others throwing him to the wolves at the nearest connivence. This was all his fault. He was the one who ruined Kaeya. The one who broke him so the blunette felt like he had to walk this road alone. That there was no one who would dare side with him or give him the benefit of the doubt.
"We'll fix this, Master Diluc," Aether aid kindly but firmly, noting the other's distress. "And we'll set anyone straight in the meantime."
The owl nodded. Hooting gruffly in agreement.
"Goodnight, Diluc. Goodnight, Kaeya," the Outlander bid them farewell.
Diluc nodded. Giving another soft hoot of thanks. The feather remained silent and unmoving. Aether left. Closing the door to, but leaving it open a crack in case the redhead needed to leave his room in the middle of the night.
The owl peered down at the feather that rested lifelessly before him. So still and so small. More than anything, Diluc wanted to tell Kaeya that it was alright. That he would find the Lector and get the cryo user's vision back and defeat the monster who had done this to all of them.
But he had no voice.
And neither did his brother.
So, the owl just sighed softly as he leaned forward and tenderly picked Kaeya up. Holding him gently with his beak. Wishing more than anything that things were different. Diluc lowered his head. Beak carefully grasping the shaft of the feather and pulling it close as he settled down. Tucking Kaeya close to his own plumage. Diluc couldn't do much for the other, but he could at least keep him close and let him know he was watching over him.
The owl might have cried himself to sleep had he still been able to.
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Notes:
Baby Diluc: Hi! Lets be friends :D
Baby Diluc: *proceeds to smother Kaeya in love and affection*
Baby Kaeya: I will protect this child with my life
Baby Diluc: *accidentally breaks vase and on verge of crying*
Baby Kaeya: *vomits all over Crepus to distract him*
Crepus: ):o
Diluc: *hasn't seen Kaeya in 2 days*
Diluc: :C
Diluc: *sees something shiny*
Diluc* jumps out of aether's arms*
Diluc: *face plants into the stone ground*
Aether: Diluc wtf
Feather Kaeya: *shoved under rock*
DIluc: *accidentally steps on stone and smashes him under it*
Diluc: KAEYA OH MY GOD IM SO SORRY—
Diluc: *holding feather Kaeya*
Feather Kaeya: *looks sad*
Diluc: ...
Diluc: *lays down and tucks feather close*
Diluc: Gn ,(
—-
I think there is going to be like 30 chapters to this work. So we're a little over half way done.
Hang on to your hats because the plot is popping off from here on out
Chapter 17: Lupus Minor
Summary:
The feathers on the back of Diluc's neck stood on end as the air suddenly vibrated with Abysmal energy. His head snapped around, and there, behind the two boys, a portal opened. Diluc shrieked a warning at them, immediately twisting his tail feathers and dipping his wing down as he turned in the air to turn around. Bennet and Razor's heads both snapped up to look up at the bird's cry, before spinning around as the stone shook as three lumbering lawachurls heaved themselves out of the mists of darkness.
Notes:
Happy Birthday to Bennett! You get a bonus chapter this week since he is in this chapter and his birthday only comes every 4 years
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Kaeya sat at his desk, his elbow resting on the wood while his chin rested on curled fingers. He read the report before him with no interest. It was quite boring after all. Just some Quartermaster stuff that he had to oversee and fill out before the day was done.
It was all quite tedious. He had to make sure the Knights had enough weapons and other sorts of equipment. Often, people would come hounding after him the week before this giant report was due, demanding he order this and that. Throwing piles upon piles of order forms under his door so he slipped on them every morning as he shoved his office door open.
It didn't help that the quarterly report was due to be placed on the Acting Grand Master's desk tomorrow (he had been procrastinating) and that there were a bit of funds left over for spending. Everyone was clambering for it, pitching their case with Kaeya about who needed it more.
A knock sounded at his door, and he sighed through his nose as he scribbled out some notes in the margins of the form. It was probably some other lieutenant or such clamoring to ask for the said funds.
Perhaps they would just leave him be so he could slip out and get some food like he wanted. He had forgotten to eat lunch.
And breakfast.
And the night before.
The knock came again.
"Come in," Kaeya called. Giving up hope they'd just leave.
The door creaked open, and Albedo stepped inside. Causing Kaeya to pause his quill and look up at the other through his lashes.
"Oh~" he purred with a small smirk. "Well, if it isn't the elusive Captain Albedo. Good to see you didn't actually freeze to death up on that mountain. It's been quite some time since you last graced me with your presence."
"My apologies," the geo allogene closed the door behind him. "It has been a while. I was in the midst of a breakthrough with my research and could not leave to come back until yesterday."
Kaeya waved a dismissive hand at him, tsking, "I was only teasing. Though a letter every now and again to let me know that you indeed haven't frozen to death would put one's mind at ease."
"Duly noted," the alchemist nodded. "Though I did inform the Acting Grand Master of my delay."
"Yes, yes," the blunette set his quill down fully now. "So I heard. Anyways, what brings you to my office on this fine afternoon? Here to try and bribe me for the remaining quarterly funds?"
The blonde shook his head, "No, but I have come to ask of another favor."
"Oh?" the other captain reclined back in his chair. "And what could that possibly be?"
"I need a lock of your hair if you'd be so kind," Albedo said as if it was the most normal request in the world.
"My hair?" Kaeya immediately squinted suspiciously at him. "You're not working on another hair growth potion are you? You remember what happened last time…"
"Not a hair growth potion," the blonde seemed to be fighting back a smirk. His eye. Twinkled mischievously. "Though I believe that nose and ear trimmer I gifted you for that worked sufficiently well."
"Three weeks, Albedo," the cryo allogene gave him a deadpan glare. "Every twelve hours."
"It's a tracking potion this time," the alchemist ignored the comment, though his smirk stayed. "It's next on the list Jean has for me to work on."
"And how is my hair, pray tell, going to help?"
"I am taking samples from numerous people," the geo allogene explained. "It will help me test how successful it is. Don't worry, it will not result in any unsavory side effects."
Kaeya continued to squint suspiciously.
"You have my word as an alchemist," Albedo placed a hand over his heart.
"Hmmm, I suppose that will suffice," Kaeya scooted his chair back with a sigh. Allowing the blonde man come and stand before him, slipping a pair of scissors out of his pocket and snip a strand of his blue locks.
"Thank you," the other said as he carefully slipped the blue strands into a vial before sliding it into his pocket.
"Certainly," the blunette waved him away.
"I also came for another reason," the alchemist glanced up at him.
"Oh?" Kaeya raised a sharp eyebrow.
"I recently received a letter from a certain civilian asking me about some of my more recent research papers I wrote with Sucrose regarding Abysmal energy and its effects on the environment," Albedo crossed his arms and glanced down at the blunette. "The paper a was specifically about a sample of Dark Mud taken from the Chasm, but I thought you might want to know all the same."
The captain sighed deeply. Glancing out the window of his office towards the south, "Is that so? Forgive me for not having the time to read that work of literature, but did your paper and findings suggest anything that might be particularly important to note?"
"Just its ability to possibly cause aggression with nearby fauna and elemental beings," Albedo nodded. "As well as the damage it causes to nearby flora. Master Diluc was curious to know if humans or hilichurls might also be affected by the substance."
Kaeya drummed his knuckle across his desk with a hum. "And what did you tell him?"
"I told him that Abysmal materials were too dangerous to test out on humans or hilichurls so I did not partake in any such experiments, but directed him towards past papers and studies released by others that indicate that direct contact with Abysmal energy and magic does have negative effects on humans and often leads to either sickness or corruption."
"Did he have thoughts on that mater?" the blunette's right eye twitched under his eyepatch.
"None that he mentioned to me," Albedo crossed his arms. "However, I thought you might also like to be aware that a certain vigilante has also been reported defeating three different Abyss Order camps in the past several days."
The quartermaster glanced back over at the alchemist, "My. Sounds like the Darknight Hero has been quite busy. Was there any reason why those particular camps? There wasn't any signs of Abysmal corruption in the area were there?"
"Not that I am aware of. Two were found northwest of Wolvendom. The last reported was one found up by Stormterror's Lair. Jean dispatched Eula and the Reconnaissance Company to go and investigate," the man shook his head. "But it seems like the Darknight Hero is searching for something. Perhaps a specific target?"
