Genshin Impact: A Fool

As the festive atmosphere gradually calmed down by the end of March, Heins was suddenly called by the Grand Master of Favonius Knights, Varka. When he asked about the reason, the envoy furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head, saying that he was not privy to such a thing. Grand Master Varka merely said that he has something important to talk about.

Confused, Heins, under the reluctant gaze of Jean and Eula who wished to continue their training with him, left for the Headquarters in the morning. As he arrived before the fort-like Knight of Favonius Headquarters, the knights bowed as the main gate was opened.

Soon, he arrived before the Grand Master's Office, where the Grand Master resides.

As Heins stepped into the Grand Master's Office, he found himself in a spacious, well-furnished room, with bookcases covering the majority of the walls, filled with many tomes and historical records to the brim. There was a chandler hanging, lighting up the room. The room was adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of heroic knights and their valiant deeds. Behind a large, ornate desk sat Grand Master Varka, his silver armor glinting in the candlelight.

Varka looked up as Heins entered, his stern gaze assessing the young man. He gestured to the chair opposite his desk, a silent invitation for Heins to take a seat. As Heins sat down, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over him. The Grand Master's expression was unreadable, but there was an aura of gravity and importance that filled the room.

"Ah, Fool," Varka began, his deep voice echoing slightly in the spacious office. "Thank you for coming. I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here today."

He paused for a moment, as if considering his next words carefully. "I have a task, a mission of utmost importance, that requires your unique skills and abilities. It is not a request, but a command from the Knights of Favonius itself. The situation was urgent that we cannot afford to spare any worthy warriors that resided within Mondstadt."

Varka leaned forward slightly, his eyes boring into Heins's own. "I must warn you, this mission will be perilous and fraught with danger. You will be required to venture into the heart of the ordeal, to confront foes that even the most seasoned knights would hesitate to face."

The Grand Master sat back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Heins's face. "So, I ask you, Fool - are you ready to take on this challenge? To fight for the protection of Mondstadt and all that it stands for? The choice is yours, but choose wisely."

Heins could feel the weight of the moment, the gravity of the decision that lay before him. The fate of many lives, perhaps even the fate of Mondstadt itself, rested on his shoulders.

Hid boyish features hardened as he bowed lightly, his right hand strongly clenched beside his sheathed sword as he asked, "I may be no more than an outsider who only lived in Mondstadt for two months, but if I could offer my help for the peace of this city, then by all means, ask away, Grand Master."

The middle-aged features on Varka's face softened as he sighed. This boy, Fool, was just eleven, but he was already so impressive and brave. He also could see that his aura was different from before. The boy Heins... Had become even stronger.

The Grand Master chuckled as he waved his hands, "There was a sudden surge of monsters entering the periphery of Mondstadt. Especially the north of Mondstadt, the Brightcrown Mountains, where the Old Mondstadt resides. You may not privy to it, but the Old Mondstadt was the lair of one of the Four Winds that the Anemo Archon befriended that had protect Mondstadt from an evil dragon in the past."

"The dragon was the Stormterror. For some reason, monsters seem to have an outrage and more and more came from the direction of the Old Mondstadt to the Brightcrown Mountains. The people outside Mondstadt, such as Springvale and Wolvendom, were threatened by these monsters."

Varka then turned serious, "Fool, I hope you could go, along with the Calvary Unit of Favonius Knight to resist against the onslaught of those monsters. I fear... That the Abyss Order or even the Fatui played a part in this. Worse, both of them collaborate. It's been a while since they made a move."

Heins nodded indifferently, inwardly being shocked by the possibility of Fatui being a part of this ordeal. But on second thought, Heins found it somewhat acceptable.

After all, Mondstadt is also a nation with an Archon, which possessed a gnosis. The question is, what could control these monsters? Or perhaps they have something that could draw those monsters to the area of Mondstadt? Who was the one responsible for the this siege?

Varka watched Heins's expression harden, seeing the gears turning in the young man's mind as he processed the dire situation at hand. The boy's newfound strength and maturity were evident in his demeanor, and Varka felt a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom.

"Very well, Grand Master," Heins replied, his voice steady and resolute. "I'll join the Cavalry Unit and do my part to repel this monster surge. If the Fatui are indeed involved, I have... personal experience with their machinations."

He paused, a flicker of something dark and dangerous passing through his crimson eyes. The Red Blood Electro, his unique elemental power born from the fusion of his killing intent and Electro Vision, pulsed within him, yearning for release.

The Fatui is not an organization of harmony. There are many strifes within it. Heins only sided with his Mistress. So long as the others dare to harm his 'interests' they have to be ready to meet with his blade, should their explanation was not sufficient to appease him.

