the qixing and the harbingers.
everyone across teyvat felt as if they needed to pick a side, no matter how far away liyue was from their homeland. on one hand, there's the strict government, a society where hard work, connections, and efficiency meant you thrived, one built off the contracts their god preached. but on the other hand, there's the harbingers, ready to bring on a new regime to the once uptight nation, ready to break the unwanted and unnecessary contracts to help everyone in the nation thrive.
with the death of rex lapis, liyue was thrown into turmoil. without a stable leader and severed ties with the adepti, the nation was left on its own with a now unstable government, an abrupt cease in the economy, and no ruler to look to for guidance.
everyone in teyvat needed to pick a side, with liyue serving as the main battleground of the issue.
"have you heard from childe yet?"
diluc turns to his brother as they search for a place to stay for the night, a soft breeze contrasting a heaviness in the night atmosphere. it's always been tense since the war began, especially since it felt like anyone could betray you at any second. "if you haven't heard from him yet then i most certainly haven't either," diluc answers rather simply.
"just asking," kaeya hums, "you were always the one he shared information with anyway."
diluc sighs, "i haven't heard from him, if anything he's probably on his way to liyue right now."
the message from childe to meet him there in three days. while he's the last of the elite, he's always been the one to lead soldiers into battle. with eleven of the elite in total, his addition seemed to shock most. he's the youngest, earning his position just before the war began, yet even then he's one of the most respected when it came to combat.
the sudden summoning only meant something big was coming.
kaeya catches sight of a building up in a tree, "do you think they'll be open to us?" he asks. after all, territory between the conflicting groups hasn't been truly decided even with how long the war's gone on. considering how rather brash and reckless the harbingers can be, territory changed and went as soldiers charged into battle, losing territory just as fast as they gained it.
"there's only one way to find out," diluc mumbles as the two turn towards the hotel.
"i don't think they'll let stragglers like us sleep in the woods won't they?" kaeya questioned, a clipped laugh leaving his lips.
"you never truly know these days," diluc answers. "besides we can always just lie about it."
"you've never been a good liar," kaeya laughs.
diluc's gaze narrows, "i doubt they'll question someone like me," and kaeya only shrugs.
"why because of your wealth back home?" kaeya questions, "if anything, i have as much status as you do."
"it's not a question of status," diluc answers. "it's a question of respect."
kaeya's gaze narrows, "what's that supposed to mean?"
and diluc hesitates for a second before sighing, fighting over something like this seems rather stupid now, "nevermind, forget i said anything."
kaeya only groans at his brother's sudden silence before the two continue on their journey, approaching the hotel.
the two brothers seemed to constantly clash. with arguments and an interesting family situation, it was as if they could never get along, especially after their father passed. but in the war, their interests seemed to align. it was a rather interesting realization, especially when a harbinger enlisted both of them for help.
childe's tactics in recruiting were rather interesting, especially as he built his elite regime of allies, searching for the best in teyvat to support him in the war.
the unsung hero of mondstat and the last man standing of khaenri'ah, those titles alone were enough to garner the attention of the harbinger.
it's not long in their journey towards the hotel before they hear whispering from the nearby military, some of which were stationed around the large inn. kaeya met the gaze of one of the soldiers, one who began whispering to the guy next to him.
kaeya's gaze moved straight ahead his pace picking up slightly, "they're talking about us."
"well our associations with the harbingers aren't that big of a secret," diluc clarifies. "most of the soldiers know where people stand due to the traitor."
ah yes, the traitor. the one who betrayed their home country in favor of helping the qixing.
"but i don't think getting into the hotel will be an issue," diluc continues, "most of the millelith information is confidential anyway."
two of the soldiers move to stand in front of the brothers.
"that is if we can get there in one piece," kaeya mumbles before approaching the two. "gentlemen how can we help you tonight?" diluc only shakes his head at his brother before slowly trudging behind him.
"the harbingers aren't allowed to be here," the soldier sternly says, face grim as he refuses to meet either's gaze.
"the qixing shouldn't be policing who goes in and out," kaeya reasons, annoyance bubbling in his voice.
"we're just looking for a place to stay for the night," diluc quickly cuts in.
the soldiers only repeat, "the harbingers aren't allowed inside the premises."
"it's just a hotel," kaeya mumbles under his breath before approaching the two once more, not missing the way their grip on their weapons tighten. "like my brother said," kaeya continues, slinging an arm over diluc's shoulder "we're just looking for a place to stay, we don't wanna sleep out in the woods do we right?" the boy laughs, only for his brother to nudge his arm off of him.
"for all we care the harbingers can sleep in the woods," one of the soldiers mumbles.
kaeya meets his gaze, almost instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword "what did you say?"
and the soldier only repeats, "the harbingers aren't allowed to stay here, if you try to resist then we'll have no choice but to attack."
"we're not looking for a fight here," diluc instantly cuts in. "we get it. we'll leave we'll leave," and despite his brother's protests, diluc stays true to his word, pushing his brother away from the hotel. "we can just stay somewhere else for night," diluc tells him. "it's fine." and kaeya only sighs as the two turn away.
"let them stay!"
diluc turns around to see a man in a mask now talking to the soldiers, "you two shouldn't police who can stay and who can't."
"the qixing have this territory."
"yet the harbingers have as much of a claim on it as they do."
the arguing continues to build and diluc's pace can't help but slow. kaeya turns back to his brother "something wr-" kaeya's gaze turns to the rising conflict behind his brother.
"harbinger scum," diluc hears one of the soldiers say before he hears the clash of swords.
the two brothers turn around to see the soldiers now fighting the harbinger men, the sounds of swords and battle ringing through the night as more soldiers come to join the fight.
"archons," diluc mumbles before walking back to the scene, pulling out his own weapon. "childe's gonna kill everyone for this."
"if anything," kaeya begins, now catching up to his brother as the two approach the fight. he's got his own sword in hand, almost as if he's ready to fight, "he'll encourage this."
"we're associated with the harbingers now," diluc mumbles, "you know they think fighting over trivial matters like this is meaningless, especially when there are valuable lives on the line."
after all, the harbinger's army is smaller in size compared to the military backing the qixing. every life was valuable, essential to every battle. they didn't have the numbers but they had skilled soldiers, all of which had become essential to every victory in the war.
diluc rushes in to stop the clash, defending the harbinger's soldiers as he shouts scoldings at them to retreat. but kaeya only does the opposite, going on offense and joining the battle.
it only makes his brother sigh before he continues yelling at the soldiers to retreat.
"enough!"
and instantly the millelith freeze, backing away from the fight and behind a rather familiar face. diluc's gaze narrows as he catches sight of green hair and a familiar spear.
xiao catches sight of diluc, "what are you doing here?" he sneers.
"we," diluc gestures to kaeya, who was now moving to stand next to his brother, "we're just looking for a place to stay."
xiao stares at the two for a moment, "this is qixing territory," he deadpans
"since when?"
"since the tianquan made a deal with signora and staked her claim," xiao answered before turning away from the brothers, "if it's going to cause a conflict like this, it's best you sleep in the woods."
and with that, the former adeptus is gone, all of the soldiers retreating with him.
kaeya shakes his head, "leaving faster than he came," he laughs.
"that's a former adeptus for you," diluc turns to the harbingers soldiers "all of you, retreat to your former positions, that's an order!" the soldiers nod before following his orders.
"at least they listen to you," kaeya mumbles.
"well i'm not the one who charges aimlessly into battle," diluc scolds making his brother roll his eyes as the two continue their journey towards the harbor. "if anything," he sighs.
"i think they respect you more."
Notes:
yes, kaeya and diluc are a part of the harbingers.
yes, i refuse to call them the fatui.
yes, the elite are the canon harbingers.
the main fighters in the war include the mondstat and liyue individuals, but all of teyvat is aware of the war. it started long before chapter zero when our protagonists were still children, but there hasn't been much progress towards peace since. speaking of which, we'll see more of our lovely protagonists later on. but for now i hope you enjoyed the chapter on our mercutio and benvolio :D
thank you for reading! 3
Chapter 3: two
Summary:
the rumors of a party, of a negotiation where the qixing took victory. invitations are currently being distributed, but the question remains of which elusive individuals will receive an invite.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
culture shock: the feeling of disorientation by someone subjected to unfamiliar cultures, languages, and attitudes. even considering that you were half inazuman and used to other places when you first moved out to liyue it was tough to mentally adjust.
sure, you've garnered connections and a steady high status job since arriving, but it would be an understatement to say that you clicked with the environment. the bustling harbor was more lively than any port snezhaya had to offer. the culture you experienced was nothing similar to that in inazuma. it's rather comical in a sense, a mere teenager armed with nothing but a strong voice and a cryo vision moving out to a place drastically different from anywhere you've experienced.
becoming part of the qixing was a rather daunting task. they were like the elite of liyue, holding a similar status to those of harbingers back home, although you never liked their tactics and strategies when it came to completing jobs. the leader in foreign affairs, a rather new position, but one that needed to be filled quickly given the circumstances surrounding the nation.
"you're one of them," you remember someone mumbling when you landed the job.
right, *them,* what people called those who sided with your homeland.
the raging battle for control over liyue had gone on for years, no one could ever imagine a snezhayan switching to the other side. despite the rest of the qixing welcoming you, everyone else called you a traitor, ridiculing you for switching over and betraying your home nation. but you shake it off, remembering that you're the one providing intel on the country, you're the one with ties to other nations.
you're the key to winning the war.
"have we met before?"
you turn up to the voice only to see a chef standing above you, your meal for the evening in hand. "oh," you mumble, "i don't think so, why do you ask?"
the chef stares for a moment before turning back towards the kitchen, "nevermind then," he waves off. "you just look rather familiar, anyway enjoy your meal!"
you wave kindly to the chef before catching glimpse of the sunset over liyue. it's always been beautiful here. the view over the harbor was something you adored ever since you've been in liyue. it was calming, peaceful even, especially since it hid the fragments of the war that the nation was currently facing.
it all started with rex lapis' death all those years ago. you heard rumors about it when you were still in snezhaya. the rite of descension was a sacred ritual in liyue, one that honored the god that ruled over the nation, but when the god's corpse crashed down from the heavens, the nation was instantly thrown into turmoil.
you still remember watching people celebrate as the harbingers charged into the land, searching to conquer the nation at its most vulnerable point. but even then, you were still young, still a bit naive and clueless about the world around you.
but now you're much older, now you're playing a crucial role in the war, now you've been dubbed the traitor, the kaiyang, the one spilling information about snezhaya to the qixing. you owe it all to your past experiences, the experiences you've tried all your life to forget.
yet it felt as if you could never let such vital experiences truly go.
"you're staring off into space again."
you turn to see the yuheng sliding into the seat across from you, smiling at the familiar purple hair and starry eyes, "keqing," you mumble, "good to see you."
"why'd you pick somewhere like this?" she questions. "i always thought you were one for more secluded spots."
"just wanted a change of scenery," you sigh. "i feel like i've been at my desk all day."
"yeah," she mumbles, "i feel like my duties have been continuously piling up."
you laugh, "they've always been like that."
"i know," she smiles, "but you know how the war works, city plans turn into battle plans, livelihoods change to chaos."
"betrayals turn to funeral plans and impromptu attacks."
a small frown graces her lips, "is everything okay?"
"everything's fine," you answer, taking a bite of your meal. "just the war making me uneasy again."
all keqing can do is nod, "it's been getting bad the past few days," she tells you, "with citizens becoming more anxious and angered by the constant changes in harbinger territory," her eyes turn to the sunset, the same one that seeemed to give you the same sense of comfort, "storms come and go, this will pass."
"but we can't be in a state of war for the rest of eternity," you counter. "the harbingers have always been rather brash in their methods."
you knew that better than anyone.
yet all she can do is offer you a kind smile as her hand rests on your shoulder, "we'll win this," she tells you, "i promise things will get better and you won't be known as a traitor anymore."
a small laugh leaves your lips, "people are getting rather relentless with that name."
