CHASM | tartaglia

1.

[Name] scowled as she trudged through the darkness of the abyss. It was pitch black, and she was only able to maneuver so well due to the fact that her abyssal energy granted her sight. It was little, however, meaning it was difficult to see regardless of having vision or not.

The woman easily walked through the bloodied forest, feet landing lightly to avoid making sound. The faint cries of fear echoed through the trees, causing her to glance in the direction they came from. It didn't seem human, so she ignored it. She was used to them, anyway.

Sighing, she froze before narrowly dodging an attack from above. She slid to the side, summoning her cryo blades as protection. The creature snarled before launching at her again. Sliding her blades along its side, she stepped to the left of the creature, catching its back feet.

It screeched, its long claws making a swipe for her face. It caught her chin, causing her to grunt in pain before she slid underneath it, slicing its stomach open. Blood and guts began spilling out, leaving a sticky, hot mess splattered on her face as she stood. The creature collapsed in a pile, a quiet groan leaving its mouth as it lay on the ground.

Satisfied, [Name] licked her lips and turned to leave, only to hear a human shriek nearby. She wiped her face quickly and began running towards it, brows furrowed. As far as she knew, the last person to fall was Ajax, and this didn't sound like him. Stumbling into the clearing, she spotted a large rifthound pinning a small boy to the floor.

Without hesitation, she launched at the rifthound, wrestling it to the side and stabbing a cryo blade through its skull. The boy stared wide-eyed. His ginger tufts and blue eyes reminded her faintly of Ajax, except she could tell his eyes were a different shade and his face shape was different.

"What's your name?" she questioned, kneeling down and holding a hand out. The boy sniffled and reached for her hand, eyes still wide with unshed tears.

"A-Anthon..."

"Alright, Anthon, let's get you out of here, okay? Where do you live?"

"Sn-Snezhnaya. But, um, miss, how can you see so well?"

"Hmm? It's a technique, little one. This is the abyss, and since I live down here, I have abyssal energy."

"The...abyss...? Isn't that a fairytale?"

"Not quite, kiddo. Say, you look awfully familiar to my..." she trailed off with a frown, causing the boy to look up at her, "best friend."

"Were they also Snezhnayan?"

"Yes, he was. In fact, I believe you look a little too similar. Do you by chance know anyone by the name of Ajax?"

"Yeah! That's my big brother! He's been super busy lately with his Fatui work, though. Do you really know him, miss?"

"I do." Silence fell over them and she found herself staring down at her intertwined hands. The kid was tightly squeezing her hand. If she imagined hard enough, she could see Ajax standing on the other side. Her heart began aching and she quickly looked to her feet. She didn't want to start crying.

It wasn't long before she found an abyssal opening. Without a word, she released the kid's hold and gently pushed him forward. This would be where he'd go up by himself.

"Wait, miss! Can you, um, can you come for dinner...?"

"Dinner...?"

"Yeah! Like, a meal at night. Please? I'm sure my Ma and Pa wouldn't mind."

"Um. I suppose..." The boy cheered, grabbing her wrist and dragging her through the crack. The bright light of the sun blinded her and she quickly shielded her eyes, wincing in pain. The boy was giggling as he lead her towards his house, now recognizing the woods near the cabin his family lived in.

[Name] let her eyes adjust, taking in the cold air and the snow, eyes widening in childish wonder. She had never seen such a beautiful place. It took no time at all for the duo to reach the cabin. Anthon excitedly opened the door, shouting out an "I'm home!"

The pounding of feet hit the floorboards and another mini-Ajax popped up, his face covered in something brown. The woman hummed in amusement as the unnamed little boy excitedly called out "Ma!" A woman with graying ginger hair appeared in the doorway, an apron draped over her clothes.

"Oh, dear, come in, come in!" she exclaimed, hurrying to let the two get warm. Anthon grinned up at his mom.

"Ma, Ma, I met this super nice stranger! I fell into a hole and almost got eaten by a scary wolf and she helped me! She even took me back, can we feed her, please?"

"Well, um, miss, thank you for saving my son! What's your name, dear?"

"[Name] Alberich, ma'am," the princess introduced politely, bowing her head a little.

"Oh no need for that! Come in, come in! We have more than enough food." The older woman began dragging [Name] to the kitchen, plopping her down on a chair and setting a bowl of steaming food in front of her. The younger stared at the metal utensils next to the bowl, unsure of what to do before a faint memory of her brother showing her how to use a spoon came to mind.

Gently picking up the spoon, she was aware of the eyes boring into her. She took a tentative sip of the soup, eyes brightening at the taste. "Ma'am, this is delicious."

"Oh, please, call me Asya, or Ma! Now, tell me a bit about yourself, dear."

"Oh, um, okay. I'm-"

"Khaenri'ahn, yes? Those eyes are very distinct!"

"Well, yes. I am Khaenri'ahn, however, I've lived in the abyss most of my life, so when Anthon came tumbling in, I couldn't help but save him. He reminds me of-" The slam of a door cut her off.

"I'm home," a voice called. Eyes widening, [Name] scrambled to hide. She knew Ajax was Anthon's older brother, but to have him see her in his home? After she tried to kill him? Twice?! She began panicking, earning a concerned look from Asya.

"In the kitchen, Ajax," Asya responded, standing from where she sat across the princess. [Name] felt her anxiety rise even further as the footsteps got closer and closer until-

"[Name]-?"