#protective illuga

          “You look miserable.” Ermine sat by me at the lunch table.

           It had been a week since I left the Cliffwatch Camp. It took three days for my wounds to heal to Doc’s approval. When I was given the clear to go back to the Favonius Keep, Varka sent a stretcher and a team of Knights to take me home. It was the most humiliating experience I could ever imagine, and I had grown up with Lohen as a brother.

       My time at the camp wasn’t all bad. Illuga kept me company for most of it. He’d go out at night to handle the wild hunt, and then during the morning he’d sleep and help the kitchen, popping in to bring me and Doc snacks. After his jobs were taken care of, he’d sit by my bedside and tell me about his night. Hours of entertainment and a deeper understanding of Nod Krai. 

       The wild hunt was scarier than I originally thought. While not a comforting thing to begin with, the brutality and stamina of the creatures was enough to make me realize how unprepared I was to be here. The main issue was I didn’t carry a lamp at night, so I wouldn’t be able to see through the fog to fight. It would be me swinging wildly in the dark and hoping I got a good hit in. I still hadn’t run into the wild hunt, but I knew it was a possibility. I needed to get prepared. 

       “I’m not miserable. I’m bored.” Though I still didn’t want to eat, I made myself do it so I’d start to heal up faster. Pushing the porriage around the plate i brought a tasteless bite to my lips. 

       “Logistics is boring.” Ermine slumped over her plate. “That’s why I help with the Eighth so much. Things going boom keeps you on your toes. You could join me. Blow off some steam.”

       “Ehh, no thanks.” I wasn’t a fan of loud noises, and the people in the Eighth were a little more creative than I cared for. “I think Anselm had some letters for me to deliver today.”

       “Did you get cleared to start going out again?” She looked under the table at my legs. I didn’t have a spare pair of tights, so the bandages were easy to spot under my dress.

       “I might have put some pressure on the medical team to clear me a little early. But I feel stir crazy, sitting around….” And avoiding my brother.

       Thinking of my brother, Lohen strode into the tent packing his meal. Our eyes connected for a millisecond, him looking away first, he was unreadable. Varka had told me to give him time, but if I wanted to go back home, there wouldn’t be much longer to wait.

       “You’re a little crazy. But it runs in your blood.” She picked up her bowl. “I’m going to head into work. Good luck getting back out there.”

       “Thanks. Have a good shift.” It was a phrase I hadn’t uttered since my parents died. It’s something we always said as we left the house for work.

       “You look like someone slapped you. What happened?” Ermine cocked her head, more confused than concerned.

       “Nothing important.” I cleared my throat, downing the rest of my meal and standing with her. “Let’s get to work.”

OOOOOOOO

       On the road back to camp, my legs were killing me. I delivered all my letters, met with the leaders of the groups and kept a smile on the whole time.  It was awkward at Piramida, I actually got to meet the Starshyna (Nitkita) and he already knew who I was. Apparently Illuga’s Pops was head of the Lightkeepers. Nikita had asked about my legs, how I liked Nod Krai, and a few other probing questions but nothing uncomfortable. I guess word spread fast in the Lightkeepers about new comers.

        I was almost hoping I’d run into Illuga while I was in the city on the hill. The man had seen me once while delivering information to Varka at the keep. We had a quick chat, but Varka rusuhed us along. While we hadn’t known each other long, we had spent a lot of time around each other, and it was comfortable. He was easy to talk to, which was a problem I didn’t mind having. I wanted to see him again. 

       A wave of guilt washed over me. No matter how easy anyone was to talk to; I could never clear my sins. What I had done was too great of a burden to put on anyone else. There was no way Lohen knew what I did, but his reaction was warranted on the hidden principle. If the truth came out, then I would have no one left to rely on. Not in Nod Krai, and certainly not Mondstadt.  

       Standing still on the trail, I looked at my map and made sure I was heading the right direction.  Wet splotches appeared on the paper, the image blurry. I brought my shaking hand up and wiped my eyes. It wasn’t getting any easier, I was just getting better at acting okay. 

       Walking off the path, I sat behind a tree and cried and cried. Time got away from me. The sun went down, and the moon came up. The tears dried up, but my eyes were swollen and my nose was running. Pulling a hankie from my pocket I cleaned myself up and got back on the trail. I still hadn’t got my own lamp just yet.

       Banging my head against the nearest tree, I took a moment to weigh my options. I shelter in place and hope the wild hunt doesn’t appear or I could go to the nearest building and seek refuge. Maybe I could keep walking and pray luck was on my side.

       “Damn it.” The only option to keep Varka from sending a search party was to hustle back.

