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Chapter 4 : Dawn Winery
🕑 Added 2024-08-05 02:22:52 +0000 UTCThey entered Diluc's study, a room adorned with shelves of ancient tomes, maps of Mondstadt, and various artifacts. Orion's eyes were immediately drawn to the imposing Greatsword mounted above Diluc's desk. It exuded an aura of strength and history that captivated Orion.
Diluc followed Orion's gaze and smiled knowingly. "Bloodtainted Greatsword," he said, his voice carrying a hint of reverence.
Orion stepped closer to the desk, his eyes fixed on the sword. "It's impressive," he remarked, his voice tinged with awe.
Diluc nodded, his expression serious. "It's a symbol of strength and protection. Passed down through generations of the Ragnvindr family."
Orion studied the sword, noticing intricate engravings along its blade and the sheen of well-maintained steel. "Does it have a story?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Diluc settled into a chair behind the desk, gesturing for Orion to take a seat opposite him. "Indeed, it does. Every weapon has a story," he began, his gaze distant as if recalling memories etched in time.
"But enough about me and my sword," Diluc said, his tone becoming more serious. "Now, to the real reason I wanted us to talk today. Orion, I know you are not an enemy. I only need to have a look at you to figure out the truth."
Orion furrowed his brow, confusion evident on his face. "You mentioned something like this yesterday," he said, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern. "What's with the doubt?"
Diluc leaned forward, his gaze intense. "We in Mondstadt have experienced... incidents in the past few months," he began carefully. "And just so you know, the ever-incompetent Knights of Favonius are probably still wary of you. They likely sent someone to follow you the moment you left their headquarters."
Orion's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. He had suspected as much, given the cautious glances and subtle surveillance he had occasionally noticed during his time in Mondstadt. "I see," he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
Diluc shook his head, his expression unreadable. "It's not your fault. The Knights are on edge, especially after recent events."
Orion couldn't help but inquire further. His curiosity and concern mingled in his voice as he asked, "What sort of trouble are you talking about?"
Diluc sighed softly, his expression growing more serious. "I've already told you that Mondstadt is not as safe as it seems. We've been attacked by certain individuals, people we know very little about," he explained. "I've also heard reports that similar incidents have occurred in other nations."
Orion was taken aback, his brows furrowing in surprise. "But the city seems so... joyful," he remarked, recalling the lively streets and the warm hospitality he had encountered.
Diluc chuckled softly, though there was no humor in his tone. "I know, I know," he said, shaking his head slightly. "Our people have grown accustomed to this. First Stormterror's attacks back then, now this. We're used to freedom and fighting at this point, a strange combination indeed."
Orion couldn't shake the memory of the broken statue he had seen in Mondstadt. His brow furrowed with concern as he turned to Diluc. "Was that big statue near the cathedral perhaps destroyed in these attacks?" Orion asked, his voice reflecting a mixture of curiosity and worry.
Diluc's expression darkened slightly, his gaze shifting to a distant point as if recalling painful memories. "Precisely," he answered solemnly. "After our Archon went missing, these attacks began. The statue's destruction was one of the visible signs of the turmoil we're facing."
Orion listened intently, sensing the gravity of the situation. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said sincerely.
Diluc continued, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "I've also lost contact with a friend of mine who visited Mondstadt over a year and a half ago. I believe there's a connection to their disappearance and what we're facing now," he explained, frustration evident in his tone. "Whatever we are dealing with, it's a serious threat. It's not just some Hilichurls or forces of the Abyss. This is much more than that."
After Diluc's grim assessment of the situation, Orion couldn't hide his surprise. "I would never have imagined there's such a thing going on here," he admitted, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Diluc nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "Yeah... and the fact that some of them were humanoids. They're just like us," he added, his voice betraying a hint of sadness and frustration. "I fought one of them, and I barely managed to hold them off before they retreated for some reason."
Orion absorbed this revelation, his mind racing with the implications. The thought of humanoid adversaries, possibly with motivations and reasoning similar to their own, unsettled him deeply. "You fought one of them, and you barely managed to hold them off before they retreated?" he repeated, his voice reflecting a mix of disbelief and apprehension.
Diluc nodded gravely. "Yes, that's correct," he confirmed, his expression tense with the memory. "That's one of the primary reasons why the Knights are wary of you," he added with a wry chuckle. "Every stranger with vision or not is having this treatment so don't worry."
Orion sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Well, I'm not worried," he admitted, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Just super confused. On top of my amnesia, I'm somehow in the middle of a city crisis."
Diluc's expression softened slightly, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "It's understandable," he acknowledged. "These are challenging times, for the incompetent knights."
