[Other Fanfic] Silence is Purple: Fontaine is Drowning

[Palamon]

40. Fontaine Finale: The Floods Seceded

"It's finally over
The abyssal gazelles have been taken down


I no longer facing them in a constant battle
Soon, it will all be


Over, and done with the damage these
Villains caused will all be
Erased. It will probably take a
Relatively long time for that, but even still. I


Just know once and for all this is the
Ultimate end. No more of their
Stupidity and
Troublesome problems I will


Likely never see them again, or so
I hope for the sake of Teyvat I
Know this for the best of
Everyone. Best for


The entire world
Huh, well,
Actually I don't know
They have influence outside


Teyvat. I do not quite know
However I know they are
Easily the most dangerous individuals in


All of Teyvat, maybe even
Beyond. I don't think anyone tops them
Yet, I know
Somewhere else out there
Someone worse might
Await me.
Look, I don't know anything about the abyss. And I


Guess I won't ever truly know
Anything at all, I might be
Zapped if I ask about it
Even still, it's looking
Like this is finally time for all to return to normal
Likely very soon
Everything will be
Solved, permanently. Or so I hope.


After all, there could be further damage. Not everything has been
Removed, I know there's some hidden dangers. The Gazelles are
Especially sneaky. The


Gazelles are especially crafty.
Of course, I know that
No, or rather,
Everyone is now aware of


It. I am certain I


Will be told to further deal with
It. And, from the
Looks of it, the final threats will
Level the playing field.


No, perhaps not
Eh, well, I already
Very much said that
Even so, it's time to
Remove their final


Set of quote on quote
Evil minions, as a certain hawk would say.
Even after


Their defeat in court their activities
Haven't ceased. They probably never
Ever will. Or
Maybe I'm exaggerating.


After all, they were sent to the Mare Jivari, I
Gather they
Are all likely melted away
I do not know much about that domain,
Next to nothing


And I will
Never know anything about it.
Don't want to know


That place sounds terrifying,
Horrific, worse than the
Abyss and
Then some. Or maybe


I'm overthinking. I
Still know next to nothing


And I shouldn't be


Going around and assuming anything.
Of course, there is
One thing I do know, though I
Doubt it just a bit, a


Tad. It is a world of
Hot lava, and
I have heard most people do
Not survive in there. If I had to
Guess, the worst of


The world's criminals are sentenced to death
Here, but I don't
Especially know
Yet if that's the case.


How could I?
All and all, I
Very much don't want to know.
Everything about this can


Be left in the dust forever and
Ever for all
Eternity. May the abyssal Gazelles ash in agony. And,
No, I do not feel an ounce of guilt for thinking they


Deserve this, all the
Endless damage they caused, this punishment was
Fair. I won't
Ever give these two the benefit of the doubt,
As there is no doubt
They were dangerous
Every step of the way.
Don't know why they wanted


Fontaine to be theirs, but it'll
Obviously never belong to them. Now that they're
Removed from the picture
Everything is fine and dandy, the
Villains are gone,
Rotting ashes in their new home.


All that remains
Now is cleaning up their final mess. It's all going
Down, once and for all


This is the final cleanup
Here's to never having to deal with the
Abyss again.
Though, I guess that


It's never truly over
So I should


Try and prepare myself for the worst.
However, with the main
Evil gone I doubt it'll be as bad.


Even so, no matter what, I
Need to be prepared for everything.
Don't let myself slip.


Or, I'll be dead
From the lack of preparation.


I know first hand
That I cannot ever


Falter. Not at all
Or I'll pay the price with my life. This world is
Relentless and there's always a chance for
Everything to break. I must remain
Vigilant. I must always keep my
Eyes open.
Right, so here's to the final cleanup. I'm ready."


Three days had passed since the hyena and the entire chimera population defeated the Abyssal Gazelles in court. Nothing of especial happenstance occurred. Business affairs in Morepesok dragging out slowly, but surely, the hyena learned next to nothing about the country he had been whisked away to.


The sound of morning alarm bells shrieked with a bombastic fervor. As the alarm bells continued their cacophonous shrieks, hundreds of Fatui soldiers groaned in a chorus The alarm bells were right on time in punctuality, as usual. But, despite such protest about, every soldier remained loyal within the permafrost north.


The groans in an echo were more than enough to awaken Siorc from his especially deep slumber. Never hearing any sort of alarm bells, the early adult let out a tired sigh. No matter how many years were to pass, some things would never change. Letting out a deep yawn, the hyena removed himself from the rock hard bed. Glasses placed over his damaged eyes. The hyena had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.


As the hyena's uniform glued itself to his partially human person, the soldier could not help but wonder. What was going to happen now? The great evil had been defeated in court. But, the early adult quickly shook his head. Perhaps such had been too strong of a word to use.


But, the soldier rescinded such thoughts. Such had been the perfect word to describe the abyssal gazelle duo. No substitution had fit. Shrugging his shoulders, the early adult threw such ponderings out the window. It was not like he would ever see them again, so why did it matter?


Taking a long deep breath, the soldier clicked the weaponized hairpins and earrings into place. Adorning matching strawberries in his hair and ears, the early adult stared off at the rest of his prized possessions within the box. Turning his jewelry and accessories into weapons, was this what he truly wanted? Rational brain on, at the moment, regret flowed through the hyena.


Dendro Vision hooked onto his uniform pants, the soldier stared at the Geo Delusion. The sinister orb, should he finally make use of it? But, the chimera pushed such thoughts away. No, now was not the time for such a thing. Dragging the object behind his jewelry and accessory box it had soon been out of sight, out of mind.


Heelless shoes on and rations devoured, the hyena stared at the steel wall. What now? What was going to happen in his Diplomatic Fatui life now that the Abyssal Gazelles had been taken care of? He did not know, but he knew he had to prepare himself for anything. His life as a soldier had been quite unpredictable.


Hearing the louder than ever before Fatui Agent boots march onward with a fervor, the soldier put on the most diplomatic face possible. It was time to stop thinking, and get acting. His workday of anything was about to begin. Volume of footsteps eventually reaching zero, the hyena turned his attention towards the door. Time had run out.


"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc," the Agent called out on cue. "Her Majesty has requested an audience with you."


Hearing such, a wave of confusion flowed through the hyena. Her Majesty wished to see him right now? What was going on? He did not quite understand. Had he done something wrong? He did not know, but he supposed it could have been possible. He needed to prepare himself for the absolute worst, guaranteed.


"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc!" the Agent called out again. "Get out of your head this instant! Do not keep Her Majesty waiting!"


The hyena flinched. Right, it was a crime to keep Her Majesty waiting. He was as good as dead if he were late to an audience with her. There was no time to space out right now. Placing his arm out in front of him, he took a long deep breath. Right, no more dawdling, get out of his head.


"Sorry, sir," the hyena responded autonomously.


Agent gripping his wrist into a tight lock, the hyena had been dragged out of the hallway at full force. World of snow soon awaiting him, the early adult stared upwards towards the sky. Aurora borealis screaming at him, the waves of confusion continued. Was this normal? He thought that such phenomenon only occurred at night. But, he supposed he knew far too little about the permafrost north to have an answer.


Dragged for minutes on end, the palace soon awaited the soldier. Agent informing him he must enter alone, the chimera let out a gulp. He had to go in alone? If Her Majesty were angry, he was toast upon her breakfast plate. Placing his hands upon the door, the chimera braced himself for possible punishment.


Entrance way soon opened, the hyena could feel sweat beat down his neck. Her Majesty's right leg crusted into her let thigh, his heart was a jackhammer. Any second now, and he would be punished. Walking across the carpet, the soldier bowed in submission to the Cryo Archon. Raising his head, the sweat continued to pour. Here it comes, any second now, the punishment.


"Since you took care of those obstacles for me, I have a present for you," Her Majesty said, tone cold. "Close your eyes and hold out your hands, my lovely chimera."


Doing as demanded of him, the chimera closed his eyes. Palms held out in front of him, he could feel something metallic plopped down into his hands. Commanded to open them once more, an icy strawberry necklace had been laid out in front of him. Seeing such, he could not help but feel a heavy wave of questions crash at bay. What was this gift or, exactly? But, he knew it was a crime to question Her Majesty.


"Use it wisely, my lovely chimera," Her Majesty said, tone cold. As she said such, she caressed her property's cheek, dry ice touching it. "It's got a limited amount of uses."


Hearing such, the soldier had come to a quick, but immediate revelation. This necklace, it had been a delusion disguised as jewelry, wasn't it? What a shame, its gem was beautiful. Why did it have to be the basis of sinister powers? Placing the locket around his neck, he bowed a thank you.


"Oh, and, I will be making arrangements to deal with another issue in Fontaine for you," Her Majesty added. "Now, get out my sight."


Turning around towards the door, the early adult twisted the knob. Right, get out of her sight. Running out of the palace, the chimera caught his breath. Agent's mask soon on him, the chimera made faceless eye contact. What could his orders possibly be? Whatever it was, he had to do them to the best of his ability.


"Alright, soldier, today you will be cleaning up leftover issues around Fontaine," the Agent said. As he said such, a bag shook from behind him.


