Chapter Text
The photo previously taken of the whole group, barring Dymov, is once again shown, as if presented to the viewers themselves.
Paimon: Uhhh, so…was Paimon actually out for so long that you had a sleepover with a bunch of people and became their friend to learn about all of them?
Traveller: N-No. This didn’t…Sigh It’s hard to explain. You were out for less than a day like we told you.
Paimon: Hmmm…The Traveller isn’t outright saying none of this happened, but also…What in the Kuuhenki happened while Paimon was asleep?
Accompanied by the sounds of shifting papers and documents, info about each of the those included in the photo popped out, spoken aloud by a voice akin to the Traveller’s.
Rampana: A staff member at the Korolevskiy Theatre. Drawn there by dreams of a celebrity lifestyle, she now handles duties such as announcing performances and hosting events. She can occasionally get a little too fixated on things.
Stashing the belongings of the other staff members by the couches near the entrance, Rampana, Kulish and Dymov promptly returned to the outside.
Odette: You’ve missed a bit, especially you, Dymov. Want me to go over it?
Dymov: No need. It seemed like this thing is conscious in some way. While any of us walked by the main stage, a huge light form equal to this one would appear there. Meanwhile, while we went to the staff rooms, smaller versions also showed up.
Rampana: Yeah, we confirmed with each other how this was happening to all of us.
Odette: Huh…
Rampana: That said, I heard what was said just now as well. Grumble I guess this is supposed to be an analytical and “objective” evaluation of me? Still, I don’t like the wording of it, nor how everyone knows me so much now.
Kulish: A staff member at the Korolevskiy Theatre. Exceptionally diligent and reliable, he rarely makes mistakes. Regular theatregoers know him well, as he has long been responsible for checking tickets at the entrance. He also seems to be a fan of Odette.
Kulish: Hk-! G-Guess I can relate to that, too. Did that last part really have to be said?!!
…
Lumi: Ya-ho!!
Upon that last comment, the discoloured jack frost cheered for the performer he’d recently turned into a fan of.
Linnea: Guess you agree with Kulish, huh Lumi?
Nearby, Aino and Ineffa, who’d stumbled across Linnea passing through their workshop, giggled at the little creature’s excitement.
Torgov: No details on this person yet.
Chiori: I don’t need to know more about that person, thanks.
Soboleva: No details on this person yet.
Mitya: An expert with the energy commission and a prominent figure in the military, he has an exceptional command of all manner of energy-related technologies. Though he can be rather talkative at times, his scarf more than makes up for it.
Wriothesley: His…scarf?
Sigewinne: Yes? Didn’t you see how it moved unnaturally, your highness? It’s at least a mechanism, if not fully sentient.
Wriothesley: Uhhh…Was I supposed to be paying that much attention? I’m just enjoying the show here.
Valeriy: Head of the Special Assignments Battalion, Armory Palace Royal Grenadiers Guards, First regiment. As a soldier, he places great importance on planning and timing. He is currently assigned to protect Mitya, an important figure within the military
Mitya: How about that for a resume?
Valeriy: Concise and poignant, perhaps writing similar pieces for the lower ranks will increase morale and incentivise friendly competition.
Mitya: Dunno why I expected a different answer…
Odette: The principal ballerina of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Also a member of the Fatui and a candidate to become the next Harbinger, “The Fair Lady”. She is additionally suspected of having another identity, “Lelek”, who operates from the shadows.
To those living in other nations, the first tidbit of information was, at the very least, unexpected.
Few guessed that a ballerina would also be a dedicated Fatui, much less one so high ranking as to inherit the title of a Harbinger. If she was deemed fit to inherit the title of the scorned figure, perhaps there was more to the ballerina than simple figure and grace.
Most of Snezhnaya under the Tsaritsa, of course, was more shook by the last piece of info.
Soboleva: W-What?! That can’t be, can it?
