Genshin Impact: A Fool

The snowstorm that had raged across Snezhnaya began to dissipate as Heins ventured further from the icy lands, the winds losing their vicious edge. The trees here were different, their leaves a vibrant green even as the chill of winter still lingered. The birdsong was a welcome change from the eerie silence of the snow-covered forests he had left behind.

It has been a few weeks since Heins left Snezhnaya and parted ways with the Fatui. He had left everyone, including his Mistress.

There are several gaps between lands filled with waterscapes that he must transverse before he can truly leave the icy landscape of Snezhnaya, forcing him to made makeshift boats on the way. This took the majority of his weeks.

In the wild, Heins sat alone calmly as he looked up. The stark contrast between the raging snowstorm of Snezhnaya and the calm, peaceful sky of the lands outside Snezhnaya is fascinating.

"Where should I go now?"

Within the woods, accompanied by the chirps of birds and the creaks of woods, Heins sat calmly as he immersed himself in nature.

He'll miss Snezhnaya, but he coveted the day when he could go back and prove his worthiness more.

With a sigh, he stood up once again.

"Let's go to Mondstadt. The greenland of Yhers was adjacent to Snezhnaya and Mondstadt. It will be in line with my current route."

With a deep breath, he set off towards the border, his footsteps crunching softly against the damp earth. The contrast between the raging snowstorm of Snezhnaya and the tranquil beauty of the wildlands was stark, a testament to the ever-changing nature of Teyvat.

As he walked, Heins couldn't help but reflect on the life he had left behind. The orphanage, his fellow orphans, and even his Mistress Arlecchino - each memory was etched into his mind like a scar.

He would miss their presence, but he knew that this journey was necessary for his growth.

The path to Mondstadt stretched out before him, an unknown adventure waiting to be undertaken. Heins knew not what challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them head-on. With each step, he took a stride toward his future, leaving his past behind.

As he walked through the land adjacent to Snezhnaya and Mondstadt, a vast green expanse of Yhers, he saw groups of hillicurls and monsters riding away in the distance. From afar, he could see there was a civilization purely made up of monsters there.

Heins unsheathed his sword and sighed as it gleamed, "Clashes are inevitable... Indeed."

With a thunderous, roaring crackle, he dashed and appeared before the rural huts. He couldn't help but feel a little bit of pity.

"You guys wish to survive, but I have my side that I must fight for with all I have. Therefore, I shall offer you my utmost apologies. We were merely two sides fighting for survival."

With a brutal swing, a resplendent pillar of Electro crashed against the monster camp. The boy's handsome face turned cold as his indifferent eyes watched as the blood spilled.

Heins stood amidst the smoldering ruins of the monster camp, the acrid smell of charred wood and singed fur assaulting his nostrils. The once vibrant green of Yhers was marred by the blackened earth and scattered remains of the creatures that called it home.

He surveyed the destruction with a detached gaze, his heart as hard as the blade he wielded. The pity he had felt moments before had been replaced by a steely resolve, honed by the knowledge that he had a greater purpose to fulfill.

The hillicurls and monsters lay strewn about, their lifeless eyes staring up at the indifferent sky. Heins felt no remorse, only a grim satisfaction at a job well done. He had given them a chance to flee, a mercy they had spurned through their own stubbornness, or instinct.

He sheathed his sword with a sharp, metallic clang, the once gleaming blade now stained with the blood of his foes.

It mattered not to Heins; he would cleanse it in the next river he crossed, as he had done countless times before.

Turning his back on the carnage, Heins set off once more towards Mondstadt. The green expanse of Yhers stretched out before him, seemingly untouched by the violence he had just unleashed. It was a stark reminder that life went on, even as death claimed the lives of the unwary.

Heins was walking peacefully when a massive structure loomed over the distance. As the shadow neared, he understood immediately.

He came across a ruin.

According to what he learned, ruins are usually composed and originated from three things: civilizations, gods, and secret bases. The best result would be the first one, since it usually held greater yield. The second one is mysterious and often fraught with traps.

The most dangerous one would be the third one. Once he entered it... He could only hope that the dwellers inside were not so powerful that they could kill him.