Hearing such, the chimera blinked. There had still been issues going on in Fontaine? But, he supposed, there had been a ton of problems that could have cropped up even after the abyssal gazelles had been defeated. Placing his hand out in front of him, he waited for the gripping prison to take him away for the second time of the day.


"Yes, sir," the hyena responded, listless.


"Great, soldier, we're going, then," the Agent responded. "Try to be careful, the flood has yet to fully drain." Arm out in front of him, the chimera gripped the limb into a tight squeeze. Grip being as tight as a pair of chained handcuffs, the hyena closed his eyes as the escort towards Fontaine began.


What loose ends could possibly be left?


***


"I am finally going to


Ask him. I'm going to ask Rab to
Move in with me. My


Gut tells me he might tell me no,
Or possibly reject the idea all together. I am fine with being told
No, but to be honest, I want to get him away from his
Nasty family. I think they're
A group of horrible people.


And, I have been thinking for quite
Some time now it's best to get him away from them. I
Know by now how cruel they can be.


How can they treat their own brother like that?
I'm gonna be honest, I don't know.
My heart is telling me that


It's because he looks so different from them


And stuff. I know that
Might be a little off the mark, or I


Guess, an assumption
Of mine I know to
Never make assumptions, but the
Never in this case does not
Apply. They bully him


All because he has brown hair instead of blue,
So, I have to get him away from them, and fast. And, I
Know the perfect solution. Or,


Rather, something I know will work.
And, maybe this might
Be a little extra of me


To go this extra mile, but I might have gone
Off and decided to


Make a research lab or him.
Okay, so here's the thing. Pop's has told me to make a
Very big deal about asking someone to move in with me. An
Especially big deal about it.


I recall something he had told me when he married ma.
Now, mind you, ma left us


When she saw I had been born with wings
I haven't ever had a mother figure in my life,
Though, this is what
He told me had happened.


My pops said, he placed his spare key inside a wedding ring box. In the
End, ma was apparently shocked about all that. And I must say,


That's kinda extra of
Him to do that. But,
If I have to be
Super extra about it,


Then so it shall be.
I will do anything to get him away from his bullies.
Maybe I haven't known him for all that long, but
Even so, I kinda wanna spend the rest of my life with him.


I don't mean this in a romantic way, or anything.


As I know he has his eyes on another
Man. Black Fish Steak Bro. Or


Rather, he's always had his sights set on him. But, I've heard that
Earl guy sometimes competes with Rab for Black Fish Steak bro's
Affection, or something, but I
Dunno, Rab's told me that guy's too much,
You know? Of course,


I haven't really encountered him all
That often. Only Malikers, so


I only know what I have been told.
Since I do not know if he'll accept


This key, I do have a few backup plans.
If he does go and tell
Me no, I have a few counter points to provide. Well, not a few,
Eight or so. Half


A dozen, plus two. I have multiple other reasons prepared.
Now, what will I do if he says no to all of those?
Dunno. But, I really ought to convince him somehow.


I do not want him to get bullied any longer.


His sister, Oluchi is always laughing at him,
Always saying he sucks at every single invention he builds. That's rather
Viscous behavior, and you know,
Every time I see her, I want to


Pummel her. But that ain't cool of me.
Look, pops had raised me to be a guy who would only raise his hands
At monsters, and
Not a single person else.
Now, I would never,
Ever forsake this teaching. I wouldn't
Dare raise my hand to her even though she does deserve


A good little punch. But, I
Can't and shouldn't do that. And, of
Course I won't.
Or, the newspaper will start
Recording tabloids about me being some wild brute. I
Don't want that, and
I'm sure if I did raise a hand, that would happen in
No time flat. I
Get that the Steambird sometimes needs to print some sensationalized stories to get readership, but
Listen, this ain't it.
You know how those tabloids go. Whatever they think sells gets printed. But,


For all the fake news, there's always
One or two true stories
Recorded onto print.


And, and I am not about to add fuel to the fire.
Cannot allow for that to happen.
Can't have my image
Especially ruined. Well,
Perhaps, it wouldn't be,
Though, I would never, ever trust
A journalist. I
Never have, never will.
Cannot, for the life of me
Ever see myself trusting someone who spins the truth for


A printed article. And, I obviously
Never will. In any case, I
Do not, and never will like


Rab's siblings. And do not count on me
Ever changing my mind. I won't. If it were my cousin who had encountered her, he'd say
'Justice will be served to this vagrant.' But, I am not Robin, I am me.
Even though we are related through blood, I
Can't say that I particularly relate
To his way of living. It's always about justice with him.
It's always about being he hero.
Of course, that's his life, and his choice, and this is mine. And, I
Need to focus on mine right now, rather than his.


Eh, he is him, and
I am me. And, I have never quite
Gotten why
He is so driven by justice.
The heroic kind of justice, might I add, not the justice


System Fontaine is known for. Ah, well, time to
Curb all these thoughts.
Eh, you know, honestly?
Need to stop concerning myself over
All that. I very
Rarely am
In his presences at all,
Only sometimes,
So, I hardly care about that. Now,


I place the key in the wedding ring box and
Fly upward. I'm going to had to the Research Institute


Now, and and ask Rab
Once and for all: move in with me."


Upon reaching the desert edges through the teleport waypoint, the chimera gazed at the world from down below. Area still slightly flooded, the soldier held back the urge to sigh. Fontaine still had a long ways to go before it was fully healed from the most recent incident, didn't it? But, his thoughts had soon been cut off.


Dragged down the mountain like always, the early adult could not help but wonder. Just how long would it take for the Nation of Justice to fully heal? He didn't know, but he supposed it would take months, weeks, perhaps even years to heal from widespread devastation. His thoughts, however, had been tossed out once more as he been placed into the wooden vessel.


Vehicle of human movement soon cruising forward, the soldier stared down at the gift given to him. Her Majesty, why had she decided to reward him with something now, after all this time? Hadn't this been considered preferential treatment? If other Fatui had heard of all this, their skin would turn green.


Eyes continue to glare daggers at the necklace, he couldn't help but wonder. What kind of delusion is hiding inside it? Whatever it could have been, he knew he needed to be careful, or he would be out of commission in no time. He needed to use it as sparingly as possible, for sure.


Reaching Romaritime Harbor before he even knew it, the chimera had been dragged towards the stairwell. Agent telling him for what felt like the googolplexeth time to not teleport anywhere in Fontaine, the hyena rolled his eyes to the sky. Say it isn't so. He couldn't use his proxy map? He didn't now that. News to him. But, he curbed his sarcasm immediately.


Agent soon informing him he would have to go around all of Fontaine today to clean up the remaining messes, a satchel had soon been slapped onto his backside with full force. Agent soon exiting the area, the chimera scratched his ears. Had he heard that correctly just now? He had to go around all of Fontaine? How would he have time to do such a thing?


Ascending the staircase and taking the glass lift, as usual, the hyena could hear a lot of hustle and bustle. Hearing such, a wave of relief flowed through the soldier. Had the population been returned back to their physical forms? Everything had begun to heal, indeed. Voices only getting louder, he disembarked the elevator.


Long line stretching across the entire waiting area, the soldier blinked. It had been quite busy today, hadn't it? The ghost town had been no more. Everything had been reversing back to normal slowly, but surely. Voices pooling together as the Aquabus drove ever so closer, the early adult tried with all his might to tune out everything around him. But, such had been next to impossible.


Group of generic nobodies discussing the prophecy with one another, the hyena swore he could hear multiple people state the rich people say it had all been a false alarm. Hearing such, he could not help but wonder. What would happen to Fontaine if the real prophecy were to occur? Would it be irreversible?


Aquabus shortly arriving, everyone barreled on all at once. Seeing such, the hyena shook his head. Some things never changed, did they? Aeval begging for everyone to get on one at a time, no one listened. Waiting for the chaos to die out, the soldier seated himself furthest from everyone else.


As the vehicle of automatic movement exited the area, the soldier could not help but wonder. Had all of Fontaine's citizens been undissolved? He hope such to be the case. While the rich nobodies had been quite aggravating, the emptiness of the city days prior was a horrifying sight to see.


Vessel cruising through the Poisson Tunnel, the chimera could not help but wonder further. Fontaine's chimeras, why hadn't they been dissolved during the prophecy? He did not know. But, he supposed chimeras were an anomaly within the world. Throwing such thoughts away, the chatter soon kicked in once more.


Soon arriving at the Court of Fontaine. Everyone had once again barreled off the vehicle as fast as their legs would carry him. Aeval letting out a sigh, the hyena added his own to the mix. What a bunch of impatient people. Getting off in an orderly fashion, the chimera prepared himself for the hustle and bustle about to await him.


Knowing he should head for the Liffey Region first, the soldier prepared himself to head upon the northern pathway. Walkways still soaked, the soldier held back a sea of groans. Fontaine was the nation of Hydro, indeed. Attempting with all his might to ignore the submerged pathway, the chimera moved on.


As the chimera headed upon the northern pathway, he turned his head towards the right and left. City as bus as it had always been, he couldn't help but wonder. Had Fontaine truly been alright now? He knew it could have been possible something had still been lurking in the shadows.


