When the Stars Fall [Genshin Impact]

Chapter 27: Clockwork Puppet Come For Glory

Scaramouche’s weapon swung with great precision, and you could feel the elemental energy in the arena come to an unbearable all-time high.

“I see that the Doctor was not wrong about you,” Scaramouche said as he wiped away the blood welling on a minor cut on his cheek. “Crepus taught you well.”

“Don’t tarnish his name with your words.”

Kaeya’s sword came dangerously close to you, and you ducked quickly out the way. If you could push through the pain, you could try and ambush Scaramouche from behind. You watched the fight ensue - and for a second, you could swear that Scaramouche had hesitated. Diluc and Kaeya were gaining the upper hand.

“Let’s see how well you can fare with this,” Scaramouche said viciously, stepping back.

You felt yourself getting up. Your body was acting on its own accord - you weren’t in control of your actions at all. There was no pain, or any feeling. It was as if it were second nature. You stood up, and suddenly, everything went grey.

“Those people are your enemies,” you heard Scaramouche say as you turned around. “They have forsaken you because they were selfishly indulging in their own disputes.”

“These people don’t intend on taking you home. Home doesn’t exist for you anymore. You belong with the Fatui. Like it has been ever since you left Mondstadt.”

“He’s lying to you, Y/N!” one yelled. You knew he was. But precious memories slipped away, as easily as water slipped through cupped hands.

“Perpetrators who meddle needlessly in Fatui business are to be dealt with. You are no exception,” you said emotionlessly, your polearm materialising in the palm of your hand.

“I hope you’ve had your fun, o mighty ones, for your time here has long passed.” Your fingers twitched - trying to drop the weapon that was now filling with Electro energy. Every step you took towards your so-called enemies felt jerky and uncontrollable, as if you were being controlled like a marionette. Your puppeteer pulled at the strings, and as a puppet should, you followed his every command.

“Kaeya, put your weapon down. She’s still there.”

“What? Do you think I’m going to spare you? Because we had some history? Truth be told, I don’t remember much. It was that insignificant to me.”

Every word you spoke was a lie fabricated from a tongue not quite yours - no, these words were being put into your mouth. You spat each word out as if it were bitter acid - in a way it was. Each syllable burned your throat. Each action of resistance was quelled with a bout of burning pain in your head. You choked, but the words still bubbled to the surface and in the end, those words were still borne from your voice.

You lunged at Diluc, with greater strength and intent that you had ever perceived to have come out of you. Your precision was terrifying - every strike was calculated and swift, aimed at every vital area.

Your breathing grew shaky in your endeavour to cut the phantom strings wrapped around every limb, every joint, every muscle, loose. Every breath felt mechanical, as if it were a clockwork system simply ticking away inside.

You truly felt like a puppet.

As if it couldn’t get worse, your puppeteer had joined the fight. You were forced to cover his exposed side, and every blade that wasn’t met with Scaramouche’s was met with yours instead. You fought so in sync with him that it infuriated you. It made it almost impossible for Diluc or Kaeya to land a hit on him without potentially hurting you in the process.

You tried to control the delusion instead - stop the supply of energy. A polearm was still deadly, as with any weapon currently in the arena, but would be a huge disadvantage if it wasn’t infused with any elemental energy.