"Perhaps," Kaeya shrugged, giving Albedo a small playful smirk. "Who knows what that stubborn fool of a vigilante is thinking. Though, I must admit, his work does help with the recent decline of active knights in the city. I tell you, I never thought I'd miss having Varka hovering over my shoulder, but I will certainly be glad when he and the rest of the Knights return, and all these extra duties are redistributed back to where they belong."
The blunette glared down at the forms before him.
The geo allogene hummed in agreement. "Have you heard of anything regarding the Abyss Order? I was planning on returning to the mountain to complete my research, but if a problem is arising…"
"No," Kaeya shook his head. "I'm sure Captain Eula will take care of any threats up north and I'll be sure to keep an eye out on the surrounding area. Though the Darknight Hero certainly does have a knack for finding trouble. He really is quite good at sniffing at problematic Fatui and Abyss Order strongholds."
"I concur," the geo allogene nodded.
The blunette tsked as he stood, stretching cat-like before grinning at the alchemist, "It's really quite the shame he doesn't just become a knight."
The blonde gave an amused scoff as the taller man walked over to him. Looking down at him.
"Why don't I treat you to a warm meal before you head back to that cold lonely mountain? Barbatos knows I probably won't see you again for the next several days.
"I promised Klee I'd take her to get some Fisherman's Toast."
"The more the merrier," Kaeya grinned as he held his door and the two walked out. "She's probably over playing with Diona this time of day. They've been trying to hatch a new plan to take down the wine industry. Something to do with cryo slimes and frog legs this time."
"Don't you have paperwork to finish?" the alchemist sent him a wry look, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll get back to it later," the blunette waved him away. "Besides I am practically finished. What I need to do next is go down into the storage supplies and check everything there. I'm pretty sure we're low on bandages and saddle oil."
"So basically, after this meal you'll be gone the rest of the day?" Albedo smiled knowingly.
Kaeya shot him a winning smile, "It is notmyfault no one sees the beauty of those underground tunnels nor wants to come down there to find me and hound me about how they just absolutelyneedmoreextra-largecodpiecesmade."
Albedo snorted.
The blunette feigned hurt, "It is a very serious request, dear alchemist. How could you joke about something so serious?"
"While I do appreciate a free meal," Albedo rolled his eyes good naturedly, a teasing smile still on his face. "If you truly wish to avoid other knights stopping you to ask you for funds forcodpiecesperhaps going to eat in the middle of the city isn't the best choice."
"Oh, but I disagree," the cavalry captain wagged a finger at him. "I have found that hiding in plain sight is a wonderful battle tactic. No one expects it."
Albedo shook his head as he followed the other, smiling lightly but fondly. Kaeya lifted his head up towards the sun. Enjoying the warmth, it gave as he closed his eye to bask in its rays.
Not noticing the owl that shakily flew over the city wall.
:•.｡𓃦｡.•*
"They're at the gate!" The hunters shouted as the wall shook from the brute strength of a lawachurl slamming its body against the iron bars that were the only things keeping the hoard of hilichurls and the like out.
Below in the streets, Knights and members of the Adventure's Guild alike were in hand-to-hand combat with more Abyss Mages and the mitachurls they had managed to teleport directly behind the wall.
Mondstadt was on fire. The smoke and flames blending in with the crimson sunset. The signal that their long day was now extending into another long night.
Diluc's wings burned with fatigue with each pump he gave them, his chest heaved with pants as another blast of hot air shot him up. The wind carried him in the new updraft caused by the fire. He glided above the flame-covered roof of the Cat's Tail. The crown perched on his head shimmered as Rosaria summoned her cryo. Dropping a wave of ice over the tiles. Extinguishing the flames with an angry hiss and sending up a plume of hot steam into the air. Trying to singe his tail feathers as he flew.
The wine master's red eyes darted toward the north, watching as Mika did the same thing over more buildings. Fischl and Oz flew on either side. Making sure no hilichurl archer tried to take a cheap shot over the little pigeon as he extinguished the fires. The three birds and Rosaria had been on fire-fighting duty for hours now. The Abyss pyro mages had made sure to keep them too busy to help with the assault on the wall.
The owl nearly groaned as he saw a flash of pyro near the Cathedral.
"Leave them to us, Master Diluc," Oz called back at Fischl's cawed words the wine master couldn't fully understand.
The pyro allogene nodded, grateful. His breathing was becoming too shallow. Rosaria gave a weak flash of cold. Indicating she also needed a moment to rest. They were both exhausted as it was going on 32 hours of nonstop attacks on the city now.
The pyro allogene angled himself, riding the wind up to a windmill, landing on the rail that was mostly out of the smoke. He took his wing and tried to wipe some of the ash and soot from his face and eyes as he gasped heavily. Rosaria sprinkled a few bits of cryo down, helping to give him some water to help with the cleaning.
Diluc huffed his thanks as he fluttered his neck muscles and shook. Trying to release his body heat. He missed being able to sweat. He had never realized how convenient that bodily function was until he didn't have it anymore. Once he was human again he would never complain about having to change shirts after a long day of training or picking grapes.
The owl sighed as he turned his attention to pouch strapped to his harness right next to his vision. He bent his neck down as his beak gently bit at it. Making sure the feather tucked inside was still safe and sound.
Aether had gone and retrieved some special silken material from an inventor Adeptus friend of his right after they had discovered the cursed cryo allogene. The Traveler had claimed it was fire-proof as well as impenetrable, and, after spending over three hours making sure it actually was, the pyro allogene was inclined to agree.
Adelinde, the amazing seamstress she was, had made a pouch out of it. Allowing Kaeya to be able to travel around with Diluc safely.
The redhead knew how his brother, who was already probably quite distressed not being able to move or communicate, would go insane being stuck at the winery tucked away on a shelf knowing everyone else was tending to the Lector.
Diluc made a relieved soft crooning sound upon seeing the feather safe, save for the layer of soot on the bag. He wasn't sure how much Kaeya could see or sense around him, but hopefully the soot wasn't obstructing his view too much because Diluc lacked the capabilities of being able to clean the bag.
But the tycoon figured his brother would understand. He didn't have hands to do it either.
With a deep sigh, the owl looked back up over the city as he took in the situation.
There honestly weren't that many hilichurls, but with numbers of Knights already behind down due to the expedition, multiple of their best fighters now incapacitated due to the curse, and the flue that was now running rampant through the barracks, well, the city's defenses had seen better days.
Diluc squinted as the wind shifted slightly and a burst of smoke wafted up in his face. He snorted but didn't move. The crown on his head pulsed cold, causing him to look over to their left where a few snowflakes drifted on the wind. He twisted his entire body so Kaeya could see too.
He could make out Jean rejoining the battle, this time with Eula at her side. The Acting Grand Master had to pull back about two hours ago after a direct hit from a cryo samachurl to the face, causing her eyelids to freeze shut. Eula looked poised, fresh, and eager to go at her side, finally apparently getting the green flag from Jean to join the battle.
Telling Diluc all he needed to know about how desperate the situation was starting to become with the nonstop attack. He fluffed his feathers out uncomfortably, scanning the battlefield for any other allogenes who had so-far remained down in the Catacombs.
Aether was the only other elemental-inclined individual below that he could see. They had managed to help keep the side gate clear of enemies nearly single-handedly. The Honorary Knight had long since proven his use and goodwill towards the City of Freedom, but this entire ordeal had left Mondstadt forever in his debt.
The owl continued his search, trying to spot a certain bard as he looked for any signs that the Lector had joined the battle. Venti hadn't been seen in the past 32 hours at least. Still off investigating whatever he deemed more important at the moment. The redhead hoped that the reason the Lector had yet to appear was because Venti had managed to find his base and had taken care of the problem, rather that the more likely scenario of the Abysmal being was just biding his time. Waiting for the Knights to all wear down before he struck and took his next two victims.
Instead of finding the wayward god, the owl spotted two small figures creeping through the smoke and alleyways. Diluc stepped off the railing, his wings caught him as he flew down to them.
"Hurry, Razor," Bennett panted as he helped Razor carry what looked like a large crate of supplies from somewhere. "Sister Victoria needs these."
"Hurrying," the electro allogene panted as he hefted his end up higher. "Heavy. Air smokey."
"I know," the pyro user gasped as he coughed himself. "But we can't stop now—"
Diluc landed on a lamp post above them. Hooting to get their attention.
"Ah!" Bennett jumped at the sudden call. "Oh. Uh. Master Diluc, sir. It's just you."
