Before reading, this is 23,000 words and I highly recommend taking multiple breaks when reading this one. It's a novella, please do not read it in one sitting.
I wrote this when the Golden Apple Archipelago had gotten a rerun, so this is truly a product of its time.
TW: DROWNING.
18. Do Chimeras Dream of Haar Islands Mirages?
"Has time truly been passing?
All of the days gone by,
Are they truly even happening?
Really, all of this, it feels like a dream.
It must be, time is looping, reversing, repeating.
So much monotony, all of it is the same.
Likely, this new task is not real
After all, the sand is locked
Nothing is moving
Do the islands I am documenting truly exist?
Surely, I am merely dreaming."
One month had passed since the one member search party in Sumeru had occurred. Nothing of especial happenstance transpired within the hyena's Diplomatic Fatui Life. Deliveries around Dornman port looping on repeat for most of the month, nothing had been out of the ordinary. Although, one oddity had made its roar known during one delivery.
One delivery taking him around the caves of Liyue, another order had been sliced in with the other like a sword cutting a log of wood. Having been ordered to collect Noctilucous Jade for Her Majesty, the early adult's borrowed greatsword and the blue minerals had met. Although such collection of blue minerals had been met with a battle served on an Electo platter.
Bird chimeras having a commission from the Hydro Nation of Justice on the foreign rocks of Liyue, disdain had echoed throughout the cave walls. Hawk chimera quickly getting on the offensive, a day of hawk vs hyena had made rounds in the rocky area. Falcon chimera stepping in to stop the uncalled for fight, everything had returned to normalcy. Deliveries not having any more sudden surprises, the young soldier remained diligent.
The sound of morning alarm bells echoed with a violent reverb. As the alarm bells screamed with a fervor, the various amount of groans from Fatui Soldiers drowned out the sound of the chilling wind outside. The alarm bells were right on time, as usual. Despite such protest about, every soldier remained loyal within the military barracks.
The multitude of groans had been more than enough to awaken Siorc from his especially deep slumber. Never being alerted to any sort of alarm bells, the hyena had rose from the uncomfortable bed. Knowing another day of deliveries awaited him, the chimera had begun the morning routine of dressing the body.
As his uniform melted onto his partially human person, a wave of subdued confidence leaked through the chimera. Another day of monotonous deliveries around Teyvat awaited him, surely. Knowing such could have been a possibility, the early adult pounded his currently human fists together. No curveballs would be thrown upon his routine at hand, for certain.
Knowing the Agent were to arrive at any moment, the chimera clicked his hairpins and earrings into place. Plain crossed shaped ones in his hair and ears, the hyena had finished the morning routine of dressing the body. Everything being on, and rations devoured, the soldier turned his attention to the door. Any minute now, the Agent would relay his predictable orders to him.
A mirage of surprises awaited the chimera.
Hearing the clacking of the Fatui Agent boots increase in volume, the early adult put on the most diplomatic face possible. Knowing a day of nothing awaited him, the hyena's confidence had hit the roof like a bullet from a Fatui Bracer's gun. Volume of footsteps eventually reaching zero, the young soldier was ready for his militaristic day to begin.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc," the Agent called out on cue. "You are going to the Haar Islands for a month long project." The masked agent gave unseen eye contact with his subordinate in arms. Another day, another month long separate affair.
Siorc jumped five steps back upon hearing the name Haar Islands. He could feel his heart skip three beats as the name echoed throughout the chambers of his partially human brain. Just where were the Haar Islands? The hyena had been none the wiser to such area existing. Was the area in a world beyond Teyvat? Would getting to such area even be possible if such were the case? The chimera did not know, but he knew no such questions could leave his lips.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc!" the Agent called out again. "Did you hear me? You're going to the Haar Islands for a month long project! Get a move on!" There was an aggravated tone in his voice. He could never fathom what could possibly be on the soldier's mind.
Hearing the name the Haar Islands again, the chimera flinched. Taking a deep breath, he held his arm out like an invitation to a party. Arm out in front of him, the chimera waited for the gripping prison to take him like it always had. Time was running out, the hourglasses' sand had reached the bottom.
"Yes, sir," he replied autonomously. Location within Teyvat or not, he knew he had to be ready for the project at hand. The choice was not his if he wished to keep on living.
Seeing his subordinate holding his arm out, the Agent firmly slammed a large bag on the soldier's back. Bag glued into place, the subordinate returned his attention to his commander in arms in an instant. "Grab a set of uniforms before we depart," the Agent stated. "Quickly. Do not keep Her Majesty waiting."
Doing as instructed, the chimera walked over to his uniform drawers within an instant. Removing a set of uniforms, the early adult removed the bag from behind his back. Accessory and jewelry box placed on top of the winter jackets, the hyena peered down into the bag, for a moment. Within the container of leather had been a silver greatsword with a black hilt on the tip. Sinister orb with a dark purple glow in the center off to the side, and notebook entitled The Haar Islands Travel Notes with a quilled pen in the spine, the soldier placed the uniforms into the bag within seconds.
Everything in place, the chimera snapped the bag shut. As the Agent returned the bag onto his back, multiple questions crashed waves within the hyena's partially human mind. Just what was Her Majesty asking of him to do within the unknown area of the Haar Islands? He supposed he was about to find out. Holding his arm out for the second time, the hyena was ready.
Arm being held out again, the Agent gripped the limb tight in an instant. "Let's get going, soldier," the Agent said. Arm held in a tight lock, the escort had begun. Grip as tight as tight as handcuffs securing the wrists, the chimera closed his eyes. As the fast travel started, a thought of unease shot a sniper rifle inside his partially human brain.
Her Majesty, just what was she planning?
***
"Is it just me or does that visitor on the island, look exactly like me?
That's right, mama, she told us he was coming.
It's why she and papa left for
Sumeru temporarily.
Looks like her call to leave the islands was right.
It's like I'm looking at a reflection in the ocean
Knocking rocks on the ocean, bouncing.
Even though he is wearing something different, the resemblance is inevitable.
It is odd, though, mama said we have to act like strangers.
Act as though we have no relations, whatsoever.
Mama, that is a little strange, when Hase came, no such precaution was in place.
Looks like times have truly changed.
Odd things have been happening on this island lately.
Odd things have been happening around the other isles, it's a bit freaky.
Keeping ourselves cautious, I guess that's how it should be. But still,
Isn't it silly to act like strangers to our cousin?
Never really seen him before, but we still hold about twenty five perfect relation.
Guess it is best we remain cautious.
It is true Fatui have been spotted on the island.
Nate told me.
This is an odd development, it should only be us here.
Only us five, vacationers come and go sometimes, but
All these men, these Fatui, they are vile.
Maybe he is one of them,
Is that why, mama?
Really, it feels cold acting like we are strangers, but
Really, we have no choice in the matter.
Oddly, she did not ban us from helping him.
Rules or not, we should help him if he needs anything. He is family."
Upon reaching an area unknown to him through the Teleport Waypoint, the chimera observed his surroundings with due diligence. Within every centimeter of him had been a sandy area slowly eroding away into the ocean. Waves crashing onto the sand, the hyena let out a sigh. He had been standing upon an island, indeed. Agent giving him a long list of instructions and then exiting the area in a split second, the early adult kept observing the area around him. But, an oddity had presented itself as he observed further.
As he walked around the tiny island, something of peculiar note stuck out to the chimera. Littered throughout the small beach had been vacation chairs with umbrellas covering them. But, the vacation chairs were an oddity to behold. The small chairs had red leather like seats and a yellow four leaf clover on them. Seeing such a symbol, the hyena let out a gulp. The island, had it belonged to the Pyro Elf Girl of Doom? But, such oddity had not been the only one.
Seeing a strange dome in the center, the hyena stepped inward. Large outdoor room with strange looking stuffed animals and a technological device he had never seen before, the soldier tilted his head. Where in the world had he been teleported to? Everything had felt like he had been transported into another world like a certain overpowered black haired swordsman the chimera had no knowledge of existing. Odd dome screaming out to him to exit, the hyena stepped towards the water.
Studying the horizon line, the soldier blinked. Within his damaged field of heterochromatic vision had been many other islands off into the distance. Various islands within a cluster off the coasts of the water, the hyena let out an exasperated grunt. How would he be able to traverse through the islands? Swimming far distances was not something within his skill levels. If he had to swim from island to island, losing his life to sinking to the bottom of the ocean would most certainly unfold. Stepping out of the water and turning to the left however, was a sight to behold.
Coming out of almost nowhere had been a person who looked nearly identical to him. Standing in the way of his path had been a practical mirror image of himself, but some differences had been present. The person had been short, and feminine with purple hair that went down to about their shoulders. Height difference being nonexistent, crouching down or standing to the tip of his toes was not required. Purple eyes with long eyelashes looking well taken care of, the soldier closed his eyes for a moment. Had he been staring at his reflection from the past before he needed glasses? Opening his eyes again, he kept observing the possible reflection of the past. The possible reflection had pink earrings with bows dangling from both ears, and blue lacy ribbons sticking out from the sides of their hair. Bangs being on the opposite side of his and far lower down on their head, the early adult rubbed his eyes for a brief moment. The invisible mirror, was it reflecting an idealized version of himself? He did not know, but he kept looking. Mountains of freckles on the reflection's face and frilly, lacy pink summer outfit with a skirt covering their legs, and sandals with cute flower straps on their feet, the man ended his examination.
Possible idealized version of himself looking about to break into a cold sweat, the hyena turned his head into the opposite direction. His reflection, had he made them nervous? He supposed being a reflection of himself, being uneasy was a given. Turning back around, the reflection had been waving their hand in an inviting manner. Looking as though they were about to shout something, the chimera looked off into the direction his possible mirror image had been gazing at.
"Pira! I know the islands have been weird lately," the mirror image shouted on the ocean wind. Their voice was high pitched and feminine, at least two octaves above his own. "But when did they put a mirror image of me here?!" Their voice sounded shocked.
Hearing the person's words, the chimera jumped ten steps back. The person looking exactly like him, had they just said something odd had been happening on the island? But, he knew he could not inquire about whatever oddities had been occurring. Questions were not allowed to him as a Fatui soldier. Tall person soon standing next to his possible doppelganger, the hyena studied the next person upon the beach battlefield.
Standing next to his mirror image had been a tall man that almost towered over him. The tall man had dark green hair tied back into a low ponytail, and purple eyes almost the exact same shade as his right eye that remained purple. Mountains of freckles on his face, and hoop earrings on his right ear, the soldier tilted his head. The tall man, why did he look like his father when he was alive? Had the tall man been a relative of his? The chimera shook his head. Never being told about other members of his family even existing, the hyena knew he was jumping to conclusions. Incredibly sharp teeth that looked sharper than his being visible, and black jacket that looked similar to a Fatui Agent's without coattails and Fatui insignias, matching black shorts, and plain red shirt, the early adult ended his examination.
Tall person proclaimed Pira crouching down to look at him, the early adult could feel sweat begin to form at his brow. Eyes soon meeting his, fear nibbled on the cartilage of his ears. The person that looked like his father, was he about to cast judgement on him? Seeing the tall man place his hand on his chin with a quizzical look on his face, the chimera backed two steps away. Resemblances to other people were a terrifying phenomenon to behold. Tall man turning to his mirror image, the soldier backed two further steps away.
"I don't know about that, Leah," Pira said, bewildered. His voice was deep, and baritone like most tall adult males. "Although, odd things have indeed been happening." He then turned to the young man, looking straight at his uniform. "Ah. You're one of those people that have those insignias on their uniforms."
Siorc jumped ten steps back upon hearing the tall man announcing the Fatui insignias on his uniform to the world. The group of two, had they spotted other Fatui around the islands off in the distance? If such were the case, he knew a battle upon the beach sands was about to happen, for sure. Noticing cyan and red orbs on the sides of their shorts, the chimera let out a gulp. An attack of elemental display was about to come his way, for sure.
Person proclaimed Leah soon looking at him, as well, the hyena let out a yelp. The young, slightly more feminine version of himself, were they about to attack them? He supposed such judgement was fair if the islands had been their residence, in any way. Mirror image adjusting their hair ribbons, the soldier closed his eyes, for a moment. An attack was to hit him any moment. But, such thought was a foolish one.
"Hmm, this one doesn't seem aggressive or like he's here to cause weird things to happen!" Leah exclaimed, in some sort of defense. "What's your objective, kid?"
Being asked his objective, the hyena opened the bag from behind him. Notebook in his currently human hands, he pointed to the words on the front cover with a quiet fervor. Group of two that resembled himself and his father looking to one another for a long time, a chill had run down his partially human spine. The party of two, were they about to change their minds about him? He knew being a member of the Fatui, people often cast judgement on him.
Seeing the person in a winter jacket point to a notebook known as the Haar Islands Travel Notes, Leah turned to their kin. Having heard from their mother before leaving for Sumeru for the month that someone from within their family had been kidnapped by the Fatui was going to be coming to the island, their hands had soon been playing with their hair ribbons. Had this been the person their mother had meant? Stranger looking almost nearly identical to them, there had been no doubt in their mind.
Leah turning to look at him, Pira put his right index finger on his lips. Had his sister been thinking the same thing he had been pondering? His parents before leaving the island to hide out in Sumeru had said their cousin would be stopping by the island for an entire month. Their mother's predictions never being wrong, he knew he had no reason to doubt her.