Some citizens looking rather fearful over another prophecy. The soldier shook his head. Maybe Fontaine hadn't healed completely yet. The emotional damage had been done. Recovery would be quite the heavy task for those affected by the aquatic apocalypse. Emotional wounds were the hardest to recover from, for sure.


As the early adult kept walking along the northern pathway, he couldn't help but wonder once more. Had chimeras been immune to the world around them? He did not know, but he supposed it could have been possible. Such subject had never been taught to him whatsoever.


Throwing such thoughts away, the chimera moved right along. He needed to not think about such things. It hardly mattered what the answer to such was. He knew he would not find out at any given point in time. Asking questions was forbidden of him. It was best to throw such inquires away, for the time being.


Generic nobodies letting out a heavy series of squeaks over the prophecy, the soldier could hear multiple people begin to question their existence within the universe. Hearing such, the chimera could not believe what he was hearing. Multiple people questioning if they were really human, he blinked of bewilderment.


More people adding their concerns to the list as he continued to push on through, something particular had been repeated by many. Generic nobodies posing the question of whether they had Oceanids disguised as humans, the early adult lowered his eyes into a squint. Why had they been worried about such a thing? There was no way that was the case.


But, such inquiry ate away at the hyena. Could the citizens of Fontaine have been Oceanids disguised as humans? He recalled the past week in the Fortress of Meropide where a group of prisoners had become Eidolons. Maybe such possibility had been true. But, what did he know? He hardly knew the inner workings of the Hydro Nation of Justice.


Putting a cork onto such thoughts, the soldier prepared himself to head upon the western path. What was he doing, worry about such things? The citizens were just speaking nonsense. There was no way they seriously believed anything they were thinking right now. It had to have just been the nerves talking.


Noise dying down, the early adult scratched the side of his head. What was that all about just now? The existential crisis had been quite high throughout the area today. Surely, nothing bad would happen to the people of Fontaine. The crisis had reached the end of the road. Or, perhaps it hadn't. He hardly knew anymore.


Moving towards the western pathway, the chimera groaned as he could see a familiar face throw itself into the crowd. Thorn in his side skipping towards the western streets, as well, the soldier held back the urge to bite the hand that feeds. Why had Earl always been everyplace, everywhere, all at once? He was completely unavoidable, how annoying.


Penguin strutting towards him, the soldier tried with all his might to hightail it out of there. But, such did not occur at any any given point. Heelless shoes sinking into the water beneath him, the soldier had been forced to stay put. Why had nature been working against him now of all times? What a nightmare. Voice soon grating in his ear, the soldier sighed. The storm was coming.


Seeing Siorc with a pretty strawberry charm necklace, Earl's cheeks grew pink. What a cute accessory he was wearing. Should he purchase a matching one? He would definitely marry him if he found a pair to accompany it. He should head to the jewelry store right away after this chance meeting.


"Hi there, Siorc!" Earl greeted. "I like your necklace!"


Pesky penguin thorn in his side complimenting his delusional piece of jewelry, the early adult stared down at the trinket upon his neck. Great, this buzzing bee complimented this piece of weapon trash. He liked it even less now. Forcing out words of gratitude, the chimera hopped out of the flood in front of him. It was time to get out of here before he talked his ear off.


But, such had been an immediate failure. Earl chasing after him with all his might, the early adult tried to hold back a scream. Couldn't he see he was busy with work? He should learn how to take the hint already. But, he knew he couldn't say that. Being rude was out of the question entirely.


"Wait, Siorc!" Earl exclaimed, panting. "Come over for dinner tonight!"


Hearing such request, the soldier rolled his eyes. Why should he? But, he knew that if he dared to try to reject such invitation, a guilt monster would cling to his backside. He did not wish to deal with such a thing at any given point in time. Waving the white flag, the soldier nodded reluctantly. But, he regretted such almost immediately.


"Great!" Earl exclaimed. "See you tonight!" As he said such, he walked off towards the opposite side of the street.


Regret growing larger by the second, he could feel himself ready to back out at any given moment. Should he just become a no show? Surely, if he had done such a thing, the pesky penguin thorn in his side would finally see he had no interest in him whatsoever.


But, the chimera shook his head. There was no way he could do such a thing. That would be beyond terrible of him. Perhaps, it was best to just show up and leave after half-an-hour. That had to have been enough to satisfy him, surely. Pushing towards the western pathway, the regrets only grew deeper. Maybe he had been too nice for his own good.


Pushing through the western path, the soldier could hear the Adventurer's Guild receptionist say rebooting. Not a single person in the area stopping by the reception desk, the inquiries threw themselves into the ring once more. What did this mechanical woman do all day when no one had been around to give commissions to?


Passing by her the early adult swore he could hear the mechanical lady say error. Shrugging, he kept on moving forward. Why did she always say that out in the open? He would need to do more research on this mechanical being whenever he were to get the chance to. But, he knew such time would never come. His days off were next to nonexistent as of late.


Chioriya Boutique open for business once again, the early adult couldn't help but wonder once again. Where had the Chioriya Boutique owner been during the time of crisis? She hadn't been a Fontaine native. So, there was no way she had been dissolved into water.


But, the chimera shrugged. Perhaps she had preferred to be better safe than sorry. He did not blame her for such. It was better to keep oneself away from danger at all costs. Pushing past the fashion establishment, the soldier kept moving forward. It was time to move along and get out of here.


However, yet another obstacle had stood in his way as he readied to head off towards the southern pathway. Spotting Kaiser adorning heavy amounts of makeup and blinding clothes once again, the soldier let out a barely audible groan. He was back to normal, wasn't he?


"You're in that ugly uniform again?!" Kaiser asked in an exclamatory tone. "Can't you ever wear something better? You're an embarrassment to fashion!"


Original thorn in his side declaring him to be an embarrassment to all things fashion, the soldier his palm across his face. It was official, Kaiser was completely back to normal. How tiresome. It's not like he could do anything to his uniform to change it. He was stuck with this brown winter coat forevermore.


"Sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have said that," Kaiser said in apologetic tone. He then let out a fake cough. "Anyway, I'm heading back to Dragospine soon. You'd better come to my beautiful farewell party!"


Kaiser informing him he was returning back to the lesser permafrost north, the chimera could not help but form the faintest of smiles. He was finally leaving? What a relief. Shaking such thoughts off, the hyena prepared himself to descend the staircase. Puddles splashing upon his pants, the soldier took the leap of faith.


Blacksmith back in her station, the hyena stared off towards the moving parts, for a moment. The weapon smithing station, did it really need someone to operate? It had always moved on its own anyway. But, he threw such thoughts away. Why was he thinking about all this again? It was like his first day here all over again.


Moving right along, the soldier gazed at the entrance towards the Fleuve Cendre once more. Eye glued, the inquiries had only continued further. Had the underground city been safe from the flood? He supposed not. Turning back around, the early adult prepared himself to head off towards the Aquabus Information station.


As the hyena headed off towards the fountain in the corner, he could see familiar faces coming close. But, such face had been yet another one he did not wish to see at any given point. Gwendolyn and the catgirl magician's assistant dealing with a group of cats, the soldier resisted the urge to run over towards them.


The felines, however, had other ideas. Pink kitten pouncing towards him, his chest had soon been a fur magnet. Cat purring up a storm, the early adult's cheeks grew pink. What an adorable creature. Whose pet was this? But, the adorableness had soon come to a quick an assured halt as Gwendolyn removed the creature from his uniform in a rough manner.


"Macaron! I told you to stay put!" Gwendolyn shouted. But, a scream had come her way, as well.


"Gwendolyn, how many times do I have to tell you, don't pick her up that way," the catgirl magician's assistant scolded. "You're being too harsh with her!" As she said such, she handled the cat in a gentle manner.


Kitten let loose, it had soon jumped off towards the soldier once more. Paws on his necklace, the hyena let the feline do as they pleased, for a moment. He was just a cat magnet today, wasn't he? Magician's assistant picking them up from the scruff of their neck, further scolding had come the cute creature's way.


"Alright, Macaron, that's enough," the catgirl magician's assistant scolded. But, her tone soon changed course. "Ugh, it's you."


"-------, is something wrong?" Gwendolyn asked. But, she soon turned around. "Oh, it's just you." She rolled her eyes as she said such. "Tell Lonan he's stupid for getting a vision!"


Hearing Gwendolyn's complaints, the hyena shook his head in defiance. He would do no such thing. She could suck it up that she hadn't received a Vision and he did. Who did she think she was to say something like that? Lonan was better off without this bitter woman. No wonder he had made the decision to move away from her.


Stepping away from from the area, the soldier could hear a cat round up in the distance. What was a bird chimera doing with cats, anyway? Hadn't felines and birds been natural enemies? But, the soldier brushed such thoughts away. Surely, the food chain worked different amongst normal animals and chimeras.


Aquabus Information Station bustling with activity, everything had been as if nothing had happened whatsoever. Room filled to the brim with people, the early adult headed off towards the glass box in the corner. Doors closing behind him, he pressed the highest button upon the machine.


As the glass lift moved upward, the chimera could not help but ponder. What could it have possibly been that had was leftover for him to take care of? Whatever it was, it was best to deal with it quickly. Surely, there had not been much left to clean up. Doors soon opening, the soldier dispersed.