The owl hooted once more. Gesturing to the box.
"The Cathedral needed more soap," Bennett explained. "Sara had a some in the Good Hunter. We were sent to fetch it and bring it back."
Rosaria pulsed with cold. Clearly annoyed that the two teenagers were out here in the open and completely exposed to the expected Lector attack. Had Kaeya been able to, Diluc was sure the other would have also voiced his own frustration.
He had done so much to protect the children after all.
Diluc nodded, waving at them with his wing in an indication to hurry. He would just escort them to safety.
And make sure the sister sent a knight next time.
Bennett nodded in understanding and he and Razor hefted the box a bit higher between them before they continued. The wolf-boy took the lead so as not to let Bennett accidently trip over something or cause them to take a path littered with even more dangers.
The cursed man flew ahead, making sure the street ahead was indeed clear. The last thing they needed was for an Abyss Mage or the Lector to suddenly appear.
The teens were surprisingly quick and agile as they made their way up the stairs and onto the second story of the city. Diluc guided them. Flitting from lamppost to lamppost as the boys managed to make their way to the second flight of stairs. They immediately turned right at their end, heading towards a third and fourth flight of stairs.
They had made it to the fourth landing, right in front of the Goth Grand Hotel before the boys were forced set the box down momentarily to catch their breath. They huffed, leaning forward on the create as they allowed their shaking limbs a chance to rest and cough out the smoke from their lungs
Diluc circled above them, staying alert. Rosaria's cryo shimmered around him, helping him stay cool in the hot air.
Everything went downhill very quickly in the following seconds.
The feathers on the back of Diluc's neck stood on end as the air suddenly vibrated with Abysmal energy. His head snapped around, and there, behind the two boys, a portal opened. Diluc shrieked a warning at them, immediately twisting his tail feathers and dipping his wing down as he turned in the air to turn around. Bennet and Razor's heads both snapped up to look up at the bird's cry, before spinning around as the stone shook as three lumbering lawachurls heaved themselves out of the mists of darkness. One cryo, one geo, and the last electro. Their beady eyes landed on the two teens who stared up at them in shock. They all bellowed at the two, their elemental shields already up and ready to go.
Rosaria sent a burst of cold over Diluc in alarm, but he was already readying his attack. He screeched another a loud warning to Bennett and Razor as flames coated his wings and, with a flash of his catalyst and a mighty flap, his fiery phoenix descended towards the monsters.
Razor grabbed Bennett, knocking him down and throwing his own body over the other so the pyro allogene stayed clear of the attack. The elector allogene his own gaze on the enemies as they stumbled back. Grunting as Diluc's flames engulfed them. The fountain behind them began to steam from the heat.
A giant cryo lance formed above the monsters, slamming into them, and causing an instant reversed melt reaction. It shattered the cryo one's shield. The lawachurls turned their attention on the crowned owl. Roaring at them. Diluc flew over them, trying to lead the three to the right, down the stairs away from the supplies and two allogenes. Luckily, the simple-minded creatures were only too eager to follow him. Their rage getting the best of them.
The redhead hoped Bennett and Razor had enough sense to get the supplies to the Cathedral rather than try and help him.
The lawachurls lumbered after the owl. Following his quick flight at a much slower pace, allowing Diluc time to fly up to the wall. Calling to the hunters who were perched there, bows turned towards the hilichurls on the others side.
The owl spotted Draff with a calico kitten tucked away in the hood of his cloak. Diona's vision tied to her side with a ribbon. The kitten's eyes were focused as she infused her father's arrows with her cryo. Diluc called down to them and the duo's ears twitched at the sound. Causing them to look up at him.
He turned in his flight, heading back the way he came towards the lawachurls who were now approaching the wall.
"Breech!" Draff shouted, turning his attention to the beings. "Breech! Hunters, aim for the lawachurls!"
Diluc hurried to get out of the way. Not wanting to be skewered as the first round of arrows slammed into the geo beast. It roared at them, lowering itself in preparation to charge. Diluc thrust another blast of pyro at it, trying to stop it before it collided headfirst into the wall. The melt reaction sent a wave of steam billowing into the street. It did little to stop the creature.
"I condemn you!"
Diluc turned as Eula Lawrence sprinted out of the smoke and steam, her claymore shimmered in cryo as she slammed into the beast. Knocking it clean over with her strike. It wailed as it was knocked into the side of the city's stairs. Its shield completely shattered.
"Flood of frost!" the knight cried as a miniature blizzard erupted around her and she lunged towards the electro one. Her claymore's strikes rang out. Causing the very air to vibrate with the strength of her attack.
Its shield fell just as the cryo allogene's Lightfall Sword materialized in the air. Slamming down into the ground like a guillotine of justice.
All three beasts fell. Vanishing into shards of light as Eula spun, almost like a dancer, hefting her claymore behind her as she watched them die. Making sure they were truly gone before releasing her weapon. Easily digging it into the ground before her.
"Nice work, Captain," Draff called before turning his attention back towards the other side of the wall.
Eula looked up at Diluc as he also hooted his appreciation. The pyro allogene clearly impressed with the Reconnaissance Captain's raw strength. She opened her mouth, as though to call up to him, but froze as a scream of alarm breeched the air.
"Razor!"
Rosaria shot a wave of cryo in alarm as Diluc hurried to turn around, beating his wings as he flew back up the stairs with Lawrence hot on his trail below. His eyes landing on the being everyone had been anticipating for the past 32 hours.
The Lector.
Rage filled Diluc's tiny owl body. Suddenly hyperaware of the pouched feather that flapped against his chest in his flight.
Finally.Finally, Diluc could finally face the monster who had done this to his brother. He would take out the monster and its book and figure out where Kaeya's vision was before murdering the beast.
It would not be a slow or peaceful death. That he was sure of.
The being towered over the two boys. Bennett had been knocked back; his leg bent at an unnatural angle as the teen tried to crawl over towards his friend who was currently pinned under the monster's boot.
"It will be quick," the Lector promised.
Diluc watched what happened next in slow motion as Rosaria's cryo churned into life too slowly. Razor thrashed, his electro attacks and franticly biting did absolutely nothing to stop the monster trapping him. The Lector began to speak, in a language that Diluc had only heard once before. Reading from the pages of the Tome as it started to shine brighter and brighter.
Razor yelped as it finally flashed. A bolt of what looked like pure Abysmal energy slammed into him.
"Beg for mercy!" Eula roared, heaving her claymore in a torrent of ice and snow.
The Lector immediately leapt back, hovering in the air once again as her ice cut into his armor. He hissed in pain, shaking off the hoarfrost and icicles that now covered his arms. The cryo attacks were not done. Diluc felt Rosaria's surge of power as a Lance of pure ice formed above him. It slammed into the Lector's chest, sending him flying back in her fury.
But the attacks were too late.
"Razor!" Bennett cried out again, still trying to desperately make his way over to his friend. His own vision flared as he healed himself enough to crawl towards the fallen electro allogene's side.
For where Razor had been now a gangly teenage wolf pup lay. Tangled up in clothes that no longer served a purpose other than to hinder him. Unconscious and limp as the pyro allogene pulled him close. Tears in his eyes.
Diluc did not give the Lector gentleman's chivalry as he dove straight for the creature, talons out and flames roaring as the Abysmal being struggled back to his feet. His full six-pound body slammed into the creature's face. Talons clawing at what the redhead assumed were eyes.
The Lector screamed in pain as he grabbed Diluc's entire body in one hand and flung him away, slamming the owl into a nearby wall and causing Rosaria to be knocked from his head. Diluc grunted in pain as he fell into a crumpled heap of feathers.
Curse his feeble owl body once. Had he still been human an attack like that would have made him laugh at best. At least this time nothing seemed to be broken.
Luckily for Bennett and Diluc alike, Eula was still very much a threat to reckon with. The captain threw herself at the monster, giving him no time to recover. Her claymore slammed into him, sending sparks and snowflakes flying into the air.
The monster grunted from the furious attacks before he growled. Releasing a surge of electro blasted out of him.
Diluc struggled to his feet. Glancing down at Kaeya worriedly, making sure the cryo allogene was still alright. The blunette and bag were dirtied from the fall, but apparently safe other than that. The owl sighed in relief. Grateful he hadn't broken the feather's shaft in his fall.
