(POV KEQING)
The route chosen by the leader to break through to the heart of Fontaine was through Chenyu Vale, a grand valley filled with peaks of jade stone mountains towering high into the sky, its steep and precipitous slopes seeming to challenge the heavens themselves.
The terrain itself was so difficult and unforgiving.
This was a severe test that made even veteran adventurers think twice before stepping foot there!
However, this choice was clearly the most appropriate to cut the travel time that should have taken weeks.
Now, after passing exhausting days climbing slippery rocks and crossing deep gorges, they finally almost reached their destination.
At the peak of Mt. Mingyuan, the last border before entering the true territory of Fontaine, a cold relief began to creep into their hearts.
During the risky journey, miraculously, no monsters attacked the large group. Or more precisely, every possible threat that might appear had been eradicated first by the elite adventurer teams at the forefront, leaving a safe path for those following behind.
For Keqing, Haoyu, Isabelle, and Louis, this calm was an invaluable blessing; after all, peace was the most precious gift in this turbulent world!
Suddenly, the steps of the group in front of them halted.
They had reached the edge of the steep hill, a sheer cliff directly overlooking a sight that took their breath away.
Haoyu's team also stopped, standing at the edge of the world, their eyes fixed on the horizon. Below, the ocean that should have been blue and churning was now frozen into an endless expanse of white ice, its surface reflecting the pale sunlight with a painful gleam.
Instantly, a bone-chilling cold began to creep in, penetrating their layers of clothing. The adventurers shivered, their exhaled breaths now turning into white mist in the air.
They looked far ahead, across the frozen ocean, only to find a massive ice wall sturdy and majestic rising from the horizon, as if becoming the world's last fortress.
Once known as the Ruins of Charybdis Fortress, it had now transformed into a silent ice monument.
Keqing, whose face was hidden behind the shadow of her hood, stared at the colossal wall with a sharp gaze. "This seems very troublesome," she muttered, her voice almost inaudible amid the howling cold wind.
She began hugging her own body, feeling the cold seeping into her bones. She regretted forgetting to bring thicker clothing, a foolish mistake born from assumption.
She thought Fontaine would be cool and humid, given its territory surrounded by water and ocean. However, what lay before her eyes now was a landscape of frozen death; everything covered in ice, silent, and lifeless.
This sight resembled Snezhnaya more than Fontaine, perhaps even colder.
She exhaled again, only to see a puff of white smoke coming from her mouth.
Tangible proof of the extreme temperature.
She didn't know how long she could survive in conditions like this.
While hugging her body tighter, she turned away, leaving the stunning yet horrifying sight to lean against a sturdy pine tree.
From her invisible inventory, she pulled a metal thermos.
Fragrant hot steam immediately billowed from the thermo's mouth as she opened it.
Keqing didn't drink it immediately; instead, she observed the steam dancing in the cold air, a beautiful contrast between warmth and freezing.
She then manifested an empty glass and poured the hot chocolate liquid into it.
In the inventory, all items froze in time, a strange concept she didn't fully understand, but very advantageous for her.
She would investigate that mystery later.
For her, this was also an adventure, seeking answers to the questions haunting her.
After enjoying the warmth of the tea flowing down her throat, Keqing finally returned all her equipment to the inventory.
Her body now felt better, though the cold still bit at her skin.
She stood and observed the other adventurers now beginning to gather in the middle of the high plateau, forming a large tight circle.
Perhaps they were planning strategies, Keqing thought, before finally walking toward the crowd, her steps slow and cautious.
As she got closer, her ears caught the faint loud and authoritative voice of a man in the center of the circle. The leader.
"Look closely ahead! To all of you, what does that ice wall look like?" His voice echoed, full of power.
He paused, letting his question sink in. Knowing there was no answer from the silent mass, he continued, "To me, it looks like a giant endless labyrinth!"
Keqing's eyebrows twitched slightly under her hood, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. She still wasn't used to that masculine voice.
She might never get used to it.
This is all because of him..., she thought bitterly, biting her lip before forcing herself to calm down and refocus on listening.
"Now, we will traverse this frozen expanse that was once the ocean, then we will enter that great labyrinth. Of course, we won't do it alone, but we also won't enter it in a crowd like this. Instead, I hope you all, with your respective groups, can share tasks and do them well." The leader paused, his gaze sweeping every face in the crowd.
"Our main goal here is to save as many people as possible who might be trapped inside. If possible, we will also assign some special groups to find out the cause of this terrifying weather anomaly." He raised his clenched fist. "And in the end, we will eradicate the root of this disaster to its core!"
He turned his body, observing every tense yet determined adventurer's face, before finally nodding satisfied.
"May the Archons bless us all!"
The shout was immediately met with a roaring response from hundreds of adventurers, "MAY THE ARCHONS BLESS US!"
After the spirit-igniting speech ended, the crowd began to disperse.
The sound of lively low chatter now filled the air, some people smiling and discussing the food provisions prepared by their wives, others sharpening their swords, so many topics they discussed.
That sight, for some reason, made Keqing's heart ache. Perhaps because amid this crowd, she felt even more alone.
