Turning Gears of Fate (Act IV)

[Heizou's POV]

I carefully headed for Tatarasuna while being on alert for any samurais or Fatui soldiers around. Luckily, no one has spotted me yet so far, but it is a bit strange that there are less of them compared to the last time I've observed. There used to be more Fatui soldiers roaming around but if I were to count all I've seen so far, approximately around half of them are present. I wonder where the rest went off to?

I slowed down my pacing and then immediately went behind a huge rock as I spotted a Fatui camp up ahead. There are about three of them: Anemo, Electro and the Geo Fatui soldiers.

I don't think it would be wise to face them now head-on so I just looked around for an area to take as a detour, but before I could move from my spot, I ended up overhearing their conversation.

"It seems like they have already taken away the drifter that suddenly came around here"

"Isn't she the one that the Lord Harbinger wanted us to capture?"

"I mean, I doubt there's anyone else in this nation who would look like her. She's pretty much like a Mondstadter"

"Enough chitchat, someone needs to report right away about this, he would certainly be pleased about the news"

I knew right away who they were referring to. There can't be any other drifters who would just mindlessly come to Tatarasuna. I quickly got up from where I hid and walked towards the camp with my hands in my pockets. "Well, well.. That's some interesting info you got there fellas, mind filling me in on the details?"

"What the- What's a kid doing here?"

"Wait! Red hair, green eyes, with marks under each eye. Sir, I don't think is just some kid"

"Cmon now, don't change the subject. I'm asking a proper question here" I slowly approached closer as they started preparing their weapons.

"Hmph, no matter who you are, you're not getting out of here so easily. Don't blame us if you die!"

"Man alive, looks like violence will be the only option out of this" The electro soldier then rushed in towards me with his huge hammer. I swiftly just sidestepped to avoid his attack as the anemo one followed and prepared to launch his fists, I then quickly retaliated with my full declension-stacked punch to meet with his attack. It caused a huge shockwave for both sides that I had to jump away and keep my distance for a bit. The geo soldier on the other hand was right behind them, using his staff to plunge it to the ground and create a shield around them. Looks like I have to get rid of him first.

I quickly rushed off towards the geo soldier, using my martial arts to keep him off his feet. It's a terrible idea to fight geo enemies without a claymore weapon but theres no turning back now. I quickly scanned the surroundings while trying to avoid each of their attacks. It took me a moment to realize that we're on a cliffside, a single blow to all them off the cliff would finish it off, but that's easier said than done.

"Little runt! Stop moving!" The electro soldier kept swinging his hammer, struggling to get a single hit or scratch on me. I kept on dodging as swiftly as I could, luring them towards the edge of the cliff.

"Heh, looks like there's nowhere to run now!" He raised up his hammer into the air.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you"

"SHUT UP!" He then jumped towards me as he swings down his hammer. On cue, I immediately sprinted through beneath him while he was on mid-air, he ended up hammering the ground with a huge amount of force. Only a fool would do something as reckless as that. Then shortly after, the ground started to crack and immediately broke off, which lead to the electro soldier's downfall.

The anemo soldier proceeded to attack with his fist already embedded with anemo energy. I can't afford to cause another shockwave or it will blow me off the cliff so I immediately sidestepped to avoid his attack, then took the opportunity to turn and as I was already behind him, I immediately clenched my fist, charging the declension stacks to full before releasing it at the soldier's back to punch him off the cliff. Though, the enemy was quick enough to turn around and create a condensed anemo shield.

Slightly cursing under my breath as I just remembered about that bit. I then immediately just went to break the shield with a coordinated attack then the moment it finally breaks, I went in for a charged attack and do a back flip as I kicked the soldier off and land the final blow to punch him off the cliff.

I slightly panted and turned around, a bunch of geo crystals were launched at me and I couldn't move in time so I have to use my arms to shield my face and took the damage. After that I quickly charged in towards the remaining geo soldier, and since his shield is durable against catalysts such as myself, I had to resort to other methods to take him down.

"Don't get cocky just because you took down the other two!" He plunged his staff back to the ground to create a shield. I then immediately took a turn to charge at him from behind, grabbed his arm, twisted it, and pushed it against his back before pinning him down to the ground.

"And don't get cocky just because I use a catalyst"

"Argh!?"

I gripped on his arm. "Now tell me, was the drifter a girl with a Dendro vision, h/c hair and e/c eyes?"

He didn't seem to respond so I tightened the grip, which made him groan in pain. "Alright! Alright! T-The girl is exactly as you described!"

"Where was she taken?" I tried to ask as calmly as I could, if this man were to clown around, I don't think I could keep my composure.

"I-I don't know! Really, I don't—"

I immediately twisted his arm further and he started screaming in pain. "T-Tsurumi Island!! The girl was taken to Tsurumi Island!"

Slowly untwisted his arm to release him from the pain without letting him go, then immediately tied him up. He may have given me the information I needed but he's still a criminal nonetheless.

"I'll have someone escort you to the Tenryou Commission. You will spend your time repenting for your crimes in jail" I gave him a cold stare as he could no longer respond anything back.

I was waiting for a boat by the shore while keeping an eye on the apprehended criminal. By the time our ride finally arrived, we got on as we head back for Ritou, hoping that the Traveler have already returned.

y/n.. Please hang in there.