Hello! I've returned! Now there's a warning for this chapter. This chapter has some graphic violence in it and if that makes you uncomfortable you might what to skip all of Xingqiu's fight because it's probably the darkest part of this story.

"Xingqiu!" Xingling called out as she looked around Wuwang hill frantically. Her voice echoed around the desolate feeling hill.

"You're doing it wrong." Chongyun scoffed.

"How can I shout wrong?" Xingling put her hands on her hips in indignation.

"Like this: Xingqiu!" Chongyun had cupped his hands over his mouth before destroying his vocal cords in a wild shout for his best friend. There was an underlying tone in Chongyun's shout, it sounded like worry mixed with concern and it caused the nearby birds to flee for their safety as his voice ricocheted all around them.

"Hey-" Venti came up and patted Chongyun on the shoulder. "Calm down. We'll find him. Okay?"

"Besides, I feel the last thing we need are these people catching us trying to find their base." Diluc sighed as he came up to their group with Kaeya and Childe not too far behind him.

"I'm sorry." Chongyun responded as he pulled out a popsicle out of… somewhere and started to eat it. Not lick it down. He bit into the popsicle. It made Venti feel uncomfortable as he watched Chongyun eat the popsicle in three swift bites. "I'm afraid I overheated. I'll try and keep my temperature at level to avoid doing that again."

"You what now?" Kaeya inquired as he approached the teenager.

"It's best if you don't ask." Hu Tao scratched at her face before sucking in a deep breath. "It's a complicated story."

Chongyun huffed a little laugh. "It's not that-" Before Chongyun could finish his sentence there was a loud rustling noise not too far away from their group. It was loud enough to cause enough to jump and have their weapons at the ready in milliseconds.

It was hard to tell where it came from exactly with the rushing water from the nearby stream. Venti kept his arrow down with the bow pulled back, he was ready to fire at a moment's notice, if only he knew where the sound had come from. He was the only one in the party with a bow, that he knew of, and he could bring the enemy down first. Venti swallowed hard as the air between everyone turned heavy and tense.

"Whoa-!" Xingling jumped as a pair of purple gloved hands suddenly popped out of the bush nearest her. The hands were up, no weapon in sight, a clear sign of nonhostility. Before Venti put his bow away he already knew who was on the other side of the bush.

"Don't attack! Please!" Lisa emerged from the bush with her hands still up as she looked at Xingling. "I'm a Knight of-" Lisa's eyes had trailed away from Xingling and landed on Venti and the others.

Venti waggled his fingers at her in a greeting as did Kaeya and Diluc. "-favonius…" Lisa still finished her sentence before chewing on the inside of her cheek. Her usual flirty nature was gone, now replaced with frantic and uncharacteristic worry; and as she fully emerged from the bush she adjusted Klee's backpack that was hanging over her shoulder. "I don't know if I should be thankful that I ran into you guys or worried." Lisa breathed out as she approached them.

"Is that Klee's backpack?" Kaeya didn't bother beating around the bush. "Is she here?" He inquired while looking around for the little girl. Venti felt his fingers start to twitch against his leg as he looked at Lisa with wide eyes.

"Knowing Klee, she's probably hiding." Diluc crossed his arms over his chest while a little mirth crossed over his usually hardened features.

'If Lisa is here and not on her way back to Mondstadt and she has Klee's bag with her…' Venti started to gnaw at his lip as he was coming to a conclusion he wasn't liking.

"Who is Klee?" Zhongli asked as he came to stand next to Venti.

Lisa, for just a moment, regained her flirty nature the moment she saw Zhongli. "You are very handsome~"

It was Diluc that spoke next: "Time and place, Lisa."

Kaeya then answered Zhongli's question: "Klee is our Spark Knight. She's only eight, so it's natural she likes to run off on her own."

Childe spun around real quick at this. "Whoa! Hold up, you guys have an eight-year-old as a knight!? Isn't that a bit extreme, comrades?"

