Palamon
Silence is Purple
- 8,560
- Posts
- 16
- Years
- Age 28
- he/him
- Snezhnaya, Teyvat.
- Seen yesterday
19. Siorc Attempts to Find Hase 1
Dreaming had continued its relentless tormenting pattern within the young adolescent chimera's subconscious mind. The pattern of torment would not halt in the night before him, either.
Before him was a familiar setting, a setting of which had been nostalgic for Siorc. In front of him was an area with trees, many trees that were taller than the chimera could ever imagine. Such familiarity ended immediately within the hyena's subconscious mind, however. Within his subconscious field of vision was a small red tent with diagonal stripes on it. Examining the area of not reality further, a gulp released from the young soldier's throat. Another familiar sight was about to befall him. Such had been a common occurrence within the dream world he had been forcefully pulled into.
Horizontal to him were three short humanoid creatures. The humanoid creatures adorned a mask with a Pyro symbol covering their faces. Behind the mask had been a fuzzy red mane adorning horns at the top of it. Looking downward, the hyena observed the creatures further. Below the fuzz of a mane was an orange cloth belted with an off rope. The cloth had been an oddity to behold within the not reality for the hyena. Seeing such creatures seethed a familiar, comforting feeling for the chimera. Intelligence was not the humanoid creature's strong suit.
Perhaps, for once, the dream presented before him would not be of the tormenting variety. Having seen such creatures around the open wilderness as a child, subconscious fear left immediately. Creatures in the wilderness were not especially intelligent creatures.
Such feelings of comfort had died swiftly upon arrival.
Between the three creatures was a familiar face. Green hair he'd recognize anywhere. His younger sister, Hase stood between the humanoid creatures hunched over in fear, similar to how many generic citizens within the world of Teyvat had done upon seeing such creatures. Examining closer, a horrific sight permeated within the young budding soldier's subconscious field of vision. Within the three creature's right hands were clubs. The clubs burned passionately. Seeing his sister there, he knew something of utter torment was about to befall him.
The three humanoid creatures spun the clubs of fire readily. Battle was the only thing raging within their mind's. The girl having been their enemy, the creatures' dim brains would not falter upon the prey before them.
"Ya!" the creatures cried. Swinging their clubs of fire passionately, the creatures attacked fervently. "Kundala!" Uttering the battle cry in their own language, the flames had begun their reduced rampage within his dream world.
The fire had begun to hit his sister hastily, but surely, although subconscious Hase remained silent. Cowering had continued. As the flames engulfed her, Siorc's subconscious bespectacled eyes twitched immediately. Why? Was it his sister this time? Why was she acting similar to generic humans within the open wilderness? Autonomy was a beast to behold.
"Hase! Hase, fight back! Hilichurls are pretty weak!" cried Siorc, desperation extremely evident in his voice. "Hase!" But his cries were not heard. She could not see, she was unable to answer. Her pose of cowering played out endlessly. The hyena's eyes had begun to twitch faster as the flames seared on his sister quicker. "Hase!" He shouted once more, but it was useless. The battle before him would not cease existing.
Above his sister's head was a number. The number was the singular digit of one. Such number was an oddity to behold, for sure. The humanoid creatures having numbers as well, the hyena gulped at the large digits above the three creatures heads. Reading the number closely, the gulp turned into a gasp. The numbers were the digits of ninety-two. Scratching his subconscious head, the chimera stared at the numbers expectantly. What did the numbers mean? It was almost as if, in the world of Teyvat, the numbers had meaning to them. Such numbers, however, were meaningless to the adolescent soldier.
Knowing Hilichurls to be weak creatures, Siorc rummaged through his pocket of numbness. Weapons occasionally having been within his pockets in the land of dreams, the chimera searched the pouch of nothing frantically. Surely, a weapon had to have been in there this time. As the rummaging continued, a horrified realization planted itself inside the hyena.
Nothing, no weapon. Not a single one. The pockets of not reality were a pit of emptiness.
No weapon being on his partial person, the young soldier closed his eyes defeatedly. Fighting bare handed was useless. Hands currently being human, Siorc knew he had stood no chance against the enemies of unintelligence. Having no way to help, the hyena had sunk to his knees dejectedly. There was nothing that could be done, failure was upon him.
"Kundala!" the Hilichurls called out again. Uttering their battle cry again, the creatures swung their flaming clubs again. Flames hitting Hase violently, the young girl faded into nothingness. Defeat being evident, the primitive creatures danced ceremoniously. The threat had been eliminated.
Seeing his sister fade away before his subconscious eyes, tears streamed down the chimera's face. He knew none of this was real; it was nothing more than a dream. He knew that, but the horror before him would not shake off easily.
"Hase, why?" the chimera cried out weakly. "Why were you just standing there like that?" Upon uttering such phrase, the hyena could see the enemies flailing their flaming weapons readily. One final gulp released from the adolescent's throat, the young man stared lifelessly. He was next; their next target. Safety had left him behind.
The numbers above the creatures heads weren't meaningless, indeed.
***
Forty-five days had passed since the glasses ordeal had occurred. Within the six weeks of time, being bespectacled was something the chimera had slowly, but surely gotten used to. Glasses being a necessity, wearing the lenses cemented into his daily routine of dressing the body. During such time frame, the steel wall room had also become the young budding soldier's permanent residence within the soldier barracks. Having no choice but to accept it, Siorc quietly had become unwillingly familiar with his soundproof room of solitude.
For thirty of the forty-five days, nonstop snow had raged endlessly in the permafrost north. Such was a normal occurrence in the nation of Snezhnaya. While such storm had been occurring, every single Fatui within the military barracks had been sent to Natlan on a daily basis. Everyone having been ordered to collect heat sources, not a single soldier within the barracks faltered. Heat sources were a necessity in the frozen northern land if one wished to keep living.
