Genshin Impact: Frostburn

Going back to the Orphanage, my whole body was covered in sweat. My clothes were changed as I thought my appearance was unpresentable, and I didn't want to worry them.

My guards were the same. Ragged expressions and a few cuts and bruises were hidden beneath their uniforms as they walked beside me.

"Oh Leo, you're back..."

Clervie greeted as she hummed the children to sleep.

"Yeah, I'm back."

"Are you okay? You seemed tired,"

"No, I'm fine. Just did a few laps around Fontaine,"

We stepped out where the children won't be disturbed and with a sigh, Clervie held her hand on my forehead. The warmth on her hands was a direct contrast to my ice-cold skin.

"You're cold," she said with a worried frown. She grabbed a towel and a heat pack, handing them to me. "Warm yourself up. Why did you even think of running when it's nighttime? I thought you were just going to stroll the market."

With a sheepish laugh, I replied. "Haha, I don't know what came to me. I just felt like I needed to run."

"Seriously, look after yourself. You gonna get a cold."

I chuckled dryly, thinking to myself. I can't get sick anyway.

Clervie wiped my face with a towel. Her calloused but tender hands brushed through my skin as her expression turned dim.

"About earlier," She said, hesitantly. "did you really agree about Perrie's plan?"

I nodded in reply.

Clervie's hands stopped moving as the towel covered my sight.

"Leo," She faltered as she continued. "I may not be that strong or that smart but, I don't want you to worry about me. I know I made some stupid decisions lately and I'm willing to pay for that. But I can't accept the fact that I'll be saving myself, leaving behind Perrie and the kids."

She lowered the towel, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I want to fight for our freedom and not escape from it."

I took the towel from her hands and faced her directly.

"Then are you willing to end this now?"

"Of course I do,"

"Even if it means killing your mother?"

Hesitation formed in her eyes. Inside, she must still feel affection for the woman who gave birth to her despite all the inhuman deeds she has done.

Clervie's mouth opened and shut as she tried to find the resolve for change. I can't help but feel pity. 

"It's fine,"

I turned around in disappointment. All this time I thought she finally let go of her remaining affection towards the woman who gave birth to her, but it seems like I was proven wrong.

As I left, a cold and trembling hand gripped my arm. "Leo..."

I turned, facing her. She had a profound expression. Her eyes burned with nothing else but determination. Despite her trembling hands, her actions were enough reason for me to act.

"A few days or a week from now there's going to be an expedition towards the desert of Sumeru. make sure you and Peruere don't get drafted. Leave the rest to me."

***

I spent the rest of the days formulating a plan. The place was tightly guarded, but it will be lessened as the expedition team leaves. We could use that time to strike even though I thought it was the only time we could strike.

I informed my guards to join the expedition and to make sure they wouldn't get back or have any spare troops to send when the time came. Hidden variables are something I didn't want to encounter.

I bought a few medicines and some consumables we could use. There's no telling if we could do it without tricks and it's better to have a backup plan if we fail.

I asked Polochko to map out the Layout of the place. From the widest areas to the tightest and most vulnerable part of the orphanage. We could make a hit-and-run tactic, though I doubted it would work against Crucabena.

The general plan was to lure Crucabena alone towards the arena where we would fight with a numbers advantage. But before that, we would first need to knock out the remaining Fatuus that would stay.

If that doesn't work, I plan to run around while shooting her with ice, wearing her down and killing her. I just hoped Polochko would be strong enough to at least be the deciding factor. Clervie doesn't have a vision, while Peruere still doesn't have hers, or will not have hers. Who knows what might happen?

If that still doesn't work then we'll have to ditch the house and make a run for it. I'm sure Clervie would rebel against this but I'm not leaving her behind.

If that still doesn't work then pray to god I won't lose myself and kill everyone. Polochko managed to stop me before but I've grown stronger since that time from all the experiments Dottore and I did. Hopefully this time I wouldn't lose control.

If that still doesn't work then let fate decide the next. I would still struggle and try to at least get Peruere and Clervie away since I'm sure Crucabena would not dare kill me.

Polochko was still not on board with this plan, but it seemed like if I just continued on he would follow anyway.

***

On the training grounds.

My spear landed on the target's torso as I threw it. The damage was visible as it stuck itself and pierced the target dummy made of hay. 

"You're getting better." Commented Peruere.

"Is that the first time I hear Peruere compliment me?" I jokingly remarked.

"But you're still not good at normal spear arts. I recommend you train more."

"Seriously? You're going to hit me with a good job then slap me with a get gud?"

Peruere ignored my ramblings as she picked up a sword and walked toward the other side of the training area.

"Get ready,"

"Yes... ma'am,"

I held my spear facing her as I focused on her sword. The wind was the only thing we could hear as the noises of children playing and people chattering were silenced.

I stood ready, waiting for her to strike. The first one to move was Peruere. She dashed towards me with her sword raised. I blocked it with a diagonal slash and followed up with thrusts.

Peruere like a wind, skillfully dodged all my attacks. Her movements were close to perfection as she increased the pace of the fight. One after another she launched attacks to my sides. 

A strike from below made me stumble, but I managed to stay on my feet using my spear to balance myself. But I was given no time to recover as she positioned herself on my back and continued her relentless attacks.

One after another, she strikes my spear with precision, each strike hitting a single point. A few more slashes and my spear broke in half as she raised her sword towards my throat.

"I give up," I said as I raised my hands in surrender.

Clervie came running towards us with bottles of water. "Good work you two!"

I sat on the ground, panting. "Whew, I lasted longer than before."

"Yes, you have. You've shown improvement during your time here, maybe we should increase the amount of time you spend training the spear." Peruere commented as she gulped down a bottle of water.

"No thanks, I'd rather be a librarian than be a battle junky." Clervie handed me a bottle of water. "So, how was it? Any improvement?"

"You still look like a duck that can't swim even with her mother helping him," Peruere said without hesitation.

"That's harsh." The people around that watched out spar were starting to disperse.

Peruere sat beside. Her wet clothes brushed off against mine. We sat in silence as we waited for the people around to finally be gone. Clervie came back with towels in hand as she ran towards us.

"There's plenty of food in the Cafeteria. Mother is hosting a feast before she sends them on the expedition." Clervie said.

Peruere and I looked at each other. "So the plan is set?" She asked.

"Yeah, we just need to wait until they go," I told them,

"W-what about your Dad? Won't Lord Pantalone help us?"

"He most likely will not, it's up to us to deal with this." 

"Clervie," Peruere stood up and touched her shoulders. "We're in this together."

"Ah," A gentle smile crept up her face. "You're right, whatever happens, let's do this together."

I watched as they spoke to each other. My worries were still up in the air. Next week, on the day of their departure, our plan commences.