Genshin Impact: Frostburn

"Why do I have to be the one to do it, why me," 

I listened to her cries as her voice trembled and became fragile like a thread on the verge of snapping.

"All I wanted was a normal life, why do I have to be born here."

My fist clenched as her words pierced through the night. Each word became hoarser, heavier. It's as if an unknown weight was threatening to crush her.

"Perrie, Leo... I'm sorry." She fell on her knees as she broke down. Her cries echoed through the night. 

My chest tightened and I felt my eyes starting to shed tears. I was unable to hold myself back and wanted to come and hug her. But before I could do so, a hand shot out and pulled me.

The faint light of the moon reflected off her eyes, the X-shaped mark was sharp, yet within them, I could see deep raw sadness. The girl beside me held a finger to her lips, silencing me, before leaning in and covering my mouth with her hand.

"Leo, not yet." She said as she released me from her grip.

"But why? She's crying over there, she needs help." 

"I know. But it's not yet time, let her... vent more. I know Clervie, she needs time for herself. Going there now would not help. It would make it worse."

I hesitated, my heart told me to go and hold her. But in the end, I nodded.

She scooted over and together we sat beside each other behind the tree. We listened to her cries as the night silenced everything else.

The moon above bore witness as Clervie wailed. I could only imagine the weight she was carrying. I never imagined the suffering they've been through. All I see... all they let me see are the happy, joyful side of them. But now, I caught a glimpse of how much this meant for them.

Freedom. The simple desire to live. To survive. To hold on to bonds forged in their hellish struggle. These weren't just words—they were lifelines, battles fought in silence, scars hidden behind brave faces.

I felt small in that moment, the amount of their suffering pressing down on me. Was there anything I could do that would ever be enough? I have been having fun by myself yet here they are, living in hell every single day.

And then, as if she has poured the entirety of her heart, Clervie's cries quieted. The night grew silent once more. Only the sound of leaves fluttering as the wind brushed by could be heard.

"Don't worry, Leo, Perrie... I'll end this all."

I felt a bad premonition. Those words... it's as if they carried a final peace. It's as if she has reached the end of her suffering.

Feeling the urgency of the situation, I rushed out. I didn't intend to let her go at this moment.

Before I could rush to her side, Peruere overtook me and with her fists clenched, she punched Clervie.

Clervie flew a few meters away and shock and bewilderment were painted on her face.

"P-Perrie? Leo? Why are you here?"

"Who cares about that now," Peruere said calmly. Yet I could feel rage in her voice. "What do you think you're doing?"

"W-what do you mean? Ah! Is it about me crying earlier? Sorry about that, I just felt under the weather, I'm fine now. Sorry, you have to see me like that."

Peruere approached her grabbed her collars and gave another punch.

"Peruere stop!"

She kept punching Clervie. I felt alarmed and rushed to stop her. I grabbed her arms. "That's enough!"

Peruere was breathing heavily. Her fist stopped in the middle. "Stop pretending that's everything alright. Acting doesn't suit you Clervie."

Clervie slumped to the ground, her head hanging low as her trembling hands pressed against the soil.

"Who are you to decide to make peace with yourself." Peruere tightly grabbed Clervie's collar, her face distorting. "Your life is not yours alone!"

Clervie's hands trembled, and she grabbed Peruere's clothes. A series of sniffles and hiccups broke through the night, but they quickly spiraled into unrestrained wails.

***

We sat under the tree. We waited until Clervie's cries to stop.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked.

She said as she sniffled. "Yes, I'm okay now."

Peruere was holding her all this time, not letting her go. "Are you ready to tell us why you're doing all those things?" Peruere asked.

"Hey, she just finished crying," I told her.

"It's ok Leo, I will tell you what happened."

***

Clervie told us everything. From the start when Crucabena asked for her, to the point where Crucabena showed her fangs. To be honest, I can't understand why this is her way of winning me over. There are more ways to get me to fight for her. Of course, I still won't be her ally, but still. Seduction? Woman I'm a nine-year-old. My junior can't even stand yet, and you want to use that trick?

Sure she could get me to be attracted to Clervie, but the moment she tries to make me do something weird, I'll instantly notice it... probably.

"I see..." I scratched the back of my neck. "Clervie, I'm sorry to say this but, you were bad at it. It was so obvious that you were uncomfortable."

"I-I see... Perrie also told me many times that I'm bad at acting."

"So Mother wants Leo against Pantalone? I can't say I'm impressed. She's trying to bite the hand that feeds her."

"You guys are the same thought."

Peruere didn't react while Clervie gave an awkward smile.

I could feel my eyes getting heavy and I started to scratch them, not wanting to fall asleep. Clervie seemed to have noticed it as she said to go back to bed. Peruere nodded and we made our way back to our rooms.

****************

On that night, a pair of eyes were spying on them as they talked under the tree covered in moonlight. The one who they call "Mother" observed without a hint of amusement. 

"So, you've chosen his side, Clervie."

****************

Back at Snezhnaya. Pantalone's office.

Pantalone was stamping piles and piles of papers in his room. Each day that passed more and more of them were being sent to his office. He could only lament the fact that his work is never-ending.

He wished for a time of relaxation alone but he knew that that wouldn't take long as his body yearned for work, like drugs and cigarettes, once you've tasted them, you'll always be searching for more.

A knock on the window took him out of his trance. He opened it and a gust of wind entered as he sat back to his chair.

"Why are you here," Pantalone asked.

"Lord Pantalone, Young master Leo has an urgent letter to send to you."

Pantalone frowned. He knew for a fact that if it wasn't that urgent, one that was not an emergency, this retainer would not come here himself.

The retainer gave the letter to Pantalone. He opened the letter and read the contents.

He puts the letter down and ponders before letting out a laugh of madness. This situation was very surprising to him. He never thought that Crucabena would implore such "Crude" plans against him.

"I see... I see..." It took some time for him to calm down. The retainer was kneeling this whole time, not budging despite the uncomfortable position.

"Lord Pantalone, what are your orders!" He asked.

"Hmmm, let's see..." Pantalone turned towards the window and looked up towards the sky as he contemplated.

"Leave Leo to deal with it."

"Lord Pantalone, you're not gonna help young master Leo?" 

"He needs to learn some lessons the hard way. And I want to see him surpass my expectations. Either way, both outcomes seem good. If he losses his friends then that would make him stronger and more cautious. If he manages to outwit Crucabena then..."

"But, what if he gets seduced?" The guard asked in worry.

"Do you truly believe he would get seduced? Him? Leo?" Pantalone chuckled as he held his stomach. "Don't make me laugh. If it's Leon I would say he would be, but Leo? That child is much more devious than you could imagine."

Pantalone sat back in his chair and continued to stamp the papers.

"You deserve some vacation, go to Mondstadt for a few months and enjoy your time there. Afterward, you can go back to the House of the Hearth."

"As you ordered!" With a blink of an eye, he vanished and only a breeze of wind was left behind.