"well you technically have a different title, kaiyang," she shrugs, "so don't worry about them okay?"
and all you can do is nod, "sure."
maybe at the end of this you'll still be a traitor, or maybe even a martyr or a hero. but you were certain that whatever decisions you made, whatever intel you shared caused waves on both sides.
whether those were good or bad was all for the people to decide.
"anyway," keqing waves off, "ganyu's working on sending out invites to the celebration at the jade chamber."
you raise a brow, "we're celebrating?"
she nods, "yep, we got the inn back a few days ago."
"we did?" you blink, "but that used to be harbinger territory."
"it was," keqing answers with a small grin, "but ningguang did some research and won it back through another contract."
"the harbingers have never been too good with contracts," you counter. "they always manage to break them or find a loophole."
"then i guess ningguang found a weak spot in one of the elite."
and you can honestly see that. the tianquan always found her way to information, despite no one knowing her true methods. her deals were always secret, meetings were always private. even as an associate, you found that terrifying about her, the idea that she knew things that people didn't know about themselves. it's played quite an advantage in the war, especially when it came to negotiations.
"i give it three weeks," you sigh, "three weeks until the harbinger soldiers come charging back in."
"actually a few did a couple of days ago."
you meet keqing's gaze, "they did?"
"well, just two soldiers," keqing explains, "two well known ones who didn't know about the change in ownership."
"oh," you hum, "who was it?"
"the two from mondstat," keqing mumbles, "the ones working with the last of the elite."
yet another piece of information you leaked. tartaglia was a menace in the harbingers. despite not knowing what he truly looked like, you heard whispers about the fighters he was gathering, two of which happened to be brothers in a nearby town. you fought hard for that information, and a smile grew on your face when you learned your intel was being used.
"really?" you question, and she only nods, "what are they doing here?"
"who knows," keqing sighs, "anyway, ningguang's holding a celebration at the jade chamber and ganyu's most likely left an invitation on your desk."
"alright," you nod, "thank you for letting me know," before the yuheng gets up from her seat, making her exit from the table as the sky slowly turned a dark hue of blue.
"oh, one more thing."
you turn up to keqing, "what is it?"
"bring a mask," she tells you.
you raise a brow, "why?"
"ningguang wants our identities to be kept hidden," she answers.
"that's some interesting reasoning," you laugh.
and she only smiles, "it is, but it's ningguang. the explanations behind her reasoning always make sense in the end."
"that's something i find terrifying about her."
keqing laughs, "garnering a reputation like that demands high praise." she says before leaving you and your half eaten meal alone.
it's an interesting idea, you think, the idea of hiding true identities. you're certain ningguang only invited qixing aligned citizens, but a part of you wonders if celebrating something small like this was truly important. it's not often ganyu sends out invitations, much less for an event at the jade chamber. but you trust the tianquan, after all, she was the one who saw your potential and gave you your job.
besides, it was only a matter of time before she'd give you her reasoning
—
"that's her?"
"the traitor? yes, if my intel's correct that's her."
"she doesn't look snezhayan."
"she's half inazuman."
"makes sense, even the shogun supports the qixing."
"which means the nation supports them as well."
"after all, inazuma only sings the shogun's praises."
a beat of silence follows, "childe, what do we do now?"
a man approaches from the crowded streets, "glad you two recognized i was here."
"you do seem to follow us," diluc points out.
"you especially seem to follow him," kaeya mumbles under his breath before turning to the harbinger, "how'd you find us here?"
"i did summon you here didn't i?" childe questions before he steals a glance at the aforementioned traitor sitting at the resturant, not missing the sense of familiarity that hits him. "after all, i needed my two most trusted soldiers for this," he quickly smiles.
diluc only rolls his eyes, "why are we here?"
"i'll tell you both about it later," he mumbles. "but i did hear about the fighting in wangshu," he meets their gazes, "you didn't know that the former adeptus guards the place?"
"we didn't know the tianquan won it back," diluc corrects. "one misunderstanding escalated to another and then we fought."
"i see," childe hums, thinking for a moment before he waves it off, "that doesn't matter now then."
kaeya blinks at the sudden switch, "well, we did hear about something at the jade chamber," he quickly brings up.
"the event hosted by the qixing?" childe asks, "i heard whispers about it, but you know how secretive the tianquan is."
so diluc asks, "does that have anything to do with why we're here?"
and at that childe only smiles.
"do either of you have masks?"
Notes:
the idea of the masks came from a romeo and juliet film i watched a few years ago. despite only truly studying it my freshman year of high school, i've always wanted to create a retelling, especially when i started writing my own fics.
ahem ahem please note the usage of all three of childe's names ahem ahem. yn only knows him as tartaglia because childe is what he's called by the harbingers and the harbingers only. it's similar to how the harbingers know keqing and ningguang as the yuheng and the tianquan. hence why only diluc and kaeya have called him childe so far.
thank you for reading! 3
Chapter 4: three
Summary:
unfamiliar faces and new information comes to light as the platform ascends to the chamber.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
the line to the jade chamber is rather short, considering how exhausted ganyu seemed when she finished delivering all the invitations. everyone's in a mask, most of which represent the vision they owned. it's how you know ningguang's invited the best of the best. visions were rare, hard to come by and only given to one in a million talents. it's a hero's tale, the vivid moments of receiving a vision, a small pendant appearing with a white light, a light that seemed to descend from the heavens itself. it's a moment heroes tell after their journeys, a souvenir from their darkest moments. it's a blessing almost, being recognized by the gods.
but you couldn't help but think yours was a curse.
that fateful night still lived so vividly in your head, even if it was years ago. the bloody knife in your hands, the stains on your dress, the shrieks from the townspeople when you ran away from your home, and, most vividly, the sobs from your mother. you moved without thinking, panic racing through your veins when you charged with the knife.
you snap back to reality when someone calls you forward to ascend the jade chamber, pushing the not so distant sounds of screams and ragged breaths to the back of your mind as you adjust the white mask over your eyes.
"may i help you?"
you smile to the man, the same one you see almost daily, "excuse me, do you sell the moon here?"
and you can't help but notice the way he relaxes, "good to see you again yn."
"likewise," you answer as the platform descends back down, "how's the celebration looking?"
"lively as ever," he answers with a short laugh, "the tianquan pulled out all the stops with this one."
you step onto the platform, "sounds wonderful," you grin, "i can't wait to see what it looks like."
"enjoy," he smiles before the platform ascends, giving you a kind wave.
it's still so surprising how ningguang managed to build the chamber in the first place. you didn't know all the details of its construction, something about adepti magic and rare ore, but you're still surprised it's managed to float despite the adepti all leaving liyue.
well, all except one, and even then, he's here on his own volition.
you take a glance down at the slowly growing line full of people waiting to get into the event, adjusting your hairpin as you examined the crowd, the same hairpin that's held your vision for all these years.
it's only then that you see three strangers in line.
you're quite familiar with all the people in liyue, despite not being a native. after all, you take on some of keqing's tasks when her work gets too tedious, and you often visit with the foreigners who sometimes feel just as isolated as you do. despite the bustling crowds in the harbor, all the faces seemed familiar, even if some of them weren't the kindest around.
but something's off about those three.
most of the others in line seem familiar, like people you've seen while running errands or doing business. but something in your gut twists when you steal another glance at them. they're wearing masks, one pyro, one cryo, and one hydro, and you can't seem to ignore the sense of deja vu you feel when seeing them, the sense of familiarity revolving around the group.
but you can't help but feel that the three you spotted were not from around here.
—
"this isn't going to work," diluc mumbles.
"relax," kaeya sighs, patting his brother's shoulder, only to earn a stone cold gaze in return, "we'll get in no problem, right childe?"
childe steals a glance at the person ascending to the chamber, and again the sense of familiarity hits him when he spots the white mask.
a cryo vision, he thinks, and a rather distant memory comes to mind, one with a kind stranger who helped him when he needed it most.
"childe," kaeya calls again.
the boy blinks, "what?" and there's a small bite to his words, one that makes the two brothers pause.
"how," kaeya hesitates, "how do we plan on getting in?"
"oh," childe mumbles before stealing a glance up front, "there's a man up front speaking with the guests, none of which are holding an invite in their hands."
"what does that mean?" kaeya questions.
"that there's probably a phrase needed to get in," diluc answers.
"one that was probably found in the invitations," childe finishes.
kaeya blinks at the two, somehow unfazed by their synchrony, "so," he coughs, "how do we get our hands on the phrase?"
"we use this right here," diluc answers, pulling out an invitation from his coat pocket.
the two boys blink, gaze going from the new piece of paper back to the stone cold gaze of the redhead.
childe's gaze narrows, "how did you get that?"
"found it abandoned on a table at a resturant," diluc answers rather simply.
kaeya raises a brow before snatching the envelope from his brother's hand, "seriously?"
diluc nods, "it was either there out of negligence or it was put there deliberately."
childe clicks his tongue, not missing the way the invitation was unaddressed, "do you think the tianquan planned this?"
"most likely," diluc nods. "maybe to test my loyalty or see if i'm colluding with the harbingers."
"so they don't trust the traitor's intel?" childe thinks.
"or they don't trust my intentions," diluc answers.
"either way there's no way this was just left unattended," kaeya mumbles, "people would kill to get into an event like this. they wouldn't just leave their invitation out in the open." he steals a glance at the phrase at the bottom, "the sun rises on golden skies," he reads.
childe sighs, a clear sign of confidence in the qixing's victory, "that's the phrase all right," he tells the two as they make their way to the front.
"this is definetly a trap," diluc sighs.
"that's not like the tianquan," childe thinks, "she's known for extravagant events, but if this were a trap she wouldn't invite this many people."
"you have a point," kaeya mumbles, "she wouldn't put the lives of civilians, particularly qixing aligned ones at risk."
"something up," diluc sighs, "this feels too easy."
the three step closer to the front, "or maybe they're here to get another spy," childe thinks out loud, turning to diluc.
"childe, you know where my loyalties lie," he deadpans.
childe smiles, "i know, but maybe they think you can be easily swayed."
and all diluc can do is sigh. after all, childe's never been one to trust, especially when it came to matters revolving around the war. the fact that he instilled so much trust into two strangers was rather out of character. the two were here on their own accord, they joined childe by choice, yet even then. it was unlike him to instill so much duty and responsibility to the two.
but diluc can't shake the thought that the harbinger's planning something, that he's holding a revelation that would keep the two bound to him if needed.
kaeya steals a glance at the platform that ascended and descended the chamber, "fancy," he mumbles.
"i hear the tianquan hides all her information in there," diluc mumbles.
"must be where she does negotiations," kaeya concludes, "it's confidential, secluded, and impossible to get into."
"perfect to do business," childe finishes before the two boys turn to him.
"is this why you brought us here?" kaeya questions, "to find information on the qixing."
"sort of," he mumbles, hand going to the back of his head almost apologetically, "i wasn't aware of the event in the first place, so it's good we found out."
diluc's face falls, "so then why are we here?"
childe's smile disappears at the question, a stone cold gaze replacing it, "i can't discuss it in public," he answers simply, "especially around all these people." he steps forward, now approaching the man next to the platform, "but i'm certain you two will be able to figure out in the end."
the two brothers exchange glances before following his path.
"may i help you?" the man asks.
diluc steps forward, invitation now stuffed into his jacket pocket once more, "the sun rises on golden skies."
the man tenses, "wonderful," he answers, "welcome to the jade chamber."
the three nod at him before stepping onto the platform, but as they ascend the man darts to a soldier standing guard, whispering something before the soldier's eyes go wide.
"they're onto us," kaeya mumbles as he watches the soldier exchange information.
"if they recognized us they'd stop the crowds," childe tells the two.
"we're fine," diluc mumbles, more to himself than the others.
