DUTY | 𝗔 Chili 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗰 | GENSHIN IMPACT

15. Control

1:04 AM

Don't you want to become the strongest harbinger, my dear?

Only the strong survive.

You can do it, dear Ajax, I believe in you.

You have no other choice.

It's not hard at all.

So kill him.

or there will be consequences.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor bestowed upon only the blessed.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor bestowed upon only the blessed.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor bestowed upon only the blessed.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor bestowed upon only the blessed.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

You have no choice.

Childe sat up on his bed, cold sweat dripping down his neck. 

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

The voice of the Tsaritsa, the cruel ruler who's will he bent to, repeated over and over in his head.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Childe stepped out of his bed, his footing unstable, as he stumbled to the bathroom of his apartment.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Childe splashed water on his face.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Over and over.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Childe looked into the mirror.

Serving the Tsaritsa is an honor you cannot reject.

Childe saw a traitor.

---

"He isn't picking up my calls." Zhongli sighed, sinking further into his tufted armchair.

"Have you perhaps tried visiting him at his home?" Xingqiu muttered halfheartedly, his nose in his book.

And then it hit Zhongli-- He had no clue where Childe lived.

"Err- well, there's a bit of a problem there..."

..

"Come ON, you guys have been dating for.. how long... 3 months, and you still don't know where your own boyfriend lives?" Hu Tao leaned back in her chair, her voice an exasperated tone of annoyance. "Even I know where Yanfei lives, and we've only been dating for a few weeks!"

"Zhongli, do you know any of Childe's friends? They might know where he lives." Xiangling looked away from her meal, Hu Tao quickly snagging a crystal shrimp.

"Friends.. now that I think about it, he did seem to know a girl named Lumine."

Xiangling gasped. "I know Lumine's brother! He helped me find ingredients when I went to Mondstadt!" 

"I see," Zhongli began. "I, too, am familiar with Aether, although I don't know where I could find him."

"If you're looking for Aether, you'd probably want to head to the Adventurer's Guild. He normally finishes his commissions at this time of day. Trust me, I would know, I helped him out a few times." Xingqiu put his book away, instead picking out the carrots from his Crystal Shrimp, shivering at the amount of Teyvat Fried Eggs he had to eat while adventuring with Aether.

---

"Thanks, Katheryne."

"Thank you for your hard work!" Katheryne replied with her usual smile. 

Aether descended the stairs that lead up to the Adventurer's Guild desk, turning his head behind him as he heard his name being called.

A few metres away stood a man he recognised as Zhongli.

"Oh? Hi Zhongli. Need something?"

"Good afternoon, Aether. In fact, I do. I happen to be looking for your sister. Could you point me in the right direction?"

Aether raised his head towards the sky, taking a moment to consider his words.

"Pretty sure she told me she was going to hang out with Xinyan.. probably went to Liuli Pavilion, she loves buying expensive food.." 

Zhongli nodded, heading to Liuli Pavilion after briefly thanking Aether.

---

"Zhong..li?" Lumine turned her head, looking at the tall figure.

"Lumine. Pleasure. May I have a word?"

Lumine nodded, briefly informing Xinyan that she'd be back soon.

The two stepped behind the screen, Zhongli immediately bombarding Lumine with questions.

"I've heard you and Childe are quite close, miss Lumine," Zhongli began, earning a snort from Lumine.

"Hardly." She deadpanned.

"Well, I was hoping you could tell me his address. I haven't seen him in days and am beginning to get quite worried."

"Ah, of course. You are his boyfriend... so it should be fine." Lumine began, "Let me just write his address down somewhere.." She began to rummage through her pockets, looking for a pen and paper.

Zhongli pulled out a slip of paper and a ballpoint pen from his pocket, handing it to the female, who immediately jotted down the address. 

After thanking her, Zhongli immediately caught a cab, going to the location.

---

word count: 1089

a/n
akslaks imm sorrry lol this chapter was soooo random i was kinda facing a writer's block and had no idea how to progress the story....... so like after a whole ass week of thinking.. this is what i came up with? :weirdga: ik its not the besstttt.. but i do have something nice in store for you guys ehe :)