Chapter Text
It was rare for Wriothesley to come up to the surface from the Fortress of Meropide. On the days he does come up to the surface, it's either for an investigation of high importance or to hold monthly conferences with Neuvillette to report operations of the Fortress of Meropide. Otherwise everything would be delivered to him via written reports.
However, today was a particular day. The Traveler happily strolled into the Fortress of Meropide with a white haired boy timidly tailing behind them. They cheerfully greeted the prisoners and guards as they passed by them, making small talks and casually giving high-fives. The pair stopped by a metal door decorated with a symbol of a three headed dog, knocking thrice before hearing a gruff voice behind the door say “Come in”.
As the pair walked up the stairs, the white haired boy began to nervously ask, “Um Traveler, why are we here? I thought our commissions were outside of Fontaine, not inside of the..” He gestured at their surrounding areas “..Fortress of Meropide.”
“Oh Bennett.” The Traveler slowed their ascension of the stairs and placed a hand on Bennett’s shoulder. “I recently pulled on Wriothesley’s banner and got him. I need to raise friendship bonds to get that namecard.”
Bennett gave a chuckle, “There you go again saying the most randomest thing. So who is this ‘Wriothesley’ you keep mentioning?”
“You’ll see soon! His office is just up these stairs.”
The pair were greeted with a small dim office. A muscular man was sitting at the desk, legs crossed on top of the desk and leaning back against his chair. He was reading a stack of paper. Upon noticing guests, he glanced up and broke into a wide smile. “Traveler, did you miss being in prison so badly that you came back on your own volition?" He moved to stand up, walking up to greet the pair.
The man looked at the white haired boy standing next to the Traveler. “And with an acquaintance no less. May I ask who this is?”
"Ah! Where are my manners? This is Bennett. He is from Mondstadt and leader of Benny's Adventurer Team." The Traveler turned towards Bennett and gave a thumbs up along with a wink. "The Adventurer’s Guild set up my commissions in Fontaine this month and Bennett wanted to tag along to help. He is simply the best! Always so eager to help me and giving us the best boost and heals".
Bennett turned around in embarrassment but nevertheless gave a wide bright smile at the compliment. "Aw shucks Traveler, I'm glad that you want me on your team seeing how bad my luck is."
“Nonsense Bennett. I’m always glad to have you on my team with or without bad luck. You are practically carrying me!”
The two youths were beaming with joy around each other, it was like looking at the sun. “Ah Bennett, this here is the Duke of Meropide, Wriothesley.” the Traveler said.
“Ah yes, the Duke of Meropide, Wriothesley.” Bennett repeated. “ THE DUKE OF MEROPIDE???” Pointing with a shaking finger at Wriothesley. Wriothesley teased the boy by swinging his handcuffs around his index as he smirked at Bennett.
“Wriothesley! Stop bullying my friend!” The Traveler pouted, throwing a joking fuss.
Wriothesley laughed, “Just kidding, just kidding. It is nice to meet you Bennett. Glad to see that the Traveler is making friends from all across Teyvat.” He raised his right hand for a handshake, which Bennett happily accepted.
“So, what are you doing here Traveler?” Wriothesley asked. “Need a prisoner to interrogate?”
The Traveler shook their head, “Not this time. As I stated before, the Adventurer’s Guild placed my commission at Fontaine for the month. I was wondering if you were free and would like to help me today?”
“Today is a slow day.” Wriothesley pointed towards the small stack of paperwork. He scoffed at it and accepted the Traveler’s invite, “Sure, I’ll pretend to be an adventurer today.”
The first three commissions went by smoothly from collecting hydro orbs to raiding hilichurl camps. The Traveler reached into their side pocket and pulled out a thick leather bound book. They flipped through the various loose pages, crossing out each commission that they completed.
“That was my uhhh third commission. I have one more commission left.” They read through the final commission. “It says here that there has been a sighting of a malfunctioned Suppression Specialist Mek terrorizing the field of Mont Esus East. The commissioner wants us to defeat the meka. Should be easy.” They shut the book, pocketing it in its original placement.
Along the way, the group had to periodically stop as the Traveler ran around the grassy fields collecting various flowers. “ITS FOR CHARACTER ASCENSIONNNNN” or “I NEEDA COLLECT THEM FOR A WORLD QUEST” The other two never said anything, simply watching the Traveler scramble around in awkward silence.
As the trio traveled there together, they used the opportunity to catch up on any recent activities. The Traveler recounted their adventures with the Research Institution of Fontaine describing the events with wild hand gestures and exaggerated noises. They stopped their story telling to collect some rainbow flowers. Wriothesley stayed behind with Bennett asking questions to the youth, prompting Bennett to feel great ecstasy that someone was willing to engage in a conversation with him.
As they made it to the commission location. The group had their guard up, keeping an eye out for any mekas and an ear out for heavy stomps.
Bennett whispered with uncertainty, “Hey is that it?”
He pointed to a lone figure in the grassy field. Everyone followed the gaze, standing still to further observe its patterns. They watched as the machinery stiffly walked in one direction before sharply turning and marching in another. Purple goo oozed out from the machine crevices, rusting the edges of the metal plates. As the purple matter oozed down the metal plates, it dripped onto the ground killing the plants around it.