There was a crack of electricity from Lisa that snapped only inches away from Childe's face. "Why exactly is a fatui member with you guys?" She hissed between clenched teeth. "Last I remembered: the fatui are our enemy."

"They are." Everyone answered all at once, say for Childe.

"But he's not Lumine's enemy. So, for now. We've formed an uneasy alliance." Diluc snarled, curling his lip up at Childe in the process.

"You love me." Childe joked, but didn't dare press it any farther than that. Which was for the best as it looked like Diluc was ready to punch the other red-head.

All at once there came a sound. The sound of someone rushing towards them, they didn't even have a chance to pull their weapons out before Razor came leaping out of the brush, this caused Xingling to jump and let out a startled yelp as he had landed right next to her on all fours.

"Lisa! Razor finds something!" Razor declared as he stood up now. He rushed to Lisa, ignoring everyone else. "Razor smells Klee! But thorns and brambles keeps Razor from reaching!"

"Wait- you lost Klee?!" Kaeya turned to Lisa in alarm.

"We woke up and she was gone!"

"You should have told us that from the start!" Venti felt himself bristle a little as the winds suddenly picked up.

"I've been trying! And who are you to bark at me like that?!" Lisa snarled as she turned on Venti.

It was then did Razor get between them before anymore words could be said. "No fighting! Not now! Klee this way! Razor is sure! She's close! Hurry!" Razor started to run. It didn't take much for the others to quickly follow, say for one.

Venti found himself staying behind as he watched the others run off. Of course, his absence didn't go unnoticed for long as only seconds later, Zhongli jogged up to him. "What are you doing?"

The winds stilled to a halt.

Venti looked up at the sky. "Did you feel that, Morax?"

"Feel what?"

"Something in the air changed." Venti summoned his bow and gripped it so tightly that it hurt the bones in his fingers. "We're going to be walking into a fight and It's going to be big. I hope you're prepared."

Xingqiu felt uneasy as he looked at all the treasure hoarders surrounding him and Feng. There was enough room for the two of them to have their duel, but the amount of treasure hoarders that were watching made Xingqiu unnerved. 'I can't trust this monster.' Xingqiu thought as he was handed his sword back. Quietly he looked at his reflection in the black sword, before he looked back at the treasure hoarder that had Klee in his grasp, and he finally looked back at Feng. "Just so everyone here knows this. If I win: I get to leave here with Klee and the other girls you have trapped, is that correct?"

Feng smiled before vowing. "You have my word, Xingqiu."

"Very well." Xingqiu twirled his sword in his hand. "Then, I'm ready!"

"Alright." Feng didn't hesitate with the first attack. It was like a wave of fire that approached Xingqiu at such a rapid pace that he didn't have any time to dodge out of the way.

Heat. Heat was all Xingqiu felt as he braced his arms in front of his face in an attempt to protect himself. Then, he was weightless as he flew through the air for a terrifying moment. When he finally hit the ground he rolled, first on his side, then his back, before he finally landed on his stomach. "O-Ow…." Xingqiu gritted his teeth as pain radiated from his ribs where he was sure one was cracked, if not broken. "Damn-" Xingqiu looked up just in time to see another attack coming his way and tried to scramble to his feet. "Fuck!" Thankfully, he managed to get up and dodge to the left just before the attack could hit him.

"Oh, Xingqiu, I expected a little better from you." Feng chuckled darkly, this caused his cronies to chuckle just as well.

'His attacks are strong. Stronger than I could have anticipated. That's fine.' Xingqiu's hands shook as he gripped his sword so tight that it hurt his knuckles. 'I know better now!' and with this newfound knowledge, Xingqiu charged.

"Oh?" Feng chuckled as Xingqiu ran for him. "That look in your eye, you really do remind me of that woman. She had the same murderous look on her face that you do now." He sent another wave of fire Xingqiu's way, and Xingqiu swiftly dodged to the side without stopping his charge.