Varka nodded, "I'll make sure to investigate their potential role in this matter thoroughly. For now, let's focus on securing the safety of the people of Mondstadt and its neighboring regions."

Heins's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, the leather biting into his palm. He knew the gravity of the situation, and the responsibility that now rested upon his shoulders.

As an outsider who had found a measure of belonging in Mondstadt, he would not hesitate to defend it and its inhabitants. He had an apprentice who loved this place to death, so it was only right for him as her master to partly do the same, right?

With that, Heins turned to leave, his mind already racing with plans and strategies to counter the impending invasion. The boy who had once been a fool was now a warrior, and he would stop at nothing to protect the home he had come to cherish.

Afterward. Varka called the Captain of the Cavalry Unit, who came as fast as he could, and ordered the man as soon as he arrived, his tone grave and serious, "Tell the Cavalry Unit to prepare for a long and arduous battle. We'll need to fortify the borders and be ready for a prolonged campaign. Terlad, you'll lead the vanguard and try to hold back this monstrous horde as much as you can."

"There will be the Reconnaissance Team stealthily avoiding the monsters to investigate the true cause of this whole ordeal. Resist the horde as long as you can. Do you understand?"

The strong man cladded in Favonius plate armor nodded as he saluted, his face as grim as thr Grand Master "Affirmative, Grand Master!" Then, he left the office in a hurry.

As Heins strode out of the room, the weight of destiny seemed to settle upon his shoulders, and the aura of the strong that Varka had sensed in him only grew more pronounced. The battle for Mondstadt was about to begin, and Heins would be at the forefront, ready to face whatever horrors the Abyss Order or the Fatui had unleashed upon the land.

The Knights of Favonius Headquarters bustled with activity as Heins emerged, knights rushing to and fro, preparing for the impending conflict. The air was thick with tension and anticipation, and the weight of the coming battle hung heavy over the assembled warriors.

Heins took a deep breath, the cool autumn air filling his lungs as he steeled himself for the trials ahead. He knew that the path would be fraught with peril, and that there would be no guarantee of an easy victory.

But he also knew that he could not stand idly by while the people of Mondstadt suffered, and so he would fight, with every ounce of strength and skill at his disposal.

As he mounted his horse, Heins exchanged a couple of greetings with the Captain before he followed along the solemn group of knights, a group of cavalry who would not hesitate to lay their lives for the sake of Mondstadt.

He watched as some knights hugged their family members before they mounted the horses. Some knights kissed their lovers passionately as their spouse teared up before they forcefully pulled themselves away from the loving embrace of their lovers and rode their horses, looking ahead with steely determination.

The morning sun shone their figures as they left with resplendent armours. The people prayed together to the Anemo Archon, for they knew that it was these men who relentlessly kept the peace of Mondstadt.

This is the price of peace.

The boy, Heins, also had his own parting.

He glanced wryly at Jean, whose eyes teared up. Eula, who bowed silently, trying to hide her puffy eyes. Diluc, who wasn't worthy yet to be in this kind of battlefield, gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists, and Kaeya smiled sadly, offering Heins a fist bump.

"Stay safe, buddy. Unfortunately, Diluc and I cannot participate in these skirmishes yet. If not, perhaps we coud accompany you..." Kaeya sighed.

Diluc stayed silent, but he conveyed his message Heins with a look that said, "Come back and drink with us."

Jean trembled as she clutched his hand, whispering, "Master, do you really have to participate...?" Beside her, Eula silently walked forward and joined in, finally lifting her head and revealing the built up tears in her unique eyes. Both girls were flushed in sadness as they stared at the boy who they looked up to.

This time, Diluc and Kaeya did not say anything. They also do not like the situation one bit.

Heins smiled as his hands subconsciously patted both knight-in-trainings, "You should be proud of me. Grand Master Varka deemed me worthy to participate in this battle. When I come back, I want you two to greet me with a smile. Got it?"

Eula nodded, her eyes flashing in resentment at the exalted Grand Master. Meanwhile, Jean straight up huffing as she whispered resentfully, "Hm, Grand Master Varka, if not for that, I would hate him already!"

The sight of two mature, stern knight-in-trainings acting like a child would normally attract attention, but at this time, even the most toughest of fathers and grandfathers teared up as they watched their sons and grandsons, who were in their prime, set off for the battlefield.

"Cavalry Unit, set off!" Finally, the Captain commanded, and the determined yet saddened knights of the Cavalry Unit set off, trying to ignore the cries of their family.