Natlan not being a place he wished to return to, Siorc collected heat sources with his subordinates unwillingly for the thirty days of monotony. Chest hurting whenever entering the nation, the fear of having a repeat incident loomed over him. However, such fears disintegrated slowly throughout the month of nothingness as the jackal chimera stationed within Natlan assisted him. Being guided to safe paths within the terrifying nation of heat and fire, no repeat incident had ever occurred. While the nation of heat was no longer a source of fear for him, fire had still been a source of torment for the soldier. Phobias were quite the stubborn permeance within the dormant shark grooves in his brain.
After having collected enough supplies, fifteen days of building permanent heat sources throughout the military barracks raged onward. Building heat sources had been a task of pure monotony. It was almost as if the forty-five days were deliberately empty, as if such a force outside Teyvat had determined such a fate for the Fatui. Such days of monotony were about to come to a crashing halt today.
Upon waking up from his tormented slumber, a scream bounced off and back around the steel walls. The dream he had would not exit his mind. Unease swallowing the chimera whole, Siorc rose from the uncomfortable bed. Time not being a virtue within the military barracks forced upon him, the adolescent had autonomously begun his morning routine of dressing the body.
While dressing in his uniform efficiently, various thoughts of unease churned inside the young budding soldier's partially human brain. Hase, could she be out there somewhere in the seven nations of Teyvat? Where could she be now? As the thoughts of his sister's whereabouts swam inside him like fish in a lake, Siorc gulped. He was not ready for the day at hand. The hyena knew such thoughts would have to disappear quickly. The Fatui Agent could arrive at any moment. Adjusting his glasses, the chimera continued his morning routine quietly.
Breathing in deeply to remove the unease feasting inside him, the hyena clicked the hairpins and earrings into place. Putting on his favorite moon shaped earrings and hairpins on for the day, the chimera breathed a final time. Dreams were nothing more than a fabrication inside the brain. Upon finishing his morning routine, the presence of the Fatui Agent closed in. Seeing the Agent close in within his heterochromatic field of damaged vision, Siorc put on the most diligent face possible. Whatever work were to be handed to him today, he knew he had to be ready for it.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc," called out the Fatui Agent on cue. "We have been assigned negotiation affairs within the library of Mondstadt today." The masked agent gave authoritative eye contact with his subordinate in arms. Another day, another negotiative affair.
Siorc jumped four steps back upon hearing the name Mondstadt release from his subordinate's unseen lips. They were going to Mondstadt again? His former homeland that had been stolen from his childhood a few years prior. Hearing such name being uttered, one thought circled in his mind, and one thought alone. The thought overpowering him, nothing in his partially human brain remained.
He would go search for his sister today.
He would search for his sister, and try to have a brief reunion with her. Being Fatui property, he knew only a brief reunion was something he could allow. Remembering most of the rest of the world of Teyvat had currently been in the season of autumn, the chimera knew the perfect place to begin searching for her. Wolvendom, he would start searching in Wolvendom. Knowing Hase loved picking pumpkins in autumn, perhaps he would run into her there. Cracking his knuckles, the chimera would not falter. Today was the day his search party would begin.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc!" called out the Fatui Agent again. "What are you doing? We have work in Mondstadt today. Stop fooling around!" There was an aggravated tone in his voice. He didn't know what his subordinate was thinking, as usual.
Siorc flinched almost completely on cue. Having been removed from his thoughts, he knew he had to at least play the part of the obedient diplomatic soldier, for the time being.
"Yes sir," he replied autonomously. Holding out his arm quietly, the chimera prepared for the Agent to grip him tightly, like always.
"Excellent, then let's go soldier," the Agent responded. Seeing the chimera hold out his arm, the agent clamped down violently. The grip had been as tight as a door locked from the inside with no key. Gripping prison was relentless, as usual. As the escort to Mondstadt began, Siorc placed his free hand on his chest quietly.
He hoped the day would be today he would be reunited with his missing sister.
***
Upon arriving outside the city library through a Portable Waypoint, the Agent had instructed Siorc to find the librarian that had been in charge within the Knight of Favonius headquarters. Having never seen a Portable Waypoint before, the chimera could not help but wonder: did the Agent not have a wind glider? The hyena knew there had been another Teleport Waypoint close to the Knight's Headquarters in a high up area. The young budding soldier cared not, however. Being released from the gripping prison surprisingly early, the young man opened the door to the library diligently. He knew, at least for the moment, he had to at least find the librarian inside before exiting quietly.
The library was an oddly dark area. Bookshelves towering to the height of the ceiling, less light had been evident in the large, two story room. Allowing a sigh to release from the throat, the hyena sauntered onward. Seeing a desk within his damaged field of heterochromatic vision, the adolescent headed over to the desk diligently. As the desk and the soldier met, a tall woman could be seen standing behind it. The woman had brown hair partially up in a side ponytail with a purple rose holding it in place. On her head was a purple triangular shaped hat. Such a hat was an oddity to behold for the young man. Hat matching her uniform, the woman had been wearing a purple Knights of Favonius outfit. Everything about the woman behind the desk screamed Electro. He swore he could see her smiling at him while the soldier examined her.
"Hey there, cutie," the woman replied. Her tone of voice was teasing, for whatever reason. "Do you need something?"
Siorc jumped six steps back. Cutie? What an odd woman. Hearing such uncalled for words of affection from a complete stranger, the chimera remained silent. Within seconds of the affection without his consent on the matter, the Agent stepped in front of the hyena. Knowing the Agent was about to take charge of the situation, he knew slipping away unnoticed would be an easy feat.
"You must be the head librarian," the Agent said diligently. "We have an important matter to discuss with you." The Agent was immediately absorbed into work, as expected.