Xingqiu didn't answer; he gritted his teeth so hard that he was afraid they'd break under the pressure. His sword handle hurt his hand the harder he gripped it. He felt his hydro vision flare up under his fingers as his sword was almost at the ready, ready to use his vision. He would have this one attack, and he'd have to wait almost thirty seconds to use it again, but that'll be fine because this'll not only hurt Feng but also heal Xingqiu in the process.

Closer and closer he got to his target, Feng sent out another wave of fire, Xingqiu dodged, but just barely, he didn't lose his momentum and that was the important thing as he kept running. Finally, Xingqiu felt close enough. "Know my sword-" Xingqiu started to cry out as he swung, ready to do his signature flip, but suddenly, before he could take off, it happened.

Feng used his whip of fire and he had it wrapped around Xingqiu's throat, lifting the teen off of the ground a good few inches. Xingqiu only felt pain from the whip as it blistered the outside of his throat while choking him all the same. It was only out of instinct did he try and reach up to pry it off with his bare hands. His hands felt intense pain from the fire as they too started to blister and peel. He felt his legs start to kick in desperation.

"Cute-" Feng smiled at Xingqiu for only a second before he hurled Xingqiu's body into the ground below.

Something cracked, Xingqiu was sure it was his shoulder as it had taken the brunt of the impact. Thankfully, he could breathe again, but his throat still hurt from the severe burns around it, and his hands… he brought them up to inspect. The palms were past the stage of blistering and had to be either second or third degree burns. His stomach churned as he looked down at his melted flesh. Thankfully, he had used his vision and some of his burns started to heal.

"Give up yet?" Feng sounded bored as he asked this. "We're clearly not on the same level, you and I. Shame, I mean I expected better from someone who's friends with that girl-"

Xingqiu's body shook as he tried to push himself up from the floor. His palms screamed in agony as he did this. "-Her name is Lumine!" in one swift movement, Xingqiu summoned his sword in his hands. "And I'm going to make you regret doing what you did to her!"

"What I did to her? You make it sound like she didn't enjoy it, I mean while she was alive that is."

Xingqiu's emotions were like a pot of boiling water and at that moment the water boiled over and all he saw was red. "I'm going to make you regret saying that!" Xingqiu remembered roaring in his anger as he went straight for Feng. He ignored any and all pain, he couldn't even feel pain. All he felt was white hot anger and Feng was going to feel his wrath.

Clearly, Feng hadn't expected Xingqiu's attack, and thus, he couldn't dodge. There was a sickening noise as Xingqiu's sword impaled Feng's right shoulder and exited out the other side. Xingqiu felt his hands start to tremble, but he thought nothing as the only thing on his mind was just the want and need for revenge. So, Xingqiu jerked the sword out of Feng's shoulder and a small spray of warm blood followed suit. Most of the fat blood droplets landed on the ground below in a sporadic pattern, but some landed on Xingqiu's arm and trailed up to his neck.

Xingqiu didn't even feel slightly sorry.

Feng took a startled step back as a look of surprise started to etch across his face.

'Now! I can use my vision!' Xingqiu realized, and he took this opportunity, while Feng was stunned. He didn't say anything, instead, Xingqiu grunted and flipped in the air, spraying water as he slashed his sword across Feng's chest. Feng took a few more steps back in shock as Xingqiu landed. 'I can't use my burst yet… I need it now more than ever, but I'll just have to land a few more attacks on him.' Xingqiu readied his sword and gritted his teeth.

Feng had doubled over at one point and Xingqiu wanted to take full advantage of that, but he had to wait to use his burst again. 'Let him feel the pain Lumine had!' a more devilish voice had whispered into Xingqiu's ear like a poisonous little worm. And, until he had his burst, he was going to listen to that little voice just this once. This man didn't deserve chivalry, the only thing Feng deserved was to be wiped off the face of teyvat!

Xingqiu charged again. "This is for Lumine! For My liege and for Paimon-!"

The blow came as Xingqiu was running. It didn't come from Feng's weapon or even his vision, but rather it was his two big meaty fists balled together that struck Xingqiu directly across the face. The blow sent Xingqiu flying back as he landed on his back. His sword out of his hands.

