Chapter Text
Although the abyss crisis was overcome for now, things were not exactly as how it used to be before. Not to even mention how many lives were sacrificed, unprecedented situations were happening all over the Natlan. Monsters were more frequent, as if they have came from a new area unlike before. Mavuika was receiving too many incident reports, but every time she has ordered to get it checked, it was unsuccessful - like hitting a blind spot.
“I’ve got some news for you” Capitano said, coming to her quarter. “You might want to take a look into that” he said, giving her the papers. Mavuika looked at him. Even if he has helped a lot lately, she was still uneasy around him. Deep down she felt, that she couldn’t trust him fully. Mavuika took the papers from his hand. There were information about a cave, that monsters were probably coming from.
“Where did you obtain this information? It’s the first time I see anything about that place.” she asked, trying to look into his face forgetting for a moment, that yet once again her eyes are only going to meet only a black mask.
“I have ordered my agents to do some investigation on their own.” He said, whilst coming closer, but still keeping a distance.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t really like the fact that there was an research done without my knowledge.” Mavuika said while looking back at the papers.
Capitano sighed. It’s not like he did it to make things worse. He was just trying to help, because he saw how uneasy the Archon started to become. Even if others weren’t able to notice it, his clever eye wouldn’t miss a single change in her. Of course Capitano wouldn’t admit it, not even to himself, but at one point he just simply started to care a little about her after all of the hardship they went through together.
“Let’s just make use from that as much as we can. I did not keep that information from you, so there’s nothing to be mad about.”
And he was right, Mavuika thought. Maybe she was just a little frustrated, that it was the Fatui Harbinger who actually found a good clue. Not her, the person who's sole mission is to protect her own people.
“Thank you. I’m going to handle this personally from here on out.”
“You do not need my assistance to help you with that?” Capitano asked, whilst staring profusely at her. Sometimes Mavuika wished that she could see his facial expression, to be able to read and understand him better.
“I’m fine. If I’m going to need anything from you, I will let you know.” She said. Capitano nodded as he was leaving her chamber.
For the next two days Mavuika was preparing and planning everything. She has decided to go as a group of four, including her and the strongest warriors alongside her in the kingdom of Natlan which were, Kinich, Mualani and Xilonen. Iansan with the help of Ororon and Citlali, were supposed to take care of everything back in the city until their return. She also asked Capitano to keep an eye out incase anything happens until her return. When they would arrive to the destination of the designated area, Mavuika decided that Kinich would take care of guarding the entrance due to the limited flexibility he would have in the cave. The cave had two lanes, so Mavuika decided for them to split up into two parties to cover it faster. Mualani would go with Xilolen to the right side, and Mavuika the other one. If they do reach a dead end, then they would return to the start area once again. If not, they were ordered to come back after 10 hours to the entrance. From then, there would be a discussion of changes to be made to the plans.
Mavuika hoped that she could take more warriors alongside her to the expedition. Just to be sure that mission is gonna be completed successfully. Unfortunately Natlan wasn’t safe enough to be left alone due to the recent circumstances by even more people.
On the following day, they met up outside of the cave. Even from there, they could feel abyssal energy coming out from it.
“Okay, does everyone knows what’s the plan?” Mavuika asked, looking at them. Everyone nodded.
“I have one question.” Kinich said. “What’s his part in that mission?” He asked, pointing at the bushes. Mavuika looked confused.
“C’mon show up you bastard! U were following us until here! What are your plans you stupid human?!” Ajaw started screaming angrily. Then a tall man with big posture got out of the pointed place.
“Capitano? What are you doing here?” Mavuika asked confused. “Were you not supposed to guard the city?” She crossed her arms on her chest.
“Everything is taken care of, I do assure you. I’ve put my best agents all over the clans. Don’t worry about that.” He said, coming closer to them. Even if they couldn’t see his eyes, his mask was directed only at the Archon. What was his plan? – Mavuika asked herself.
“This still doesn’t explain why you came here.” Xilolen said.
“I’ve decided I’m going to be of a better use here. According to the plan, Pyro Archon has decided to go by herself.”
“So you decided to group with me? Don’t you think I’m capable of taking care of myself? And how would you know that I’ve decided to go by myself?” Mavuika asked feeling a little offended.