Torgov: You’re asking me? I don’t believe it, personally, but that’s it.
Many others in the prestigious districts of the capital began debating among themselves, but such a concept was far too out there, surely. A figure as insidious as Lelek…it couldn’t be a notorious celebrity and high-ranking Fatuus such as Miss Odette.
…
Dymov: Huhh…Haha, what is this supposed to-
Looking to the others, Dymov found Odette wearing her usual unfeeling expression, while Kulish and Rampana were staring at each other. They were…rather mortified, if one put it lightly.
Dymov: Wait, it’s TRUE??!
Odette: Sigh This’ll be troublesome. Even with everyone who was in the theatre not telling anyone else, this happened. Just my luck.
…
Traveller: …Shit.
Paimon: ‘Lelek’? Is this name that important? Everyone around us is whispering to each other.
Traveller: Let’s go see Odette, she should be in the theatre right now. C’mon, Paimon!
Paimon: HUH? Alright, jeez! Slow down a bit!
…
Chugunov: What?! This is from the Traveller’s point of view, isn’t it? Why’s it showing all this, then? Surely they didn’t actually say these words out loud. Urgh Whatever the case…
Getting up from the seat in his balcony, the determined former businessman went to ready himself to go out, a small screen accompanying him through all the sections of his home.
Vodyanitsa: The prima donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. A mysterious Rusalka whose extraordinary singing has captivated countless audiences. A member of the Rokot, she cares deeply about the welfare of ordinary people.
Gorou: Eh? It’s just straight up saying she’s a part of that organization? That…can’t end well.
…
Sure enough, Snezhnaya collectively spit their drink, being told of this so suddenly. Odette’s identity had been unconfirmed, at least, but an accusation of Rokot affiliation was no small thing.
Vodyanitsa: …
Vodyanitsa was stunned, scared even. Even ignoring the media uproar that would follow, there was no small number of rich folks willing to hire thugs to ‘intimidate’ their opponents.
Suddenly, the fae felt a fur coat being draped over her shoulders. Looking to the side of the trolley leading them from Snezhnograd station to the city proper, Alyosha was wearing a determined expression.
Alyosha: Pull the hood up when we get out. We’ll go through the lower-end outskirts. I know a shortcut, don’t worry.
Vodyanitsa: …Ok. Thank you…for this.
Alyosha: Hm? What’re you thanking me for? I’m your friend. It’s the least I could do, no?
…
Litya: Now that I get a good look, isn’t that young lady…?
???: I do remember seeing her in the last gathering, so she’s likely from the other side of the family. I’d heard of a water imp involving herself greatly with human society, but you couldn’t tell it was her at a glance.
Litya: And she’s scored herself the role of a main singer, I see. Oh, good for her! Don’t know what this Rokot business is, though.
Alyosha: Alyosha, a hunter from Alatyr and a member of the Rokot. He often takes part-time jobs at the Korolevskiy Theatre to make ends meet. He may well have been the first friend you made after arriving in Snezhnaya.
Albedo: Now that makes more sense. An organization such as this would naturally attract those who are destitute and in power socioeconomic stratas. And since Alyosha became employed by the theatre-
Sucrose: That was when Vodyanitsa likely asked him if he’d like to join.
Albedo: Yes. It also explains why only these two were present when the Traveller was being informed of the Rokot.
Shram: No details on this person yet.
Chugunov: Owner of the Iskra manufacturing plant and a member of the Snezhnograd Veche. He carefully maintains the image of a devoted family man and deeply loves his wife and daughter. The factory he operates is known for excessive energy waste.
Just before leaving, Chugunov took a moment to look back at the other profiles being spoken aloud. Two other youngsters were put in the hotseat all of a sudden, and now he was face to face with his own visage. A past version of him, no older than a week, yet who had been living the same lie for years and years at that point.
Chugunov: …Good grief. Pull yourself together, man.