Quietly observing six steps behind, Siorc did not care to listen or engage in the negotiations at hand, especially with the flirtatious librarian. Only hearing the word Mora and nothing else, he stepped back silently. The Agent already having been deep into work mode, he likely did not even notice the chimera was there anymore, the hyena ventured to guess. As the door zeroed in within his presence, the young man attempted to open the door as silently as possible. Hearing the library door squeak as it opened, the soldier hoped no one had heard him exit to the outside.
As the Portable Waypoint had been adjacent to him, the adolescent let out an inaudible sigh from the esophagus. Almost instantaneously, he highlighted the waypoint to Wolvendom with his finger. He was ready. Ready to search for his sister in the woods for a possible quick reunion. Autumn was her favorite season, he knew there had to have been a small chance she could have been in the woods searching for a pumpkin. As the teleportation began, Siorc closed his eyes. The chimera could not stand the extremely bright light that teleporting had given off. But, none of that mattered to the young budding soldier, at the moment.
The one member search party was about to begin.
***
Despite how blinding teleporting had always been, the destination being reached quickly always outweighed the risk. Gliding was simply not an option. He knew he had to search quickly; daylight in autumn was not very long lasting. Remembering there had been a boy that lived inside the woods, Siorc's legs quickly erupted into a sprint.
Recalling the boy had stood in a dome near a blue glowing sword, the chimera followed the path diligently.
Seeing strange patches of grass within his bespectacled field of heterochromatic vision, the hyena abruptly ended his sprint. The patch of grass had a blue bulb on the end of it, emitting a bright light. Such a fascinating patch of grass, it was. Having seen such grass of fascination in his childhood, a wave of nostalgia overtook the chimera. The blue bulbed grass glowing beautifully; the young man admired it quietly. What an incredibly beautiful plant it was. Such admirations were quickly halted, however.
Hearing the sound of Hilichurls in the background, a growl bellowed in Siorc's throat. Who dared to disturb him while in the blissful land of flowers and plants? Monsters were absolutely rude creatures. Closing his eyes, the chimera turned his human hand into a hyena paw. Slashing his claws at the Hilichurls almost as if by instinct, the sound of defeat resounded within the area. The screams of the monsters quickly having returned him to reality, the young man opened his eyes. What was he doing, getting distracted by grass of fascination, at a time like this? Closing his eyes again, the young soldier quickly retracted his hyena paw. As his paw returned to being a human hand, the adolescent's legs erupted into a sprint again. Momentary distractions were now the enemy.
Eventually seeing the dome with the blue sword in the center closing in, the chimera briefly halted his sprint. Scouting the area, he could see the hooded boy within a small distance. Jumping down the ledge, the hyena walked over to the boy quietly. Not usually being the confrontational type, the adolescent tapped the hooded boy on the shoulder. He knew this interaction had to be quick, or the Agent would notice he had disappeared, for sure.
Tap having registered, the hooded boy stood up. Having been a lot taller since the last time the chimera had seen him, the hyena hoped he was recognizable to the hooded forest boy. It had been years since the two had encountered one another last. Watching as the boy sniffed him like his proclaimed wolf family, Siorc stood quietly.
"Your smell," the hooded boy said. "You green bunny's lupical!" A hint of happiness was evident in the hooded boy's voice.
Siorc's ears peaked at the words green and bunny. Did the hooded boy mean Hase? Being a Fatui Soldier, he knew asking questions was not something that was allowed, but the chimera cared not at this moment in time. He had to know if the hooded boy meant his sister or not. Taking a quick breath, the hyena readied the forbidden art of asking questions to the forest boy.
"You've seen Hase?" he asked. "Where did she go?!" A tone of desperation was evident in his voice. Hase, had she still been close by? Many questions were brewing inside him, but no more forbidden questions would leave the hyena's throat.
The hooded boy scratched his grey hair briefly for a moment. Perhaps he didn't remember such a name? The chimera knew, however, patience was key. Information processed differently for various groups of people. Knowing such a fact, the hyena did not rush the hooded boy. After a few minutes, the hooded boy motioned his lips to speak again.
"Green bunny train with me for awhile," the boy replied, grunting a tiny bit. "Where she go? I don't know." His voice had sunk a bit upon saying such phrase. Looking at Siorc in the eyes, the boy's face was resolute. "My information...useful?"
Hearing that Hase had been in Wolvendom recently, a small dejected sigh released from the chimera's throat. Hase had already left the area. Where could she have been to now? Thinking back, the hyena remembered his sister liked climbing high places. The young soldier remembering an area in Mondstadt with a high cliff point, the adolescent knew where to head off next. Before leaving for the area however, he knew he had to thank the boy, even if his information had no leads beyond his sister having been in the area recently.
"Your information was useful," the chimera replied slightly disingenuously. "Thank you." Waving goodbye to the hooded boy, the hyena exited the dome swiftly.
Recalling there had been an area in Mondstadt with a lot of high cliff areas and a lookout point, the hyena had come to one conclusion, and one conclusion only. Starsnatch Cliff, Hase had to have gone to Starsnatch Cliff. Besides pumpkins, the chimera knew his sister loved being in high places. Coming to such conclusion, Siorc highlighted the waypoint to Starsnatch Cliff with his finger. He knew this was his last chance of the day. The sun would set shortly.
As the teleportation began, the chimera closed his eyes again. No matter how many times teleporting had occurred, the blinding light was never something he could look at. Such matter was trifling at the moment; the chimera cared not. Finding his sister was the only thought that remained inside his partial human brain.
The one member search party continued.