There are special cases where ruins were not formed based on these three categorizations, but they're usually insignificant.

As Heins ventured deeper into the ruin, the air grew colder and heavier, thick with the weight of centuries untouched by time. The once grand halls were now shrouded in a thick layer of dust and the ever-present gloom that seemed to permeate the very walls.

Heins couldn't help but marvel at the architectural prowess of the civilization that had once called this place home. Intricate carvings and intricate designs adorned every surface, a testament to the skill and artistry of the long-dead craftsmen.

But as he delved further into the ruin, Heins knew all too well that such wonders often came with a price. And in this case, that price was the wrath of the Ruin Guards.

With a steep step, Heins allowed the infamous Ruin Guards to be activated. They arose from their supposedly eternal slumber. They are large machines that guard ruins. They have homing missiles and powerful arms, along with other secret weapons.

The ground beneath his feet trembled as the ancient machines stirred from their slumber, their mechanical limbs creaking and groaning as they prepared for battle.

Heins muttered as he took a stance, "How splendorous the civilization was to be able to create these wonders?"

Heins drew his dagger, the blade glinting in the dim light that filtered down from above.

As the first Ruin Guard lumbered into view, Heins launched himself at the towering machine, his dagger flashing as he sought out any weaknesses in its armor.

The battle was joined, and the once-silent halls of the ruin echoed with the clash of metal upon metal, the roar of explosive missiles, and the unyielding determination of a boy who would not be bested.

Heins fought with the skill and ferocity of a boy possessed, his body a blur of motion as he dodged and weaved around the Ruin Guard's devastating attacks. He knew that each blow he landed brought him one step closer to the heart of the ruin, one step closer to the secrets it held.

As he fought, Heins couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation at the thought of uncovering the truth behind this long-forgotten civilization. Who doesn't like treasures?

Thus, after a few minutes, With a thunderous explosion, Heins stood behind the Ruin Guards, his back facing them. Then, currents of electro zapped the large machines, rendering them useless as they fell.

Heins was somewhat shocked. Without his realization, he had become so strong, "This properly made me understand my prowess."

With firm steps, Heins walked deeper into the ruins. At times, groups of hillicurls or direwolves would appear within the depths of the ruin. For some reason, the Ruin Guards seem to let these monsters in. Heins wondered if there were some sort of connection between them.

After a few hours, with some loot in his bag, Heins arrived in a particular room. The sunlight shone from a circular crevice on the roof of the room. In the middle, a ferocious monster, with geo spikes as armor and thunderous, icy claws as weapons roared, agitated by his arrival.

Heins sneered as he took his stance and unsheathed his sword, "Well, it seems like they don't welcome humans here."

Thus, he rushed like a splitting thunder, his figure, like a purple beam, shot towards the beast.

The beast, a grotesque amalgamation of ice and stone, snorted and stomped, its icy claws scraping against the ancient floor. Heins could feel the chill emanating from the creature, a stark contrast to the warmth of his own body, honed by countless trials and battles.

Heins took a deep breath, centering himself as he gripped his sword tighter. He knew he would need every ounce of his newfound strength and skill to overcome this formidable foe. With a battle cry that echoed through the chamber, Heins launched himself at the monster, his sword held high.

Time seemed to slow as Heins closed the distance between them, the sunlight from above casting a purple hue over his charging form.

He could see the beast's eyes widen in surprise and anger, its maw opening wide to unleash a thunderous roar.

But Heins did not falter. He leaped into the air, his sword slicing downwards with all the force he could muster. The blade bit deep into the creature's icy armor, sending shards of frozen shrapnel flying in all directions.

The beast howled in pain and fury, thrashing its massive head and swiping at Heins with its thunderous claws.

Heins rolled and dodged, feeling the icy wind of the near misses ruffling his hair. He knew he couldn't let up, couldn't give the creature a single opening.

Heins pressed his attack, his sword a blur of motion as he struck at the beast from every angle. He could feel the creature's strength waning, its movements becoming slower, more deliberate.