Buckling his grey wintercoat and grabbing his fedora, the man turned forward, mumbling to his "mirrored self” on screen, before walking out.
Chugunov: Stop acting like a sad old man, it’s revolting.
Tonia: The younger sister of Tartaglia. He talks about her so often that this is the first time you’ve met her in person. Though in poor health and prone to coughing, she’s excited about spending the night away from her.
Teucer: Hehe! That other Tonia looks so sweet!!
Tonia: Mhm, she seems sweet. If I see her on the street sometime, I’ll be sure to invite her over.
Tartaglia: I’ll make some snacks for you all, then. If I’m not too busy that day, of course.
Traveller: Me. The fourth descender. A traveller from beyond the stars.
The common people didn’t know what a “descender” was, much less how one could come from beyond the night sky, but an additional title to attach to their champion and friend was nice.
…
The other archons of Teyvat, as well as the Hydro Sovereign, nodded. Whether their nation had faced more or less peril in the past few years, the involvement of this new figure was more than deserving of the name ‘Descender’.
The Tsaritsa, of course, took interest in the individual she’d received so many reports about.
…
Paimon: Really cutting it dry, huh?
Traveller: I’m surprised it also didn’t say how I joined the Rokot, but that won’t take long to be revealed.
Making their way to the backstage area corridor, the Traveller found Shram and Chugunov in conversation.
Shram: …And then there’s the aristocrats—easiest of all to deal with. You don’t need to use any force whatsoever. All you have to do is show them the rope you plan to tie them up with. Do you know why?
Chugunov: I-I don’t. Do tell…
Shram: Because nothing terrifies them more than the thought of a cheap, coarse rope leaving creases on their precious million-Mora coat. They’ll do whatever you ask to avoid that fate.
Lohen: Yeah, true. But I disagree on not using force, where’s the fun in them just following you?
Varka: You’re still not allowed to use Liyuen water torture or anything of the sort, Lohen.
Lohen: You don’t have to remind me, Grandmaster.
By their side, Noelle noticed the exceedingly rare appearance of a sulking Lohen.
Chugunov: Hahahaha…Unexpected, but funny, nonetheless! Hahaha, tell me another one!
The aristocrats of Fontaine, Snezhnaya and the Lawrence clan weren’t finding this as funny.
Shram: Well, look at that, I got myself a new listener. Hey there, lemme introduce myself. The name’s Shram, and I’m a mercenary. The kind that gets paid to do odd jobs for rich folks.
Dehya: Haha! You don’t usually see desert folk that far up. If it weren’t one of us, I’d think they were wearin’ too little for a place with blizzards like that.
Chugunov: And I am Chugunov, an entrepreneur. If my name is unfamiliar to you, you will no doubt have heard of my factory, the renowned Iskra manufacturing plant.
Celaeno: I overheard the other day how it was shut down all of a sudden. Did this man get into some hot water over the ‘excessive energy waste’? But it happened just after Project Stuzha was halted…
Shram: Are you really that famous, Mr. Chugunov? How come I’ve never heard your name before?
Chugunov: E-Excuse me?...I-Is that a joke, or are you being serious?
Varesa: Oof…
Iansan: Haha! Thinkin’ you’re some hotshot while being that scrawny?
Shram: Oh, I’ll have to ask my rope later. It’s probably tied up more entrepreneurs than I’ve ever heard of.
Chugunov: Hahaha…ahem…E-Excuse me?...I-Is that a joke or are you being serious?
Jeht: Best not ask, lest you’re given a demonstration.
Sethos: Hey, give the guy a break. He’s not used to your ‘mercenary humour’, is all.
Arriving in the backstage quarters, the Traveller went on to chat up more people.
On a corner, Soboleva and Torgov were arguing, the former venting about her husband’s paranoia, to which the latter defended that such was the price of marrying for the sake of wealth.
Soboleva: Ugh Right. I don’t know how I’m gonna explain all this to him and his family.
