Chapter Text
Diluc continued to drag on through the snowy wilderness. Most people would find the cold hard to bear, but the numbness in his hands was familiar enough of a feeling for him to be able to call it an acquaintance. The comforting warm breeze of his homeland was nothing but a memory almost out of reach in his mind. Not that he particularly tried to reach it. These days it brought him neither comfort nor warmth, only a shattering feeling of guilt that rang in his head. He had enough anger to motivate him; it wouldn’t be productive for guilt to get in the way.
Celestia knows how long he has been here. Throughout his time trespassing this foreign land, Diluc painted it with blood like it was his canvas. He destroyed Fatui camp after Fatui camp, all in hopes of distinguishing the fires of revenge burning in his heart, but to no avail. His anger didn’t seem to think of subsiding. The bloodshed continued.
As of now, Diluc was tired, hungry, and on the verge of passing out. In his last battle, he sustained an… inconvenient injury. It wasn’t fatal by any means, but it certainly was a nuisance to deal with, and the fact that the forest floor was covered with at least half a meter of snow didn’t help, especially since the heavy snowfall didn’t plan on stopping. If he had to fight any time soon, he would have a difficult time trying to make it out. Not that he particularly minded. He was wandering around with no real purpose in life, with no end goal. As angry as he was, the rational part of his mind knew that in the end, only lonely emptiness awaited him. It’s a nice way to be put out of his misery, going out fighting the one thing he swore to destroy. Undoubtedly better than starving or freezing to death…
Focus. He needs to focus. If he is to safely find rest, he should be on high alert. Most of the time he slept in abandoned hunting shacks or Fatui encampments he fought for, but that wasn’t ideal by virtue of his aforementioned state. At this point, even a cave would do. He hasn’t slept for at least 3 days. The constant stress he was under certainly didn’t help conserve his energy, and archons he just wanted to pass out, preferably somewhere safe. And if he wasn’t careful, he would run into a Fatui camp. And if that happens he would probably have to use the delusion. It is not unreasonable to assume that due to the state he was in, the chances are it would backfire as it did on his father. Maybe. Celestia knows how the fucking thing worked. He didn’t care, although it would certainly be funny in a cruel, twisted way if his faith matched his father's…
Focus goddamnit. Maybe his injury is a bit more serious than he thought. No matter. All he needs to do is find a roof to sleep under. It's not anything he can’t do, even with his fatigued state. The circumstances have been worse.
“No matter, orders are orders.”
That definitely perked Diluc up. Circumstances have been worse, have they? He involuntarily let out a quiet, sardonic chuckle. At this point, it was a bit funny. Nevertheless, he forced himself to focus his swimming attention on the 2 conversing voices.
“But Sir—”
“I understand you’re upset Roman, but if this is what Her Majesty wants of us then we are in no place to question or doubt her decision. It is for your and the rest of the crew’s safety that you leave now.”
“Her Majesty asked all troops to return. That happens to include you. It’s a fucking blizzard warning for a reason”
So there’s gonna be a blizzard. The timing truly is impeccable.
“I have decided that it is more beneficial if I stay. This criminal is a great danger, and his last known location is not far from here. I would be doing everyone a service.”
Criminal? Is this about him ? That is to be expected. That’s why Diluc came here after all. To wreak havoc on the Fatui and to make them suffer. That’s what they deserved.
“Since when do you care about the people’s safety?”
That seemed to make the other person go silent.
“Look Childe, I understand how desperately you want to fight this guy, but is it really worth killing yourself over?”
“C’mon man have some faith. I won’t die.”
There was an audible sigh.
“Roma, you should really loosen up a bit. I mean, there are some stranded mines out to the east that aren’t far from here. I’ve also packed enough food to be able to wait it out. I’m smarter than you make me out to be.’
“I still think it’s not the rational thing to do–”
“Oh man, I can barely hold my excitement in! I wonder how their delusion is to fight against! It shoots out chains Roma, CHAINS! What kind of weapon do you think I should use to fight against it? Cause on one hand—”
The person started rambling on about the best techniques and weapons to use. So it was about him. That certainly complicated things. Either way, it’s not like Diluc had a choice. The camp the Fatui were about to abandon wouldn’t protect him from a blizzard. It was either the mines or freezing to death, and he stands by his thoughts from earlier. He would much rather die fighting.
Diluc peeked out from his hiding spot behind a rock. Sure enough, there were 2 people talking. The presumed superior was chattering away to his subordinate, while the other scrutinized him with an exasperated look. The commander was young –about the same age as Diluc– and had brightly coloured auburn hair. The upper half of his face was hidden behind the dreadful Fatui mask. He wore a Fatui agent’s uniform, but it was differently coloured than the ones Diluc recognized. Diluc’s gaze travelled down to the other man’s vision, which answered his question since a hydro vision hang comfortably on the man's waist. Diluc hasn’t seen a hydro agent before, as hydro wielders were often healers of some sort.
“—and that’s why I think that—”
“Alright alright, you can stay.” The lower-ranking officer sighed again. “Don’t blame me when you lose an arm to frostbite.”
“Hey, weren’t you taught to respect superiors?”
“Only when they’re respectable.”
While the 2 men continued bickering for a little longer, Diluc tried to think of a plan. He didn’t know where the mines were, so he would have to follow the Fatui agent. The only problem is the fact that the aforementioned agent just excitedly talked about what weapon he should fight Diluc with a couple of seconds ago, and in the state that he was in now, he would lose. All he could really hope for is that the agent would go far enough into the cave that he doesn’t notice Diluc. Either that or he shows some mercy and doesn’t kill him on the spot.
