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Kinich was tired, he honestly was, but he couldn't afford to stop now of all times.
It's been a few days since the massive abyssal invasion. He's been on the move since then, from delivering battle reports and fighting during the invasion, he had been taking care of remaining abyssal influence and transporting supplies to all of the tribes. The Scions of the Canopy were in dire need of repairs and support due to the damage it sustained during the crisis. However, they were still the best ones to transport and gather materials due to their understanding of the mountains. So, like all the other couriers from the tribe, he was busy running around and doing deliveries and emergency exterminations.
That however, also meant he hasn't had a good night's sleep in awhile. He sleeps enough to not pass out from exhaustion, but even he knows he's hardly getting a recommended amount.
Kinich flew down a slope before landing at the bottom and taking a breath. He had a bag full of rations from the Collective of Plenty to deliver to the safe locations while the tribes were getting repaired.
He was about to move again before he heard a distinctive howl. He summoned his claymore and struck at an incoming rifthound that was coming from behind. He saw movement in the corner of his eye and he turned, striking another hound that was coming from his side.
However, he was too slow as another struck his left arm. Kinich let out a grunt as he stumbled back, he raised his claymore into a defensive stance. Only for the rifthound to get struck down by a black blade. Kinich’s eyes widened as a familiar black clad figure landed on the ground, his figure a blur as he eliminated the remaining rifthounds with a speed he only saw once before.
Once the howling had settled and silence filled the air, Kinich lowered his claymore and took a breath.
“You’re exhausted.” Capitano said simply as he put his blade away and walked over to Kinich. He offered a hand which Kinich reluctantly took after a moment.
“I’m just a little tired, that’s all.” Kinich said as he got to his feet. “I could have handled it.”
“Perhaps, but not without sustaining some intense injuries.” Capitano said.
Kinich looked at him for a moment, before taking a breath, “You've been following me, how come?”
“You are sharp, even though you're in a state of exhaustion.” Capitano noted.
“...Just tell me what you want.” Kinich said as he grabbed the materials again and began to walk. He knew he was being followed recently, that was why he had taken an unusual route this time around. Why is the First Harbinger of the Fatui following him of all people?
“I am curious about you.” Capitano said, “You carry the weight of a seasoned warrior, and yet your appearance and age say otherwise.”
“What does that matter? I’m hardly anything different.” Kinich said, “Both Mualani and Kachina are seasoned warriors, Mualani is a better fighter than me even.”
“That may be true, but I am talking about the weight.” Capitano said, “Warriors can be skilled regardless of age, some can even be true heroes from a young age. What doesn’t occur often though, are warriors who carry weight, the weight of their duties on their backs, even if it risks crushing them underfoot.”
“And you think I carry such weight?” Kinich asked, “You forget that there are Six Heroes who were informed of this plan, who all did their best to change the tide of battle, and who lost many people during the invasion. All of us bear ‘weight’, I still don’t see why you single me out. Unless you already tailed the others already.”
“No, I did nothing of the sort.” Capitano said, shaking his head. “Admittedly, you remind me of someone.”
“How so?”
“A person who, despite her ambitions and hunger for vengeance, she carries the weight of children.” Capitano said, “She burdens herself by acting cruel, making herself a villain even if she isn’t one by design. She could have chosen a lighter path, but decided to keep herself on a dark path in the hopes of giving those she raises a chance to see the light.”
“I don’t see how that relates to me.” Kinich said.
“You… how does one describe it?” Capitano wondered, “I can’t really explain it, but there’s something about you that intrigues me, whether it be from a familiar feeling or something else, I do not know.”
“That’s why you’ve been following me?” Kinich asked, “Trying to figure out what feeling you’re getting?”
“Perhaps, but it is strange,” Capitano said, “I remember from the stadium, you were the first to draw your blade to face me.”
“Because you were blatantly threatening our Archon.” Kinich said, “Any other warrior would have done the same, Iansan was ready to fight too.”
