Day Eleven in The Chasm
Because of what happened yesterday, I feel like I'm going insane.
But thanks to Yelan's actions, I managed to shift my attention away from it—at least for now.
That said, her cooking is really spicy. I only had a single bite, and my tongue went completely numb.
Yet Yelan was eating it with great enjoyment.
…
Today, we kept moving deeper. Just as we passed through a mine passage, a sudden rumble of falling rocks echoed out.
When we turned back, we found a huge boulder blocking the entrance of the passage.
Luckily, the passage itself was sturdy—and I still had explosives.
I wanted to blow it open right away, but Yelan thought that since I could blast it apart at any time, it didn't matter whether we did it now or later.
…
Afterward, we came to what I think should be the Stony Halls subarea.
…
Day Twelve
We followed a downward tunnel from what seemed to be the Stony Halls, moving into even deeper ground.
Suddenly, I remembered—the passage that led to that nameless ruin below… it needed…
I couldn't recall clearly, but it felt strange. This time, though, the thought didn't bring me a headache.
Could it be that my brother-in-law and those Abyss Order bastards are behind this? I really can't make sense of it.
But—if I can't figure it out, then I won't think about it. Overthinking only hurts.
We searched through this Stony Halls area, but still found no clues. So, we kept heading downward.
…
Day Thirteen
Yelan discovered that upside-down ruin hanging from the ceiling. She led me to explore it, hoping to find some clue about the events of that year.
Aside from the inverted pool and that Abyssal device, there was nothing of value.
I hated being in that place. Why can Hilichurls find peace near the pool, while I only feel restless here?
…
Day Fourteen
For two days now, Yelan and I have been wandering around that nameless ruin—not just the one hanging upside down, but the entire complex.
I'm starting to loathe this underground life. No sunlight, no fresh air, always on guard against that black mud and those Black Serpent Knights.
I miss Lumine so much. Even though she's often out on commissions during the day, at least she'd always return at night.
…
Tonight, we set up camp at what should be called the final campsite—the one where Jinwu's Exploration Group ended up.
Now, nothing remains here but a massive bottomless pit.
Fourteen days have passed. Two full weeks. Yelan still hasn't found a single clue, and we have to keep moving further down.
I thought we'd have to leap into that endless pit with our Wind Gliders.
But unexpectedly, there was a thick iron cable anchored into the rock, sturdy enough to serve as a climbing rope.
It was strange, but still—better than gliding blind into the abyss and splattering on the rocks below.
…
Day Fifteen
We followed the rope and descended into the Glowing Narrows, where I saw that giant mushroom.
Too bad it didn't speak.
…
While exploring this area with Yelan, we encountered a weakened Fatui Electro Cicin Mage.
Yelan was stunned—how could anyone survive here, in this foul air, surrounded by Fungi and all sorts of dangers?
When she saw us—or maybe just saw me—she greeted us warmly and invited us to rest at her camp.
She looked frail, but her enthusiasm was genuine.
In her little camp, she shared some "firewater" with us—a fiery Snezhnayan liquor that burned like flames all the way down the throat.
While resting, we learned her name: Katarina Snezhevna, of the Ninth Company.
She had stayed behind, searching for her younger brother Nikolay Snezhevna, instead of leaving with the others.
…
Now I understood why the Ninth Company soldiers had been starving. They'd given most of their food to her.
But even then, she was already running out.
…
If I've already gone mad, then I might as well go a little further—by treating this Fatui to a proper meal.
…
That evening, Yelan, Katarina, and I sat around the fire.
Along with the spicy stew I made with Jueyun Chilies, I even brought out some canned food. Yelan stared in shock—it was the first time she'd ever seen me be so generous!
Perhaps because of the peace pact I signed with Childe, Katarina came to see me as a possible friend of the Fatui.
During dinner, she mentioned that she had a close friend working in Inazuma— Lyudochka Snezhevna.
She said that if she found her brother and made it out alive, she hoped to visit that friend one day.
Yelan, moved by her sincerity, urged her to leave quickly. But Katarina refused, saying she couldn't leave without finding her brother.
I didn't try to persuade her. Giving her a feast and some supplies was already madness enough on my part.
Before bed, she shared an important clue: the gate to the lower levels had been sealed by her own Fatui comrades.
She warned us not to go any deeper—that it was too dangerous. Most of her Ninth Company had died down there.
…
Day Sixteen — Glowing Narrows, Katarina's Camp
Because we stayed at Katarina's camp last night, both Yelan and I had a rare chance to rest properly.
Katarina insisted on keeping watch herself to thank me for the meal. I gladly accepted.
