Chapter Text
“If you’ve nothing to live for here, let us help you find it somewhere else.”
The travellers hold out their hands. Light pools behind them as the space around us starts to shimmer and change.
“What have you got to lose?” The girl smiles, her opal eyes glittering with hope and kindness.
My stomach churns, but she’s right.
I take their hands.
*
The air is pleasant this evening - it carries the scent of sweet flowers on the breeze; light and floral. It gently lifts the stray strands of hair that escape the knot at the back of my head. It tickles lightly.
My hair is a shocking white. Many years ago I might have complained about the colour of it. Before I’d left my world it had been a light, ashy sort of brown. I wince at the memory of the day I discovered it was turning white. Despite not ageing a day since I left my world, I’d been vain and almost fearful at the idea of looking old. Something about comparing myself to my traveller companions frozen in time, had tenderly nurtured that paranoia in me.
But I smile at the colour now - or lack thereof. It’s like moonlight, and I like moonlight.
I let out a satisfied sigh, readjusting the basket of flowers on my back. It’s a fairly large order and I’ve been carrying it all day. My shoulders ache from the effort, but I enjoy being outside, and I feel like I have purpose.
Lumine and Aether have left to travel in and around Liyue - helping to rebuild the Jade Chamber after it was plunged into the stormy sea fighting off a wretched sea creature. It sounds like the kind of thing I'd read about in stories, but they manage to make it a daily part of their lives.
I lack any sort of physical prowess. I’m healthy and fit enough to walk for long periods, and I can sort of fire an arrow, but without the powers of a Vision I’m a hindrance in battle. And so, here I am, delivering flowers while the twins are off fighting gods and dragons. But it’s my adventure, and I’m happy enough.
The sun is sinking low in the sky - indigo and burnt orange streaks reach for eternity above me. I marvel in wonder at the beauty of it as the wind whispers through the tall grass. It's peaceful.
The wind here feels different, like it’s pushing me away, back towards the borders of Monstadt. I push on though; I need to reach the Wangshu Inn before nightfall. Their order isn’t due until tomorrow, but I don’t want to sleep rough for another night in an unknown land. My sleeping roll is old, and I never sleep well on the road - especially alone.
Where Monstadt is rolling hills, emerald plains of thick grass and meadows of flowers, Liyue consists of breath taking mountains, swirling mists and thick, ancient trees. Their golden leaves sway rhythmically in the wind. It's beautiful, and I wish I could take longer to appreciate it, but the air is getting cool now. The shade of the trees casting sundown shadows is cold and I shudder in it.
I haven't worn warm enough clothes. I scold myself for not bringing a thicker coat. I'm no hardened adventurer, and I'm used to falling into a fluffy cot at the Adventurers guild every night.
The terrain begins to change; the freshwater of wetlands cools the leather of my boots, and I praise myself for at least having the good sense to wear my waterproof ones. They’re high, stopping mid thigh. They chafe a little but at least my legs are warm, even if the rest of me isn’t.
As the sun sinks lower though, my stomach starts to twist. I notice a distinct lack of lanterns, and the tall grass of the marsh conceals the path in evening shadows.
My ankles wobble and strain on the uneven earth, and my breathing begins to quicken as the anxiety kicks in. I repeat to myself… I am not lost…
Every sound is ominous to me. The night creeps in and the hush of the wind begins to sound like the rustle of a killer's clothing. The chirrups and clicks of the fauna sound like something large and threatening. I try to control the erratic thoughts that start to spiral.
I whimper quietly to myself.
I'm not lost.
The sound of my boots sloshing through the marsh is my only company for a time. I wince at the sound, I am careful not to make too much noise. I have spent many hours in the tavern after guard rotations, and I've overheard countless stories of unaware travellers being assaulted and even killed by hostile Hillichurls.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I catch sight ahead of warm, flickering amber light. It illuminates the path as I approach and I let out a shaky humourless laugh as I walk into a clearing in the tree's.
For a fleeting moment, I wonder if the fire has been left unattended, and this is a welcome miracle. Then, a looming shadow of something lumbers into the light. The stinking, filthy Lawachurl clucks deeply, the sound reverberating deep in its rippling chest as it turns to face to me. It wears a bone mask stained scarlet in places, and it's somehow worse than seeing its face in the flesh.
Its ashen skin seems darker in the night, but the dried smattering of blood up its arm seems darker still. I swallow thickly, hoping it's at least animal blood.
I back up slowly, my eyes are wide though and it can likely smell my fear. I feel my heart beat hard and fast in my neck.
"I… am sorry…" I speak slowly, failing to keep the quiver out of my words "I don’t w-want any trouble. I'll go…"
I curse myself. I brought my bow of course; a feeble thing but serviceable. But it's tucked neatly underneath the basket on my back. I doubt this creature would politely wait while I prepare to defend myself.
I back up further - but something about my movement, or the sound makes it snap. It leaps for its axe - far larger than the entire of me, and swings it low and keen.
I scream sharply, falling back onto my backside clumsily. I feel the air cut after the axe as it misses me by a mere inch.
I scramble backwards, slipping my arms from the loops in the basket. I fumble almost blindly for my bow and quiver. I'm not fast enough, and it catches me, swinging an enormous cuffed fist. It catches me in the ribs, ripping me from the ground and tossing me sideways.
I cry in shock, and pain. My cheek meets icy water before I flop onto my back, wheezing breathlessly. The movement sends sharp pains up my waist - painful enough to drain the blood from my face.
My lips feel numb. I think I'm screaming as its shadow approaches. Fear so intense it closes my throat overwhelms me. I'm going to die here.
A burst of gleaming teal Anemo particles flood my vision as it darkens. I hear the low, guttural growl of the creature as I pass out.