Chapter Text
Ilyan may be a little over his head, the Wild Hunt behind him certainly seems to agree.
It was a relatively simple mission for his squad: as ordered by The Knave, they must find clues to The Doctor’s whereabouts. He remembered hearing some hush-hush talk about a facility being built on Nod-Krai’s northern island, so he figured it was worth a shot.
He probably should’ve gone and gathered more information because he did not expect the Wild Hunt to have bird-like entities that shoot lasers! Especially coming out of nowhere like that.
In a desperate maneuver, he led the Abyssal creatures away from his squad before they could get overwhelmed. Ilyan really hopes they were alright.
The Fatuus yelped as one of the bird-like creatures gained on him, talons raised high to rip through his flesh. He quickly dodged to the side, hitting the side of a rock. The Abyssal bird screeched at him, “mouth” glowing an ominous purple.
Ilyan raised his arms, calling forth mirror shards to block the ensuing laser.
He never had to, as a golden-hued bird tore through his assailant. His eyes widened, tracking the bird’s movement. It flew gracefully back into the hands of its owner…and Ilyan had to hold his chest because he swore his heart did not just skip a beat at the sight.
The young man stood between him and the creatures of the Wild Hunt, an arm outstretched holding a lantern; the bird vanished into it. His head turned to meet Ilyan’s eyes for just a moment, and that fleeting moment felt like forever.
His savior, thankfully, turned away to face the monsters, which left Ilyan to properly recover from whatever heart stutter he’s experiencing. A very distracting warmth burned throughout his face, and he found it couldn’t be extinguished when he covered it with his hands.
The incessant beating of his heart did not help either.
What is going on with him?!
“Hey.”
This isn’t like him at all! Did he contract a serious heart disease...?
“Hey?”
Seriously! The last time he felt this way was back in Fontaine, when he locked eyes with the owner of Chioriya Boutique. Now that he thought about it, what is with him and geo vision wielders-
“Hey!”
A cold hand grasped around his shoulder, and he turned to meet the young man’s eyes. His cold, suspicious gaze was mentally ingrained into his mind as Ilyan remembered, once again, his position in life.
A fool. Within an organization that regularly deals in deceit and forced diplomacy.
How could he forget his standing? Perhaps it was his time in Natlan.
But this was not Natlan.
“Sorry.” Ilyan’s voice felt foreign to his own ears. “What is it?”
Something metaphorical tugged on him as he realized he just left his savior, a Lightkeeper if Ilyan were to guess from the lantern in his hand, to deal with that Wild Hunt horde by himself. He mentally sighed to himself, now he looked suspicious.
The Lightkeeper continued to regard him with distrustful eyes, and despite the shame he felt, Ilyan couldn’t look away. “A squad of Fatui Skirmishers ran into my squad, are you their commanding officer?”
So, they were alright. The corner of Ilyan’s mouth tugged upwards at the news. “Yes, that would be me.”
The young man nodded, his eyes softening a bit. “You’re Ilyan, then?”
The Fatuus’s breath hitched at the sound of their name being said in his voice.
What is going on with him? He needs to get checked with the Bureau’s doctors.
“Y-Yes.” Ilyan swiftly cleared his throat after hearing himself stutter.
The Lightkeeper thankfully did not bring up the stutter, instead turning halfway to leave in a direction. “Can you follow me please? Your fellows are waiting for you back at our camp.”
Ilyan nodded. “Of course.”
The nameless Lightkeeper completed his half-turn and started walking down the path, presumably in the direction of said camp. The Fatuus followed with the gait of a prisoner of war, eyes downcast.
When he looked up; the sight of the Lightkeeper’s coat from behind seemed to irritate something deep within Ilyan.
“Are you not wary of me?” Ilyan asked, his tone a tiny bit agitated and he bit back the offending emotion when he caught it in his words.
The Lightkeeper turned his head slightly to the side. “I am.”
“Then why save a Fatuus?”
“I saved someone in need of help, whether or not they are from a dubious organization did not matter.” The Lightkeeper stopped, turning just enough that they met each other’s gaze once again. “Unless…you plan to make it matter?”
Ilyan stayed silent, and he could feel the Lightkeeper’s eyes scrutinizing his for any sign of untoward anonymity. After a few seconds of deliberation, Ilyan answered. “I do not.”
“Good.” And they continued onward.
…
…
“What is your name?” The question left his lips like a traitorous outburst born out of a raving need to know.
The Lightkeeper stopped once again, this time turning fully towards Ilyan. Once again, it felt like he was being interrogated through body language alone, but it didn’t seem to bother him this time. Ilyan’s eyes wandered to the features of the young man’s face, noting the beauty mark under one of his eyes.
So mesmerized was he that he almost missed the Lightkeeper’s name as he spoke. “Illuga. My name is Illuga.”
“Illuga…” Ilyan tested the name on his mouth as he continued to etch every feature on Illuga’s face in a trance.
The faint red tinge on one of his bangs…
A thin smile found itself on his face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Illuga.”
Illuga did not smile back, but he did nod before he turned away to continue down the path. Instead of following him like he was the Tsaritsa herself, Ilyan walked with just a little more light in his steps; hands finding themselves comfortably clasped together behind his back.
He wasn’t quite sure the change in his own demeanor, perhaps it was because he has a name to put to the young man he was following behind? Maybe it was the thought that soon enough, he’ll return to his comrades, reassure their worries and give them some time off.
Perhaps, it was the thought that maybe he’ll be seeing Illuga again after today. It was an outrageous thought, but he couldn’t help but look forward to seeing those eyes again. Even if they looked upon Ilyan’s own with suspicion...
…
…
…
Yeah, he needs to get checked with the Bureau’s doctors when he comes back.