Looking at one another again, Pira let out a defeated sigh. Despite the relationship being rather obvious, his mother had told his sister and older sibling that they were to not tell him that they were related in any way for his safety. Their mother not saying the three of them could not help him, however, an idea had formed in his partially human brain. Even if they could not reveal they were related by blood, perhaps helping him out would be more than enough. Leah nodding at him, he turned his attention to the stranger.
"Well, you don't seem suspicious," Pira said, voice chill. "Leah, get the boat ready, alright?"
Leah stepping off towards the side next to some strange looking device, a boat had appeared as though by magic. Small boat looking barely big enough to hold three people, the chimera stared off in silence. The vessel, would it even be big enough to hold three people? He did not know, but he supposed he was about to find out. Mirror image soon finishing set up of the boat, their purple eyes had soon been eyeing his mismatched ones.
"Um, my name is Lewod, by the way," the mirror image named Leah said. "Leah is my girl name." Holding his arm, the escort had begun.
Group of three soon in the boat vessel, the hyena stood absolutely still. He knew if he were to move even a centimeter, the odd boat would begin to rock back and forth, for sure. Feeling the boat head towards the northeast direction, the soldier remained a statue within the vessel.
Not feeling a single turn as the boat steered forward, the hyena had come to wonder. Where had Lewod and Pira been taking him? He knew he could not ask any questions on the matter. Her Majesty could be listening from Teyvat. Long travel from the boat ahead, the chimera remained still.
No windows on the boat besides the front ones, the chimera sighed in silence. Not knowing where he was headed was a frightening feeling to behold. Boat continuing to head into the northeast direction, the early adult closed his eyes. He supposed, wherever he was heading, he could record it into the notebook when the boat were to finally dock.
Travel to the unknown still making its roar known, the young soldier remained patient. Travelling from one island to another was never a quick endeavor for anyone who lived within a group of land separated by water. Pira and Lewod not saying a single word to him, the quiet boat ride continued in complete peace.
Hearing the sound of a rock soon hit the front of the boat, the group of three soon exited the vessel. As the world outside soon burned into his vision, the chimera's eyes opened wide. High up on a mountain had been a large purple castle. What had a castle been doing all the way out in an island not known by anyone? Perhaps, just maybe, the castle had once belonged to royalty. Group of two not looking royal of any sort, everything had been a mystery.
Eventually being lead to an oddly large birdcage, the party of three had entered the area. Birdcage lifting the three up, a room with a red carpet floor soon followed. Room that looked like a theater soon exited, a long winding path had soon been in front of him. Long set of staircases soon following, the soldier kept following behind the party of two.
Castle with raven statues everywhere, the chimera tilted his head. The castle, why had it felt similar to that story book about the princess and her night raven? The hyena did not know. Perhaps, just maybe, the princess within the storybook had been a real person. Pira and Lewod eventually turning to him, the soldier made eye contact.
"Hold on, before we continue there's someone we want you to meet first," Lewod said, holding their hand out. "Follow me."
Guided towards another room in the castle, Siorc stared at the royal walls. Who had Lewod and Pira wished to introduce him to? Whoever it was, he supposed he had no choice in the matter but to follow along. Small secluded room with a small desk and clothes everywhere within his field of vision, the escort had soon ended. Person with their head turned sewing an outfit, the hyena remained silent. Disturbing those working hard would be quite rude of him.
"We'll let you stay here, for awhile there are plenty of rooms," Pira said, words warm. He then turned to their sibling, sewing away. "Nate, don't be shy. Introduce yourself to our guest." A sharp toothed smile appeared on his face.
Third person turning to him, the chimera examined the new face looking his way. Sitting in a chair with a purple seat had been a petit looking person possibly taller than him when standing up. The person had a small, feminine face, similar to Lewod's. Face looking smooth, and moisturized, a smidgeon of envy had filled the early adult's soul. But the feeling soon left. Mountains of freckles on their face as well, and jade eyes that looked like Hase's, the hyena turned his attention to the person's hair. The feminine person had long purple hair tied back into a low bun. Small hair tie with a flower holding the bun in place, the chimera looked at the rest of the person's hair. Long wavy loose ends flowing towards their backside, and similar triangular bangs swept to the right, the chimera looked at the person's clothes. Stub earring on both their ears, and mix of masculine and feminine looking Mondstadt clothing colored black and red, the early adult ended his examination.
Person named Nate examining him as well, the chimera had come to wonder. Had they been some sort of clothing designer? Noticing no one had lived on the island, multiple questions wrapped vines around the hyena. If they had been a clothing designer, why stay on an island with all their creations far away from society? He supposed whatever lives this family had was no business of his. Seeing their eyes give off a ray of disappointment, the early adult could feel his heart sink. Had he done something to upset the clothing designer just by entering the castle? An apology was to be in order later.
"Mother won't be happy about this when she returns in a month, but I have no reason to question your judgement," Nate said, their voice was tenor, but had a feminine charm to it. They then turned to the stranger. Had they been in a winter uniform? Such disaster needed to be corrected immediately. "Oh, dear me, if you're staying here, you can't wear that, dearie." Tape measure had then been in their hands. "Let me measure you and make you a summer uniform."
Siorc's eyes opened wide at Nate's suggestion. Was he even allowed to wear a custom uniform? If Her Majesty were to ever find out about it, his life would be over in an instant. But, he knew refusing a gift would be considered too modest of him. Mouthing a thank you to the clothing designer, an uncomfortable yellow string soon travelled around his body.
As Nate had begun measuring, an off thought had entered their mind. Their mother telling them that their cousin would be arriving on the island, they let out a somber sigh. Recalling in one of their mother's divinations that one of the youngest children in the family had been abducted by the Fatui some time ago, everything had soon been clear to them.
Measuring tape cruising around the young man's chest, a wave of bemusement filled their partially human brain. Had something been missing on his body? They could not pinpoint what the missing object could have possibly been, but such thought had to soon exit their mind. Moving onto the next place of measurement, ideas had soon formed into a material.
The young man's body had been about the size of their sister's. Knowing such size difference was close to zero, making a uniform his size would be an incredibly easy feat. Measurements done, they turned to the short young man. Having not said a word since he entered, they supposed breaking the silence could come into fruition.
"You're quite the quiet one, dear. Ah, right, let me introduce myself," Nate said, hand on their chest. "I'm Nathair, but you can call me Nate. I will have your new uniform done in a day, or so."
Hands soon returning to sewing, the group of three had soon exited the secluded area. Lewod and Pira soon taking the lead, the chimera followed behind like a duck in a pond. Guided to an abandoned room with a bed, the two soon turned to the hyena. Tall man looking as though he had something to say, the early adult kept his inhuman ears open.
"You can sleep here while working on your mission," Pira said, voice chill. "Can you swim, kiddo?"
Hearing the question, the chimera shook his head. Not being able to swim long distances, getting anywhere on his own was an impossibility to be had, for sure. Not knowing if the islands had been on his proxy map, getting around had come with various challenges on a Hydro platter.
Pira looking as though he had been pondering something, the young soldier looked into his purple eyes. Had he been pondering whether to let him use the boat they had took to get to the castle? He supposed, having to think about boating a Fatui around was a given.
"Well, as long as the boat isn't occupied, we'll take you around where you need to go," Pira responded. "We're going to attend to our own business now. Have a good night, kiddo." Exiting the room, the abandoned castle corridor had been a party of one.
No one being around, the chimera looked over his instructions with silence. Instructions in his currently human hands, the soldier paced around the room as the words on the paper made their roar known to him. Instructions telling him to document the Haar Islands, the soldier let out a tired sigh. He had to chart an entire unknown, uninhabited island? But, he knew his orders were orders. Such oddity had not been the only one, however. Glaring at him had been a cryptic instruction of terrifying proportions.
"If any changes occur on the islands, you are to investigate thoroughly," the instructions clearly said.
Instructions biting on his ear with a firm clamp, uneasiness had wrapped thorny vines around the chimera. The Fatui on the island, had they been attempting to change the islands? He knew if anything were to happen, he had no say in the matter. Feeling a wave of tiredness soon overtake him, the hyena removed the royal looking covers from the bed.
Slumping into the foreign bed, the hyena closed his eyes. World of sleep about to take him away for the evening, a thought had entered his mind as the world of dreams were about to invite him back in. Thought playing on repeat, it had begun to enter the land of his subconscious mind.
What was in store for him in the month to come?
***
"The divine up above, what are they always telling my mother?
Her prediction was right again,
Every time her so-called divinations are correct, I am baffled.
It is odd, for she does not have a vision.
She always claims she never needed one,
Look, I don't get her.
All her predictions about our cousin coming.
Now, I see why she decided to leave.
Don't know why, but I have this feeling.
Saying we are related will likely hurt him.
Ah, I suppose Pira and Lewod know such.
Ripping off the lids of secrets will only cause harm.
Even so, it looks like they'll be helping him.
Cannot say this shocks me, the
Haar Islands are changing.
As the days go on, the sky is flickering.
No wonder my mother left with our father, for now,
Guess that light is dangerous.
I shall remain in the background for now, for sewing an outfit is upon me.
No matter, Pira and Leah have this, really.
Guess I have a busy day of sewing ahead of me."
Upon waking up the next morning, the hyena looked over his instructions for the day. Glasses being on, the chimera read the words on the note carefully. Being told to head towards an unnamed isle, the soldier could feel a chill run down his spine as the next part of his instructions had been in front of his bespectacled eyes.
Being told to record information on a Fatui machine that had been planted within the island, the hyena allowed a terrified gulp escape his partially human esophagus. Her Majesty had been planting machines around the Haar Islands? Knowing he had no choice but to follow his orders, the chimera exited the isolated room within the enormous castle.
Lewod and Pira sitting by a table with a red tablecloth surrounded by raven statues, the soldier tilted his head. The castle still looked as though it had been straight out of a storybook. Not really remembering what story it was that had a raven castle, the hyena put a pin in such thought for now.
Given a small helping of food, the hyena stared at the lifeless raven statues. Castle not looking as though it truly belonged to the family residing in it, a round of curiosities stormed within his partially human mind. Had Lewod, Pira, and Nathair truly owned the raven castle? He supposed it was no business of his how or why they had been residing in such building that looked like a storybook.
Small meal devoured, the chimera turned his head to the right and left. No matter where he looked, the castle did not feel real. Party of two still devouring their meals, the hyena removed the teleport waypoint proxy map from his uniform pocket. Proxy map showing him a location in complete isolation, the hyena's eyebrow twitched, a smidgeon.
Entire map looking far off from anywhere in Teyvat, unease had begun to eat the chimera. How had Her Majesty discovered such an island? Area not being connected to anything, traversing to it through normal means had to have been astronomically impossible. But, he knew Her Majesty had unlimited technology at her disposal. As he observed the map more, odd text had been at the bottom right corner.
Name of the island covered with a black line, the chimera tilted his head. Why had the text been obscured by a black line? It was almost as if, in a world outside of Teyvat, a word of god prevented the real name of the islands from being presented to the audience. Black line making the text indiscernible, the soldier looked at the text below the obscured line.
Text below reading twenty nine days remaining, sweat had poured down the hyena's back. Had Her Majesty programmed a time limit feature into his proxy map recently? Not being aware of whatever happened while he had been asleep, such was a mystery to the early adult. The timer embedded into the map, would it continue to count down as the days went by? He supposed twenty nine days around a group of islands had been more than enough to record everything the Cryo Archon needed.
Lewod and Pira still devouring their food, the soldier placed his fingers on the proxy map. Zooming the map out, the names of the isles had been revealed to him. Only four isles being named, the chimera attempted to narrow down the unnamed isle he needed to head to within the best of his ability.
Blue marker currently pointing him to Twinning Isle, the soldier shook his head. The island he had been on currently could not have possibly been the one. Turning his attention to any unnamed isles in the area, the early adult squinted for a moment. In the top left corner had been a large unnamed isle that looked big enough to hold an entire army. Could such unnamed area have been the right one? Her Majesty's instructions not specifying, trial and error awaited the man.
Meals eventually finished, the party of two turned to the hyena. Lewod looking as though they had something of major importance to say, the chimera's eyes met his mirror image's within seconds. Listening to what everyone in the room had to say was absolutely mandatory.
"Nate said xe will be finished with your uniform by the evening," Lewod explained, voice soft. "But, for now, we should get going! What's your first objective?"
Hearing Lewod's inquiry, the chimera opened up the orb back into map form. Pointing to an island in the northwest area, he dissipated the map back into orb form. Looking the group of two strangers into the eyes, the group readied themselves to exit the castle. Long pathway down soon conquered, a boat had been summoned through the odd magical device towards the ground.
Group of three soon within the vessel, the hyena had once again stood absolutely still. No matter what, moving in such a vessel was not an option. Pira cruising through the ocean slowly, the destination would not be on the horizon for awhile to come.
Vessel cruising through the water in the same direction, the hyena could not help but feel a sense of dejavu. Had all the isles within Haar Islands been accessible through one singular direction? But such thought had been cancelled like an outdoor party on a rainy day. Boat shifting every now and again, a long ride of curves awaited him.
Lewod playing with their ribbons as the boat ride continued, the hyena let out a somber sigh. Person still looking nearly identical to him, a wave of loneliness hit the chimera. He knew there were people completely unrelated to him that could have still looked like him. Slapping his cheeks, the early adult refused to let such thoughts win. He had no time to feel such emotions of lonesomeness.
