Work Text:
An Encounter at Midnight
"Annnnnd we're lost."
"Point being?"
"We are lost in this frigid cold!"
Kinich just internally sighed as Ajaw refused to leave the confines of Kinich's oversized jumpsuit, which the hunter had decided to wear properly to shield himself from the cold of Nod-Krai's weather. The ship he and Mavuika boarded to this nation had the uncannily bad luck of getting wiped out during a harsh storm. Alongside a surprise attack from some abyssal monsters, he ended up getting flung out of the ship when he tried to fight one of them. The beast holding a death grip on his claymore and sent them both off to who knows where. He didn't know where Mavuika landed, but as far as he can tell, he landed much farther away.
Wherever this was, it was dark and cold. An unsettling mist settling over the land like a blanket. Kinich couldn't afford to relax, there was too much off about this place.
"Can you sense it?" Kinich asked.
"Sense what? I am practically an ice cube!" Ajaw exclaimed as he curled up more into the jumpsuit.
"I'm being serious, Ajaw. Can you sense the energy?" Kinich asked, holding a hand over Ajaw.
Ajaw narrowed his eyes as he looked out. He let out a displeased noise. "The smell of Death?"
"It's heavy in the air. Unnaturally so." Kinich said, before drawing his claymore. "Something is coming."
Kinich turned around and saw lumbering figures. They were… people, at least everything looked human, except for the purple, candle like flames that burned where the heads should be.
"This must be the Wild Hunt…" Kinich muttered to himself, he heard about it when Ineffa was in Natlan. An abyssal force that was unique to Nod-Krai and one that corrupted lost souls and tried to drag living souls into the darkness.
"Ajaw, get ready." Kinich said.
"Obviously, frankly it would be pitiful if you died here." Ajaw scoffed as his form vanished into the bracelet and made it glow a bright green.
Kinich stepped back and took a breath. He had to be careful. Running into one of the main antagonizing forces in Nod-Krai on his first day here, his luck was really bad recently. Hopefully Mavuika didn't run into these guys either. Wherever she landed. Not that he was concerned, if anyone could beat these things with ease, it would be her.
Kinich narrowed his eyes, he took one more breath and charged.
Dendro surged from his palms and onto his blade. Grappling to launch himself forward and strike one of the lumbering figures. The blow knocked it to the ground, he shifted his vision and blocked a feeble strike from another figure. He swung his claymore and sent it flying.
They were moving slowly enough, maybe he didn't need to fight. Just get to cover. The thought though quickly perished. If he didn't deal with these monsters, who knows who else might run across them.
His bracelet glowed and he jumped back, sending a burst of dendro energy into another three lumbering figures. However… as Kinich caught his breath, the beasts he downed earlier, slowly got back up, and began to advance towards him faster than before.
"What in the…" Kinich stepped back, before he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He barely had time to turn his head as a large magenta color appeared on his vision. He managed to pull his claymore up just before a large axe collided with it and send him across the ground.
"Ajaw… a warning next time." Kinich grunted as he got back to his feet.
"I didn't even sense the thing! Perhaps it's so feeble I don't even register it as a threat." Ajaw laughed, "Don't tell me you're getting bested by a mouse."
Kinich turned back and saw a large beast. Much larger compared to the lumbering figures behind it, magenta flame glowed in and outside of it's stone and bone like body. An uneasy energy, the energy of death, and the energy of the abyss.
Kinich sent a burst of Dendro at the beast, green energy surging around it as Kinich ran around and fired more bursts. It roared as it tried to shake off the green energy.
Kinich turned and dodged more strikes as the lumbering figures closed in. He ducked under a strike and rammed his claymore into another. However, just like before, it slowly but surely got up again.
Wait… was there more than before?
Kinich narrowed his eyes as he tried to take into account all figures that matched the Wild Hunt. There surely wasn't nearly this many when they first started, where did they come from? And the fog… it was so thick now, he could hardly see two feet in front of him. When had it rolled in?
Kinich let out a grunt as the giant ax swung at him again, he skidded back after using his claymore to block it again.
"Ajaw…" Kinich growled, "Can you sense these things or not?"
"I already told you I can't! Like I said it must be because they are so feeble that I don't even bother to acknowledge their existence." Ajaw scoffed, "But even if I wanted to, I can't pick up anything."