While he was not sure what that would have done to Kaeya, especially after the cure was found and he was returned to his rightful self, Diluc didn't figure it would have been good for Kaeya to have been completely snapped in half.
Satisfied the other was fine, the owl looked back up at the Lector. He raised his wings, ready to launch himself back up. He wasn't letting this Lector escape this time. They had to capture him. They had to get Kaeya his vision back.
Eula and the Lector were locked in combat. Fully focused on the other and not paying anyone else around them any mind as they desperately tried to knock the other down.
The Lector crouched for a moment before slowly unfurling his arms out, looking skyward. "In the name of the Truth!"
Eula grunted as a surge of electro shot out of the Lector's body, encasing him in it in his own version of a shield. The force knocked her back, interrupting her mid-attack. She stumbled and the Lector lunged for her.
"The power of revelation," he screamed as giant orbs of electro surrounded him and shot outward. Charging the air with electricity.
Bennett yelped in pain and threw his body over his friend, trying to protect Razor from the attack. Diluc curled up as well, wrapping his wings around him and his brother. Trying to sheild Kaeya and his own face from the blast. Eula brought her claymore up to block it, but even she cried out as it hit her.
The Lector saw his chance, instantly taking it. The Book of Truth surged with power. A bolt of light shot out from the Lector's finger straight for the cryo allogene's chest—
"Eula!"
Diluc peaked out from the safety of his wings. His eyes grew wide as he watched horrified as Jean, dropping down from the sky with her glider, leapt between her captain and the Lector.
The curse slammed into her.
"Jean!" both Eula and Diluc shrieked her name. One a human cry the other just an headache-inducing bird's cry.
The anemo allogene's body snapped into a new shape before their eyes. The sound of her bones and clothes ripping apart was haunting as Jean collapsed, unconscious onto her side. A long golden tail flopped onto the ground behind her.
"No!" Eula roared, her eyes full of fury and shock. She fell to Jean's side as the Lector dropped to his feet. Panting from the strain of using so much magic so quickly together.
The lioness was limp in Lawrence's arms. Jean's shredded clothes spread around her like carnage. The Acting Grand Master's weapon fell to the ground. Dissolving in the air as it returned to its resting place within Jean's vison's storage place.
"Well," the Lector gasped, trying to catch his breath as it stared down at the lioness. "That was unexpected."
Eula's eyes snapped up, the monster's voice snapping her out of her shock. Her icy, fury filled eyes locked fully on him. Bennett gulped, drawing Razor closer. A chill ran up Diluc's own spine as she climbed back to her feet. Stepping over her Acting Grand Master's body and hefting her claymore back up.
Causing even the Lector to take an uncertain step back.
"That's it right?" her voice cold as Dragonspine's brutal winds. "You used all your magic up."
As if waiting for the cryo allogene's words, the Lector's shield crumbled away. Leaving him vulnerable and defenseless.
"You will pay for what you have done," Eula took slow, calculated steps towards him. The clicks of her heels on the stone sounded like a nail being driven into a coffin. One hammer strike at a time.
In that moment, the Lector seemed to understand how truly fucked he was.
Eula lunged as a portal opened behind him. Her hand wrapped around his wrist before he could vanish. She spun, flinging the being up and over her back. Body slamming him onto the ground before her. Diluc squawked in shock as he watched. The Lector's portal vanished.
"Nice try," the cryo allogene snarled. Snapping his wrist back in a way it cracked and caused the Lector to scream in pain before retaliating with a blast of electricity.
A blast Eula easily side-stepped.
The Abysmal being hurried back to his feet. Clutching his left arm close to his chest.
"You will regret that," he hissed.
"Not as much as you," Eula snarled back, a blizzard appeared around her. Her claymore danced with hoarfrost as she struck.
The Lector, weak and out of energy could only stumble back. Nearly tripping and falling into the fountain. Yet Lawrence showed no mercy. Her eyes were ablaze with retribution.
It was clear she was not going to let the Lector leave alive.
"Wait," Diluc called, his words incomprehensible hoots. Hoots that were easily overpowered by the clashing of steel upon armored limbs. "Eula, wait!"
The bag Kaeya was in shifted on his chest as Diluc began to hurry forward, flapping his wings to get her attention. Shrieking again desperately. He had to stop her from killing the Lector. If she killed him then they might never find Kaeya's vision.
"Eula!" Diluc called again, but the cryo allogene still didn't hear him as she made her final strike. Her claymore fast and just as it buried itself right into the Lector's gut. Causing the Lector to gasp in pain and fall forward onto the blade.
"No!" Diluc's shriek loud and frantic as Eula's blade swung.
For one split second she hesitated, her eyes darted over towards Diluc at the desperate cry, seeming to have been snapped out of her berserk-like state for just a moment. Which was the opening the Lector needed. Eula screamed as his lighting hit her, sending her flying back into the fountain. Her claymore ripped out of him.
"If you are so eager to face your Truth," the Lector hissed voice shaky as the Book beside him flashed as the Abysmal creature did something none of them thought possible.
Eula collapsed as the curse struck her. Her body falling apart before Diluc's eyes as she crumbled into the fountain.Dissolving.Her clothes sunk to the bottom of the fountain as her physical form dispersed upon the water. Glittering in the lamp and moonlight.
Aphros Delos
Brilliant Sea foam.
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𓃦
Notes:
some time ago*
Albedo: Kaeya I need you to try out this hair growth potion. It should make your hair grow longer faster.
Kaeya: Okay, sure I guess.
*the next day*
Kaeya: *bursting into Albedo's lab*
Albedo: *nearly dropping a vial of acid*
Kaeya: ALBEDO! WHY DOES MY NOSE AND EARS LOOK LIKE A RAT CRAWLED IN THEM AND DIED?!
Albedo: Hmmm. That IS an interesting development. Tell me, did the hair grow out of any other of your orifices?
Kaeya: *shrieking now* ALBEDO PUT YOUR QUILL DOWN THIS INSTANT AND HELP ME
*someone knocking on Kaeya's office*
Albedo: *Opens the door slightly* Can I help you?
Person: Is Captain Kaeya there?
*crashing sounds as Kaeya jumps through his window*
Albedo: You just missed him.
Aether: Hey, Master Diluc! I got this cool material from my Adeptus friend. I thought we could make a protective pouch for Kaeya. It's really strong and fireproof—
Diluc: *immediately sets it on fire, blows it up, throws it into a volcano, gives it to azdaha for a chew toy, has Raiden preform Musou no Hitotachi on it*
Diluc: This will do I suppose
Aether: ...cool...
Adelinde: *attaching Kaeya's feather pouch to Diluc's harness*
Adelinde: There. Now Kaeya can go with you
Diluc: *puffs his chest out the same way he did when Kaeya first held his hand for the first time while exploring*
Diluc: *has fully entered big brother mode*
Rosaria: *just a crown and unable to do anything really*
Rosaria*Having to be worn by everyone so she can be mobile*
Rosaria*is told her bestie is turned into a feather and has no vision to communicate*
Rosaria*gets flung off Diluc's head and flung across the ground*
Rosaria: Man I want a drink.
Eula: *kicking ass, taking names, a terror on the battlefield*
Lector: And I took that personally
Lector: *about to curse Eula*
*Pokemon fight music*
*a wild jean appears!*
Diluc: Eula wait!
Eula: *distracted for half a second*
Lector: Aha!
Eula* turns into a pile of foam*
Diluc: 0-0 ...oh my god...I'm so sorry
Rosaria: :0
Eula: :((
Chapter 18: Rota Calamitas
Summary:
"What—what happened?" Paimon gasped.
"The Lector got Razor, the Acting Grand Master, and Captain Eula," Bennett sniffed, explaining since he was the only individual who had witnessed the catastrophe who could still speak the common.
Notes:
Venti finally decides to show up
TW: Gore
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
"Now down," his father's deep voice rumbled softly in Kaeya's ear. The man's large, warm hand placed gently over his own, dragging it along the paper as the boy clutched a piece of charcoal. A long wobblily stroke was left by their movement. "And then a small flick upwards at the end."
Kaeya smiled as they lifted the charcoal from the page. Looking up at his father at a sign of approval for a job well done. He was given a smile in return, as shaky and exhausted as it may have been.
"And what do we call this one?"
"Protection," the boy answered glancing back down at the rune before him.
"Very good," the man nodded in approval, shifting Kaeya slightly on his lap to adjust his knee before settling him back softly. "Remember to only use these when you have no other choice. They are powerful, yes, but they will quickly reveal things about you that others cannot know. Do you understand, son?"
