Crystallized [Genshin Fic] - Chapter 1
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
It had been a week since Kaeya had visited the area that was popular among the now absent boars. Eula’s reconnaissance company and Amber’s tracking skills hadn’t found anything unusual about the area that wasn’t unusual about the rest of the canyon. Kaeya hadn’t found anything either, but “hunting” wasn’t his specialty in the same way it was theirs. Yet maybe a more desperate eye would let him discern something new.
The air wasn’t as thick as it was at the start of this “curse”, as it was now called in concerned discussions within the city. The Knights neither confirmed or denied this description, which only added fuel to the smoldering fear. Kaeya wanted it to be a curse, something they could heal with a task or object, but the alchemists were sure this event was caused by someone.
Kaeya kicked a few rocks at the edges of the clearing. Maybe I’ll find another bottle. Acting on the assumption that there’d be another was his only lead in finding a trail. It was a calling sign left by a serial criminal. The pond in Springvale didn’t have a bottle like the original pond in Brightcrown did, but it also took the knights longer to find the new pond. Meaning someone could have easily taken it before he got a chance.
Only Noelle had been there before him. He had found her alone by the water, to both their surprise, and immediately escorted her away. If someone had followed either of them, then in the period he was gone, they could have found and removed the bottle.
There was a windless rustle among the leaves behind him, too noisy to be from a left behind animal. Kaeya shifted his weight and rested a hand on his sword. The rustling slowed and moved away from him, but it should have moved faster.
In a moment, a jagged ice prison was created. Kaeya looked inside the prison and found a very cold witch.
“Miss Mona Megistus, how can I help you?”
Mona’s legs were ice, having still been liquid when her trapped her, but she held her arms tight as she shivered. “If I have to answer that, then maybe he is right about the knights being useless,” she retorted through clattering teeth.
“Melting isn’t my specialty,” Kaeya said. “This area’s been off limits for over a month, so what are you doing here?”
“My job.” The witch glared at him. Part of Kaeya wanted to interrogate her until she thawed out, but he felt no unreasonable animosity from her. He took a potion from his pouch and poured it over her legs.
“Two things are going to happen. One: You will tell me everything you know. Two: We’ll go visit your employer together. The order in which those happen is not of much concern, but if they don’t happen,” Kaeya paused, shaking out the last few drops of the potion, “Mondstadt will become a very inhospitable place for you.”
Since the death in Springvale three days prior, Kaeya had avoided Angel’s Share, but to get the information he needed, the was no way could avoid the winery. Mona walked ahead of him, a surprising show of trust given what happened a short while ago. When they arrived at Dawn Winery, the witch entered the manor with the confidence of someone who had been there dozens of times, swiftly exchanging pleasantries with the staff before opening the door to Diluc’s office.
There was a glint of warmth in the sitting merchant’s eyes before he noticed Kaeya behind Mona. The smell of burnt paper and wood filled the room as Diluc slammed his hands on his desk. Heat visibly swirled around him.
“I thought the Knights of Favonius had the situation under control,” Diluc began, “I believed you when you said so.”
“Now Diluc,” Kaeya said stepping past Mona, “there’s uninvolved people in this room. If you’d like we can go somewhere else where –”
“I won’t go anywhere with you.” Diluc glanced past Kaeya with a searching look, and when he received it, he shifted his eyes back to the knight. “You only come when you want something.”
Kaeya used his vision to cool the room. “A few things actually, but I’ll start with cooperation. I’m asking you to share any information you have.”
“So the knights can do more of nothing? Absolutely not.”
“It’d actually be helpful,” Mona interjected, “Even though I’m an astrologist of renown, there are still aspects of the abyss that I struggle with. If I were able to combine my findings with the Favonius alchemists, both our groups would make progress.”
Kaeya’s breath hitched. “You know it’s the abyss? Diluc, that changes things. If you know, they know.”
Diluc shook his head and began dusting the ashes of his papers into a bin. “Without a Harbinger, most of the Fatui are just powerful idiots. And stop trying to freeze us.”
“If only someone hadn’t attempted to set the building on fire. . .”
“Ahem,” Mona cut in again, “Is it possible at some, or even one of the non-idiots could cause this ‘curse’?”
“It’s not a curse,” Kaeya said, “it’s a type of liquified and condensed abyssal energy. Even without a Harbinger, anyone could follow the simple instruction of ‘pour’.”