Kinich blocked another strike and jumped back, but suddenly felt a pressure at his side. Kinich felt the air get knocked out of him as he was sent into a large stone. He blinked and turned up, seeing a second large beast walk towards him.
"Where the hell…" Kinich grunted as he tried to stand up. More of the smaller figures closed in on him, and Kinich could only use his claymore for support at the moment. He had to retreat for now, but retreat to where? Where was a potential cover and not these beasts?
"Return to your graves and forever rest in peace."
Kinich suddenly heard a voice. A bright light shined through the thick fog.
"Allow me."
The light shot towards the beasts and Kinich saw a figure materialize. A brilliant lantern in one hand, a grand spear in the other. The figure shot through the mist and the mass of creatures with electro filled strikes. One by one, the light and the piercing blade struck down each figure and exstinguished each magenta flame, making the figures dissolve into ash and eventually nothingness.
It all went by so fast and Kinich had to cover his eyes, a shockwave forced him to the ground again as a loud clap of thunder suddenly echoed in his ears. The ominous energy and low whispers that filled the air suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes and saw the night sky again. It was clear, the fog was gone and none of these beasts remained.
"Are you alright?"
Kinich looked up and saw an extended hand. It was covered in black. He saw yellow eyes and long, dark purple hair. For some reason, Kinich felt oddly safe around the stranger.
Kinich breathed, and accepted the hand. The man hoisted him back to his feet.
"I'm fine." Kinich said, "Uninjured, mostly."
"Not many can absorb a blow from the Wild Hunt directly like that." The man said, "Ah, excuses my manners, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins, but you can just call me Flins."
"I'm Kinich." Kinich said simply.
"….ANNNNNnnnndddd! Don't you ignore me!" Ajaw suddenly materialized from the bracelet. "I am the Great Dragonlord K'uhul Ajaw!"
"You can just call him Ajaw." Kinich responded.
"I see, Kinich, Ajaw, a pleasure." Flins said, "If I may, what are you doing out here? And your names… you're from Natlan, aren't you?"
"…Yes, we got separated from our ship during a storm and monster attack. We were supposed to port near Nasha Town, but ended up here instead." Kinich said.
"Then allow me to escort you out." Flins said, raising his lantern. "I am a Lightkeeper, someone who helps fend of the Wild Hunt and protect those of Nod-Krai."
"You do not need to do that, all I need are just the directions to Nasha Town." Kinich said.
"I'm afraid that would not be wise." Flins said, shaking his head. "The Wild Hunt aim for the living lost in the darkness, wishing to take their bodies in some attempt to regain the life they had lost. You… you're body is not like a normal person. The connection between your soul and body is… unusual. It makes you a tantalizing specimen to those of the Wild Hunt, much more than a normal person. You will face more of these monsters on your way back, perhaps in greater numbers if you remain alone. Please, allow me to escort you back to Nasha Town."
"So you can pick that up, huh?" Ajaw asked, "JUST for your information, Kinich's body is mine. If those feeble little spirits wish to take him, they have to face me first."
"Oh? Am I sensing some care from you?" Kinich asked.
"Bah! Only a declaration of who you belong to, you're body is MINE! Don't you dare forget that." Ajaw said.
"A contract with an unusual creature I suppose." Flins noted, holding his chin in thought, "For a moment, I fancied the thought you might not be human, your composition is different. Apologies, I didn't mean to prod."
"It's no issue." Kinich said, thinking of the numerous times people have questioned the consititution of his body, with or without consent. "How far is Nasha Town from here?"
"About an hour walk, don't worry." Flins said as he held out his lantern, "The flame here shan't burn out in that time."
"If you wish to escort me, what do you want in return?" Kinich asked.
"Hm?"
"What do you want as payment?"
"Payment is the least of mine concerns, Mister Kinich." Flins said, shaking his head. "As a Lightkeeper, my duty is to escort lost souls out of the darkness and back to the light."
"I insist." Kinich said, "Just tell me."
Flins sighed, "If you insist, maybe you could share a trinket from Natlan?"
"A trinket?"
"Yes," Flins said, "I am a collector of sorts, normally I collect coins, but I enjoy other material things. I have never left Nod-Krai, so I am curious about what items in Natlan look like."