"we're fine," childe reaffirms, "as long as we don't draw attention we're fine."
but as childe's gaze turns to the jade chamber he can't simply disregard the turn in his stomach and the sense of familiarity he keeps seeing in the rumored traitor. she's up there, she's somewhere in the chamber in a white mask and a hairpin that childe seems to vaguely recognize.
and it's only then that he realizes that his true mission was approaching before his very eyes.
Notes:
deja vu! we love!
it's only now that i'm seriously editing (because i never beta or revise my chapters or fics :|) sigh i'm noticing so many errors, so sorry for typos if there are any left lol, i don't really have the most keen eye for typos.
thanks for reading!
Chapter 5: four
Summary:
the careful missteps of an adepti lead to the interaction of old friends as regrets and wishes bubble to the surface between two unknown enemies.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
allegiance has always been a hard thing to pledge.
it's something xiao's struggled with ever since the beginning of the war. ever since morax died and all his contracts were broken, the adepti abandoned the city, leaving liyue in a state of turmoil. but while all of his companions left, xiao stayed.
he still remembers watching the other adepti leave, a sense of familiarity hitting him as he watched them walk away with their backs turned. sure, he's never been close with them, nor always saw eye to eye with them, but the crack in his heart at the sight felt like a rather familiar one.
on the rare occasions that xiao walked through liyue, all he could hear were whisperings and rumors, everyone uncertain of where he truly stood on the manner. no one knew the side he'd pick, or if he'd even abandon the city just as the other adepti did.
he wasn't even too sure of it himself.
atonement for his sins, he simply answers when anyone asks him why. an obligation he held over his own head as he approached the tianquan asking about how he could help. the screams and cries that kept him chained to his position became overwhelming in the whispers of the crowd. if anything, all xiao wanted was silence, peace, and staying loyal to the city felt like the only way to make that possible.
xiao still remembers the way people rejoiced at his position, the way they cheered at the sound of having a strong warrior remain at their side. it makes him smile, the idea of protecting the city he called his home. yet a part of him truly wonders what would happen if he chose the other path if he left just like everyone else did all those years ago.
it's a decision he heavily considered on watching one of the harbingers make their way into the chamber.
"guard the chamber tonight."
the tianquan's words ring through his head when he watches the harbingers and his two friends say the phrase to get in.
"make sure no one from the harbingers infiltrates or disrupts the ceremony."
allegiance has always been a hard thing to pledge.
but xiao continues to wonder about the road not taken when the harbinger meets his gaze.
—
the jade chamber's never been this crowded.
sure, there were people who came and passed. sure, there were dinner events held and celebrations galore, but it's never been this crowded before. the whole chamber's decorated, everyone present's wearing a bright colorful mask, with a lot of the vision holders wearing one similar to the vision they were given. it's something to be celebrated, after all, they were the signs of a true hero.
or the signs of a malicious villain.
you walk through the chamber, still managing to spot a few familiar faces and people despite the masks. small talk always came easily to you, shallow conversations with people who just happened to be in close proximity to you. it was rather easy to discuss something with a person you won't see for a long time after. the easy smiles and the faked laughter felt rather natural after all this time, especially as your day to day activities required you to be nice to everyone you met, even if they weren't the same back.
the traitor felt like such a hostile title to have, especially considering the war times. you'd given your all to this nation, risking your life on numerous occasions to help the qixing in the war. yet time and time again the people turned their back on you. it's rather irritating, the perfection crowds demanded of you, but you would much rather hold perfection than go back to the harbingers.
and in a war like this, everyone needed to choose a side.
you made your way down the winding stairs, not missing the way the door to ningguang's office was closed and blocked off by a table. how smart of her, if anyone were to try and infiltrate, they would make quite the scene trying to get the tianquan's precious information. you spot keqing talking with ganyu at a table. she meets your gaze with a smile and a wave, one you easily return before making your way back up the stairs. you spot a few more familiar faces on your way to the exterior of the chamber, smiling at them before swinging the door to the outside open.
the crowd made the once peaceful atmosphere of the chamber rather stuffy. this was almost like your safe haven from the cruel world below, your safe place from the ridicule and titles and rumors. you could see everywhere from this high up. now there's a small dance floor in the front, with tables circling it. people moved in perfect rhythm to the music, swaying to the beat of the melody and almost in sync with the people next to them. it's calming almost, you think as you sit down at a table and watch, enjoying the change of pace that fresh air seemed to bring.
"it's a beautiful scene," you hear someone next to you say.
"it sure is," you turn up to meet their gaze, an easy smile appearing on your lips as you spot orange hair and a blue mask.
"is this seat taken?" he asks.
and you shake your head, "it's all yours."
"wonderful," he grins before sitting down next to you, and you can't help but notice the sense of familiarity that hits you when you turn to him. "it's quite nice," he continues, "they move in perfect sync as if the choreography was preplanned."
you can't help but laugh, "knowing the tianquan, that wouldn't be out of the question. she's always been one for extravagant scenes, i can definitely see her planning choreography and sending it out to everyone in advance."
"considering how nice this place is, i'm not surprised," the man continues.
you turn to him, "have you never been up here before?"
he only shakes his head, "nope, i'm not really from around here," he tells you with an easy smile of his own.
and his answer only throws you for a loop.
"i'm sorry," you mumble, "have we met before?"
"not to my recollection," the man answers simply.
your gaze narrows at that, your intuition was never off, especially when it came to things like this. "what's your name?"
"ajax," he tells you.
and a chill runs through your body at the all too familiar name.
"ajax," you mumble, the memory of one night coming up in your memory. the kid with blood staining his clothes, the one whose wounds you patched up on a calm snowy night. despite the catastrophes surrounding your life at the time, that felt like a true moment of peace. sure, it was in some interesting circumstances, but it was a moment where you felt safe, vulnerable even around the boy who was being rather vulnerable himself.
"if i may ask," you press further.
ajax leans his head against his propped up hand, "go on."
"where are you from?"
he hesitates, "not from around here," is all he answers. "but if i may ask, what's your name?"
"yn," you answer not a moment later, your curiosity eating at you, "it's lovely to meet you ajax," you smile as you offer out a hand.
but you don't miss the way he freezes, the way he leaves you hanging, his gaze wide eyed through the mask as he stares back at you.
you quirk a brow, "is something wrong?"
he only asks, "where are you from?"
and you only sigh, "snezhaya."
he hesitates for a moment before smiling, "yn."
it's in that moment you know, "ajax," you grin, "it's been so long."
and you don't miss the way he relaxes, "i've been looking everywhere for you."
you pause, "you have?"
his gaze narrows, "ever since that night i've been looking for you," he tells you. "but then i heard you left for liyue." there's a small frown on his face when he speaks.
"well," you start, and his gaze goes back up to you, "i'm glad you found me, but what are you doing here?"
"oh," he smiles rather effortlessly, "i was invited."
your eyes widen, "you were?"
"i was," he reaffirms, "the tianquan reached out to other people in other nations as well."
"how do you know the tianquan then?" you ask almost excitedly.
"just through some business back in snezhaya," he answers simply, not missing the way his gut twists at the web of lies he's slowly building.
"i see," you hum.
"i jumped at the invitation to come," he continues, "if it meant i got to see you again."
your heart skips a beat, "well here i am."
"here you are," he sighs, "and i still have a promise to keep remember?"
you laugh, "you still remember that?"
"i never go back on a promise," he states matter of factly, "no matter what i'll always keep them."
you can't help the grin growing on your face, "well then i'm looking forward to it," you tell him.
and with that ajax stands as the music changes. he offers a hand, "come dance with me?"
"what about the planned choreography?" you tease.
"well," ajax shrugs, "i think our dancing might be better."
and you can't help but smile as you take his hand, letting him lead you to the dance floor. you hold his hand in yours before your other rests on his shoulder. ajax's hand moves to your waist before you join the crowd of people dancing. the movements felt surprisingly natural as you let him lead you across the dance floor.
he's aged well since you last met, but you still see hints and traces of the boy you met that night, the boy you always wished you had more time with. you grin as you both sway in time with the music, letting the crowd melt away as he spun you, pulling you back into his arms a second later.
you can't help but laugh as the two of you dance. ajax's gaze narrows, "what is something wrong?"
"no," you sigh, "i just didn't think you'd be the type to dance."
"believe me," he tells you, "i'm not. i just picked up a few steps here and there. i'm rather rusty."
you raise a brow, "well, i think you're a natural."
he lets go of your waist, spinning you once more before pulling you back in, this time with a newfound grin on his face. you're inches from his face when you return to his arms, the two of you stop moving in the middle of the dance floor, paying no mind to the crowd of people around you. his hands slowly move to your face, gently cupping your cheek as his fingers find the edge of your white mask.
his voice is soft, "may i?"
and all you can do is nod as he pulls off your mask. there's a slight blush in your cheeks as he stares down at you, eyes widening slightly as the smile on his face grows. you reach up to his own mask, "can i?"
he only nods eagerly as you pull the mask off. it's only then that you see the fragments of the boy you met that night. the shine in his blue eyes, the light in his smile, it's all still there, and that thought makes your heart swell.
his lips are inches from yours, his hand still gently cupping his cheek and you can't help the way you leaned in, almost as if you're both making up for lost time, making up for what could've been.
the kiss is gentle, saying silent regrets and wishes only for the two of you to know. your hands wrap around his neck, your fingers carding through the hair at the nape of his neck. you don't miss the way he smiles, the way everything feels so familiar, the way it reminds you of the comforting parts of home that you missed so dearly.
the way everything felt so right.
you pull away with a flush in your cheeks, a bit out of breath with a smile on your face. you meet ajax's gaze, his eyes still shining as they stare down at you.
"i'm glad i found you," he tells you.
"i'm glad i did too," you answer.
you both exchange masks and help the other tie the straps back on with featherlight touches, not missing the gentle kiss ajax pressed to your cheek once he helped you put yours back on.
he meets your gaze once more, this time through the blue mask of his.
"can i see you again?"
"yes," you answer not even a second later, your moment alone in the crowd being cut off by the sound of keqing calling your name. you steal a glance at her before turning back to ajax, "i'll meet you in the harbor later tonight okay?"
he nods happily, "i can't wait."
"okay," you grin with a nod of your own, "bye for now ajax."
and he only waves goodbye as you return to keqing, who only stares at him before turning back to you.
"where have you been?" ajax hears behind him.
"childe we thought you got kidnapped or something."
childe turns around to see diluc and kaeya, "sorry," he mumbles, "got a little caught up in something," he tells the two boys.
"the door to the tianquan's room is blocked off," kaeya tells him. "we can't get in without causing a scene."
"is there any other way in?"
diluc shakes his head, "unfortunately not, sorry childe."
and he only waves it off, "don't worry about it. if we can't get into the room it's fine," he smiles, "are you guys having fun here though?"
the two brothers only turn to each other before turning to the rather carefree boy in front of them.
"i guess," diluc mumbles, "but why do you ask?"
"because," childe sighs throwing his arm over kaeya, "this is the biggest event in liyue, we gotta enjoy it."
"not when we have a mission to accomplish," kaeya counters.
"oh that," childe mumbles, "don't worry."
"i have it all taken care of."
Notes:
and with that, act one comes to an end! thank you to everyone's who's read so far!
i have part of act two started, and i'm so excited to see where this story goes.
yes, xiao is the closest thing our story has to true neutral so far. other characters have planned appearances though in the later acts, especially as more people become...acquainted :D
thank you for reading!