Torgov: Well I know for sure the Northland Bank won’t give me a break when they come to ask a few questions. Honestly, if we don’t want to be constantly hounded from all sides, we might as well skip town.
Soboleva: W-What are you talking about, I couldn’t…couldn’t do that.
Traveller: How are you feeling, Tonia?
Tonia: I’m fine. Sorry to worry you. I’m used to it by this point. I take medicine for it-my brother usually helps to get it ready for me.
Traveller: Childe must take great care of his sister. He never mentioned Tonia’s illness, though.
Tartaglia: ARGHHH!!! The first time you two met the other day must’ve been so awkward for them!! Whine
Teucer: There, there big bro. Everyone messes up.
…
Feofan: Hmm? Childe’s sister has a terminal condition? Either I need to fire some incompetent people, or something about this theatre show isn’t quite adding up. I’m inclined towards the latter.
Tonia: Y’know, I actually find this whole thing kind of exciting…Stuck in a strange place thanks to a snowstorm, having to spend the night with a bunch of interesting characters…It’s pretty cool, don’t you think?
Shenhe: Oh. Did you know about this, master?
Xyanyun: One abhors the thought of being unpromptu barred from one’s abode. For humanity, who is fickle in their residence, however, it is easy to understand how this might be ‘cool’.
Shenhe: I see. It is true I would not be opposed to experiencing such a thing if it were with people I know.
Xyanyun: Like the Traveller?
Shenhe: Indeed
Traveller: You’re right. It’s certainly a novel experience. I’m certain most kids share that wish.
Tonia: Exactly! It’s like…one of those stories where an ordinary school trip turns into a magical adventure. I’ve always wanted something like that to happen in real life.
A lot of kids watching nodded to that. Some wishes their parents were still with them here, while others couldn’t deny the thrill of being free by themselves.
Tonia: cough…cough…Oh I’m fine, really. Just got a little overexcited.
Traveller: Look after yourself-otherwise, your brother will come after me!
Tartaglia: Comrade, I’m happy you know me so well but please stop…
As Valeriy and Mitya’s views of the situation again clashed, they noticed a newcomer approaching.
Mitya: Ah~ Why, hello there. I believe you were the one sitting at a nearby table at Podvorye restaurant? Any friend of the theatre’s star performers is a friend of mine. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Mitya, from the Energy Commission.
Valeriy: Greetings. Major Valeriy, head of the Special Assignments Battalion, Armory Palace Royal Grenadier Guard, first Regiment. I am here to ensure Mr. Mitya’s personal safety. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Traveller: Delighted to meet you.
Ying’er: Oh my~ Three cuties all at once. What a sight~
Mitya: Um…I noticed that Miss Odette is stealing glances at me. Do you have any idea what it could be about? I’ve racked my brains but I can’t think of anything I might’ve done to offend her…Perhaps she noticed me spacing out during her performance?
Traveller: You’ll figure it out, eventually. So, Mr Mytia, is your work related to Project Stuzha?
Sandrone: There’s really no subtlety with them.
Arlecchino: No point trying to hide their intentions when Mr. Mitya has likely been probed for information more times than he could count.
Just as Mitya began to answer, his scarf, as well as the sergeant nearby, covered for him.
Mitya: Wow. In retrospect, good thing I didn’t say anything. If my suspicions are correct, it’s more than just Snezhnaya that’s watching right now.
Valeriy: I would appreciate you being more cautious in general, rather than waiting for a global info leak to happen.
Valeriy: …This is highly irregular. A delay of over an hour during an operation like this theoretically warrants a Harbinger-level response. I wonder what the issue is…the storm, or something else…?
Wanderer: Don’t tell me the Fatui as a d consolidatedforce have declined to this degree…
Nahida: With its repeated casualties, maybe, but I doubt it. There are still too many unknown variables with this situation, after all.