***
Reaching the destination quickly, a horrific reality cemented instantly in front of the chimera's damaged eyes. The Teleport Waypoint had taken him to the bottom of the cliff, not the top. Having been at the bottom, climbing to the top had been his only option. Deciding on such an action, the hyena started climbing the grey rocks in front of him. Jumping every so often to get to the top quicker, a small broke out in the partial human's throat. As the top of the cliff neared, his panting increased in volume. Overwhelmed by a sudden moment of tiredness, the adolescent's hand slipped as his continued attempts to climb continued frantically. Second hand slipping almost immediately, the chimera descended backwards. Back hitting the ground, a pained scream released from the young budding soldier's throat. Gritting his teeth, Siorc quickly rose back to his feet.
Steep cliffs were an evil landform.
Taking a deep breath, the chimera returned to climbing. Not allowing himself to jump this time, the hyena climbed slowly. Eventually reaching the top slowly, but surely, another pant broke within the hyena's throat. Panting continuing like a beast on the prowl, the young man placed his currently human feet on the top of the cliff. Was his stamina level the default within the rules of the world? He knew such to not be true, but he felt like it was at the moment. Pondering such at the moment in time was not a virtue, however. Autumn nightfall would be upon him soon.
Within a small distance, the edge of the cliff had been glued to his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Seeing a person standing on the cliff's edge, a sprint broke out in the chimera's legs yet again. As the person came closer within his line of sight, the chimera halted his third sprint of the day. Panting again from the heavy amount of exercise he had been doing, the hyena quickly attempted to regain posture. Panting having ended, Siorc examined the person quietly.
By the edge of the cliff was a teenage girl possibly no older than Hase. She had short silver hair that went down to her shoulders. There was a small braid on the forehead held together with a shield for a hairclip, and a small white hat could be seen on the top of her head. The chimera examined the girl's outfit diligently. The girl wore a red and white maid outfit, and white gloves with roses on the edge of the right glove. Tilting his head, the sight before him was a puzzling one indeed. What was a maid doing out on the edge of a cliff, of all places? The chimera did not know. Perhaps, someone had invited the girl to engage in an activity known as a hangout event with her. But, the hyena was none the wiser to such event existing.
The maid placed her hands over her mouth. The purple haired person looked similar to the girl she had been training with recently, per her request. Perhaps the lookalike was looking to train, as well? If such was the case, she would handle the duty, like a dutiful maid would.
"Hello," the maid greeted in a friendly tone. "You look quite similar to a girl I trained recently! Are you her sister?" Her eyes beamed a little. Perhaps if she trained this person as well, the knights would recognize her dutiful strength in helping people.
Siorc tilted his head a little. Sister? He supposed he did not care for being mistaken for a girl. Such was a trifling matter to the adolescent chimera. Not feeling like correcting her, the hyena motioned his lips to speak. Surely, this girl knew where Hase had gone off to. He knew asking questions still was not something he was allowed, but he continued to care not, at the moment in time.
"You've seen Hase?" he asked forbiddingly. "Do you know where she has headed?" Having spoken so much today was uncharacteristic of him, but the hyena no barely cared. Family was far more important than his forced upon duty as a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier. Placing his hands into a praying stance, the adolescent hoped quietly. Surely, his sister had to tell the maid where she was going. She had to have told someone, anyone, where was going.
The maid covered her hands with her mouth again. The person's voice in front of her having been slightly deep, a slight blush broke out on her face. The maid, however, quickly returned to her senses. This person needed her. While it had only been a question, she would answer it dutifully.
"Oh, dear, you're a boy, my apologies," she replied sheepishly at her mistake. Remembering the question at hand, the girl answered swiftly. "But, no, she did not." A small smile broke on the girl's face as she remembered the two of them training with one another. "It was an honor to serve her." The maid tacked on such phrase for polite measure.
Another sigh released from Siorc's throat. Hase had not told the maid where she was going, either. Where could she have gone? It was almost as if she did not wish to be found. Why was she training with so many people? He wished such questions could have an answer, but such question would not leave his lips. Not feeling like he could ask any more questions, the hyena knew it had been time to return to the library.
"Thank you for the information, ma'am," Siorc replied as he readied his exit. "Goodbye."
Noticing the sky had been dark now upon saying his farewell, the chimera hurried his teleportation. As the triad moment of blinding teleportation began, a small sense of dread broke inside him. It was evening, the Agent surely would have noticed his absence by now. Fear and disappointment feeding on his insides, the adolescent soldier let out a small groan.
Today was a horrific, and utter failure.
***
Upon returning to the Portable Waypoint, Siorc's fear had been correct. The Fatui Agent had been undeniably irritated. The Agent's boots tapped onto the Knight's Headquarters floor violently, rumbling the ground. The tap of his boots vibrated throughout the area like an earthquake.
"Where have you been?!" the Agent shouted. His voice was cracking. "I'll let you off easy this time, but If this happens again, I'll make sure Her Majesty knows of it!" The Agent gripped the chimera's arm with extreme force. "We're heading back now, let's go!" Making sure to grip his subordinate tighter than before, he clamped down enough to bruise the chimera's skin.
Hearing the Agent's threat, several chills had run down Siorc's partially human spine. Mercy was not something Her Majesty had ever given to people. While being told the Agent would not report his disobedience this time, he knew his life would be over for sure if a next time were to occur. As the escort back to the frozen northern land through the fourth and final Teleport Waypoint of the day had begun, the failure of the day overall stung the chimera in the back painfully.
His sister could be anywhere within Teyvat at this point. Such a reality presented before him stabbed him in the back with a violent roar. Looking for her on a Diplomatic Workday had no longer been an option. The chimera could feel his currently human legs shake as the Agent's threat continued to ring in his ears endlessly.
The seed of fear was blooming into a flower inside him. If he had not been distracted by such beautiful nature earlier, perhaps it would have still been day time by now. Gazing at nature earlier was a mistake he wished to erase.