Chapter 6: five
Summary:
the true intentions behind an interaction, an invitation to meet sets his plans into motion, the harbinger's slow to realize the inner calamity behind a mere interaction in favor of sticking to his original mission.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
the one thing the harbingers always emphasized was swiftness in chaos.
considering their smaller numbers, quicker battles, and immense amounts of bloodshed, they moved fast. after all, it's how they brought liyue to its knees, going in at the country's seemingly most vulnerable point.
no one saw it coming. rumors say that the harbingers decided to storm in because they felt like it. others say it was because of a bet, that half the harbingers wanted to invade and half didn't, only for all of them to decide by something as simple as a coin toss. but childe only laughs at the rumors, they couldn't be more wrong.
the intentions behind the initial invasion were to obtain the gnosis. with the tsaritsa going around to every nation to obtain the gnosis from the other six archons, everyone was rather surprised to see that morax died. childe took on the mission after his sudden addition to the harbingers and they went to war not long after as consequence after consequence continued to pile up. all the what ifs accumulated and spun into the war of today, leaving behind a web of lies and questions that even childe still had yet to entangle. all he knew was that signora was involved in the initial death.
but he's smart enough to know that the events leading up to the war weren't as coincidental as it seemed.
swifness in chaos, it was the saying used when the harbingers stormed into liyue. it's the words childe often finds himself saying to fellow soldiers. finding the right moment in immense unpredictability was often when the harbingers took a gamble to strike. a lot of their progress in the war came by strategic chance, yet at the same time, it was how they fell backward as well. but their victories came faster than their losses, so the elite of the harbingers prioritized chance in their dire moments.
swiftness in chaos, it's the saying that comes to mind when childe pulls kaeya and diluc out of the jade chamber before any of the other guests even think of leaving.
"you said you accomplished the mission," diluc tells childe as they make their way outside, "yet you haven't even told us what kind of mission it was."
"yeah, you drag us out here only for us to just be your posse," kaeya rolls his eyes.
"diluc," childe interrupts, "did you speak with the tianquan?"
his voice is hesitant, "i did. she approached me asking about my intel and information, and i gave her nothing."
childe pauses, "did she bring up anything regarding switching sides?"
and diluc shook his head, "she did not. but i did get into her office. i couldn't find or take anything useful though." he meets childe's gaze, "you know my loyalties are with the harbingers right?"
"i'm aware," childe answers, "did you mention anything like that to her?"
"i didn't," diluc answers. "but i could tell that she knew because, after the conversation, the guards have been keeping a careful eye on me."
"she probably didn't ask you to leave because she knew it'd make a scene," kaeya notes.
"and it's her big party," diluc continues, "i don't think some side scheme of hers is worth ruining it."
"i see," childe mumbles before turning to his brother, "kaeya, did you speak with the yuheng?"
he nods, "i did, but only for a short time. i don't think she suspected me of anything."
"did she mention anything important?"
"other than some small talk no," he answers. "but please childe back to the topic." kaeya meets the elite's gaze.
"why are we here?"
"because i needed to meet with the traitor."
the brothers only stare at childe as he sighs, a slight frown forming on his lips, "i needed to meet with her to discuss some things, but i can't elaborate further. i needed you both here, especially when i heard about the party, to help me get in without attracting attention."
kaeya raises a brow "did you meet with her?"
childe nods, "i did, but we never got to really talk."
"that's why we're leaving now then," diluc mumbles.
"i'll meet her tonight," childe explains, "so please don't follow me when i leave."
"we won't," kaeya nods.
"we weren't planning to anyway," diluc answers. "we have faith in you and your intentions."
and childe can't help the smile on his face when he hears that, "thank you." the three brothers only nod in response, as they make their way down the platform.
"what were they like?" kaeya questions, childe's gaze feels strangely cold as he looks at the boy. "i mean if you can't talk about it you don't have to," kaeya retracts.
childe only sighs, looking down at the harbor. a pit forming in his stomach at the interaction, the way your eyes lit up when he said his true name, the way your laugh sounded like a melody, the way your hand intertwined with his as you let him lead you across the dance floor. it all felt so surreal, almost as if it were out of a fever dream.
after all, it seemed rather out of character for a "traitor" like you to trust so easily.
maybe it was because of the past history, but you seemed so friendly, so open with him. maybe it was because you thought he was qixing aligned when in reality you couldn't be more wrong.
he'll have to see tonight, he thinks.
*"midnight, at the dock outside the ship harbor, i'll be waiting."*
his cheeks can't help but flush as he remembers his words, heart beginning to race as he recalled how he whispered it into your ear before you two parted ways. a part of him even wonders if you'll remember or show up. but then he remembers it's you, the kind girl who helped him all those years ago, the same one who showed him nothing but kindness and friendliness when you met again.
you'll be there, he thinks, and that's when the true conversation begins.
"home," childe says to the two boys.
"she reminded me of home."
Notes:
aaaaah welcome to act two!
eeee i'm back and i've got two chapters prewritten because i'll be on vacation for a lot of next week! thank you for sticking with me on this journey, more will be revealed as the story progresses, but i hope you all like it!
thank you so so much for reading!
Chapter 7: six
Summary:
the awaited discussion between two unknowing rivals, leading their opposite teams to battle as one's true intentions finally come to light
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
secrets felt like the one thing that kept the qixing together.
the privacy behind closed doors and negotiations. secrets were meant to be kept, but the ones that were spilled seemed to add more fuel to the fire, a flame built off of anger and anguish. the information you carried felt like gasoline, controversial pieces that could tip the scales of the war rest at the tip of your tongue. it's one of the reasons why you respected ningguang. the tianquan had a practice of turning the tides on the war, and half the time you weren't sure why she would ask certain questions of you or ask you to meet with different people. but she always put good use to your efforts.
she always found a way to gain leverage in the war.
the harbor's quiet. normally it's bustling with families and business people. contracts are dished out, and people laugh and share the stories of their lives, along with those of others. even at night, the streets remain busy, remain filled with people even in the dead of night. it's one of the things you loved about liyue, the people always made it feel alive.
but tonight, it was dead silent.
it's incredibly early in the morning, and considering that ningguang's party just ended, it's only inevitable that everyone rests for the next day ahead. other than the occasional straggler, you're the only one walking through the streets, wondering if ajax even waited just as he said he would.
your cheeks heat up as the memory comes to mind, his gentle touch when he pulled off your mask, the kindness in his smile that seemed to remind you that even after all these years, he was still the boy you helped in the woods. his kiss was gentle, something that seemed to speak all the words you kept to yourself all those years, the secret moments of wondering, of wishing, of regrets that spilled out when his lips met yours.
it was sweet really, letting yourself live the life you couldn't let yourself have.
you're greeted with closed stalls and dim light posts as you make your way down the dock. your hands hang over the edge of the railing, the calm waves of the water below you making you smile. it's rather peaceful at least, to be out here by yourself. in a city that seemed so full of people, it's rare to find a moment when you're the only one standing in it.
you pull your mask off, staring down as your other hand plays with the straps. your fingers brush over the small snowflakes in the corner before running over the fake flowers at the top of the mask, the light blue almost blending in with the paleness of the mask. a sigh leaves your lips as it rests in your hands, eyes going out to the docks as the waves come and go.
"why did i have a feeling that you'd be out here?"
the sound of ajax's voice makes you smile as you turn to face him. your heart skips a beat as you catch a glimpse of his face, his mask now peeking out of his jacket pocket as he approached you.
the same sense of home settles in you when he stands at your side.
"did i keep you waiting?" he asks.
you shake your head, "not at all no," you turn to him, "did i? sorry i got caught up with some things at the party, i didn't even notice that you left already."
"don't worry about it," he reassures with a small smile, "i had something else to attend to anyway."
"something more important than the qixing's biggest party?" you tease.
he hesistates for a moment, "more or less."
and that catches your attention, "what kind of stuff?"
so he lies, "i had a call with my family back home."
"oh no," you mumble, "was it serious?"
"no no it wasn't," ajax instantly answers, "it's just a thing i do with my siblings every week."
"siblings?"
"yeah," ajax nods rather sheepishly, "i've got a couple back home yeah."
"how are they?"
"they're okay," he mumbles, "as okay as you can do when there's a war going on."
and a sigh leaves your lips. the war's taken a toll on every nation, even if they weren't an active participant. sure, liyue and snezhaya were the main players, but that didn't mean citizens from inazuma or mondstat idly stood by. some gave resources, leaders offered aid, and everyone seemed to turn on one another.
"but we call every week," ajax repeats, "it's just so i can check in on them since i'm not home super often."
you turn to him, "how often are you home then?"
"rarely," he sighs, "i never really get to go visit." he meets your gaze. "have you gone home at all?"
you shake your head, "when i left, i left for good." your eyes turn to the sky, "it's a shame though, despite how much i hated it, i still ended up missing it."
"well that's what happens when you leave the familiar," ajax mumbles, "you miss the life you used to have, even if it didn't treat you well."
"sometimes that life feels safer than the one you have now," you continue before a beat of silence passes. you two look over at each other, a slight blush forming on your cheeks, "sorry, i just cut it on you."
"don't worry," he smiles, "i feel the same way too. i'm not a huge fan of snezhaya but i do miss it sometimes."
"so what made *you* come out to liyue?" you tease.
"the same reason you did," he answers rather simply. "i was in need of a fresh start, the opportunity to have a clean slate."
you sigh, "we are more similar than i anticipated."
"so how did you get involved with the tianquan?"
at that all you can do is stare, "you seriously don't know?" and you can't help the small chuckle that leaves your lips as he blankly nods. "i'm the one who's providing intel," you explain. "i swear everyone who's qixing aligned knows already, it's not really a secret to them."
ajax raises a brow, "and what about harbinger aligned?"
"they don't know yet. the qixing aligned don't mention it around them, if the two parties even interact at all," you hum. "my sources say they're starting to narrow down, but they haven't truly put an identity to a title."
"i see," he mumbles.
"what about you?" you question.
"what about me?" ajax teases.
you smile, "how do you know the tianquan," you explain. "you certainly can't be harbinger aligned, or else you wouldn't have made it in."
ajax sighs, "we did business one time back while i was still living permanently in snezhaya," he explains. "she helped me with one of my overseas jobs here and we've been in close contact since. she's very insightful."
at that your eyes light up, "she is isn't she?" you smile, "she helped me get my job with the qixing, even when everyone here seemed to turn their backs on me."
"she must've seen something in you," ajax nods. "she doesn't let just anyone into the qixing." ajax meets your gaze, his hand slowly moving to your chin. "i'm glad she picked up on your potential."
your cheeks heat up as you meet his gaze, "what does that mean?"
"the tianquan is well respected right? everyone's who's part of the qixing can handle being part of the ruling government over the city. she wouldn't appoint just anyone to be a part of it," ajax explains, "i'm glad she saw you."
"thanks," you mumble, your hand wrapping over his.
"you make me miss home."
ajax's eyes widen as the words slip so easily from your lips. "why do you say that?"
"you remind me of it," you mumble.
"is that a good thing or a bad thing."
"it's good," you answer softly, a small frown curling on your lips. "it's good because you remind me that even in times of war, there's still good there."
"you remind me of a happy life that could've been."
he stares down at you at your words as you refuse to meet his gaze, tilting your chin up a bit more to face him, "you know i never got to properly thank you."
you hesitate, heartbeat picking up, "i swear you did."
"i made a promise," ajax corrects, "i never said thank you."
a small laugh leaves your lips, "you certainly did."
and at that he pauses, "well then," he mumbles, leaning a bit closer to you, "let me thank you again," he almost whispers against your skin, "properly this time."
you stand up on your toes as your lips crash into his. it's more passionate than the last, his grip now tight on you as if he's afraid to let go. your fingers tangle into his hair as he rests on your cheek. it's almost as if thank yous are whispered between you both.
thank you for taking care of me.
thank you for making me feel needed.
thank you for being there when i needed you most.
thank you for giving me something to miss.
thank you for reminding me of home.
because even if you two were mere strangers, you were more than a comfort than the other would truly know.
as you move to pull away you rest your forehead against his, blue eyes now staring into yours with a much more determined smile as yours.
