the cries of the harbinger

Childe slammed the glass down, startling Signora. 

"You okay?" she asked. 

"Yes, I am. Just a tough day." Childe chuckled. He sparred with the traveler again and it worn him out so much. 

"You're getting tired faster nowadays. Are you getting weak?" Signora laughed.

 "Shut up. I'm not. It's the traveler." Childe said. 

"Oh? That annoying blonde? They're really defeating you?" Signora asked. Childe didn't respond. 

"I'm gonna go." Childe left before Signora could respond to his departure.

In his room, his enclosed space, his own world, he sat on the lonely bed, thinking of the events that had happened. He felt so hated as the harbinger that tried to drown Liyue Harbor. He was just fulfilling his duties wasn't he? Childe sighed, not wanting to think anymore. He removed the mask that rested on the side of his head. Maybe he'll just fall asleep and never wake up.

The next morning, Childe, unfortunately, woke up. He felt horrible. He felt like he wanted to just jump of the highest point of Liyue and hope fate doesn't save him. He got into the proper attire and left for work.

The streets of Liyue Harbor was as busy as ever. The traveler and their flying companion was at the guild, getting new commissions. Two teenagers, a hydro and cryo user, sat at Wanmin, one forcing the other to eat Jueyun Chilis. Another teenager, rocking her heart out, can be heard from the wharf. Childe took a breath, seeing everyone having the life he wish he had. Why must his life be so hard?

Childe scrambled through letters sent from his family in Snezhnaya. He grabbed one, the letter from his sister, Tonia. He skimmed it, keywords being words like missed and love. It's been almost a year since he left Snezhnaya. He groaned, tossing the letter to the side as hard he can. The paper didn't go far, landing at the foot of his desk. 

"Sir, are you okay?" a worker asked. 

"Yeah. I am." Childe replied. He certainly wasn't.

What was being okay again? Childe couldn't remember. He clenched his fist around another letter. The paper crumpled. Wrinkles formed quickly. It was quickly formed into a ball and Childe tossed it across the room. 

"Fucking hell.." Childe whispered.

He left the bank quickly and ran out of the harbor. He felt anger build quickly. He needed to take it out on something and not on Liyue Harbor. He found a hilichurl camp and made it deserted. He dispersed of his hydro blades and sighed.

"I want to go home.. Archons.. Please.." Childe told himself. He fell onto the grass. He wanted to cry. But he'd be weak to let out such a feeling. He sighed, trying to stand, but his legs immediately gave out from the immense shaking. Was he really over functioning over an uneasy feeling? Gosh, he was getting weak. 

Eventually the traveler Childe, head dug in between his knees. They helped him get back to the harbor. 

"Sorry for being a burden, Traveler." Childe said, huffing out a laugh. The traveler put their hands on their hips, shaking their heads. "It's fine. Make sure you get rest, you seem incredibly worn out. Better we not spar for awhile." Traveler said. Childe just responded with a nod.

Over the past few days, Childe has been showing big changes in his action pattern. Even recruits with very little observation skills has noticed. Superior harbingers such as Signora and Scaramouche can't get their finger on why he's acting this way. The traveler stopped sparring with Childe until he felt better. Childe had done the most duties he can. In the end, another harbinger takes it because the Tsaritsa is worried for Childe.