Hearing the sound of a rock soon hit the front of the boat, the three exited the vessel. But, as soon as he exited the boat a feel of unease ripped the chimera apart. The nameless isle, why had he felt an eerie aura protruding through it? The soldier did not know, but he knew he had to keep going.
As he stepped forward, a sinister sight had greeted the soldier. Sitting in the center of the isle had been a dark red machine leaking with a sinister aura. Multiple Fatui in the area not seeming like they were in sorts, a boulder had entered the pit of his stomach.
Fatui not even noticing him as he stepped forward, the soldier recalled what Lewod had said. Odd incidents had been happening around the islands. The red machine, could it have been related to such odd phenomena his doppelganger had proclaimed were happening? Group of Fatui on the island unable to answer him in any way, the soldier opened up the notebook.
Recording information about the machine and its aura, the hyena decided to observe the area further. Seeing a small wooden staircase off to the side, the soldier ascended. Only way up being a set of vines, the early adult climbed the roots of Dendro. Second layer of stairs soon upon him, another set of stairs had been ascended within minutes.
Second set of vines being the only way up, the young soldier climbed upward. Lewod and Pira staying within the wooden vessel, traversing alone through the isle alone had been the only option. Another wooden staircase leading to a large set of more brown vines, the hyena continued climbing.
Fatui camp set by a large wooden bridge, the chimera traversed in silence. Soldiers still not taking notice of him, the hyena's currently human legs had broken out into a sprint. If the soldiers were too disoriented to notice him, he needed to take advantage of such opportunity. Bridge path leading to an odd device that would not lift him upward, the hyena shrugged. The Fatui were in too much of a daze to do anything, he supposed. Knowing the only way up was to continue climbing, the early adult returned to the investigation at hand.
Large mountainside soon scaled, a terrifying sight soon glared daggers at him. At the top of the mountains had been another machine glowing a red aura. If there had been two machines on the island, the islands would be in danger, for sure. Recording the second machine in the notebook, the soldier returned to the bridge.
Noticing an entire other side of the long bridge, the hyena sprinted off towards the other area. Third red machine with a sinister aura surrounded by Hilichurl towers, the hyena recorded the third machine into the notebook. Third machine feeling as though the sinister aura had been at its maximum, another stone had been thrown into the pit of his stomach.
The three machines, whatever they had been there for, they had not been for a good cause, in the slightest. Not seeing anything else of major note within the isle, the soldier returned to the windowless boat vessel. Castle soon returned to after a long amount of steering, his temporary abode had been reached.
Lewod and Pira returning to their own business, the hyena opened his notebook. Expanding upon his entries on the sinister machines, the chimera had begun to walk around in circles. The red machines, they would cause disasters upon the island, for sure. But something had not been right in the slightest.
The Fatui, why had they all been in a dazed state? The aura he had felt as he had come onto the island, the soldier could not help but feel it had something to do with it. Would Her Majesty's Fatui be affected by her machinery? Being a member of her army must not have equaled immunity to everything she had invented.
Lewod's words about the islands being strange lately ringing in his inhuman eardrums, the words continued to echo throughout the chambers of his partially human brain. Strange machine being the biggest suspect to the changes, the soldier kept the inhuman culprit in mind, for the time being.
Meal eventually provided to him after hours had passed, a dinner in complete silence bounced off the castle walls. Knowing he could not get non Fatui involved in the conversation involving his work, the soldier devoured his food faster than a pink alien living beyond the world of Teyvat. Meal finished, the chimera returned to his temporary isolated room in complete silence.
Feeling the need to walk around again, the soldier had once again walked around in a circle within the small castle room. Words about the islands having a possibility to change flashing in his head, more questions had begun to crash at bay. What changes to the islands would he witness? He supposed time would tell. Twenty nine days had remained in his mission.
Feeling a wave of tiredness, the hyena slumped into the foreign bed. A long documentation saga had awaited him in the days to come. Changes occurring or not, the hyena knew he could not falter. World of dreams readying to invite him back in, the the soldier closed his eyes.
Waking up the next morning, Siorc prepared himself to read his instructions for the day. Blue star hairpins and earrings on him, uneasiness had begun to flood within him. Words in front of him, the soldier read the instructions with due diligence. But such had been interrupted by a quick obstacle.
Lewod delivering his summer uniform to him, the hyena switched into the summer shirt. Summer uniform looking similar to Lewod's pink outfit, but green and with Fatui insignias on the sleeves, the chimera could feel his heart skip a beat. Was he allowed to wear a uniform made by a non-Fatui? Summer heat while wearing the winter uniform making him sweat, removing a few layers had to come of him now. Placing the Teleport Waypoint proxy orb in his pants pocket for the moment, the chimera had finished the switching of his uniforms.
Green shirt feeling oddly soft, the soldier almost let out a blissful noise. Nathair had known what xe was doing, indeed. Obstacles out of the way, the hyena returned his attention to his instructions. Being told he would have to traverse through Twinning Isle for the day, the hyena could feel relief flow through him like water. Twinning Isle being where he had currently been, no boat travel was necessary.
Everyone in the castle going about their business, the soldier had begun looking around. Nothing any different sticking out to him, the chimera wrote information about the castle within the notebook. Castle being large, the hyena kept looking around the royal palace, for awhile.
Coming across the birdcage once again, the soldier placed himself within the odd device. Strange theater room with only raven statues in the audience, the hyena kept walking. Seeing such a theater, the chimera had once again wondered. The castle, could it have been from the storybook about the princess and the night raven? He supposed the question did not have an answer.
Disheveled building sinking into the water, the soldier recorded the phenomenon in the notebook. Would such information about a sinking house matter to Her Majesty? He knew every bit of information had counted. Raven statues crowded by a well, and empty rock formation leading to nowhere, the soldier returned to the castle, for the time being. The isle had been far too big to explore in one go.
Returning to the mission the next day, the hyena would not falter. Raven statue somehow able to create a wind current to the other side, the chimera recorded the phenomenon into the notebook. Other side of the isle being a part of the castle as well, the early adult shrugged his currently human shoulders. If the entirety of Twinning Isle had been nothing more than a castle, he supposed no surprises awaited him.
Deploying his wind glider, the hyena headed towards a small isle separated from the rest. Tall mountain formation off into the distance, the soldier climbed the mountain scape. But, as his climb above had begun, an odd feeling had entered his soul. Feeling a strange gust of foreign wind, unease had made a meal out of the young soldier. The strong wind, it did not feel right. Knowing he had to shake such feeling off, Siorc had begun climbing.
Reaching the top after half an hour, a sight of absolutely nothing greeted the chimera. Raven statue creating a wind current, odd rings were seeped with dandelions; a series of rings traversed through the air cried out in battle. Palace eventually returned to, the hyena recorded the phenomenon into the notebook. Feeling as though he had enough notes on Twinning Isle, the mission had come to an end, for the day.
Next day soon upon him, the chimera was ready for the day at hand. Instructions informing him he would need to head to Pudding Isle next, the long boat trip continued onward. Long trip south eventually coming to an end, the soldier observed the island named after a dessert.
Island named after a food looking rather normal, for the moment, the soldier wrote everything down within the notebook. While the island had looked nothing out of the ordinary, something odd had caught the chimera's mismatched eyes. Patrolling around the island in a daze was a tall Fatui with a war machine on his back. Man talking about his cap and crying, the hyena tilted his head. What had come over all the Fatui on the island? None of them had mentally seemed like that had truly been there.
Another large mountainside off into the distance, another short boat trip had been administered. Lewod and Pira remaining within the small vessel, climbing solo had to become of the hyena, for now. He supposed the strangers helping him get around the island not poking their noses in was for the best.
As the chimera had begun to climb, an odd red light flashed in the sky for a split instant. Realizing the red light could not be ignored, the soldier recorded the phenomenon into the notebook. Continuing his traverse upward, the early adult remained as focused as he could possibly muster.
Peak being a long climb upward, the hyena prepared himself. Reaching the first grassy area, the soldier turned his head to the right and left. Nothing out of the ordinary sticking out to him, the hyena kept climbing. Reaching another grassy area with strange monuments with yellow symbols on them, the chimera wrote down his findings within the travel log.
Second half of the cliffside being only connected by a large set of tree bark, the soldier jumped onto the area of strange connection. Other side of the mountainside soon conquered, the chimera observed his surroundings. But, nothing of especial note stuck out to him. Nothing interesting enough to document in the notebook, the early adult scaled downward.
As the chimera readied himself to enter the windowless boat, an oddity had begun to play out right in front of him. Seashell with a blue aura standing upon a rock, the hyena picked up the shell. Voices coming out of the shell, the young soldier jumped six steps back. The seashell, had it been speaking to him? Such phenomenon could not go unreported.
Not finding anything else of note upon the dessert isle, the soldier returned to the windowless boat. Small meal given to him upon the party of three's return to the castle, multiple thoughts had begun to bounce around within the chimera's head.
The flash of red light, had the Fatui somehow regained enough reason to be able to operate their machines again? If such were the case, he knew he would have to proceed with caution. Whatever objective the other Fatui had been given on the island, he knew he could not interfere, in any way. Returning to the foreign bed, the world of questions flooded into the dream world.
Next day upon him, the soldier read his instructions as soon as his glasses had graced his damaged eyes. Being instructed to document Broken Isle next, the next long boat trip had begun. Boat heading towards the west direction, the soldier remained still within the vessel.
Broken Isle soon upon him, the soldier looked towards the coastline. Within every distance walk of him had been many large mountainscapes. Pira informing him there would be a tremendous amount of climbing the chimera allowed an exasperated sigh escape the esophagus. Another tiring day had been at hand.
Isle that did not look remotely out of the ordinary, the hyena recorded the sights into the notebook. But such normalcy had soon faded. Another red flash hitting the sky, the chimera blinked. Had the Fatui off on the unnamed isle been up to something again? Hearing a tall female Fatui mumble about a photo off towards the sand nearby, the early adult returned his attention to the mission at hand.
Nothing but trees within the first area of interest, the soldier proceeded towards the next mountainscape. Cliff looking far larger than the first one, a wave of fatigue entered the hyena. But, he knew he had to keep going. He had to document the isle. Brown rocks soon becoming a field of grass, the early adult observed his surroundings.
Small pool of water in between the grass of nothing, the early adult tilted his head. Why had the water felt like it would serve some sort of purpose within the coming days? Knowing such was not something to be ignored, the hyena wrote about the water into his Haar Island travel notes.
One more mountainside remaining, the young soldier headed to the area. Third and final mountainside looking even steeper of a climb than the past two, Siorc took a long deep breath. Climbing was tiring, long winded exercise indeed. Another red flash soon engulfing the sky for a split second, a gulp had bounced off and around the rock formations.
Finding a small rest point for a moment, the chimera caught his breath. Climbing for hours on end was far more tiring than even the penguin chimera's obnoxious personality. Next rest point soon upon him, the hyena observed his surroundings. Multiple wind barriers holding treasure chests hostage, the hyena recorded the odd instance into the notebook. Would he have to solve such puzzle later? He supposed he could return to the isle later, if he had the chance to.
Top of the Broken Isle having another large pool of water, more information had been recorded within the travel log. Nothing else of note within the area, the hyena returned to the windowless vessel. Castle upon him again after about an hour, dinner had soon been served. Barbatos Ratatouille served for the evening, the hyena attempted with all his might to hold back his tears.
Nostalgic dinner devoured, the chimera returned to his temporary abode. Lewod and Pira returning to their business, the hyena had once again returned to his circular walk about. Nathair never joining to the two of them for dinner, the hyena had come to wonder. Did the clothing designer ever stop to eat? Xe had seemed rather busy on a twenty-four hour basis. He supposed the affairs of complete strangers was of no business of his.
Red flash returning to his memory, the hyena switched to moving in a straight back and forth line. The Fatui, just what had their machine been doing on the island? The island could change shape at any moment now, surely. The hourglasses' sand had begun to fall faster.
Knowing his orders to investigate any changes that were to occur thoroughly, the chimera climbed into the foreign bed. Feeling a strong wave of fatigue, another day of documenting the next area awaited him within the blink of a mismatched eye. Sleep soon taking him, the sea of red joined him in the land of dreams.
Reading his instructions the next morning, the soldier blinked. Being instructed to go to Minacious Isle for the day, multiple feelings of unease had begun to splash water on the chimera. The red flashes in the sky, would he soon witness them again? Flashes only continuing to get stronger, changes could start coming for the islands within any moment.
Long boat trip southward, the soldier kept his thoughts about changing being right around the corner his primary focus, for the moment at hand. Long distance soon completed after about a long hour, the next isle had soon been upon him in, another solo documentation was ready to make waves.
Small pool of water near a tiny beach not feeling anything out of ordinary for the Minacious Isle, the soldier headed towards the opposite end of the isle. Nothing of especial note upon the surface, the hyena let out an exasperated sigh. He was getting quite tired of scaling multiple mountaintops. But, he knew he had no choice in the matter.
As the chimera climbed up the grey rocks, an odd structure had graced his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Rock formation suddenly looking like some sort of temple, the hyena recorded such odd difference of scenery within the notebook. Soon reaching the top, the early adult recorded his surroundings. Odd looking ice crystals littered throughout the bottom section of the temple forming a pattern, more notes had been recorded into the travel log.
Seeing there had been slightly more to investigate up above, the soldier ascended. Odd device showing ice crystals forming into a large shape, the chimera wrote down his findings. Would he need Cryo to solve such puzzles later? He supposed he could ask Lewod to help at a later date, if necessary. Nothing else out of the ordinary upon the isle, the hyena returned to the small pool of water, for the moment.