"when the war is done," ajax starts, "come find me."
you laugh, "just like the way you did for me."
he nods, "all i can give you now is this," he sighs before pressing another short kiss to your lips. "but when the war is done, i promise i'm all yours. everything i am will belong to you."
your heart races at his words, mind not even bothering to question why you even had to wait as you stare up at him, all sense of caution cast away on meeting his gaze, because this felt right. he felt right, even in the moments of turmoil between the two nations you both called home, this felt right.
"i'll find you," you nod. "when everything's said and done, i'll find you."
he laughs before pulling you into his arms once more, a smile gracing his lips as he kisses you. the innocence of the moment making you forget about the war at hand as you relish in the presence of the boy who seemed to fill your regrets, wishes that seemed to be fulfilled instantly.
"everything i am," ajax whispers, "it's all yours."
and for the first time in a very long time, you let yourself believe.
"i promise."
—
childe has never lied so much in his life.
sure, he's done his fair share of deception to complete the tsarista's tasks. but he's never lied so much to a person his heart begged him to care for, to a person who reminded him that there was still some good in this world.
he's never lied this much to himself.
as he watches you depart from the harbor and up the stairs toward the city he can't help but sigh. guilt, for the first time in an incredibly long time, courses through his system. but it's a feeling he suppresses, just as he has always done when it's showed up. this wasn't a time for regret, particularly when he had soldiers ready at his beck and call when he had two of his closest allies waiting for their next move.
childe pulls out his phone, "diluc," he calls out.
"what is it?" the voice comes from the other line.
"whatever i'm about to tell you, you tell no one."
"what?"
"you can't tell anyone the information i'm about to tell you," childe repeats, gut tightening at the fact that he's breaking protocol.
silence echos on the other end before a sigh leaves diluc's lips, "alright, what is it?"
"she's the one," childe confirms. "the intel the source gave us was correct."
a beat of silence follows, "are you sure that's her?" diluc tries.
it'll be worth it in the end, he thinks, when the war's over and the harbingers have won, it'll be all worth it in the end.
"it's her."
and childe doesn't miss the way his stomach tightens as he turns you in.
"we have our traitor."
Notes:
thank u everyone for waiting!
i do hope you all enjoy the new chapter 3
Chapter 8: seven
Summary:
the arrival of an old god bound by tradition and written words as both sides search for answers about the other
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"what do you know about the traitor?"
"i know she's the cunning type," zhongli answers. "she's the type who knows what she wants and gets it."
tartaglia tries a different question as he walks closer to the man sitting quietly as he sips his tea. "would you be able to tell me her name?"
"that would break my contract."
"oh, you and your contracts," the harbinger grumbles with a small laugh. "it's a new age! a new dawn! the harbingers will end meaningless bonds." he walks around the man who remains to sit calmly. "tell me zhongli," tartaglia meets his gaze, a flicker of fire in his eyes.
"do you really wanna keep those old agreements of yours?"
zhongli sighs, "tartaglia if convincing me to join your army is all you're here to do then it's best you leave." he takes a slow sip of his tea as he carefully eyes the boy next to him, "don't forget, we started trading information because of a contract of our own."
tartaglia rolls his eyes, "you've always been traditional in that sense."
zhongli laughs, "i'm just following a god's wishes."
"the god's dead," tartaglia deadpans before sliding in the seat next to zhongli.
but zhongli steers the conversation away, "did you want to know anything else about the traitor?"
tartaglia blinks before meeting the man's eyes, the stone cold seriousness in his gaze reminding the harbinger about what he's here for. "any information is appreciated," he smoothly answers, leaning back in his seat. "give me everything you can. our contract demands it, and i know you're a man of your word."
"alright," zhongli mumbles, sitting up a bit straighter. "as the rumors say she's snezhayan, born to an inazuman mother and a snezhayan father. she fled the nation when she was young, with some saying it was after she accidentally killed her father."
tartaglia stares, "accidentally?"
zhongli nods, "she received her vision not long after," he continues, "currently she's in liyue and is a part of the elite qixing. her official title is kaiyang, but everyone simply calls her a traitor."
the harbinger thinks for a moment, "where is she now?"
"i'm afraid i can't disclose that information."
tartaglia sighs, "alright," he mumbles before standing up from his chair.
"anything else you wanted to ask me?"
tartaglia simply shakes his head at zhongli's question. "your payment will come shortly. as per usual, the harbingers will continue to uphold our part of the deal."
"thank you," zhongli mumbles as tartaglia makes his way towards the exit. "oh," zhongli mumbles, "there's one more thing."
tartaglia turns back to him, "what is it?"
"your traitor will be present at a ceremony at the jade chamber two weeks from now to celebrate the recovery of wangshu inn."
the harbinger blinks, "but that's still our territory."
"it won't be for long," zhongli mumbles before taking another sip of his tea.
tartaglia only stares, "who are you?"
zhongli laughs, recalling all the other times the boy's asked him the same question. so he gives the same answer he's always given him.
"i'm simply a man bound by old words."
—
"tell me everything you know about the harbingers."
zhongli's eyes widen slightly at your request. "that's a new thing to ask for yn."
you smile as you watch him sip his tea before reaching for the cup in front of you, "i'm in dire need right now."
"don't you already know enough?" zhongli questions.
"not enough to help us gain an advantage," you hum, "we need it after losing qingce. a lot of families were displaced by that."
"i see," zhongli thinks. "who would you like to know about?"
you pause for a moment. "the eighth harbinger," you answer.
"ah signora," zhongli sighs, "she and i have met on many occasions."
"the crimson witch," you hum, "i haven't seen any of the harbingers personally, but i have met her. she's terrifying."
"well she hasn't always been like that," he corrects, "she's originally from mondstat."
you blink, "she was?"
zhongli nods, "she fell in love with someone while studying in sumeru, but he died when khaenri'ah fell."
"how did she get involved with the harbingers then?"
"through her anger," zhongli answers simply, "the real signora has been lost to history and she threw away her past to join the harbingers. she attained a delusion and became one of the elite not long after."
"why?"
"the same reason why you joined the qixing," zhongli mumbles, "for revenge."
your stomach drops at his words, "well," you cough, "that's incredibly useful, thank you."
"of course," he nods before a beat of silence falls over you both. you steal a glance at the man, smiling as you watch him peacefully sip his tea. he holds information that could turn the tides of the war, yet he still looks as peaceful as ever.
you can't help but wonder how he stays so calm in calamity.
"tell me about tartaglia."
zhongli quirks a brow, "why the sudden interest? you've never asked about him before."
"i know," you sigh. "it's just i know a lot about the other harbingers, but just not him."
zhongli only nods, "tartaglia's the last of the harbingers, the youngest and latest addition to the elite. while the elite are known for being secretive and quick, tartaglia's almost the opposite, opting to be involved front and center. he gained his vision after falling into the abyss."
your eyes widen, "he fell in?"
zhongli nods as you stare dumbfounded, "he did at a young age, which is how he became so skilled. he's incredibly dedicated to the tsarista, and will do anything by any means to complete a task."
"that means he's dedicated to the war," you mumble.
"very," he hums, "he's often leading soldiers into battle. he looks like a normal soldier if you don't look carefully."
"maybe that's why i've never seen him," you hum before meeting zhongli's gaze. "thank you," you nod. "as always, that was incredibly useful."
"of course," he nods as you stand up. "you've always been kinder to me than others."
you quirk a brow, "really?"
and he nods, "people just see me as a," he pauses, "source of information, someone who can't give them what they need but can give just enough to make me important."
"well," you smile, "you've always been fun company, and i've always enjoyed being out here with you. plus, this place is too nice to be destroyed the war."
zhongli can't help but smile at that notion.
"payment should be mailed to you shortly," you hum as you swing open the door to the exit. "i'll tell ningguang you say hi."
"i'm sure she'll be happy to hear it," zhongli waves as the door shuts, leaving him once again alone in the tea house.
sure enough, he received his payment not even a day later. zhongli opened the package to see a handsome payment of mora along with a small note. he recognized your handwriting immediately.
wangshu inn, three weeks. it'll be ours.
and zhongli only sighs, as another piece of information falls easily into his skilled hands.
Notes:
and he finally arrives :D
i truly wasn't sure of what role i wanted zhongli to play but i knew i wanted him in the fic so he's the truest neutral that we have hehe
thank you for reading! the rest of act two will be out shortly 3
Chapter 9: eight
Summary:
an out of the blue plan throws a former god for a loop as a desperate boy tries to protect the one person he loves
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
zhongli's been in this world for much longer than he'd admit.
he's watched the heavens wreak havoc on the land. he's seen the sea clash with the skies. his memory's unforgiving, every interaction, every moment seared into his brain for him to remember, and even to this day, he can't decide if that's a blessing or a curse.
zhongli's seen pain, heartbreak, even experienced it himself considering his nonhuman form. despite his looks, he's no mere human. instead, he hides in the shadows, the curse of immortality allowing him to see everything.
the war's just as brutal today as it was back then. sure, the armies are a bit more structured and the leaders are a bit smarter. but it's been years of countless battles and negotiations, years of watching the qixing and harbingers take three steps forward only to take two back not even a month later. zhongli only shakes his head as he stares outside the window of his small house in the middle of nowhere. the thought of the war makes him wish he kept his old form.
it's an abandoned house, no one knows the location unless they want to associate themselves with him, and considering how unknown he is, there aren't many people in that category. it's remained untouched in the war due to his many many contracts. despite the harbinger's desire to abolish old, unforgiving bonds, he's stuck to tradition, honoring his word no matter how many years it's been.
he's reliable like that, words keeping him bound and his lips sealed.
but this is the quiet life he dreamed of. silence, solitude, away from the chaos surrounding him. if he had the option he would spend the last of his days out here. after all, he's alone, just as he's always been. bringing a new addition to his life would bring him back to the life he'd tried so long to avoid. yet his contracts continue to bring him back, continue to remind him of the war outside of his small house.
the wooden door creaks open.
and it just so happened that a lot of people had zhongli bound by his own words.
"tartaglia," zhongli sighs as he sits down at his small table, another steaming cup of tea in front of him. "we meet again."
"we do indeed," he smiles rather freely considering he's part of the bloodshed of a nation. "how've you been?"
"i've been fine," zhongli answers, "and you?"
"same old same old," tartaglia sighs, "negotiation, training, battle, all that stuff."
and the way the harbinger brushes it all off makes zhongli's blood boil.
"did you need something?" zhongli asks, tone quite sharp. "if not then you should leave."
"why's that?" the harbinger questions with a raised brow, "you know none of the army's gonna come here and hurt this place," tartaglia reminds him. "we're bound by contract ya know?"
he knows, he's the one who set it up in the first place.
zhongli had three rules when it came to the war. first, he refused to pick sides. no matter who approached him from the two groups, whether it was one of the elite or a member of the qixing leaders, he remained neutral, letting himself sit on the line between the two groups.
the second was to leave three pieces of land untouched. one was the old home of the adepti cloud retainer, the place where the other adepti and rex lapis often met for meals. the other was the golden tree at the root of mount hulao. the third was the location of his teahouse, close to qingce village but far enough to not be involved with the city.
the final requirement involved two particular people that zhongli requested no one hurt. first, was the old funeral parlor director, the second was the former adeptus that remained to protect his city. no one was to hurt them at any cost, no matter what side they were on.
the harbinger, particularly the one sitting next to him, broke this requirement before the contracts were made. but even then, zhongli considered tartaglia on thin ice, something that clearly doesn't exist in his homeland.
both groups signed contracts with ease, signing off on his requests in exchange for information about the other parties, unknowing that the other side did the same. he'll share as much information as his contracts will allow him to. informants or members of the qixing leaders or elite would stop by occasionally, have tea, talk, and exchange payment (everyone still insisted on paying him for his contributions, and zhongli accepted every time considering how low he often was on mora).
tartaglia was the prime harbinger who came to see zhongli, and the man thinks that calling him a thorn in his side is quite the understatement.
zhongli sighs, "i'm very aware of the contract, yes," he turns to tartaglia. "did you need something?"
his carefree gaze turns stone cold, "tell me everything you know about the traitor."
zhongli laughs, a clipped laugh, but a laugh nonetheless, "you should really be careful about the way you phrase things."
tartaglia's gaze narrows as he thinks for a moment.