Orion nodded thoughtfully. "Kaeya already figured me out then or possibly still not sure about me," he mused aloud, recalling his interactions with the enigmatic Cavalry Captain.
Diluc leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. "Kaeya is perceptive," he agreed. "But he also understands the complexities of our world. He knows that appearances can be deceiving."
Orion raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Diluc's confidence. "And how can you tell so confidently that I'm not..." he hesitated, searching for the right words, "...one of them?"
Diluc's expression turned serious, his voice low and measured. "The difference is that I fought one of the enemies, and they have not," he explained simply. "There's a certain... aura about them. You don't carry that."
Orion absorbed Diluc's words, a sense of relief washing over him. He trusted Diluc's judgment, knowing that the fiery-tempered owner of Dawn Winery had a keen sense of discernment honed through years of vigilance and responsibility.
Orion couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and curiosity after Diluc assured him of his trust and insight.
"Diluc won't have answers to my origins," Orion realized inwardly, his thoughts swirling. "But now I have even more questions. What's my part in all of this?"
Diluc, ever perceptive, noticed the thoughtful expression on Orion's face. "Orion, you are not from here, that much is clear," he stated calmly, his voice cutting through the silence. "But I believe you'll find yourself in due time."
Orion nodded slightly, acknowledging Diluc's words. He knew that his past held elusive secrets, and unraveling them would require patience and perseverance.
"So, can you fight?" Diluc asked abruptly, shifting the conversation with a directness that caught Orion off guard.
Orion blinked in surprise, his mind momentarily thrown off track. "Can I... fight?" he replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Diluc clarified with a small smile, "Are you skilled with a sword? I meant that, not your elemental abilities."
Orion considered the question carefully. "I guess?" he answered tentatively. His memories were fragmented, but he had a sense that swordsmanship might be a part of his past.
Diluc nodded thoughtfully while grabbing his Greatsword. "Well then, let's test that," he suggested, his tone decisive. "Follow me to my basement."
Orion followed Diluc down a winding staircase, the air growing cooler as they descended into the heart of Dawn Winery. When they reached the basement, Orion was surprised to see rows of barrels filled with various alcoholic beverages, a testament to the winery's craftsmanship.
Diluc approached a particular barrel and tapped on it in a specific rhythm. Orion watched in fascination as an underground passage slowly revealed itself, hidden beneath the winery's storerooms.
"Come," Diluc said, gesturing for Orion to follow him into the darkened passage. "Let's see what you're capable of."
Intrigued by Diluc's invitation, Orion followed him down the darkened passage, the stairs seemingly endless. As they descended, Orion couldn't help but feel a growing impatience. "Are we there yet?" he finally asked, his voice echoing slightly in the narrow stairwell. "How long do we need to keep going down?"
Diluc glanced back with a faint smile. "Patience, Orion," he replied calmly. "We're almost there."
Eventually, they arrived in a spacious room illuminated by torchlights, where weapons of various kinds were neatly organized along racks and stands. Orion's eyes widened in awe at the sight of so many finely crafted armaments.
"Pick a weapon of your choice," Diluc offered, gesturing towards the array.
Orion first tried a sword, but it felt unfamiliar and awkward in his hands. He then tested a bow, but it too didn't quite feel right. However, when he laid eyes
on a gleaming spear, something clicked. As he gripped it, the weight and balance felt natural, as if it resonated with a part of him he couldn't quite remember.
"I'll use this spear," Orion decided confidently.
Diluc chuckled softly. "It's called a polearm," he corrected with a hint of sarcasm, "and that is certainly a fine weapon. It's called Skyward Spine."
Orion nodded, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Very well," he agreed.
"Follow me," Diluc said, leading Orion into the custom arena he had meticulously prepared beneath the Dawn Winery.
As they descended into the arena, Orion couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale and detail of the place. "Did you create all of this? Must have taken you a lot of time," he remarked, his voice filled with awe.
Diluc gave a small nod, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Indeed. It requires significant time, money, and effort to create a place like this. Fortunately, I have all three at my disposal." He glanced at Orion with a knowing smile. "I believe in being thoroughly prepared for any situation."
The arena was a circular space, marked with intricate patterns on the ground and surrounded by training dummies and various armaments. Torches flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows as they entered. Diluc turned to Orion, gesturing for him to take his stance.
Diluc took his stance, wielding the imposing Bloodtainted Greatsword with practiced ease. Orion twirled Skyward Spine in his hands, the polearm moving effortlessly under his control.
"Are you ready?" Diluc asked, his voice steady and commanding as he gripped his Greatsword with practiced hands.
Orion twirled Skyward Spine in his grasp, its metallic sheen catching the torchlight. "As ready as I'll ever be," he replied confidently, his gaze fixed on Diluc who seems to be doing the very same.