"Yes, Father," Kaeya leaned back against his parent's chest, sharp eye watching as the man carefully plucked the paper from his hand and tossed it onto the fire at their feet.
A large hand rested heavily on the boy's head. Gently carding through the blue locks as they watched the paper crumble into ashes. The rune slowly consumed by the flames. His father only shifted once he was satisfied it was completely gone. Reaching for the last sheet they had. And placing it before the boy.
"Now. Show me if you remembercapture."
The rain outside the cave they had decided to camp in was gentle and soothing against the crackling of their fire. The light of its flames danced across the stone walls. Causing shadows to flicker in and out, up and down.
"Good. Very good," His father hummed in approval as the boy lifted the charcoal off the page and looked up at the adult for approval. "You've done well, son."
Kaeya smiled as the man leaned down to kiss him before jumping slightly as his father suddenly hissed in pain. The man reached up to grasp at his side, where the wound from his fight with the Herald was still healing.
Kaeya hurried to slip off the man's lap and make his way towards their belongings. He dug through the weather-worn leather bag until he pulled out a small bundle of herbs, two corked bottles, and fresh bandages before darting back to his father's side.
"Thank you," the other grimaced as he carefully took his shirt off. Revealing the old bandages, stained with a medicinal ointment and dried blood.
Kaeya watched with solum eyes as the man carefully took them off. Wincing only slightly as the scab came away with the cloth. The wound was pale and pink and looked good despite the thirteen stitches that held it closed. But while there was no sign of infection, his father hadn't acted right since he had gotten it despite how much he pretended to be fine.
"Look at that," his father shot him a small reassuring smile. "Seems you might have a bit of a healer's touch. Not even a whisper of infection."
The boy held the first bottle up to his father. The man took it, biting the cork free before spitting it into his lap. He took a swig from it, grunting and wincing a bit before turning to pour the liquid over the wound itself. The boy's nose twitched from the burning smell of the liquor. Kaeya watched as his father meticulously tended to his injury. His eye occasionally drifting over to the opposite side, where a patch of darkened skin was growing larger and larger by the day.
His father caught his eye and Kaeya looked away.
Neither said anything until the man had finished bandaging himself and allowed his shirt to fall back into place.
"I'm alright, little one," his father gently tapped the boy's chin.
Kaeya looked up at him. Eyelids drooping with sadness. "No, you're not. If you where you wouldn't have—"
The boy cut himself. Biting his lip as his emotions roared up from their hiding place. He had been trying so hard to be brave.
"Do not cry. It will be alright, son," his father reached for him, but Kaeya took a step back. Turning his face away.
"I'm not crying," Kaeya said instinctively, instantly regretting it as pain shot through his right eye and his stomach churned. He hissed with the aggressive wave of sickness and discomfort that rushed over him.
His father only had seconds to prepare, grabbing the child and hurrying to the edge of the cave just in time for the blunette to vomit all over the wet ground outside. The rain instantly started to wash the mess away. They both waited as the blunette dry heaved a few more times before the gagging stopped. Leaving his throat and stomach sore and empty.
"You can't do that, Kaeya," his father whispered as he pulled the groaning boy into his arms. Rubbing his back and hugging him close as he stood. Carrying the boy despite the pain it caused his wound. "Not anymore."
The child sniffed, burying his face in his father's neck.
"Is your eye alright?" the man asked, ignoring the tears that may or may not have been dripping onto his skin.
"It hurts," Kaeya whispered. Giving the honest answer.
His father sat back down. The cave wall pressed uncomfortably into the man's back as he leaned against it. Shifting his son in his arms so the child wouldn't accidentally hit his stiches. The adult leaned forward and gently kissed the fresh bandages over his son's face. His lips lightly gracing the spherical shape of a closed eyelid beneath them.
"Does that help?"
"Mmm. A little."
His father kissed him once more. Squeezing him lovingly and rocking them both a bit back and forth. Neither pointed out that Kaeya was perhaps a bit too old for such actions and attention.
They both knew good and well this would probably be the last night they would spend together for a very long time.
:•.｡｡.•*
Diluc stared in horror at the fountain, watching as cryo-colored foam gently floated out of Eula's clothes and settled over the water.
The Lector gave a pained grunt before a portal flickered to life behind him. The being stumbled back into it before Diluc could even blink. Vanishing and leaving the owl standing on the battlefield realizing with the ever-growing, dreaded realization of what he had just done.
His call had distracted Eula. Resulting in what may very well have been her death sentence.
Diluc blinked, looking around desperately as he tried to find someone who could help. Or to at least help him figure out what to do. Would it be best to find a bucket and scoop her out of the water? Would she dissolve? If she did, did that mean she was—?
The owl's spiraling thoughts paused as the cryo vision within the fountain flashed, causing the waters within it to begin to slow down. Sluggishly icing over until it was nothing more than a thick sheen of ice. Effectively freezing Eula and her current condition away. Protecting her from evaporating or being consumed by some stray cat.
"Diluc!"
The owl turned at Aether's shout. Oh, thank Barbatos someone with hands and two functioning legs appeared.
The Traveler's eyes widened as he took in the scene. He was covered in grime, soot, and bruises. His sword was still out, and the sounds of battle could still be heard in the lower section of the city. Indicating he had only just arrived from his own fight after hearing the commotion of the fight with the Lector. Paimon streaked behind him, nearly crashing into his back as the Outlander slammed to an abrupt halt, taking everything in.
Bennett was injured and cradling the overgrown wolf pup that was Razor in his lap. An unconscious Jean, now a giant lioness, laid in a pile of tattered clothes. A frozen fountain stood there ominously. Rosaria was laying upside down a few paces away. And Diluc was limping towards the Outlander with Kaeya still unresponsive strapped to his chest.
There had to be a joke in this situation somewhere, but the owl was not the one with the ability to find it.
"What—what happened?" Paimon gasped.
"The Lector got Razor, the Acting Grand Master, and Captain Eula," Bennett sniffed, explaining since he was the only individual who had witnessed the catastrophe who could still speak the common.
"Wait!" Paimon reoiled back in shock. "He cursedthreepeople? I thought he could only do two at a time!"
We all did, Diluc thought bitterly. Sending Eula a devastated look. He hadn't meant to distract her. He had just meant to stop her from destroying the only hope he had of finding Kaeya's vision.
He only prayed that his mistake wouldn't prove to be a death sentence to the cryo allogene.
"We need to get everyone to the Cathedral to be looked at," Aether glanced down at Bennett and Razor before looking over at Jean. "Benny, can you walk?"
The teenaged pyro allogene hesitated, glancing at his leg. "I don't know. I didn't set the bone so I can't heal myself any more until that is done otherwise…"
Otherwise, they'd have to break it again. Diluc winced at the thought.
"Well, let's—" Paimon began, but paused as a sudden roar shook the entire city followed by a massive blast of anemo.
Diluc squawked as he was knocked over. Rolling head over heels into the Goth Grand Hotel as a massive dragon flew over the city. Dvalin's roar rattled the glass in the windows and the gusts of air from his wings ripped through the streets. Sending Abyss Mages shrieking as they were launched through the air.
"Dvalin?" Paimon cried out in shock. "What'shedoing here?"
"He's here to help," a cheerful disembodied voice said an instant before Venti materialized before them all. An impish grin on his face.
"Tone Deaf Bard," the little fairy's exclamations were starting to give Diluc a headache. "About time you showed up! Where have you been?"
"I have been out getting answers and aid," Venti said boastfully before he paused and took in the scene around him. "Uh…what happened here?"
"The Lector that's what," Paimon placed her hands on her hips and shot the bard a glare. "Which you would know if you had been here helping us defendyourcity."
Venti shot her a glare, folding his arms, "I'll have you know I've been doingplentyto defend Mondstadt. I just wasn't where the wind could tell me what was going on until very recently. As soon as I heard, I came."
As though on cue, Dvalin's roar could be heard once more. Judging by the cheering knights and hunters alike, he was busy chasing the hilichurl hoards away.
"Sounds like Dvalin is doing a good job of helping out," Aether smiled. "Looks like we might not have to spend as much time on patrol now."
"I'm afraid not. I am not sure how the curse would affect him," Venti shook his head with a worried frown. "It might corrupt him as Durin's poisons once did. It is best he stay away from the fighting and Lector as much as possible lest he become corrupted again. He will be going back to his lair once he helps sends this wave packing."
