Musk Reef, Mondstadt
"Here we go again." A certain wanderer muttered under his breath upon reaching a certain pathway down the abyss. He gazed down and the abyss gazed back. Memories of the past started to replay in his mind.
Although this wasn't the path he usually takes to go down, it's the closest way to go since he's avoiding the region of Snezhnaya for personal purposes.
Going down, he battled enemies on each floor and the further down he goes, the tougher the enemies get. Struggling at the final chamber of the 12th floor, he clicked his tongue in disappointment for himself. The past him would've cleared everything so easily especially if Y/n was with him.
Anemo is an element that he's still trying to control perfectly, and all by himself without elemental reactions is such a waste of time.
"Get out of the way!" He exclaimed after finally clearing the last floor. The path that leads further opened and without second thoughts, he dove down.
The devastation of the area was so evident and although war has broken out a long time ago, it still looks like it is ongoing.
No sign of human life and even the vegetation looks so abnormal. Of course, monsters are stronger and even a group of hilichurls feels like fighting two Oceanids at once.
As he moved on, he found traces of exploration around the area. One of which is a familiar device pasted onto a rock. Knowing what it is he quickly destroys it before it can detect him.
"So, even without me the Jester still managed to have someone investigate the abyss." He muttered, kneeling down to examine what he just destroyed.
He wonders who would be the one to investigate in his stead. Childe? A big possibility since he has a history of being in the abyss but knowing the Jester he probably put him in Liyue again.
Signora? Hah, not one chance, even without him in their ranks, he learned that she still died the same way. The other harbingers are also a no since if the Fatui's plans are still the same, they are prioritizing collecting the gnosis.
Which only means that there is someone else or someone new that took over his place and did what he was supposed to. Since "Scaramouche" is no longer known, and the 6th seat is still empty, the Jester must have found someone and hidden them from the public.
"How complicated..." He muttered and moved even further into the abyss. As he was looking around, he, unfortunately, stumbled upon a bigger group of hilichurls with a variety of abyss mages.
Clicking his tongue as they noticed him, he attacked and took down the archers while trying to break the mages' shields by swirling their element with the other.
Even if he was stronger enough to take them down, enemies kept spawning in every kill that he was back to a corner. Just as he was about to use the akasha terminal that Nahida gave him, enemies began to disintegrate like dust after a swift slash from a sword.
He saw a tall figure in black wearing a mask over one eye and had blonde hair.
"Are you okay?" The person asked as he kept his sword away.
"You, who are you?" The wanderer asked, secretly conjuring a wind vortex in his palm behind his back. He noticed one detail in this person that makes him extra cautious.
His eyes have a familiar pattern, one of which reminded him of the Jester.
"I'm the one that saved you but you are preparing to attack me. Shouldn't I be the one that asks you who you are?" The person asked.
"Not if you tell me what you want first, Khaenri'ahn." He said, shocking the person in front of him.
"Seems like you're not just some fool snooping down the abyss as I thought. If you can identify my nationality then I suppose you know more. Worry not, I don't need anything from you. I was just investigating on my own when I saw you. I suggest you leave right away, " The person stated, turning his back and ready to move away.
"Why would I follow what you said, I have no trust in someone like you?" The wanderer asked.
"Who said that I needed your trust? Since you seem to know about what happened around here I was just reminding you." He said without turning around.
"Hah, then maybe you're the one that the Jester tasked to investigate around here then." Wanderer said, making the person stop in his tracks.
"Jester? How do you know that, kid?" He asked and finally faced him.
"Kid?" He asked and launched at the man, initiating a fight. The man however only dodged and countered his attacks.
After exchanging blows, the man managed to tire him out. With a safe distance between them, the Wanderer was catching his breath while being vigilant around him.
"Will you listen now? As I said, I have no desire to fight unnecessary battles down here. I have more things to do. You don't look surprised seeing power different from the seven elements. You also know the Jester. Are you part of the Fatui?" He asked
"As if...I just have a grudge against some of them." The wanderer replied.
"Then that's enough reason. Would you like to make a deal for the time being?" The man asked.
"Hah?"
"I noticed you are not a normal person, seeing as you almost have infinite stamina. Your knowledge about Khaenri'ah and the abyss is also alarming. And if you're still wondering, I am not associated with the Jester. As a fact, I am investigating here to find some clues about him and someone he kept sending down here." The man explained.
"You think I'd believe that?" The wanderer asked, crossing his arms.
"You don't have to, but how about it? The abyss is a dangerous place for only one person. You know that with your vision alone, you cannot always win against every enemy you encounter. We can have each other's back for the time being. After that, we can forget everything." He said.
"And how do I know that you won't stab my back?" The Wanderer asked, suspicion written over his face for the other.
"In Khaenri'ah, I was a royal guard and I have the virtues that I uphold until now. And if that isn't enough to convince you, I know this place well more than you. If you're here then you must also be looking for something or someone." The man said which made the wanderer falter for a second, confirming the man's hypothesis.
"Fine, but if I found out that you really are working for the Jester, I will make sure you won't even reach the overworld." The wanderer threatened but the other person did not falter and just reached his hand for a handshake.
"Deal, since we'll be working together stating our names will be the least we can do." The man said as the Wanderer simply hesitated but reached his hand in the end, sealing the deal.
"[G/n]"
"Dainslief"
I'm a future Dainslief main. I mean, if Scara became playable, why wouldn't he?
-Author