Let the Wind Guide You| xiaoven| Royal AU

18

Keqing and Hu Tao stared at me in amazement.

"How did you learn that?" Keqing examined my pin in astonishment.

I coughed.

I can't possibly say that I learnt it from stealing my neighbours' apples, can I?

"Um...I....I learnt it from my...my friend!" I lied and laughed awkwardly.

She glared at me suspiciously but shrugged it off.

"If I had known this...I would've been able to save Xiao..." Hu Tao mumbled, lowering her head.

"Hey."

I placed my hand on her shoulder, she raised her head to look at me.

"Even if you managed to unlock the door, the Fatui would've found another way to stop you anyways." I smiled warmly.

She nodded her head slowly.

"Can we head inside now?" Keqing asked, pointing to the passageway.

We nodded and entered the place.

Ceiling lights shone dimly through the tunnel, water dripped occasionally from the top. It was so silent that we could hear our slow breathing and quiet footsteps.

We walked and walked. There was practically nothing inside except for some cobwebs and water puddles.

That was until I tripped over something.

"Are you okay, Venti?" Hu Tao asked worriedly.

I nodded and looked down to see a red mask with gold linings.

"What is this?" Keqing picked it up before I could. We glanced at each other.

"Wait!" Hu Tao exclaimed.

"I saw the person who kidnapped me wear this!"

I widened my eyes.

Had he accidentally dropped this?

"This might be important..." Keqing examined the mask.

Me and Hu Tao nodded in agreement.

"It's almost time." I said. "Let's head back to meet the others."

We headed out of the passageway.

3rd POV

A tall man with ginger-coloured hair emerged from the shadows, he smirked and took down the red mask he wore on the top of his head.

He tapped on the device he wore on his ear.

"It's done. They fell for the trap."

Venti and the others gathered around.

"Found anything?" Keqing asked, glancing at everyone.

"Nothing." Zhongli sighed.

The other three shook their heads too.

"How about you?" Ganyu asked, glancing at Keqing.

"We found this." 

She took out a red mask. Zhongli widened his eyes.

"Isn't this...Childe's mask?"

Everyone turned and look at him.

"Who's Childe?" Venti asked.

Zhongli sighed.

"My ex-lover. He picked sides with the Fatui and tried to kill me."

"Oh..." Venti glanced at him nervously.

"It's alright, I've already let go of my feelings for him. Now he's nothing more than an enemy to me." He shook his head.

Venti visibly relaxed.

"This mask is important to him...It's a gift from his little brother, who lives away from him. They rarely meet." He raised his hand to his chin.

"If it's important to him." Ganyu cut in. "He would come back and get it, right?" She stared at Zhongli.

"Then we can capture him and ask him about Xiao's whereabouts!" Venti exclaimed.

Everyone nodded and smiled.

Perhaps, we would be able to find Xiao after all.

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HEYYA!

I hope you liked this chapter!

I'm not good at planning all the mystery and clues stuff but I hope it made sense-

My school is starting next week and I might not be able to update as frequently anymore...

I'M SORRYYYYYY-

I'll try my best tho :')

Stay tuned, besties :3