I grab Karyll as I duck an Empusa attack and jump before spinning as I lop off its head and stab into a Hell Caina before rolling away as a tendril of water tries to grab me.
"So, these things are called Empusa?" Beidou asks as she cuts one in half.
"Yeah, the skeletons with the scythes are called Hell Caina." I respond before parrying a Hell Caina and unleashing a flurry of slashes before decapitating it and kicking the head towards another enemy.
Ducking as I evade an Empusa attack, I cut off it's claws and cut into its side twice before spinning in a complete circle as it cuts into the demons and they turn to dust, my experience training in the Void helping me.
"I'll have to ask you a few questions later, Mr. Cayo." Ganyu pipes up as an Empusa becomes a frozen statue as I bisect it and it crumbles into pieces.
"Just Cayo is fine. And having an opportunity to speak to a pretty lady? Definitely." I retort as I send an upwards kick to an Empusa's chin before spinning into a spinning hook kick.
Beidou chuckles but is interrupted when one of the sailors yelled from one of the other ships as a tendril of water had him from the legs.
"Damn it!" Beidou growled as Ganyu charged up her arrow before letting it go as it froze a part of the tendril and I grabbed the string section of Karyll and spun as the string extended and cut the ice as the sailor fell back on deck.
"Thanks. But Damn if this storm isn't annoying!" Beidou exclaims as we get a slight reprieve.
"Can I ask why?" I ask as I regain my breath and keep an eye on the constructs of water.
"I use lightning, one wrong move and I can hit my men." Beidou said as I looked around.
"I can't use my ice too low or else I'll freeze someone." Ganyu explains as I nod.
"And that thing isn't getting any closer!" I growled at Elelogap as I could see it smirk next to its constructs of water.
Wait.
"Why isn't he just hunting us down with the water constructs?" I ask as Beidou and Ganyu gape in realization.
"Now that you mention it…" Ganyu starts.
"Yeah. It doesn't make sense." Beidou finishes as I try to come up with a reason.
Finally, the weirdest thing happened, "Shit!"
I caught Ganyu before straightening her as we went to the sky as I looked over and my heart leapt into my throat.
"I don't think we have to wonder for much longer!" I yell as I jump overboard and ignore their calls as tendrils and the dragon that sent the ship to the sky stares at me as I growl.
That growl turns to a grin as I yell, "I'll leave the ships to you!"
Ignoring their responses, I slide down a tendril before using a Mystique technique, a technique that resembles magic but is shortened to fit my needs, to flash onto another tendril as I grab it and kick hard to swing around, catching a few of the tendrils in it as I continue spinning as I wait for the right moment.
Finally, I use the same technique to flash away as I spin once and cut as the dragon leaps to catch me as I cut its head along with the tendrils and I come to a realization when I land on the water using a Mystique technique.
He's buying time. Even now, I can see the start of a whirlpool.
Grinning, I twirl Karyll as I start running towards the overgrown fish that's in the sky. Speeding up as I get closer and evade tendrils of water, blades of water and hands.
Finally, he sent a dragon towards me as it crashed into the water where I cut its neck before running up its body as it started dissipating into normal water before running up another body and cutting into its side as I continued my ride up until a swarm of water blades were sent my way as I parried some and evaded the rest until finally I was in front of the Devil.
"You!" Elelopa growls as his movements become considerably less sloppy.
"Me! Haha!" I laugh as I cut into its scaly side and land on a platform of mana that I made as I dashed forward and added more cuts into its face.
"Argh! Kill him!" Elelogap roars as an Empusa Queen and Empusas swarm me as they land on a different platform as I fall onto that one.
Having a sturdy arena, I duck a slash from an Empusa as I bisect it before cutting another's claw and head off.
The Queen had enough as it tried to slam on me as I hopped around it and twirled as I cut into its side and released a flurry of cuts before spinning like a top as the string on the end of Karyll extended and got some of the Empusas and the Queen before aiming Karyll at Elelogap's eye and throw it.
Elelogap roars and I pull and swing with the string to its side, pulling Karyll as its handle is back in my hands as I release slash after slash, each one digging into Elelogap's side and drawing blood as he roared and when I released a diagonal slash across his side, he hit me with his tail back to the Crux fleet who were a bit too close in my opinion.
Stumbling out of the crash, I mutter, "Damn, still the same as always."
"Still seems like you did quite a bit of damage." Beidou calls from my side as she cuts down another Empusa.
"Yeah, I'm gonna see if I can try again. Wish I still had Pazuzu with me thou-." Before I could finish, a tendril of water grabbed my leg as I fell on my back.
"Cayo!" Beidou called in worry.
"I'll be fine," I say as I cut the tendril and fall back on deck, "Seems like he's wary of me but is blind on the right side."
An Empusa snuck up on Cayo but he knew and also knew of Ganyu who shot it before kicking it as it turned to dust, "What about his left?"
"Still in working condition, though I think I have an idea." I say as the plan starts developing.
"Well don't just stand there, tell us!" Beidou says as she cuts another Empusa.
I was about to say something but something roared as Elelogap was closer and something with a bunch of heads appeared in the back of the fleet. On the ship we were on.
"That plan's scrapped." I muttered as it roared but Ganyu did something incredible.
She brought her hands forward as a blue orb appeared in it as my eyes widened before raising her arms as it enlarged and froze the large monster, "It won't hold for long!"
I grin as I grab their arms and run, "It doesn't have to! Follow me!"
Ganyu on the other hand, stopped as I stumbled, "With all due respect, why should we trust you?"
"Because-." I turned to try and convince her but my heart fell as the frozen monsters disappeared, cutting off my plan.
"Fuck." I mutter, out of ideas and short of a plan. Usually, I'd be annoyed at Ganyu but it makes sense, we've barely met and she doesn't really trust me, even if it did close off a form of attack that'd have finished this easily.
We returned to our defense, being pushed further and further in as I grit my teeth.
How can we turn this around?
Quickly shaking my head, I turned to Elelogap, as he grinned. I gave it back as I snickered.
"Any smart ideas Cayo?" Beidou asked, lightly injured as she hopped on next to me.
"Hold that thought." I muttered, before extending an arm as mana pooled in my arm before a large force exploded outwards, ignoring the crewmembers but pushing back against the Lesser Demons.
