Verisimilitude (GI Various x Reader)

Chapter Twenty-One (Unreconciled Stars: Fin)

        I gazed in awe at the large meteorite before us. Miraculously, we managed to get here before the Fatui did. Though, I'm sure they're probably not too far behind at this rate. Just how long have they been tailing us? Yet, another question runs through my mind.

Why didn't the Balladeer act when I was alone with him? He knew I wasn't aware of his identity just yet. So why did he hesitate?

When I'd told the Balladeer about why he seemed familiar, he acted as though he already knew me. Was it just because of the Fatui and their intel or was it something else? Also, when Mona was whisking us away, there was something in the Balladeer's eyes that terrified me. An anger that seemed to run so deep for a reason I'm unsure of. Why did he appear to be so upset with me? What have I ever done to him? That was literally our first meeting! A sigh escapes my lips as I rub my head at the mental hoops I was going through trying to figure this out. Lumine glances over with a frown.

"Is everything alright, (Y/N)? You've been on edge ever since we encountered the Balladeer..." She mentions. I fought the sigh in the back of my throat. Lumine is always so vigilant in any and all of my expressions. Always the first to point out and ask if something's bothering me. I stared down at the ground.

"I'm alright. That encounter with the Balladeer certainly left a bad taste in my mouth is all. Something about him is just bothering me. Nothing more, nothing less." I then looked back up at the large meteorite before us.

"Now, what are we going to do about this thing? We can't just leave it here." I state.

"I sense an unprecedented amount of elemental energy within."

"The very heart of darkness descends upon the world." Fischl and Oz say in their own unique way. Paimon stares up at the large, floating meteorite before us.

"What do the Fatui want with this? Is it the elemental power?" She asks. I narrow my eyes at it. It's possible, but something tells me it's not quite the answer.

"It's possible... But if that were the case, other life forms would surely be drawn to the meteorites' energy too." Mona explains. I glance around. Hm. She's right. There's nothing else here but us at the moment.

"Let's take a closer look." Lumine states.

"Just be careful, everyone..." We all step closer to the meteorite. Nothing seems to happen, if anything the meteorite just thrums with energy as it hovers there.

"Hm. It seems as though it's not inherently dangerous. However, someone should stand by and guard it against the Fatui." I raise my hand.

"I'll stay back and keep an eye on the meteorite. Why don't you guys head on into Mondstadt and speak with Katheryn to learn more about what's going on?" I offered, only for Paimon and Lumine to vehemently shake their heads at me.

"What? And leave you here for the Fatui to kidnap?!" Mona and Fischl share a look before both exclaiming-

"I'm sorry- what?!"

"Who dares target the Seer of the Immernachtreich!?" I glared over in Paimon's direction before sighing. I didn't want to worry anyone outside of our adventuring trio about the Fatui wanting me.

"It's nothing for the two of you to worry about, honest. And please, I'll be fine." Paimon gapes.

"But- but! Didn't you say that we wouldn't stand a chance against that Balladeer guy?!" She flounders. I nod.

"I did. Yes." I state in a matter-of-fact tone. Lumine crosses her arms with a frown.

"Then why would you offer to be the one to stay behind?" She asks. I sigh, placing a hand on my hip.