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Chapter 29 : Wings of Freedom
🕑 Added 2024-08-29 16:42:48 +0000 UTCThere was silence between the three of them Xiao, Diluc, and Eula. Dvalin's wings cut steadily through the night sky. It was then that Xiao finally straightened himself out, eyes still fixed on Orion, his mind made up. Turning to Diluc, his face was set.
"Diluc," Xiao started, cutting through the wind, "once you have new information regarding Barbatos, inform me at once."
Diluc met Xiao's intense gaze and nodded as the weight of what was being asked sank inside him. "Wangshu Inn. Got it."
"Farewell."Xiao nodded back, that brief exchange felt like an entire conversation. Then, without another word, he stepped to the edge of Dvalin's back. The outline of his form blurred for a moment, as wind whipped around him, then he was gone-vanishing ghostlike into the night. There one second, the next nothing more but a memory leaving naught but the faintest trace of Anemo energy to mark his wake.
Eula blinked, her surprise evident. "He's gone just like that," she muttered, her eyes wide as they had scanned the space where Xiao had been.
But Diluc merely smiled, a small, knowing curve to his lips. He shook his head lightly, amused. "That's the conqueror of demons for you," he said.
As Dvalin had flown across the skies with his rhythmic flapping, the great expanse of Mondstadt began to slowly appeare before him. The spires and windmills of the city rose in accordance with his flight when setting sun had bathed them all in golden colors-a tranquil scene after the frenzy of the day. At last, he gently touched down, bringing them to a quiet spot at an area in the outskirts of the city away from the curious eyes of the citizens.
As they dismounted, Dvalin lowered his great head his shining eyes locked onto theirs in a mute gesture of farewell. Then, with a mighty sweep of wings, he launched himself once more into the air and winged his way towards the distant Stormterror's Lair. As he vanished into the distance, Diluc could not help raising a wry comment "Don't get yourself put in prison again, Dvalin," he said, the slightest hint of sarcasm in his tone.
With a tired sigh, Diluc readjusted Orion's unconscious weight in his arms, the warrior's mass no great burden to his strenght . Turning to Eula, his experssion serious, yet calm "I'll take him to my estate," he stated. "I can’t risk bringing him into the city like this. And I’d appreciate it if you kept what happened today a secret from Jean, at least for now."
Eula crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she considered his request. After a moment, she nodded, but there was a glint of determination in her gaze. "I’ll agree," she said slowly, "but on one condition."
Diluc raised an eyebrow, out of interest. "And what is it?"
"I go with you," Eula returned, firm of voice. "I stay with him until he wakes up."
Diluc's face darkened, his brow furrowing in concern. "Don't you think they've already noticed your absence? Any more time and they might—"
Eula cut him off, her voice firm. "That's my condition for silence, Diluc. Take it or leave it."
For a moment, the two stared at each other, the air between them thick. Then, Diluc exhaled heavily, his head nodding reluctantly. "Fine," he said, "come along."
the path illuminated by the light of a new day. The cool air was full of the smell of vineyards that were nearby, and for some time, they all walked in silence, each in his thoughts. Save the soft rustling of leaves in a breeze, one could hear the faraway call of birds settling in their nests.
After a moment, Diluc finally broke the silence-a soft tone, yet inquiring. "Eula, what do you think about Orion?"
immediate was Eula's reaction: a slight color danced upon her cheeks as she huffed, crossing her arms in a belatedly defensive manner. "W-what do you mean?" she stammered, her usually confident self faltering. "He's. he's just. I mean, it's not like I care or anything!"
Diluc couldn't but smirk at her reaction, his tone turning teasing. "Not like that," he said, shaking his head in amusement. "I didn't ask whether you like him or not-that much is already obvious. I'm asking what you think about his power, his origins, his… being."
Eula met his gaze, her face softening as she perceived just how serious a question it was. She exhaled as her shoulders sagged, her mind working over her reply. "Honestly… I don't know," she said, softer now, contemplative. "There's something about him… mysterious and powerful. Of course, he has proven himself a worthy ally, that much is for sure. But beyond that…"
She trailed off, looking ahead as they walked, her thoughts clearly distant. "He's… different," she resumed after a moment. "Not only in his powers, but there is something about him, something that seems otherworldly. It is as though he does not quite belong here, and yet at the same time he is someone we have come to rely upon, or at least i do.
Diluc listened intently, he nodded slightly while processing her words. "I've had that feeling, too," he said, the tone of his voice contemplative. "There's an aura about him, something I just can't quite place. The power, the combat abilities, even the demeanor. all a little strange. And while that does make him a great ally to have, that brings up questions of who or what he really is."
She turned to Diluc, her eyes sidling, a mix of curiosity and concern. "Do you think he's hiding something from us?" she asked, her voice a bit uncertain.