With a final, mighty strike, Heins plunged his sword deep into the beast's heart with the thunderous crackle of Electro, twisting and wrenching until he felt the metal scrape against the creature's icy bones.

With a final, shuddering groan, the beast collapsed, its massive form crumbling into a pile of inert ice and stone.

Heins stood over it, dripping with sweat, a fierce grin on his face. He had done it. He had proven himself against one of the ruin's most formidable guardians.

But as Heins caught his breath, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The ruin had more secrets to reveal and more trials to overcome. And he would not rest until he had uncovered all of its mysteries.

As he ventured deeper, his pace came to a halt when he discovered a short, floating creature in a red robe hovering and cackling to itself over a chest.

It voiced out, its voice chirpy and high-toned, "Hihihi... The Princess will be delighted to hear that I found the material necessary for imbuing the Abyss Miasma into the scepter!"

Heins widened his eyes. Abyss?

He furrowed his eyebrows as he watched the floating, black, red-robed thing fly away in a heap of giggles. That creature...

"It seems like I've come across an Abyss Mage."

An Abyss Mage is a monster like what roamed the wilderness of Teyvat, with a mysterious mask covering its face like those hillicurls.

However, by the power of, presumably, the Abyss, they gained intelligence and could cast elemental powers without Visions. They came from an enigmatic force called the Abyss Order.

Heins did not choose to confront them yet. It's not good to alert them. Beside, he had yet to become enemies yet, since he heard that the Abyss Order's objective has some similarities with the Fatui, which was to overthrow the 'absolutes' the reside in a place far away. The 'absolutes' were unknown, and they were secrets held by the rulers of Teyvat.

Heins did not know about it clearly, but he knew that there were no apparent reasons for him to clash against them.

"They do be looking kinda funny too."

After watching it leave, Heins slowly opened the chest that the monster seemed to ignore. Inside, he found a couple of books. He picked up one of the books covered in dust and swept it. There is no gold, unfortunately, but knowledge is also a form of wealth!

Heins raised his eyebrows in intrigue. The first book was called The Tale of the Dolorous: the Lost Crest. Its cover seems to be old.

He did not read it immediately. Instead, he hastily stuffed everything into his bag and quickly left, his departure accompanied by a trail of crackling purple.

After finding a save cover under a huge tree, he sat and leaned on it as he opened up the book.

Within it, told a story about a man named Khreshz. A mortal who wished to explore the enigmatic Abyss for the sake of his lover's crest. Heins read it with indifference and intrigue.

As Heins sat there, engrossed in the tale of Khreshz, the sun began to set, casting an eerie orange glow through the canopy of the forest. Shadows lengthened and the temperature dropped as the day gave way to night. The usual sounds of the forest - birdsong, rustling leaves, the distant calls of animals - faded into an unsettling silence, broken only by the occasional gust of wind that sent shivers down Heins' spine.

Heins read on, his eyes scanning the yellowed pages, the story of Khreshz's love and his desperate quest to save his beloved drawing him in. The more he read, the more the world around him seemed to fade away, until it was just him and the book, illuminated by the fading light.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, the temperature plummeted even further. Heins felt the cold seeping into his bones, but he barely noticed, so engrossed was he in the story. The moon rose, casting a pale, ethereal glow over the forest, the silvery light filtering through the bare branches of the trees.

Heins's eyebrows furrowed. What is this eerie feeling?

Suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere in the darkness. Heins froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't alone out here. Something else moved in the shadows, something that wasn't human.

Heins could feel its presence, could sense its eyes watching him from the darkness.

Heins slowly closed the book, his breath catching in his throat as he listened intently. The silence was deafening, broken only by the pounding of his own heart.

He knew he should leave, should get as far away from here as possible. But it seems like he was already discovered by the perpetrator.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was the Abyss Mage, its red robe glowing an eerie crimson. Its eyes glowed with the same malevolent light, and its grin widened as it saw Heins.

"Well, well, well," it cackled, its voice echoing through the forest. "What do we have here? A little lost lamb, all alone in the big bad woods?"

Heins turned cold as his crimson eyes looked at the Abyss Mage, "I have no intentions to clash against the Abyss Order. O' Abyss Mage, leave me."