Diluc grunted. That was probably wise. The last thing any of them needed was to deal with a crazed dragon on top of everything else.
"Razor?" Bennett gasped.
Everyone turned to look at the gangly wolf that the electro allogene had become. His red eyes slowly blinked open as he woke. They settled on Bennett for a moment before turning to look at everyone else.
"Careful," the teen pyro allogene warned as his friend struggled to sit up. Razor flopped around a bit, not used to this new form. A soft whine issued from his muzzle. "You turned into a wolf."
Razor's soft, silver ears perked up at the other's words. Finally seeming to realize what was wrong and why his body wasn't working like it normally did. The pup looked down at his large paws. He stared at them a long moment. Slowly lifting them up and down. His ears swiveled forward before his tail slowly begin to wag. He looked up at Bennett and gave a little bark.
"Ah, sorry," the other apologized. "I can't understand you."
Razor barked again, this time leaning forward to give the other boy a sloppy lick across his cheek. Earning a surprised laugh from Bennett.
"Well," Venti smiled over the two teens while Bennett kept giggling as Razor continued to lick his cheek excitedly. His tail wagging furiously. "At least someone is happy about the situation. Not that I think that can be said about the other two…"
He turned towards the frozen fountain and the lioness who was still unconscious on the ground.
"What are we going to do about Eula?" Paimon asked worriedly. "Is she even alright?"
The bard approached the fountain, kneeling down to peer through the frozen waters where a cryo vision rested at the bottom of the stone basin. It glowed vibrantly.
"It seems she is able to preserve herself like this," Venti sighed with relief as he stood again. "We will just have to make sure she stays safe until the cure is complete."
Diluc lowered his head. He would have apologized to the cryo allogene if he had the voice. Not that he knew if she could hear him or not. Or if she would have appreciated it.
The bard then turned to the lioness. Going to kneel before her. He carefully tugged away the ripped collar around her throat. Jean gave a deep gasp in her sleep, finally free of the confining cloth that had been lightly choking her.
"How did this happen?" Venti asked as he continued to pull the tattered clothes away. Gentle and caring. "He cursed three people all at once?"
"Master Diluc was helping Razor and I get these supplies to the Cathedral," Bennett explained as Razor stood up next to him, awkwardly getting used to his four-legged walk. "These three lawachurls showed up so Master Diluc lead them away, but then the Lector appeared out of nowhere. He had just hit Razor with the curse when Captain Eula and Master Diluc came back Acting Grand Master Jean then showed up and saved Captain Eula from being cursed by taking the hit herself, and then Captain Eula started fighting the Lector because she thought he was out of juice, but—"
The pyro allogene shot Diluc a quick glance before looking back at the bard.
"I see," Venti sighed as he finally tore away all the cloth digging into Jean's larger form, before gently clasping her cape around her shoulders and neck once more. Clipping her vision to it.
"We need to get these supplies and Bennett back to the Cathedral," Aether said, stepping toward the pyro allogene offering him a hand.
"I don't want to be a bother," the teen said as he accepted the hand. "I'm sure I can make it—"
"Your leg is broken, Benny," Aether threw the other's arm over his shoulder. "Come on."
The Traveler shot Diluc a quick glance. "Can you stay here and watch over the supplies? I'll come back as soon as I get him some help."
Diluc nodded. Watching as Razor pranced after the two, pausing a moment to grab his vision with his mouth before heading after them. Completely content to leave his pile of clothes where they were.
"Oh, Sister Rosaria," Venti exclaimed as the crown gave off a blast of cryo to draw their attention to her. Apparently annoyed from being forgotten for so long. The bard went to her side. Quickly picking her up and setting her upright and on the edge of the fountain. "Are you alright?"
A few snowflakes drifted onto the bard's nose. Since Venti wasn't turned into a human ice cube, he and Diluc assumed she was alright enough so anemo archon turned his attention to the owl who was still staring regretfully at the fountain.
"Cheer up, Master Diluc," Venti smiled at him. "I was able to find something quite useful for our dear alchemists and astrologist regarding this curse."
Diluc looked up at him hopefully. Hooting inquisitively.
The bard summoned something before him. What appeared to be flask hovered over the bard's palm. The owl squawked at him with a glare. That had better not be alcohol within that container.
"It's not wine," the bard huffed, as though he could read the tycoon's mind. "Honestly, Master Diluc I do take helping this city seriously."
The owl grunted. The other did have him there.
"Wait," Venti frowned looking at the feather strapped to the owl's chest. "Why are you—?"
Next to them, Jean gave a low groan. Shifting slightly as she started to come to. Diluc hurried to her side while Venti dismissed the flask and turned to her as well.
The lioness' eyes fluttered open, her brows furrowed in confusion and pain for a moment before her eyes flew open as she seemed to remember what happened. She scrambled into more of an upright position, though she was still laying down.
"Whoa there, Jean," Venti soothed. Reaching forward to gently stroke her head and ear reassuringly. "It's alright. The Lector is gone and so are the hilichurls. Just take a moment. It's alright."
The anemo allogene's mouth opened and she made an abrupt chuffing sound, only to instantly stop as whatever words she expected to come out instead didn't. Jean looked down, noting her giant clawed paws that laid before her. Her ears swiveled back in alarm, her breathing became a bit more erratic.
Diluc would have frowned if he could. He clearly understanding the panic the other was currently going through.
It was terrifying waking up and your body no longer being your own.
He went to her. Gently pressing close and brushing her paw with is wing. Wishing he could grab it and hold her hand. To give her a comforting squeeze. He hooted softly at his oldest friend. Her bright eyes landed on him, wide and panicked, but clearly trying to stay calm. She had begun shaking. A destressed whine managed to escape her chest. Breaking both Diluc and Venti's heart with it.
"It's alright," Venti brought her close. Cradling her massive head and jaw in his arms. Bringing her against his chest. "It's alright, Jean. Just breathe. It'll be alright. Why don't we get you to your headquarters, hmm? You need to go somewhere quiet to absorb all of this. We'll take care of everything else."
Jean gave a shuttering breath before nodding. Not even trying to argue at the moment, which was the most obvious sign she could give that something wasn't quite right.
"Atta girl," the bard shifted, helping her to stand. "Everything will be alright."
"We're back," Paimon announced loudly as Aether and her hurried down the stairs. A bit red in the faces for coming so quickly. "Oh! Master Jean. You're awake."
"Perfect timing, Traveler," Venti smiled at the blonde. "Will you help me escort Master Jean to her office? We'll need to find Captain Hertha as well. She needs to be informed of what is going on. She will be the next in command after all."
Jean gave a startled sound. Looking around.
"Oh," Paimon winced. "Are you looking for Captain Eula?"
Jean nodded, shakily standing with the aid of Venti and Aether.
"Well, she…"
Everyone turned towards the frozen fountain. The lioness made a low distressed sound. Confusion clearly written all over her face at finding out her sacrifice had been for nothing.
"We'll explain everything inside," Venti insisted. "Come on. Let's get you somewhere safe."
:•.｡｡.•*
"Don't worry, Master Jean," Hertha saluted the lioness, some time later after a period of reports and other such important things had taken place. "I'll take care of everything. Just leave it to me and I'll report back in a couple of hours."
Jean nodded wearily, watching as her last non-cursed captain hurried outside. Off to take stock of the situation and help get everything for the anticipation of a follow up Lector attack in a few days time. A lot needed to be done by then
"You just rest a bit, Jean," Paimon said fretfully. Flying over to the couch and picking up a blanket to drape across her back and shoulders. "You can and check in on everything once you've gotten some sleep. I'm sure getting cursed like that doesn't feel very good…"
Diluc hooted gruffly from the back of a chair he was currently perched on. The fairy had gotten that right."
"Dvalin has successfully chased off any remaining hilichurls and the Adventure's Guild has already taken care of any mages that were caught in the various, uh, traps Sir Kaeya previously set out," Venti said reassuringly. "And we know the Lector was both injured by Captain Eula and weak after using so much magic. So, there is no current threat at the moment. Rest while you can."
Jean huffed exhaustedly as she settled down on her couch. Her entire body sunk heavily onto the soft surface.
"I need to escort Dvalin back to his lair and check in on someone else," Venti gave everyone an apologetic look. "But I'll be back soon I promise. I'll do whatever is required once I return."