"is the traitor yn?"
a pit forms in zhongli's stomach.
"that's confidential information to the harbingers," but his bored eyes seem to mask it well.
"okay," tartaglia mumbles, and zhongli's running through all his previous interactions. how in the world did he figure out?
"is the traitor a former snezhayan native with a cryo vision? is the traitor half inazuman and did her mother flee the country before the vision hunt decree started?"
"yes," zhongli answers calmly as tartaglia tests the waters of the previous contracts he's made.
"is the traitor the kaiyang of the qixing?"
"she is yes."
"does she wear a white hair pin that contains her vision?"
zhongli hesitates, how does he know that? "yes, that's her."
there's a small smile on tartaglia's face as he continues, "let me try this again," he starts. "is yn the traitor?"
at this point, he already knows.
"yes," zhongli caves, "she's the traitor."
but when zhongli meets tartaglia's gaze there's not an ounce of pride on his face, not an ounce of victory from prying out this crucial confirmation of information.
instead, there's only fear.
"make a contract with me," tartaglia answers, gaze cold and unnerving.
zhongli blinks, "what?"
"make a contract with me," he only repeats, "not the harbingers, me." tartaglia meets zhongli's gaze, "ajax."
zhongli stares, "ajax?"
"my given name," tartaglia answers. "you can tell that to whoever you want."
zhongli falters, "are you serious?"
tartaglia nods, "but you have to promise me that no one else finds out about her identity. i don't care if you have to lie or throw harbingers under the bus, but you don't tell anyone she's the traitor."
well, zhongli thinks, this is rather out of character.
"may i ask why?" he questions, "your name is just as important as hers."
tartaglia hesitates, "we're friends," he tells the man, "childhood friends."
zhongli quirks a brow, "how does that work?" he mumbles, "didn't you fall into the abyss when she left for liyue?"
"we met the night before she left," tartaglia clarifies. "i made it out that night and she," a small smile forms on his face, "she cared for me, can you believe that? a complete stranger with a kind enough heart to treat a stranger like me all covered in blood," he sighs. "i haven't encountered anyone as kind as her since."
"well," zhongli sighs, "she's changed, she's part of the qixing leaders." the man hesitates, "wait does she know you're an elite?" and tartaglia shakes his head and zhongli only sighs, "archons," he mumbles.
"that's why i need you not to tell her," tartaglia adds, "another part of the contract."
"so let me get this straight, in exchange for your given name i can't tell anyone she's the traitor or that you're a part of the elite."
tartaglia nods, "it's a simple contract," he smiles.
"one that requires me to lie."
"in exchange for my real name, and you can give that to anyone but her regardless of the side they're on."
"you can't go throwing that around wherever," zhongli tells the boy, meeting his gaze, "do you know how many people you're endangering by giving that out? people can find you, they'll find your family, your old friends, the people in your hometown."
"i don't give a damn about them," tartaglia yells out, "they all left me when i came up from the abyss. my family, my siblings, everyone turned their back on me!" zhongli's eyes widen at the boy's sudden confession. "i don't care," tartaglia mumbles.
"i just need to protect her."
and zhongli's gaze softens at the boy, who looked much smaller than when he first entered. his gaze stays glued to the table in front of him.
"i can't turn her in," tartaglia mumbles, eyes turning glassy as the painful memories he worked so hard to push down came bubbling back up. "i found out who she was at a party. the harbingers are already onto her, but she told me a couple nights ago. i can't tell anyone. she'll be killed if i tell anyone." he meets zhongli's gaze, a slight tremble in his lips. "i have to protect her. please, can you do this for me?"
"you're breaking protocol," zhongli mumbles, "the tsarista would be furious if she found out about this."
tartaglia only sighs, "that's why she's not gonna find out."
"she'll kill you."
"then she'll kill me," tartaglia answers a newfound sharpness to his voice. "if she finds out then i messed up somehow. i'll deserve it if anything." zhongli only stares, curiosity in his eyes as he carefully watches the man in front of him. "we can win the war without knowing her name. i'll find a way."
"and if you can't?"
"then i can't and i deserve all the punishment i'll receive," tartaglia instantly answers. "please, zhongli, do this for me."
and at that all zhongli can do is nod.
Notes:
i have all of act two written and i'm so tempted to just dump it all in one go...idk we'll see hehe
thank you for reading!
Chapter 10: nine
Summary:
a newfound revelation forces the qixing's hand as panic assumes the group, leaving one member recollecting a moment from their bitter past
Chapter Text
"emergency meeting?"
ganyu nods, "yes, lady ningguang wants all of us present," she tells you. "something about the party last week."
"ningguang never calls emergencies," you mumble. "if she does she wouldn't call it that."
"did she tell you?"
you quirk a brow, "tell me what?"
"that she invited diluc ragnvindr from mondstat."
you blink, "the one who's allegedly harbinger aligned?"
well, not really allegedly. rumors about the other side seem to spread like wildfire. you're still so surprised that the harbingers haven't figured out ningguang, ganyu, keqing, or even your identity yet. maybe they have, maybe they're not as slick with information as you are.
regardless, the invitation to a member of the other side was a rather sudden revelation.
ganyu nods, "she had a whole plan involving him."
"who knew about it?"
"only me," she mumbles, "at least that's what i'm just realizing. i only knew because i delivered the invitations."
"i see," you hum. "when's the meeting?"
"later tonight at the jade chamber," ganyu answers.
"got it," you nod, "i won't be late."
"you never are," she smiles before she leaves you alone in your office. you stare at the mountain load of paperwork on your desk. surely ningguang wouldn't want her precious coworker to be exhausted before this very important meeting. a small smile graces your lips as you let procrastination take over, in favor of getting some fresh air. after all, ningguang always encouraged it, especially when she found both you and keqing asleep at your desks one time.
those were good days, days you never wish to forget.
you make your way out of the office building before taking a detour to the small terrace overlooking liyue harbor. it's always been beautiful, watching people go on with their daily lives. when you first came to the nation all alone you spent your time looking over this terrace, making up false stories about the people who walked along the docs. you had no clue who anyone was. you had no idea what their occupations or interests were. it was at this terrace where ganyu found you for the first time, it was at this terrace that ningguang asked you to join the qixing.
you watch the soldiers change posts, marking the top of the hours. security's certainly gone up in the city, particularly around the government buildings. but even as you stand above the city, you can't help but wonder if the people of liyue feel as much comfort in this view as you do.
a small sigh escapes your lips as you make your way to the jade chamber, speaking with the same man who guards it every day before stepping on the platform and ascending to the chamber. a part of you can't help but think about how dangerous these small platforms are. one small misstep and you could fall to your death.
these platforms definitely need handrails or something, perhaps you'll bring it up to ningguang when you meet to play chess again.
the soldiers meet you at the front doors to the jade chamber before holding them open. you nod a quick thank you before stepping. the party decorations are all gone and business has gone back to normal in the chamber. you smile at the maids before making your way down the stairs to ningguang's office. keqing's already present when you arrive.
"you're five minutes early," ningguang smiles.
"just as she always is," ganyu calls out as she makes her way down the stairs and towards the room.
"keqing showed up earlier than i did," you mumble.
"i was already here on business," keqing explains. "something about the qingce villagers and their farms."
"as busy as ever i see," you sigh before sitting down next to the yuheng. "but it's always good to see you."
she smiles, "you as well."
"well now that we're all here," ningguang starts.
"wait!" you all turn to ganyu, "we're missing someone."
"oh yes," the tianquan mumbles. "xiao will be here shortly."
"xiao?" keqing questions.
ningguang nods, "he said he had something important to tell us."
and the pit that forms in your stomach tells you that it can't be any good.
ningguang turns to you and keqing, "i take it ganyu informed you both of what happened?"
you nod, "the meeting with diluc."
"the harbinger aligned from mondstat," keqing mumbles.
"actually there's two of them," ningguang clarifies. "the other's his adoptive brother," she turns to you. "is that right?"
"that's correct," you confirm. "diluc and kaeya, both from mondstat and recruited as part of the harbinger's army. while their reasons for joining are unknown, they lead armies of soldiers, with diluc being the one who handles more negotiations and discussions than his brother," you relay the information you found around two months ago. recalling your long journey to snezhaya before having to travel all the way to mondstat. you had to bend backward to obtain that information, it was a miracle you even found all of that out.
"i invited diluc here during the party to discuss the war," ningguang explains. "it seems as if he brought a friend or two with him," she turns to keqing, "right?"
she nods, "i spoke with kaeya for a brief moment, it seemed as if he was only here to tag along with his brother."
"who was the other friend?" ganyu asks.
"that," ningguang points, "i'm not sure."
"that's bad then," you mumble.
"well," keqing thinks, "how did the negotiation go?"
ningguang shakes her head, "it went just as you think it would."
"then why did you even bring him here in the first place?" you question.
"i wanted to test where his true loyalties lie," ningguang answers. "he's never been a fan of the harbingers anyway, so i personally thought it was odd that he sided with them."
"it was an odd choice from him," you mumble. "i always heard he didn't like their methods and practices."
"his brother seems to go along with it just fine," keqing mumbles.
ningguang turns to you, "what do you know about diluc?"
"he's heir to the ragnvindr clan in mondstat and owns the winery as well as a local tavern there. after his father died, he and his brother apparently went separate ways only for them to end up fighting together again in the war. signora was the one who approached him with the offer," you continue. "all i know about it was that his agreement to join the harbingers revolved around his family."
"i think it's more than that."
everyone turns to see xiao standing at the door.
"hi there," you wave and xiao only nods back.
"nice of you to come," ningguang smiles.
"diluc's looking for answers of some kind, answers revolving around the death of his father," xiao thinks.
"the harbingers had something to do with his death?" keqing questions.
"that makes sense," you mumble. "his father did die by delusion."
"don't the harbingers make the delusions?" ganyu asks.
you nod, "most of the elite have their own, but it's incredibly difficult to find one or even find information about one. it's one of the harbinger's most protected secrets."
"speaking of the harbingers," xiao mumbles as he steps towards ningguang. "there's something i need to tell you all."
the silence in the room is tense, anxiousness swimming in the atmosphere. "go on," ningguang finally says, "i take it it's important considering how you made sure all of us were here for it."
a small sigh leaves his lips. "a harbinger came into the party last night."
you blink, "we know," you answer, confusion lacing your tone. "we were just discussing it."
"no," xiao cuts in, "not just a harbinger, an elite."
and at that, your stomach drops.
"how do you know?" ningguang questions. "other than signora, none of us know what they truly look like."
"because i've seen him before," xiao mumbles. "i could recognize the bloodlust, it was just as intense as it was when the war began."
a beat of silence follows, "who was it?" keqing questions.
"tartaglia."
a small gasp leaves your lips.
"why'd you let him in?" ningguang questions, tone a bit sharper than before.
"because he was the one with diluc," xiao lies. "i didn't wanna make a scene, especially around him."
"i see," ningguang mumbles.
"regardless," xiao sighs. "it was dangerous to even let him into the chamber. i should've stopped him."
"technically," keqing cuts in, "if you pulled tartaglia away from the party, then diluc would probably leave with him too." she turns to ningguang, "how important was that meeting?"
"i just wanted to test the waters," she answers. "but regardless, we shouldn't have been so careless."
"i'm sorry," xiao mumbles.
ningguang only ignores before turning to you, "how much do you know about tartaglia?"
"he's the last of the harbingers," you mindlessly relay, your mind still somehow stuck on the fact that he made it inside the chamber. "he wields a hydro vision and is skilled with almost any weapon. he not only posessess a delusion but can transform into a foul legacy," your eyes turn to xiao. "you probably encountered that when you faced him.
xiao only nods.