The fact that it happened right after the Windblume Festival... Was a cruel joke by fate.

With a final look to his four friends, Heins also set off with the knights. His crimson eyes are cold and detached.

After a few hours, as the sun began to set, partly revealing the beautiful starry night sky, the group could see the mountains that held the beauty of Teyvat, now engulfed in a horde of terrible beings.

Heins looked out towards the Brightcrown Mountains, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the distant shapes of the monstrous horde assembling on the horizon. He could feel the malevolent intent radiating from them, and he knew that the battle would be a brutal and unrelenting one.

But Heins did not waver. He may be Fatui, but as of now, he was a warrior of Mondstadt, and he would not let such a beautiful place fall to ruin.

Even a pragmatic person must concede to his own heart at times.

With a fierce determination burning in his heart, he spurred his steed forward, ready to lead the charge against the encroaching darkness.

The Cavalry Unit fell in around him, their armor glinting in the fading light of the setting sun.

Together, they rode out to meet the monster horde, the thunder of their hooves echoing like a war drum as they raced towards the soon-to-be bloody battle.

Heins gripped his sword tightly, the blade singing as it was drawn from its sheath. He could feel the Red Blood Electro crackling at his fingertips, eager to be unleashed against the foe. The boy who had once been a fool was gone, replaced by a warrior who would stop at nothing to protect those he held dear.

And so, as the first rays of moonlight began to illuminate the battlefield, Heins and the Cavalry Unit charged forward, the battle cry of Mondstadt ringing out through the night air. The fate of the city rested in their hands, and Heins would not let it slip away.

The monsters surged forward to meet them, a tide of fang and claw and fury. But Heins and the knights did not falter. They met the horde head-on, steel clashing against scale and sinew, the night air filled with the screams of the dying and the roaring of the battle-hungry.

Heins fought like a man possessed, his blade a blur of purple light as he hewed his way through the press of monsters. The currents of Electro flared around him, the very air seeming to crackle with the power of his rage.

He was a whirlwind of destruction, a force of nature unleashed against the horde, and he would not be stopped.

Red Blood Electro is a secret, an anomaly that many people had never seen. Unless he was alone and was assured that he could kill all of his enemies, this powerful element would be his last resort, and is to be used only in a life and death situation.

The battle raged on through the night, the sounds of strife echoing across the land. The Cavalry Unit fought with the skill and valor that Mondstadt was known for, their lances and swords flashing in the moonlight as they held the line against the monstrous tide.

Some men died heroically, some men died in disgrace, some men died peacefully, but for the knights of the Cavalry, no matter how they died, in this battlefield, all of them died in honour and glory!

And at the forefront of it all, Heins fought on, his strength never wavering, his determination never faltering. He was but a boy, but his strength and perseverance were astounding.

He was a beacon of hope amidst the chaos, a shining example of the indomitable spirit of Mondstadt. Beside him was the Captain, Terlad, who fought with the ferociousness and the spirit befit that of the Cavalry Captain.

As the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, the battle finally drew to a close.

The monsters, their numbers decimated by the relentless onslaught of the knights, began to retreat back to the ruin.

Heins stood amidst the carnage, his armor splattered with the blood and viscera of the fallen, his blade still gripped tightly in his hand. He was battered and bruised, but he stood tall, a victor amidst the ruins of the battlefield.

The first clash was over, but the knights knew that it was not the end. They could feel there was something palpably dark about the monsters they had fought. As they slowly mounted their horse and retreat for the base camp built by the side of a hill, they couldn't help but glanced at Heins in amazement and awe.

The way the boy transversed through the horde of monsters and tear them apart with his sword was nothing short of amazing. It was only now that they realized, Heins was not just a boy, he was a true warrior who had been tempered in the battlefield before the clash. The rumors did not exaggerate him one bit!

Soon, the Captain of the Cavalry and a group of strategists gathered in a makeshift camp. Heins also attended the meeting, his prowess acknowledged by the knights, though he merely listened as they discussed since he was no strategist. He is a warrior, through and through.

All of them looked haggard and tired, but for soldiers of their calibre, they cannot afford to rest. The guerilla tactic was proposed of course, but the horde was just too horrendous and weird that they cannot spare even a squad to rest.

Terlad slammed his fist on the makeshift table, his brow furrowed in thought. "Those monsters... they were no ordinary beasts. The way they attacked, it was as if they were driven by a malevolent will. We must prepare for the possibility that this is only the beginning."

The strategists murmured in agreement, their faces etched with concern. Maps of the region were spread across the table, marked with the locations of recent monster sightings. The strategists pointed to the clusters, their voices rising as they debated the best course of action.