She sighed, looking at the pale blue sky for a moment before turning and leaving the place, heading to where her team members were.
Although reluctant, she knew she shouldn't burden others because of her selfishness.
She did feel more suited to working alone, especially after the trauma she experienced. However, since she had agreed to form a team, she had to follow the rules.
Near the row of trees, Haoyu, Isabelle, and Louis had made a small campfire. They sat around it, the warmth of the fire dancing on their faces as they roasted some meat while chatting with smiles.
Seeing Keqing approach, they looked surprised for a moment, but their smiles soon returned. Clearly, they didn't expect the quiet girl who always hid herself behind a hood to take the initiative to join.
Keqing was invited to sit beside Isabelle, who still looked at her with an annoyed expression, though she didn't refuse.
Keqing understood the girl's attitude, so she just sat in silence.
"Since you're here, there are a few things I want to discuss with all of you," Haoyu said, breaking the silence. "First, this environment is clearly very dangerous. Even veteran adventurers would have trouble surviving in weather this cold. Therefore, we must warm up more often and keep moving our bodies. Second, I think not everyone brought thick clothing."
As he said this, Haoyu's gaze shifted to the hooded girl. "Thick clothing is very important for survival here. I remember, Isabelle, you bought two sets of thick clothing. Can you lend one?"
Isabelle let out a long sigh before taking a bundle from her bag. "Here. Don't damage it!"
Keqing took it and nodded. Shortly after, she said in a soft voice, "Thank you."
After that, she immediately put on the thick cloak over her clothes. The comfortable warmth immediately enveloped her body.
Haoyu nodded satisfied. "Third. I think it's time we reaffirm our strategy if monsters attack. Here, my role as a tank, of course, will hold most attacks and draw the enemy's attention. While you three, as fighters, will help me from the sides."
Louis, who was chewing his roasted meat, asked, "Didn't we discuss this yesterday?"
Haoyu smiled. "You're right. But there's no harm in repeating it so we all remember it clearly. I'm sure you all have your own aces up your sleeves. I won't ask you to discuss them. Everyone has secrets. My message is just one: use them at the most appropriate time." He paused, looking at his three team members one by one.
"Alright. That's all I wanted to discuss. If you're tired, please rest. Tomorrow morning, we'll depart."
He looked at the sky that seemed increasingly dark.
The full moon hung in the sky, its rays appearing more beautiful and clear in this cold air.
***
The next morning, the adventurers were ready with their gear, their breaths puffing in the frozen dawn air.
"Let's start our rescue mission!" the leader shouted, raising his hand high, followed by enthusiastic cheers from the other adventurers.
Keqing, with her hood now covered in thin snow, observed them from the back row. She decided to walk alone at the end, keeping distance.
Her three team members walked in front of her, occasionally looking back to make sure she wasn't left behind.
As they began crossing the frozen ocean, every step felt tense. They occasionally stopped to check their footing.
Afraid if the ice layer cracked and swallowed them into the ice-cold water below!
However, in fact, their journey was safe without mishap.
Now, they stood in front of that massive ice wall.
Keqing looked up, only to find the wall reflecting the morning sunlight toward her, so dazzling that she had to immediately look away.
In front of her, her three team members turned toward her, they nodded silently, a signal to begin.
Keqing understood their meaning and began following from behind, entering the first crevice in the ice wall.
"Now, it's time we divide the teams, enter this labyrinth and scatter!" the leader shouted from afar.
They would pass through this silent and mysterious ice labyrinth. Who knows what they would find inside, whether horror or wonder.
***
The ice labyrinth welcomed them with deadly silence, a stillness so thick that every breath they took sounded like a roar in the frozen air.
The transparent ice walls towering high on both sides of them refracted the pale sunlight into thousands of dancing color spectra, creating confusing optical illusions and making orientation a luxury.
The air inside felt ancient and sterile, carrying a faint scent of ozone and frozen minerals untouched for thousands of years, an aroma that felt sharp and clean in the lungs.
Every step of Haoyu's team felt heavy, the soles of their boots squeaking on the slippery ice floor, the sound becoming the only accompaniment to their tense journey, echoing in the seemingly endless crystal corridors.
Keqing, walking at the very back, pulled her hood tighter, dark shadows covering her face, her sharp eyes continuously scanning every corner and crevice, feeling an odd sensation as if the ice walls themselves were watching them, as if they had stepped into the belly of a sleeping beast.
At that moment, a faint vibration suddenly coursed through the ice floor beneath their feet.
The vibration grew stronger, accompanied by a deep and heavy cracking sound, as if something colossal was moving inside the ice.
Haoyu, with a leader's reflex, immediately raised his sturdy shield, his sturdy body forming a fortress in front of his team.
"Everyone, prepare!" he roared, his heavy voice echoing and bouncing off the ice walls.
In front of them, one of the ice walls that had been smooth and solid now began to crack. The crack lines spread like a giant spider web, emitting a pale blue light from within.
With an ear-piercing roar, the wall shattered into pieces. From behind it, a massive monster emerged, its body entirely made of sharp and jagged ice crystals, its height almost touching the corridor's ceiling.