“But she didn’t draw her weapon.” Capitano said, “I could tell even she was a little nervous, but you showed no fear. No hesitation, even in the presence of a being who could match your archon, you did not waver.”
“So I was a little tougher, I doubt that’s all you gathered, otherwise you wouldn’t be that interested.” Kinich said, he couldn’t understand what the Captain was trying to gain from this, he didn’t understand why the… now he knows, 500 year old warrior from a fallen nation would have any interest in him.
“It hasn’t, I am actually a little concerned.” Capitano said.
“Concerned? About what?”
“You, I have noticed you haven’t been resting.” Capitano said, “Alongside all the work you’ve been doing ever since the invasion started and ended.”
“Work needs to be done, you should know that.” Kinich said, shifting the packages on his person a bit. “Those from my tribe are adept at traversing Natlan’s landscape. All types of courier work falls on us for the most success. Considering the effects throughout Natlan, we need all hands on deck. I'm no exception.”
“That doesn't mean you should neglect your health. A warrior cannot fight if he's unwell.” Capitano said.
“I know that.” Kinich sighed, “If that's all, you can leave now. I can handle getting these supplies on my own.”
The Captain didn't speak, but he didn't leave Kinich's side either.
Honestly, it was hard enough to read him before, it was a lot harder now for some reason. Perhaps it was just how he was now on neutral to friendly terms with the archon whom he tried to kill earlier, but that's just speculation. He doubts he would be that bothered by it. Why he was focusing on him still was weird. He didn't decided to become something like a babysitter did he?
Regardless, Kinich was able to get the supplies he needed to the safe locations, when he went to finish the exchange, Capitano had vanished into the air. Where he went… Kinich didn't particularly care.
Next on his list was going to some villages between the Scions of the Canopy and the Flower Feather Clan. They were hit particularly hard during the invasion and needed another update on what materials they needed.
So Kinich was off again, using his Dendro grappled to fly across Natlan to get to those locations as soon as possible. Still, that feeling of being followed irked him again. Was Capitano still taking him for some reason?
It didn't matter, as long as he wasn't bothering him he supposed. The trip to the villages wasn't too rough, no stray monsters this time and he was able to get a full list of supplies the villages needed from the other tribes. With the list in hand, he was able to contact other couriers to gather the materials needed.
The sun soon sank behind the talk mountains as night soon took over. However, Kinich's work wasn't done. He had to scout the areas that were hit with those indestructible pylons from the invasion, just to make sure the abyssal influence wasn't still corroding anything nearby and make a report to send back to the Archon.
Kinich let out a small gasp as his foot slipped on a tree branch as he tried to get a new grapple going. He quickly recovered and managed to land safely on the ground but…
He took a breath, the moon was high in the night now. He took a few more as he tried to clear his mind. He still had work to do…
“You're beyond exhausted at this point. You need to stop for now.”
Kinich turned back to see the Captain finally emerge from whatever hiding spot he was using.
“Couldn't I say the same for you?” Kinich managed as he summoned his claymore to learn on it. “You've been following me the whole time…”
“My body isn't affected much by exhaustion anymore due to the curse. It doesn't matter for me.” Capitano said as he walked up to Kinich.
He was a lot closer this time, maybe it was due to the fact he couldn't shake him off this time. Capitano moved in closer and grabbed one of Kinich's wrists.
“Hey!”
“Your grip is weak, and your muscles are not as strong as they normally should be.” Capitano said, “You'll lose your grip and injure yourself soon. You need to rest now.”
“I can get rest myself just fine, I just… need to finish something first…” Kinich said, trying to use as much bite as he could in hopes of making the Harbinger back off, but it fell flat as his vision blurred slightly and he tried to fight back yawning.
“Not in the state you're in.” Capitano said, “You can't even muster the strength to try and escape my grip. You're much too tired for anything. Rest now.”
It didn't take much effort for the Harbinger to pry the claymore from Kinich's hands. Kinich barely managed to register anything when Capitano suddenly covered his eyes. Once his vision was filled with black, he felt his eyes close and the exhaustion he's been pushing off hit him with full force.