It was a short respite but it was enough to get a clear sight at Elelogap as an idea hits me.
"How far can you throw me with your sword?" I ask as she grins.
"Far enough," she shows me the back of her blade, "hold on!"
I do as she says as she starts spinning. Gritting my teeth, the force goes against me until she yells, "Now!"
She swings her greatsword, sending me flying as I grab Karyll and prepare myself.
Once I was at the highest, I kicked off a platform of mana as I went higher than Elelogap's location.
I was right over him as I cut him cleanly in half despite his large width and then again but vertically as I sheathe Karyll and a flurry of cuts appeared in between as Elelogap roared, "Not again!"
Finally, there was silence as I grabbed the orb and a bright light as a duo of pure blue kali sticks appeared in my hands as I grinned, "Welcome back El."
Chucking as I heard a huff of acceptance as the demon mellowed out. I noticed something else as well, instinctively, I reached out and grabbed it before putting it in my pocket as the wind and the fact that I was falling got me out of my stupor as I grabbed the kali sticks and grinned.
This is going to scare them.
The Crux was quiet as they breathed heavily, "Is it over?" Someone asked.
When the only response was the calm rolling waves and the shifting of human bodies, the crew dared to hope as the heavy atmosphere started to dissipate as some of the crewmembers grinned at each other, chuckles escaping their mouths.
"Has anyone seen Ganyu or Cayo?" Beidou asked with worry in her voice as she looked around the deck of the Alcor, looking for the man that helped save them and her friend.
"I'm here! But I don't see Cayo anywhere." Ganyu noticed as she looked around as the storm cleared up.
"Well, where can he be?" Beidou asked as she bit her lip.
"Are you sure he didn't…" Ganyu didn't finish that statement.
Beidou thought about it but shook her head, "Nah, he's still alive. Doesn't seem like the type to die that easily."
"And here I thought I'd be able to give you guys a nice scare," they heard from behind them as Ganyu jumped, Beidou smirked and Cayo rose up in a tendril of water as he smirked, eyes full of life and mischief, "Oh well."
"Welcome back, that was a good show you put on back there." Beidou said as she walked towards him.
"Thanks, you weren't so bad either. Now, I'm gonna have to ask," there was a loud growl as the sailors got back in combat stance but Beidou only seemed amused, "but you wouldn't happen to have something to eat."
"We do, but I think you'd enjoy something more original." Beidou said as Cayo started drooling as his imagination ran wild.
Beidou could only chuckle, his hunger must be large if that was all that was needed to get his imagination going.
Suddenly, he had two sticks as he knocked them together side by side before pulling them apart as a map appeared in between them to the shock of anyone who was paying attention.
"So, that's how it looks, huh? Guess we're heading that way." Cayo mutters as he closes it and separates them before knocking the two sticks together and the crews are surprised at the fact that the ocean is helping them move their fleet.
"So, mind if I have my questions answered?" Cayo asked as he held the two sticks with one hand as he shifted his weight to one leg.
"So, we've answered all your questions to the best of our ability, Cayo. So, can you answer a few for us?" Ganyu asks as I sigh.
"Can you give me a minute, no offense but this is a lot to take in." Gods, different nations, visions, magic, there's so much. But what does it mean?
Barbatos is the name of a demon, and so is Rex Lapis and Baal. When Sam picked me up, he said that the Unknown God stopped him, so that means he must have stopped the others right?
"Sadly, for strength, Demons can be just as tenacious as humans. And names are powerful things, whoever named these 'Archons' doomed their world when he named them after Devils." Elelogap responds as I nod.
But, what happened to my world? "Hey, Ganyu. You… aren't a normal human right?"
Ganyu was confused but nodded, "Yes, I'm half-Qilin. Why?"
"So, you've been around for a while?" I ask as I hope I don't offend her. "Even talked to your Go-Archon, I mean."
Ganyu was confused even more, "Yes."
"Then… were there people like me. People who came from stone?" I asked as I gauged her reaction.
And it was a very telling thing, "Yes… I didn't think we'd see an actual Catholic."
Wait, Catholic? "Hold up, rewind. Catholic?"
"Yes, isn't that what you referred to yourself as when you were alive since before the creation of Celestia?" Ganyu asked as she tilted her head.
"No. Far from it, that's what we called worshippers of a certain religion. And honestly, I'm not that surprised." I say as I brush away some hair.
My hair's too long, it's uncomfortable, "Then, why did he call himself that?"
I lean back and sigh, "Religious discrimination. He probably didn't want any other religion to be known."
"Wait, why?" Ganyu asked as she brought out a journal and started writing.
"The religion that man practices has a rule, 'treat your neighbor how you would yourself' would be an interpretation. They also had another that said 'man shall not lie with boy' but then all the higher-ups went 'oh wait, we do that'. So, it was changed to 'man shall not lie with man'. That say enough?" I say as I see their reaction from Ganyu's horror to Beidou's disgust.
"And this god let them?" Beidou growled as she glared at the sky.
"I don't know." I responded honestly to their shock.
"What?" Ganyu asked after a period of silence.
"I know what I said, we didn't know if gods were real but I didn't care. I just knew that the institution behind the religion is far from being as good as they say." I responded as silence overtook the room.
Being the one who put the room in this awkward position, I decided to remove it from this position, "Did you know that we know what the moon looks like?"
This garnered their interest, "We know too." Beidou responded as I chuckled.
"Oh yee of little faith. I'm not saying from here. I'm saying some of us walked on that big grey rock." I say as their faces were those of astonishment.
"No way." Ganyu said as she got up.
"Yup. We got up there because we didn't want another country to get there first. It's funny, that same race gave us so much as well." I say as I lean back.
"So, you're truly from the time before Celestia?" Beidou asked with disbelief in her voice.
"I'm a little different but yeah." I respond as I grin with a wink.
Beidou only chuckled, "I think that'd work better if you didn't seem malnourished and had a lion's mane."
"Damn it. I should fix that when I get off." I mutter as I sit back.
"Why not now? We have a few people who can do a decent job." Beidou said before putting a hand to her chin, "Though we may have to cut it short before we can get to other work."