To the side, the two Rokot members were discussing the opportunity that presented itself, thanks to the group being snowed in, to learn more of Chugunov and his change of vote in the Veche.
Moving through the full streets of Snezhnograd at a slightly hurried pace so as to keep a low profile, Chugunov glanced above to see the conversation between the pair in the past.
Chugunov: Oh, they didn’t know already? I was sure Miss Vodyanitsa’s defense had always been a cover for Lelek. I supposed I owe her an apology.
To his surprise, he soon heard a familiar hushed voice in a dark corner near to himself.
???: Ok. Just a bit more, then it's a sprint through the bridge up to the theatre.
???: Hmmm…even if hurrying through is the best approach then, we’ll for sure be seen in case there’s a lookout up on the wall. Which is probably the case considering how the Druzhna is acting.
Chugunov: I’m gonna have to agree with Miss Vodyanitsa, I’m afraid.
Also whispering, Chugunov approached Alyosha and Vodyanitsa as they planned their next move. Instinctively, the hunter moved in front of Vodyanitsa with an arm held out.
Alyosha: Chugunov? How did you…? Why are you here?
Chugunov: It’s not what you’re thinking. You’re trying to get to the theatre aren’t you? I can help with that.
Vodyanitsa: R-Really?
Chugunov: Is it really that surprising? Mhm. Miss Vodyanitsa, I see you’re already disguised. Then, once we get to the bridge, you will walk by my side while Mr. Alyosha here will go in front of me and stay low. Since it’s somewhat foggy today, It should make us look like we’re merely two souls accordingly dressed for the cold.
Vodyanitsa: …What do you think, Alyosha?
Alyosha: …I don’t believe Chugunov is lying. Let’s do it. It might be our best shot of going unnoticed.
Finally, next to the fireplace, the pair of staff members were applauding Odette’s performance, though she appeared too lost in thought to notice. The Traveller’s feedback brought her out of her stupor, however.
Traveller: This doesn’t seem like the time or place to bring up the subject of Lelek. I need a chance to speak with her in private.
After a small jealous gesture from Kulish, Odette’s gaze is caught wandering again.
Traveller: You know Mitya, too?
Odette: No, I don’t. I just…I have a feeling that he might be dangerous.
Mika: OOOOK? Can we get an explanation?
Amber: It’s probably just a gut feeling of Odette. I can’t exactly speak on other people’s behalf, but my gut feeling has rarely let me down. Sometimes you just gotta trust it.
Time flies by as people make light-hearted conversation and gradually get to know one another. Before you know it, the evening grows late…
As Alyosha reports no change in the storm, Vodyanitsa announces the various places in which the guests may choose to sleep.
Shram: I’ll pass on sleeping on the stage. What if the snow has stopped by tomorrow morning? The early-birds in the audience might think we’re part of some experimental new show.
Lyney: An experimental show involving someone being asleep? That could work.
Lynette: As long as I’m the one jolting them awake, I don’t mind.
Chugunov: A drama about sleeping? Hah, that could be fun. Maybe we could come up with a title for the production.
Traveller: ‘The Slumbering Heavenly Principles’?
Mitya: What? Gotta admit, I didn’t get that one.
Heizou: Huh? Yeah, neither did I.
Puzzled, Heizou didn’t know what the Traveller meant by the Heavenly Principles being asleep, as did most of those watching.
They did not, in fact, know that their archons, as well as the remaining dragon sovereigns, were currently doing their best to hold their giggles, smiles, or outright full-blown laughter in the case of Venti, Apep, Neuvillette and Wanderer.
Led by the staff, the group parted ways. As the Traveller lays on their bed, lacking pajamas since those aren’t usually brought to a theatre performance, they soon fall asleep while thinking of Paimon.
Paimon: Aww~ Don’t worry, Paimon won’t be leaving you again anytime soon! Though this part is just making Paimon more confused…
With the morale gained from Paimon, the Traveller arrived with her at the eastern bridge towards the theatre.
