Burden of the Abyss: Internal Refraction [Genshin Impact x (O)OC]

Arc 1 - 5: Tears of the Corrupted

Mono, Mythra, Diluc, and Jean, were lucky enough to stumble upon a tear in the ruins of Thousand Winds Temple near Starsnatch Cliff. Mono was able to pick of a trace of corrupted energy, unsure how he could. He just went the with flow, and the four obviously did their thing.

"Didn't think we'd find Dvalin's tears in a place like this." Mythra said looking at the coliseum like ruins they stood in. "As knights, we are taught to hone our investigation skills. Mono here did a great job." Jean praised.

"Well, I just felt a pull on my heart. I didn't do much, nor do I know what I did." Mono said with a shrug. "Well, if it's any help, in my experience, the secret to finding what you're looking for is to never look for it in the first place." Jean said with a smile. "Don't think to much about it, and don't search too hard— and before you know it, what you're looking for will appear right before your very eyes." Jean said, as if she was remembering a good memory.

"Hmm. Wonder how that works..." Mythra pondered as they began leaving. "Don't worry about it too much. The more flustered you become, the less likely you are to find it. Pay attention to your peripheral vision, and you might stumble upon what you're looking for." Jean said with a nod.

"That sounds as carefree as he is." Mythra said patting Mono's back. "Is that a good thing?" Mono asked with a smile. "Eh. It could be." Diluc said waving his hand in a so-so motion. "Don't worry, it does work. In fact, it's how I used to find my tortoise whenever he went missing." Jean said with a proud look, crossing her arms.

"You had a pet tortoise?" Mythra asked stifling a laugh. "Yes, why? What's wrong with that?" Jean said with a frown. "N-Nothing... it's just surprising." Mythra said wiping a tear that managed to escape. "Why?" Jean asked with a raised brow. "I-I... uh, surely you find it hard to believe as well, Diluc?" Mythra said throwing the question to Diluc.

"No. I don't. I had one too when I was a kid. What's so strange about it?" Diluc said casually. Mythra had enough and began laughing, using Mono to hold herself up. Jean and Diluc rolled their eyes at her outburst, unsure of how it was funny.

"Hey, Diluc. I heard the Fatui have recently proclaimed you 'persona non grata'." Jean announced. "Heh. What an honor. Nobody was ever proclaimed 'persona grata' by the Fatui anyway." Diluc said with a chuckle. "What do the Fatui have against you?" Mythra asked, watching Mono purify the Teardrop Crystal. "The Fatui are a problem not only for the knights— they also present a real threat to the whole of Mondstadt. And when it comes to threats against Mondstadt, Diluc is—" Jean started, but Diluc cut her off.

"That's enough, Jean. You knights are subject to too many restrictions. You can't directly confront this so called 'diplomatic' scum." Diluc said with a frown of annoyance. Personally, I despise them. If I were to choose between wasting a Cryo Slime alive or joining the Fatui... I'd prefer to be crushed to death by a meteorite." Diluc said with a scowl.

"Sheesh. They're that bad, huh..." Mythra muttered. "Anyway, let's make our way to the winery. Hopefully, the bard listened and is already there." Diluc said rubbing the bridge of his nose.

~•~

"Mono! You're back! Did you get another crystal?" Venti asked running up to Mono and the gang. They all stood in front of Dawn Winery, and in between the rows of grapes being grown on a dirt pathway.

"Oh! You already purified it. Great job. Ready to add it to the lyre?" Venti asked seeing the holy blue Teardrop Crystal. Mono nodded and 'crushed' the crystal in his hand, and Venti held the lyre under his hand. Mono closed his eyes and let the crystal seep from his hand and onto the Lyre, where its strings absorbed the Anemo Power.

"It's hard to believe such a thing is possible, until you've seen it with your own eyes." Jean said in awe. "Interesting. It's like filtering wine, and pouring it into what seems to be the perfect glass. The process is... refreshing." Diluc commented with a nod.