Genshin Impact: Frostburn

We followed the other kids around as they gave us a tour of their beloved house. The place isn't as glamorous or as big as our mansion. It makes me feel pride for some reason.

"This here is our training grounds." Clervie led us around the house, while the other kids followed behind. From what I can see, she seems around eleven years old, same goes for Peruere. Their body is fairly built, you can also notice some scars and bruises on some kids around.

I can't help but notice Peruere looking at us. I wonder what she's thinking. After a few more rooms, our tour finally concluded. Leon enjoyed it a lot, I could see his eyes gleaming excitedly.

"And that concludes our tour." Clervie declared.

"What do you say, isn't it a great place!" One of the younger kids said.

"Ye-yeah, it's a good place," I replied hesitantly. How could this place be great? It's full of blood and flesh of orphans. 

"Hey! Hey! What does Sneznaya look like?! Is it really full of snow?!" One of them asked. 

"Yes! It's a perfect place, full of snow, and trees!" Leon replied. The kids instantly flocked to him, asking more questions. I guess he's the popular type. 

I slowly sneaked to the side and to the door tiptoeing the way. I still don't know what to do, despite knowing how things will end up in this house, I'm still hesitant to change the future. 

As I reached the door, a hand grabbed my shoulders. Slowly, I looked back and saw a pinkish-red hair swaying on the breeze.

"He-hello, hehe." I nervously greeted Clervie.

"You're Leo, right?" She asked.

"Yes, I am Leo. Is something wrong?" 

"Mother, said you shouldn't roam around alone, you might get lost and... go inside one of the prohibited rooms." I sensed the gloominess in her voice. 

"Okay," I said as I nodded.

We came back to the group where Leon was telling his not-so-true stories to the other kids. The atmosphere seems... cold. The kids here are all orphans and it seems like Leon is boasting about how great of a person Papa is. This is definitely not good of a topic in an orphanage. 

"Leon, I want to go play in the library, can you come with me?" I said, trying to make an excuse to get him out of here.

"Leo! Not the library again! You can go on your own, I'm still telling the others how cool Papa is!"

'Alright, I'm taking you out.' I thought to myself.

"Hey! Leo, Stop!!!" I dragged his butt and asked Clervie where their library is located which she willingly accepted.

****************

We spent the rest of our time in the library reading books. Fortunately, there are some fairytale books that Leon can read, and it keeps him busy.

There is some disapproval from the kids here in the House of the Heart. Their stares feel like they will tear a hole in our bodies. It wasn't like this earlier, at most it was just a few annoyed faces, but now they clearly are showing hostility aside from Clervie and Peruere. 

I want to privately talk to them at least once before we leave and maybe, just maybe I can make a decision...

While Leon was so engrossed in reading the fairytale, I snuck out of the library and tried to find them. I searched in every room until I found the two of them sitting under a tree.

"Is it okay if we talk?" I asked shyly.

"Huh? Oh, it's Leo. What do you want to talk about?" Clervie replied.

I looked at both of them and then looked at our surroundings. "Let's talk somewhere private, please." 

Clervie wore a confused look but Peruere noticed what I meant. 

"We can talk in our room," Peruere said as she led the way.

****************

Inside was nothing fancy, just some beds and a few toys on the cabinet and a few clothes. We sat opposite to each other.

"So, I want to ask. How is life here in the orphanage?" I asked shyly. I don't know how to approach this, I didn't think about what I'd say when I asked them to talk.

"It's bad." Peruere flatly said.

"Hey!" Clervie looked angry. "He might be a spy, he's a son of a harbinger remember!" 

'Her logic makes sense.' I thought to myself as I observed them.

"Do we have a choice? We've been beaten and tortured every time they caught us escaping. Just one more round of it won't change anything. It's better to gamble here rather than wait until one of us dies." Peruere reasoned. 

"But, still he's just five years old, how can he help us?" Clervie said pointing at me.

Peruere then looked me in the eye. She didn't answer to Clervie, instead, she got closer to me and asked.

"Why do you want to know about the orphanage?" I knew at that moment that my answer would have a significant change in the future. The threads of fate are starting to move unpredictably and not even the gods could divine what would happen. My existence might have already changed the future, and my choices will define its route. 

I looked at her X-shaped eyes and answered. "I want to help you."

"How? As Clervie said, you're just a five-year-old. What can you do to help us." 

"I can't, for now. But in the future, I will be able to." I answered. Her eyes narrowed. Despite her unchanging reactions, I can tell the disappointment in her.

"We need help now. There might not be a future for... most of us." She said. Her voice was low.

"I promise, if you can hold out for, 4, no, 5 years! I can help you then!" I added. "I just need you to believe in me!" 

I don't know if my words reached them. They lived in a hopeless and vicious cycle. My words aren't even reliable. 

"Let's say you'll help us, but what after? Your father would just use us instead. We won't truly be free, but only chained to a new master."

"Then, I'll make sure he won't do anything," I replied.

"How?" She asked once again.

"That's..." I couldn't reply.

"*Sigh* Forget it." Peruere then left.

I sat there motionless. Not knowing what to do. All I said were empty words. How can I help them out? How can a five-year-old fight against an organization? As I let my thoughts take over, I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry about Perrie, she doesn't mean to hurt you. It's just..." Her eyes looked distant, then she added. "We've tried all sorts of ways and only end up hurt in the end. She just doesn't want anyone to get hurt anymore."

She wiped the tears running through my eyes. I didn't notice when I started tearing up. My eyes felt heavy and I felt like breaking down and would start to cry loudly.

"Here," She handed me a handkerchief and I wiped my tears. 

"Th-thank you," 

****************

Lunch came and everyone gathered at the cafeteria. The kids excitedly and waited for the food while the adults served them. I arrived late because I fetched Leon from the library. It took a while until we reached the cafeteria but we waited for Papa before eating. A few minutes passed and he finally arrived.

"Leo, Leon, come, let's eat in the VIP room." He gestured his hands and called for us. My mind is still occupied by the events earlier. I tried to think how it would have been better if I kept my cool and didn't panic.

"Hmm? What's wrong Leo?" Papa asked, he seemed to notice my mood.

"Nothing, Papa, I was just thinking of something."

Papa then held my hands and excused us. He took me to a corner where there were no people to hear us and said. 

"Leo, you can tell me anything." 

I didn't reply. My thoughts are still in chaos. I thought of any excuse I could give at this time until I remembered the promise Papa made.

"Papa, remember your promise to fulfill my one request in the future?" I could visibly see the shock on his face but it instantly went back to his usual smile. 

"Yes, I do. Do you want to take it now?" 

"Yes, I do, Papa."

"Then, what do you want to use it for?" He asked. His smile slightly raised.

"I want to put some spies here."