A Forbidden And Cruel Love (Genshin)

Part 8 - Linguistics

Jean kept a steady pace, feeling a sense of urgency as she navigated the familiar streets of Mondstadt. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the outskirts of the city, where the ruins were located.

Lo and behold, stood the injured and creepy hilichurl. Ella musk gasped in fear at the situation. Perhaps it wasn't too good for a younger child to see this sight... then again, she did often communicate with those... things.

Jean noticed Ella's reaction, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She knew that the sight of a dead knight and an injured hilichurl could be shocking, especially for someone as young as Ella.

"It's alright, Ella..."

She spoke quietly, trying to reassure the young linguist.

"I know it looks bad, but you don't have to be scared. I'll be here with you, alright?"

Ella tensed up and held Jean's arm.

"The hilichurl... is it alright?"

She murmured, trying to keep her eyes off the pool of blood for now.

She paused, noticing Ella's eyes darting towards the hilichurl.

"The hilichurl is still alive, but it's injured. That's why I need your help. I need to communicate with it, to find out if it saw anything related to the knight's death. Can you help me talk to it?"

She nodded, but was afraid to take the first step forwards.

Jean noticed Ella's hesitation, and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"It's alright, you're doing great. Just take a deep breath and come closer."

Jean began to slowly approach the injured hilichurl, gesturing for Ella to follow her.

Ella stayed in one place, her eyes darting over to the pool of blood. But she agreed soon, and carefully made her way over to the hilichurl.

As they approached the hulking beast, Jean could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was grateful to have Ella by her side, but at the same time, she was anxious about getting close to the dangerous creature.

Finally, they stood a few meters away from the hilichurl. It was still lying on the ground, its chest rising and falling in labored breaths. It seemed to be watching them through its mask.

Jean turned to Ella, her voice quiet and tense.

"Alright, are you ready to try and communicate with it? Remember, it can't speak our language, so you'll have to use the hilichurl language."

She nodded.

"I'll... I'll try my best, Jean... Master Jean."

Ella stepped forwards, closer to the hilichurl than Jean would've liked, and spoke to it in an unknown language.

Jean tensed up a little, feeling a natural protective instinct towards the young girl. But she trusted Ella's abilities and knew that she wouldn't be in any real danger.

After a few moments of intense silence, the hilichurl let out a guttural noise, and responded in the same strange language. Its words were strained and labored, as if it was trying to use all its strength to speak.

Ella Musk nodded, and they appeared to have a short conversation.

Jean watched as the conversation between the hilichurl and Ella continued. She was impressed by how fluently the young girl was able to converse with the creature, and she listened intently to the exchange. Finally, after a few minutes of talking, the hilichurl let out a final guttural noise and went silent again. Ella turned to Jean, her expression serious.