       Running was not on the table, and something I normally avoided. My legs were too fragile to do more than a power walk after my injury. Pulling my sword from my hip, the moon light reflected off the blade. Fighting wasn’t something new to me, I just didn’t go against monsters very often. I’d spar with my friends, family, and other Knight prospects. Of course, there was the occasional Hilichurl or slime, but I wasn’t ready for a mob. Let alone one in pitch black fog.

       Scanning along the path, I made quick work of the journey. What I didn’t think would happen, was to spot a group of Ratniki, their lamps lighting up the night. Illuga caught my attention first, our eyes locking like magnets. He opened his mouth to holler at me, but a thick fog emerged right in the middle of us. He froze up for a split second. A moment ticked by in denial for me as I lost sight of him and his light. 

       “(Y/n), run!” Illuga’s voice sounded like it could come from any direction. The fog spread around my feet and crawled up my legs. I was frozen, not just from fear but from history repeating itself. How many times would I be held by my inaction? 

       Images from the night my parents died flashed before my eyes. They had screamed my name, begging me to run. Rain pelting down, extinguishing my father’s weak flames. Screams. Bones cracking. The unforgettable creek of unoiled gears grinding.

       “Stay behind me.” Snapped back to the present, Illuga was in front of me, a huge headless monster dripping in purple miasma bearing an axe down Illuga’s spear. When did that happen? “(Y/n), you’re going to be okay.” He gritted his teeth. 

       “What is this?” I was only catching a few lights in the fog.  Illuga used his strength to push the monster’s axe back, setting it off balance. Another Ratniki speared it through the chest as it tipped. Looking at my sword, I knew I needed to help.

       “This is the wild hunt.” He grabbed my hand, spear in his other hand. “We have to get you out.”

       “I thought the Ratniki would fight till they’re gone?” I flexed my sword, still following Illuga through the fog. How he could see anything was beyond me. 

       “We do. It’s not safe for you to be in this mess. We’re trained for it, and this is not how you should get acquainted with these types of battles.” The fog stretched on and on. “We may also need some back up. This is a thick outbreak.”

       “You go, and I’ll help with this.” I tried to make my case by digging in my heels. Next a headless man swaggered our way. Illuga dropped my hand, pushing his spear through the monster’s heart. It still waved its sharp claws, so with two quick swings and a swivel I removed both limbs at the joint. Then to be sure, I cut just behind its knees till it was fully down. 

       “Are you okay?” Illuga freed his spear, squinting to inspect me. Eyes inches away from my skin, he held the lamp by his face as he thoroughly examined me. 

       “That swivel might have some minor consequences but I’m okay.” I wiped blood off my brow. “Go get help. I can handle this.”

       “Not happening.” He held his hand out. “It will be faster if you just go with me. I can’t leave you.”

       “Duty, right? Okay, let’s hurry.” I could be stubborn, but he was right. I was wasting time arguing.

“Obligation has nothing to do with this.” Gripping my hand, he pulled most of my weight forward. My legs were sore, but he set a pace that wasn’t too grueling.

       We killed a few more monsters before we broke free. Once out of the fog, Illuga sent up some kind of flare. He mentioned there was a squad that was supposed to be close by. So, we found them, and ushered them back to the outbreak. When I tried to re-enter the fog, Illuga held us in place.

       “Hey. If we go back in there, you’ll stay behind me. I’d much rather I escort you to the Knights and come back to handle this with my squad.” He was trying to be careful with his words. “I don’t want to insult your strength. But I know you’re pushing yourself.”

       “I’m not battle worn, but I’m not helpless. Which you never said I was. I’ve got lots of protective friends, they just don’t usually come right out with it.” The fog was quickly receding. “I’m wasting time. I’ll stay behind you, I promise.”

       “Thank you.” He led the charge into battle.

       At this point, the fight was mostly over. The two squads were making quick work of the monsters. Still two wondered our way. They were what I had decided was the average size for the wild hunt mob. Illuga took the first one and I stepped up to bat for the second one. 

       Slashing its stomach, rotten guts splayed on the grass, but it kept coming forward. This wasn’t an average fight. So, I chopped off its hands next, the purple flames now coming from the nubs.  All the abyss flames had the area unbearably hot, and being this close was just adding to the sweltering.

       Not having a lantern of my own, I stayed close to Illuga. Even with his light I didn’t see the branch under my heel when I stepped back.  Righting myself quickly, the monster took the chance to body slam me. Landing on the grass below, the monster stayed on its feet, hunched over. I only prayed it wouldn’t set me on fire.

       “My turn.” Illuga speared the monster before it could get any closer. The monster started to return to the abyss and I took a moment to get myself together.

       “I owe you a few at this point.” The fog had lifted from where we were, the moon coming back into view.