"find me more information," ningguang cuts in. "i don't think he obtained anything important considering my office was closed off, but stay on guard, he might still be in the city."
and everyone nods at her words.
"okay," she sighs. "you're all dismissed then."
you remain in the room as everyone else takes their leave. "what do you want me to find out?"
"anything you can will do," she answers. "family names, face, history, anything is good."
you nod, "understood," before turning out of the room and closing the door behind you, not missing the way the tianquan starts pacing around the room.
it's just a contingency plan, you think as you descend the chamber. the fact that she seemed so desperate for information was probably just a way to prepare for any wrench thrown into her plans. for all we know, she'll meet the elite for negotiation and it'll end just the same way signora's did, in a qixing victory. but even as you walk away from the chamber the harbinger's name sticks in your head.
tartaglia. someone you had only learned about recently out of curiosity, yet his name seemed glued to your head as if you've known him your whole life. it just felt too significant to skip over.
you spot xiao sitting on the terrace looking over the city, your heart sinking at the mere appearance of the former adepti. he was never in the harbor, opting to be out in the forests or near the inn, so seeing him here was still rather strange. you watch him for a moment before he vanishes in thin air, and you sigh, a small smile forming on your face.
leaving faster than he came, it's always how xiao's been.
Chapter 11: ten
Summary:
he isn't sure which seems more tempting, the desire for vengeance, or the curiosity of the unknown, but the one thing he's certain about is the identity of the elite that led to the demise of his home.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"we're leaving."
xiao blinks as he stares at the three adepti.
mountain carver, moon shaper, cloud retainer, all three of xiao's last companions were finally taking their leave.
all their lives they've been tasked with guarding the city of liyue. all their lives they were the ones people turned to for help and for guidance.
but now rex lapis is dead, the contracts are broken, and everyone's true intentions are finally coming to light.
sigils of permission. a gift for mortals that signified their ability to channel divine power. it's rare to find such a treasure in this day and age, most of them have been returned to the adepti, to their home creators.
but now they are manufactured, doing nothing but wreak havoc over the world.
the adepti were once the saviors and heroes of liyue, but one single meeting with the harbingers had them turning their backs on the city, their traditional ways leading them to abandon their worshippers.
"dottore approached us."
xiao stared up at them, gaze narrowed, "who?"
"an outlander from snezhaya, who possed sigils of permission."
his eyes widened at the phrase. sigils of permissions, he hasn't heard of one since those since the archon war, and even then they were rather elusive. for someone in this day and age to possess so many were incredibly rare and practically impossible, well if it weren't for the mysterious harbinger who showed up out of the blue.
xiao's eyes narrowed, "what happened?"
the adepti only shake their heads before turning their back on the city.
"come with us," they said. "there's no place for you here anymore."
"yes there is," xiao mumbles. "the people need us." and in his head, it translates to him still needing to repay his debt, the karmic debt he picked up from all his killing and slaughtering.
"rex lapis is dead."
xiao falters.
"we're no longer needed here, we're no longer bound. therefore, we'll leave."
and before xiao could protest anymore they were gone.
—
the city was in chaos.
even then that word felt like an understatement. with the government and resources spread too thin, no one could stop the harbinger's charge into liyue harbor. it was madness as they ran in, soldiers and army ready to fight the protesting crowds. a new era, they said. it was time to bring liyue out of tradition and into a new era.
xiao only shook his head at the notion.
he wasn't sure where to go, people's screams rang in his head as he moved as quick as he could through the crowd at wangshu inn, escorting out families and guests, defending them from incoming attacks. but despite his immense power and skill, he was only one being. not even his immortal status could help him with all the injuries he received.
there were too many, too many skilled warriors, and too few reinforcements. xiao could only do so much as he felt the inn shake underneath him. he took a peek at the bottom, the harbingers took down the elevator. the stairs were broken and too dangerous to take down.
there was nowhere for him to go.
he looked at the family behind them huddled together on the floor, two parents and a child crying out over the sounds of swords clashing. he took another glance at the stairs, at the harbinger coming up to the inn before he stares back at the family. he turns to the woman, "can you stand?"
she only shakes her head.
and xiao mumbles a curse before he watches a harbinger appear in front of him.
he's different from the others. he's got an energy that seems to terrify, make crowds cower, and run in pure fear. xiao's eyes gloss over the elite who towers over him.
"a foul legacy," xiao mumbles.
this clearly isn't his true form.
"we finally meet," he laughs.
xiao resumes a fighting stance, "who are you?"
"isn't that obvious?" he teases, before rushing at him. xiao barely misses his first attack, the mere speed of the harbinger making his mind race with counter plans. "you should know my name."
xiao thinks, "you're an elite."
"that indeed," he nods before launching another attack, this time one that brought the elite closer to the cowering family. a small gasp leaves xiao's lips as he watches the family, their eyes begging him to help. xiao rushes to their head before the harbinger stands in front of them.
"eyes on me."
"let them leave first," xiao reasons, tightening his grip on his spear. "they're innocent," xiao sighs before staring up at the elite, "besides,"
"your battle's with me."
the elite laughs, "excellent! finally a worthy opponent," he turns to xiao, "this calls for a celebration!" before xiao can process the elite's actions he lands flat on the ground, a newfound surge of electricity coursing through his veins. there's a new pounding in his head and a new gash in his arm which worked perfectly with all the other injuries from earlier.
it'd be a miracle if he can escort the family out of here without bringing more harm to himself.
xiao turns to the family, instantly rushing towards them before throwing his spear out the window. the sound of shattering glass makes the woman scream.
"jump!"
and with faith in their protector, they do just as he says.
xiao moves to teleport before the harbinger grabs onto his arm. "where do you think you're going?" he sneers. but xiao disappears out of his grip and towards the window before he vanishes from thin air. he catches the woman and her baby, letting them land safely on the ground before doing the same with the man. they all profusely thank him with tears in their eyes as xiao leads them to a small cart.
"get her to the hospital now," he tells the man who only nods and follows his order.
the people have always had faith in him, and now it's probing more important than ever.
but the wheel of the cart gets slashed before they can make their departure.
xiao's eyes widen as he watches the elite approach him.
"i'm not finished with you!" the harbinger calls.
"leave them out of this!" xiao cries before gesturing for the man to run.
"it is time for change adeptus," he calls.
"and it starts with you."
xiao uses his spear to block the elite's attack, his strength is incredibly impressive and xiao finds himself digging his heels in the ground to hold his ground. but he would be a fool to miss the way the harbingers laughs, almost as if it's a way to taunt him.
he's injured, xiao knows this better than anyone, he's not sure how much longer he'll last.
he teleports away from the harbinger, not missing the way he resumes his fighting stance instantly, before going in for an attack.
he's skilled, with only a few of xiao's strikes hitting the elite's immense amount of armor. but the harbinger never misses, every attack xiao didn't block meant another gash on his limbs, another bruise in his side.
there were almost no openings and xiao was running out of options.
he steals a glance towards the family, watching as the man lifts up the woman and the child. he needs time, he needs to buy them time to run and get away, to get to safety away from the chaos at the inn.
the mask appears on his face in no time.
the karmic debt xiao had collected was immense and despite the immense pain coursing through his veins and the newfound screaming in his ears, he fought.
"i entrust this city to you."
every attach hit the harbinger.
"i just ask that all of you protect it."
but even then it didn't pierce through his armor.
"the people, the buildings, the rich culture we worked so hard to create."
xiao was running out of energy.
"protect and preserve it with all your might."
his knees were feeling weak, as his stance continued to crack and break as the harbinger found every new opening.
"this city is just as much yours as it is mine."
he's getting dizzy.
"let's work together to make it stand the test of time."
a blow to his stomach sent him flying through the air.
xiao rolled along the dirt and dust of the path, watching carefully as the harbinger slowly approached.
his voice is strained, "who are you?"
yet the harbinger still sounds as energetic as ever. "i am the eleventh of the elite harbingers. the one who will bring this city to their knees."
xiao's starting to see dots as he uses the last amounts of strength in his arms to pull himself up, they're shaking, and he's not even sure if it's out of weakness or fear.
he'd be a fool to say his aura wasn't terrifying.
"i am tartaglia."
the harbinger spares one more glance down at xiao before turning away.
"the adeptus is out," tartaglia says. "the city is ours."
protect the city, protect it's people, no matter the cost you must protect them.
that was xiao's last thought as he watched the elite walk away from his before his vision turned black.
Notes:
two chapters today woot woot!
yes, i am started to explore the characters' backstories, we're starting now with xiao but others will have their turn soon AHEM kaeya AHEM.
but i do hope you guys like this, i'm trying to build off their lore in a way that fits in with my own story hehe
thank you for reading!
Chapter 12: eleven
Summary:
a stroke of luck reunites two fated souls as the problems weighing on their minds slowly disappear with the sun
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"you're still here?"
ajax smiles at the sound of the familiar voice as he meets your gaze from the stairway to the harbor. "work has me here for a few more days," he tells you with a grin as he pulls you into his arms. "how are you?"
a small laugh leaves your lips as your arms wrap around his neck, "work's kicking my ass."
he frowns, "the qixing work you to the bone don't they?"
"i'm practically a civil slave at this point," you tease as you pull away from ajax, the smile on his lips making your heart swell.
"then let me take your mind off of things," he smiles.
you raise a brow, "oh? how are you gonna do that then?" you joke, "you know how i am, my mind's constantly on work."
"then let me help you take your mind off of it," he tries again. "are you free tonight?"
you rack your mind, "i think i'm am actually," you think out loud. "the only thing i had scheduled for today was that meeting out in the jade chamber and the one out in qingce." you look up at him, "i think i'm free yes."
he takes your hand, "great."
a small smile graces your lips as he now pulls you out of the harbor, "um ajax?" you question, "where are we going?"
"don't worry about it," he waves off as he walks towards the docks. "let me take care of it okay?"
your heart skips a beat, "okay," you tell him. "just don't kidnap me."
and at that he laughs, "you know if i could, i would take you all for myself."
"you shouldn't be saying that to someone who's thinking you'll kidnap them."
"oh, you know what i mean," ajax laughs. "if i could ask for anything in the world it'd be for more time with you."
a blush starts to appear on your cheeks as he continues to pull you away to a small stall, and a part of you is incredibly thankful that his gaze is forward instead of toward you. "that's...that's a better way to put it yeah."
curiosity reaches your features as he pulls you to a small lantern stand. "two lanterns please," he smiles to the kind lady at the stand. "for me and my friend here please."
and oh how a part of you wishes he called you something more.
the lady nods as she hands ajax two paper lanterns which he easily hands over mora in exchange. "we'll release lanterns around ten tonight," she tells you both.
"thank you," ajax says as you wave goodbye, his hand still in yours as you walk away from the stand.
"right," you mumble. "we release lanterns tonight to mourn our god."
ajax nods, "you forgot?"
you smile apologetically as your hand goes to the back of your neck, "i guess i did yeah. the qixing don't really organize it anyway, it's usually the people at the funeral parlor. work's been the only thing on the brain for me recently."
"and that's why," he smiles proudly, "i'm here to help you forget about it."
"but why something so sad?"
"how i like to think of it," he says. "it's more of a celebration of his life than grieving his death."
"spoken like a true native," you joke. "are you sure you're actually not from liyue?"
"if anything," he quips, "you're just thinking like a pessimist."
"well," you nod, "i kind of am one."
"and you should change that," he lectures, "there's a lot of good in life that you miss out on because of your mindset."
"like you," you think out loud as you meet his gaze, "you make life good ajax."
and he can only stare down at you for a moment before squeezing your hand with a small smile. a brief silence overcomes you two as ajax's gaze stays focused ahead to hopefully help you disregard the blush on his cheeks.
