Chapter 21: Going out 2

Inside the shop were many bizarre things from scryglasses to odd-looking glass cylinders.

"What did you do!" One of the guards shouted.

"Oh my, don't be alarmed. I just did a little trick to get all of you inside my shop. After all, you don't want to do our business with all that filth, don't you?"

"Young master, get back."

The witch Barbeloth didn't show any emotion. Her hands were on her chin, and her eyes were observing the group. 

"I won't bite, I just want to divine your fate, really," She stood up and reached for one of her scryglass and put it on top of the table. 

"Not everyone could perceive my shop, only a few could notice its existence and I am always going around Teyvat. You guys are on luck yet you'll let this opportunity slip? How cautious." She said as she fiddle on the scryglass.

"We won't believe the words of a suspicious person! Listen here you witch, we work under one of the special units of the Fatui. We work under one of the Harbingers and I'll tell you. If you mess with us and the young master, you'll regret it." A guard warned.

Barbeloth wore a frown on her face. She is a witch who has lived for centuries and her experience in different fields can't be compared to anyone. She is also part of the Hexenzirkel, a gathering of powerful witches. 

"I've been patient enough. I didn't want to scare the child so I didn't kick you out, but now that changes." Barbeloth snapped her fingers and all of Leon's guards fainted like puppets with their strings cut. Their bodies floated and one by one they flew out of the shop.

"Now that the annoyances are out, shall we get started, boy?"

Leon was engulfed in terror. His instincts were telling him to run as far as he could, but his body did not listen. He stood frozen in place sweating and shivering in fear.

"Tsk, this won't do." Barbeloth flicked her fingers once more. Leon's head suddenly began to feel a stabbing pain, like a migraine that wouldn't go away; he writhed in pain.

"Don't worry, the pain will go away soon, and you won't remember what happened earlier."

Leon clutched his head tightly and could not help but scream in pain until he passed out. A few minutes came by and Leon finally regained consciousness. His head felt heavy, his ears could not distinguish a single sound, and his eyes were blurry.

"Where am I?"

"Oh, you're awake," Barbeloth put down the book she was reading.

"Um... who are you, grandma?" Leon asked in confusion.

Barbeloth's eyes narrowed. Her tone of voice carried a sense of anger. "I am not a grandma. Did you already forget? My name is Barbeloth Megistus. You along with your baggage carriers came into my shop and asked for your fate to be divined."

"Did we... Oh! Now I remember. We approached a run-down shop on a dirty alley and then... I can't remember what happened next."

Barbeloth smiled and her eyes lit up. "After that, I told you how lucky you are that you managed to see my shop and then asked for my service."

"Is that what happened?"

"Yes. Then I asked your guards to step out so that we could start to divine your fate. After all one's fate should not be known to others."

"I see," Leon's confusion was visible on his face. He clearly did not remember any of that happening.

Barbeloth then flicked her finger and a chair dragged itself in front of her desk.

"You may sit so that we can start."

"Wow! How did you do that?!" Leon exclaimed in wonder.

Barbeloth chuckled in amusement. "Witches secret."

Leon leaped into the chair while kicking the air in excitement.

"Before we start, I need your mora." Barbeloth said as she gave a piece of clothing to Leon

"Eh?"

"I don't do a charity here, I need mora to survive. Pay or leave."

Leon reached for his pockets and found the last remaining mora he had in his pouch and put it on the piece of clothing that Barbeloth gave.

"Is this enough?"

"Hmmm... This would do." barbeloth said as she tucked it inside her drawer.

Barbelorh channeled energy into her scryglass and started her divination. The scryglass hummed as it rotated. Stars formed inside and formed different groups with each depicting different things and animals. Finally, the stars formed a lion-like figure.

"Now, let's see..."

The constellation depicts two lions facing each other's back. Each of the six stars hovers around their heads. One of the lions has a single huge horn on its head. Its face, was weary and cautious. The other lion has a halo instead of a horn. The lion's mouth was open, depicting a fiery and glorious roar, and his face fierce.

"What an interesting constellation," Barbeloth remarked.

"What's that?!" Leon asked excitedly.

"This is your constellation; your fate if you will." Barbeloth continued to stare and observe it. With each second that passes, her face shows a mix of emotions.

"This is..." Barbeloth stopped channeling energy into the scryglass. She heaved a tired sigh and her eyes a bit moist.

"Leon..." She wore a complicated smile. She sat near Leon and patted her head making Leon confused.

"What's wrong miss Barbeloth?"

Barbeloth locked eyes with Leon, her gaze gentle. "There's... Nothing wrong. Do you want to hear the results?"

"Yes!" Leon exclaimed excitedly.

Barbeloth sits back on her chair. She took out the pouch of mora that Leon gave her as payment and returned it to him.

"Eh? But this is your pay!"