Coming across a seashell with a purple aura, the chimera picked up the odd aquatic item. Images projected from the seashell, the hyena jumped ten steps back. Images speaking about conducting signal tests, the early adult jumped three more steps back. The seashell, why had it been projecting the images of the Fatui on the island? Her Majesty's technology was a frightening beast to behold.
Writing down the events within the notebook, the hyena returned to the windowless vessel. Nothing else of major note within the area, the job had felt done, for the day at hand. But, as he was about to return to the castle for the evening, four red flashes had flickered in the sky. Scenery changing a smidgeon in the distance, the chimera stared off into space. Time was beginning to run out for the isle remaining in complete normalcy.
Returning to the secluded room within Twinning Isle, the soldier walked in a straight line back and forth. Recalling the talking seashell speaking about conducting signal tests, the hyena could only help but wonder. The red flashes towards the sky, could those have been the Fatui conducting said signal tests? No named isles remaining, getting to the bottom of such phenomenon had to come into fruition.
Instructions not pointing him anywhere the next morning, the soldier returned to the first nameless island, for the day. Fatui seeming even more disoriented, the chimera observed the machine in the center. The machine's aura, had it gotten stronger since the week had gone by? Sky looking as though it had been dyed red, the chimera recorded the changes into the travel notes.
Secluded nameless isles traversed to upon finishing his investigation, a disturbing scene had burned into the chimera's bespectacled field of vision. On one of the nameless isles in between Twinning Isle and Pudding Isle had been a machine. Large crystal spinning nonstop in the sky, a large amount of unease continued to eat away at him. The machines off in between the other major islands had a sinister aura radiating throughout. Recording such into the notebook, the next nameless isle would soon be reached.
Another sinister machine spinning cogs with a red aura, the hyena could sense signs of change ready to flash through the islands again. Large blue switches with Fatui symbols inside them spinning the wheels faster with every second, the chimera recorded the isle with the machine within his travel log. Third nameless island with a small coast having such a machine as well, every isle had been visited, for the moment.
Next day coming at him fast, the soldier read over his instructions for the day. Notes telling him to double check any islands for anything he may have missed, an idea had formed within the chimera's head. The island he had been dropped off on, could there have been anything he did not notice the first time he had come there? He supposed a second look would not hurt. But such thoughts were interrupted by a sudden announcement.
"Pira, I'm going sunbathing!" Lewod exclaimed, sunglasses already on. But Pira had soon interjected.
"You need to be careful, the Fatui have been making more moves lately. So I'm coming with you," Pira said sternly. He then turned to Siorc. "You need to head to the small isle with the lounge chairs anyway, right, kiddo?"
Pira getting the location right without even trying, the chimera simply nodded. Having to double check the isle to begin with, he supposed confirming such would curve his investigations further. Pira looking as though he had been pondering something, for the moment, the hyena waited.
"Alright, we'll take you there, as well, but Nathair will be needing the boat today," Pira warned. "So, you won't be able to go anywhere else until xe returns."
Stern warning given, Nathair had soon joined the party of three. Fourth member soon within the boat, less space had soon been available to him within the tiny vessel. Feeling boxed in, the chimera closed his eyes. Everything had been a tight glass cage. But, no complaints would leave his lips. Bearing it was all the hyena could do.
Small isle with lounge chairs soon reached, the boat had soon sped off faster than his mismatched eyes could follow. Hearing the scream of a dragon off in the distance, the chimera rose his left eyebrow. Had Nathair climbed upon a beast off somewhere in the distance? The hyena did not know; the event was too far away to know for certain.
Lewod soon lounging about, and Pira keeping an eye on them, the young soldier investigated the island. Small grassy area with a rabbit umbrella sticking out like a slime in a tribe of Hilichurls, the chimera titled his head towards the sky. The umbrella, why had it looked so similar to the Pyro Elf Girl of Doom's backpack keychain? If the island had truly belonged to her, he would have to proceed with caution if she were to ever return.
Large red ring with red energy radiating throughout it, the soldier recorded his findings in the notebook. But as his investigations had continued, another red flash radiated throughout the area for two minutes on end. Flashes coming to an end, the winds had begun to change.
Pudding Isle looking different, the hyena knew he had to get a closer look. No boat available to him, the only choice he had was to step into the ocean water. But, such was a grave mistake the soldier would pay for with his entire small body.
Shallow end soon gone, the chimera's body had soon been within the water. Feeling the ocean engulf him, the hyena could feel himself begin to struggle to float. Attempting with any might to get himself into a swimming position had been an utter failure. Legs too deep within the water, panic soon possessed him like the voices in the seashells around the island.
It was too late, he had already been in too deep.
As the water made itself known to him, the soldier's body dropped downward into the ocean below. Feeling gallons of water rush inside his lungs, the struggle to breathe felt like a burning sensation. Body continuing to sink like a stone thrown into the seabed, the chimera closed his eyes. Everything was burning, he could take no more. Consciousness slipping away, one final thought had entered the early adult's burning mind.
If he were to die, at least it wasn't in Snezhnaya.
***
Fortunately, outside forces would soon hear the commotion off into the ocean. Loud splashes disturbing their moment of relaxation, Lewod's sunglasses had been lifted off their face. But, the sight before them had been a horror to behold. Witnessing their cousin sinking into the ocean, a scream of panic had broken out of their lungs in an instant.
"Pira! Quick! The kid is drowning!" Lewod shouted frantically. "You have to save him before it's too late!"
No hesitation of any sort flowing through him, Pira threw his jacket upon the sand in seconds. Red shirt soon removed, the tall man's bare masculine body had been on private display. Sprinting towards the deep end of the water, he soon swam to the ocean beneath. Seeing the unconscious body of the young man dropping lower, Pira placed the body within his muscular arms. Surface soon reached, he placed the body upon the sand.
Feeling a faint pulse, a sigh of relief hit Pira. Human legs soon replaced with hyena ones, he placed himself over the limp body. While he knew he could not have his hyena legs out when he was conscious, he cared not, at the moment in time. Restitution had to come of him now.
Airways soon open, he placed his hands on the young man's chest. Compressing the chest thirty times, he soon moved onto the next step. Placing his lips on him, breaths of restitution had been delivered. Repeating the steps a few more times, signs of life had soon returned. Feeling the young man breathing, however, had not been enough. How much water had gotten into his lungs? Further action needed to be taken.
"Kiddo has a lot of water in his lungs," Pira said, words calmer than they should have been for the situation at hand. "He needs a doctor."
Briefly coming to for a split second as the world went on, the chimera could feel a burning sensation throughout his entire body. Chest feeling hotter than fire, the soldier closed his eyes once again. Unable to keep his eyes open for even a second, the world of blackness soon overtook him for a second time.
Knowing there was no time, Lewod responded in an instant. "I know one," they responded instantaneously.
Recalling the time their youngest cousin Hase had come to the island for a small vacation, Pira pondered. Had the person Hase taken Leah to all those years ago been a doctor? He knew he had no time to be thinking such. The situation had to be dealt with before it was too late. If water were to remain in his lungs for too long, the young man would not live to see tomorrow.
"Do you mean your friend in Natlan you taught how to speak like a girl all those years ago?" Pira asked quickly.
Question being asked of them, Lewod nodded. Natlan being quite far away, getting to the area without the transport dragon had been next to impossible. But, they had recalled something else. The Fatui often had magical teleport orbs that could instantly beam them anywhere within and beyond Teyvat as long as there had been a marker on the map to bring them there. Knowing such was the only option, they readied to tell their brother.
"Yes!" Lewod exclaimed, almost screaming. "Check his pockets!" Their hands had soon been on their blue ribbons, but they stopped themselves within an instant. Now had not been the time to play with their hair ribbons. "I hear most Fatui carry around magical maps that can teleport them anywhere!"
Reaching into his cousin's pockets, a small orb had soon come out. Tapping the center, the orb had folded out into a map right in front of him. Seeing a section on the map entitled Natlan, Pira clicked the button within an instant. Highlighting an unknown city in Natlan's waypoint, he placed the unconscious soldier on his back. Lewod holding his left arm, the fast travel had soon begun.
Returning the magical, mystical map back into his pocket, Lewod soon lead the way. Door to a medical ward soon upon them, Lewod twisted the knob. Door creaking open, Lewod and Pira stepped inward. Young dark skinned woman downing some medication while they slipped in, the two could not wait another minute. Face soon turning around, Leah readied herself.
"Loba, we need your help, it's an emergency!" Leah screamed, frantic. "Our cousin drowned in the ocean when he went out too far. Please, you need to save him!"
Hearing Leah say the forbidden c word to the young woman, Pira placed his fingers by his lips. If the young man had woken up and heard that they had been related after all, their mother would be angry with them when she and their father had returned from their heist in Sumeru.
"Leah, watch your words," Pira warned. "If he woke up and heard you, it would cause a lot of problems."
Seeing Siorc on the tall green haired man's back with hyena legs, a frown had graced Loba's face. Knowing a medical examination was necessary immediately, she pointed to a bed. Tall man placing him on the bed, a medical instrument had been around her neck within seconds.
Chest instrument soon placed on the sternum, Loba listened carefully. Heartbeat being faint, a frown had continued to grace her face. Sound of his breathing being muddied by what sounded like water, Loba ended her examination. Had there been a gallon of water in his lungs? She knew she had to act fast.
"There is a lot of water in his lungs," Loba said, words almost shaking. She knew such was unprofessional of her, but her emotions would not cease. "I'll have to drain it out of him."
Hearing that helping him was possible, tears had begun to flow onto Leah's face. Rescuing him was possible after all? Such was a miracle gifted by the Archons. Was there anything she could do to help? Standing around doing nothing was not an option, for any reason.
"I'll do anything I can to help!" Leah responded. Her hands had been folded into a praying position. "We'll stay here in Natlan until he recovers!"
Group of two helping out, various machines had been hooked up to the chimera. Horrific needle poked into one of his veins, Loba's face grew dark. Needles were a terrifying tool within the medical world. Everything being hooked up, the next steps would soon have to come into fruition.
Siorc's life was currently in her hands.
***
"No, this can't be happening.
Ah, my lungs, they're burning.
They're burning. They're burning, they're burning.
Looks like what happened was not a dream.
All of my body, it is hurting, it is burning.
No way this is a dream, I'm hurting, I am burning.
Maybe someone will remove this pain,
Even though I am off in another island,
Don't know if that is possible, but this burning sensation,
It will not cease, leave me be.
Cannot take this pain, I am shutting off.
All of me is burning, nothing is working.
Lungs are burning, my lungs, they are burning.
Will anyone be able to save me?
Absolve this burning feeling?
Remove this pain, and help me?
Don't want to feel this anymore. Please, someone help me, my lungs are burning"
Upon coming to the next morning, the chimera had found himself in a familiar white walled room. Realizing where he had been, fear had grabbed him around the neck. How had he gotten to Natlan? Last he had remembered, he was on the Haar Islands. Knowing if Her Majesty were to find out he had somehow left would end in violence, he knew he had to leave immediately. But, such exit was halted before it could even begin.
Feeling something sharp poking down on his partially human veins, moving was impossible. Pain being excruciating, he could feel a shut down switch about to press inside him. But, he knew he could not let his current weakness win. Loba soon returning, he knew he had to tell her he had to return to work. Laying around hammered to a machine would disappoint Her Majesty, for sure. Medical Fatui soon within reach, he had to relay such fact to her.
"Ma'am, please," Siorc pleaded, voice weak. But his words had soon been accompanied by a painful cough. Why had breathing been so painful? He knew regardless, he could not stay. "I have to go back to work." Pain in his chest getting sharper, the cough continued.
Hearing such a predictable line coming from Siorc's lips, Loba dragged out a long sigh. Why had he always been so stubborn, no matter how many years were to pass? Medical device inside him not yet done expelling the water from his lungs, she knew she had to tell him returning to work was not happening.
"No, Siorc, absolutely not," Loba replied, words stern. "I can't let you go back work in your current state." She attempted to soften her words as she kept going. "There is a lot of water in your lungs that needs to be drained out." Placing his hand that had not been nailed down with a needle into her own, she held it tight. "You don't have to worry, Her Majesty has gone away on business. She will not find out." Would telling him such a fact put her patient at ease? Loba had hoped so. "You are staying right here until you recover."
Loba not budging on her words, a defeat horn had blared throughout the medical ward. Machine keeping him stuck in a bed prison, choice was beyond the scope of his ability. Pira soon bringing an odd mask to Loba, the object had soon been put on his face. Eyes fluttering closed, sleep had took him in seconds.
Three days had soon passed as though nothing had happened. Pain from his lungs no longer an issue, the chimera rose from the medical bed. Sharp object no longer connected to his veins, the hyena knew an exit had to come of him now. Medical instrument pressed to his chest, the metal had been piercing cold. Able to take deep breaths on command, he could see the faintest of smiles form on everyone's lips.
Being proclaimed stable by the jackal chimera, the soldier mouthed a thank you. He knew he had no time to waste; returning to the Haar Islands had to come of him now. Removing the teleport waypoint proxy orb from his back pants pocket, the orb had turned into map form. Highlighting the section of the map with a black line covering the name, the hyena highlighted the waypoint to Twinning Isle within seconds. Lewod and Pira within close proximity of him, the fast travel back to the islands had begun.