Heins sat at the edge of the gathering, his armor still clad on his frame. He listened intently, his crimson eyes scanning the maps, taking in every detail.

One of the strategists, a man with a scar across his nose, turned to Heins. "Fool, perhaps your insights would be valuable. You faced the enemy head-on, saw their strengths and weaknesses. What do you make of their fighting style? Any patterns or weaknesses we should be aware of?"

The other knights fell silent, awaiting Heins' response. They knew he was not just a boy anymore, but a warrior forged in the heat of battle. His experiences and instincts could provide invaluable insights to their strategies.

The boy Heins shook his head as he sighed, "Sir, while I am... Decently capable in the battlefield, when it comes to strategy, I am but a novice."

Heins paused, then his eyes turned serious, "The Reconnaissance Unit was the one responsible investigating the core issues that laid within Old Mondstadt, so we could only hold on. That's all I have to say."

The strategists nodded. Some of them couldn't help but appreciate the boy's frankness.

Instead of spouting some superfluous words that held no meaning, he directly said he was not capable instead of trying to sound like he was knowledgeable. He was still eleven yet not only he was handsome, strong and impressive, he was also humble and understand the situation well.

They looked at each other, including Terlad, and nodded. Perhaps there are many reasons why their granddaughters were enraptured by the boy...

Terlad just shook his head at the strategists' thoughts. But it was also a good thing, like a moment of respite amidst the tension of the ordeal.

He cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs. "Well spoken, Fool. Your honesty is as admirable as your bravery on the battlefield." He turned to the strategists, his expression grave.

"Fool is right. We must rely on the findings of the Reconnaissance Unit to inform our next steps. In the meantime, we need to fortify our defenses and prepare for a prolonged conflict."

The strategists nodded, jotting down notes and marking the maps with strategic markings. The atmosphere in the tent was tense, the weight of responsibility heavy on their shoulders.

As the discussion continued, a young page burst into the tent, his face flushed and eyes wide. "Lord Terlad, urgent message from the Reconnaissance Unit!" He held out a scroll, his hand trembling slightly.

Terlad snatched the scroll, his eyes scanning the contents rapidly. His face darkened, and he crumpled the parchment in his fist. "The ruins... they've been desecrated. Some kind of dark ritual, the likes of which we've never seen before. And there are signs that the monsters are gathering in even greater numbers, drawn to the corruption."

"The Reconnaissance Team dispatched to investigate the cause, all of them... Perished. The one that sent the report was a dying member..." The young page's voice trembled as he continued.

The tent turned silent. In the end, Terlad sighed heavily as he patted the young man's shoulder, "Go and inform this to their family. Let's hope I could come back to give them an apology in person."

The old strategists nodded solemnly, their wise eyes momentarily glazed before they became focused once again. Heins was the same, albeit his heart sank slightly.

Terlad turned to the strategists, his jaw set in determination. "We need to act fast. Gather the knights and prepare for a counter-offensive. We cannot let this darkness spread any further."

The strategists leaped into action, barking orders to their subordinates. The camp erupted in a flurry of activity as knights rushed to their posts, weapons at the ready. Terlad turned to Heins, a glimmer of respect in his eyes.

"Fool, your role will be crucial in the battles to come. Your strength and skill are greater than most. But I need you to stay sharp, stay focused. The fate of Mondstadt may very well rest on your shoulders."

Heins met Terlad's gaze, his young face etched with a maturity beyond his years. He nodded solemnly, the weight of the responsibility settling upon him like a mantle.

The road ahead was dark and uncertain, but one thing was clear - Heins would not waver in his duty to protect Mondstadt and its people. He would not let those heroic men sacrificed their lives in vain.

"I understand. However, Captain, should I resort to desperate measure and rush through different route while the main army fought the monsters head on?" As he said so, Heins burst out in Electro element, its purple currents thunderous and menacing.

The Captain of the Cavalry unit, Terlad, pondered. The strategists also thought of the feasibility of what Heins proposed. One of them asked, "Master Fool, how fast can you be?"

Heins answered, "As fast as you want me to be."

Terlad stroked his beard thoughtfully, considering Heins' audacious proposal. The strategists murmured amongst themselves, weighing the risks and rewards. After a moment, Terlad held up a hand for silence.

"Fool, your plan is... unorthodox. But it could be the key to catching the enemy off guard. If you can infiltrate their ranks undetected and strike at their heart..." He trailed off, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

The lead strategist, a grizzled veteran named Varrick, leaned forward. "Master Fool, your speed is indeed legendary. But the ruins are vast and treacherous. How can you guarantee you won't be caught in the crossfire?"