"Sure! I'd be up for it!" I say with a smile when I remember something. I grab my shirt and smell it and I'm confused at what I smell.
Stone, dust and something else combined to make something that's definitely not good, "Yeah, I'm definitely gonna need a shower before doing anything when we get off at Liyue."
"You and most of my men," Beidou smirked, "I think I can get them to lay off of you for a day, give you a bit of time to get settled, sleep but then you'll have to show up in good clothes."
I give her a look before looking at my clothes and then back to her, "Sure. It's not like I'm homeless and penniless. Besides," I lean back again as I yawn, "I don't wear fancy clothing. I wear what's comfortable. If I look good, it's just a bonus."
Beidou could only quirk a brow, "How are you tired? If I'm right, you've been asleep for centuries on end?"
I gave her a tired grin, "And I've been starved, stuck in the same position for years, liquid deprived, and was forced into a lot of movement in the first minutes I've been out. Gimme a break."
Beidou gives me a sheepish grin, "In that case, I'll bring up some food and water, it's not going to be the best but it should hold until we get back."
"Thanks, sorry for the trouble, "I apologize as I scratch my mess of a hair as I start to get up while Beidou leaves.
"Ah, sorry, but…" Ganyu interrupts as I remember what I had to do before sighing and returning to my seat.
"I have to answer your questions, right?" I ask as I lean forward, "Go ahead. I'm listening."
"Thank you, um," Ganyu hummed as she held a hand to her chin, "what happened to Elelogap? We didn't see its body fall to the ocean. So, where is it?"
Smirking, I grabbed the blue kali sticks as I spun them a bit, "Here."
Ganyu seems confused, "What do you mean?"
"Ganyu," I start as I place them back on the table, "I didn't have these when I was in the stone. It's only when I was released and I beat El that I had them. These are called Devil Arms, and they're… usually gained by defeating a high-level devil like Elelogap, they leave behind an orb that usually shifts into a weapon. Sometimes, other more mundane objects, like maps."
Ganyu's eyes widened, "So, you're saying…"
"Yup, if someone defeats a high-level Devil like Elelogap, they could possibly match the Archons of this time." I say as I lean back.
"Impossible!" Ganyu bursts in what seems like outrage.
"Hey! I said match! They'd have to be good at using them and skilled at fighting first. But pure power? Yeah, these things easily match them." I say as I tap at the kali sticks.
There was a scoff as a voice said, "Match? My power surpasses these 'Archons' even in this meagre form."
Ganyu yelped as she bolted up and I nodded at Elelogap, "'Sup El, finally willing to talk?"
He didn't respond as I gained a teasing grin, "Awww, is wittle El shtill mad he can't kill me?"
"Silence!" The kali sticks yell as I burst out laughing.
"Ah, still got it." I mutter, wiping away some tears.
"Um, Cayo?" Ganyu whispers as I decide to ease it as I grab them and hit them together as they make a sound and a tendril of water travels in as it takes the form of a fish, a koi specifically.
"There, that should be better, right?" I ask with a teasing grin towards El.
"Yes, now, you must be of divine blood. Dragon? No, your disposition is too quiet, a Qilin then." El notes as Ganyu flinches. Considering El's aggressive tone I would too, before.
"El. Shut it." I say as I glare at the fish who disappeared back into water as it splashed on the floor.
There was a silence before I heard Beidou open the door with some fruit and dried meat along with a cup of water, "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, just a little presentation gone wrong is all." I explain as I sit down and turn to Ganyu, "Sorry, Elelogap tends to be like that to anyone of divine blood. Most Devils and demons too."
"So, that's why the Bull charges at me when he sees me?" Ganyu asks with curiosity in her voice.
"The Bull?" I ask as I lean forward.
"Yeah, but first here," Beidou places a small amount of food on the table, "Most people who are stranded for a long time tend to eat little when they eat again. Those that try for more get sick quickly."
Nodding to Beidou in thanks, I sip some water and drink a little before sighing, "After a long while water is weirdly tasty."
"Cayo, might I continue my questions?" Ganyu asks as I tilt my head in a unspoken question, "It's just that if you want to have a chance to have your own time to recuperate while in Liyue, it's best for me to have some information to sate the curiosity of those in the Liyue Qixing to stop them from doing their own investigations on you."
I nod in understanding, "So, any more questions?"
"Well, I'm quite curious about these 'Devil Arms'." Ganyu said as I nodded.
"Well, Devil Arms can be gained in different ways. The most common is through combat where someone defeats a Devil and they leave behind an orb, the winner grabs the orb and it becomes a weapon. There's also where the Devil and a person have an emotional connection and the Devil submits to them and finally, a battle of wills when the Devils already are weapons and the wielder has to stand strong as the weapons try to fight back." I explain as Ganyu notes everything.
"Then is Karyll," she points to my blade, "also a Devil Arm?"
Shaking my head, I say, "No, it's a strong blade, but not a Devil Arm."
"And, can anyone have one?" Ganyu asks as Beidou seems interested.
"Yup, you defeat a Devil and it'll give you knowledge, a weapon or nothing. But the one who gets the prize is the one who dealt the final blow and did the most damage. The Devil has to see you as 'worthy' to wield it as a weapon." I explain before El drops his own two cents.
"Loathe I am to admit it, Astel is the only one I see worthy of wielding me with, not only pride, but skill, strength, and speed." I smiled as Beidou sputtered but I felt El's presence retract before I could continue.
"It talked!" Beidou exclaimed as I laughed.
"Of course it did, it has the soul of Elelogap." I respond to Beidou's shock.
The rest of the hour I spent answering Ganyu's questions.
I sat on the crow's nest as I inspected what El dropped. A Gold Orb. I hold the gold stone while staring at the jewel in the middle, wondering what I should do with it.
Not like I can create any, it uses a secret method for a reason. Theoretically, one of my Devils told me it could be used to 'restitch the connection between the soul and the body while cleansing the body'.
I hear someone come up as I pocket the Orb and turn to see Beidou grinning, "Hey! How's it going?"
"Pretty good, nothing seen for miles, though I should check the map, see if I missed anything and hope we didn't overshoot." I say as I summon El and knock the sticks together and unfurl them like a scroll as a semi-transparent blue map appears on it. Studying a bit, I see we're going the right way but we'll overshoot if we go this way. Closing it, I knock the sticks together as the fleet moves slightly.