Melusines around on the premises skipping around merrily, the hyena could feel a weight lifted off his shoulders. Everything had gone back to normal. Perhaps, just maybe, the false prophecy had been nothing more than a dream he had misremembered to oblivion.


But, the hyena popped such thought with a pin. What absolute nonsense. It hadn't been a dream. Marching onwards towards the city's exit, multiple Melusines in a chorus whistled that it had been good to be back. Nodding, the chimera agreed in tandem. Fontaine was simply not right without the sea denizens around.


Heading eastward, the hyena took a long deep breath. Had the next elevator still been broken? If it were, there was nothing that could be done. A rule would have to be broken. But, the hyena shot such thought with a sniper rifle. No way could he do such a thing. Her Majesty was watching him at all times. Teleporting was out of the question, for sure. He would have no choice but to climb if it came down to it.


Glass box working as intended, a heavy wave of ease flowed through him. A climbing crisis had been averted. Reaching the city outskirts after about fifteen seconds, the soldier steeled himself. He was about to enter hawk territory once more. If he were to be spotted by him, he would be put back on the bounty list, guaranteed.


But immediately upon stepping upon the grass, something of immediate note caught the hyena's attention. Leftover loose ends coming out in droves, the early adult flinched. The orb creatures from Elynas has struck again? Why did the abyssal gazelles have to have one last laugh? How aggravating.


Knowing he had no choice but to defeat the army of spherical monsters, the soldier sifted through his satchel, for a moment. Coming across a pitch black great sword that looked like it came straight out of Teyvat's dark ages, the hyena broke out into a sweat. This weapon had been as dark as the abyss.


Spherical monsters coming his way, the hyena placed himself into a fighting stance. Creatures looking ready to eat him alive, the early adult prepared himself for action. Greatsword swung to and fro. First army going down after about four slashes, the chimera tilted his head. Was it just him, or had the monsters been much weaker?


Second round of the army getting on the offensive, the hyena struck in rapid fire as if his life depended on it. Next batch of orb monsters fading into the ether, the soldier could hardly believe what was happening. Why were the monsters going down so easily? Something was off here.


Onslaught of the circular creatures destroyed one after another as he headed northward, the chimera could feel theories churn in his head one after. Had these monsters grown weaker now that the main source of the abyss had been gone? Perhaps, just maybe, that had been the case.


But, easy street had soon switched to medium difficulty. Creatures shielding themselves, the hyena rescinded his previous statement. He had thought too soon. He was in for a world of pain any second now. Projectiles thrown his way, the hyena placed his blade upward.


Projectile shot back towards the direction he came, the soldier jumped two steps back. Had these monsters been immune to deflections? If such were the case, his options were numbered. How was this possible? Projectiles coming his way once more, the soldier jumped back for the second time.


Such deflections continued to remain a failure for the population of zero to see. Defenses doing next to nothing, the chimera's eyebrows twitched. What was going on here? Why wasn't this working? What had he been doing wrong? If Her Majesty were watching him right now, she would be disappointed in him.


Defensive strategy an utter failure, the early adult threw down a flower friend. Windwheel Aster friend dancing upon the battlefield, silent commands had been provided for the flower brought to life by his Dendro Vision. Vines slapped upon the opposing party, he swore he could hear a shield crack in the distance.


Vines doing their duty, the orb creatures had been slain as a half hour loomed over the chimera's shoulder. Pathway soon cleared, the soldier huffed a tired breath. What was that all about? The abyssal gazelles had purposefully made these creatures stronger, hadn't they? He knew there could not have possibly been anyone else behind this.


Moving along the northern pathway, the soldier stared off into space. If his had been what had been leftover for the past few days, why hadn't he Agent requested him to act on it sooner? But, he supposed he had known just about as much as he did. Information was not free.


Orb creatures soon coming back with a vengeance as the beach grew ever so closer, the soldier blade had been out in front of him once more. Just how many creatures had been in this army? Had had his work cut out for him. Cores looking about ready to expose themselves, the soldier let out a deep scream.


Monsters raining down a sea of rocks upon the battlefield, the early adult jumped four steps back. Since when had these creatures from the world of darkness been capable of such a feat? Nothing was making any sense whatsoever. Creatures floating towards him, the chimera threw his thoughts out the window. There was no time. He had to focus.


Creatures standing their air no matter how many strikes he were to deliver, the hyena let out a growl. What were these creatures made out of, steel? Claymore clanging against them for minutes on end, the early adult let out a huffed breath. These orbs had a new trick up their sleeve? Absolute madness.


Orbs receding into a a cube like steel fortress, the chimera's jaw dropped wide open. What in all of Teyvat was this? The hooded strangers had gone too far into their power trip. How was he ever supposed to beat such a thing? Staring at the necklace, one consideration threw itself into the ring.


But, the hyena removed his hand from the wicked jewelry. Use this necklace now? No way, not a chance. He could not allow himself to become out of commission so soon. Now was not the time. It could wait, for the time being. Surely, if he were to find a pneumaousia block somewhere, the tides would reverse.


Eventually coming across a pneuma block, the early adult let out a scream. This had to work, surely. He was not about to use Her Majesty's gift. Not now; not this early. It had to have very few uses. He needed to use them wisely. Shard of Fontaine energy swirling around him, the fight was on.


Shield soon vanquished after about seven attempts, the soldier puffed a breath. Never underestimate the abyss. Army dying down, the soldier pressed onward. It was time to move on towards the beach. Gazing at the necklace, a predictable question stirred the pot within.


This necklace, should he make use of it after all? But, the hyena discarded such thoughts into the garbage. No, he should not. Stepping across the sands, the soldier prepared himself. Any second now, and he would become target practice for the hawk chimera. He needed to get out of here as soon as possible.


Bird bounty hunter duo vanquishing orb creatures aplenty, the soldier attempted to avoid the couple at all costs. But, such had been an impossibility before it even began. Eyes shooting towards him, the soldier rose his hands up in the air. It had been too late. He had been spotted. He would soon be a bounty worth one billion Mora, dead or alive.


An astronomically incorrect assumption, on his part.


"Consider yourself lucky, Fatui!" Robin shouted, pointing. "We're still on a temporary truce with you since you defeated the true villains with that speech of yours!" He kept on pointing with a ferocity as he declared such. "But, don't think for a second this truce is permanent! If you dare step in my territory again, you're going on my hitlist!"


"Come on, hon," Raven said, loose hair on his head moving about. "He's not that bad."


"A Fatui is a Fatui!" Robin shouted. "When he's on the correct side of justice, I'll take him off the list!"


Allowed to continue on, the chimera shrugged. He supposed, no matter hat, as long as he were a member of the Fatui, he would always be on the bird's bounty list. Nothing could be done about such. He had been stuck at this career until he were to perish, and that was the end of it.


Figuring the next course of action would be to head off towards the Research Institute, the soldier prepared himself to head off towards Mount Esus. Monsters left, right and center all coming for him at full force, the hyena's blade did the talking. But, luck and the archons had still not been on his side.


Creatures receding into their cube shaped shields, the chimera grit his teeth. Not this again. Why had all these monsters had a new trick up their invisible sleeves? This was so annoying. Should he use the necklace? Placing his hands upon the jewel, the consideration weighed themselves upon the scale.


Bird bounty hunter duo destroying the cube monsters in one fell swoop, the early adult had begun running. Enemies along the pathway towards the mountainside decimated, as well the soldier took his hands off the locket of doom. It was best to not give into the temptation of the delusional orb.


Reaching the mountain side, the soldier stared off into space. The Research Institute, could it also have an issue with the Breacher Primus army? If such were the case, there was absolutely no time to waste. Hopping upon the broken bridge, he could see the enemies ready to aim and fire.


Cores of darkness putting up quite the fight as he proceeded eastward, a heavy wave of frustration flowed through the hyena. Was it just him, or had their defenses tripled in numbers? But, the hyena rejected such possibility. No, nothing could have possibly been changed. It was the same as before, for sure.


Fights only getting more and more time consuming, the soldier stared down at his necklace for what felt like the tenth time today. The delusion, should he finally make use of it? Taking his eyes off it, he kept moving forward. No way would he use such last resort now. It was far too early for such.


Although the battles before him had only continued to ramp up in difficulty. Blade barely putting in its weigh, sweat poured down the soldier's back. Why had this only been getting harder? It was almost as if, in the world of Teyvat, the world had been eight levels, and these creatures were at the maximum possible one.


Enemies shields soon an impenetrable fortress of doom, the chimera clutched the necklace once more. Nothing doing for minutes on end, he took a log, deep breath. The time had come. There was no more avoiding it. The icy jewel, he had to make use of it. Channeling all his energy, the strawberry soon glowed.


Feeling a heavy wave of energy flow through him, the hyena called upon the power of the berry. Gigantic strawberry dropped down from out of nowhere, the army of spherical enemies had been crushed in one fell swoop. Creatures fading away into the ether, the chimera placed his finger on his chin. What in the world happened just now? This couldn't have possibly been real.