"Be safe, Venti," the Traveler advised from his own seat on a secondary couch. Looking as though he could fall asleep at any given second.
"Oh! Before I forget," Venti summoned and handed the flask he had shown Diluc earlier to Aether. "Take this to Mona and Lisa. They should be able to figure out something useful with it."
"What is it?" Paimon asked, peering inquisitively at it.
"It's something they should analyze. I'll explain more to them when I get back," the bard said hurriedly. "I shouldn't be long, tell them that it is a similar substance as the Dark Mud found in the Chasm. I was told that Captain Albedo wrote a paper about it or something?"
Diluc's plumicorns perked up. Hooting in familiarity. He had read that paper.
Aether tucked it away into his own pocket dimension before hefting himself up with a groan. "I'll go and deliver it now. Otherwise, I might fall asleep."
Diluc hooted, taking a shuffling step towards the Outlander. The Traveler wordlessly offered his arm to the owl. Instantly understanding what the wine master was asking.
"Right," Venti nodded with a tired smile of his own. "Be sure to get some rest too. We can't have our esteemed hero collapsing on his feet on the battlefield now can we?"
Aether stifled a yawn with a nod as he offered the owl his arm to climb on. Diluc's world shifted, growing white and empty as they traveled through space. Suddenly color and sounds wrapped around the owl as they materialized before Aether's temporary waypoint. Diluc blinked, allowing his eyes to refocus. He huffed with surprise, finding himself suddenly down in new secret laboratory with three swords pointed directly at his face.
"Whoa!" Paimon yelp, hurrying to fly behind Aether glaring at the three knights who were holding said swords. "What's with the rude welcome?"
"Ah," Otto, a knight Diluc was familiar with from his previous time as a captain, withdrew his weapon. "Our apologizes. We are a bit on edge."
"Why?" Paimon shot the other two knights worried looks. "Did the Fatui somehow find a way to sneak in with the citizens down here? Or some of the hilichurls from before?"
"Not exactly."
Diluc spun his head all the way around. Turning to look at Mona Megistus who was standing before a table, looking a bit disgusted at the item that rested on it.
"What the—?!" Paimon shrieked closing her eyes and hiding behind Aether once more as her own eyes landed on it. "What is that doing here?"
Diluc himself could only blink in shock. For there, lying before Mona, wrapped in cloak of some kind was the severed head of the electro Abyss Lector.
•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•.•:•..•:•..•:•..•...•:•..•:•..•:•..•...
End Notes:
I forgot to mention this, but the reason I say there are Catacombs under the city is because of the shadowy areas in the water beneath the city on the map:
Notes:
Diluc: *traumatized by curse*
Lisa: *traumatized by curse*
Amber: *traumatized by curse*
Fischl: *traumatized by curse*
Jean: *traumatized by curse*
Kaeya: *traumatized by curse*
Eula: *traumatized by curse*
Razor: I AM LIKE LUPICAL NOW? :D :D :D
Eula: *sees Diluc* Vengeance will be mine.
Diluc: *shivers as fountain bubbles aggressively. Knowing he's a goner the instant she's human again*
Venti: I everyone I'm back did you miss me—?
Everything: *on fire, everyone is screaming*
Vent: ):0
Jean: Man, it sucks I got turned into a lion but at least Eula is safe, right?
Diluc: *nervous sweats*
Jean: right? Right, Diluc? DILUC ?
Mona, Sucros, Timaeus: *chilling*
Something: *knock knock* special delivery
*Abyss head*
Mona: What the fuc—
Aether: *seeing head*
Aether: I'm so over this planet and its fucking shit
Diluc and Kaeya doodles
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Chapter 19: Parma Cordis
Summary:
Mona replied as she activated her hydro vision. She stared at the map of stars before her, spinning the dials and reading the constellations before her. "The stars warn of an even greater potential danger on our horizon. One capable of consuming all Mondstadt and Teyvat itself."
"Oh," Paimon said weakly, watching the astronomer. "That doesn't sound good."
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter formore notes.)
Chapter Text
Kaeya stood there in the rain. Staring out at the place his father had gone.
For one numb moment he wondered in which way his father would die first. To the wound on his side or the curse in his veins.
He hated himself for the thought. As abrupt and fleeting as it was.
The boy's own arms reached up to hug himself, hand drifting up to linger on his shoulder where the phantom touch of his father's own had rested just moments before. The rain, which had been lingering in the area since early yesterday morning, had only grown worse the last two hours. The wind roared through the treetops. The downpour soaked Kaeya to the bone.
He knew he was supposed to go towards the city that was shining off in the distance. To stumble in looking like some lost little sheep in need of shelter and aid. He knew he was supposed to go and begin his new life there in the city of wind.
But he just couldn't seem to get his feet to move.
Some small part of him still hoped his father would change his mind and come back for him. Only to find Kaeya had given up on him already and left.
Kaeya didn't want to be here. In this stupid land of the gods.
So he waited. His shivering growing more violent as the minutes passed.
There was a snap of a branch in the darkness before him. The boy perked up, taking a step forward as his feet suddenly seemed to work again. His soaked cloak sticking to his skin. Hope shooting up his spine into his chest.
""Father? Father, is that you?"
A figure stepped out of the shadows of the trees. Its masked face stared at him. Kaeya's shoulders sagged. Realizing it wasn't his father at all. But a hilichurl. The creature turned its attention towards the child. Its ears perked up at Kaeya's call. The boy tucked his head down submissively. Raising his hands so the being could see he was unarmed.
It growled at him.
It was then that Kaeya noticed the club in its hand.
The boy took an uncertain step back, hurrying to bow his head to look submissive. The Hilichurls in Khaenri'ah wouldn't hurt you so long as you didn't appear to be a threat. He just needed to look unimportant and nondangerous. Then it would go.
But it didn't.
Instead, it screamed at Kaeya and charged.
The blunette yelped in alarm, staggering back and tripping on an unnoticed root behind him. He fell backwards, scrambling as the club swung for him. It collided with the soaked ground with a dullthunk. The nine-year old scrambled to his feet and ran, sprinting in the direction his father had gone.
Crying out for him as the hilichurl gave chase.
Mud splashed up and coated his feet and legsThe rain splattered across the child's face. Stinging and blinding his uncovered eye as he struggled to make his way as quickly as possible through the strange terrain and away from the aggressive creature that was still shouting after him, shaking its club threatening.
"F—Father!" Kaeya cried out for help as he ran. Hoping the man was still within earshot, even as the thunder and lightning crashed above him. Making it where he could barely even hear himself.
A red-lighted beacon shone ahead. The boy's eye locked onto it. Hoping that it was some sort of shelter or someplace he could hide from the hilichurl and any other aggressive ones nearby. Slowly the sounds of the being's shouts grew fainter as the boy out rain it. Sprinting as hard as he could through the unfamiliar country.
His feet were heavy with mud. His shoulders heaved from running so far so fast as he slowed to a stop and realized what was actually towering above him. It was a statue, but not just any statue. It was Lord Barbatos' very own.
Kaeya took a step back. Glaring at it frightfully. Waiting to see if him being around it would somehow summon the demon.
To his relief it didn't seem like it could. The boy kept facing it as he began to make his way around it. Hesitant to turn his back on both the statue and the direction he had come from lest the hilichurl figure out where he had run off to.
Which nearly caused him to miss the shining building in the distance. Down at the base of the cliff he had run up on. Kaeya glanced at it. Noting the many sheds and shelters it could offer him during the rest of this storm. It would be the ideal place to hide until this weather cleared up. He would figure out what to do in the morning.
Whether it be actually go to the city was his father had told him to or ignore his father's last instructions to him and set off to find him instead. He heard that there was an entrance to Khaenri'ah in Sumeru. Surely it wouldn't be that hard to find.
The blunette turned his back towards the statue and headed for the building. He carefully lowered himself onto the edge and climbed down. His muddied feet and hands expertly clung to the cliff's face, though he did move slower than he normally would due to constant stream of water that was flowing down its surface from the downpour.
Kaeya landed lightly on the ground below, sinking down into the mud. His eye shone in the darkness as he crept towards the large building. Making sure to stay close under the cover of the trees. The wind rushing through their leaves was so loud he almost didn't hear the hissing sound that suddenly filled the air. He looked up in surprise to see a patch of grass in front of him started to shine. The hair on the back of the blunette's head started to stand on its end, but before he could turn and run lightning cracked the ground before him.