Castle soon upon him, the party of two had gave him especially stern looks. What more could they have possible have needed to say to him? He supposed he had no choice but to hear them out. Small table with a red tablecloth soon reached, the two sat down at the table. Raven statues almost looking as though they were about to move, a shock shot down his spine. Had someone else been listening in?
"From now on, you're not stepping into any water that looks deep," Pira scolded, words still calm and chill no matter what. "It's dangerous. We're not taking any chances." Lewod's voice had soon join the party.
"And, you won't be investigating anything today!" Lewod chimed in. Their hands had been folded into two fists. How unladylike of them. Unfolding their fists, they instead twirled their hair. "Eat dinner with us, and take the rest of the day off!"
Not seeming like he was being given a choice, the chimera allowed a tired sigh escape the throat. He knew if he tried to continue his work, the two obstacles would stop him every step of the way, for sure. Defeat blowing its horn upon the battlefield, the soldier had no choice but to accept his fate. Dinner soon devoured, the early adult returned to his temporary abode.
Next day coming at him fast, the hyena studied the teleport waypoint proxy map with due diligence. As he looked at the locations of the Haar Islands, an odd symbol had appeared near the Pudding Isle area of the map. Icon of a plant appearing as though it had always been there, the hyena tilted his head. Knowing he had to investigate any changes that had occurred on the islands, the chimera would not falter.
Nathair appearing outside xer clothing dungeon, the hyena blinked. Only having seen Nathair twice in the two weeks he had been in the far off islands, the soldier had still wondered. Just how busy had xe been? He supposed it was no business of his if xe had a clothing business. Everyone's food devoured, the hyena opened his map in complete silence.
Six eyes turning to look at him, the chimera pointed to the plant icon on the map. Pointing to it twice, he gave eye contact to the six eyes in front of him. Would they be able to understand what he had been trying to say? He knew wordless communication was not easy for everyone to follow. Nathair looking as though xe had something to say, Siorc turned his attention to xem.
"I'll be coming along with you all, too," xe said, standing up. "Let me go into my room and get our swords, dears." Stepping out of the room for a moment, xer presence had been gone within an instant.
Nathair exiting to grab a set of three swords, the soldier returned to his temporary room, for a moment. Claymore hooked to the seat of his pants, and delusion placed on the bottom, the soldier had been ready. Knowing he needed the notebook as well, the large bag had to come with him as well.
Pira steering the boat towards Pudding Isle, a long trip across the water had begun. Isle named after a dessert reached after about an hour, the group of four exited the boat. But, a shocking sight bewildered the chimera in an instant. The island's scenery had almost changed overnight. Trees with many different colored leaves replacing the normal ones, wanderlust had begun to eat the hyena. The Fatui's machine, had it finally changed the landscape? But such had not been the only change.
In the corner upon a rock had been a tiny plant potted into a ceramic casing. The plant had white bark wood that bended over. Dark green pine leaves on every branch, the wanderlust only continued to grow. When had a tiny plant been placed within the Pudding Isle? Being away for three days was a beast indeed.
Seeing the look of bewilderment on Pira's face, the hyena could not help but feel a smidgeon of concern. Why had he looked so somber and downtrodden for a moment? Had the plant had some significance to his childhood, in some way? Whatever it was that the plant meant to him, he knew he had to leave any questions he had back into the windowless boat. Pira looking like he had something to say, the early adult turned his attention to him.
"Strange, it's that calming plant Uncle Tigre gave me during my teen years," Pira said, bewildered. "How did this get here?"
Hands on the plant, a blinding light had soon engulfed the group of four. Plant transporting them to some sort of subspace, the hyena closed his eyes. Teleportation to a new area soon about to unfold, the early adult had one singular question float around in his mind.
Where was the plant transporting them to?
***
"That plant, it really takes me back.
How many years has it been?
Even so, that was so many years ago.
Can no longer remember how long it has been.
All I recall is my Uncle gave it to me.
Looks like it was so many years ago, I have forgotten the time frame.
Many years have passed since we have come here.
I am no longer the angry Pira I used to be.
No longer do I feel irritation, anger, indignance.
Guess times have truly changed.
Perhaps this plant is a representation of my memory,
Looks like those red flashes over the horizon had done something,
After all that machine can likely do anything,
Nothing is out of the question.
Though the memories that are about to resurface,
Maybe they will be unpleasant,
Yes, for that plant is connected to my past self,
Ultimately, I need to remain calm.
Never should I get angry. Such
Could turn on my piranha brain,
Laying back, keeping chill, this is how it has to be.
Even if something bothers me, I cannot get angry,
Getting angry is a danger to everyone around me
At least on these islands, no one is here,
Vehemence is not something I feel anymore, anyway.
Every day, I remain cool, calm and collected.
Maybe that plant helped me get to this point,
Even though it has been years, I am now certain."
Strange plant teleporting them to an area unknown, the soldier observed his surroundings. Observing the area he had been in, the chimera could not help but feel a sense of familiarity to him. Brown floors and walls with Liyuean tapestry. Had he been transported back into Teyvat through the plant? But something had been off as he kept looking around.
The stairs leading to the bottom floor had been gone, and the boss who had been around at all times had been missing. The chimera could not help but notice, the area had felt distorted, warped; missing necessities. But such had not been the only oddities present in the possible other worldly version of Wangshu Inn.
Pira had not been around, in any capacity. Had he been teleported to a separate area within the domain? The hyena supposed such could have been possible. The world of domains was a complete and utter mystery to the early adult. But, he knew if were to get out of the subspace, he would have to keep walking. Lewod and Nathair looking as lost in thought as he had been, the soldier waited.
Domain looking rather familiar, Lewod turned to Nate. The domain, had it been a manifestation of Pira's memories back when he had worked in Wangshu Inn as an angry teenager? They recalled how much of a troubling time that was for him, overall. If they would have to look at his past memories through some domain show, they would need to remain cautious, for the moment.
Area looking similar to a job Pira once had, Nathair turned to Leah. Xe recalled the time Pira had gotten in trouble at work for getting angry at a customer at Wangshu Inn. Had the domain been a manifestation of his much more transformative period of his life when he had been unable to control his emotions? Xe supposed exploring the domain to find an exit was the only option. Nodding to xer sister, the two stepped forward.
Seeing Nathair and Lewod step forward, Siorc stepped one step behind them. Did the two of them know their way through the distorted version of Wangshu Inn? He supposed he would follow their lead. Inn hallways still looking distorted as he went on, a major oddity had soon blocked the path as an obstacle.
What looked to be an inn room in front of them, an odd screen with the silhouette of a human being on it had appeared. Person's shadow looking terrified, a slew of words had been said by the shadow in the odd screen in the center of the room, but only two singular words had any meaning applied to them.
"Calm down!" the shadow's voice said.
Screen disappearing and shadow vanishing, the party of three kept walking, but another Liyuean screen had soon gotten in the way. Shadow of a much younger Pira appearing within the screen, the shadow's fists had been balled up. Was a battle about to start within the distorted inn? Shadow looking ready to respond to the previous one, the group of three continued listening.
"Maybe if you'd have told me right the first time this wouldn't be happening!" young Shadow Pira screamed.
Multiple screens with shadows telling a shadow Pira to calm down, nothing had truly been changing within the domain. Seeing such scenes play out before his very mismatched eyes, the chimera could feel himself shake. Had he stepped into someone else's past? Would having to listen be considered prying into something that was no business of his? He knew he had no choice in the matter, considering the space he had currently been in.
Walking forward for awhile, more Liyuan screens used for scenic decoration had blocked the way, but the inn rooms had soon changed into a new area. Area looking like a battleground, a terrified shadow appeared within the screen, a chilling line had been unleashed by the shadow.
"Just because you have a Pyro Vision, doesn't mean you can attack me for one little mistake!" the shadow shouted. "I've had enough! Let my Slimechurls teach you a lesson!"
Set of six Slimes with Hilichurl like feet appearing after the screen shadow announced them, Lewod and Nathair had swords in their hands. Footed Slimes being every element but Hydro and Cryo, water and ice attacks had danced around the battlefield. Slimechurls defeated before he could even do anything, the group of three continued to walk forward.
Staircase soon upon the group of three, Pira had been waiting. Pira looking quite lost in thought, Nathair and and Lewod soon joined him. Pira eventually turning to look at his siblings, the soldier stepped seven steps away. The sibling would need space, surely. Pira looking ready to say something, the hyena stared off into the distance.
"This domain made me remembered how angry I was," Pira said, reminiscing. I barely recognized this version of myself." As he said such, the space had begun to warp around the group of four.
Pudding Isle soon reappearing within his field of damaged vision, many questions had begun to race within the hyena's head. The domain, why had it only allowed them to exit after they had reunited with Pira? He supposed further investigation of the domain was a necessity if he wish to uncover all the secrets.
Returning back to the castle, the chimera wrote down his discoveries in the notebook. Documenting everything he could within the papers of the bound log, the hyena continued to think back at the subspace area the siblings and he had been transported into. The domain, it had reflected the memories of the person who touched it. The soldier had begun to wonder. If he had touched the plant, would the domain play his memories? He supposed he could return to the area tomorrow, and find out.
Waking up the next morning, the hyena was ready. Knowing the domain had not reached its end, the soldier pointed to the plant symbol within his proxy map once again. Cramped boat with four people heading to Pudding Isle once again, the soldier remained still within the windowless vessel.
Calming plant soon in front of him, the hyena touched the plant. But, no such teleportation into the domain had occurred. Did the domain only open to the one that the memories were connected to? He supposed such could have been the case. Pira touching the tree once again, a light engulfed the group of four. Domain soon re-entered, Pira had been nowhere to be seen.
Inn domain looking slightly different from last time, the soldier observed his surroundings. Distorted hotel rooms being locked with some sort of door, the hyena turned his head to the left. Green leaves from the calming plant outside encased in some sort of yellow ring, the chimera continued looking. Device emitting a yellow light, the early adult examined the device.
Lewod and Nahtair looking around as well, a major discovery had come to light within seconds. Devices that could be rotated to push the yellow light forward, the party of two rotated the objects towards the leaf encased in yellow. Devices emitting yellow waves, they had soon hit the leaf. Leaf soon accessible, Siorc grabbed the small leaf as fast as his currently human hands would allow.
Leaf soon turning into a key, another decorative screen had appeared. Shadow with long hair and hyena ears, the soldier tilted his head. Had there been more hyena chimeras around Teyvat? Shadow reflecting Pira's memory, he supposed it could have been anything, really. Pin placed into the thought, the shadow had begun to speak.
"You need to control your anger, Pira!" the animal eared shadow scolded. Their fists were shaking. "You can't work that job anymore if you keep getting this angry! Your piranha brain will turn on!"
Hearing the shadow say piranha brain, the hyena raised an eyebrow. Had Pira been similar to him? Chimeras being all around and beyond, other chimeras with only partially human brains had to have been somewhat of an uncommon occurrence. Shadow done talking soon after, the group of three kept traversing the domain.
Another long corridor with a locked door, the hyena searched the area. Second leaf encased in a red light, Lewod and Nathair looked around the area, as well. Similar device to the other room, the party of two rotated the objects towards the leaf encased in red. Devices emitting red waves, they had soon hit the second leaf. Leaf soon accessible, the chimera placed the left into his currently human hands.
Second leaf turned into a key, a broken decorative screen had appeared in the center of the inn room. Teenage Pira's shadow appearing in the screen, the soldier could feel his heart sink in his chest. Why had the shadow looked ready to cry? The memory had to have been a rough one for Pira.
"I just feel so angry!" shadow Pira shouted, words choking. "I can't help it!"
Door soon opening up into another long corridor, the group of three kept walking forward. Big hotel room with another screen door soon present, the shadow of a Slime with Hilichurl feet soon appeared. Group of seven Slimechurls appearing in the room as though by magic, a battle had soon begun. Not wanting to leave it to Lewod and Nathair, the chimera removed the claymore from the hooks of his uniform pants.
Not wishing to rely on Her Majesty's delusion, the chimera swung the greatsword forward. Nine slashes blown upon the Slimechurl, the monster with mismatched legs melted onto the domain floor. Slimechurl with Cryo capabilities immune to Lewod's attacks, the hyena's rapid slashes continued. Ten slashes blown upon the Cryo Slimechurl, defeat had echoed throughout the subspace. Five other monsters taken down by the combination of Cryo and Hydro, the war between mirages and real people had been won.
Next door soon opening, another staircase had appeared. Pira looking lost in thought, Lewod and Nathair had soon been right by his side. Pira reflecting on his past for a moment, the hyena could feel a sense of bravery from the tall man. How incredibly fearless he had been, to be able to look back on his past and come out stronger.
"I've changed so much since then," Pira said, reflecting on himself. "That kid I used to be, I wish he could see me now." As he said such, the space around the four had begun to warp once again.
Isle named after a dessert soon reappearing, the hyena could feel his questions from the other day beginning to answer themselves. Only able to exit the domain once reuniting with Pira and him reflecting on his past, the answer had been clear to him. The domain could only be exited if the person had come to peace with their past. Knowing such had to have been the answer, his notes would become more fleshed out, for sure.
Returning to the castle, the chimera soon updated the entry about the domain in the Haar Island travel log. Writing down speculative conclusions, the hyena had come to wonder. Domain still looking as though it had more in it, traversing the area one more time had to come into fruition tomorrow. Resolute on his decision, the early adult crawled into the foreign bed for the evening.