Mona quirked an eyebrow. “Liquified and condensed abyssal energy? That might explain the ‘curse’, but not the hilichurl and animal disappearances. After analyzing the past stars, I can say that those started far before the ponds.”
“You’re a better scout than I thought if you know about those.”
“Did you think I’d hire someone incompetent?” Diluc said.
“Oh, why does everything have to be about you?” Kaeya countered. The two were on the verge of another argument when Mona moved between them, thrusting out her arms. The entire room filled with images of beautiful constellations, though ones poised to attack.
“Can we please stay on task!” She glared at them like their tutor used to, and Kaeya struggled to keep a corner of his mouth from lifting up. Mona straightened, and the room returned to normal. “I believe the disappearances are connected but not a result of the ‘curse’. The animals remain present in Springvale, yes?”
Kaeya nodded. “Not as many, but they’re still there. Still, the question is why Brightcrown?”
“Outside of Knights and Adventurers,” Diluc said, “there’s no people. No villages or hamlets, just animals and monsters. A perfect place to hide.”
He was a knight once, thought Kaeya. He brought his hand to his chin. “That’s comforting. Now we can adjust our efforts and –”
BOOM! Mona jumped, but Kaeya simply cocked his head in Diluc’s direction. “Comforting? Someone died, Kaeya,”
“I know. I saw the body. I’m the one who’s been investigating since the first day.” Kaeya worked to keep his cool, but it was the knights that were putting their bodies, their minds¸ on the line.”
“Then it’s your failure,” Diluc said unconceding, “Besides, what more can the knights do to stop this? Throw another ball and consort with the enemy? Turned out fine for you last time.”
In three quick steps, before even Kaeya registered what he was doing, his fist connected with Diluc’s face. Diluc fell against a wall, wide eyes quickly angling as he touched his face.
“How low your anger has made you, Diluc,” Kaeya said. His fist still balled, shaking with the need to lash out again. “Even you entertain a drink or two with distasteful sorts if it suits your aims.”
The man on the floor sunk his head, stood for a moment, then returned to his desk. Mona’s eyes darted between the two, obvious unsurety keeping her from speaking. The grating of Diluc’s chair against the hardwood broke the silence.
Mona focused on Kaeya. “Captain Kaeya, if it’s possible I’d like to meet with Sir Albedo and Miss Sucrose.”
“Of course. And if you discover anything else,” Kaeya said, “don’t be afraid to pass it along.” Kaeya didn’t wait to receive a red eyed glare as he left the office. He did his best to say his goodbyes to the staff amicably, but it evident their argument had been well paid attention to. It didn’t matter to him though, after all his brother was right. Former brother. His only family left. Hopefully. Hopefully.
Kaeya touched his eyepatch lightly, like one would a pot on a stove. Of course, if it was hot, it would have already burned his face. A scar for the outside, to match the ones inside. The thought made Kaeya chuckle aloud and alone in the path on the way back to Mondstadt, and before he realized he was on his knees, curled over in an uncontrollable fit of laughter.
Despite needing to return back to headquarters, Kaeya avoided the building. He needed a few moments of calm, but he wanted to avoid the stables. He stalked all the way up to the cathedral courtyard and stood at the railing so he could overlook the city. It didn’t take him long to spot the familiar maid’s dress. Even though she tried to hide, her distinct armored dress always made her stand out. Kaeya would have smiled if he hadn’t seen who she was with.
Noelle stood with the Fatui man a little aways from the door to Goth Grand Hotel. The duo looked deep in a conspiracy from the way they checked over their shoulders.
She’s allowed her friends. He thought. If it were a knight or a citizen, there’d be less of an issue, but he was the one who said to support her decisions. The duo moved closer to another, and Kaeya clenched his jaw. When she smiled at the other man, Kaeya had to stop himself from gliding down and interrupting them. But that action would only make things worse between them.
He was sure Noelle resented him now. Since that day in Springvale, Kaeya hadn’t been able keep his promise to work the stables with her and the few times they’d crossed paths, she avoided him. Occasionally, Kaeya would peek into the infirmary during her shift and as she attended to the patients, hiding just out of sight in the shadows where he belonged.
Bit by bit, he lost those he cared about. One day, maybe I’ll lose myself. The nightmarish image of a blazing Mondstadt overlayed the city before him and he gritted his teeth. “No, I refute that ending.”