"Do you have to do that every time you want to manipulate the water?" Beidou asks as I shake my head.
"Nah, it's more of something I kept with my training. Originally, I knocked them together so it can help my concentration. While I can do the same without knocking them together, at this point it's a habit." I explain as I spin them around a bit.
"Interesting. So, how are you feeling? I was pretty surprised when you ate all the food I brought you. Usually, people who don't eat much for a long stretch of time tend to eat very little or get sick if they eat too much." Beidou explained as she leaned on the side.
"Nah, I'm fine. I have a little trick. Magic if you so will." I explain as I stand a bit ways away from her.
"Oh? That sounds interesting, did you get it from a Devil as well?" She says with interest in her voice.
"Yup. Wanna hear about it?" I ask her as she nods with a grin.
"Much as I like people talking about my own stories, I enjoy hearing of others' exploits as well. So, why don't you tell me?" Beidou said as I shrugged.
"Sure, but it's pretty long, sure you have the time?" I ask her and she laughs.
"For a story? Of course."
"Now, where do I start?" I wonder as I look at the sky, "The Devil I killed to get the magic I have, the Mystique Style I call it, actually came at a night just like this."
I was staring up at the void as it showed a night sky as I wondered about different subjects. Like how the sky is changing back in my world, or if it even has changed.
Yet I was at peace, I wasn't as lonely as I listened to a slow beat as I was lulled to sleep.
I heard foggy voices and was shocked as the feeling woke me up as I jumped back up, "Beleth, what the hell?" I asked the Devil responsible for my ability to use lightning.
There was a grunt responding as I quirked a brow, "What do you mean someone is trying to lull me into sleep?"
"Someone was trying to lull you into sleep. They're not trying anymore." Pazuzu responded as I summoned him as there was a burst of wind and I had a chain wrapped around my shoulders and arms as I held the chain and tensed up to await an attack.
There was silence as I tensed, preparing for an attack as no sound was made, "You think they're gone?"
'Maybe. I think they left once they saw me.' Pazuzu suggests when I started finding something weird about this situation.
"Pazuzu, why didn't I feel your wind?"
There was no answer as he didn't respond before continuing, "And Beleth, what was that shock? You never do that?"
No other answer as I already knew the answer.
Beidou whistled, "Must have been terrifying."
Chuckling I nod, "Yeah, but it ended better than I could have imagined."
I grab the fake Pazuzu and throw him off as he becomes something else and so does the fake Taurus, Elelogap, and Beleth.
"So, the little Hunter found out the trick. Tell me, what gave it away?" Another voice said as I looked around.
Gathering mana in my body, I look around as I answer, "The real ones would have known where the demon would be and none of them would ever suggest that a Devil just 'left'. Besides, Beleth doesn't shock me to wake me up, he blasts music in my ears."
Now, we're at an impasse, I can't hurt the Devil nor can he do much to me so I have to find a way to break his hold.
"Oh no you don't~." Then I felt weightless.
"What the-?" Startled, I lose my grip on my mana as I stop feeling solid and feel more unfocused. It feels like I'm on air and my body has become air.
With the moment of weakness, the other Devils start ganging up on me as I roll away from a charging Taurus and duck Beleth's sword before retaliating with a mana-laced punch as it does more damage than expected but don't hold back as I aim at his stomach then kick his knee outwards as it snaps before jumping and kneeing his face as I lose my grip on my mana and Beleth disappears.
To be released from something like this, I have to use a mana burst or be shocked out of it.
Gathering my mana once more, I send a spinning back kick to Taurus before kicking his head and punching him across the face and sending a hammer punch to its skull as it disappeared as well.
I lose my balance as I'm caught by tendrils of water and air as I'm slowly forced apart.
I tried to fight it but the weightless feeling didn't help as I was nearly split apart. My mind being split in half as I neared the gates of Hell.
"Wait a moment. Shouldn't it be a more positive way of saying it? Like the Gates of Celestia?" Beidou interrupted.
Staring at her, I snorted before throwing my head back in humor and laughing loudly as she seemed embarrassed, "What?"
Finally, I manage to bring myself together quickly as I brush the tears away, "N-nothing. I just find the thought that I'd see Heaven, or Celestia in this case, instead of Hell funny. I literally use the power of Devils, I don't think I'm going to be seeing those pearly gates any time soon."
Beidou didn't seem comfortable but I continued with my story before she could say anything, "Anyway…"
Then it happened, it was split. I felt myself die completely and utterly. I felt it all go black as my mind broke at the seams.
I saw nothing but black as I felt fear, horror, grief, and disappointment in myself.
Only to hear something crack as golden light was shown through it, the cracks only spread and widened as I was bathed in golden light.
Finally, I opened my eyes as I gasped only to reel back as my head hit the ceiling of something.
Groaning, I cradle my head as I ask, "Wha-?"
'You're safe for now, Taurus made a small shield that covers you from the Devil outside.' Beleth explains.
"Thanks." I groan out while rubbing my forehead, "So, what happened?"
Pazuzu spoke first, 'For one, you died and came back thanks to the Revival Orb we found, so thank your luck for that.'
"Alright, so is that all?" I ask but yelp as I hear something bang on the shield.
'So, not only is the Devil adept at sorcery, he's very strong, what a bad combination.' Beleth comments as I feel Taurus appear on my hands and feet.
"Well, they better be ready for a rough wake-up call." I grumble as I rest both hands on the roof as I will for spikes to appear outside as I hear something roar as I open up the roof and jump away.
I turn as I prepare myself but am floored by the size of the thing. For comparison, it's head would have hit the roof of any normal museum. "Well hello Little Hunter."
Freezing I try to say something but the only thing that comes out is, "You are really big. Like hella."
That must not have been the right choice of words since I was blasted by something as I rolled to negate the damage.
Straightening up, I use Taurus to cause spikes to stab at its side but only hit a force field of some sort.
"Damn it." My eyes widen as I jump to the side and grab knives from Pazuzu as I throw them and they explode in a burst of wind once they hit.
A red laser appeared and aimed at my feet as everything told me to jump away and I did as explosions rocked where the laser hit.