Next day upon him, the group of three siblings did not bat a singular eyelash at the chimera's suggestion to return to the dessert named isle one more time. Pudding Isle soon reached once again, Pira touched the calming plant. Teleportation within subspace happening within seconds, the familiar inn domain had soon graced the group of three's fields of visions.
Pira once again not with them, the group of three walked forward. Inn domain having an outdoors, a familiar sight from the world outside had soon appeared within the warped space before the group of three. Shadow appearing by the outdoors next to the calming plant, a conversation had soon played out.
"This is a calming plant, Pira," the shadow said, pointing to the plant in the ceramic casing. "It will help you with your anger."
Teenage Pira shadow soon appearing next to the plant, a loud scoff echoed through the domain hallways. Shadow Pira holding his stomach and laughing about, the hyena could not help but feel a ray of pity. Pira's past self continuing to laugh, pity formed a cherry pit in the chimera's stomach.
"Yeah, right, Uncle Tigre!" shadow Pira scoffed. "What a load of hooey! As if a plant will help me!"
Only way through the domain being to descend the Wangshu Inn staircase, another group of shadows had soon appeared towards the bottom of the stairs. Shadow Pira looking deep in thought, the soldier and party of two listened to the next shadow in silence.
"Maybe everyone is right. I really need to rethink my life going forward," Shadow Pira said, lamenting. "Being angry in life all the time isn't the way I should be." Space soon warping around them, the domain had soon changed right before the party of three's eyes.
Multiple shadows saying they were heading to the Haar Islands, a path leading towards a black dragon soon appeared. Pira sitting upon the black dragon's back, Lewod and Nathair followed the path almost as though they had remembered the day exactly. Siorc following behind like a duck in the pond, the party of three regrouped with Pira within seconds.
Black Dragon soaring into the domain sky, Pira had looked lost in thought once again. Had the memories at hand been heavier for him than the last ones? Lewod and Nathair staying quiet, a dragon ride in silence looped on repeat. But the silence soon ended.
"You know, that plant, it really helped me out a lot," Pira reminisced, eyes closed. "I feel so much stronger now." As he said such, space had begun to warp around the party of four.
Familiar dessert named isle soon reappearing, the three siblings let out a yawn. Windowless vessel soon entered for the third time in a row, the castle had soon been reached. Party of three attending to their own business, the night raven castle had become silent.
Opening the Haar Island Travel Notes once again, the hyena recorded his third journey within the domain. Documenting the domain had ended with a ride upon a dragon, everything had been logged within the book. Noting nothing had been left of the domain, the soldier slammed the book shut, for now. Although, he knew it would not be the last time he would need to use it.
Only two weeks remained.
Knowing Fatui had still be rampant around the island, more changes would happen around the rest of the isles would happen for sure. Feeling a wave of fatigue soon hit him, the soldier climbed into the foreign castle bed. Another day of exploration awaited him tomorrow.
Upon awakening the next morning, Lewod had come to an epiphany. Saying they should head for the Broken Isle next, the windowless boat had soon cruised across the water. Broken Isle reached within an hour, the soldier had instantly come to notice. Had the Broken Isle been wetter than it had been before? The hyena did not know, but such change had not been the only one. Surrounding the island had been various plant roots that had not been there previously. How could such tree roots grow practically overnight? The Haar Islands were a mystery to behold.
Seeing Nathair fold xer arms towards a musical instrument wrapped in vines, the hyena had come to wonder. Was the harp related to xem in some way? Noticing the first person to gravitate towards an item within the sibling trio had been the one most associated with the next domain forming, the hyena figured such answer could be the only case. Nathair soon looking as though xe had something to say, the chimera turned his attention to xem.
"Huh, this looks similar to the harp I used to play in my bard group," Nathair said, puzzled. "I should probably play it."
Playing a tune on the harp, space had begun to warp around the party of four. Harp tune transporting them to some sort of subspace, the chimera closed his eyes. Fast travel to the new space soon about to unfold, the early adult had one singular question on his mind.
What kind of subspace would he enter this time?
***
"Melodious music playing, it really takes me back.
Years ago, I was a bard with two friends as
Feminine as me,
Opting to perform as "girls" we wore dresses,
Remembering this now, it really helped me discovery myself,
Myself, and who I really wanted to be.
Every now and again I remember those days,
Recalling my exploration of who I am. But,
Life comes with many surprises,
In the end, I was not a girl,
Femininity was more than enough for me.
Even so, my manly body, it had to go.
Aspiring to look less like a man.
Some adjustments to my life had been made.
All those levels of male juice inside me,
Basically dried up like a river.
After all those years passed since I had been a bard.
Really, it helped me find me.
Do not think I could by myself if I had not taken that path.
It may not be something I do anymore, but my two friends, we're still tight.
Now and again meeting up to discuss where to take our fashion next,
Many ideas are formed.
Ordinary days are me busy sewing,
Never would I change it any way. Friend
Drawing designs for me, I bring the ideas to life.
So many new outfits I could sell, but
This island is so far away.
Although, Mondstadt is but a mere dragon ride away.
Dragon transporting me back to Teyvat.
The monthly meetups with my fashion friends continue, even if it is slowly."
Melodic tone transporting them to an area unknown, the hyena observed his surroundings. But, he could not help but feel as though he was drawing many blanks as he continued his observation. Within every centimeter of him had been an odd platform that looked like some sort of stage. Trees everywhere, the soldier tilted his head. The domain had looked nothing like anywhere in Teyvat.
Dome looking as though it lead to absolutely nowhere, the group of four stepped forward. Nathair not being teleported far away, the party had not been decreased by one. Everyone splitting up to look around for clues, another harp with vines around it soon appeared. Group of four looking at one another, Nathair had soon walked towards the instrument.
"Huh, guess it's my turn to relive my memories," Nathair said quietly. "I shall deal with all the puzzles."
Golden harps surrounding the area, Nathair stepped forward. Button soon appearing in the center of the bard dome, xe hit the button. Gold harps glowing one by one, a puzzle had been laid out to dry. Answer seeming simple, Nathair followed the harps in the way the lights had been casted on them. Correct order given, the first puzzle had been solved.
Path soon opening up, the group of four proceeded through the bard stage. But an obstacle soon presented itself on domain display. Door with the shadow of a young woman with animal ears again, Nathair's eyes had begun to twitch. Witnessing such, another pity cherry had formed in the center of Siorc's stomach. Had the memory in the door been a painful one?
"Nathair, young man, where are you going?" the shadow asked, the sound of a foot stamping echoed throughout the domain.
Harps soon appearing, the second button had been pressed. Playing the harps in the correct order, the door had been opened. Next pathway leading to another door with a shadow of a young boy, Nathair's eyes had begun to twitch once again. Reliving memories had to have been a painful experience for xem.
"I'm going to Mondstadt to start a bard group!" a young Nathair said, xer voice was deep and masculine.
More harps appearing, the puzzle had soon been dealt with. Next path opening up, the party of four proceeded forward. But, the next shadow door had been a horrific sight to behold. Witnessing Nathair begin to pace around a smidgeon, the hyena placed his hand on xer shoulder. Memories were horrifying, indeed.
"Dressed like THAT?" the shadow asked, disgusted.
Hearing the disgust in the shadow's voice, Nathair could feel xemself flinch. No matter how many years were to pass, the memory of xer mother's early disapproval of xer gender exploration stung like a thousand Cicins in the open wilderness back in Mondstadt. But, xe knew xe had to bear it or everyone would be trapped within the domain forevermore.
Taking notice that their sibling looked upset, Lewod extended their hand. The shadow doors had to have been getting to xem, for sure. Maybe it was time to take a small break. Although, whether such were possible within the scape of a warped space remained to be seen. They supposed asking was still worth a shot.
"Are you okay, Nate?" Lewod asked. "Do you want to take a quick break?"
"Don't push yourself too hard," Pira chimed in. "Let's sit for a few minutes."
Hearing xer siblings suggest a break, Nathair shook xer head. Was there any time for a break? Exiting the domain was much more of a priority. A break could wait for when they were able to escape the sea of memories. Stepping forward, xe made xer answer known throughout the privacy of the warped space.
Noticing Nathair had put xer feelings aside, the chimera could not help but feel a sense of relief throw the cherry pit inside his partially human stomach away. The group of three siblings was a lot stronger than they let on. No puzzles happening for awhile, another shadow door had soon appeared.
Shadow Nathair proclaiming yes, the domain had soon begun to shift and change shape. Warped version of the Mondstadt plaza near the Barbatos statute, three shadow doors had soon appeared in front of it. Three shadows with short hair behind screen doors, a conversation had begun.
"You don't want to be boys, as well?" Shadow Nathair asked, inquisitive. One of the shadows soon answered, in an instant.
"Yes, but," the middle shadow said. As the shadow said such, a large bucket had soon appeared in the center of the doors. "First, I need water." As the phrase had been uttered, space had once again warped around the group of four.
Broken Isle soon reappearing, the objective had been stored within the chimera's memory. The shadows, they said they needed water. Hearing the group of three yawn loudly, however, collecting the spring water had to be halted, for the moment. Raven castle soon returned to, the hyena returned to his temporary room.
Opening the notebook, the soldier documented the domain within the pages with due diligence. Everything about the domain recorded in the log, the soldier wrote down any hypothesizes in the margins. Suspecting different islands were connected to another member of the sibling trio, the early adult looked over his notes. Surely, his hypothesis would lead to something.
Returning to Broken Isle the next day, the soldier would not falter. Recalling there had been pools of water towards the top of a large mountainscape, the hyena searched for an easy climb up. Layout of the area having since changed, finding a simple solution to climbing up had been beyond his reach. But a solution had come after about twenty minutes.
Seeing a large tree ascending to the top of the mountain, the hyena climbed upward. Sibling trio waiting for him by the harp, the pool of water had soon been discovered. Given a small bottle to draw water into, the soldier dipped bottle into the small pool. Figuring enough water had been drawn, the early adult returned to the sibling trio.
Nathair playing the harp once again, a blinding light engulfed the group of four. Domain soon re-entered, the spot they had been left in was still there. Had Nathair's memory domain not been as warped within subspace as Pira's? The chimera supposed he was about to find out. Small bucket soon filled with water, the next path had been opened.
Long winding path looping around, a group of six harps rose upon a podium. Playing the harps in the correct order, three shadows had soon appeared on the stage. Three shadows all wearing dresses, a conversation had soon echoed through the domain stage.
"We'll call ourselves...the princesses!" the leftmost shadow said, voice deep. "And perform as women and see if it feels right."
Six more harps appearing on the edge of the stage, Nathair quickly played the puzzle in the correct order, but such puzzle had been a mirage. Odd looking monsters with instruments in their hands dancing about with a fervor, the chimera removed his greatsword from the hook of his uniform pants. Figuring using the Delusion to defeat the monsters in one swoop would push the domain to its exit sooner, the sinister dark purple orb glowed on his uniform pants.
Black clouds of electricity surrounding him, the monsters had faded to ether within an instant. Dark aura soon surrounding him, a wave of fatigue had devoured the chimera. But, he knew he had no choice but to keep going. Small path forming in front of the party of four, the group kept walking.
Path to a house soon forming, multiple monsters had blocked the way. Still wishing for the battles to be quick, electricity of delusional creation soon surrounded the hyena. Monsters zapped into ashes, another wave of dark aura surrounded him. Had the delusion Her Majesty let him borrow automatically dispel the life draining energy? Still feeling tired, messages had begun to mix together inside him.
House soon reached, Nathair entered the abode solo. Multiple conversations about bard related activities playing out like some sort of story, Nathair could feel a wave of nostalgia hit xem. But such nostalgia had come to an end within an instant. Friend saying they needed water once again, space had begun to warp around the group of four.
Broken Isle reappearing once again, the next objective to obtain water had echoed through his inhuman eardrums. But, as he readied himself to draw water again, his heart had begun to beat unevenly in his chest. Party of four pushing him towards the boat, the castle had soon been reached.
Feeling his energy quickly begin to deplete, the hyena recorded anything he could within the notebook. Heart beating wildly in his chest as he recorded the experience within the notebook, the chimera took multiple deep breaths. Heartbeat dissipating into normalcy, the early adult's hands had been steady. Everything about the current state of the domain written down, the man slumped into the foreign bed.
Returning to the Broken Isle the next day, the hyena looked around for the other pool he recalled finding the first time he had documented the area. Water soon within his reach, the bottle had been dipped into the pool. Figuring he had enough, the soldier returned to the sibling trio. Nathair playing the harp for what he assumed was the final time, the blinding light engulfed the group of four once again.
Domain re-entered, the scene had been different from the previous one. Warped version of Mondstadt in front of them, the water had soon been delivered to the shadow. Shadow performance playing on the stage, shadow people clapped their hands about in an cheerful uproar. Long winding path soon appearing once again, the party of four kept walking.
As the path halted for a moment, another group of doors with shadows in them appeared. Hearing Nathair let out a somber laugh, the chimera turned to xem. Had xe been feeling nostalgic? Memories feeling much lighter to watch as the shadows went on, another conversation had begun to erupt between the three shadows.
"There's something I need to discuss with you two," the first shadow said. "I am a girl." Shadow placing her hand on her heart, the next shadow soon spoke.
"Actually, I have something I'd like to discuss as well," the second shadow said. "I'm not a girl, I just like being feminine." Nathair's shadow then soon entered the conversation.
