Shattered hearts

Retreat

There was no time to lose now, Diluc was running a bit up ahead in front of Jean, and he knew that if something happened, she would be okay with taking care of it. The scar on his cheek was slowly fading, and Jean seemed to be feeling better already. Now their only job was to check out Stormterror's lair, camp out there just in case, before they could return back with information to Kaeya and Lisa. The entrance seemed alright, and it seemed like they would have no trouble with going up to where they once was when they chased after Dvalin.

There were a few Abyss Mages, a few hilichurls, but other than that, clear. It was pretty normal, so they didn't really need to worry. When they made it to the highest point, they saw a few burn marks on the ground. "What are these?" Jean asked, as she bent down and took a closer look. They didn't seem old, so it had to be pretty recent. "It can't possibly be a sign, right?" Diluc questioned, as he walked around the small area, looking for more clues. Little did he know that this was a movement he'd live to regret. Suddenly, he heard a woosh, and from behind him, a cryo abyss mage appeared, waving its wand as it sat in its shield. Before Diluc could even move, the mage had pushed Jean to the edge, and cornered her. "What are you waiting for? Take its shield down!" Jean yelled, as it seemed like she didn't want any of them to get hurt, not today, but it was already too late. Diluc was too far away, and in a blink of an eye, the mage had sent a cryo bolt to Jean, resulting in her going unconscious, and falling off of the platform. "Jean!" Diluc shouted after her, before he got rid of the abyss mage and its shield. It wasn't that far down? Right?

Diluc rushed down to see Jean still unconscious, and bloody. Oh god, had he failed to protect her? Fuck, what was he supposed to do? He could carry her back, and get some aid from the knights, but that would result in her bleeding out. Diluc quickly took off his jacket, and placed it around Jean, before he made sure to put pressure on the wounds she had. He then carried her up in his arms, and rushed to the city. He had no time to lose.

When he arrived, he immediately locked eyes with Kaeya, and he rushed over to help the wounded girl. When they got indoors, Lisa helped them as well with putting Jean on the couch in her office. "What the hell happened?" Kaeya asked, seeming a bit frustrated that it had gone so far. "I-I don't know, we were investigating, and I went to search for more clues, an abyss mage popped up, so I rushed to take down its shield, but it had already sent Jean flying off of the platform.." Diluc explained. Kaeya wasn't mad at Diluc, as he knew he would never do that on purpose. "She has a few wounds, and some freeze marks, but she'll recover, just not today. Perhaps in a few days?" Lisa asked, standing up to look at the two. "Just, let her rest, and don't allow her to return to the field before she's well again. She might say she is, but I can guarantee you she isn't." Diluc pointed out, and it seemed the two agreed. "If you're not hurt, then you can join us out on the battlefield." Kaeya suggested. "Yeah, I will, just let me get some spare clothes from the Winery, I'll be back before you know it." Diluc said, before he was out of the door and on his way to the winery. He was still feeling super guilty, how could he let that happen?