I need a distraction, I will manipulate the earth to raise in walls for cover and to block his eyesight.
"Come now Little Hunter, do you truly believe such walls can stop Div e-Sepid?" The giant man said as I switched out Taurus for Elelogap as I felt swifter and far more light-footed.
"Maybe." I yell as I swing one of the kali sticks and a blade of water hit his head as he turned to see what it was before using a strong spurt of water under my feet to take me up as I connect both kali sticks before separating them as water connected them in a nunchuck form as I swing it around my body before nearing his face as I fall before swinging it across his face as he reels from the hit as I slide on the ground before running behind a wall.
That was when I noticed, the wall in front of the one I'm hiding behind has a reflective surface. All of them have one. I gulp as I notice the Devil turn to me as his eyes become red and I run away as explosions rock my cover.
Clicking my tongue, I close my eyes as I focus my mana and snap my finger as I use the only trick I know. Doppelganger.
I slip as the double runs on and away from the laser as I barely escape one myself.
"Fuck." I curse as I get back up and unsheathe Karyll as I grab the string and swing as the string extends and cuts into the heel of the Devil as he turns and I reel back Karyll and close my eyes as I get in a blocking stance with Karyll.
"Argh! You!" The Devil roars as I notice something.
I'm not dead. The side of the blade reflected the laser!
I couldn't help but laugh at my luck. I've really gotta stop relying on that.
The music on my headphones turn into a faster one as I speed up and grab Pazuzu in his chain form as I throw the blade attached to the chain at his hand and it pierces it and a burst of wind flies me forward and I spin as both sides spin with me as I cut one eye and leave a bunch of other injuries as I kick his chest and run around as I carve into his fallen form.
Then, a burst of blue appeared as I was knocked off balance but right myself in mid-air as I saw the Devil's other eye glowing, "You won't get the best of me Hunter!"
"That seems like a 'you' problem man." I chuckle as I switch out Pazuzu for Elelogap in its nunchuck form as I send it flying and it digs into one of the walls as I start running around with music in my ears and a grin on my face as I used the extendable properties of the chain of Elelogap to trip up the Devil's knees.
Finally, I throw the other stick into the ground as the Devil is on his ass and I switch to Taurus as I will the earth to stab into him as he roared and I ran up his legs and landed on an arch in front of the Devil's face, "Grit your teeth 'cause you'll be missing a few once I'm done."
I send a right hook to his face as the force behind it forces his face sideways before following with a left hook and a right as I continued the pattern until I finished with an uppercut as he was dazed before sending a final upwards kick as I jumped on his face and spun into an axe kick and switched to Pazuzu in spear form as I cut deeply into his spine and throw it as it changes into chains midways and ties the Devil as water traveled the chains.
As a final act, I switched Beleth to its guitar form as I started playing a fast riff and once the last note was played, a strong lightning bolt fell from the sky as it shocked the Devil into oblivion.
I heaved as I stayed in my pose for a little longer before sitting down as I regained my breath.
"Hehe, well done Hunter." The Devil said as I rolled away and prepared to continue fighting. "Do not worry, I am already defeated. Though it seems like your understanding of the magic arts is lacking?"
"...Yeah." I say as I don't relax.
"Then, think of this as a prize, you have bested me at my strongest. I only hope you use the gift I give you to its fullest potential." Then, he turned into dust as knowledge filled my head and I groaned.
Though once the headache was over, I had access to my Mystique Style.
"That was quite a story." Keep in mind, I had to be quite vague with names and the fact that I was revived.
"Yup. It was quite a time. It's a good thing I still remember that." I mutter as we stare at the sky. "Why don't you tell me yours? I already told you one of mine," I say as she seems pensive.
"Sure, we've still got time, right?" And that's how I got to know of the story of the Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean.
Somewhere in a forest, a demon resides, she was beautiful, it'd be hard for anyone to believe that such a woman was a demon. From blonde hair and kind brown eyes to a well-proportioned body, she was very beautiful.
One would have to be very unlucky to meet someone so deceptively dangerous.
"Miss Ala!" A young voice calls as the demon perks up.
We found him.
"Ah Bennett, how was your day?" Ala said with a kind smile before that expression turned to worry.
Bennett comes into view as we see a young man with pale ash gray hair with light tan skin covered in scrapes from various misadventures with bright green eyes and goggles with a prominent scar on his left shoulder. He wears cuffed shorts and a sleeveless cream-colored jacket with blue and gold details, a leather belt, a bag holding his Vision attached to it, gloves and a yellow bandanna tied around his right arm.
About a month ago, Bennett met Ala and, Bennett being himself, trusted her along with treating her with respect as he kept visiting and slowly, the two became attached to each other like family.
"Bennett! What happened to you?" Ala called as she jogged towards Bennet and inspected the new scrapes that appeared. Bennett was momentarily shocked as he tried to get used to Ala's motherly tendencies.
"Nothing, I just fell. Then I rolled into a hillichurl camp before being chased around by the mitachurl. You know, the usual." Bennett said with a grin and an optimistic smile.
"Bennett, tripping into a hillichurl camp isn't supposed to be a 'usual' thing. At least tell me you went to see the Deaconess?" Ala asked as she noticed how there were a bunch of smaller cuts on him and Bennett refused to meet her eyes.
"Go. Now. Or I'll drag you there!" Ala growled as Bennett gulped at the mix of emotions Ala showed.
"B-but, I already went yesterday! And I don't want to bother Barbara any more." Bennett tried to argue, "B-besides, won't you be hunted if you go out?"
Benett already knows of Ala's demonic origin since she accidentally showed her true form to him. Yet he still wishes to stay around her despite that. "I'd rather be dead in the ground than have you be forced to go armless because one of your cuts was infected. So, you will go bother the Deaconess, apologize and promise you'll make it up to her. Alright?"
"B-but-." "Alright?" Interrupted Ala, who seemed quite terrifying despite not using her true form.
"Fine! I'll be back!" Bennett calls only to have his ear pulled as he exclaims in surprise.
"No, go get some sleep. You'll need it." Ala ordered as he let go of Bennett's ear.
"But, I promised to visit you every day I could!" Bennet exclaimed as Ala rolled her eyes.