"I was thinking of discussing this with you guys as well," Nathair's shadow said, lamenting. "I am not a girl, but I am not a boy, either. I just like presenting femininely." The shadow Nathair then said something that shocked the core of the domain world. "Discovering this, I don't feel like I need to do this anymore. Why don't do a goodbye performance?"
Large harp soon appearing in the center of the stage, Nathair stepped forward. Playing a final performance, the shadows in the background played their harps in tandem. Shadow people soon clapping the domain had soon begun to change before everyone's eyes.
Multiple shadows soon saying they would be heading to the Haar Islands, a path leading to a black dragon soon appeared. Gust of wind thrusting the group forward, the party of four had been nestled on the dragon's back. Black dragon heading off towards the sky, Nathair closed xer eyes for a moment.
"I kind of liked seeing my journey unfold," Nathair lamented. "Look how far I've come since my bard days. I'm sure younger me would be proud." As xe said such, space had begun to warp around the party of four.
Familiar Broken Isle soon returned to, the three siblings soon let out predictable yawns. Windowless vessel returned to, the castle had been reached within an hour or so. Party of three soon returning to their own business, the raven castle had fallen silent.
Opening the notebook once again, the soldier recorded his journey. But, something had not made any sense to him. Nathair's domain, it had a black dragon in it, as well. Why had every memory domain ended the exact same way? He supposed he would have to continue investigating as time went on. But such thought was halted within seconds.
Feeling his heart beat unevenly in his chest, the hyena took a deep breath. Delusion glowing a dark, sinister aura on his uniform pants, the chimera unhooked the Delusion from his uniform pants. Perhaps, just maybe, removing the orb would end the raging heartbeat within. An astronomically incorrect assumption, on his part. Slumping into the foreign bed, the raging heartbeat continuing in the land of dreams.
Next day an uneven heartbeat away, another odd object had appeared on his proxy map. Strange icon that looked like a dollhouse appearing in the center of the Minacious Isle, the hyena reported the incident to the group of siblings. But, such oddity had not been the only one. Sky tinted a sinister shade of purple, the hyena tilted his head. The Fatui on the other island, just how far had the machine changed the landscape?
Windowless vessel cruising over towards Minacious Isle, the soldier remained still. Isle reached after about an hour, the group of four exited the boat. As the isle appeared within his damaged field of vision, various changes had made their presence known to the chimera. Minacious Isle, had it been in the shape of a dollhouse before? The early adult did not know. Memories had begun to vanish like a ghost.
Witnessing Lewod head towards a dollhouse with ice crystals glowing like stars, the soldier had come to an instant conclusion. The dollhouse, it was connected to Lewod in some way. Lewod playing with their hair ribbons, the hyena turned to them. The next domain was about to be warped into, surely.
"Wow, it's my old dollhouse!" Lewod exclaimed, almost excited. "I wonder what cute domain awaits me in here?!"
Opening the dollhouse door, space had begun to warp around the party of four. Dollhouse door sending them to some form of subspace, the chimera closed his eyes. Teleportation to the new space soon about to unfold, the hyena instantly had come to wonder.
What kind of domain would he enter this time?
***
"It's the dollhouse I used to play with when I was younger,
Ah, but in reality, it was actually my friend's
My friend's, that didn't want it anymore.
After some time, she let me have it, I accepted it happily.
Playing with it in secret, those
Retched, yucky boy toys were behind me.
Even now, I still miss that dollhouse,
The dollhouse that made me feel alive,
The dollhouse that took me away from being forced to be a boy.
Yet my mother protested when I told her I wanted to be a princess.
'Princess, but you're a boy!
Retched 'b' word said to me,
I would not talk to mama that whole day.
Now that I am an adult, I can be the feminine self I always wished to be.
Can no longer be denied my identity.
Every day is happy in these islands.
Sometimes, though, doctors make grave mistakes.
Sometimes, they say 'he'.
In a crisis, I slash my hyena claws.
'No, I am not the 'b' word, I am not a boy!'
And I never was, and never will be.
Never have been, never will be.
It is always feels like I died whenever a doctor says 'he'
Cannot help but feel anger boil inside me.
Every time mama takes me to those quicky quacks,
Constant pain corrupts me.
Ah, but everything else is pure, and happy.
So many dresses in my wardrobe, I feel at ease.
The days on this island, I do cherish them.
Looks like those Fatui want us all to relive our memories,
Even so, I can face them head on, and laugh at past me. I am ready."
Dollhouse door transporting them to an area unknown, the soldier observed his surroundings. Although, the surroundings had been an astonishment to behold. The domain had been almost normal looking compared to Nathair and Pira's, but one thing had stuck out to the chimera. Ice crystals in the form of stars on the ground, another thing had stuck out even more. The colors of the floor had been pastel, pink and girly. Resonating slightly with the pastel, the hyena had the faintest of smiles on his lips, but he knew he had to shake it off. A challenge awaited him.
Domain soon becoming a large hallway, multiple stuffed animals had been lying on the floor. But the stuffed animals had been quite strange. Although, one particular stuffed animal stuck out amongst the crowd. Lion stuffed animal standing on its own two feet and having words to say, the hyena crouched down. Sibling trio listening as well, the stuffed animal spoke.
"No, mommy," the lion stuffed animal cried. "I want to be a princess!"
Hearing Lewod giggle a little, the chimera had come to a conclusion. The lion had been Lewod as a young child. He supposed, if they had found this enjoyable to look back on, he had nothing to feel concerned about, at the moment in time. But, another stuffed animal soon stood up. Lioness stuffed animal walking towards the lion, an argument made rounds in the hallway.
"Boys can't be princesses!" the lioness plushie argued.
Lewod breaking out into a giggle, a somber smile had appeared on their face. They had remembered this conversation. They remembered the day almost like it had been yesterday. The younger version of themselves had been so sad, and meek back then. But, they knew they had come a long way since then. Feeling something form at their lips, present Lewod spoke.
"I used to be so sad back then whenever mama called me a boy," Lewod lamented, somber smile on face. "We should keep going and find the exit!"
Corridor feeling longer than normal, another tiny lion stuffed animal had soon appeared. Stuffed animal standing on its legs. Lion doll looking upset, the group of four crouched down to listen. Did the stuffed animal have some sort of problem that needed to be solved? If so, the party of four had been ready for anything.
"Mommy, I'm not a boy!" the little lion doll shouted, voice pained. "They need to stop saying I'm one!" However, the pain continued. Lioness doll soon walking onto the scene, harsh words filled the domain with toxic poisons.
"Yes, you are, Lewod, you're a boy, alright?" the second doll said, irritated. But, such words had made the toxic poisons rise further.
Hallway leading to a battleground, Lewod sprinted inward. Army of stuffed animals with swords looking ready to fight, the group of four unsheathed their weapons. Lewod's sword having a cute ribbon on it, they slashed forward. But, another lion plushie soon rose to the podium about to fight back.
"Everyone says I'm this boy that I'm not!" the little lion plushie shouted. "I'm not a boy!! I've never been!" Sword glowing an icy power, icicles had charged towards them.
Hydro and Pyro colliding with multiple plushies, the chimera's Delusion glowed a sinister aura on his pants. Would using the sinister orb Her Majesty let him borrow be alright? He knew the more he used it, the quicker his energy would deplete. But, the stuffed animal army fighting felt almost endless.
Black clouds of electricity surrounding him within an instant, multiple stuffed animals had been electrocuted to smithereens. Dark aura surrounding him once again, the chimera's heart had begun to beat wildly in his chest. Had his heart been beating even harder than before? He swore he could feel his heart in his throat at this point.
Feeling an overwhelming amount of energy flowing through them, Lewod's elemental energy was at its maximum. The ultimate attack had been ready. Feet in the position of a pirouette, the time had come for a dance of ice to defeat the army of stuffed animals in an instant.
"Hop! Step! Jump!" Lewod shouted, fired up. "Waltz of ice!"
Ice surrounding Lewod's feet, the young lady danced like a princess in her own castle. Ice freezing the domain floor, multiple armed stuffed animals had fallen to the floor. Flaming and aquatic sword attacks joining the party, space had begun to warp around the party of four as the battle had begun to end.
Minacious Isle reappearing once again, bewilderment ate the hyena like Northern Smoked Chicken. The domain, it had removed everyone despite Lewod not reflecting upon their life. Had this domain been far more different than the others? He supposed he would have to return to the domain tomorrow if he wished to get any answers.
Isolated room soon within his reach, the soldier recorded his journey within the notebook. But, as he wrote down his experiences, the painful unevenness in his heart only beat harder. Black aura soon engulfing him, the hyena removed the Delusion from his uniform pants. But, such had not been enough, the raging heartbeat within would not cease beating painfully.
Taking a deep breath, the hyena continued recording his findings. Everything written down, for the moment, the chimera slammed the book shut with a silent roar. Energy draining even faster than before, the chimera slumped into the foreign bed. Surely, sleeping would make his heartbeat return to normalcy.
Next day a painful uneven heartbeat way, the group of four quickly returned to the Minacious Isle. Dollhouse doors open, the transportation back into the odd subspace played out faster than the hyena's mismatched eyes could follow. Although, dejavu had nibbled the hyena on the ear.
Domain back at the entrance, the soldier titled his head. Why had the domain brought them all back to the entrance? Looking to the right and left, multiple doorways had been off to the sides. Heading towards the right side, however, a strange puzzle awaited the party of four.
Ice crystals in mismatched formations, an epiphany had overcome Lewod. Would arranging the ice crystals into the shape of a five pointed star be the answer to the puzzle? Moving the ice crystals into a five pointed star shape, the sound of a door clicking open echoed throughout the hallways.
Heading towards the unlocked door, another hallway had been reached. Multiple stuffed animals in the hallways, the soldier tilted his head. Lioness stuffed animals replaced with a snake, the early adult hoped a major shift in Lewod's memories was not about to occur. If any crying were happen, he would allow for his shoulder to be used. Not helping those who had been already assisting him would be a disgusting sin of misgiving.
Little lion stuffed animal looking slightly bigger now standing on its feet, the hyena crouched down. What did the little lion have to say this time? Whatever it was, he knew he had to keep listening to the messages playing if the domain were to be able to keep going.
"Nate, teach me how to sound like a girl!" the little lion plushie begged, desperate.
Hearing Lewod giggle like yesterday, the hyena could feel relief wash over him. He supposed if Lewod was still enjoying this memory montage, he had no reason to worry about whether they would cry, or not. Snake stuffed animal soon slithering onto the scene, the next part of the conversation made its echo hit the walls.
"Why is that?" the snake plushie asked, inquisitive.
Corridor continuing for awhile, another lion stuffed animal stood up on its own two feet. Lion doll placing its little paw on its heart, the hyena crouched down. Had younger Lewod been in pain? Did the stuffed animal need help in some way? Lewod's memory domain being odder than the others, anything was possible.
"Because I don't want to sound like a boy!" the little lion plushie cried, voice pained. "I'd rather die!" Doll finished talking, the group of four cruised through the corridor.
Snake plushie slithering onto the scene, the chimera swore the plushie's eyes had soon looked like Nathair's. Had the domain been shifting? The soldier did not know, but every second passing was another strange phenomenon within the mirage of memories.
"Alright," the snake plushie said. "I'll talk to my friend and get her to help you."
Corridor coming to an end, another battleground had soon been underneath the party of four's feet. Stuffed animals with swords charging at everyone with maximum power, the soldier's Delusion had been glowing an even more sinister dark aura than before. Electricity clouding into a pool of black lightning around his entire body, bolts of delusional lightning had been fired at the triple dozen stuffed animal monsters. All thirty-six stuffed animals dropping one after another, space had begun to warp around the party of four as the battle had reached its end.
Returning to Minacious Isle, the chimera could feel his body begin to sway forward. Consciousness almost about to slip away, the hyena's heart had begun to beat even harder. The Delusion, just how much energy had it taken out of him at this point? Closing his eyes, his ears had begun to buzz.
Seeing their cousin start to fall over, Pira had called to action. The orb on the young man's pants, had it not been a Vision? Face looking extremely pale, carrying him back to the castle so he did not need to walk would make everything easier. Catching him before he fell to the ground, he spoke softly.
"Woah, kiddo, are you alright?" Pira asked, concerned. Lifting his cousin up, he placed him on his back. "I'll carry you. You're not looking so good. So, let's finish for this for today."
Placed on Pira's back, the soldier shut his eyes. Having no energy to argue, the world of involuntary sleep soon took him away. Waking up sometime later, the hyena's heart continued to beat wildly in his chest. The Delusion, why had its drawbacks affected the part of his body that had already been the weakest? Knowing he had to record his experiences in the travel log, the chimera removed the book from the bag.
But such recording had been nearly impossible. Feeling his hands begin to shake as he stroked the quilled pen, writing words could not happen. Grabbing his right wrist with his left hand, the shaking had soon stopped. Recording more information about the domain, the soldier figured he had written enough for the day. Closing his eyes, a world of pained sleep awaited him.
Waking up the next morning was a battle to behold. Feeling his ears begin to buzz and fuzz enter his mind, the soldier slapped his cheeks. He had no time for such weakness. The final part of the domain had to be conquered today. Only eight days of the project remained. He could not allow such weaknesses win.
Windowless boat soon taking the party of four back to Minacious Isle, Lewod opened the dollhouse door within seconds. Domain soon back at the entrance, Lewod stepped towards the left. Another ice crystal puzzle in front of them with seven stars, they arranged the crystals into a seven point star. Puzzle being the correct answer, a door had opened.