The blow had dazed Xingqiu so horribly that he couldn't even recognize what he was seeing as he looked at the floor below him. His vision was doubled and everything was blurred. Eventually, after probably a few seconds, his vision cleared and he realized he was looking at his own blood and two teeth that had been knocked out of his head. The blood was pooling from his split lip and, if he had guessed, two missing molars. Xingqiu coughed and it was like a fountain of blood that was spewing from his mouth. A thick trail of hot blood pooled below him.

"Do you know how expensive this outfit was that you ruined!?"

Another blow, a kick, this one to his gut. Xingqiu rolled on the ground as the air was forcibly removed from all of his lungs. For threatening heartbeat, Xingqiu feared that he died because he couldn't breathe! But, after another heartbeat the air returned to his lungs and the first thing Xingqiu did was vomit. His lunch came up as he laid on his back and on instinct, and because he was in so much agonizing pain from his face to his stomach, Xingqiu could only turn his head to the side so he wouldn't choke.

Feng grabbed Xingqiu by his collar and in one swift moment punched the teen as hard as he could across the face. This caused Xingqiu to land on the ground as more blood left his mouth from the attack,

Tears were suddenly streaming down his face. 'Lumine…' He thought sadly of his friend that had to endure this man. Lumine was strong, ten times stronger than Xingqiu could ever be and even she couldn't beat this man. What made Xingqiu think he could? Xingqiu looked up to the best of his abilities and he saw Klee being held back by some treasure hoarders. She was yelling… was she? Xingqiu couldn't hear her or anyone for that matter, the only noise he could hear was a constant ringing in his ears. 'Klee…'

Xingqiu wasn't aware of the fact that he was trying to get to his feet until he was half way there. "I'm not quitting. Not until you and every little girl are safe!" Xingqiu was speaking, but he couldn't hear himself, so he might have been screaming this for all he knew. "I promise you!"

Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye, Xingqiu summoned his sword in the nick of time and he slashed, hitting Feng from his left shoulder down to his naval. "Know my sword!" Xingqiu all but cried as he used his vision to attack Feng. This knocked Feng down, but it also came with a drawback to Xingqiu, Xingqiu tried to flip like he usually would, but he forgot he was hurt and he didn't land on his feet. He, ungracefully, fell back on to his side.

Even though he couldn't hear himself, Xingqiu could feel his vocal cords as he screamed in pain once his ribs made contact with the unforgiving ground. He tried to get back up. Gods, how he tried to get back to his feet and fight, but suddenly his collar was grabbed. Feng was speaking, but Xingqiu couldn't hear him. There was a flash of something and Xingqiu had no clue what happened… until there was a pain in his shoulder that felt like fire. Only, it wasn't fire. No, it was Xingqiu's own sword that was now impaling him.

Then, just as quick as it happened, his own sword was jerked out of his shoulder and, even though he couldn't hear himself, Xingqiu knew he was screaming now. The pain was becoming too much.

Then, there was a flash of red. Klee was now standing directly in front of Xingqiu, her arms out in a pitiful attempt to protect Xingqiu to the best of her abilities. Words were said between Feng and Klee, though Xingqiu didn't know what exactly. 'No… run away.' Xingqiu tried to reach for her. Klee looked back at him and her face hardened in seriousness. She then focused back around to Feng.

Blackness was starting to creep on the edge of Xingqiu's vision. "Klee…" He whispered to her. 'I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you.'

"I command you to stop!" Those were the first words out of Klee's mouth the very moment she managed to free herself from the treasure hoarder's grip yet again. She stood boldly in front of Xingqiu, her arms out, though she was shaking as she stared at Feng. Xingqiu spoke to her and it made Klee turn to look at him. He was beaten badly. He needed a healer! Klee's fists clenched to her sides as she stared at Xingqiu and she felt…

Angry.

Klee felt angry.

"Is this a joke?" Feng chuckled as he put a hand on his hip.

"It's not! I am the-"

"Get out of my way-"

"I am-"

"-I'm not going to ask you again."