"And I promised I would help you when I can. And as it turns out, making sure that you get a decent sleep is part of that. Now go, you can come back tomorrow, it's not like I'll be gone." Ala promises as Bennett reluctantly leaves with a wave.
Once Bennett left, Ala grit her teeth as she growled in ways that could only be considered demonic, Ala is the strongest of her kind which is why she retains the name of her kind, yet, unlike most of her kind, she woke up, not to Justice like Sparda did, but to compassion. To love.
The same love a mother has for his son, the same one that compels a mother to take her life so her son won't have to. The same one that refuses to let her son see what she truly is.
"Damned Devil Hunter. I implore you, hurry! I won't be able to last for long." Ala growled as she tried to control her hunger.
Waking up, I notice my lack of grogginess, though it's probably because my body got enough rest after being stuck in the same position for eons.
I also noticed an extra weight on my shoulder, when I turned, I saw Beidou's peaceful expression. We must have fallen asleep at some point. I took a moment to take in her calm features before shaking her awake, "Hello? Beidou~. C'mon, you should wake up."
She grumbles before opening her eyes, "Huh? Where-?"
"The crow's nest, at least I think that's the right term. We fell asleep up here." I explained as I got up.
"Ah, thanks. Mmh~." She moans as she stretches and I internally admit that Beidou is very attractive, not a rare thought or the first time it passed my mind but it's still very true.
"Anyway," I connect El together and pull them apart as the map appears and I inspect it for a second, "Liyue is our destination right?" Beidou nods.
"Specifically, at Liyue Harbor, we have to dock the Alcor then I, and Ganyu, have to report to the Liyue Qixing and try to let them give you some time to freshen up at least." Beidou explains as I nod.
"Thanks again, sorry I have to make the job harder for you." I apologize as she gives me an incredulous look.
"Don't worry about it, you saved my fleet from that Devil, it's the least I can do. Though we have been putting off that haircut though." Beidou points out as I chuckle.
"Anyway, my horrible hair situation aside, we should be able to see the harbor at the horizon. If I speed it up we could be there by midday, less if I go faster but that would be a bad idea." I point out that she nods.
"Alright, speed 'er up. I want to get this over with quickly." Beidou says as I follow her order and we speed up by a great amount as I mentally manipulate the waves to take us to our destination quicker.
"I'll see ya at the bottom?" I ask Beidou with a quirked brow as I sit on the ledge of the crow's nest.
"Think you can get to the bottom faster than I can?" Beidou challenges me as I smirk and nod.
"Definitely." I say as she returns my challenging smirk as she jumps over the ledge of the crow's nest as I lean back and fall as I use one of the techniques of my Mystique Style.
In a shower of silver, I disappear as I reappear in a burst of silver as I startle some of the sailors. A few seconds later, I hear a thump as I turn and show a smug grin towards Beidou who was confused, "How-?"
"Teleportation." I say as she gapes.
"That's unfair!" She points as I laugh.
"You never said anything about teleportation?" I tease as she smiles and rolls her eyes.
"'Cause how should I have known?" She retorts as I shrugged.
She gained a malicious grin as she grabbed my arm, "C'mon, let's cut that lion's mane that you call hair. First, let's shorten it to a manageable length, my claymore should be sharp enough."
I gulped as I sent a cry for help using my eyes but the sailors either ignored me or didn't notice.
Beidou hums as the barber burns away the long strands of hair that were left over from my cut, "Now, all you have to do is bulk up a bit and you'll be set."
My hair was now way shorter as instead of it being an uncontrollable mane, my hair was brushed back, or pushed considering I used my hand to 'brush' the hair back, as I stood there in old clothes that should be burnt once I'm done with them.
I already look a lot cleaner than I did previously, now some new clothes, a shower, and some food and I'll feel like a new man.
"Speaking of showers, we're going to reach the harbor in a few minutes. I'll release my control of the waves so you guys can handle the rest, is that okay?" I ask as she nods.
"Sure, won't make us look good if you're the one doing all the work." Beidou grins as I dig my hands into the pockets of my shorts.
I follow her as we separate when we reach the deck and she starts barking orders at the sailors and I walk towards the deck and I lean on the railing as I take in the beauty of Liyue.
It was a beautiful city, reminding me of old pictures of China as the people wore varied clothing and a few of them came to see the coming of the Crux fleet. I was told Liyue was the most well-off country and the center of commerce in Teyvat.
As I watched the architecture I looked up…
Hol the fuck up.
Is that thing floating?
I nearly fell off trying to get a better look at what must be the Jade Chamber from what Ganyu told me.
If I had Pazuzu, I could get up there with a single throw. Though, now I only have El, my Mystique Style, and Karyll. And my Mystique style needs a 'waypoint' or way too much energy unless I have that waypoint.
And whatever else I can get my hands on.
That was when my attention was redirected to somewhere else. A peaceful meadow protected by a stone bull.
Taurus.
"You better put up a better fight than you did the first time, Taurus." I mumble as I lean off and prepare to get off the ship and on dry land.
I sit in the bath of an inn that the Crux is letting me stay in as they let me clean up. Ganyu gave me the bag that dropped with Karyll with clothes.
Leaving the inn changed, I sigh as I stare at my clothing. Black, white and grey baggy jeans in camouflage style while I wore a black shirt under a baggy red jacket that ended right under my hips with white and black boots.
Karyll was sheathed to my hip as I closed my eyes and activated another ability I learnt from the Mystique style. Echolocation.
Well, demonic echolocation. It's basically closing off all senses so your magical senses are the only one operating and dropping off a signal using your own magic. Demons instinctively react to it and send their own while the signal bounces off of Devils.
And the signals I got back worried my mind. I sat in my room as I connected the two sticks and unfurled them to see a map with all the details.
There are a few Lesser Demon nests around but aside from that there are a few that worry me. Taurus being one of them, him being the calmest but also the closest to me and very willing to fight on sight.
But Beleth and Haborym have always been the most direct while Haborym being far more impulsive and willing to burn everything to beat my ass. It's a good thing he'll be here by next week. Gives me time to prepare.
But, what bothers me is the extra presence of a Devil near here. But, not the complete presence of a Devil.
Maybe it's a Devil Arm?
But how? Beidou could run most Devils I can think of and Ganyu too, but anyone else seems a little bit of a stretch. But, for how long have Devils been around?
