Chapter Text
Knowledge is what she craved, and thus knowledge shall she seek. A simple sentence that exactly describes the young lass who is currently seen inside the Mondstadt's library— reading a rather thick book that talks about the archons and the legends of Teyvat.
The lass has always been a regular inside of Lisa's well-kept domain and the librarian is as delighted as ever upon seeing her once again— sitting on one of the chairs with a book hiding her whole visage. It wasn't that hard to recognize her, for the lass was the only one to own a unique platinum shade of blonde.
"A pleasure to see you once again, Cascade", the electro vision holder greeted, granting the lass a smile that was only painfully ignored. Lisa didn't take that at heart tho, knowing fully well that the girl shared the same hatred as her brother towards the knights— which she is currently a part of.
Silence engulfed the whole area, which made Lisa to saunter on her table in an awkward manner. Cascade had never been someone to converse with easily, much like Diluc. Both Ragnvindr siblings were always distant to others, especially them— the members of the Favonious— yet, they were still thankful of the two, for the siblings would also help them at times.
It was only a matter of minutes after Lisa's entrance that the acting grandmaster— Jean Gunnhilder—suddenly slammed the doors open, alarming the two who both occupied the vicinity in the moment.
"Pardon me", she panted, using the door to steady her posture before stepping inside. "H-Have any of you seen Klee?",
"Klee? Isn't she with Albedo?", Lisa asked, definitely worried of the question that Jean had asked her— or in this case— them.
Both green and blue then travelled towards the silhouette of the youngest Ragnvindr, silently asking her the same question that Jean had recently blurted. Tho, much to their utter mortification, Cascade only did shook her head.
"No. Why not ask the alchemist? He should know Klee's whereabouts concerning that— as what Miss Lisa recently stated— she's with him", her eyes share no contact towards them, but the way she hinted concern laced within her soft-spoken words, told them that she is worried as well.
Jean and Lisa once again looked at each other in contemplation, discussing something quietly with the use of their gazes. They have been friends for so long that they can understand the thoughts of each other, something Cascade quite envied at some point.
After a few minutes, Jean was the one to break the silence, quickly whipping her head towards Cascade whose optics are now focused on the pair, with an unreadable expression plastered on her visage. "Klee somewhat disappeared away from Albedo's supervision. She probably got bored when he went to investigate something",
Cascade pursed her lips upon hearing Jean's explanation, which makes sense. Albedo is quite easy to distract, especially when he finds something that interests him. The lass shook her head at the mere thought of the Chief Alchemist, with a faint blush marvelling her face.
Jean noticed this behavior, and it made her smile. Everyone in Mond knew that the Chief Alchemist and the Young Mistress of the winery— were both dating each other. It was quite surprising and questionable at the same time, but they respected their decisions and even supported their relationship.
"I'll go search for Klee. It shouldn't be too hard", Cascade concluded, tapping the wooden desk were the book she had recently read currently rested. "My schedule isn't that packed", she added, humming while mentally rearranging the things that she was tasked to do for the day.
"Are you okay with it, Cascade? We surely need someone to help. We can ask our Honorary Knight, but he is quite. . .busy too", said Jean. She then stepped forward, expressing her gratitude by giving Cascade a smile. "I will surely repay you afterwards. After all, Klee is also a part of my responsibilities",
Cascade shook her head, before heading straight towards the doors, stopping midway, before mumbling. "No need to repay me. It's the least that I could do",
She then stepped out of the vicinity, immediately making a beeline towards the main exit of the establishment.
The brightest of light made her flinch. Eyes adjusting towards the illuminating rays that came from the sun. Being cooped up inside the library with slightly dimmed lighting for a long time made her head hurt the moment she stepped out. However, she paid no mind to the pain, for she has a task that is yet to be finished. Without wasting any second, she immediately went to tread the whole place.
First, she went to check the whole of Mondstadt's heart. Running here and there, asking people if they'd seen a certain young child dressed in red— and to her utter disappointment— none of them were able to at least caught a glimpse of Klee.