Momentary distractions were the enemy, indeed.
Dreaming had continued its relentless tormenting pattern within the young adolescent chimera's subconscious mind. The pattern of torment would not halt in the night before him, either.
Before him was a familiar setting, a setting of which had been nostalgic for Siorc. In front of him was an area with trees, many trees that were taller than the chimera could ever imagine. Such familiarity ended immediately within the hyena's subconscious mind, however. Within his subconscious field of vision was a small red tent with diagonal stripes on it. Examining the area of not reality further, a gulp released from the young soldier's throat. Another familiar sight was about to befall him. Such had been a common occurrence within the dream world he had been forcefully pulled into.
Horizontal to him were three short humanoid creatures. The humanoid creatures adorned a mask with a Pyro symbol covering their faces. Behind the mask had been a fuzzy red mane adorning horns at the top of it. Looking downward, the hyena observed the creatures further. Below the fuzz of a mane was an orange cloth belted with an off rope. The cloth had been an oddity to behold within the not reality for the hyena. Seeing such creatures seethed a familiar, comforting feeling for the chimera. Intelligence was not the humanoid creature's strong suit.
Perhaps, for once, the dream presented before him would not be of the tormenting variety. Having seen such creatures around the open wilderness as a child, subconscious fear left immediately. Creatures in the wilderness were not especially intelligent creatures.
Such feelings of comfort had died swiftly upon arrival.
Between the three creatures was a familiar face. Green hair he'd recognize anywhere. His younger sister, Hase stood between the humanoid creatures hunched over in fear, similar to how many generic citizens within the world of Teyvat had done upon seeing such creatures. Examining closer, a horrific sight permeated within the young budding soldier's subconscious field of vision. Within the three creature's right hands were clubs. The clubs burned passionately. Seeing his sister there, he knew something of utter torment was about to befall him.
The three humanoid creatures spun the clubs of fire readily. Battle was the only thing raging within their mind's. The girl having been their enemy, the creatures' dim brains would not falter upon the prey before them.
"Ya!" the creatures cried. Swinging their clubs of fire passionately, the creatures attacked fervently. "Kundala!" Uttering the battle cry in their own language, the flames had begun their reduced rampage within his dream world.
The fire had begun to hit his sister hastily, but surely, although subconscious Hase remained silent. Cowering had continued. As the flames engulfed her, Siorc's subconscious bespectacled eyes twitched immediately. Why? Was it his sister this time? Why was she acting similar to generic humans within the open wilderness? Autonomy was a beast to behold.
"Hase! Hase, fight back! Hilichurls are pretty weak!" cried Siorc, desperation extremely evident in his voice. "Hase!" But his cries were not heard. She could not see, she was unable to answer. Her pose of cowering played out endlessly. The hyena's eyes had begun to twitch faster as the flames seared on his sister quicker. "Hase!" He shouted once more, but it was useless. The battle before him would not cease existing.
Above his sister's head was a number. The number was the singular digit of one. Such number was an oddity to behold, for sure. The humanoid creatures having numbers as well, the hyena gulped at the large digits above the three creatures heads. Reading the number closely, the gulp turned into a gasp. The numbers were the digits of ninety-two. Scratching his subconscious head, the chimera stared at the numbers expectantly. What did the numbers mean? It was almost as if, in the world of Teyvat, the numbers had meaning to them. Such numbers, however, were meaningless to the adolescent soldier.
Knowing Hilichurls to be weak creatures, Siorc rummaged through his pocket of numbness. Weapons occasionally having been within his pockets in the land of dreams, the chimera searched the pouch of nothing frantically. Surely, a weapon had to have been in there this time. As the rummaging continued, a horrified realization planted itself inside the hyena.
Nothing, no weapon. Not a single one. The pockets of not reality were a pit of emptiness.
No weapon being on his partial person, the young soldier closed his eyes defeatedly. Fighting bare handed was useless. Hands currently being human, Siorc knew he had stood no chance against the enemies of unintelligence. Having no way to help, the hyena had sunk to his knees dejectedly. There was nothing that could be done, failure was upon him.
"Kundala!" the Hilichurls called out again. Uttering their battle cry again, the creatures swung their flaming clubs again. Flames hitting Hase violently, the young girl faded into nothingness. Defeat being evident, the primitive creatures danced ceremoniously. The threat had been eliminated.
Seeing his sister fade away before his subconscious eyes, tears streamed down the chimera's face. He knew none of this was real; it was nothing more than a dream. He knew that, but the horror before him would not shake off easily.
"Hase, why?" the chimera cried out weakly. "Why were you just standing there like that?" Upon uttering such phrase, the hyena could see the enemies flailing their flaming weapons readily. One final gulp released from the adolescent's throat, the young man stared lifelessly. He was next; their next target. Safety had left him behind.
The numbers above the creatures heads weren't meaningless, indeed.
***
Forty-five days had passed since the glasses ordeal had occurred. Within the six weeks of time, being bespectacled was something the chimera had slowly, but surely gotten used to. Glasses being a necessity, wearing the lenses cemented into his daily routine of dressing the body. During such time frame, the steel wall room had also become the young budding soldier's permanent residence within the soldier barracks. Having no choice but to accept it, Siorc quietly had become unwillingly familiar with his soundproof room of solitude.
For thirty of the forty-five days, nonstop snow had raged endlessly in the permafrost north. Such was a normal occurrence in the nation of Snezhnaya. While such storm had been occurring, every single Fatui within the military barracks had been sent to Natlan on a daily basis. Everyone having been ordered to collect heat sources, not a single soldier within the barracks faltered. Heat sources were a necessity in the frozen northern land if one wished to keep living.