Paimon: Hmm? Who’re those two?
Just ahead, the two spotted a pair of cloaked figures crossing the bridge.
Paimon: Could they be other staff members returning to ask about this?
Traveller: Maybe–! Wait. I recognize those coats.
Quickening their pace, the Traveller slid onto their side, now looking to the right to see Chugunov, Alyosha and, unexpectedly, Vodyanitsa.
Vodynitsa: T-Traveller?! Whew You scared me half to death! Try to keep it down!
Traveller: Are you trying to go to the theatre unnoticed?
Paimon: Umm, why?
Chugunov: I came because I wanted to talk to Miss Odette. On the way I found Miss Alyosha and Mr. Vodyanitsa, and we decided we’d blend in better like this.
Paimon: Well, don’t mind us blending in also.
The screen fades to black, seeming like just another transition to a future point in time.
However, in this vast emptiness, a drop of water falls onto the infinite pool below.
As if instinctively, those who had been at the theatre during the course of these events felt an unknown pull to that visual.
Torgov: What’s this, then?
A winding staircase, foreign ruins of an ancient place.
Shaking free from a headache, the Traveller looks all around, trying to understand their surroundings.
Mitya: Ah, finally. Welcome back to the world of the living, lazybones. I was about to wake you. The black mist is almost on us.
Traveller: What “black mist”? Where are we?
Panning out, Torgov and Sobolena are now seen alongside the two.
Torgov: AAARGRGH!!!
Soboleva: GRAHHHAAH!!!
From one moment to the next, the duo nearly collapsed to the floor, clutching their heads from the headache that had just hit them like a truck.
As if tapping into a memory buried deep, deep inside, they recalled their past. A past that could never have happened to the individuals of Torgov and Sovoleva, but was nonetheless replayed as such.
…
Mitya: GRAHhhhnghnnn…
Similarly, in another part of town, Mitya was experiencing similar symptoms, though managing to bite his lip in order to stay anchored to reality.
Valeriy: Mr. Mitya!! What’s the matter?!
But the memories flooded in still. The black mist, the cultists, the staircase, the climb, an existence defined by endless struggle. No sign of the threat letting up, no goal in sight.
Mitya: I’m…I’m Ok, Mr. Valeriy. A part of me knows I was never in a place like that…but the other segment would like to disagree.
…
The Traveller, suffering merely a headache as the disorienting deluge of this moment poured in, managed to keep up their walk. Unlike the others, they had a strange feeling, as if this wasn’t the full picture of these happenings.
Paimon: Huh? What IS that place? Weren’t you all in the Korolevskiy Theatre just now?
Vodyanitsa: Weird…It’s…like I feel vaguely familiar about that place.
Chugunov: Same here, actually. I can’t seem to pinpoint why, however.
Alyosha: Hmmm, sorry. I got nothing.
Mitya: Hmm? Still waking up, huh? You know-the black mist. It’s been chasing us from below ever since we were born. You’re just dozy, there’s no way you’ve forgotten. C’mon, let’s keep heading up. Onwards and upwards is the only way to survive-don’t listen to a word those black mist cultists say.
Soboleva: Sigh Here we go again, the endless march towards survival…
OK now this was TRULY confusing for a lot of people. What in Celestia was a black mist? This felt like when you just skipped a few chapters in a book or play and suddenly the main character was fighting a dragon.
Traveller: What’s going on? That black mist down there is creeping me out, and it’s still rising…Guess I should head upwards and get away from it…
The ascent began, as the four present people hurried up the stairs, flanked only by a solid wall and a plunge into the depths.
There was, however, one spectator not quite as puzzled.
The Tsaritsa, her majesty and ruler of Snezhnaya, stared wide-eyed at the stairway she’d seen so long ago.