       Illuga leaned over me, his silver hair glowing under the moon. “I’m not keeping count. Are you okay?” He helped me to my feet and dusted off my back.

       “Just the same as the last time you asked.” I laughed, not letting his hand go that lifted me to my feet. “Can…can you still walk me back to camp?” I averted my eyes, afraid of his answer. “It’s okay if you’re busy.”

       “Of course.” He gripped my hand tighter. “The first run in is the scariest. I’ll be honored to walk you home.”

       “I’m used to things dying when you get a good strike. This was unnatural” I put my sword away with one hand, keeping the other locked with Illuga’s. 

       “Let’s tell Olsson where we’re going.” Olsson was the captain of Illuga’s squad. I had met him a few times, he was always kind and encouraged me to take my time when I was staying with the Ratniki at the Cliffwatch Camp.

       “Good work out there you two.” Olsson eyed the blood on my dress. “Though, Miss (Y/n), you should consider taking it easy. It’s not been that long since you were injured in the line of battle.”

       “Illuga was there, so I didn’t have to do much.” I tried to hype him up in front of his boss.  What I said was true, but I wanted him to get the recognition he deserved.

       “He’s a good soldier.” Olsson looked over the battlefield. “Illuga, are you taking her home?”

       “Yes, Sir.” Illuga was at attention, despite all the fighting and running he wasn’t too bad winded.

       “Go on.” Olsson gave me a curt nod, and that’s when I realized we were still holding hands… in front of the boss. 

       At that point, it would be awkward to pull apart. I had been the one to initiate it, I guess he didn’t want to break till I was good and ready. The truth of it being I wasn’t ready in the slightest. 

       A shiver ran down my spine, Illuga rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. We had started walking, but I was too in my head to notice. “Are you feeling better?” He was keeping a watchful eye on me.

       “I was a lot braver before I tripped.” A cold breeze filtered by and Illuga walked a little closer. “Illuga. Are we friends at this point?”

       “Is that what you want to be?” He put the ball in my court, a smile tugging at his lips.

       “I would like that a lot. I’ve not been here long, but you’re my first friend. Everyone else at the Keep I’ve known for a long time, but never been close to.”

       “Then we’re friends. Next day we have off, I’ll show you around Nasha Town.” He stopped as we got to the entrance of camp. “Looks like Varka sees us.”

       “That would be fun. And yes, I’d love to go explore Nasha Town.” I paled, Lohen was behind Varka.  “You better hurry back. I’ll see you later. Thanks again for your help.” I let his hand go.

       “Anytime. You can count on me.” He waved as he headed out.

OOOOOOOO       “Reckless.” Lohen didn’t come to my defense. “You had ample time to make it back before dark. Yet, you have no good answer.”

        I was in Varka’s office with the Grand Master and Lohen. The latter had been drilling me for answers for the last thirty minutes, while Varka tried to play mediator.

       “Lohen, that’s enough.” Varka pinched his nose, looking between the two of us. “Something happened on your way back. I’m going to let it slide this time. We were on the verge of sending out a search party, again.”

       “For good reason. You were with a Ratnik, so you must have run into the wild hunt.” Lohen’s eyes sparkled with bloodlust.

       “I did. Nothing happened that I couldn't handle.” I played it off, the less they knew the better. “None of this matters, when the next wine shipment comes in, I’ll be gone.”

       “There won’t be a shipment for a while.” Varka sighed. “There’s been some kind of attack on Liyue Harbor and it’s put a halt on the shipments of goods.”

       “Oh.” I let my shoulders sag.

       “No running away for you.” Lohen rolled his eyes. “We get to share this camp for a while longer.”

       “You two need to work out whatever happened between you.” Varka hummed in thought. “In fact, if you want to catch the next ship back to Mondstadt, you both will need to be on good terms. It’s not right for brothers and sisters to act this way.”

       “We shouldn’t be acting like this in front of you.” I held my head down. While I hadn’t done anything to rile up Lohen, I was letting him push me into the dirt. Maybe rightfully so. 

       “This is not a work matter; I am sorry Grand Master.” Lohen didn’t spare me a glance.  

       “We’re all a big family, there’s going to be disagreements. But your parents wouldn’t want this. You should be growing closer and not farther apart.” Varka stood up, pulling out his flask and downing the contents. “Tomorrow, you’ll both be in charge of cleaning the armory. And I don’t want either of you to spill a drop of blood against each other. Not only that, you’ll be doing it twice a week until I say something different.”

       “Yes, Sir.” We both accepted our fate. We had synced up often as children. We fell into a familiar rhythm when we were together.

       “Good. Now, to bed with the both of you.”