Eleutheromania (Various Genshin x Reader)

Stealing a Stolen Lyre -19-

Eventually Jean had to go back to the Knights' Headquarters to keep up on work and not to raise any suspicion, hence leaving the five of you within Diluc's tavern. Venti sighed from the barstool and put a hand to his chin with a hum. "Jean just said the Fatui are trying to take Dvalin's power for the Cryo God... I fear this might fall short of their true intentions." He suddenly admitted to the group.

You tilted your head at him. "True intentions?" You echoed curiously. Venti nodded. "I think they intend to use Barbatos' connection to the wind to draw him out. Just like Lisa traced the source of the storm to the temples."

Diluc stroked his chin. "The God of Anemo? ...Hasn't been seen for more than a thousand years. What makes you think that's their intention?" He asked the bard who only sweat dropped in response. "Oh... ah..." You pursed your lips as Aether face palmed.

After a moment of silence and a suspicious look, Diluc finally shook his head. "Forget it. I don't like having to pry." He then turned to you and Aether with two gray things in his hand. "Y/N, Aether, here. Take this." He instructed as you both took the items. Masks. Fatui masks specifically.

Observing the item in Aether's hand, Paimon tilted her head. "What is it?" She asked.

"A disguise," Diluc replied blankly, "to protect your identity. Put it on before you run into the Fatui. Unfortunately, they are still one of Mondstadt's allies. At least that's the facade we're maintaining..." You scoffed silently as Diluc continued, "Our actions are going to get them stirred up. Better to not implicate yourself on a personal level."

You turned the mask over in your hand, a pit forming at the bottom of your stomach. Archons, you hated even looking at it. Now you'd have to wear it? Would it even matter much? It's not like you couldn't be identified from your hair, skin, or clothes, even more so your Vision.

You wondered what your father would say to his precious baby girl wearing such a thing...

"Y/N," you hear a soft voice say next to you, "you okay?" Aether asked with an undertone of worry. You nodded and put the mask into your cloak. "Yeah, just not a fan of the Fatui." Diluc scoffed. "Who is?" You went on, "Let's be on our way, yeah?" Aether, still seemingly somewhat concerned over you, nodded.

~*~

Thanks to one of Diluc's "contacts", finding the Fatui hideout spot was relatively easy to find despite it being a small crack hidden away in the corner of Windwail Highland. At the entrance, you sighed and put the mask on, jaw tightening at the feeling of it. You then adjusted the neck bit of your cloak to rise above your mouth just to be extra safe.

First the four of you had to go through a path that flipped over to shoot out fire. It was easy enough as all you really had to do was wait for it to go on its backside and run across. However, once you were really into it, you came face to face with a real Fatui guard.

Upon seeing the four of you approach, the man's eyes widened behind his mask as his grip on the sword tightened. "No, NO! Don't eat me!" He cried before blinking and actually taking a better look at you guys. "Ah? You're... You're human?" He realized slowly. What did he think you were?

"The entire floor's defenses... have been broken. I thought it was the Abyss Order attacking..." The guard continued. Honestly, you expected a little more from the Fatui, but you weren't complaining... right now that is.

Obviously, you let Aether take the lead on this as he was really the only one with a mainly neutral perspective on the Fatui. "We have come for the Holy Lyre der Himmel." He said firmly with no shame. You sweat dropped. That was... rather blunt.

The guard's eyes widened behind his mask, obviously taken aback by the question. "H—How did you guys know the lyre's here?" He cried. Paimon puffed out her chest with a proud smirk. "If not, we have come for your life!" She exclaimed with an evil laugh. You cracked a smile in amusement, especially after the guard panicked. "Ahh, Ah, Ah! No, don't! I have valuable information! I'll tell you!"