Mitya: The black mist cultists believe being swallowed by the black mist leads to everlasting peace. But if you ask me, they’re just lying to themselves. We’re the only “heretics” left, the only ones who refuse to give in. We have to keep going.
The chase continues, as bodies and minds quickly grow weary.
Xinyan: Errr…Mind tellin’ me why this got dark all of a sudden?
Yun Jin: Even in all the songs and tales I’ve heard, I don’t remember ever hearing about ‘black mist cultists’ or anything of the sort…
Soon, Soboleva and Torgov make up their minds to give up. The former choosing to see for herself whether the cultists were right or wrong, while the latter is simply too spent, no matter his disdain for the looming threat.
Itto: WHAT?! DON’T JUST GIVE UP!! It’s already one thing to throw your life away, but doing it ‘cuz you can’t be bothered to climb some stairs?!
Kuki: Boss, calm down. This is clearly some sort of performance. Everyone’s snowed in a theatre after all.
Itto: Grrrr…! Real or not, I’m angry either way!
Mitya: …Then I bid you both farewell. Let me put my personal opinions aside for a moment and say, I hope that you both find peace within the black mist.
Traveller: So we’re just gonna give up on them?
Mitya laments that their fate was sealed the moment they entertained doubt, and so they are left behind.
Mitya: Torgov and Soboleva are gone…I never thought the day would come when even they would be swallowed by the black mist. It’s just you and me, now.
Rampana: For some reason, I got chills hearing that…
Odette agreed. For some strange reason, the prospect of being swallowed by that thing had her very unsettled.
Kulish: …Huh? Hello? Who goes there?
Traveller: Is it just me, or has the black mist stopped moving?
Mitya: Yes, it looks like it’s satisfied-for now. This happens from time to time. But it won’t be long before the black mist starts chasing survivors once again. No one knows how to stop its advance for good.
Slowly moving forward from the misty fog of the northern nation, a group came into view of the trio guarding the theatre’s entrance.
For a moment, they’d believed it was some of the other members of the troupe, but neither their appearance nor fashion matched them.
Odette: –Traveller!
Rampana: Miss Vodyanitsa?!
Kulish: Alyosha? And Chugunov?!
Paimon: And Paimon on the scene, too! Now…can anyone tell Paimon what this whole situation is about?? Why is that light thingy showing that makes no sense?
Everyone: …
The headache, now recognized as drowsiness, returned as soon as it left, and the Traveller faints right in front of Mitya.
Another drop brings movement to the infinite pool of darkness, stirring its otherwise tranquil waters.
Chugunov: Aaaaah!!! Help! Somebody, come quick!!!
Collei: W-We’re back here? What?!
Shram: What is it, Chugunov? What’s wrong-Huh!?
Tighnari: This level of panic all of a sudden…something went wrong just then.
Stirred awake, the Traveller joins the others piling up by the entrance to the room next door.
Vodyanitsa: Don’t look, Miss Tonia, stay here…
Tonia: O-Okay…
Shram: What happened to them?
Two people are lying down in the room, completely still, as if they’re still asleep.
But your gut tells you that they are not sleeping. Somehow, you can sense it in your bones. This is what death looks like.
Gasps echoed throughout Teyvat over the corpses shown on screen. Parents and other adults quickly turned any children away from the ghastly sight, whether they currently understood the gravity of what they were seeing.
Investigators, detectives, military personnel, medics and any other person in a profession that dealt with death switched up their attitude.
No longer was this a surprise form of entertainment, but evidential records that might be vital should the culprit of this, whatever it or they are, still not be found.
…
Paimon: WHAT–?!! PEOPLE DIED DURING THIS??
Paimon attached herself to her companion like never before.
Paimon: Forget about how Paimon feels, she won’t be away when you’re in danger ever again!!
Traveller: These two people have passed away. And the strange thing is that somehow, I knew this was going to happen. I knew that they would be the ones to die…Have I seen this moment before? Or did I have some kind of premonition? I can’t remember what it was…