"Ptooey! Ptooey!" Bennett spat out the dirt he'd accidentally eaten. "Where did you even get that bomb? The blast was insane!"
"Klee gave it to me for self-defense."
"Oh, that explains it!" Bennett nodded in sudden realization.
Shen Qin wasn't as forgiving. "What were you thinking, rushing out like that? We almost got caught because of you!"
"Well, it was just a momentary impulse! By the time I realized it, I already jumped midway! I couldn't stop myself!" Bennett protested. Then he grumbled, "Why didn't you pull out the bomb earlier? If I'd known you had it, we could've just thrown a few while they weren't looking. Even if we didn't hit them, that cauldron of theirs would've been done for."
"I didn't even get the chance to mention it before you charged in! You have to let me finish my sentences first!"
Backtracking to the fork in the path, they entered another passage.
Shen Qin sighed, "See? I told you it's safer to go the opposite way from you. That other path led straight to the enemies' lair."
Bennett shot back, "Nonsense! I meant to take this route, but I intentionally went the other way. That's why we ran into trouble!"
Shen: "…"
Was Bennett some sort of Schrodinger's adventurer?
It seemed that danger and safety existed in a superimposed state until Bennett made a choice. The moment he decided, no matter the prior reasoning, safety collapsed, leaving only guaranteed peril.
Reflecting on their hardships, Shen Qin could almost see a tear escape Bennett's eye.
"From now on, just say which way you want to go, and we'll do the opposite. Deal?" Shen Qin suggested.
"…Fine," Bennett relented, though he silently resolved to revisit this topic after they safely left the ruins.
For the next ten minutes, thanks to Bennett's "reverse guidance," they managed to avoid every hazard.
Finally, light filtered through from ahead. Shen Qin exhaled in relief—freedom was near! But just as he stepped out of the passage, Bennett yanked him back.
"Shhh!" Bennett gestured for silence.
That's when Shen Qin heard it—voices.
They crouched low and peeked out. A high-ceilinged chamber stretched before them. Part of the dome had crumbled, letting sunlight pierce through in a slanted beam that illuminated a small area near their tunnel's exit.
At the center stood a grand throne, and kneeling before it in the shadows was a vague figure.
Their vantage point, slightly behind the throne's side, offered no view of whoever occupied it.
"Barbatos has awakened as well," said the kneeling figure. "He seeks to stop us, but it's a fool's errand. He has long lost the strength he wielded five centuries ago. Even gods are eroded by the passage of time."
Though the figure knelt in deference, his tone was scornful when speaking of the Anemo Archon.
"The winds cannot be underestimated," came a commanding voice from the throne. "Barbatos didn't become one of the Seven solely through strength."
The very sound of the speaker's voice made Shen Qin and Bennett's heads throb. The oppressive power in his tone was undeniable.
"Of course, we've kept our vigilance against him," the kneeling figure said. "That's why we've focused on the little dragon. Seeing old comrades turn on one another will be… amusing."
But no sooner had the figure spoken than he grunted in pain, bowing his head.
"Remember, war and slaughter are not our goals," the seated figure reprimanded. "Our lofty ideals cannot be sullied by such base desires. I will not have you reveling in the torment of our enemies. That path leads to ruinous emotions."
"Y-yes, my lord," the figure stammered weakly.
"Let this be the last time I repeat myself. Now, what of the task I entrusted to you? Has the individual been captured?"
"Yes, my lord. The subject is imprisoned within the ruins. Shall I summon him for you now?"
"Not yet. Let him cook for a while; it'll make him more cooperative. What of Mondstadt's response? According to your reports, the Knights of Favonius seem particularly invested in him. Do not jeopardize this base."
"Rest assured, my lord. I captured him near Dawn Winery, far from this location. Once we're done, I'll return him there to cover our tracks."
"Good. I trust you can handle this minor detail." The seated figure chuckled darkly. "Dawn Winery… That belongs to that man, Diluc, doesn't it? I once held him in high regard. Pity he's always been so hostile toward us. He's foiled enough of our plans over the years. In hindsight, I should've taken him out myself back then."
The kneeling figure hesitated. "What makes Diluc so formidable, my lord? To me, he's just a merchant with a few secrets."
"Ha! Those 'few secrets' are no small matter. Regardless, leave him be. His winery in the light and the Knights in the shadows form Mondstadt's final bastion. I wonder, was his departure from the Knights deliberate?"
"Indeed. His connections with the Knights have strengthened recently due to Shen Qin's alchemical inventions. Reports suggest he's been spending more time in Mondstadt."
"That boy again." The lord's voice grew contemplative. "Perhaps we should release him sooner rather than later. The last thing we need is to entangle the winery in this. Bring him to me—I'm curious about the workings of his mind."
"At once!" The kneeling figure rose and headed in their direction.
"Now what?" Shen Qin whispered.
"Back the way we came?" Bennett suggested.
"No way! That's our only exit." Shen Qin pointed to the hole in the dome.
"I couldn't take on even one of them, let alone both," Bennett admitted honestly.
Shen Qin gritted his teeth and pulled out five remaining bombs. "We'll make our own exit. Blow the roof and get out of here!"
"Got it!" Bennett crouched down. "I'll carry you. You throw the bombs; I'll handle the rest!"
"Let's do it!" Shen Qin scrambled onto Bennett's back, clutching the bombs tightly.
"Charge!" Bennett roared, flames erupting underfoot as he dashed forward.
Fire in the hole! Shen Qin tossed one bomb at the approaching figure, one at the throne, and hurled the last three at the support beams of the dome.
"Uh-oh!" Bennett's foot slipped on rubble, and they crashed to the ground—only five meters from Klee's bombs.