Strawberry jewel slightly muddy, the early adult held back the urge to laugh. He'd better find a grief seed quickly, or he would turn into a witch. But, the soldier brushed such thought underneath the invisible rug. Wrong universe. He wasn't some troubled teenager in a school with complicated architecture and an alien cat granting wishes.


Turning his imagination off, the pathway had been clear up ahead. Moving through the southern area of the Research Institute, the soldier turned his head off towards the right and left. Had there been enemies around that were in hiding? He had to remain vigilant, no matter what.


No monsters to speak of whatsoever, the chimera continued to head off towards the main research lab. But, he swore as he continued further, he could hear a commotion up ahead. Had there been a battle going on? Dashing off towards the main laboratory, an entirely different fight was unfolding before his very eyes.


Lonan in the corner of the laboratory holding a tiny cardboard black box, knees bent, the soldier had come to an immediate realization. Had he just stepped into some sort of proposal? He could hear the wedding bells chiming in the back of his mind. Rabiu standing six meters away, lip quivering, the hyena could hear a commotion up on the second floor.


"Look!" Oluchi exclaimed, laughing. "Bird man's proposing!"


"Definitely proposing," Folu said as well, pointing and laughing.


"I concur," Sani said, giggling. "He's about to ask for his hand in marriage!"


Studying the box once more, the soldier's eyes opened wide. Lonan holding a ring box in the palm of his hands, the early adult placed his hands on his cheek, jaw dropping straight open. Was the bird chimera really about to ask for his hand in marriage? Just how close were these two?


"Rab," Lonan said, pulling back the box's lid. "Move in with me!" But, the peanut gallery soon let their opinions be known.


"What? Bait and switch?!" Folu asked in an exclamatory tone. "Boo!"


"I thought you were gonna marry him!" Oluchi shouted. "Boo, booo! Uncute!"


"Goodness me, and here I thought that something juicy was about to happen," Sani lamented.


Peanut gallery booing up a storm, the soldier blinked. What just happened. Did Lonan just put a spare key inside an old wedding ring box? Someone had to have tricked him into doing something like this. Was this some kind of prank? He didn't know. It must have been. Rabiu's cheeks a bright shade of crimson, his heart fluttered, for a moment. This joke was not funny, in the slightest.


"Um, uh? You know that's a box for a wedding ring, right?" Rabiu asked, shaking.


"Pops said I should make a big production about it," Lonan responded. "Do you accept this spare key?"


"Um, uh, I need to live somewhere that has a laboratory available or me at all times," Rabiu replied, shaking his head. "So, uh, I don't know."


"No prob, I can build you one," Lonan responded, with gusto. "I know you like Black Fish Steak Bro, so I'm not going to take your hand in marriage, or anything."


Peanut gallery laughing up a storm, the soldier slapped his palm across his face. These three were enjoying this, weren't they? Did they enjoy picking on their brother that much? He could already see the steam of comments coming that he was adopted. And, if they were about to say all that again, he would not remain silent about such any longer.


"Come on, little birdy," Oluchi taunted, laughing. "Take my adopted brother away!"


"Shut your mouth, spawn of the abyss," Lonan responded, deadpan. "Every time you insult Rab, you get even less cute than you already were." He then turned his head back to see a surprise. "Oh, sup, Black Fish Steak Bro. Don't worry, I'm not gonna take Rab from you." But, another voice soon cut in.


"Um, uh, about the key, uh, I'll consider it," Rabiu replied, flustered. "If I get say in how the lab is built."


"Sure, bro," Lonan replied. "Command me however you see fit."


Nothing of note within the research institute, the soldier shrugged. He supposed it was time to head to Poisson and check to see how everything had been going there. Leaving the jackal and bird to their private business, the hyena had begun to head upon the southern pathway.


Circular orb creatures returning with a vengeance as the border between the regions had begun to close, the hyena could feel his head spin, for a moment. Had there been an endless supply of these monsters? This was a never ending cycle of doom. Why couldn't there have been a short moment of breathing room?


Swiping his blade, the soldier slashed the complaints up into thin air. What was he doing, there was no time for feeling overwhelmed by the army. He had to destroy them right here, right now before everything to completely out of hand. Slicing the creatures up as if they were fruit, the hyena let out a battle cry.


Groups of spherical monsters sliced up one after another, the chimera turned his head off towards the right and left. Was it just him, or had the fights reversed back to easy mode? The difficulty was a roulette wheel, always spinning over and over again with no stops in sight.


Fruit slices cut all up into bunches one after another as the soldier cut through the Foggy Forest. Monsters destroyed one after another through the word of mist and nothing, the hyena could feel a wave of tiredness flow through him. Just how many of these were there scattered throughout Fontaine? It had to have been hundreds.


Defeat coming every single creature's way necklaceless, the soldier hopped across the bed of water in front of him. Morte region skipped over, further Breacher Primus had been decimated across the ocean in front of him. Dashing off towards the boat city, the next order of business was upon him.


But what awaited him upon descending the ladder had been a huge mess of chaos to behold. Bain, Kali and the Demoiselle cleaning up the heavy flooded waters around them, the early adult stared off into space. Poisson had still been flooded? Had it been hit the hardest out of everything? But, his thoughts had soon been interrupted by a familiar sight.


Aigre running around the slippery floors giggling up a storm, the chimera shook his head. There the mermaid went again, causing trouble at every possible step of the way. Demoiselle trying to stop her, she kept on playing all the same. Placing his hands upon his temple, he let out a barely audible sigh.


"Aigre, I told you to stop playing!" Bain scolded. "It's slippery here!"


"Um, Bain, why bother?" Kali asked. "You, uh, know she's not going to listen." Further defiance had soon come everyone's way.


"I'm a mermaid, I'll be fine!!" Aigre exclaimed. "Come on, Noir, the high seas await us!!"


Shrugging, the soldier turned back towards the ladder in the corner. Everything was fine here, there was nothing to worry about. Returning back towards the surface world, the chimera turned his head off towards the left. Perhaps, just maybe, his next order of business to check up on the sea lion pranksters.


As the soldier had begun to head west, not a single monster had remained within the area. Realizing such, the chimera attempted to turn back towards the direction of which he came. Was headed for the undersea Melusine Village even necessary? Maybe it wasn't. Perhaps it was better to skip the trip down below.


But, the soldier kept moving forward. The Agent told him to investigate every area within Fontaine. If he were to leave even one behind, he would be in trouble, guaranteed. Such was not an option. Her Majesty could be watching him every step of the way. Pushing through Elynas, no enemies lurked anywhere.


Spherical orb monsters nowhere to be seen whatsoever, as he cruised through the upper regions of the boney region of the area, the soldier turned his head towards the right and left. Not a single monster had been around, how unusual. Nothing of especial note, the hyena dashed through the emptiness.


Reaching the area beside the large pool of water, the hyena put on his diving equipment. Placing himself beside the bed of water, the soldier closed his eyes for a moment. Mind and diving suit syncing up with one another, a spark popped off in his brain. Dropping downward, the undersea village soon awaited him.


World down beneath the surface as normal as ever, doubts hugged the chimera from behind. Should he have even bothered to come down to Merusea Village? Melusine humming tunes aplenty discussing a multitude of things, he prepared himself to head back towards the light.


Sea lion prankster duo soon swimming towards him as he had his diving suit bring him back towards the entrance of which he came, the early adult turned towards them. Had something come up? If it had, he would need to peddle to the meddle right away, without question.


"Bro, did you come all this way to see if something wacky was going on?" Brume asked, puzzled. "Merusea Village is doing fine, dude."


"Yeah, bro, it's all chill here!" Eclater added. "Dunno 'bout the Elton Trench, though. Somethin' kooky is definitely going on there!"


"Totally whack, bro," Brume chimed in. "We'd totally go if we could!"


"Yeah, bro, totes would," Eclater added once more. "But air is painful, so you gotta do it for us, kay?"


Nodding, the soldier returned to the surface world. He supposed it would be worth a shot to check out the ocean beds. Running off towards the beaches of the Belleau Region, the chimera dived downward once more. Trenches engulfing him, a small wave of fear flowed through him. Would the undersea penguins make him their next target once again? He needed to be nimble, he needed to be quick.


Spherical orb creatures making themselves at home underwater, the early adult let out a sigh. How did these monsters get down here? How annoying. Pressing the aquatic blade button upon his glove, the next saga of defeats had ran themselves dry one after another.


Diving suit automatically thrusting him off towards the northern pathway, the soldier kept the momentum going. Whoever had placed these monsters down here, they would face the wrath of the entire ocean, for certain. Abyssal creatures put out of their own misery, he swore he could hear a set of familiar screams coming his way.


Vidame and Domini swimming his way at lightning speed, the soldier placed his hands over his air tank. Any second now, and they would attempt to attack him, like always. But, such action never came, Penguin duo giving him death glares, the chimera flipped the alert switch upward.


Seeing Ritchie Rich waltz into the Elton Trench like he owned the place, Vidame waved her flipper on the air. How dare Ritchie Rich come down here thinking he was ever welcome here? But, she stopped herself from her default thought. Fuggedaboudit. Enougha this. He was hardly the real evil here. She knew that by now.


"I yield, Rit--," Vidame started to say, but she forced out a cough. "--I mean, Fatui."