Natlan not being a place he wished to return to, Siorc collected heat sources with his subordinates unwillingly for the thirty days of monotony. Chest hurting whenever entering the nation, the fear of having a repeat incident loomed over him. However, such fears disintegrated slowly throughout the month of nothingness as the jackal chimera stationed within Natlan assisted him. Being guided to safe paths within the terrifying nation of heat and fire, no repeat incident had ever occurred. While the nation of heat was no longer a source of fear for him, fire had still been a source of torment for the soldier. Phobias were quite the stubborn permeance within the dormant shark grooves in his brain.
After having collected enough supplies, fifteen days of building permanent heat sources throughout the military barracks raged onward. Building heat sources had been a task of pure monotony. It was almost as if the forty-five days were deliberately empty, as if such a force outside Teyvat had determined such a fate for the Fatui. Such days of monotony were about to come to a crashing halt today.
Upon waking up from his tormented slumber, a scream bounced off and back around the steel walls. The dream he had would not exit his mind. Unease swallowing the chimera whole, Siorc rose from the uncomfortable bed. Time not being a virtue within the military barracks forced upon him, the adolescent had autonomously begun his morning routine of dressing the body.
While dressing in his uniform efficiently, various thoughts of unease churned inside the young budding soldier's partially human brain. Hase, could she be out there somewhere in the seven nations of Teyvat? Where could she be now? As the thoughts of his sister's whereabouts swam inside him like fish in a lake, Siorc gulped. He was not ready for the day at hand. The hyena knew such thoughts would have to disappear quickly. The Fatui Agent could arrive at any moment. Adjusting his glasses, the chimera continued his morning routine quietly.
Breathing in deeply to remove the unease feasting inside him, the hyena clicked the hairpins and earrings into place. Putting on his favorite moon shaped earrings and hairpins on for the day, the chimera breathed a final time. Dreams were nothing more than a fabrication inside the brain. Upon finishing his morning routine, the presence of the Fatui Agent closed in. Seeing the Agent close in within his heterochromatic field of damaged vision, Siorc put on the most diligent face possible. Whatever work were to be handed to him today, he knew he had to be ready for it.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc," called out the Fatui Agent on cue. "We have been assigned negotiation affairs within the library of Mondstadt today." The masked agent gave authoritative eye contact with his subordinate in arms. Another day, another negotiative affair.
Siorc jumped four steps back upon hearing the name Mondstadt release from his subordinate's unseen lips. They were going to Mondstadt again? His former homeland that had been stolen from his childhood a few years prior. Hearing such name being uttered, one thought circled in his mind, and one thought alone. The thought overpowering him, nothing in his partially human brain remained.
He would go search for his sister today.
He would search for his sister, and try to have a brief reunion with her. Being Fatui property, he knew only a brief reunion was something he could allow. Remembering most of the rest of the world of Teyvat had currently been in the season of autumn, the chimera knew the perfect place to begin searching for her. Wolvendom, he would start searching in Wolvendom. Knowing Hase loved picking pumpkins in autumn, perhaps he would run into her there. Cracking his knuckles, the chimera would not falter. Today was the day his search party would begin.
"Diplomatic Soldier Siorc!" called out the Fatui Agent again. "What are you doing? We have work in Mondstadt today. Stop fooling around!" There was an aggravated tone in his voice. He didn't know what his subordinate was thinking, as usual.
Siorc flinched almost completely on cue. Having been removed from his thoughts, he knew he had to at least play the part of the obedient diplomatic soldier, for the time being.
"Yes sir," he replied autonomously. Holding out his arm quietly, the chimera prepared for the Agent to grip him tightly, like always.
"Excellent, then let's go soldier," the Agent responded. Seeing the chimera hold out his arm, the agent clamped down violently. The grip had been as tight as a door locked from the inside with no key. Gripping prison was relentless, as usual. As the escort to Mondstadt began, Siorc placed his free hand on his chest quietly.
He hoped the day would be today he would be reunited with his missing sister.
***
Upon arriving outside the city library through a Portable Waypoint, the Agent had instructed Siorc to find the librarian that had been in charge within the Knight of Favonius headquarters. Having never seen a Portable Waypoint before, the chimera could not help but wonder: did the Agent not have a wind glider? The hyena knew there had been another Teleport Waypoint close to the Knight's Headquarters in a high up area. The young budding soldier cared not, however. Being released from the gripping prison surprisingly early, the young man opened the door to the library diligently. He knew, at least for the moment, he had to at least find the librarian inside before exiting quietly.
The library was an oddly dark area. Bookshelves towering to the height of the ceiling, less light had been evident in the large, two story room. Allowing a sigh to release from the throat, the hyena sauntered onward. Seeing a desk within his damaged field of heterochromatic vision, the adolescent headed over to the desk diligently. As the desk and the soldier met, a tall woman could be seen standing behind it. The woman had brown hair partially up in a side ponytail with a purple rose holding it in place. On her head was a purple triangular shaped hat. Such a hat was an oddity to behold for the young man. Hat matching her uniform, the woman had been wearing a purple Knights of Favonius outfit. Everything about the woman behind the desk screamed Electro. He swore he could see her smiling at him while the soldier examined her.
"Hey there, cutie," the woman replied. Her tone of voice was teasing, for whatever reason. "Do you need something?"
Siorc jumped six steps back. Cutie? What an odd woman. Hearing such uncalled for words of affection from a complete stranger, the chimera remained silent. Within seconds of the affection without his consent on the matter, the Agent stepped in front of the hyena. Knowing the Agent was about to take charge of the situation, he knew slipping away unnoticed would be an easy feat.
"You must be the head librarian," the Agent said diligently. "We have an important matter to discuss with you." The Agent was immediately absorbed into work, as expected.