In the center of its chest, a pulsating blue core emitted a cold light that was the source of its power.
The creature, which looked like an Ice Golem, raised its massive crystal arm and slammed it down.
Haoyu advanced to meet the attack, planting his feet firmly on the ice floor.
BOOM!
The collision sound between the steel shield and ice crystal sounded like a doomsday bell, its shockwave blowing a strong cold wind toward them.
Haoyu's shield vibrated violently, a thin layer of ice immediately forming on its surface, but he managed to hold the attack without stepping back.
"Now!" he shouted.
Louis, with the agility of a fox, immediately darted forward from the right side. He jumped onto the golem's arm that was still pressing Haoyu's shield, running along the slippery crystal surface with extraordinary balance.
At that moment, a large axe appeared in his palm which he gripped tightly, shattering every ice joint he passed, creating sharp shattering sounds.
On the other side, Isabelle had raised her bow, releasing three arrows in succession. The arrows shot quickly, hitting precisely around the blue core in the golem's chest.
But there was no effect at all.
Keqing, who had been calmly observing, finally moved. Her sharp eyes caught the perfect gap.
In an instant, her body was enveloped in purple lightning sparks, and with a short 'zap' sound, she vanished from her position, then reappeared right in front of the golem's core hit by Isabelle's ineffective arrows.
Her sword, drawn in an instant, slashed forward with a motion so fast and precise it was almost invisible.
CRACK!
The blue core cracked, the light inside flickering wildly before finally shattering into thousands of beautiful light fragments.
The massive ice golem's body froze for a moment, then with a long rumbling sound, it began to crumble into pieces, collapsing into a pile of lifeless ice crystals on the floor.
As silence enveloped them again, leaving only their panting breaths, Louis brushed the ice dust from his clothes while laughing.
"Hah! That wasn't even a warm-up! This Fontaine ice chunk turns out to be big in body only!"
Isabelle lowered her bow while snorting. "Don't be arrogant yet. That was just the gatekeeper. The real monsters must be deeper inside. Besides, some of us really had to exert effort," she said, glancing cynically at Keqing who only needed one slash to end the fight.
Haoyu patted Louis's shoulder. "Everyone did their role well. Good job, team."
He then turned to Keqing, who was cleaning her sword blade from the remaining frost dew. "That was a clean finish... umm, Lia. You're okay, right?"
Keqing paused for a moment, her gaze still fixed on the pile of crystals on the floor.
After a few moments of silence, she finally answered in a soft voice, "That creature... was empty. There was no intent or will behind its movements. Just a shell following orders."
After that, she said nothing more.
Her strange statement made the atmosphere a bit awkward.
At that moment, they found a small nook in the ice wall, a relatively safe place to rest briefly.
Haoyu quickly made a small campfire, its warmth and orange light immediately driving away the piercing cold and frightening blue shadows.
The crackling sound of wood and the emerging aroma of roasted meat created a small oasis of comfort amid the deadly landscape.
Amid the campfire's warmth, their conversation began to flow more freely.
"So, Lia," Haoyu said, breaking the silence among them while handing a piece of still-hot roasted meat.
"You said that creature felt empty. What do you mean?"
Keqing accepted the meat with a brief nod. She stared at the dancing fire, its shadows flickering behind her hood.
"When I slashed its core, I didn't feel any soul resistance. Not like when fighting ordinary monsters or even humans. It felt... like breaking a dead object. A puppet."
She actually wanted to choose silence and not answer. However, since she had spoken before, she was forced to explain it.
Louis, who was devouring his food, stopped chewing. "Puppet? You mean someone controlling it? Like a puppeteer?"
Isabelle snorted again. "Of course someone is controlling it, idiot. A wall of ice this big couldn't appear just like that. The question is, who, or what, is the puppeteer?"
Haoyu nodded in agreement. "That's what we need to find out. But we must remain cautious. An enemy who can create guards that strong from afar is not an enemy to be underestimated."
He then looked at Keqing again. "What about you, Keqing? You're not from Fontaine, right? Your accent... is a bit different."
Keqing fell silent, her hood seeming to be a fortress protecting her from her friends' curious gazes.
"I'm... a wanderer," she answered briefly.
Isabelle, seeing Keqing's reluctance to share, became even more curious. "A wanderer, huh? And a great swordswoman, it seems. Your sword swing earlier... I've never seen a technique like that before. Fast, clean, and deadly. Where did you learn it?"
Keqing just shook her head slowly. "Just a style I learned on my own."
She wasn't lying.
The conversation slowly faded along with the dying campfire. The warmth that had enveloped them was now replaced by the creeping cold again.
Haoyu stood, cleaning his clothes. "Alright, rest time is over. We must keep moving before night falls."
They extinguished the remaining embers, and the oppressive silence enveloped them again.
With heavier steps but with newfound vigilance, they continued stepping deeper into the silent ice labyrinth, leaving their small oasis behind, their footprints becoming the only proof that life had once visited that forgotten corridor.
***
A/N: I've finished Keqing's part, now it's time to return to Charles's POV!
Btw, I'm still expecting comments!
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