"Me too, Fatui, I yield, aight?" Domini asked. "But, don't think this means you've won our trust! We know your kind is bad news!"


Moving along towards Annapausis, the rest of the spherical monsters had been decimated by the penguin duo off in the corner. Seeing such, the early adult kept going. Maybe there was nothing more to worry about down here. Pushing through the wet barrier of the castle world, a sight soon played out in front of him.


Frog and alligator chimera vanquishing the remaining orb enemies into oblivion the soldier turned back around towards the exit. He supposed these two were fine down here. Maybe he had wasted his time checking up on them. Poison duo dashing towards him, his thoughts had soon been said aloud.


"Whatchy'a doin' down here Fatui?" Zinn asked. "Yer input here isn't needed, ya know. We can poison everythin' just fine."


"You know what, for once in my life, I agree with Zinn," Peltro said. "I don't know why you came here for, but if it's about these monsters, no need. As you can see, we're more than capable of taking care of them ourselves." It crossed its alligator arms across its waist. "So, get going."


Pushing himself back through the barrier, the hyena stared off towards the Fortress of Meropide from afar. Should he even waste his time heading over there? Perhaps he should. Having his suit go into turbo mode, the hyena pushed himself through the prison vent. Dropping down towards the entrance, the Duke spotted him almost immediately. Suspicious glances coming his way, questions readied to roast him into a potato.


"Huh?" the duke asked in a suspicious tone. "Siorc, what brings you down here?"


Question coming his way, the chimera placed his hands out in front of him. Sighing 'Zach' and 'Monique' on private display, information had come his way, in an instant. Informed they had been in the Pankration Ring, the soldier headed off towards the martial arts competition area. These two, had they been alright? Otter duo punching spherical monsters in the ring, they soon both gave him a side glance.


"Purple?" Huxian asked. "Don't worry about us, alright?" As they said such, they rose their cross upwards. "We may forget everything, but we won't forget how to battle."


"So, if you're worried about us, don't be," Pixiu said, punching a monster. "We can handle ourselves just fine."


Shrugging, the soldier headed back towards the glass lift. Maybe he had been worried too much about Fontaine around him. Returning to the surface world, the hyena stared upwards towards the sky. Evening upon him, the chimera sighed. It was time to get this dinner party over with.


Taking the Aquabus back to the Court of Fontaine, the soldier moved forward. Reaching Congele Boutique after about thirty minutes of walking, the soldier crossed his fingers. Hopefully, the feast had already been over. But, no such luck was upon him. Everyone waiting for him, he held back the urge to sigh. This family was far too kind for its own good.


Banner hanging from kitchen reading, goodbye Kaiser, the soldier could feel sweat drop down his brow. What was this, his funeral? He knew it wasn't, but it sure felt like that had been the case. Meaty dishes served upon the dinner table, the early adult took a large bite. Why was he invited to this in the first place? He was not family. Hours soon passing, the departure was ready to kick off.


"I'm leaving now," Kaiser said, heading off towards the door. "Sorry for all the inconveniences I might have caused during my six months here."


"See, you Kaiser!" Earl exclaimed, waving.


"Take care of yourself, darling," Malika said in a warm tone. "And if you--" But she had been cut off.


"And if you think of doing something ugly again," Marquis started to say.


"You can come right here for that!" Esquire exclaimed, finishing his brother's sentence.


"Try to be realistic with your goals in the future," Baron said, adjusting their monocle.


Kaiser soon setting off, the soldier removed his Teleport Waypoint Proxy Orb from his back pocket. Opening the orb up into map form, the chimera highlighted the military barracks waypoint. Cruising through the icy cold hallways, the hyena had reached the soundproof room in about fifteen minutes.


Heavy wave of tiredness flowing through him, the soldier removed the weaponized hairpins and earrings. Uniform soon removed, as well, the hyena slumped into he uncomfortable bed. Wave of sleep readying to take him away, one final thought poked the active shark grooves in his brain.


Had he tied up all the loose ends?


***


"No, this doesn't many any sense at all.
Of all the places I have to go to,
Why am I going back


To Sumeru ? What for?
How did his become the next place
I have to 'cleanse from
Some leftover problems?


I don't get this. I
Seriously don't understand.


Just so I am clear,
Unless I am completely mistaken. There's been Breacher Primus
Spotted in the Rainforest. And whilst all
That is said and done, I have to


Go out to some place known as the Temple of Silence?
Eerie, if you ask me. I don't
Think I've ever heard of
That place before, and
I know I haven't.
No way something like that is a real place. I don't quite
Get this, not at all.


Maybe this is some kind
Of mistake. Why Sumeru? If I
Recall correctly, there were never
Ever any reports of the Abyssal Gazelle's wrongdoings in here. How very


Unusual. I truly do not understand. I do
Not get it. Is the Agent just making up orders at this point?
Ultimately, I think that's the case, and I
Suppose it is. It has to be.
Unless this is yet
Another gag order used to fill up dead space.
Look, I do doubt that.


Because there's no way that is true.
You know, I had barely been stationed


To deal with whatever
Had been happening in Sumeru,
Even still, this caught


Me by complete and utter surprise.
It just goes to show you,
No matter where in Teyvat, the hooded strangers
Unleashed their doom along the way.
That's just how it is, and
Even after they're gone


It seems the aftermath


Has been felt everywhere imaginable,
And, I have no choice but to deal with the
Various problems they have left behind.
Everything, all of them.


The problems they have left behind are immeasurable at this point.
Of course, I have to deal with all this and


Go around and clean up all
Of the remaining scraps.


Why? Honestly, at this point,
How should I know? I know I can't say anything.
Every single order I
Receive is absolute,
Each and every one and I have


No ability to refuse.
Oh, well, so this is
What's next, huh?


To be honest, I
Have barely been to Sumeru. Less than
Eight times in my approaching eight years as one of


The Fatui. So, I guess this might be my next stop on my journey.
Eh, so, let
Me see if I am understanding my orders
Properly. Clean up all that's been
Leftover in Sumeru and head to the Temple of Silence.
Eh, nope, I am really not getting it.


Of course I'm not not.
For this makes absolutely no


Sense. What in the world
Is this elusive Temple of Silence?
Looks like it might be some sort of desert prison
Eh, not going to lie, I do
Not know. This was not something I had ever read about in my father's notes.
Cannot even begin to fathom what this is. Cannot
Even begin to think


One little bit about any of this. I really don't
Know anything, so how can this be?
Affiliate the Temple of Silence with the Fatui.
Your Majesty, I am terrible


With negotiative affairs.
How can you continue to send me to deal with these?
All and all, it's not like I have a choice in
The matter. I know I


Don't. Whatever my
Orders say, goes.
Nothing will ever change, in
That regard.


Because, I am Her Majesty's property.
Everyone at this point already knows that.
Likely, all of Snezhnaya knows
I am. I am nothing more than a pawn on the chessboard,
Erroneously placed on the board, ready for
Victory. But that remains an
Error for now, as


It's not coming, not now.


However, it will
All come soon, the so called
Victory she seems to be seeking.
Every day is one step closer to


Her Majesty landing her checkmate.
Every single day,
All of the
Rooks upon the board start to
Die. One after another, they're leaving.


One after another, they're
Falling. And, at


This point, one final piece
Hangs in the balance. And,
I can't let it break.
Something is about to go down, I am


Placed upon this checkboard,
Leaving the rooks to die
And break. I
Cannot help but think this Temple of Silence mission is
Evidence towards the movement towards the next stage.


But, perhaps I am
Exaggerating. I definitely am.
For, there is no way that this
Overly specific order will
Really amount to anything.
Eh, oh well. That's just how it is. Onward to the rainforest."


Upon waking up the next morning, an unusual set of orders had graced the hyena's inhuman eardrums. Agent telling him to head to the Sumeru's rainforest to clean up some leftover problems there, the soldier tilted his head upwards towards the ceiling. He had to do what now? Head for Sumeru? The Abyssal Gazelles, just how far had their reach gotten at this point?


Informed he would have to seek out the temple of silence and negotiate with the people there as well for some sort of upcoming project, the early adult blinked of bewilderment. He had to do what now? What in the world was the Temple of Silence? He had never heard of such a place. It had to have been made up, for sure.


Figuring it was in his best interest to deal with the rainforest first, the soldier had been given a specific area to cleanse of its issues. Informed the only known area where the problems had occurred being around Gandharva Ville and near Caravan Ribat, the hyena shook his head. Was that really it? What a waste of a workday.


Teleport Waypoint taking him to Sumeru City, the hyena pressed onward. Multiple scholars saying strange things had been spotted around Gandharva Ville, the hyena's ears perked. The Abyssal Gazelles, just how much damaged had they caused? He did not know anymore. I had to have been immeasurable at this point.


Heading off towards the city's exist, the hyena could not help but wonder. If Kelebek and Izzet had been causing problems in the Dendro Nation of Wisdom, why hadn't he been sent here to deal with it a lot sooner? He could hardly fathom it at this point. The damage had been done, and it was their fault.