"Ah, Cayo! You're back from your shower?" Tenzan asks as I finally notice his features with short brown hair and grey eyes as he wears a normal shirt and pants.
"I'd like to think that showers and baths haven't changed since the last time I took one." I retort as he chuckles.
"Don't worry, I don't think they've changed. And you sure look better, and smell it," I chuckled a bit at that, "but come join us, Madam Xiangling always has delicious cooking, even if she uses strange ingredients."
"But…" I start when my stomach grumbles as I remember I haven't eaten much. I'm especially curious about the food of this place.
"You know what, sure. Let's go." I say as Tenzan chuckles and starts walking as I follow.
I walk towards the Wanmin Restaurant with Tenzan as people are giving me weird looks, probably because of my clothing.
"Hey, uh, Cayo, do you think you can hide the sticks?" Tenzan asked with a tone of voice that suggested he was uncomfortable.
"I'm fine with it, but why?" I ask as I do as he says and the kali sticks disappear from my person. Now I'm missing Carabia.
While I can hide them in a pocket dimension, I've always been more comfortable with keeping them at a distance where I can grab them.
"There are a lot of people like Ganyu, people who can sense the maliciousness coming from the sticks considering they are made from the very being of the demon, if what Captain told us is true." Beidou informed them of our findings since this should be common knowledge later.
The Devils, Demons, and the ancient past. Not Devil Arms or similar.
"Alright, let's hope no one will do anything crazy like try to fight me." I mumble as we get to Wanmin Restaurant.
"Huh? Is Madam Xiangling not here Chef Mao?" Tenzan noted as the Chef turned and smiled.
"Sadly, no Tenzan. It is good to see you once more. And who might this be?" Tenzan said as he turned to me.
Stepping up, I extend a hand and smile, "Cayo Astel, but I prefer Cayo. Nice to meet you Mao."
Mao smiles and bows as we stand there in confusion as my face blanks and so does his as I bow and he extends his hands as Tenzan starts laughing as we join in sheepishly.
"My apologies, I'm Chef Mao but people just call me Mao. You must be a new sailor for the Crux?" Mao starts as I shake my head.
"No, I…" I stalled as I didn't think up a story as I turned to Tenzan who shrugged.
"The people know we were looking for something, I think it's better to be honest." Tenzan says as I bite my lip but nod.
"Well, believe it or not, I was a statue. I think Ganyu called me a Catholic?" I turned to Tenzan who nodded.
Mao's eyes widened as he opened his mouth, "A Cat-!"
I covered his mouth before he could finish as I chuckled sheepishly at the looks we were getting, "I know, who would do such a thing to a cat? Oh when I get my hands on them."
Once the weird looks were done, I released Mao, "I'm sorry, but I'd like to keep it a secret for now. Please?"
"Oh, my apologies, it's just so surprising. I mean, I've never heard or seen of one. I've only heard of them in books or by word." Mao said with a sheepish chuckle.
"It's fine, I just hope that won't be a problem when, or if, I can change that name and say what I know." I nod as I relax.
"Now, what can I get you two?"
"So, this is pretty good." I munch on the Chicken-Mushroom Skewer.
Tenzan laughs, "Yeah, that's Chef Mao. He may not be the best but it's decent, and quite good."
Tenzan is sitting on a chair as I lean on the wall, "That said, Tenzan, for how long have Demons and Devils been around?"
Tenzan pauses as he thinks about it, "That's…" Tenzan bites his lip before sighing, "See, you've got to understand that Demons have always been around for as far as we know. But the ones we fought in our voyage? Never seen them in my life. And they only started popping up a month ago."
A month?
Tilting my head to the evening sky, I sigh. A month is long enough for a Devil to connect to someone and be turned into a Devil Arm. Hell, it doesn't even have to be a defeat for a Devil to become a Devil Arm. The Devil has to submit to the person in the end. It can be by a wager, by combat, or by an emotional connection.
Grunting, I take a bite out of the last piece of chicken as I bite at the wooden skewer and huff, "This is very complicated."
"What's wrong?" Tenzan asked in worry.
"Well you shot up fast? Any reason for that?" I ask as Tenzan sheepishly chuckles.
"Well, you did kill Elelogap and you didn't seem too worried. So for something to worry you it has to be a big deal." Tenzan explains as I chuckle.
"Nothing too big. Just wondering about Devil Arms." I responded.
"Weapons created by the defeat of a Devil? If it's the same thing we saw with Elelogap then no." Tenzan says as I nod.
"Devil Arms aren't necessarily always weapons and you don't necessarily have to fight something to make it submit." I explain as I move the skewer around.
"This whole Devil thing is complicated." Tenzan sighed.
"If it was up to me, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." I smirk as Tenzan gets up.
"So, we'll leave the Devils and Demons to you?" Tenzan asked as I nodded.
"It's in my job description, so don't worry." Grinning, I say as he laughs and walks away with a wave of his hand.
I wait for him to leave as I sigh, "You can come out you know?"
Someone sputters as they fall down with a scared look on their eye as I wave my hand, "Yo, so you must be the Devil Arm user?" I noticed their toolbelt was black with orange and red cracks on it, "I'm guessing it's that toolbelt?"
The kid had brown, messy hair as his brown eyes gazed into my own and didn't seem too young as he was probably a teenager.
"You are correct, Devil Hunter." The toolbelt responds as I nod.
"Marbas, it has been a while." Elelogap appears in my hand.
"If it isn't the little servant?" Marbas mocks as I couldn't help but smirk a bit, "How has it been?"
"Before the two of you get into a shouting match, let's get into a more private setting." I say as the Devil Arms doesn't respond as I nod at the kid, "C'mon kid, lead the way."
Xian is the kid's name, seems like he met Marbas when he first entered this world and after that, the kid's curiosity got Marbas emotional and then he was willing to become his Devil Arm as they make mechanical things using 'artifacts' or random knick-knacks from a long time ago, and have actually gone pretty far.
"Yo! This shit's a pistol!" I exclaim as Xian jumps.
"A-ah, so that's what they're called." Xian mutters as I nod.
"So, why did you look for me?" I ask as I lean on the doorway of the fairly secluded area. "I'm not a gunsmith and anything mechanical Marbas should have your back, so, why did you come to me when any information I have is basically useless?"
