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Freminet lowered his diving helmet over his face, listening for the comforting click that would assure him that all his equipment was connected properly. Through the blue-tinted glass of his helmet, Freminet took in the sights of Chenyu Vale around him.
Tall hills surrounded him on all sides, and a wide body of water stretched out before him. The grass was a beautiful shade of green, almost teal, a perfect mix of the typical yellow of Liyue, and Fontaine’s blue-hued foliage.
The water itself was mesmerizing, so vibrant it almost didn’t appear real. The surface was calm, completely still, save for the small ripples created by passing boats and rafts. Standing in the shallows, Freminet could feel the water lapping against his legs, warm and welcoming.
He had never gone diving in Chenyu Vale before, but when the opportunity finally presented itself, Freminet jumped at the chance. He had no idea what to expect beneath the clear waters of the river before him, but he knew it would be worth the day’s journey.
Well, why waste any more time? He thought, wading deeper into the water. Once he was far enough from shore, he dipped his head fully below the surface, feeling the comforting press of water on all sides. The quiet was peaceful after the prior morning’s trip through Yilong Wharf.
Freminet looked around, surveying the underwater landscape. Where the world above the waves was teal-green, the world below had more forest and olive tones, mixed with pink and orange coral-like formations.
The sea creatures were quite different from what he usually saw in Fontaine. The fish were much bigger, their fins more ornate, and their scales containing a larger variety of color. On one single fish, Freminet counted at least six different hues. There were many carp, a type of fish that was abundant in Chenyu Vale, though even their coloring was impressive. Anywhere else, carp tended to be dull. Here in Chenyu Vale, however, their scales glistened like gold in the pale sun that filtered through the waves.
Freminet swam through the undersea world, so similar, yet so different to Fontaine. The midday sun was less hard on the eyes down here, the surface of the river stopping most of the sun’s rays. Still, the light sometimes caught on shining objects in the water, vibrant green stones that Freminet was fairly certain were called jade. They looked similar to the giant arches over the waterways of Chenyu Vale.
After swimming for a while, Freminet became aware of a strange sensation on the back of his neck, almost as if he was being watched. He spun around, but there was no one there.
Relax, he thought to himself. It’s nothing. I’m being childish, just like “Mother” always said. There’s no one down here but me.
He continued swimming, but the feeling of being watched never left. He kept turning around suddenly, hoping to get a glimpse of whatever was following him.
Finally, Freminet was able to spot a flash of movement, a glint of sun on shimmering scales. Freminet swam over to where he had seen it, checking behind giant boulders and large swaths of greenery, searching for the creature.
From behind, Freminet heard the sound of something moving, accompanied by a noise that sounded strangely similar to…laughter? He whirled around, coming face-to-face with a boy.
He appeared to be about the same age as Freminet, with dark brown hair, tinted red in some places, partially pulled back and tied with a strand of twine. His eyes were like amber, and his smile was bright and cheerful.
He appeared human at first, but then Freminet noticed the gills on his neck, and the fins behind his ears and forearms. The boy’s chest was bare, save for a dusting of red and white scales on his lightly tanned skin. Freminet’s gaze traveled over the boy, following the contours of his body to the place where he should have had legs.
Instead, he had a glorious fish-like tail, with scales striped in patterns of red, orange, and white. He had an array of spines and fins along his tail, which glinted in the sun, casting intricate shadows onto the sandy riverbed below.
Lionfish, Freminet’s mind supplied. Be careful of the spines, as they carry a toxin that can be dangerous.
The boy who was partially human and partially lionfish swam closer, looking over Freminet in awe. He opened his mouth, his clear voice following a moment later.
“I’ve never met a human before!”
The boy reached out for Freminet’s hand, but Freminet shied away, wary of the venomous spines that covered the creature in front of him.
“Why do you have this thing on your head?” The boy asked, tapping on the glass of Freminet’s diving helmet with a delicate finger.
Freminet waved the hand away, holding tightly to the sides of his helmet. “Please…please don’t touch my helmet.”
“Oh, sorry. What’s your name? I’m Gaming.” The boy–Gaming–swam a bit closer, looking at Freminet’s face through the glass of his helmet.
Up close, Freminet noticed how gorgeous Gaming was. His face was delicate, his skin shimmering with the sheen of miniature scales. “Freminet…my name is Freminet.”
“Freminet? That’s a cool name. You’re not from around here, are you?”
“No, I’m…I’m from Fontaine,” Freminet mumbled, backing away from the lionfish’s venomous spines.
“Fontaine?” Gaming asked, closing the gap between them once more. “That’s the place Lady Fujin said is at the top of the big waterfalls, isn’t it? What are you doing here in Chenyu Vale?”
“I…” Freminet stuttered, trying to put more distance between himself and Gaming. The lionfish boy only swam closer again. “Please, could you give me some space?”
Gaming’s face fell, no longer painted with his joyous smile, carefully backing away from Freminet. “Sorry, I was just really excited to see a real human, for once. I’ll…I’ll leave you alone now.”
“Wait, that’s…that’s not what I meant. Please, don’t go,” Freminet pleaded. He hesitated, not knowing what to say next. “I–” Freminet was interrupted by a loud beep, coming from the oxygen tank on his back.
Gaming appeared alarmed, frantically searching for the origin of the noise. “What was that?”
“Oh, that just means that I have to go up to the surface soon. I’m almost out of air. I can’t breathe underwater, not like you can,” Freminet explained, gesturing to his helmet and diving equipment. He began kicking his legs, propelling himself upwards.
Gaming followed him, but stayed several meters below the surface. “Bye, Freminet. It was nice to meet you!” The lionfish boy turned, swimming deeper.
“Gaming, wait! Don’t go!” Freminet was torn between following his new friend, or returning to the surface for air. The burning sensation in his lungs urged him to go back up. His gaze drifted back to Gaming, hiding amidst the broken pieces of jade that littered the sandy riverbed. “Gaming, I’ll be back in a bit. Wait for me here.”
From behind the shattered remnants of a jade arch, Gaming nodded, a smile returning to his face. His scales shone in the sun, red, orange, and white. From the depths of the river, his voice carried upwards, clear and melodic. “See you soon, Freminet!”