Quietly observing six steps behind, Siorc did not care to listen or engage in the negotiations at hand, especially with the flirtatious librarian. Only hearing the word Mora and nothing else, he stepped back silently. The Agent already having been deep into work mode, he likely did not even notice the chimera was there anymore, the hyena ventured to guess. As the door zeroed in within his presence, the young man attempted to open the door as silently as possible. Hearing the library door squeak as it opened, the soldier hoped no one had heard him exit to the outside.
As the Portable Waypoint had been adjacent to him, the adolescent let out an inaudible sigh from the esophagus. Almost instantaneously, he highlighted the waypoint to Wolvendom with his finger. He was ready. Ready to search for his sister in the woods for a possible quick reunion. Autumn was her favorite season, he knew there had to have been a small chance she could have been in the woods searching for a pumpkin. As the teleportation began, Siorc closed his eyes. The chimera could not stand the extremely bright light that teleporting had given off. But, none of that mattered to the young budding soldier, at the moment.
The one member search party was about to begin.
***
Despite how blinding teleporting had always been, the destination being reached quickly always outweighed the risk. Gliding was simply not an option. He knew he had to search quickly; daylight in autumn was not very long lasting. Remembering there had been a boy that lived inside the woods, Siorc's legs quickly erupted into a sprint.
Recalling the boy had stood in a dome near a blue glowing sword, the chimera followed the path diligently.
Seeing strange patches of grass within his bespectacled field of heterochromatic vision, the hyena abruptly ended his sprint. The patch of grass had a blue bulb on the end of it, emitting a bright light. Such a fascinating patch of grass, it was. Having seen such grass of fascination in his childhood, a wave of nostalgia overtook the chimera. The blue bulbed grass glowing beautifully; the young man admired it quietly. What an incredibly beautiful plant it was. Such admirations were quickly halted, however.
Hearing the sound of Hilichurls in the background, a growl bellowed in Siorc's throat. Who dared to disturb him while in the blissful land of flowers and plants? Monsters were absolutely rude creatures. Closing his eyes, the chimera turned his human hand into a hyena paw. Slashing his claws at the Hilichurls almost as if by instinct, the sound of defeat resounded within the area. The screams of the monsters quickly having returned him to reality, the young man opened his eyes. What was he doing, getting distracted by grass of fascination, at a time like this? Closing his eyes again, the young soldier quickly retracted his hyena paw. As his paw returned to being a human hand, the adolescent's legs erupted into a sprint again. Momentary distractions were now the enemy.
Eventually seeing the dome with the blue sword in the center closing in, the chimera briefly halted his sprint. Scouting the area, he could see the hooded boy within a small distance. Jumping down the ledge, the hyena walked over to the boy quietly. Not usually being the confrontational type, the adolescent tapped the hooded boy on the shoulder. He knew this interaction had to be quick, or the Agent would notice he had disappeared, for sure.
Tap having registered, the hooded boy stood up. Having been a lot taller since the last time the chimera had seen him, the hyena hoped he was recognizable to the hooded forest boy. It had been years since the two had encountered one another last. Watching as the boy sniffed him like his proclaimed wolf family, Siorc stood quietly.
"Your smell," the hooded boy said. "You green bunny's lupical!" A hint of happiness was evident in the hooded boy's voice.
Siorc's ears peaked at the words green and bunny. Did the hooded boy mean Hase? Being a Fatui Soldier, he knew asking questions was not something that was allowed, but the chimera cared not at this moment in time. He had to know if the hooded boy meant his sister or not. Taking a quick breath, the hyena readied the forbidden art of asking questions to the forest boy.
"You've seen Hase?" he asked. "Where did she go?!" A tone of desperation was evident in his voice. Hase, had she still been close by? Many questions were brewing inside him, but no more forbidden questions would leave the hyena's throat.
The hooded boy scratched his grey hair briefly for a moment. Perhaps he didn't remember such a name? The chimera knew, however, patience was key. Information processed differently for various groups of people. Knowing such a fact, the hyena did not rush the hooded boy. After a few minutes, the hooded boy motioned his lips to speak again.
"Green bunny train with me for awhile," the boy replied, grunting a tiny bit. "Where she go? I don't know." His voice had sunk a bit upon saying such phrase. Looking at Siorc in the eyes, the boy's face was resolute. "My information...useful?"
Hearing that Hase had been in Wolvendom recently, a small dejected sigh released from the chimera's throat. Hase had already left the area. Where could she have been to now? Thinking back, the hyena remembered his sister liked climbing high places. The young soldier remembering an area in Mondstadt with a high cliff point, the adolescent knew where to head off next. Before leaving for the area however, he knew he had to thank the boy, even if his information had no leads beyond his sister having been in the area recently.
"Your information was useful," the chimera replied slightly disingenuously. "Thank you." Waving goodbye to the hooded boy, the hyena exited the dome swiftly.
Recalling there had been an area in Mondstadt with a lot of high cliff areas and a lookout point, the hyena had come to one conclusion, and one conclusion only. Starsnatch Cliff, Hase had to have gone to Starsnatch Cliff. Besides pumpkins, the chimera knew his sister loved being in high places. Coming to such conclusion, Siorc highlighted the waypoint to Starsnatch Cliff with his finger. He knew this was his last chance of the day. The sun would set shortly.
As the teleportation began, the chimera closed his eyes again. No matter how many times teleporting had occurred, the blinding light was never something he could look at. Such matter was trifling at the moment; the chimera cared not. Finding his sister was the only thought that remained inside his partial human brain.
The one member search party continued.