"It's fine Leon. I'm not really in need of mora as of now and I'll feel bad taking a child's mora." 

"Oh. Then thank you!" Leon snatched the pouch from Barbeloth's hand making her frown.

"Now, what I saw from your fate was... Short if I may say."

"Short? What does that mean?"

As she explained, barbeloth's face became apologetic. "You have a twin brother right?"

"Yes! His name is Leonid!"

"Leonid...ahahaha quite the names you both have."

"I know right? Papa named us nicely."

Barbeloth smiled once more but this time it was a dejected smile she didn't show it for long and turned back to her expressionless face.

"Both of you share the same fate, and the turning point of your lives is near," Barbeloth held Leon's hand and continued. "Before it comes, make sure to enjoy yourselves. When the time of regret and decision comes, I can only wish both of you well.

"Miss, I don't understand."

"Leonheart. You and your brother Leonid will face a painful experience, it might drive the both of you into the embrace of strength or you'll succumb to.....rest. When that time comes, both of you need to make your decision." She then took a dagger from her desk and gave it to Leon. "Take this, it'll help you soon."

The dagger was plain and unremarkable. It's entirely made of silver with slight impurities.

"But, Papa said we shouldn't hold any weapons yet."

barbeloth smiled and ran her hand on the dagger. "Look again, does this look like a weapon to you?"

Leon looked at the dagger once more but what he saw was a stick made of fine wood.

"Huh?! Where's the dagger?!" Leon asked in disbelief.

Outside, a slight commotion could be heard. Confused sounds and disgruntled groans seeped through the shop. Leon's eyes followed the direction of the sound. "Looks like your guards are worried. You should go back now."

"Ah! Thank you miss!" Leon faced Barbeloth once more but she was no longer there. 

He stood up and left the shop carrying the stick with him.

"What a weird lady,"

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

Leo's POV

I along with my guards are now strolling around the market. After haggling for the price and a few threatening stares from my guards, I managed to sell the jewels for 190,000 mora. It's smaller than what Papa said but better than nothing.

Without my guards intimidating them, the price would have been lowered. For now, I would just buy stuff maybe a few interesting gadgets or toy guns would be nice. I missed playing airsoft. Back in my past life that was one of my hobbies. Maybe I could use guns here? Guns do exist in Teyvat after all. The only worry I have is whether it's effective. Most people still use melee weapons and bows rather than guns. I wonder what's the deal with that.

We stopped by a few shops and bought a few books, interesting gadgets, food, and of course guns! They have some toy guns here apparently. But it's all just muskets and old models of pistols. They're single use and you have to reload them afterward. I guess it's one of the reasons why they're not used much.

Looking at the sky, the sun is already setting and a few stars could already be seen. It's almost time for us to regroup.

I decided to stop here for now and wait for Leon in the town square.

***

Minutes passed as I waited for him. The amount of people going around was getting smaller. The Gardemeks that patrolled the streets increased. 

'Where are you Leon, it's getting late.' I started to feel worried and anxious. I shouldn't have let him go on his own.

"Leo! I'm here!" Leon started sprinting towards me and all worries I felt vanished.

"What took you so long?" He stopped right and front of me and took his time to catch his breath.

"Sorry, I met an old woman. It took a long time to finish her divination."

"Divination?" I asked in excitement. "What was her name?!"

"She said her name was Barbeloth Megitrice."

'It's Barbeloth Megistus. He met the witch!'

"What did she tell you? What happened on your divination?!" I asked as I shook his shoulders.

"Relax, she just said we have to make our decision soon, nothing much."

"What decision! Tell me!" I held his shoulders and continued to shook his body aggressively.

"Hey! Stop! She just said we'll experience something and that we have to make our decision."

"Is that all?"

"Uhhh, I'm sure she said more but I can't remember what it is. But hey! Look what I bought!" Leon started to rummage in his huge bag and took out a water gun.

"Watch!" He pointed the gun at me and pulled the trigger making my clothes wet.

"..."

"Uhhh, hehe oops."

Annoyed, I took out the toy gun that I bought and pointed it at him.

"Payback." I then pulled the trigger. 

The plastic bullet hit Leon straight in his forehead and he screamed in pain. There was a red mark left on his head.

Realizing the shot was painful, I rushed to his side.

"Sorry! I didn't know it was that powerful!"

 Tears flowed out of his eyes and he looked at me with fearful eyes.

I didn't expect the toy gun to have that much power. The store clerk said kids played it so I thought it won't be very painful.

"Leo, Leon, what's happening here?" Looking at the source of the voice, we saw Papa approaching us. 

Leon instantly stood up and clung to his side while crying. "Papa, Leo shot me in the head with a gun!"

Papa looked at me with disapproving eyes.

Leon, you started it and now it ends with me getting scolded. I'll remember this.