The child was airborne for only a few seconds. The only reason he realized he had been flung was because he crashed so hard into the wet ground. The impact knocked the wind clear out of his lungs. He might have cried out, but the ringing in his ears was too loud for him to properly tell.
Everything was aching. He was dizzy. He thought he might have blacked out for a few minutes because the next thing he knew the ground was shaking with footsteps and he heard muffled shouting. He cracked an eye open, hoping it wasn't the hilichurl coming back to finish him off.
A man wearing a cloak was hurrying towards him. He held onto the hood so it didn't slip off his head in the rain. A golden lantern dangled from his other hand.
"Father…?" Kaeya's slurred whimper came. Had his dad come back from him? Had he changed his mind?
"It's a child!" the man above him shouted as he landed on his knees next to him. Not even worrying about the mud that quickly soaked through those fancy looking pants he was wearing.
Suddenly Kaeya was being hefted into the man's arms. He blearily blinked up at the stranger. Finally getting a glimpse of the red hair and blue eyes that peered back down at him.
Ah. Kaeya's heart sank with disappointment. So, it wasn't his father after all.
That was one of the last clear thoughts Kaeya had for quite some time as soon his mind became fuzzy and hazy with illness and sadness. The next two weeks flew by in a bit of a blur. Healers were often hovering over his bed. Someone kept insistently pressing spoons against his lips and into his mouth. Some were full of warm broth while others with sickly-sweet medicines. A large warm hand could often be found placing a rag on his feverish brow or helping him sit up properly when he found he couldn't breathe as the phlegm built up in his lungs. His wet clothes were replaced with warm and dry ones. The burns the lighting had caused were cleaned and bandaged.
Through the haze he kept expecting to wake up and see his father's familiar smile and eyes peering down at him. Every time he managed to pry his eye open and find it was not his father, but a stranger instead, it made his little body ache with longing.
He just wanted his dad.
Kaeya's healing journey was not a slow and progressive thing. Rather, the illness went away rather abruptly. One minute he was fighting to breathe the next he was alert. Swaddled in heating bottles and blankets and a blonde woman was hurrying to get him something to drink.
And then the hard part began.
The questions.
He was able to dodge them the first two days of being awake, feigning that his exhaustion and weakness was more exaggerated than it was, but by day three he could no longer dodge them.
And so began his first task.
"You can tell the truth without being completely honest," Kaeya remembered some of the last instructions his father had given him. "Think of it as a story or a play. You are a storyteller; an actor who doesn't want to give the plot away until the very end. To do that you must withhold some of the facts."
Yet, some storytellers needed aid. Especially when they could not utter something blatantly untrue without growing ill over it and giving himself away.
Which, luckily for the boy, was something his father had anticipated and had helped him get around it how he could.
"Tell them that I said I was going to find some grape juice," his father looked down at him and said as the rain poured around them. "Tell them I said that."
So when the inevitable"Where are your parents, son?"
Kaeya had replied, "My father said he was going to find some grape juice. He never came back."
Both true statements.
But neither of them honest.
"Where are your parents now? Where did they go?" the people asked.
"I don't know."
True and honest.
"What is your name?"
"Kaeya."
True and honest.
Beyond that he had to get creative. At first, he had been able to lean on Diluc. The redhead was more than eager to talk for him. Kaeya merely had to fall silent and shoot his adoptive brother an uncomfortable look when he had backed himself into a corner. Diluc would be happy to step in. Swooping in to save the day like a good older brother should.
But that dependency had come to bite him in the ass when Diluc had left Mondstadt for years. Four to be exact. Leaving Kaeya to adjust and have to figure out how to weave the truth in a way people took it how he wanted. Not necessarily as it was.
After years of watching Adelinde and Crepus at work, it hadn't been too hard to figure out.
Redirect their question with a question.
Distract them with something else.
Partially answer them.
Be vague.
All tricks he had learned. All tricks he had mastered. He had become to be one of Mondstadt's greatest manipulators.
For, as Diluc would tell you, you can only trust half at what I say at best.
And that includes you, dear reader.
:•. .•*
"What do you mean it was just left at the entrance of the secret door?" Paimon shook her head in disbelief, still gawking at the severed Lector head on Mona's table.
"Just what I said," Mona crossed her arms, sending the fairy an exhausted glare. "We heard someone knock and our knightly guard Otto here went and investigated. It was just there in front of the door wrapped up in the cloak.
"But—but why?" Paimon reached up and grasped her head, as though the question was physically was hurting her.
"We know not," Mona shook her head, stepping to the side as Sucrose approached the thing to obtain a sample. "We thought it might be a trap of some kind.
"When did this happen?" Aether asked, watching the alchemist as she worked.
"Not too long ago," the anemo allogene answered without looking up, solely focused on her task at hand. "The head was, well, it was still warm at the time"
"Ewwwwww," Paimon wrinkled her and flew even further back.
Diluc glared at the head, staring at the claw marks that were embedded in its armored skin. The markshehad made with his own talons.
Thishadto be the same Lector they had just been fighting. So who had killed it? And why had they thought to just bring it and drop it off here of all places? Was this a warning? Was this a boon?
"You have no idea who did this?" Aether glanced over at Otto.
"No. There was no trace of anyone else out there," the knight frowned. "Though it makes me uncomfortable knowing some strange individual who is powerful enough to kill that Abyss Lector knows the location of our alchemy lab."
"Yeah, but surely that is a sign of goodwill towards us, right?" Paimon asked hesitantly. "If they're chopping off Lector heads isn't this an enemy of our enemy situation at the very least?"
"Not necessarily," Mona replied as she activated her hydro vision. She stared at the map of stars before her, spinning the dials and reading the constellations before her. "The stars warn of an even greater potential danger on our horizon. One capable of consuming all Mondstadt and Teyvat itself."
"Oh," Paimon said weakly, watching the astronomer. "That doesn't sound good."
"Do you know what this threat is?" Aether asked, extending his hand.
"No," Mona placed a hand on her chin in thought. "Just that it appears to be connected to the Abyss and this curse in some way."
Diluc made a bird-like growl sound. His feathers brushed up against his cursed brother. He gently tugged on the pouch that dangled from his harness. Making sure Kaeya was still secure and safe.
"Thatreallydoesn't sound good," Paimon shot the Traveler a worried look.
"No," Mona agreed as she waved her hydro map away and turned back to Aether. "But enough about a fate we cannot change, what brings you down here?"
"This," Aether summoned the flask Venti had given him. "Venti said that he found it and it could help you figure out how to break the curse. He will be by to explain things more thoroughly, but he said it would be good for you to study it and that it is similar to the Dark Mud found in the Chasm."
"Oh?" Timaeus looked up from his corner of the lab.
"I see," Mona reached for it, shaking it next to her ear. "I am afraid I do not have much experience experimenting with Abysmal material. Sucrose, Timaeus, are you familiar how to work with such substances.?
Sucrose cast a hurried glance at the flask before returning to her samples. "I have some, yes, but so does Ms. Minci."
"Hey," Paimon said, noticing for the first time that a certain hourglass was missing from her usual spot. "WhereisLisa?"
"Master Jean asked her to help Noelle guard the allogene children after Fischl, Mika, and Captain Eula went up to help with the battle," Sucrose informed them as she placed a sample of the Lector's cracked armor skin into a vial. "Ms. Minci is currently with Noelle."
"Would you be able to go and retrieve her?" Mona asked with a sigh. "It would be incredibly helpful."
"Sure," Paimon answered before Aether could respond. The Traveler sighed tiredly. "Where are they exactly?
"They are where you and the other civilians went last time during the last Lector attack," Mona turned her attention to some papers on the table before her. "Just head left once you leave the lab and then go right. There should be a trail of torches to follow."
"Got it," Paimon nodded as she spun in the air to turn to face Aether and Diluc. "Alright, are you ready to go?"
Aether stifled another yawn as he followed her out of the secret lab. Diluc stared down at the floor, trying to see if he could spot any clues about who had dropped the Lector's head off and why. Unfortunately, not even his elemental sight revealed anything useful.
"Alright this way," Paimon degreed as she hurried to lead the way. "Let's get Lisa and then get out of here so we can get some food and a good nap."
The walk through the Catacombs proved to be as eerie and quiet as it normally was. Diluc