Kinich woke up to the sound of birds. His body ached terribly as he tried to move. He shifted a bit and found himself under a large coat that seemed to function as a makeshift blanket.
“You've woken up, I'm a little surprised.”
Kinich turned his head to see Capitano walk over. Looking around, he was in a shallow cave of some sort. Just enough to provide some cover.
Kinich tried to move, but winced as every bone and muscle in his body ached.
“How long was I asleep for?” Kinich asked.
“About eight hours, about the right amount for a normal person, but I don't think it is nearly enough for the lack of sleep you've been getting.” Capitano said, “You needn't worry, I already sent one of my messengers to take care of your courier work.”
“...Why are you focusing on me still?” Kinich asked, “You've been following me around and you decided to do this, it doesn't make sense.”
Capitano took a seat on the opposite side of the cave.
“As I mentioned before, you remind me of someone. Or rather… you remind me of a few people I once knew.” Capitano said, “All warriors who pushed themselves because they believed in the greater good than their own well-being. Righteous individuals who would selflessly throw themselves into danger to protect others. Even if you say the others are like that, I don't think they are to the same extent as you, that of which concerns me.”
Kinich didn't know if his confusion was shown on his face, but the Harbinger continued.
“You're a rare type of warrior who believes in protecting everyone but themselves.” Capitano said, “You push yourself to the limit even now because you deem the work for the other tribes to be more important than your own health. I never view such extreme methods as a good thing, it would be a shame if something like that took out a strong warrior like yourself.”
“So you're just concerned about that?” Kinich asked, “If it eases your concerns, my ancient name means ‘Price’, I know how to weigh what should be given and received for anything.”
“Perhaps, but I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit.” Capitano said, “Rest a bit longer, once you are well enough to walk, we'll be heading to the Stadium for you to get some proper rest.”
“Just resting here is fine.” Kinich said.
“As one of the Pyro Archon's warriors, you need to be in top condition. I can see now that she holds you in high regard, surely she wouldn't want to see you in a state like this.” Capitano said.
“She has bigger things to worry about than me.” Kinich said, “That's all there is to it.”
Capitano didn't say anything further, but simply watched him from the other side of the cave.
Kinich didn't have it in him to ask any questions himself further, so all he did was focus on his aching muscles to see which ones didn't ache as bad as the other. Before long, he fell asleep again.
The second time Kinich woke up, the sound of a crackling fire filled his ears alongside barely audible, muffled chatter. The scent of wood and spices also filled the air.
“...have my thanks.”
“...recovery… leaving now…”
Kinich blinked open his eyes, he was lying on one of the beds of the Weary Inn. He tried to shift, but the ache was still present. It wasn't as bad as before though.
“Kinich? Are you alright?”
Kinich looked up to see Mavuika standing over him.
“Archon…” Kinich managed, his voice sounding more raspy than he would have liked. “I'm fine, just tired. What happened?”
Mavuika sighed, “The Captain brought you here, said he saw you working late into the night and once he got close, learned you were pushing yourself quite hard. You fell asleep and he carried you here to get some proper rest.”
“I was just doing what needed to be done, you don't need to worry.” Kinich said, he attempted to sit up, only for Mavuika to keep him down with a single hand on his forehead.
“Just rest, Kinich. I know you have been doing a lot, but you need rest as well.” Mavuika said with a frown. “I'm glad the Captain brought you here when he did. I know you are strong, but you still need time to recover. Despite being archon, even Xilonen nags me to not overwork myself. So just rest today, okay? Once you regained your energy, you can go on your normal routes for the tribes. The Captain already told me he has some messengers to help you out in the meantime.”
Kinich didn't say anything, but nodded quietly. Mavuika smiled at him before leaving the room.
The Captain brought him here… he knows he was talking with the Archon just a few moments ago. Kinich still didn't know what to make or think of the Harbinger, but maybe he doesn't have to keep his guard up around him so much. Not for now anyway.