"What did you say?!" The woman asked with incredulity.
"Yes, captain. Their lady refused all our attempts at negotiating, going as far as to build a barricade around the previous entrance of the cave."
It had been a few days since the Fatui proclaimed to them that the terrain was occupied. Since then, constant skirmishes have happened, although never too big. Beidou had received a report that the Fatui were also excavating the tunnel with all their might, so she didn't try to force her way yet.
Regardless, she couldn't leave such a task at the hands of their disgusting enemies. Beidou had to reach the domain first, after all.
"I don't see any other choice, captain." Another person commented heavily.
Beidou gritted her teeth so hard all the crewmates inside her tent could hear.
"That f*cking witch… I've had enough, prepare everyone. Tomorrow, at dawn, we shall feast on a Harbinger's head!"
…
"So this is what you were hiding, Captain Beidou?" La Signora said without even turning to face the newcomer. "I wonder what's further ahead?"
Her tone was playful.
"You better stop right there, or else…" Beidou had just gotten inside the domain herself.
Somehow, the Fatui had managed to excavate so quickly and accurately that it only took a few days to find the entrance.
"Ouu, is that the famous pirate's promise that I hear? 'Or else…' what?" She mocked as she turned around. A disgusting smile was plastered on her face.
"B*tch. Or else this very day, next year, will be the anniversary of your death." Beidou uttered coldly.
She was hoping with all her heart that the witch would disagree, so that she had an excuse to kill her then and there. Still, she knew that Sai's life was in danger, and possibly just a little further down the corridor.
The Fair Lady changed her face, contempt flowing out for a second. Then, she laughed.
"Hahahahah! That is indeed a very funny joke, captain. Sigh… unlike you, I cannot joke as much. I'm afraid that I can't believe the words of a pirate. Well, if you turn around and leave I'll spare you, just this once."
Faced with a benevolent smile, Beidou grinned madly.
"Good. I was afraid you would chicken out after this little show!"
"Tch. As I thought, I still can't be as merciful as Her Highness. I should pray a little after dealing with this bug…"
And with that, the two beautiful women jumped at each other's throats.
*BOOOOM!*
*SHIIING!*
*CLAASH!*
*Creeaaaak!*
They created a stunning, deadly dance as they moved around one another.
…
After a Herculean amount of effort, the skeletal being reached the scattered artifacts. It bent down with effort, and grabbed one by one. It put the feathers inside his shoes, the flower inside his pants. It put on the mask, and it held onto his face as if by magic. It grabbed the hourglasses, one with each hand. Finally, it found the wreath and placed it on its head.
*Breathes.*
"Ooof. That's much better." His crooked voice echoed.
Sai immediately felt strong again. Maybe not like he had been before, but still strong enough to become bold again.
He walked with measured steps towards the cube. It took him a couple of minutes to turn it in the right way.
*Rumble!*
The huge stone doors opened.
Sai didn't hesitate, he even felt confident in his ability to survive. Stepping inside the anteroom, he went directly up to the magic circle, and put both his feet inside it.
His destination: the Level One Domain of Guyun Challenge.
…
Beidou was finally alone in the messy hallway. She had seen the witch voluntarily leave after she had left a big gash on the blonde's face.
Not too worried about the fight still occurring outside, Beidou continued down the hallway. Her condition was not good, as could be seen by her makeshift walking stick, otherwise known as Backcliff Slasher.
The last crumbs of her Electro energy danced around her body, slowly transforming from dragons to simply wisps, and then to nothing.
"Why didn't he show up? We fought for quite some time there… Did something happen to him?"
Suddenly, she recalled something.
"The artifacts, they weren't there anymore. Did he take them? Why?! Don't tell me-"
*Whooosh!*
Beidou rushed with great speed, hoping with all her might that she would see the smiling kid waiting for her at the staircase.
"Please, please, please!"
"..."
But no, Sai was nowhere to be seen. The cube mechanism, if constantly lusterless, still shone with golden light.
Beidou looked at the closed doors and let herself fall to her knees. Looking down, she mumbled:
"I'm sorry…"
…
As for the person in question…
He wasn't far off from Beidou's speculation.
"These- damned- sliiiiimes!"
He punched them, again and again. The small ones seemed to take some damage at least, but Sai couldn't afford to punch the big ones. His hands were already bleeding, and he hadn't killed a single slime, be it small or big!
Every time his fist connected with the slippery, hopping hydro slimes, it felt as if he hit plain water instead. But he knew it wasn't plain water, because it hurt so much! It burned his hands, corroding his skin with every second it stayed in contact with the liquid. He dismissed the idea of drinking them as soon as his first strike connected.
And he also had to avoid, narrowly at that, the few big hydro slimes that kept jumping on him. Luckily for him there didn't seem to be many of them, or even a variety of enemies.
"If it's just these slimes, I still have hope! I won't lose!"
He didn't know if that was his determination speaking, or the Brave Heart's curse. Regardless, it was about to crumble all at once.
When Sai finally managed to get a small slime squished to death (he purposely chose the smallest once, much smaller than the game version), a sound echoed through the hall.
The yet closed second door was slowly moving.
And from it, came a very distinct taunt.
"Hyiee! Hohoo! Hoehh, huuurl!"