The Abyss Mage paused, tilting its head to the side as it studied Heins with those glowing, unsettling eyes. A slow, wicked grin spread across its face, revealing sharp, pointed teeth. It let out a chirpy laugh that sent a chill down Heins' spine. Such a stark contrast between voice and demeanor was concerning.

"Leave you, you say?" the Mage chirped, floating closer. "And why should I do that, little lamb? You're a rare find, aren't you? A mortal, all alone and unprotected, stumbling into our domain. The Abyss Order doesn't take kindly to trespassers, you know."

"Trespassers?"

Heins furrowed his eyebrows as his crimson eyes roamed the land surrounding them. It is indeed the land of Yhers, an unclaimed land adjacent to Snezhnaya and Mondstadt. Suddenly, something clicked for him.

Perhaps that's why this seemingly wild land was undisturbed by any of the nations.

Heins coughed as he stood up and bowed slightly, "I apologize. I did not know that this is the Abyss Order's territory. As long as you don't demand anything excessive, feel free to say it as my compensation."

The Abyss Mage's grin widened, its eyes glinting with a cruel, greedy light as it watched Heins bow. It circled around him slowly, like a predator stalking its prey, its robe billowing behind it.

"Ah, so you're a clever one, are you?" the Mage said, its voice a high, menacing purr. "You've realized where you are. Very well, I'll accept your apology... for now."

It stopped in front of Heins, leaning in close. He could feel the cold emanating from the Mage's body and could see the dark, swirling patterns etched into its skin. "As for compensation," it continued, "I'm sure we can come to an... arrangement."

The Mage reached out, its black fingers brushing against Heins' cheek. Heins fought the urge to recoil, forcing himself to remain still. He must commit to his act, "I require a small favor from you, mortal," the Mage whispered. "A trifling thing, really. I want you to deliver a message for me."

Heins frowned, a flicker of unease crossing his face. He knew he shouldn't trust this creature, but what choice did he have? He needed to get out of here, and fast.

"Very well," Heins said, his voice steady and cold.

"I'll deliver your message. What is it you want me to do?"

The Abyss Mage's smiled crookedly as its chirpy voice cackled, "Keheheheh... Sensing from your pace, it seems like you want to go to Mondstadt. Then, go to the Old Mondstadt and tell the little dragon Dvalin that the Abyss has something he wants."

"Well then, see ya!"

Before the Abyss Mage could disappear into the crack of darkness, Heins decides to strike in this moment of carelessness. Even if he did not succeed, his Abyss Mage wouldn't realize the culprit if it entered the crack.

After all, he was just a mere boy in many eyes. What blows he could possibly do? They probably suspect someone else. Right?

Heins burst out in his full power, his Electro Vision and Anemo Delusion danced in a cacophony of destruction and symphony as he appeared behind the Abyss Mage and delivered a devastating blow with his dagger. He even casted it with multiple poisonous herbs he found in the wilderness of Yhers.

There was a brief pause, which was caused by a veil of red pyro barrier conjured by the Abyss Mage before the blow easily tore it apart and stabbed the Mage Abyss in the chest.

Heins watched blankly as the Abyss Mage screeched before it perished, turning into eerie, abysmal trails.

The boy twitched. It seemed like he had become really strong. Way stronger than he could imagine.

As the dust settled and the eerie trails of the Abyss Mage dissipated, Heins stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't believe what he had just done, the sheer power that had erupted from him. It was as if a dam had burst, unleashing a flood of elemental energy he never knew he possessed.

Heins looked down at his hand, still gripping the dagger that had pierced the Mage's chest. It was coated in a dark, viscous substance - the Mage's blood, he presumed.

He felt a flicker of revulsion, but also a strange sense of exhilaration. He had faced his fear and emerged victorious.

But as the initial adrenaline began to fade, a sense of unease crept over Heins. What had he done?

He had attacked an Abyss Mage, a member of the Abyss Order, without provocation. He knew nothing about them, except that they were powerful and unpredictable. And now, he had made an enemy of one of their own.