“It seems to be corrupted by the abyss.” The Traveler noted.
The group watched as a butterfly flew past the machinery, gently landing on a nearby flower. The Specialist Mek’s right arm transformed into a firearm, rapidly firing at the butterfly, killing it and uprooting the area around it. Then it walked away as if nothing happened.
“It's… certainly more aggressive.” Wriothesley said. “You think using Pneuma or Ousia is still effective in stunning it?”
Observing the machinery, Wriothesley took note that the usual glowing bright white windup was now grey and colorless. “... Unless the abyssal corruption rendered Pneuma and Ousia useless so that the machinery can not be stunned.” Wriothesley thought out loud.
“I guess that means we need to brute force it” The Traveler said, manifesting their sword. “Wriothesley you can be frontal with me. And Bennett-” They spun around to meet Bennett’s determined green eyes.
“Bennett you can come in and out of attacks. Use it as an opportunity to gain energy for Fantastic Voyage, so you can give us strength and heal us if needed.”
Bennett gave a hard nod, manifesting Skyward Blade in his hand. Wriothesley loosened his tie and manifested his metal boxing gloves. With that, the Traveler took initiative running towards the corrupted enemy.
“Oh ya! A reminder to be wary of injuries. Since the mecha is corrupted with Abyssal energy, it might render you with ill ailments." They yelled behind them.
Hearing the rustle of grass, the mecha turned towards the sound and was greeted with a metallic sword scrapping across its facial plates.
It stumbled back, arms transforming into automatic firing machines. Before it could take aim, Wriothesley followed with a hard right hook causing the meka’s upper torso to spin a 180. More purple goo oozed onto the ground and two mounds formed from it.
Emerging from the two mounds were Area Alert Meks. Seeing how purple goo also dripped from it and how it spawned from purple goo, it is safe to assume it is also CORRUPTED by the abyss.
“ARCHONS DANG IT” The Traveler cursed. “Wriothesley! Bennett! I’ll leave the Suppression Specialist Mek to you. I’ll deal with the two newly added side characters.” With that, they summoned a Geo rock to block the rapid cryo attacks from the mekas.
Wriothesley continued to jab at the Automaton, followed by an uppercut. Frost and icicles coated the outer layer causing the meka to move more stiffly. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Bennet weave into the field, his sword ignited with pyro. “Ah is this what the Traveler calls a ‘melt reaction’?” He thought, thinking back to the various tangents that the Traveler spews on a daily basis. Wriothesley stepped back, allowing Bennett to take charge.
Bennett used his pyro vision and slashed the meka across the back. The heat melted the metal plates. He was about to retreat away from the meka, when he tripped over a rock. Bennett faceplanted onto the ground wincing in pain.
Seeing the meka recover from its earlier plummets and aimed towards the vulnerable boy, Wriothesley sprinted forward leaving a trail of frost. Just as it released a round of ammunition, he scooped up Bennett in his arms and dashed away.
Rattatatatatatatatatatatata the sound of gunshots echoed in Wriothesley’s ears, leaving a lightheaded ringing behind his head. He felt a stinging burning sensation across his back and arms as bullets grazed across his skin. He held Bennett closer, making sure the young boy doesn’t sustain any injuries from the stray bullets.
From across the field, the Traveler slashed down the last Area Alert Mek. The automatons disintegrating into thin air, leaving behind cogs and bolts. They turned around and saw Wriothesley’s retreating figure. “HA” with a stomp of their foot, they created a stone wall to block off the Specialist Mek’s attacks. They ran forward hoping to draw the meka’s attention away from their friends.
As the Traveler fought the meka, Wriothesley settled Bennett at a relatively close but safe space. “Are you okay? Do you need medical assistance?” He asked.
Instead of a response to his questions, he received an apology. “I’m sorry” Bennett said, his head hung low, avoiding eye contact. “My bad luck got you injured. I am so so sorry. I shouldn’t have accompanied the Traveler to Fontaine. I got one of their friends injured. I’m so pathetic.” Bennett sniffled, tears gathering at the corner of their eyes.
“Hey, hey. Don’t feel bad. Hey, look at me.” Wriothesley steadied the youth gaze on him.
“Am I dead?” A sharp head shake.
“Am I complaining?” A hesitant head shake.
“Am I crying from pain?” Another head shake.
“There you go. You don’t need to apologize for anything. The fact you are here and actively trying to help is already a million times better than being hesitant and lying low. It shows how much of a seasoned adventurer you are.”
“Besides look! The Traveler heavily praised you and your accomplishments. Don’t downplay yourself, it’ll make the Traveler look bad. Besides that do you have enough energy stored?” Bennett nodded with determination. Eagerness fills his insides as he determines that he does not want to disappoint his friends.
Breaking into a grin, Wriothesley said, “Let’s see what you can do.” With his morals boosted, Bennett wiped his nose and tears with his arm.
“Teamwork is dreamwork!”Bennett yelled as he jumped high and landed creating a pyro field with an imprint of a thumbs up. Immediately Wriothesley felt a surge of heat and energy course through his body. His foggy mind began to clear up and his fatigue retreated. He held his metal gauntlets tighter and held it up in a defensive position before charging towards the meka with newfound strength.