City soon exited, the soldier headed upon the southern pathway. Knowing he would have to try his best to cleanse all there was, the early adult removed his blade from the satchel behind him. Where had these orb creatures been hiding? Wherever they were, it was time to exterminate them.


Breacher Primus' all around the Chinvat Ravine area, the soldier blinked. If the hooded strangers had been around in Sumeru causing problem after problem, why hadn't Her Majesty stationed him here sooner? Throwing such thought away, he moved along. He never knew what the Cryo Archon was ever thinking. She was too unpredictable for that.


Spherical monsters coming back with a vengeance, the hyena let out a sigh. They had been back for round two far too soon. Pack of circles surrounding him from every single corner, his blade had been ready for action. Surely, this would be a one and done fight, guaranteed.


He had lost the fifty fifty.


Spherical creatures shielding themselves into the iron cages, the hyena was ready to rip his hair out at any given moment. Not this again, they had their shields up already? He was done for, toast. Why did it have to be these ones again? How aggravating. He had his work cut out for him.


Trying with all his might to win with the might of the greatsword, nothing happened. Shields taking over every step of the way, the chimera's eyebrows twitched. These creatures, did they have some sort of sentience? How annoying. This was not what he bargained for.


Heaving a sigh, the soldier clutched onto his necklace. He supposed he had no choice. He had to make use of it. The delusion contained within his necklace. Jewel glowing, the weight of the strawberry tippled the scales once again. Shields cracked into nothingness, the hyena adjusted his glasses. Had he really witnessed that just now?


Orb enemies taken out of the equation in one fell swoop, the hyena stared down at the jewel upon his necklace. Fruity gem getting slightly cloudier, an assumption rolled itself into a ball. Would the necklace get darker every time he used the power contained within? He supposed such had been the case.


Rest of Chinvat covered in one fell swoop, the questions continued to wrap themselves into a bow. What could have possibly happened around Sumeru while he was in Fontaine? All he had known about the hooded strangers Fontaine exploits was that they had been Eremites. Could they have wiggled their way into further important positions?


Throwing such thoughts away, the soldier moved forward. Heart leaping for a moment, the hyena gazed at the jewelry upon his neck once more. The delusion, what harm was it going to bring to him the more he made use of it? He knew, going forward, he would need to proceed with caution.


Not feeling any side effects thus far, the soldier had begun to head off towards Gandharva Ville. But, he could hear a multitude of shouts up ahead. Hearing such, the hyena dashed off towards the racket. What was going on here? Had someone been attacked? But, what awaited him in this area was a surprise and a half.


Forest watcher leader's bow in hand launching arrows at multiple spherical monster's, the chimera blinked. He did not know why, but seeing the furry eared man fighting monsters did not seem like him at all. Had he been at this for awhile? Her Majesty really should have had him come here a lot sooner.


Furry eared man immediately looking as though he had been struggling to keep up, the early adult stared off into space. The shields were back at it again? Why couldn't they ever go away? Thorny boxes covering them up as if they were a present for someone, the hyena shrugged. Different environment, different defenses.


Lunging towards the boxy shield, the soldier's blade spun around in a circle upon the battlefield. Letting out a grunt as he had done so, the chimera swore he could hear the grassy shield of doom diminish slowly, but surely. As such had taken shape, an opening presented itself to the hyena.


Core broke through, the soldier could not help but feel a wave of unease. Could these circular cores have been puppet cores on a string? He could not fathom such. What was he in, some bubble world or something? But, he threw such thought away. Wrong universe. That was not the case, guaranteed.


Forest Watcher Leader struggling a smidgeon, the early adult continued to remain on the offensive. Final set of Breacher Primus taken out of the equation within the southern area of Gandharva Ville, the furry eared man's listeners bounced upon the top of his head. Eyes soon on him, he flinched. He was caught purple handed.


"I could hear you the entire time, you know," the forest watcher leader said. "We don't need your help, thank you. We have a handle on things here." As he said such, the Forest Ranger Trainee came out of nowhere.


"Uh, Master, I don't know," the forest ranger trainee said. "I have been struggling."


Shaking his head, the soldier stood his ground. Stop here? He had a job to do. There was no way he was turning around now. Going deeper into the forest, the hyena would not falter. The Forest Watcher Leader had a handle on things? Maybe he did, but he knew he could not back down no matter what.


Moving deeper within the forest, a brand new obstacle had soon cut the soldier off. Thorn trap coming out of nowhere, the soldier had soon been the prisoner of nature. Unable to move forward, the early adult's legs stung with a fervor. Where had all these traps come from?


Attempting to set himself free, the soldier let out a scream. These thorns were relentless, a prison, broken beyond repair. Forest impossible to move through, the chimera had been ready to wave the white flag. If this was the loose end he had to tie up, it was impossible for sure. But, as he struggled, he had soon come across an unusual face.


Familiar fawn chimera walking by, the hyena blinked. What had Parisa been doing in this side of the forest? Hadn't she usually been in the western side of the area? Gazelle talking to herself, he scratched his head inside his encasement. Who was she talking to?


Seeing the Fatui worm stuck in a thorn trap, Parisa rolled her eyes. This little worm, he was hopeless, wasn't he? Removing a box of matches from her pocket, she struck it against the sandpaper. Vines set ablaze, she let out a chuckle. This Fatui was quite the unintelligent fool, wasn't he? What a pity.


"Are you Fatui so unintelligent you can't light a fire?" Parisa asked, laughing. "Pathetic."


Thorns burning all around him with a laugh, the soldier could not help but wonder. Had he been in the process of sour Parisa today? Mocking remark coming his way about not being able to light a fire, the chimera shrugged. Signing he did not have any matches, the fawn crossed her arms across their waste.


"Then get yourself some, fool. Don't expect other people to light a fire for you," Parisa said in an irritated tone. But, as she said such, something invisible pulled her. "Alright, I'm going. Can't you wait just a second?"


Parisa exiting the area, the soldier blinked. The fawn, did she have some sort of imaginary friend? He did not know why, but they had seemed far too mature for something like that. But, he knew he couldn't judge a book by its cover. He supposed anyone, no matter what mental maturity they were at had one.


Rainforest all cleared, the soldier readied himself to run off towards the west. The next order of business would soon be upon him: The Temple of Silence. Whatever that was, the chimera did not know. But, he supposed he was going to find out in a few minutes.


Dashing through the western rainforest, not a single monster awaited him on the pathway. Seeing such, he couldn't help but wonder. Had someone else taken care of the rest of the problems here? He supposed that could have been possible, he had not been in Sumeru nearly enough to deal with any of their issues whatsoever.


Reaching Caravan Ribat after about two hours of walking, the final set of spherical monsters had been the struggle of the century. Resorting to the strawberry necklace once more, the jewel had been half dark. Seeing such, the soldier turned the jewel around. Maybe he had been using it too much.


Moving through the rainforest border, the chimera kept his eyes peeled. Where could the Temple of Silence been? He had hardly been to the desert enough to ever know where such a place could have been. Could the locals have known? Perhaps, just maybe, they did. Pressing through the desert's entrance, he had soon seen two familiar faces.


Spotting the panther twins near the large desert wall, the soldier blinked. When had he seen these two last? He did not know why, but he couldn't seem to recall when he had. Had it been before he had received his Vision? Probably. For some reason, the last time he had encountered them was a blur.


Waiola in her usual outfit, the chimera turned the other cheek. Paying her absolutely no mind whatsoever, he gazed at Bogart's outfit. Shorter panther twin adorning a bright green lehenga, the soldier's cheeks were pink enough to look burned by the sun. Who was this beautiful person in front of him? Trying to hide his face, he had failed almost immediately to do so.


Seeing Siorc walk by, Waiola could feel a wave of suspicion flow through her. What was he doing out here? Had that boss of his sent him out of on some desert mission? He didn't look ready for something like that in a winter jacket. Why had he been sent here, dressed like that?


"Huh, Siorc?" Waiola asked. "Is that you?"


"Jeepers, Waiola, of course it is!" Bogart exclaimed, pointing. "Who else would wear a winter jacket in the desert." But, a sigh had come his way.


"You never know, Bogart, he could be an impersonator!" Waiola shouted. "I've been hearing some cases lately."


"Geez, Waiola, I thought you weren't that gullible! I'll prove he's the real deal!" Bogart barked back. He then turned towards Siorc. "Hey, Siorc, why don't you say something?" But, no words ever came for minutes on end. "See, Waiola! It's him! He didn't say a word! An impersonator would talk our ears off!"


"Alright, then," Waiola said, sighing. She then turned towards Siorc. "So, what do you need help with?"


Hearing such question come his way, the soldier placed his hands out in front of him. Signing the words Temple of Silence on private display he tilted his head. Attempting to ask where, he turned hi head towards the right and left as if searching for something. Twins giving him sharp looks, Waiola stepped up to the plate first.


"The Temple of Silence?" Waiola asked. "Why do you need to go there?"


"Wowza! Nosy today, aren't we Waiola?" Bogart asked. "Sure, we can take you there, but I'm fighting all the monsters!"


Shrugging, the panther twins lead the way. He supposed he could let him fight everything as compensation for guiding him there. Moving right along, Bogart's spear had taken almost everyone out of the equation in a matter of moments. Seeing such, the early adult could feel himself grow small. The panther twins were quite the impressive duo, for sure.


