Let the Wind Guide You| xiaoven| Royal AU

15

3rd POV

Hu Tao broke down and cried.

She cried her lungs out until she became exhausted and ran out of tears.

"No... I shouldn't be sitting around here!"

Hu Tao jumped up and started running.

"I need to get everyone and rescue Xiao!"

She ran and ran.

Her breathing was becoming ragged and unstable, her legs were sore and weak, but she didn't stop.

Only one thing was on her mind.

Save Xiao.

A big white building appeared in her sight, she beamed and ran faster.

Once she reached, she didn't even wait for the guards and climbed the gate, causing them to chase after her.

But she was only focusing on one thing.

To get to everyone.

To look for help.

She didn't care that her blisters found their way onto her legs.

She didn't care that the wind had blown her hair into a mess.

She didn't care that she had smudged her face with dirt after falling countless times.

She sprinted for the closest room- Venti's.

She slammed the door open just to see Venti combing his hair.

"Who's there-"

He turned around and widened his eyes.

In front of him was a girl with brown hair in messy pigtails, dirty all over. 

In front of him was the girl that had gone missing for so long, and the one they had been searching for.

He dropped his comb.

"Venti-"

Venti embraced Hu Tao, shutting his eyes tight.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone...I-"

Hu Tao pushed Venti away instantly. 

"Venti, listen!" She yelled.

Venti saw the fear in her normally happy eyes, the tears that were gathering in them.

He knew that something serious had happened.

"Venti-" Hu Tao choked on her words, tears she thought had run out flowed again.

Venti hugged her and stroked her hair, comforting her.

"Shhh...What's wrong?" He stared at her.

"X-Xiao...He-" Hu Tao sobbed again.

"What about him?" He said concernedly.

"He..." Hu Tao looked at him with teary eyes.

"He got captured by the Fatui."

Venti's eyes widened, his grip loosened on Hu Tao, He felt his stomach churn.

Xiao?

Captured by the Fatui?

Hu Tao sat on the floor and cried.

"What happened?" Venti asked softly, trying not to sound terrified.

"H-He exchanged himself...to free me..." Hu Tao sobbed.

Venti fell onto the bed and clutched his head.

Xiao knew Hu Tao was being held captive by the Fatui, but didn't tell me?

He chose to burden this on himself instead?

"That idiot!" I yelled, punching the air.

I immediately got up and pulled Hu Tao up.

"Sitting here doing nothing isn't going to solve anything. Let's inform Ganyu." Venti stared at Hu Tao seriously, she nodded.

They ran around looking for Ganyu and found her in the garden.

"Ganyu!" 

They ran up to her. 

She froze and swung her head around. 

"Hu Tao?"

Hu Tao nodded.

She looked relieved.

"Thank goodness you're safe!" She hugged her.

"What's wrong?" She frowned, she noticed Venti looked urgent.

"Xiao is captured by the Fatui!" He told her.

She widened her eyes.

No...

"Xiao, you idiot! YOU DUMB IDIOT!" Her eyes became glassy.

She began running away, Venti and Hu Tao chased after her.

"Hey, wait up!" 

Ganyu ran all the way to the general's office and banged the door open.

"What the- Ganyu?"

Keqing sat there, shocked by the crying Ganyu in front of her.

"Xiao...he-"

Keqing hugged her as she cried.

"What happened?" She asked softly.

"He knew...He went to the Fatui..."

Keqing's eyes widened.

She looked up and noticed Hu Tao, staring at her holding back her tears.

"Keqing..."

She fell into Keqing's arms as well and cried.

"I understand what's happening.." She nodded. "Can you tell me where you came from?" She asked softly.

"Dunyu Ruins..." Hu Tao sniffed.

Keqing looked at both girls in her arms with dedication.

"I'll find him."

They stared at her hopefully.

Keqing got up and started leaving when someone grabbed her arm.

"...Venti?" She looked behind.

"Take me with you." He stared at her with determination.

She sighed.

"It's dangerous. It's best I go alone."

Venti got a little angry.

"Xiao's my fiancé! He matters to me too! I'm going no matter what!"

"We're coming too."

Ganyu and Hu Tao came out of the room and held Keqing's other hand.

Keqing smiled and shook her head lightly.

"Alright, alright. We'll go find that idiot together."

All three of them nodded.

"But first," 

She shook their hands off.

"We need to go find someone named Zhongli."

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Heyya!

It's your fav author here! (probably not but idc)

I hoped you enjoyed the chap!

Zhongli is appearing 👀

Anyways, happy New Year!

Hope y'all have a happy 2022!