"Perhaps," Diluc replied, his voice measured with care. "he did mention he's still trying to find his answers himself. Whichever the reason is, we should be cautious but not overly so, today he has proven to be a great ally and a decent person, and that's what matters, i didn't suspect him at all but i never stopped being careful."
Eula nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at the unconscious Orion in Diluc's arms. "I suppose you are right. I still can't help but wonder … what brought him here? And why now of all times?"
Diluc gave a small smile. "I'm afraid those are questions Orion himself is trying to find answers for. But for now, let's focus on how to get him the help he needs."
They kept walking, the road to the Dawn Winery snaking through the rolling hills of Mondstadt's countryside. Eula thought back upon the battles they had fought together-the times Orion stepped into action unflinching, protecting with a ferocity that reflected the mystery of his nature.
After a little while, Diluc spoke again and lightened his tone. "You know, Eula, it's not usually you to be so worried about somebody."
Eula's cheeks glowed faintly, and she shot him a glare. "I'm not worried," she snapped, her voice a bit too defensive. "I'm just. ensuring our safety. That's all."
Diluc chuckled low and soft. "Of course. Just making sure we are all safe."
They reached the entrance to the Dawn Winery; the great estate proudly stood against the shining sky. Already inside, the familiar smell of grapevines and oak barrels greeted them. Eula looked around, feeling the warmth and comfort of the place, before her gaze settled again on Orion.
Diluc turned to her, his expression serious once more. "We'll have to keep an eye on him. the power he has is quite dangerous, Eula whatever his origins are, he's become part of our lives now. And as long as he's with us, Naturally we'll protect him, but Mondstat is my priority, always."
Eula hesitant she nodded, her eyes set. "I understand you. but I am staying the night with him. I shall let you know if anything happens."
Diluc nodded gratefully, his face softening in appreciation. "Thank you, Eula. I trust you will take good care of him."
Eula nodded and followed the heavy thoughts as Diluc gestured to one of the guest rooms in the Dawn Winery. The warmly lit room greeted them with a crackling fire in the hearth, dancing shadows across the walls. Orion was laid tenderly onto the bed by Diluc, who made sure his unconscious form was comfortable.
Eula stepped a little closer, her gaze softening as she took a better look at Orion, before hesitating for a moment. She took another deep breath and started undressing him to check for possible hidden injuries. As she pulled his shirt aside, though, her breath got caught in her throat.
There, across his body, in the dim light, were shapes, red cube-like, glowing upon his skin. Pulsing to some rhythm, almost like a heartbeat, they seemed, an eerie crimson hue caught against his skin. The sight left both of them momentarily wordless, a sense of awe mixed with confusion.
"What the hell…", Diluc muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he stooped over to see it clearer.
Eula's surprise was a mirror to his own. "Are these… wounds?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief. "They weren't there before." The silence lasted awhile as she raced her mind back to earlier that day, the moments they shared swimming in the pond in that cavern. The memory of that brief, intimate moment made her deeply blush, her cheeks warming as the images replayed in her mind.
Diluc caught her sudden falter and the flush on her face. "What else?" he asked his voice curious, but wary.
Eula shook her head in haste, not ready to share that piece of memory at this time. "It's nothing," she said once more firmly. "I just. he didn't have these marks before. I'm certain of it."
Diluc's frown deepened his gaze fell once more to the pulsating shapes on Orion's body. "True, when i found you guys there was none, Maybe they're wounds from that Andron fellow," he said, though doubt colored his tone. "But it doesn't make sense. I have my own wounds from that battle, but they're just sword cuts. These… these shapes are something else entirely."
Eula's hand came out, her fingers hovering without touching above the red cubes. She could feel the low hum of heat from them, a light living with some sort of energy. "They're not natural," she whispered to herself more than to Diluc. "They're… something else."
Diluc's face turned serious as he got to his feet once more. "We'll need to keep this under observation," he said calmly. "Whatever these markings are, they might be related to his power or his origins."
Eula drew her hand back, her gaze staying on those weird shapes a little longer before she threw a blanket over Orion, covering the marks for now. "I'll keep watch over him," she replied quietly, an edge of resolution in her tone. "We will find out what this means, but for now, he needs to rest."
Diluc nodded, but the hint of concern still shone bright in his eyes. Turning around to leave, Eula said once more-perhaps a little more contemplative. "We should call for a healer," she suggested. "Perhaps Barbara? She's skilled and her healing abilities second to none."
Diluc stopped, considering her words before he shook his head. "No," he replied flatly. "If we involve Barbara, she will immediately tell her sister, Jean. And that's exactly what we need to avoid right now."
Eula frowned slightly, her brain catching on to the unspoken meaning, but her brow furrowed in concern for Orion's condition. "Then who?" she pressed on, her worry growing.
A very small, knowing smile played on Diluc's lips as he glanced back at her. "I'll send word for someone better," he said, a hint of confidence in his voice. "Someone who knows how to be discreet."
