Chapter 31: Fatui Domain

We were inside the domain and I was already in my Rising Hopper form. Venti had to wait outside as he was not much of a fighter. The domain was large and complex with many traps and obstacles. There are even rotating machines that spew fire as well as platforms that invert in intervals. Monsters as well have been nesting around in some areas.

“So this is where the Fatui are hiding. This place gives me the creeps. Paimon can tell this place is very dangerous.”

“The Fatui are very elusive so there is no telling what we will find here.”

“Jun is right, everyone, remain alert to your surroundings,” Jean said

We moved forward and we came to our first obstacle: a column of rotating flamethrowers. The other end leads to the next area but the only path through is the rotating flamethrowers. I could probably jump my through but the others would be left behind

“How are we going to get through these?” said Lumine

“Yeah, Paimon is going to get cooked the moment she moves forward.”

“That does not sound too bad,” I said teasing Paimon

“Hey!”

“Hmm… if we could somehow stall them long enough we could get through.” said Diluc

“In that case, I have the perfect form.” I took out the Freezing Bear Progrisekey and scanned it

[Blizzard!]

[Authorise]

[Progrise!]

[Attention freeze!]

[Freezing Bear!]

[Fierce breath as cold as arctic winds]

“Wow! Now it is a bear so cool!” said Paimon

“From what I have heard the grasshopper gives you increased leg power, and the Falcon lets you fly, what can this do,” asked Jean

“Watch this,” Now in my Freezing Bear form I aimed my palms toward the flamethrowers and let out blasts of cold air. The flamethrowers began to slow down as the cold air started to freeze its mechanisms and eventually, it shut down

“Jun that’s amazing you froze those machines,” said Amber smiling at me

“That seems useful it is as if you are able to wield a cryo vision.” said Diluc

“Thank you, Jun, now that we have a path we should be able to cross. Everyone, let's go and stay close together.” Jean said leading the way

We passed through the flamethrowers while I froze them and reached the other side. We passed through maze-like hallways and battled a few hilichurls and slimes along the way. We also uncovered some chests.

“We found some chests here, does anybody want to get a share?”

“No need I have more than enough resources as the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius,” said Jean

“My business generates more than enough income,” said Diluc

“It’s okay Jun you can take it. I know how much you need it,” said Amber

“Okay, thanks you three. How about you Lumine?”

“I guess I’ll take a share, but I don’t have much use for the primogems.”

“Then do you mind if I take them? I have different ways of using them but I need an abundance.”

“I don't mind.”

“Thanks,” Lumine and I split what we got in the chests that we found while I was taking all the primogems

As we were venturing deeper into the domain we found a lone Fatui guard.

“There is a Fatui guard ahead. Let’s ambush him to get us some answers.” We all nodded and quietly sneaked to the unsuspecting guard. When we were near him Diluc rushed at him and pinned him to the ground.

“Speak, what do you know?”

“No, NO! Don't eat me! Ah? You're... You're human? The entire floor's defenses... have been broken. I thought it was the Abyss Order attacking...”

“We have come for the Holy Lyre der Himmel.” said Lumine

“H—How did you guys know the lyre's here?

“So the lyre is here. Speak, where is it?” Diluc applied more pressure to his arm

“Ah! Okay, okay! I’ll talk. The place it's being kept is locked up tight. If you're after the key, keep going further into the ruins, but d—don't come after me! I don't know which one of the guards has it, but I'm sure you can find the guards and find out for yourselves.”

“This guy looks like he's about to wet himself…” said Paimon

The guard was embarrassed by what Paimon said as it was close to the truth “Y—You just worry about yourselves! One of the Harbingers is already in Mondstadt. Signora. When she gets her hands on you she's going to string you up and torture you. When that time comes, don't you dare say a word about me.”

“Is that everything,” said Diluc to confirm one last time

“Y-Yes!” Diluc knocked him out and dragged him to a corner to be hidden

“Did he say Signora? What a strange name…” said Paimon

“No. 8 of The Eleven Harbingers. Goes by the name Signora.” said Diluc a bit on guard

“The fact the Fatui can run amok across the seven nations like they do is entirely because of The Eleven Harbingers. We need to act quickly before she gets wind of what's going on.”

Signora huh… The fact she is a Harbinger means she is a strong opponent. I’m not sure I can contend with her yet. I may have the Zero-one driver but I still only have access to the standard forms. Signora has her vision and delusion which increases her power by many levels and I’m not sure she is acting alone. Childe, another harbinger I remember is in Liyue the next nation over but who knows if he is there yet and he may be acting with Signora for the time being. I just hope he is not here…

We continued to delve deeper avoiding many traps and defeating multiple monsters. We found another guard by himself and we decided to confront him to get more answers

“Who are you? How did you get in here!?”

“We want some answers. Where is the lyre?”

“Ha… like hell! The will of Snezhnaya is as solid as the permafrost! I will not yield!”

He took out something similar to a trigger and pressed it. The walls began to shake and from the ceiling came down walls. Our group managed to dodge them but we somehow got separated. Amber, Lumine, and Diluc were separated from the other side while Jean and I managed to stay together

“Dammit! That guard had a nasty trick.”

“Calm down Jun, I’m sure they are alright. We need to find a way to rendezvous with them. We all have the same objective so I believe we will see them when we find the lyre.”

I calmed down after what Jean said and she was right. They are not so weak that they will be beaten like this. I will just have to trust them

*Breathe in* *Breathe out* “You’re right, let’s go, the faster we are the sooner we see them.”

Jean nodded and we tried to move forward but unfortunately, a squad of Fatui guards led by a Cicin Mage came to stop us

“Hehehe what do we have here? A couple of rats decided to sneak in. Even the Acting Grandmaster has graced us with her presence. This is perfect with you out of the picture. Our mistress will be pleased.”

“You won’t get away with this Fatui. As the Acting Grandmaster I will protect Mondstadt.”

“Hahaha! Let’s see if you can…”

Jean and I went into a battle stance and the group of Fatui began to engage. Things are not going as expected