"I see, let me think, I don't usually carry trinkets on me." Kinich said.
"Think about it as we walk, we shouldn't linger here for long." Flins said, holding his lantern and fending off a cloud of dark mist.
Kinich nodded and followed after the Lightkeeper.
Flins was curious, the Traveler had said some very important figures from Natlan might be coming to Nod-Krai, part of a journey across Teyvat since those born in that land couldn't leave until only recently. Running across a Natlanese figure, one he knew about, was quite the strike of luck.
'Malipo' Kinich, a hero from Natlan and rumored to be the Archon's right hand. The chances of meeting such a fellow seemed exceedingly low, especially considering their respective lines of work.
Regardless, this was still an interesting encounter. He saw how he fought as he made his way over, his was truly a trained warrior. Agile, fast, precise, he glowed like the lightning bolts he would see travel the sky.
In regards to Malipo… perhaps this could be a chance.
"Mister Kinich," Flins started as they walked across the dark roads, "If I may ask you a question."
"What kind?" Kinich asked.
"I have heard some rumors about you, and about the tribe you reign from in Natlan." Flins said, "Rumors about something called the 'Turnfire'. A flame that never dies, a flame that forever burns regardless of fuel or wind, regardless of night or day, or fire and frost. Is such a thing real?"
"…Depending on the answer, I think giving you that information might be sufficient payment for escorting me to Nasha Town." Kinich said, "Or do you still want the trinket?"
"I would still like the trinket, Kinich." Flins said, "Let's see… you're telling me that I need to give something in exchange for the information I am requesting, correct?"
"Yes, so if the trinket is for the escort, what should be payment for the information?" Kinich wondered, more to himself than to Flins.
Flins looked at him, such a unique boy. "Perhaps exchange of information. You tell me about the Turnfire, and I tell you something about Nod-Krai or myself. Is that fair?"
"Yes, that should do." Kinich nodded, before taking a breath, "In that case, the Turnfire is real. In fact… I'm the one who holds it."
"May I see it?" Flins asked almost immediately.
"Huh?"
"Oh, apologies," Flins shook his head, "I mean, I would like to see the Turnfire. If you bear it, can you show me?"
"You're… curious about it, because a flame like that should fend off the darkness like your lantern, correct?" Kinich asked, glancing at the blue flame burning in Flins' lantern.
"Indeed," Flins said, "The Wild Hunt plague Nod-Krai, threatening to drown it all in an endless sea of darkness and shadows. A guiding light is the only way to fend it off, and escort those lost, back to the light. I admit, I am quite jealous of such a flame. Imagine the ease to know a flame will always be present to resist the Wild Hunt, without any worry of it ever going out."
Kinich took a breath, "Very well."
Kinich held out a palm, and with what seemed like some excessive effort, he opened his hand, a bright, transluscent flame sparked to life, glowing in his palm and flickering upward.
Flins was in awe, a flame that burned clear, yet almost a pure white. It glowed with a brilliance that he had never seen in all his centuries alive. Yet, he couldn't help but sense something lonely from it. The flame was clear, perfectly white, no color existed in those flickers. It felt… lonely, no orange glow for the warmth of the fireplace, no blue glow that drove away the darkness, no reddish purple glow that signified the stain of the abyss, no yellow that brought the morning dawn. It was plain, empty, clear and pure.
Kinich closed his palm, "Was that enough to satisify you?"
"It was… thank you." Flins said, "So please, ask your question, if you have one to wish to discuss with me."
"What… are you?" Kinich asked.
"Pardon?"
"What are you? Are you human? Or something else?" Kinich asked. "You sensed I wasn't human almost immediately, and likewise, we sensed something was off about you."
"Yeah! You don't smell like a normal human, so what are you, huh?" Ajaw asked, materializing. "Your energy is nothing like feeble humans, but it isn't of draconian descent either, or any creature I know."
"That… is beacause I am not something you would have come across." Fins said, "I am a being originating from this region, a fae."
"A fae?"
"A race that once populated the likes of Snezhnya and Nod-Krai. I am one such creature, I have been alive for a very long time indeed." Flins said, "I work as a Lightkeeper, for it was the Lightkeepers who showed me the light in my endless life among the snow. I owe it to them, to continue the honor and bravery they showed me all those years ago."