"I-uh, I need someone to test my products. And, well," he showed me his arms which weren't thin but definitely aren't for combat, "as you can see, I don't know how to use them."
Nodding, I tilt my head, "But, is that all?" I ask out of curiosity since I've always liked guns but there's gotta be something else.
"Uh, you see, ah-." The kid starts but ultimately fumbles as he starts fidgeting and I hear Marbas sigh.
"C'mon kid. You gotta show more backbone here. He also wants you to give your Devil Arms so he can show you a trick and to upgrade them." Marbas says with a tired tone as the kid panics and tries to shut him up.
"Y-you d-don't h-have to pay, I'll just show y-." I interrupted the kid as I stepped up with Elelogap.
Showing him the twin kali sticks I say, "I'll be the boss of that, so, what do you want me to do?"
His eyes widen as he nods, "J-just imagine a room with the weapon representing something. Like a blackboard. Something that can be expanded on."
Nodding, I close my eyes and do as he says. In my mind, I saw both kali sticks in one hand while the other had a kind of translucent skill tree, "You can see it, right?"
"Um, yeah, I think I do, now what?" I ask as Xian humms.
"Now, remember when you killed the Lesser Demons, the Red Orbs they dropped? Use those to 'appease' the Devil in the Devil Arm and then you'll gain something extra." Xian explains as I blank.
Am I really unlocking the Skill Tree right now?
I see the Skill Tree expand as I use the Red Orbs to 'unlock' the skill.
Once the feeling of Red Orbs is drained, two of the 'skills' are unlocked.
Opening my eyes, I roll my body around as I feel the difference my body has.
"So, anything new?" Xian asks anxiously as I continue rotating my body around.
"Not really, I just feel… faster, or swifter I think is the better word." I explained as best I could.
"Anything else?" Xian asks as I connect El into his nunchuck form,
Something compelled me to cock my arm back as I threw the nunchuck.
I felt my body change for a scant few seconds as I felt like I was spinning, only to appear with the nunchucks in hand and outside instead of inside. "What the-?"
"Mr. Cayo! Are you okay?" Xian called from inside the house as my grin grew.
"I am peachy." I say with an unbreakable smile.
After a bit of messing around, I sit with Xian as he shows me a few weapons, "These are prototypes, they probably won't measure up to what you were used to but I hope they'll be fine."
"So," I pick up what I think is a shotgun, "only one?"
"Sadly, even to my expertise, Xian's experience is meagre and he made a few mistakes. These field tests will show how he can improve on the prototypes. At most, it's one-shot and that's it, any more and it'll blow up. Who knows, with time they may even go farther than the ones from your time Devil Hunter?" Marbas explains as I nod.
"I already paid you for the knowledge so the first one is free?" I ask Xian as he nods.
"Yes, though you will have to update as frequently as you can." Xian says as I nod.
"Alright, thank you Xian. Let's shake on it." I say as he extends his and I grasp it, "Pleasure doing business with ya!"
I leave his shack as I mave and he does the same.
So, now loaded with a double-barreled shotgun, a wish to sleep, and new skills. I set off to the small inn where I would get something to eat, wake up and meet the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
Not like I knew this at the time.
A/N: So, this section will be towards voice lines that other characters or Cayo would have. This is based on when in the story we are and who he has met.
Ganyu: Cayo, huh? He's a good guy. Very different from most people from his confidence to his intelligence. Wait, he didn't cause more property damage did he? I swear every time he's away from Liyue it's always property damage or some other story no one will believe. Hell, I barely believe him most of the time.
Beidou: He's a damn good time, that's for sure. A good guy and even smarter than most people. Always with a smile and down to spar. Easy to get along, though he's always calm and rarely shows a lot of energy unless he's fighting. Though he does seem to hate big gatherings. Specifically 'official' gatherings with stuck-up people, you should see him with a bit of alcohol and with my crew.
Cayo( about the Crux fleet): Good people all around. If I wasn't more of a land guy, I'd definitely go with them. Doesn't mean I don't go with them from time to time but the land has always been the most comforting to me.
Cayo(About the missing sibling): A missing sibling? I feel ya. Youngest ya know? They'd always bother me, two of them were horrible influences and the oldest was very distant. But, they're blood. Can't hate them when you've loved them forever. Wait… Ah, it-it's been a while. I'm sorry Traveler, can ya leave? Thanks, I needed that.
Cayo(on beliefs): My beliefs? Simple, Demons must be killed whenever they pop up, love those who stand beside you, and try not to hate many people or act out your rage. Hm? What do I mean by that? Well, there was once this prince, he went out into the world and saw suffering, poverty, and so much worse. So he decided to find the meaning of life and learn more. One of his teachings was 'Hate begets hate', and 'never punish yourself by acting out on your anger'. What does that mean? That if a man kills a father, the son will take revenge then the son of the man will take revenge, a ruthless cycle. But if you love instead of hate, that cycle will end. But then, I've never been that good at listening to my own advice, but if you're ever in a position to decide on someone you hate and
Now, onto some explanations. With the Mystique style, Cayo can jump on magical platforms and use his magical power, or mana, in various ways from increasing his speed to dash or similar things along with teleporting on set points or anywhere within his view. Though it does take quite a bit out of him but not by too much.
That said, I'm open to criticism. And I also need help deciding on the romance of this, like I'm thinking Beidou or Ganyu. Maybe? I don't know, help me guys.
News: There are currently a few ideas on my head surrounding Genshin and Honkai(now that I'm reading/playing it). First one is a Class Card fic, simple enough, the second one is a DMC x Honkai fic, again fairly simple, the third is a voice in the head of the Traveler as he tries to help them through their journey despite being very clueless, fourth is a oc x Honkai who isn't as much of a fighter as he is a talker but he does have a few skills, the fifth is a Ghost from Ghost of Tsushima helping the Traveler through the story(you can tell I don't like tragic stories much) and the last announcement is of a story that will be published called A Guyver's Promise, a Date a Live x Guyver crossover. Now the only ones that are somewhat confirmed are the DMC x Honkai and A Guyver's Promise. If you want to use one of these ideas, go ahead.
That's about it though. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.