Invisible temple soon appearing completely out of nowhere, the hyena backed seven steps away. Huh? Why had this place been hidden so easily? What was that all about? Opening the door, a blinding light soon overtook the hyena. Finding himself in a huge establishment with various groups of people seated within, he couldn't help but wonder. Just what was the Temple of Silence anyway?


Bogart acting as his guide, the chimera had soon been taken to a young man with tan skin, long brown hair that went down to his backside. White desert outfit with a golden scarf, black pants with a purple symbol on them and white boots, his green eyes looked rather unusual.


"What do you want?" the brunet desert man asked.


Hands out in front of him, the soldier blinked. This young man, was he in charge of the Temple of Silence? Would he even want the Fatui affiliated with this place? Silently whispering what he had to do and the Fatui wishing to affiliate themselves with the building, a shocking set of words had come his way.


"Sure, whatever," the brunet desert man said, shrugging.


Hearing such, the chimera blinked. Had it really been that easy to be affiliated with the Temple of Silence? He did not know why, but such felt rather anticlimactic. Exiting the area, nightfall had soon taken the soldier by surprise. Removing his Teleport Waypoint Proxy Orb from his back pocket, the military barracks waypoint had soon been highlighted.


Cruising through the icy cold hallways, he soldier stared off into space. No way that could have been it, could it? There was something fishy about all this. Reaching the soundproof room after about ten minutes of walking, everything had soon been removed. Slumping into the rock hard bed, one last question threw itself onto the floor.


Is that really all?


***


"This seems to it for the
Horrible leftovers the abyssal gazelles left behind.
Even so, I guess this will not


Ever truly be over.
No, of course it won't be. I
Don't think their damage to this world has been


Overall fixed, or healed. No, in
Fact, I think there's quite a long ways


To go before all that.
However, I suppose
Everything does come to an end eventually. I've


Removed most of the problems they have caused.
Or, so I would think. And
Assume. But, it seems I have one final stop upon this journey.
Don't know why I hadn't seen this coming, but


It seems they have caused a lot of problems around Chenyu Vale, too.
So, I just don't know what to believe anymore.


However, it just seems like the
Enemies I have to face are
Relatively tame ones.
Eh, actually? You know what I might have to take that one back. Ah,


No, maybe I don't. I don't believe that it ever truly be
Over at this point. This
Will likely go on forever. Oh, well, well you know what? Time to head off to Chenyu Vale. This time I'll end it."


Upon waking up the next morning, the early adult's orders had only gotten more annoying by the second. Agent informing him he would heading to Chenyu Vale to clean up one last unusual happening, the early adult let out a sigh. The Abyssal gazelles had gotten to the northern Liyue area, too? Why didn't this surprise him?


Teleport Waypoint taking him to the entrance of the Vale, the soldier turned his head off towards the right and left. But, immediately upon reaching here, He had witnessed something of utter terror. Spherical orb creatures fusing themselves with the Suanni of the area, the early adult blinked. What in the world? How did this happen?


Breacher Primus broken apart from the Suanni, the soldier had recalled something of particular note. The Abyssal Gazelles, hadn't they tried to overthrow an Adeptus at some point? Which one could it have been? Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver? He had no idea. He would never be lucky enough to meet with such high respected creatures in Liyue.


Spherical creatures far too difficult to tackle with his blade alone, the soldier let out a sigh. He supposed he had no choice but to, once again, call upon the power of the necklace. Delusional strawberry called forth, he blinked at the monsters dropped underneath it. He may as well call himself the Strawberry Shark Queen right now. But, he poked such thought away with a pin. Wrong universe, again. Why was he letting imagination go wild like this?


Multiple monsters beaten by the fruit, the chimera gazed down at the jewel. Soon, it would run out of power, wouldn't it? There wasn't much time left. He had to stop using up its powers before it was all gone. But, he supposed there had still been a few uses left before it was dim altogether.


Struggling through Mt. Liameng for the time being, the necklace had been used once more. Had these been the leftover problems he had to deal with? He supposed that he should have come here a lot sooner. But, he supposed it had bee far too late for that now. Mountainside done, he prepared himself to head off towards Yilong Wharf.


Spotting a strange horse creature trotting off towards the western mountains, the soldier had begun to run. What was that just now? Horses? In Liyue? Absolutely impossible. No such things existed there. Worst of the monsters defeated by the strawberries of doom, he had soon caught up to the equine creature, but he had soon come to a realization.


Horse creature with a draconic body, it had come to the hyena immediately. Was this creature a Qilin? Coming to such conclusion, a wave of shock flowed through him. Could this have been the adeptus that the Abyssal Gazelles had tried to overthrow? Why, and for what purpose? Gazing at it, it soon stared back.


Qilin whispering what did he want? The soldier let his inquiry be known. Informed it had indeed bene the Adeptus that had been overthrown, but it hardly mattered, it was just a nameless, forgotten Adeptus, the hyena blinked of bewilderment. Had that really been the case, or had the Abyssal Gazelles just erased them from history? It had to have been the second case.


Everything all cleaned up, the soldier stared off towards the shoreline. Gazing at Fontaine from afar, the hyena had recalled something. The undersea gazelles, he hadn't checked up on them, had he? Perhaps, he should make his last mission for today to see what had become of them.


Finding a boat on the edge of the water, the soldier had begun rowing with all his might. As he had done so, a sea of inquiries flowed through him. The Primordial Seawater that had been implanted inside them, had it still been within them? He knew there had been quite a high possibility such had still been the case.


Reaching the Weeping Willow of the Lake after about two hours of rowing, the early adult placed the fat, blubbery suit over him. Dropping downwards towards the undersea world around him, something of utter surprise ate the hyena up like a plate of Steak Tartare. Damla and Firat were still awake? How odd. He did not expect that. Party of two staring at him, he knew what to expect, in an instant.


"What are you doing here this time?" Damla asked in a tired tone. "Can't you just let us--?" But, cos had soon been interrupted.


"No. Wait. Before you finish that sentence, you know we at least owe him some gratitude," Firat responded, deadpan. "You, whatever your name is, don't know, don't care, but thank you for getting rid of those terrible 'cousins' of ours." But, se paused for a moment. "Or, should I say ancestors? Whatever. Doesn't matter. What do you want?"


Question coming his way, the early adult placed his hands out in front of him. Inquiring about the Primordial Seawater inside him, the party of two looked at him as if he had grown thirty heads. Had he asked something wrong? He would apologize, if that was the case.


"Huh, you mean the Primordial Seawater?" Firat asked. "Don't concern yourself over it. That Natlan Doctor who's always bothering us with his bird boyfriend took care of it. Now, leave us alone alright? We want to go back to sleep forever."


Leaving them be, the early adult returned to the surface. All the loose ends had been tied up now. Removing his diving gear, he stared off into space. He did not know why, but he wanted some tea. Hitting the Liyue Harbor Waypoint, the teahouse had been in front of him, in an instant, but an unusual person had been in his seat. Strange tall green haired woman with glasses and an important seeming attitude talking to the tall brunette, the hyena seated himself where the opera singer would usually be.


Panda chimera soon arriving, a soft smile soon appeared on the hyena's face. It had been quite awhile since he had been here last, hadn't it? Pink eyes soon gazing at his mismatched ones, the soldier made eye contact. Grin returned in tandem, the usual greeting had come his way.


"Oh, hey, Siorc," Yinlong greeted, words slow. "I'll go get you some tea." Stepping away for a moment, the tall brunette soon tagged into the ring.


"I heard about your recent escapades in Fontaine, Mr. Siorc," the tall brunette said, sipping his tea. "Congratulations."


Congratulatory words coming his way, the soldier signed words of gratitude. How had the tall brunette heard about the court case in Fontaine? But, he supposed that it had made national newspaper headlines by now. Bamboo shoot tea soon placed in front of him, he sipped in silence, but another question had soon come his way.


"I heard you won a court case against a group of terrible people in Fontaine," Yinlong said, words slow. "Is that true?"


Nodding, the hyena could not help but wonder. The tall brunette, had he ever had a run in with the Abyssal Gazelles? Knowing he could not let such matter drop, the early adult silently inquired about such. Wise man informing him of many Liyue stories he had heard about such individuals, the hyena could feel his stomach sour. The rabbit hole had been too deep.


"One must not get too caught up in fiction," the bespectacled stranger said, sipping her tea.


Multiple denials coming his way, the hyena sighed. Maybe he shouldn't have bothered to ask. Yinlong soon studying his necklace, the hyena continued to sip his tea. Did he have something to ask about it? If he wish to do so, he may as well. What was there left to lose?


"Your necklace is pretty!" Yinlong exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"


Shrugging, the soldier signed his boss gave it to him. But, the Agent had soon interrupted everything informing him it was time to go back to Snezhnaya, goodbyes were forbidden from being exchanged. Told he had been assigned a new practice partner as he returned to the soundproof room, a spark popped off in his brain. Everything soon removed, the soldier crawled into the uncomfortable bed. Sleep taking him away, one last thought slipped out.


No more abyssal gazelles.


Time to get stronger.