"Damn it, Fool! Even if it succeeded, it was way too reckless!"

Decisively, His visage crackled as he disappeared into a heap of purple currents. From afar, one could see a lighting-fast purple beam rushing through the vast, green meadow.

And then, Heins stopped. He furrowed his eyebrows. If he used his Electro Vision, wouldn't it be easy for the Abyss Order to track him down? They could narrow the suspects by the traces he left.

Heins pondered. In the end, he sighed as he activated his Anemo Delusion. He could use it to create some traces of Anemo to create a spectacle that there is a fight here between an Electro Vision user and an Anemo Vision user.

It's not perfect, but he was somewhat in a hurry. Thus, after recklessly wrecking about with his Anemo Delusion, which drained his vitality a bit, Heins quickly rushed out in the direction of Mondstadt.

He ran by foot, but with his physique, it was still a considerable burst of speed. Thus, the boy left, leaving quite a mess for the Abyss Order to investigate.

As Heins raced through the meadow, his heart pounded in his ears, the cold night air burning his lungs.

The landscape blurred past him as he pushed himself to run faster, driven by a primal instinct to put as much distance as possible between himself and the scene of the crime.

He knew he was taking a risk by using his Anemo Delusion so recklessly, but he had no choice.

He had to make it look like there had been a fight between an Electro and Anemo user, anything to throw off suspicion. It was a desperate, last-minute plan, but it was all he had.

The meadow gave way to a dense forest, the trees looming like dark specters in the moonlight. Heins leaped over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging branches, his heart still racing.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, pursued. The Abyss Order was sure to investigate, and when they found the body and the traces of his Vision, they would be after him in no time.

Heins didn't know how long he ran for, but eventually, the trees began to thin out, and he found himself at the foot of a steep hill.

He could see the lights of Mondstadt twinkling in the distance, a beacon of safety and refuge. Heins knew he had to reach it, had to find someone who could help him make sense of what had happened.

With a final burst of speed, Heins scrambled up the hill, his muscles burning and his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Thus, after a relentless sprint, he arrives before the gate of Mondstadt.

Heins was somewhat in awe as he looked up to the splendorous city before him.

The city was a shining jewel, its gothic spires and timber-framed buildings reaching toward the star-studded sky. The architecture was a testament to the nation's rich culture and history, a blend of ancient tradition and modern elegance.

The gatekeepers, clad in the distinctive uniforms of Mondstadt's army, eyed Heins warily as he approached.

They could sense the exhaustion and fear emanating from the boy, his clothes disheveled and his hair windswept from his desperate journey.

"Halt!" one of the guards called out, leveling his spear at Heins. "Who are you, boy? And what is your business in Mondstadt?"

It seemed cruel, to point his spear to a mere dilapidated boy. But safety is paramount. In the past, lives were sacrificed for the sake of safety.

Heins, still trying to catch his breath, held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I... I need help," he said, his voice hoarse from running. "I've had a brush with the Abyss Order, and I fear for my life. I have nowhere else to turn."

The guard's eyes narrowed, but he lowered his spear slightly. "The Abyss Order, you say? That's a serious accusation. Do you have any proof of this claim?"

Heins coughed as he sighed, "I... I don't have proof," Heins admitted, "but I swear on my life, it's the truth. I was attacked by one of their Mages, and I had to defend myself. I came here to seek refuge."

Perhaps if he was an adult, the guards would refute his unreliable claim. Fortunately, he was still a boy.

The guard conferred with his colleague, speaking in low tones. After a moment, he turned back to Heins. "Very well," he said, "we will grant you entry to Mondstadt. But know this - if you are lying, there will be consequences. Mondstadt does not take kindly to deceit. The Favonius Knights also would like to talk to you about this, so when the time comes, do not resist!"

"I understand."

With that, the gate creaked open, revealing the warm, inviting glow of the city within.

Heins felt a wave of relief wash over him as he stepped inside, the heavy gates closing behind him with a resounding thud. He was safe, for now.

An: Yhers is the black space between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt, if we assume that Snezhnaya was like Russia, looming over the North of the map. An OC but for location, you could say.