And Diluc didn’t want mercy, especially not from the Fatui.
The side of Diluc’s abdomen throbbed. Why did the Gods think to put him in this predicament?
Maybe this is what I truly deserve.
After a while, the two men finally stopped arguing. All the Fatui sat in multiple horse-drawn sleighs that were provided to escort them back to the city. All except for the agent. He looked around and stretched. He wore a small, smug smile and there was a bounce in his walk as he gathered his things. This guy wasn’t alright in the head if just the idea of fighting someone got him this excited.
The wind was picking up, and it was gradually becoming harder to see through the snowfall. They had to go quick if they were to make it to the mines in time. The agent pulled up his hood and assumedly headed east. Diluc trailed around 20 metres behind him, out of the fear that the creaky snow would give his position away. The man he was following was clearly more experienced in being in this weather, as he effortlessly and soundlessly walked on the large layer of snow below him.
The cold was unbearable. Diluc was used to the cold. He spent long enough in this hell of a place to find the normal cold just slightly bothersome. But this was different. It took great effort to even slightly move his fingers. It took all the strength in his body to take a single step. Diluc was breathing so heavily that he wondered if the man he is following can hear him over the wind. The snowflakes that passed by and caught on his mask caused his vision to go in and out of focus, and all he could really rely on was the small black and blue blurry figure he struggled to see.
After around 10 minutes of following the man, Diluc came to a clearing near a large cliff. And with horror, he realised that the man was nowhere in sight, and neither were his footprints. Diluc felt adrenaline rush through his veins. Either the man noticed him and was about to ambush him or Diluc was no longer following him. Both would result in death. Diluc froze, trying to hear something around him except for the bellowing wind or the thrashing birches. For a moment, it was as though time stopped. As he held his breath, his heartbeat drowned out the noise of the storm around him. He felt the other individual's presence. He felt his eyes on him. He didn’t dare move.
That moment was soon over, as he saw a black figure flash in his peripheral vision. His body reacted before his mind did, and he summoned black chains to counter the other man’s not-so-subtle attack. The impact caused both of them to slide back so they were around 15 meters away from each other.
Diluc tried to study the weapons he was up against. He shouldn’t have spaced out when the man was rambling about his weapon choices. Due to the snowfall obscuring his vision, he couldn’t see much, But from what he could see he deduced that the man was holding 2 small swords or daggers that were glowing blue. Something to do with hydro. That was bad. If he got wet he would get even colder than he already was. That would kill him for sure.
He also noted the vague shape of an entrance in the middle of the cliff.
“We meet at last, mister criminal!” His voice sounded eerily cheerful. “I am glad my stay wasn’t fruitless. Although I have to say. For someone who is so violent and dangerous, you sure are loud when you walk. I could have heard you were coming from miiiles away.” The way he prolonged the word ‘miles’ made Diluc's blood boil. It was patronizing. As if the man was talking to a child.
Damn Fatui.
You deserve to die. All of you.
“Not one for talking, eh? No need then. I, too, talk better through my swords.”
That was all the warning Diluc got before the man charged at him full speed. As before, his body acted before his mind caught up, making a chain in an attempt to wrap it around his opponent, but the agent swiftly dodged the chain and continued running towards him. Thankfully his legs were working well because of the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He dodged a sword and launched 3 chains toward the man who effortlessly blocked them with his swords, which, upon closer inspection, Diluc realised were made from concentrated Hydro.
Diluc kicked the man back and tried to attack him with chains again, this time partially succeeding, as they wrapped around the other man’s arm, rendering his right arm useless. However, the man went in for a hit, causing Diluc to let go of his arm to fend off his attack. Another attack came his way. Diluc was overwhelmed. The attacker raised his arms to strike again, which left his stomach vulnerable. Thinking quickly, Diluc wrapped the chains around the man’s waist and threw him with force to the opposite side of the clearing.
Diluc fell to his knees in agony. The action caused the wound in his side to open up. The pain caused his ears to ring, and he felt a warm liquid trickle down his stomach.
“You’re injured.”
Diluc’s head shot up. He couldn’t see where the voice was coming from. He didn’t have much time before the mine entrance closed up with snow.
Mustering up all the strength he can he pushed his way in the perceived direction of the cliff. The steps were harder and harder for him to take as the snow was continuing to pile up higher and higher. He was almost fully spent,
Fortunately, he was able to vaguely see the entrance to the mine. It was blocked halfway by snow.
Just a bit more.
Just a few more steps.
He pushed through into the mine. He couldn’t feel his legs. He looked down and he noticed the actual amount of blood he was losing.
The sight made him was to pass out. He stumbled back to lean on a wall.
“Didn’t think you would make it.”
Just like that, he was on his feet again. He tried to focus as summoned chains shot at lightning speed and wrapped around the body in front of him.
“ Oh no, What are you gonna do, kill me?
Diluc forced himself to look up. He didn’t know what kind of expression the other man was seeing, but he knew it wasn’t pretty. The man was wearing a smirk, but seeing Diluc’s crazed face caused him to adopt a more neutral expression.
“Calm down. I am not going to hurt you.”
When Diluc didn’t disintegrate his chains the man added a fast “I promise.”
Diluc felt himself losing consciousness.
No.
What is he gonna do to me?
Diluc staggered back as his vision slowly faded to black and the only sound he could hear was a deafening screech.