Heins' eyes flashed with determination, the purple currents of his Electro power dancing along his skin. "Leave that to me. I've navigated worse. The key is to move fast and strike hard, before they realize what hit them."

Terlad nodded slowly, a decision forming in his mind. "Very well, Fool. You have your orders. Take a small, elite team - no more than five, to minimize detection. The logistic team will prepare them with stealth gear and silent weapons, along with corruption resistance gears in the treasury. Your goal is to infiltrate the ruins, locate the source of the dark ritual, and put an end to it."

He turned to the other strategists, his expression grim. "In the meantime, we will hold the line here. The main army will engage the monstrous horde, giving Fool and his team the window they need to strike."

As they prepared to set out, Terlad clapped a hand on Heins' shoulder, his grip firm and resolute. "May the Anemo Archon watch over you."

Heins met Terlad's gaze, "I won't let you down, Captain. For Mondstadt, and for the people."

With that, Heins and his team melted into the shadows, vanishing into a different route. The battle of the ruin had begun.

While the Cavalry Unit led by Captain Terlad was besieging the monsters to carve a path of blood and corpse to the Old Mondstadt, where the dark rituals were sighted by the deceased Reconnaissance Team, Heins along with a small team make a roundway about to evade the horde of monsters.

Heins glanced at his team, his voice cold and dark, "Keep up,"

Then, in a thunderous flash of purple currents, Heins disappeared from their sight, quickly approaching the back of the Old Mondstadt. They looked at each other incredulously. Master Fool... Was too fast!

As they approached the outskirts of the ruin, Heins held up a hand, signaling for the team to halt. He turned to face them, his eyes glinting with a fierce determination in the moonlight. "Stay close and stay quiet," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of the battle raging nearby.

With a deep breath, Heins took off, his body blurring as he activated his Electro power. The purple currents crackled around him, leaving a trail of glowing energy in his wake as he raced towards the back of the ruins with inhuman speed.

It may left some traces, but the main concern in the operation was speed, and Heins would give his all to ensure its success.

The team struggled to keep up, their hearts racing as they tried to match Heins' breakneck pace. They weaved through the crumbling walls and collapsed roofs, leaping over piles of rubble and debris.

The ruins were a labyrinth of darkness and danger, but Heins navigated them with the precision and agility of a seasoned hunter.

As they delved deeper into the heart of the ruins, the air grew colder and heavier, the darkness pressing in around them like a suffocating shroud.

The team could feel the malevolent presence of the dark rituals emanating from the depths of the ruins, sending shivers down their spines.

Heins, however, seemed undeterred. His senses were heightened, his reflexes honed to a razor's edge. He could feel the pulsing heartbeat of the dark force, guiding him like a twisted compass towards its source.

The team stumbled to a halt, their chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath in the oppressive atmosphere.

They exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their mission and the horrors they might face weighing heavily upon their shoulders.

The ruins loomed before them, a decaying shell of a once-great city, now reduced to a haven for twisted abominations.

The once-pristine white stone was stained with grime and dark, unidentifiable stains. The air hung heavy with the stench of decay and the acrid smell of dark magic.

The team huddled together, their breaths misting in the frigid air as they awaited Heins' orders. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional distant roar of a monster or the crumbling of stone from the decaying walls.

At the utmost front, Heins's crimson eyes were cold as he inspected the walls of the ruin. The dark trails emitted by the ruin were cold, as if something corrupting and repulsing had tainted its walls. Heins could resist it, but what about his team?

Heins looked back and whispered, cold and decisive, "You guys stay in the periphery of the Old Mondstadt and wait for the main army to arrive. In the meantime, kill any monsters you could find. This place is not good for you."

One of the members hesitantly asked, "Then, Master Fool, how about you?"

Feeling how the murderous intent within him actively kicking out the strange, dark miasma, Heins shook his head, "I have my ways."

After reassuring them one more time, the small team finally left, leaving Heins alone in the heart of Old Mondstadt. It was said that the Old Mondstadt was the Lair of the Stormterror. He also remembered how the Abyss Mage he had killed back in the ruin of Yhers told him to convey a message to a being named Dvalin who resided in Old Mondstadt.

Heins furrowed his eyebrows as he walked deeper. Perhaps there was a correlation between the Stormterror and Dvalin?

As he walked, at times beings of black and purple would manifest and started attacking him. They emitted the coldness he was familiar with. Heins's turned cautious as his eyes glimmered in realization, unsheathing his sword.

His killing intent burst out in a cacophony of red currents as the realization set in.

They're from the Abyss!