When the Stars Fall [Genshin Impact]

Chapter 16: Like How We Used To

You had been in many perilous situations before. And yet, none were quite as bad as this. At the hands of the Fatui, you were crushed in a single palm. A bird in a birdcage.

You were still in Mondstadt. So close to home, and yet so far. Hell, you were literally still in the city, less than a minute's walk away from the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. If you could find a way out... it would be so easy to find some place to hide. You looked at the fisherman's toast you were given. It looked half decent. The other half was probably poisoned. Your stomach rumbled sadly.

The Goth Grand Hotel had been occupied for Archon knows how long by Fatui. You groaned, and tried the doorknob for the what, fifth, sixth time?

Again, you unleashed a bolt of Electro. When that didn't work, you looked at the doorknob itself. It didn't have a keyhole in it. Whatever was keeping the door from opening, perhaps wasn't as simple as a lock.

The window was curious. It was misted over, and did not clear when you ran a finger down the surface. Neither did it yield when you swung an Electro-infused punch. You were starting to grow a little desperate. There was literally nothing you could use to break out. Plus, even if you did, you had to find a way through the elemental barrier.

After another half hour of fruitless escape attempts, you gave in to your hunger and nibbled at the food given. The portion was small - but it was better than nothing. It had a strange taste to it, as if the chef was unfamiliar to Mondstadt cuisine. The water bottle was opened and downed.

You started to feel nauseous as you placed your cutlery back on the tray and put it in a corner of the room. Was the corrosion acting up again?

Or was the food actually laced with something? How long were you out for last time?

Oh, my Archons. I was joking.

It was really happening again. Your eyes struggled to stay open. You leant against the wall, and you slid down it as you rubbed your eyes.

By the time the door opened again, you were out.

***

In the early morning, the sun had just barely started to peek through the sleepy clouds. The visibility was not so great, which is why Diluc Ragnvindr and Kaeya Alberich were able to successfully ambush a lone Fatuus who had gone to collect some wood for some fire back at their camp.

"Tell us about the Fatui operating in Mondstadt," Kaeya said as he watched the poor Geochanter get sent sprawling to the ground.

"I-I don't know anything! I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guy!" The Geochanter's voice was distorted slightly by the mask he wore, obscuring his face. His staff lay behind him, in three pieces.

"I would strongly suggest you start talking, Fatui scum." Diluc summoned some Pyro energy in his hand, deliberately making a show of it for the Fatuus to realise that he really wasn't kidding.

"My, aren't you quite the fierce one, Master Diluc."

Diluc side-eyed Kaeya before approaching the Fatuus, grabbing the collar of his shirt and yanking him to his knees. "Tell us about the recent Fatui activity around Mondstadt. Keep your mouth shut, and I will make sure you won't ever be able to open it again."

"I swear I don't know anything!- I was only assigned a task yesterday!" The Geochanter sounded pitifully scared - as any sentient being would feel, had they also been suddenly jumped by two men.

"What were you doing before being assigned a task?"

"T-tracking a woman! I didn't have any choice! He'll kill me if I tell you more!"