Walking through another hallway, another group of stuffed animals had been in the corridor, but something had changed upon the lion plushie. Residing upon the lion's stuffed animal's head had been a large princess crown, and covering the body had been a pink dress that looked like the gown a princess would wear to a ball. Lion stuffed animal looking ready to speak, the chimera crouched down, but a pulse hit his head made him fall to the floor. Human rear on the corridor floor, the early adult attempted to regain focus.
"She's finally letting me wear dresses! I'm so happy!" the little lion princess plushie cheered.
Domain being silent for awhile, the corridor had soon come to an end. Hallway being much shorter than the others, another pulse had shot through the hyena's head. The room the hallway had lead to, why did it look like the Natlan medical ward, but distorted? Another sight had soon perturbed the young soldier.
Standing within the distorted medical ward had been the lion princess plushie, but the princess had two valets. Jackal plushie with a windup key, and rabbit plushie with green eyes, the hyena could feel his head spin. The rabbit stuffed animal, why had its eyes looked like Hase's? Had he been imagining things? Dizziness pushing forward, the soldier leaned against the domain wall.
The rabbit plushie introducing the lion plushie as Lewod, the sound of buzzing drowned out the talking. His body, why had it been fighting him like this? He had not used the delusion at all within the domain, for the day. Slapping his inhuman eardrums, hearing had soon returned to him. Jackal plushie's wind key spinning and turning, the soldier listened to the conversation.
"Really? You'll teach me how to sound like a woman?" the jackal plushie asked. Its voice sounded roughly familiar from time long passed. "Thank you!"
Scene continuing to play out for awhile, the medical ward had soon transformed into another area. Multiple plushies saying they were heading to the Haar Islands, a bridge leading to a black dragon appeared. Sibling party of three soon far ahead of him, the soldier staggered forward. Feeling as though he could barely walk anymore, the hyena dragged his feet about. But such clear path had not lasted for long.
Plushie monsters soon swiping their swords, an explosion of delusional electricity filled the hyena. Barrage of enemies exploding, the stuffed animal monsters had been no more. Feeling his body sway forward, the domain path and his body had met. Blackness soon overtaking him, he could feel his consciousness begin to slip away.
Delusions drained energy, indeed.
***
Witnessing their cousin fall over, Lewod had run to their cousin's side. The purple orb on his belt, had it been one of the Fatui's various tools? Kid look as a pale as a ghost, carrying him out of the domain was the only option. Waking him up now in such of state had to have been far too dangerous.
"Pira, he isn't conscious!" Lewod shouted. "Could you carry him?"
Carrying his cousin on his back, the party of two returned to the black dragon. Dragon soaring to the sky, the Minacious Isle had soon been surrounding them again. Seeing the island change ever so slightly to look like a big dollhouse castle, Lewod turned to Pira again.
"Come on, let's bring him back to bed," Lewod said sternly. "And I'll go get my doctor friend!"
Everyone agreeing, the travel back to the castle had begun. Nathair speeding the boat through the water as fast as possible, the soldier had been placed in a bed. Removing the magical map from his pants pocket, the next step had been ready.
Being alerted by Loba's sister that she would come in her place, the nearly identical twin teleported back to Twinning Isle with them. But what she had said was an eerie, chilling tale. The purple orb had been a Delusion, and the orb was affecting his heart. Lewod knew one thing, and one thing for certain.
Delusions were vicious tools of evil.
***
Upon coming to the next morning, an unusual face had appeared in his low energy vision. Glasses on, the hyena looked up, but he could feel the fuzz begin to eat him away as the seconds raged onward. Had his eyes been deceiving him, or had Aega been standing by his bedside in proper medical attire? He had to be seeing things, surely.
"Lewod brought me here and told me everything," Aega said voice stern. "Lift up your shirt. I need to listen to your heart. I'll try to be quick."
Having no energy to argue, the soldier lifted his shirt up. Feeling a cold metal heart piece hit his sternum, the soldier flinched. But, he knew he had to deal with it. Heart instrument on his chest for awhile, the hyena could feel his mind slip away.
Heart instrument soon removed, the look on Aega's face sent a chill down his spine. Was she going to tell him he needed to rest? He did not having time for such a thing. One week of the project remaining, he knew he had to keep working, the choice was not his. Feeling no amount of energy to speak, the chimera gave sharp eye contact to the jackal chimera. Would this work? He was running out of time.
Seeing the look on Siorc's face, Aega cracked her knuckles in defiance. Was he trying to use his eyes to convince her to let him go back to work? What a stubborn fool Siorc could be. With such a fast heart rate, returning to work was not happening. She had to tell him how it was, exactly.
"You realize that Delusion made your heart unstable, right?" Aega asked, words stern. "So, no, you can't go back to work yet. And I told everyone in the castle to not let you leave until I can stabilize you."
Confined to the bed prison the chimera's eyes fluttered closed. Feeling too tired to say anything back, the world of sleep pushed the chimera into a bottomless pit. Perhaps, just maybe, when he woke up next, everything would have been taken care of.
An astronomically incorrect assumption on his part.
Waking up the next morning was a sight to behold. Lewod by his bedside, their hands had been in his own. Why had they pulled their hands close to his? Feeling too much in a daze to comprehend anything, the barely there chimera listened in silence.
"Aega said she had to get a machine to go shock your heart back into the correct rhythm," Lewod explained.
Hearing the word machine, the soldier could feel his body begin to shake. Another machine was going to invade his body again? Dazed world muddying his thoughts, the hyena had accidentally let out a yelp. As such had been happening, another person had flocked into the room. Pira soon by the bedside with a strange soup, the hyena's yelps continued. Feeling static eat him every step of the way, nothing anymore registered.
"You need to calm down," Pira said. But the words were mud. "Eat this."
Everything looking like fuzz and static, the chimera had no awareness of the world around him. Not registering Pira had been feeding him in the conscious world, drowsiness had soon filled the static and fuzz. Everything gone, a drug induced sleep took the man away.
Waking up yet another day later, slight discomfort graced his body. Seeing Lewod by his bedside, the soldier raised from the covers. Lewod walking over to him, the hyena stared into their eyes. What more could they possibly have to say to him? How much longer did they plan to keep him in bed prison? Lewod looking ready to speak, the chimera let out an aggravated grunt. Time was ticking, he needed to return to work, or Her Majesty would let him have it.
"Aega used a machine to help you get better," Lewod said quietly. "She'll be back later to check up on you."
Seeming as though he would still be trapped in the bed prison, the chimera rose from the bed. He had no time for such games anymore. But his attempt to leave his prison had been halted in seconds. Placed back on the pillow, the early adult growled at Lewod like a lion. Absolutely ridiculous. This game had to end now.
"Woah, hey! I didn't say you could get up!" Lewod shouted, hands in front of their chest. "You still need to rest! Why don't I read you a story while you're awake?"
Coming back with a book after about a minute, the chimera rolled his eyes to the ceiling. What was he, a child? He was nineteen years too old to be getting read to. But, it had already been too late. Lewod had been reading. Book sounding quite similar to the raven castle he had currently been residing in temporarily, a sharp wave of tiredness took over the chimera. He supposed being read a story wasn't so bad after all.
Another day passing, Aega had been by his bedside once again. Being told by her he had been stable enough to return to work, the hyena rose from the bed prison almost immediately. But an alert had blown a wind current through his chest. Aega saying to keep the delusion away from him at all times, Lewod and Pira took the sinister purple orb away from him. He supposed such was for the best, for now.
Nathair having the boat in xer possession to head to a client off in Teyvat, leaving the Twinning Isle was currently impossible. Aega soon leaving, resuming work had to come of him now. Having nowhere else to go, he supposed he could record the rest of the castle areas that he could have possibly missed.
Interacting with more of the raven statues, something of major abnormalcy had occurred. The raven statues had the ability to talk. Entire Haar Islands bending and changing, he supposed hearing statues talking was no longer something out of the realm of possibility. Recording the phenomenon in the notebook, the hyena kept observing any other parts of Twinning Isle he might have missed. Feeling like he had gotten everything out of the way, the hyena returned to the abode that would soon no longer be his temporary room.
Seeing the sky flash red when he woke up the next morning, the soldier had started to wonder. Was there anything he could have missed on the other three named isles? One more check of the isles never hurt anything. Boat being accessible to him again, Lewod an Pira took him to the Pudding Isle for the day.
Pudding Isle looking almost entirely different than the last time he had been there, the hyena opened up his notebook. Recording everything he could that was different, the soldier looked around. But, something alarming had been within his proximity.
Fatui stumbling around in delirium talking about photos, the soldier turned around. Whatever the other Fatui had a problem with currently was no issue of his. But, he supposed he could spill the details in the notebook about the Fatui acting odd throughout the month. Details logged, the early adult returned to the castle.
Next day flying his way almost in an instant, the soldier was ready. Figuring the Broken Isle had experienced some changes as well, another boat cruise over had made its rounds known in the water. Isle looking almost nothing alike from the first or second time he had been there, the hyena recorded every single change he could find.
Finding more seashells as well containing messages left by dazed Fatui, the hyena recorded the messages into the travel log. Six seashell messages written in the notebook, the chimera decided to return to the castle for the day. Everything had almost been done. One more documentation remained.
Next morning soon flying by, the hyena headed to Minacious Isle. Landscape looking almost like a different continent, the hyena wrote everything down into the notebook. Island looking like a dollhouse castle, the hyena had finally come to a conclusion. The phenomenons on the island had been mirages materialized by Vision Bearer's dreams. Not having a mirage to himself, such had been the only conclusion that made sense. Writing his hypothesis into the notebook, the hyena walked around the isle one final time.
Finding more seashells projecting images in them, the chimera wrote what the seashell had been saying in the Echoing Conches section of his travel log. Not finding anymore seashells, the soldier returned to the castle for the evening. Opening his proxy orb into map form, the early adult checked the bottom hand corner of the Haar Islands map. Map saying time remaining: 1 day, a tired sigh escaped his partially human throat. The project could finally come to an end.
Final day upon him, the group of three siblings entered his room. Figuring he would need help sorting through his notes, a four member review had made rounds in the mirage islands. Double and triple checking if his notes were coherent enough, corrections had been made here and there. Hours of fixing small mistakes roaring about, the conclusion had been reached.
"Everything should be alright now, kiddo," Pira said. He placed his hand on his left shoulder. "Why don't you relax on the beach before you leave?"
Not having anything else to record, the hyena simply nodded. Nameless isle he had been dropped off on soon arrived, the hyena stepped onto the beach. Lewod in a pretty bikini, they had been sunbathing in complete bliss. Nathair sunbathing as well in a black summer gown, and Pira in nothing but a small jacket, his chest had been on private display.
Beach picnic happening after awhile, the group of four chowed down. Lunch acting as a sendoff, Siorc could not help but smile. The sibling trio had been so kind to him throughout the month. One day, if he were to ever return to to the island, he would help the in return, guaranteed.
As the lunch continued, Siorc could feel a disturbance on the beach. Had he been hearing a voice off in the sky? The chimera could not help but think someone had been trying to communicate with him for the entire day. Turning his head up to the sky, a voice had soon echoed on the beach wind.
"Your dreams, all of them showed your hardships," the voice on the wind said. "And all of you were able to overcome them together, even with a stranger."
Everyone else hearing the voice in the sky, the sibling trio soon turned their head to the sky. Where had the voice come from? It was almost as if a little bird had been talking to them through one of the final mirages that remained active. The voice then continued.
"Even though the stranger doesn't have a vision, he still learned a thing or two, didn't he?" the voice on the wind said. "Your dreams, they all showed how far you've come in life. Keep going together." Voice giggling and soon saying goodbye, no more disturbances remained.
Meal finished, the group of four soon returned to the castle. Winter uniform given back to him, the hyena mouthed a thank you to the group of three siblings. Teleport Waypoint Proxy Map in hand, the soldier highlighted the waypoint back to the barracks. Fast travel returning him Snezhnaya within seconds, a windchill hit his partially human spine. He had not missed the winter world of the permafrost north, even a bit.
Steel walled room soon upon him, a note had appeared on his door. Being told to return the notebook to Her Majesty in the morning, the hyena placed everything back to where it had been a month prior. Hairpins, earrings, and uniform removed, the soldier slumped into the uncomfortable bed. Sleep taking him away as soon as his head hit the pillow, everything had begun to return to normal.
Notebook in hand the next morning, the hyena walked to the palace with due diligence. Haar Islands Travel Notes placed in the Cryo Archon's hands, a small smirk had appeared on her face. Did she have something to say to him? He knew he could not ignore the Tsaritsa's word.
"Expect something 'special' soon, my lovely chimera," Her Majesty said, her tone was cold. "Now, leave my sight."
Being told to leave the palace, the hyena returned to the military barracks. Words about something special happening soon, the chimera could not help but feel a sinister aura in Her Majesty's words. What could the something special have been? Whatever it was, it could not have been a good thing.
Walking around in a circle in the steel walled room, a sea of thoughts had crashed at bay within the early adult's partially human mind. Feeling time had finally begun moving again, the soldier had wondered. Just how many days had truly passed since the punishment had occurred? Time having felt as though it had been looping until only recently, keeping track of all the time lost was out of his reach.
Feeling a wave of tiredness soon hit him, the hyena slumped into the uncomfortable bed. World of tormented dreams about to call him back in for the evening, one final thought played on repeat within his currently fading brain.
The momentary amount of days would now come to an end, surely.
If anyone actually bothered to read this one, thank you for reading until the end of this novella.