Yelan slept in Katarina's tent, while I lay in my own.
It was about seven in the morning, I guessed. Down here, without a watch, time is impossible to judge.
What—am I supposed to rely on that talking mushroom to keep time?
"Wake up… come on, wake up…"
Half-asleep, I heard someone shaking me, urging me awake.
Still groggy, I muttered, "What is it? Don't tell me the mushroom finally started talking. Big deal…"
In The Chasm, mushrooms that talk are hardly surprising.
I turned over, ready to drift back to sleep.
Then, a playful, all-too-familiar voice chimed in:
"Heehee, guess who I am?"
My eyes shot open. That voice—I knew it instantly.
I bolted upright, staring at the small figure floating before me.
"Paimon! What are you doing here?" I cried out, hardly believing it was real.
Paimon grinned at my stunned face, then pointed a thumb toward the campfire.
"Not just me. Look who else is here!"
I followed her finger—and when I saw the golden-haired girl in a white dress, a flower crown resting on her head, my lips curled into an uncontrollable smile.
"Lumine! I've missed you so much—come here and give me a kiss!"
In a flash, I leapt up, grabbed her under the arms like a doll, and tried to kiss her.
Startled, Lumine quickly pressed her hand against my mouth.
"Hey! Don't mess around! Put me down—someone's watching!"
I glanced around. Aside from Paimon staring wide-eyed at us, there was no one else.
Still holding Lumine high, I scanned the camp again. Only Paimon, Lumine, Katarina… Wait—where's Yelan?
Katarina had her back turned, muttering to herself.
"I didn't see anything, I didn't hear anything…"
Lumine, still held aloft, tapped my head with annoyance.
"Put me down already! You'll set a bad example for Paimon!"
Bad example? I thought. Paimon's already beyond saving.
But I set Lumine down gently anyway, feigning disappointment.
"Fine, then I'll save that kiss for later."
She blinked in confusion, spreading her hands.
"What do you mean 'for later'? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Be serious!"
I shrugged, then turned toward Katarina, who still had her ears covered.
"Alright, Katarina, you can stop pretending now."
But she didn't move, still facing away.
So, I walked up and patted her shoulder.
"All done. You can relax."
She peeked over her shoulder, startled.
"Ah? Already? I thought it would last an hour or two at least."
Lumine instantly buried her face in her hands, not wanting Paimon to see her blush.
My lips twitched.
"Yeah… let's not dwell on that…"
An hour or two, huh? Maybe someday, Lumine and I should test that…
Sensing the awkwardness, Katarina quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, your companion asked me to tell you—she followed the waterfall upstream, looking for a way around."
I glanced at the roaring falls nearby.
"Oh, that explains why I didn't see her."
So Yelan was scouting another route. Made sense, since the gate was sealed.
Katarina smiled, then gestured toward the fire.
"I've made some breakfast. It's nothing fancy—just boiled the ingredients together—but you're welcome to share."
The moment Paimon heard "breakfast," her eyes lit up.
"Yay! Thank you so much!"
But then she hesitated, looking guilty.
"Wait—you said your supplies were almost gone. We still have dry rations, we can manage…"
Katarina shook her head with a smile.
"No need to worry. I saved enough for myself. I'm heading to the place where you found my brother's letter. If fate allows, we'll meet again."
She looked at me with gratitude.
"Thank you again for the food. You're truly kind… even if you did kill many of our people in Mondstadt."
"But somehow, I feel you'd get along well with Lord Childe."
At the mention of Childe, Lumine and Paimon both stiffened, quickly averting their eyes.
I forced an awkward smile.
"Well… maybe."
Paimon darted forward, trying to shift the subject.
"Um, Katarina, we met Acting Captain, Anton and some of your comrades. They're leaving The Chasm—you could…"
Katarina's eyes softened with relief at the news, but then she shook her head firmly.
"No. I stayed for my brother. If I wanted to leave, I would've gone with them already."
Paimon opened her mouth again, but I cut her off.
"Paimon. Let her be. We should respect her choice, and wish her well."
"If it were me, I'd do the same."
Then I turned to Katarina.
"May you reunite with your brother soon."
She beamed, eyes alight with hope.
"Thank you. I believe I will. Farewell—meeting you has been a joy."
With that, she shouldered a small pack with just enough supplies for a day, and walked away.
Paimon frowned, clearly worried.
Though Katarina put on a brave face, she looked frail, and The Chasm was merciless.
I stroked Paimon's cheek gently.
"Don't worry. The Fatui are tough survivors. She'll be fine."
Then I turned back to the fire. The pot bubbled with a rich aroma.
"Now… let's taste the breakfast she made for us."