“What ending?”
The question was asked by a clear melodic voice, like chimes on wind.
“Venti.”
The traveling bard sat on the stone railing and strummed his lyre. His clear green eyes seemed to bore into Kaeya. “It’d be terrible if this story were to end so soon. It’s sure to be my most popular song yet.”
“What song?” Kaeya crossed his arms, ready to appease his sometimes-drinking buddy’s current whim.
“One of a hard-working knight and a sad princess,” Venti strummed his lyre again and looked towards Noelle. “I’m desperate for it to have a happy ending, ya’know for Windblume next year, but I can make a tragedy work.”
His tone was gentle, but the warning was clear. They both watched Noelle until her conversation finished and she began to walk in the direction of Favonius headquarters. Her Fatui friend watched her until she disappeared behind a building as well.
Then he swiveled his head to where the two observers were perched. Kaeya fought the urge to flinch, and he could sense the other man’s glare from behind his mask. The Fatui slightly bowed to them before going inside the hotel.
Through clenched teeth, Kaeya spoke. “Venti, could you keep your ear to the ground for me?”
The bard dryly chuckled. “You know my price.”
In his office, Kaeya leaned back, closing his eyes in a surface level attempt at rest. He had no intention, nor belief, that he’d get any now that he’d have to thoroughly scour Brightcrown for any evidence. He still hadn’t received news from Lisa’s contacts in Sumeru about the origin of the bottle. The sketch Albedo made was incredibly accurate, so maybe the scholars were as stumped as he was.
On his desk was the response from the perfumier he wrote to in Liyue, but they didn’t recognize the bottle in the sketch either. Always questions, never answers. There was a knocking on his door.
“Come in,” he said arranging himself. He was surprised to see icy blue hair enter with a letter in her hand. “Eula.”
“Kaeya.” Her normal tone never held warmth, but the way she said his name was concerning. “The Fatui have contacted us about the ‘curse’. Apparently, their members have been getting sick about as long as our knights.”
“And why are they asking about it now?”
Eula shook her head and gave him the paper. “They aren’t asking anything, they’re demanding answers we don’t have. Not to mention their members have been disappearing more than usual.”
He finished scanning the letter. It was full of demands and accusations, par the course for Mond’s favorite guests. “I’ll pen a response, but there isn’t anything we can do about this.”
“Then what about Noelle and her ‘friend’? We can do something about that.”
“We said we’d trust her.”
“You said that. Her friendship is a liability.” Eula was rarely calm, but was able to have her worst moods quell by two people, neither of which were here now.
“This conversation has already played out. If there’s nothing else,” Kaeya motioned to the door, which only infuriated Eula more. She slammed her hands on his desk.
“I think you’ve been blinded. Ever since the ball, you’ve been softer on her.”
“First, no need to be rude,” Kaeya said, “Second, Noelle is our trusted maid and friend, so if being softer helps her, then that’s what we should do.”
She glared at him, but then straightened. “Then all your venturing into the Brightcrown has made you sick. There’s one more thing. One of their squad leaders has been missing since the ball.”
Kaeya’s eyebrows shot up. “What happened?”
“Don’t avoid this, Kaeya, we know you had something to do with that night. Chunks of ice were found on the balcony. You’re the type whose disappearance goes noticed,” Eula said.
The Calvary Captain exhaled a heavy breath. “You don’t believe me when I tell the truth, so why should I expect you to do so when I lie.”
“Why did you fight him?”
Noelle’s tearful face surfaced clear in his memory as if she stood in front of him. He clenched and unclenched his fist. “I can’t tell you, so at least accept that I had good reason to harm that man. To my regret, I did leave him alive.”
“To your regret? Ugh,” Eula pushed her hair out of her eyes, “Well, now you’re the person they blame.”
“I went to the bar after I left. Ask the owner.”
Eula sighed. “Even if you didn’t kidnap him, you still fought him and the Fatui want answers. He’s some Snezhnayan heir.”
“Not answers, Eula, they want punishment,” Kaeya said as he curled the fist in his lap. “We don’t have time to deal with this, but if they’d like, I’ll gladly speak to each and every last one of them. One on one or all at once, it doesn’t matter. Maybe then this ordeal will end.”
Eula’s gaze was cold, but not confrontational as it normally was. “Hearing you speak your true feelings is rare and couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”