"-I am the Spark Knight of the knights of favonius! And I command that you stop!" Klee's voice soared to new heights as she screamed at Feng. "The knights are coming and they'll punish you! They'll punish all of you for your wrong doings! Do you hear me!? You won't get away with this. I'll make sure you won't!" Klee almost wailed as she started to cry and she tugged at her hair so hard that her twin tails came undone.. "You may be big, mean, and scary, but that won't stop me from fighting you myself!"

"Enough!" Feng reeled his arm back and Klee saw fire start to spark. "I'll teach you to yell at me like that!"

On instinct, Klee brought both of her arms up to shield her face from the wave of fire coming her way. A cry of alarm left her mouth and she braced herself, but the attack never came. At least, the fire never came because next thing she knew someone had grabbed her and tackled her down to the ground. "Ow!" Klee gasped in shock as she landed on her side.

"Flower! What is the meaning of this!?" Feng hissed between clenched teeth. Several treasure hoarders looked ready to step in to stop this madness, but Feng stopped them with a wave of his arm. "Stay where you are!" he ordered.

When Klee sat up on her arms she saw her savior. Dahlia stood there, now blocking Klee from Feng. Klee couldn't see Dahlia's face from this angle but she could see that Dahlia was trembling. Her knees were wobbling, and hands were shaking, and so were her shoulders. Dahlia's breath sounded hitched in her throat, and yet, she raised her fists like she was ready to fight.

"Dahlia…" Klee whispered in amazement as the teen now stood before Feng.

Dahlia whispered something, she then took a step back towards Klee, her shaky hands out in an attempt to protect her.

Feng was starting to lose his patience as he snarled and gnashed his teeth, "Speak up, girl!"

"Don't hurt my friend!" Dahlia cried and Klee could hear how Dahlia's voice trembled and how close to crying this girl was. "She's just a little girl!"

"Get out of my way, Flower."

"No!"

Feng looked appalled, like she had just struck him across the face unprompted. "...What…? Do you want to repeat that, Flower? Because I know you didn't just tell me no."

Klee looked back at Xingqiu. Slowly, she started to crawl to the boy. She kept her eyes on Feng and Dahlia, until she reached Xingqiu's hand. It twitched when she put hers in his. 'He's just asleep.'

Dahlia's trembling didn't cease, if anything it increased, she stared at Feng with only horror in her eyes, yet still, she stood tall. Her fists still raised. "I… I-I-...I'm going to put a stop to you!" Dahlia suddenly declared as she clenched her fist in his direction. "You're a monster!"

"I take you in, my own flesh and blood, and this is how you're going to repay me! Then so be it!" Feng didn't use his fire whip, not this time. No, he was charging for Dahlia. Closer and closer Feng was getting and Dahlia only stood there. Arms out, ready to take whatever beating he was going to give her it seemed.

Klee whined and buried her face into the crook of Xingqiu's neck. She was so close to Xingqiu that she could hear his breathing. It sounded weak and raspy, but it was there. Klee then cried out in terror. "I can't look!"

Then, there was a noise. It sounded like rushing water. This was followed by gasps of shocks from the treasure hoarders. When Klee mustered the courage to look up, she saw Dahlia standing there, her right arm extended out from where water was dripping freely from her fingertips, Feng was absolutely soaked to the bone and he had a bewildered looked on his face, and in Dahlia's left hand was a Hydro vision.

Dahlia looked at the vision in her hand with wide eyes. "Have the gods really blessed me?" She whispered in shock as she ran her thumb over the vision.

Klee took note of something interesting. The wind. It seemed to still.

Feng clenched his teeth so tight that Klee thought he might have cracked them. He then pointed at Dahlia. "This won't stand, grab her-!" Feng never got to finish that sentence as at that exact moment there were screams of shocks that very quickly turned into screams of pain and terror.

Klee then heard it. A familiar howl off in the distance. It was a battle cry and it made Klee absolutely giddy to hear and she smiled the biggest smile she could muster before speaking to Feng. "You're in trouble now!"