"I see…"
"If you were asking because you are wary of me, I assure you I only care about your safety." Flins said, "Of course, your demeanor is one that is needed in Nod-Krai. This nation runs more or less on unspoken rules, and some of the more unsavory types don't know about them, and try to take advantage of the seeming lack of 'rules'."
"So I've heard, good to know." Kinich said, "I heard this region doesn't have an Archon, am I correct about that?"
"Indeed, however, that has both it's benefits and it's downsides." Flins sighed, "Not that it matters for now. If anything, the presence of the Fatui has a majority of Nod-Krai on alert. I do not know what they are planning, but they are planning… something."
"So I've heard…" Kinich murmured as he brushed some hair aside.
Only then, did Flins notice the white ribbon intricately braided into his dark locks. It looked rather out of place among his dark colors, greens, and oranges. How strange. There was also… some kind of energy flowing off of it too. Too faint for hjm to make out though.
"Ah, we are almost at the town." Flins said, looking up.
Kinich looked ahead and saw the familiar sign of buildings and conveyerbelts.
"I hope the journey was pleasant, I should take my leave." Flins said.
Flins turned to leave, only to be met with a claymore in front of him.
"Not," Kinich started, "Without your payment."
Kinich removed his claymore and took something from one of his pockets and tossed it to Flins. The fae caught it with a hand and looked at it. It was a coin, it was very angular, almost like a Liyue antique, but it was quite different, with intricate patterns etched into the material. It wasn't even made of metal, it was some kind of stone, it reminded him of amber, a crystallized stone of sorts.
"It's an old coin made out of spent phlogiston stone." Kinich explained, "Now it's settled."
Flins nodded, "The Adventurer's Guild is near the center of the town, you can probably locate your companions there."
"Oh! I see them! Over here!!"
Kinich and Flins turned to see a small girl with pink hair just over one of the humps of the town roads.
"Subject identified: Kinich. He appears to be-" Ineffa's voice echoed over, but was cut off as a red blur suddenly ran over.
"Kinich!"
Kinich was squeezed into a tight hug as Mavuika tightened her grip.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Where did you go? The ship! It just-" Mavuika rambled as she checked over Kinich's form.
"M-Mavuika, I'm fine. Just fine." Kinich said, "A Lightkeeper escorted me here."
Mavuika turned and Flins politely bowed.
"A pleasure, Miss Mavuika." Flins said, "Do not worry, your son is quite the warrior. Even though he encountered the Wild Hunt, he held his own very well."
"Oh, I see, I-"Mavuika stopped, just as Kinich felt his cheeks heat up for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" Flins asked.
"O-oh, I just… uh…" Mavuika stammered, her own face becoming oddly red.
"I'm… not her son." Kinich finished.
"I see, older sister then?" Flins asked.
Mavuika only continued to splutter something out.
"No."
"Cousin then?"
"No."
"Aunt?"
"No, no," Kinich said shaking his head, "We're not related. She's my Archon, I'm her companion as we travel."
"Oh, I see, my apologies." Flins said, "Your behavior just now. It just seemed very familial to me."
"It's fine." Kinich said.
"Flins! Do you want to join us for some krumkakes?" Aino called out.
"I'm afraid I need to turn down your offer, Miss Aino." Flins said, averting his gaze from Ineffa. "I have some duties I need to see to. I should get going."
Before Flins turned, he looked at Kinich and Mavuika. The former trying to help his Archon form coherent speech again.
"Oh, Mister Kinich." Flins said, "If you ever encounter the Wild Hunt again, try using that flame of yours to deter them. That flame… it should repell them."
Kinich held his gaze for a moment, before nodding. "Noted."
Flins turned to leave.
A boy from Natlan, poised for possession, wielding an empty flame that burned bright. Just like how his blue flame contained no warmth those lost to the Wild Hunt seek, that fabled Turnfire, holds no warmth either, yet will never stop burning.
Not to mention… despite Rerir not showing himself since that encounter with the Traveler and himself… he could sense his energy in the fog that surrounded the boy. A being like Rerir… only danger lurks in the shadows for Kinich in Nod-Krai. However, he is one of the Traveler's friends. A companion to an Archon. He should be fine, but still… with what he knows…
"What fate awaits you, I wonder." Flins murmured to himself as he walked away. "May whatever path you travel, be in the light."