Secondly, she sought outside the enormous walls, heading straight towards Windrise in hopes of finding her there. Cascade met a few slimes and hilichurls along the way, but all were defeated in no time. All thanks to the Archon of Knowledge, who blessed her with Dendro.
However, to her disdain— Klee wasn't in the place too.
Three is the charm— as they say. And for the third time that day, she went to seek for Klee in Springvale. Tho, instead of Klee, she was greeted with a mob of treasure hoarders, slimes of different elements, hilichurls, and such. She was too exhausted, however, she has no choice but to face them on her own, unless she wants to be dead meat, which isn't a part of her vocabulary.
Cascade doesn't have that much stamina unlike the rest, and she's not that fond of battling on her own. However, if she were to be with a pyro vision holder— like her brother, Diluc for example— she'd be much delighted to join, knowing that dendro and pyro are somewhat a good combo, and that she had someone to rely on if she has the need to cool down.
Her last resort, is to go to Wolvendom. Cascade knew Razor, and she knew that the Spark Knight and the Boy raised by wolves were friends. Thus, she immediately went towards the direction where the wolves reside. Luckily, there are no slimes, hoarders, and hilichurls to battle against, and it made her sigh in relief.
Upon reaching the boarders of the land. Cascade's eyes immediately lit up in relief, when she saw the girl she's been looking for, Klee. The said child was walking beside the electro user, Razor— gleaming in joy at something that the boy had said. That's the moment where Cascade let her knees sunk on the ground, catching her breath. She was far too exhausted at this point, and a glass of water would be really of help, but she brought nothing with her.
Razor stopped midway, smelling a sweet scent of cecilias and vanilla ahead, and he knew the owner well, since he is a good friend of Cascade. Gazing ahead, he immediately went to pull Klee with him, seeing that the one who taught him with the basics in reading was there— slumped on the ground and worn out.
"Big sister, Cascade!", Klee exclaimed in concern, kneeling down beside the green eyed lass who merely waved her hand in recognition. Razor too, went to kneel down, holding her back and one of her hands in theac process. "You. . .okay?", He asked, frowning at the lass' current situation.
"Y-yes. I'm alright. There's nothing to worry about. Just— exhausted", Cascade replied in between breaths, before wobbly standing straight. She sucked in a huge amount of air, releasing it sharply. Her gaze then wandered from the ground towards Klee, who's red orbs are now focused on the ground.
"Right. The sun is about to set. We should head back. . .Thank you for accompanying Klee", she then made eye contact with the lad beside her, who bashfully nodded in response. "Why don't you join us for dinner? Razor?",
"No. . .must return. . . Lupical", replied he, reaching out to ruffle Klee's head, before patting Cascade on the head. A series of howls then echoed throughout the area, alarming the three, and that's when the girls knew that Razor is being called.
Cascade gave him a smile first, while Klee went to hug him, after that they went with their separate ways.
Both Cascade and Klee treaded the path that would lead them to Mond, hand in hand as the walked. Tho, along the way, Cascade couldn't help but frown, noticing that Klee isn't as cheerful as expected. Thus, she asked the child if she's okay.
"Y-yes, Klee is okay! But big sister isn't", this proves her theory to be true.
The child was in fact guilty, upon seeing Cascade with her knee on the ground. Exhaustion was evident, and until now— Klee could still point the lass' tiredness. She blamed herself for that. "Klee is so sorry! Really really sorry! Klee will go to the confinement room when we reach Mondstadt!",
"No need to fret. You won't be going to the confinement room, Klee", Cascade assures, patting the small girl on the head, with a small smile on her face. "It's my fault that I got exhausted. I could've just used my element to ask the plants for your location but. . .I went to choose the hardest way possible. I wasn't thinking straight too",
"But still! Big sister is tired because she's searching for Klee! If only Klee didn't leave, big brother!",
"It isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself okay? Besides I'm still in good shape", the lass giggled. However, it soon died down when she heard nature itself— screaming for danger. Of course, Klee won't notice since she's blessed with pyro. "Treasure hoarders", she hummed.