“Of course not. I find you one of the strongest people I’ve ever fought with. We just don’t know what’s like going to be down there, so it’s better for someone to have your back. Knowing you I was sure you would chose to go by yourself, after all you are the Archon.”
“How did you even know all of these details? From what I know, the plan was supposed to stay only between us.” Mavuika asked. Then Mualani started blushing and giggling nervously. The archon sighed.
“Seriously?!” Ajaw screamed, but got disciplined by Kinich quickly.
“I’m so sorry. He came to me and started asking all these questions, and I didn’t even notice when I told him the details!” Mualani’s voice was sad and down. She looked very embarrassed. Mavuika put her hand on Mualani’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. It already happened, and you didn’t have any bad intentions. Maybe he is going to be a use for me.” Mavuika smiled at her, and Mualani instantly cheered up, nodding fast. “Let’s go then.” She sighed, and they went inside. Capitano nodded, and followed her.
Soon after they were already in cave, after the separation of their paths. Everyone went to their assigned way. Capitano was going a little behind Mavuika. Since the cave was dark, she was using her pyro element like a torch. A lot of thoughts were going through her head. Why he decided to come with her? Was it because he cared for her safety? Of course not. She doubted he was capable of feelings like that. Especially towards her. Maybe it was all some kind of a plan? Was he trying to get the gnosis out of her? In the end, he was the one who gave the information about the cave, could this be a trap? She thought to herself whilst looking at him
“Hmh?” He looked back. She just shook her head, and continued to go forward.
“So…” Mavuika began. “What’s the real reason standing behind you coming along here with me?” She tried to not sound too curious. Even trying to be a little nonchalant. After a longer moment with no response, she started to regret for even asking any question.
“Natlan is very precious to me. I simply don’t want to see people suffer the same fate I had to.” Capitano answered. And that was it. Mavuika felt like he didn’t leave her any room for making a further conversation, so she just nodded.
After around an hour into the exploration they have reached a dead end in the cave. Mavuika started trying with her hands to find any hidden place on the wall. Maybe there could be a secret tunnel? Capitano was just standing, watching what she’s doing. After a while she got annoyed.
“Are you going to stand there and do nothing?” She turned around towards him.
“Something’s not right about this place.” He said.
Suddenly a purple portal from the wall has appeared. Both of them jumped back. Two abyssal ritwolves came out of the portal, followed by a cryo and a hydro abyssal heralds. Mavuika and Capitano reached for their weapons. The Archon sliced both wolves before they even were able to attack. She looked at the other enemies. Cryo one teleported behind her, and they both attacked her in a synchronized attack. Mavuika held the one in front of her, and Capitano blocked the attack from the other one. They were fighting with them for a moment. Shortly after a third one appeared, an electro one this time. He started attacking Capitano, and the initial other two focused on the Archon. Since both Capitano and Mavuika were extremely skilled in combat, they were able to easily counter every attack that was thrown at them twice fold stronger. Anyways, it seemed that their attacks didn’t have the usual impact and that the enemies felt stronger than they used to be. They predicted that they probably were boosted by a strong abyssal energy, but it was not something they couldn’t overcome. Suddenly, somehow what they didn’t predict ended up happening. Three of the enemies teleported around Mavuika, attacking her with their elemental powers. The attack was not strong enough for her to lose, but they managed to leave nothing but a scratch on her arm. Just as Capitano was about to cut them in half, they teleported back to portal, which was only opened for a moment after. Two of them just stood in a little shock.
“Did they just run away from us?” Mavuika asked a little shocked. Capitano didn’t answer. Instead, he came closer to her and took her arm into his hands. Even if he had gloves, Mavuika could immediately feel a cold sensation coming out of his body. Fatui Harbinger was taking closer look at her wound. For a moment she froze in place, stunned by his sudden action.
“Since nothing is here, maybe we should head back?” She said, getting her hand away from him. She felt a little embarrassed by his sudden act of care. But the moment she tried to make a step, they felt like the ground below them started to shake violently. Mavuika looked down, and saw cracks in the surface of the ground, that were breaking.
“Hold on!” Capitano screamed, closing his hand again on Mavuika’s, pushing her close to him, closing her body in his arms. She only was able to look up to his face, and then everything below them just collapsed and they started falling into deep and dark place.