***
Reaching the destination quickly, a horrific reality cemented instantly in front of the chimera's damaged eyes. The Teleport Waypoint had taken him to the bottom of the cliff, not the top. Having been at the bottom, climbing to the top had been his only option. Deciding on such an action, the hyena started climbing the grey rocks in front of him. Jumping every so often to get to the top quicker, a small broke out in the partial human's throat. As the top of the cliff neared, his panting increased in volume. Overwhelmed by a sudden moment of tiredness, the adolescent's hand slipped as his continued attempts to climb continued frantically. Second hand slipping almost immediately, the chimera descended backwards. Back hitting the ground, a pained scream released from the young budding soldier's throat. Gritting his teeth, Siorc quickly rose back to his feet.
Steep cliffs were an evil landform.
Taking a deep breath, the chimera returned to climbing. Not allowing himself to jump this time, the hyena climbed slowly. Eventually reaching the top slowly, but surely, another pant broke within the hyena's throat. Panting continuing like a beast on the prowl, the young man placed his currently human feet on the top of the cliff. Was his stamina level the default within the rules of the world? He knew such to not be true, but he felt like it was at the moment. Pondering such at the moment in time was not a virtue, however. Autumn nightfall would be upon him soon.
Within a small distance, the edge of the cliff had been glued to his heterochromatic field of damaged vision. Seeing a person standing on the cliff's edge, a sprint broke out in the chimera's legs yet again. As the person came closer within his line of sight, the chimera halted his third sprint of the day. Panting again from the heavy amount of exercise he had been doing, the hyena quickly attempted to regain posture. Panting having ended, Siorc examined the person quietly.
By the edge of the cliff was a teenage girl possibly no older than Hase. She had short silver hair that went down to her shoulders. There was a small braid on the forehead held together with a shield for a hairclip, and a small white hat could be seen on the top of her head. The chimera examined the girl's outfit diligently. The girl wore a red and white maid outfit, and white gloves with roses on the edge of the right glove. Tilting his head, the sight before him was a puzzling one indeed. What was a maid doing out on the edge of a cliff, of all places? The chimera did not know. Perhaps, someone had invited the girl to engage in an activity known as a hangout event with her. But, the hyena was none the wiser to such event existing.
The maid placed her hands over her mouth. The purple haired person looked similar to the girl she had been training with recently, per her request. Perhaps the lookalike was looking to train, as well? If such was the case, she would handle the duty, like a dutiful maid would.
"Hello," the maid greeted in a friendly tone. "You look quite similar to a girl I trained recently! Are you her sister?" Her eyes beamed a little. Perhaps if she trained this person as well, the knights would recognize her dutiful strength in helping people.
Siorc tilted his head a little. Sister? He supposed he did not care for being mistaken for a girl. Such was a trifling matter to the adolescent chimera. Not feeling like correcting her, the hyena motioned his lips to speak. Surely, this girl knew where Hase had gone off to. He knew asking questions still was not something he was allowed, but he continued to care not, at the moment in time.
"You've seen Hase?" he asked forbiddingly. "Do you know where she has headed?" Having spoken so much today was uncharacteristic of him, but the hyena no barely cared. Family was far more important than his forced upon duty as a Diplomatic Fatui Soldier. Placing his hands into a praying stance, the adolescent hoped quietly. Surely, his sister had to tell the maid where she was going. She had to have told someone, anyone, where was going.
The maid covered her hands with her mouth again. The person's voice in front of her having been slightly deep, a slight blush broke out on her face. The maid, however, quickly returned to her senses. This person needed her. While it had only been a question, she would answer it dutifully.
"Oh, dear, you're a boy, my apologies," she replied sheepishly at her mistake. Remembering the question at hand, the girl answered swiftly. "But, no, she did not." A small smile broke on the girl's face as she remembered the two of them training with one another. "It was an honor to serve her." The maid tacked on such phrase for polite measure.
Another sigh released from Siorc's throat. Hase had not told the maid where she was going, either. Where could she have gone? It was almost as if she did not wish to be found. Why was she training with so many people? He wished such questions could have an answer, but such question would not leave his lips. Not feeling like he could ask any more questions, the hyena knew it had been time to return to the library.
"Thank you for the information, ma'am," Siorc replied as he readied his exit. "Goodbye."
Noticing the sky had been dark now upon saying his farewell, the chimera hurried his teleportation. As the triad moment of blinding teleportation began, a small sense of dread broke inside him. It was evening, the Agent surely would have noticed his absence by now. Fear and disappointment feeding on his insides, the adolescent soldier let out a small groan.
Today was a horrific, and utter failure.
***
Upon returning to the Portable Waypoint, Siorc's fear had been correct. The Fatui Agent had been undeniably irritated. The Agent's boots tapped onto the Knight's Headquarters floor violently, rumbling the ground. The tap of his boots vibrated throughout the area like an earthquake.
"Where have you been?!" the Agent shouted. His voice was cracking. "I'll let you off easy this time, but If this happens again, I'll make sure Her Majesty knows of it!" The Agent gripped the chimera's arm with extreme force. "We're heading back now, let's go!" Making sure to grip his subordinate tighter than before, he clamped down enough to bruise the chimera's skin.
Hearing the Agent's threat, several chills had run down Siorc's partially human spine. Mercy was not something Her Majesty had ever given to people. While being told the Agent would not report his disobedience this time, he knew his life would be over for sure if a next time were to occur. As the escort back to the frozen northern land through the fourth and final Teleport Waypoint of the day had begun, the failure of the day overall stung the chimera in the back painfully.
His sister could be anywhere within Teyvat at this point. Such a reality presented before him stabbed him in the back with a violent roar. Looking for her on a Diplomatic Workday had no longer been an option. The chimera could feel his currently human legs shake as the Agent's threat continued to ring in his ears endlessly.
The seed of fear was blooming into a flower inside him. If he had not been distracted by such beautiful nature earlier, perhaps it would have still been day time by now. Gazing at nature earlier was a mistake he wished to erase.
Momentary distractions were the enemy, indeed.