A blast of green suddenly emitted from Cascade's left hand, aiming at one of the trees which caused an explosion. A book of green and gold linings was now materialized on thin air, indicating those who are near that she is a catalyst user.
"Let's go, Klee. That attack won't hold any longer", Cascade ushered, snatching the child's hand and running along with Klee who obediently followed.
"Why are we running, big sister? Klee can help you fight!",
"I won't risk anything--", the lass halted for a second, aiming another blast towards her back, continuing afterwards. "I'm quite low in stamina right now, and even if you're capable of fighting them— they are too many, and I can't back you up",
Klee remained silent after that, but she is stubborn enough to leave a few trails of bombs to those who are running after them. Of course, Cascade noticed this, hearing some explosions every once in a while. It made her smile for some reason, but it soon died down. As if a bubble, popping after creation.
They continued to run until they reached the stone bridge that leads them to Mond's main entrance. She immediately ushered Klee to run forward, stopping midway to face the direction where they came from. Tho, unsure of the sudden gesture, Klee also took a minute to stay behind, but Cascade placed one of her hands on her small back, smiling at her while mouthing 'go', to which she immediately obliged.
The moment Klee entered the premises of Mond, an arrow enchanted with the element of cryo was then aimed at Cascade, an attack that she failed to dodge, piercing her left shoulder in the process. She hissed in pain, aiming yet another attack towards the enemy.
"My, I never thought that a treasure hoarder can be worth to receive an Archon's blessing", she painfully laughed, pulling out the arrow with difficulty, halting midway when another attack was sent to her direction. "Annoying. . .",
She was about to cast another spell, when an arrow coated with fire went pass her, followed by a series of footsteps. That was the moment she knew, she was doomed. Especially, when the awfully familiar heavy footsteps of her brother came closer.
And she was right. Diluc's familiar figure now kneeled in front of her, eyes boring into her like a father ready to scold his child for being an asshole. Cascade sheepishly smiled, sighing afterwards knowing that a good amount of lecture will surely happen later in the winery. In fact, she may even get grounded like a child.
"Are you alright, Cascade?", Kaeya asked in concern. He was eventually the first person that Klee came across with upon entering Mond, followed by Amber. The Spark Knight freaking out when she told them of the situation, and being a good brother— even if Diluc practically disowned him at some point— he immediately went to aid.
"Does she look alright to you? Can't you see that she's bleeding and is currently low in stamina?", Diluc scoffed, shaking his head while glaring at the blue haired man. "The Knights of Favonious are surely dumb",
"Now, now, Diluc. We don't want to argue right in front of Cascade", Kaeya replied, racing both hands in a form of surrender, making Cascade sigh once again. Those two never got along without a few insults here and there.
"Captain Kaeya! The enemy has withdrawn", Amber alerted, before joining the three namely Diluc, Kaeya and Cascade, who are either crouching or kneeling around Cascade.
"That's good. We should head inside now", He then stood up, glancing down at the Ragnvindr's who are currently in the middle of discussing something with the use of their gazes. Kaeya shrugged at that, frowning when a memory from the past resurfaced within his thoughts. "Go inform Albedo that we nee--",
"Please. I don't want to bother him. I can manage", Cascade interrupted, while firmly grasping on Diluc's thick black coat, as he went to carry her in a princess type of hold. "At this moment, Klee had probably alerted the whole Mondstadt, including him. But I don't want any of you to help. Just a few rest, then I can heal on my own",
"You did quite needed some aid, a while ago", Kaeya pointed out, earning a hard glare from Diluc. Yes, the tension is so visible, just because of the two.
"I did, and thank you for coming here straight", Cascade whispered.
Sooner after that, the lass lost her consciousness. Finally letting the fatigue eat her up. Everyone was quiet afterwards, as they silently watched her sleep. Diluc shook his head at this, mentally scolding his sleeping sibling and calling her foolish for going out without asking his permission.
The uncrowned king of Mond then turned to the two knights, nodding his head in recognition before running towards the premises of Mond, heading straight towards Angel's Share to probably treat Cascade's wound with first aid, before going to the winery.