𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐘𝐒𝐒. genshin impact

CHPT. 48 "I'm the Balladeer..."

Perpetual and vivacious. Inazuma was a mystery to many, and one of the most dangerous nations of Teyvat. A nation isolated from the rest, an archipelago far-far away from the other six nations. Eternity may have been seen as a solidarity, a questionable thing.

But to Astaroth, Inazuma was not just a mere nation. It was the nation with the biggest gateway to another world. A nation in which had people not originating from Teyvat. He knew that, and it was the cause for his interest to a certain priestess.

Enkanomiya. A sort of world outside of Teyvat, and the origin of many people of Watatsumi. Especially the Sangonomiya Clan.

The center of the island, a dark lake―endless from what they all could see. A gateway to the land of Enkanomiya, a mysterious realm in which the 'Dragonheir' was trapped in. Enkanomiya was suspected to be a region of the abyss, to which made Sangonomiya even more intruiging.

Although, Astaroth would not pry further to the anomalies of the Sangonomiya Clan, especially their current priestess. People who worshipped the Orobaxi, and were terrorized by the dragon heir. As much as he wished, he needed to calm himself from seeking more information from the young priestess. He was wary of Enkanomiya, knowing it's origins and history faf too well.

He hummed softly, brushing his fingers against the wood, as his eyes were fixated on the wandering Fatui soldiers. Stood upon a branch, while Durin was crouching and narrowing his eyes at the group of fatui. He hummed once more, tilting his head and leaning against the wood, crossing his arms over his chest. They had already arrived to Yashiori while Aether was still traveling through the sea towards them.

"So they've caught on that Sangonomiya has confiscated the delusions." Astaroth hummed, smirking sinisterly as he snapped his fingers, and the shadows beneath the fatui began to writhe. He took joy upon the poor souls that were being assaulted by their own shadows.

"Yeah... Will I have to face Kunikuzushi?" Durin asked uncertain, desperately trying to hide the worry in his voice. He could never understand what Scaramouche was doing to him, and it brought immense pain.

"Kunikuzushi?" Astaroth asked with a raised brow, noticing how Durin flinched. "You've become rather... Fond of him." He concluded, narrowing his eyes dangerously at the dragon.

Astaroth understood how Durin was somehow naïve, especially after what had happened to him. He was naïve, but at the same time, he was clever, and extremly observant. What made him so naïve, was his deep longing for affection, acknowledgment, and acceptance. Perhaps it was his own insecurities because of his treacherous mother.

He always told himself that one must not grow attached. He has rules, just for himself and perhaps others like his own followers. One rule in particular was all about not making attachments, yet he himself broke that rule. But now he worried―should he allow Durin to break the rule?

It troubled him how the dragon had began to be so besotted with the puppet, and deep inside him, he was glad that Durin was experiencing new emotions, new feelings. No matter how much he says that emotions are distractions. Now matter how he convinces himself that feelings were mere illusions to fix a broken heart.

Astaroth knew he was lying to himself. Those emotions that we're capable of destroying, capable of clouding his own judgment. But perhaps he wished to keep such things― the very little humanity he never had.

"Should he live or die?" Durin paled at the question, snapping his head towards his master. Dread pooled in his stomach, trembling slightly as he dared not to speak against Astaroth. It only caused for the god to raise a brow at his demeanor.

"Whether or not he falls by my hand, Scaramouche will be hunted down. I assume that he does not wish to hand over the Gnosis to the Tsaritsa, and thus the fatui will hunt him down. Durin, you must understand that he may not last long."