"we won't be releasing the lanterns for a while," you break the silence as ajax's attention goes back to you.
he steals a glance at the sky, the sun barely started to set. "we have some time to kill," he smiles as he looks down to you. "was there anything you wanted to do?"
you think for a moment, "how much of liyue have you truly seen?"
"not much." he answers rather honestly. "honestly, it's just been me working."
"i get that," you laugh.
"i would love to see it though," he tells you. "whether i come back here on a job or just for fun, i'd love to travel this place fully."
"well," you think out loud, "what about now?"
"now?"
"yeah," you smile. "we have the time, after all, might as well make use of it. i mean i don't think we can see everything but i think we can cover a significant amount."
"okay then," he nods. "lead the way."
and you do, squeezing his hand as you're now the one leading him throughout the harbor. you stop by the food stalls first, showing ajax everything they had to offer. the owners all greet you with a smile considering they all know you by name. after all, you've needed to help them before with your duty as kaiyang.
you take him out of the city next, walking through the bamboo forests and seeing old monuments of the archon war.
"there's a lot of monuments here," you tell him,
"these are monuments?" ajax questions as you you approach another abandoned stone building.
"well that's what i like to call them," you mumble. "i don't think calling them remnants of the old world is the best way to market the city."
he laughs, "so they're from the war then?"
you nod, "pretty much, there's a lot of stone buildings and towers here, most of which are from the old world or the war."
"it's quiet out here," ajax notes. "not a lot of monsters either."
"the millelith are on duty all the time," you explain. "them and the guilds are able to clear out a lot of them for us."
"i see," ajax nods before looking down at you. "have you ever needed to fight them?"
"monsters?"
he nods.
"i have," you answer. "on numerous occasions actually. my job almost requires me to be skilled in combat so whether it's for training or an actual attack, i've needed to beat them."
"and you win?"
"i wouldn't be here if i didn't."
he smiles before reaching up to pat your head, "good."
and you go silent at the subtle action. "okay," you cough, "next place then."
and ajax can't help but laugh as you pull him back to the main road.
you both end up sticking to the flatter lands, unwilling to climb up steep hills to visit other landmarks as you both make your way through the lands together. the moon shines over crystal blue water as you and ajax approach. it's close to eleven, but it seems as if neither of you seems to care.
"what's this place called?" ajax asks.
"luhua pool," you tell him. "i love coming here when i'm in need of a break from the work. it's very calming out here."
you both stop on a cliffside overlooking the water, sitting down as a small sigh leaves your lips.
"it is very peaceful," ajax mumbles. "very different from the bustling city."
"very very different," you laugh. "the millelith don't often patrol this place since there aren't many monsters in the area. it's relatively untouched."
"even with the war?" he questions.
"even with the war," you smile. "if i had the opportunity i would guard this place myself just to preserve it's tranquility."
and he smiles as he watches your eyes shine, his gaze stuck on you while yours focuses on the water below. "it's also a wonderful view," you mumble.
you're right, he thinks, it really is.
"what time is it?" you mumble out of the blue.
ajax blinks, "oh," he coughs snapping his focus away from you. "close to midnight probably."
you turn to him, "do you still have the lanterns?"
he holds them up with a grin, "i have them right here. the lady was nice enough to give us some matches to light them too."
"considering our visions i don't think we could do that by ourselves," you laugh.
and ajax smiles as you both stand up, opening up the paper lanterns before letting a small flame settle in the center.
your eyes shine at the newfound light, "it's so pretty," you mumble.
he steals a glance at you after lighting his own lantern, "are you ready?"
you nod with a smile before taking his hand almost instinctively now, "i'm ready."
"okay," he nods, voice soft as you two let go of the lanterns together, watching with bright eyes as they dance together in the sky. sure, it wasn't as impressive as the crowd of lanterns back at the harbor but neither of you cared.
it was only you two, and at that moment that was all that truly mattered.
his hands find purchase on your hips as your wrap around his neck, your head resting on his chest as you both watch the lanterns in the sky. his heartbeat is slow, almost enough to center you and still your own. you look up at him with a smile. "thank you."
he looks down at you with a raised brow, "thank you for what?"
"i needed this," you tell him softly. "i needed a day like this." you smile as your head rests on his chest once more.
"i needed you."
and at that, his eyes widen but the smile on his face grows wider as he pulls you in just a bit closer, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead.
"if anything i should be thanking you."
you both stand there for a moment before you pull away, meeting his shining eyes just before his lips meet yours. it's gentle, yet still incredibly familiar as you move just a bit closer to him. all the feelings and words you needed to say to each other are expressed in actions as your two lanterns still dance together in the sky.
you pull away from him with a small smile before a laugh leaves your lips. and with a laugh of his own, he pulls you back in and kisses you dizzy, pressing kisses to your cheeks and jawline as your laughter rings through the quiet of the night, forgetting the problems of your lives for just a few minutes longer.
if you had the opportunity, you'd relish in this moment forever.
Notes:
...i realized how angsty this fic got because i FINALLY decided to outline...so please take this fluff :DD
thanks for reading!
Chapter 13: twelve
Summary:
banter between brothers who thought they'd never fight on the same side once again only to be cruelly reminded of their past as a mysterious envelope hints toward their future
Chapter Text
"you never answered my question from all those years ago."
the sun cast brightly over the harbor as diluc and kaeya walked past all the bustling crowds and enthusiastic stall owners. but the posed offer from one brother to another seems to hang heavily in the air.
diluc steals a glance at his brother, his blue hair covering his dead serious features as his gaze stays straight forward.
"i told you," diluc repeats, "i had no reason to join the fatui."
kaeya chuckles, "your excuses are getting old brother. i know you, there has to be something more there."
he only sighs, "i told you that i didn't have anything more to tell you about my reasoning."
kaeya's voice goes flat, "you've never been a good liar."
"and you always have."
kaeya blinks before throwing his hands up, "alright, fine, excuse me for trying to be curious."
diluc rolls his eyes, "shouldn't you already know the answer to your question?"
kaeya only smiles, "you may be a terrible liar, but ever since that night i've always had a reason to doubt you."
"i can lie when i need to," diluc reasons, frustration lacing his tone. "it's just you can always see right through me."
"because i'm a wonderful brother like that," kaeya reasons with a rather proud smile.
"you know much more about the world than what you're telling me."
kaeya hesitates, "now why do we say that?"
and diluc stops walking, making his brother turn only to see his stone cold gaze.
"because you're the last descendant of khaenri'ah."
and kaeya sucks in a breath at the mention of his secret.
honestly, it's not much of a secret anymore. but ever since he's brought it up, kaeya's felt ostracized by not only some people in mondstat but his brother. he's not sure who diluc told, nor who found out through the whispers on the street, but he knows he's a person not everyone in town is fond of.
yet now he's here, on a mission with his brother, the person he now does nothing but despise, as they fight on the same side once more.
it reminds diluc of old times, of memories he wished he could forget.
he wishes he couldn't care, but it seems that his memories continued to lead him back to his brother.
"you're the one who knows the secrets of the old world, its workings, its people, even its demise," diluc deadpans. "you were there for everything, you saw everything, yet you refuse to tell anything about the old world."
"i don't tell you anything about the old world because if you knew you wouldn't want to be a part of this one."
and diluc hates that his brother has this advantage. he hates how his brother can hang precious, vital information over his head. but a part of him thinks he's right, a part of him questions the validity in the stories his father told him about the old world, a part of him thinks the truth is hidden behind a web of lies and rumors.
"this world has its own secrets and memories," diluc explains. "ones that you couldn't even comprehend."
"and you think i'm not aware of that?"
"i know you are, i'm just not sure if you know the full truth."
and a pit sinks in kaeya stomach, a pit that tells him that maybe his brother knows more about him than he thinks.
they were far from family, but past ties seem to tell him otherwise. after all, blood was thicker than water and when it was spilled it made a mess that was difficult to clean up.
but kaeya didn't care whose blood was shed, all he had been taught in life was to make sure it wasn't his.
"you knew i was here," kaeya mumbles. "you knew i sided with the harbingers."
"i joined for my own reasons," diluc only repeated.
"and are you satisfied with your choice?"
frankly, he's not.
"i am."
but his aforementioned brother knows a lot more about him than he thinks he does.
kaeya's gaze narrows, "you should stop lying, you're terrible at it."
and diluc only groans at the repeated phrase. "if you're not going to tell me your secrets, i won't share mine, brother."
"trust me," kaeya sighs before the two continue walking.
"your secrets aren't as well kept as mine."
and diluc only rolls his eyes before steering the conversation back, "you should tell me why you joined then if you're so adamant about knowing more about me."
"i told you," kaeya answers. "i thought battle like this would be interesting."
"you're that bored with your life?"
kaeya only laughs, "life always needs something more to be interesting," he tells his brother. "after all, mortals are only satisfied for so long."
and diluc only stares as his brother compared himself to something he wasn't.
"the pure happiness i saw in tartaglia's eyes as he ran into battle was something i longed for," he explains. "if only i could surround myself with people like him, i thought at the time, maybe then my desire for more could be satisfied."
diluc stares at his brother and the rather twisted revelation he encountered.
"you're lying."
and kaeya only walks ahead with a surprisingly innocent smile, "you know me better than you think you do." he tells him before proceeding to walk away.
but before diluc can catch him, an envelope hits the tip of his shoe. there's a sense of curiosity in his gaze as he looks down at the letter, stealing a glance at his brother before looking back down, picking it up to examine it for himself. déjà vu hit him as he stared at the small paper, flipping it around as his eyes widened at who it was addressed to.
*tartaglia.*
well, diluc never thought he'd see the day. it seems his associations to the harbingers had finally come to light. no wonder everyone in the crowd seemed to stay away from him.
he didn't dare open the envelope, instead opting to slide it into his pocket to give to its proper receiver another time. the qixing are clearly onto something, after all, they traced him to the harbingers, a tie that wasn't there a few weeks ago. maybe going to that ball and speaking with ningguang was a mistake. but he was unsure, confused about what the sudden invitation would lead to. but now a chill runs down his spine as he catches up to his brother, avoiding his questions about his whereabouts. now, he simply shakes his head because he knows his brother could easily see through his lies. now, he stays silent, because the secrets he once could trust his brother with never saw the light of day.
they stayed buried inside of him, just like the memories of that day.
Chapter 14: thirteen
Summary:
the day he received his vision is one he wished to forget as it was the day his family wished him goodbye, but what kaeya didn't know was that fate planned for their paths to once again align
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
death by delusion.
as kaeya watched diluc weep over his dead father all he could do was stand in pure shock. he couldn't cry, he couldn't speak, he couldn't even gasp in shock. despite the death of the person who took him in and raised him, kaeya didn't show any signs of grief.
he was confused if anything. living among side the people of mondstat proved to be a rather daunting task for someone who was a part of the old world. besides, everyone seemed to leave khaenri'ah to the history books. the demise of the city was in the far far past, a past many of them didn't get to see.
but to kaeya, the memory lived vividly in his head.
he's an outsider looking in. a descendant of khaenri'ah before he was a citizen on mondstat. but the pure burden of that revelation felt much heavier than usual as the days bled into one another. he remembers diluc's speech at crepus's funeral, the way everyone shed a tear for one of mondstat's heroes. but kaeya stood in the back unable to cry, unable to speak almost as if the conflict would end with him cracking and coming clean. he could only keep this up for so long, especially as he watched his brother crumble and crack himself.
he'd stayed away from the house for a few days. sure, his brother saw it as a sign of withdrawal, but he saw it as a way to escape, to run from the inevitable, the truth he'd fought for so long to avoid. he needed to come clean soon, no one knew that better than him, but the idea of doing so seemed so daunting in his head. the mere idea of revealing the secret his father begged him to keep in his last moments.
"you will be the one to save our nation, you will be the one to save khaenri'ah. please, it must be you."
what an immense amount of pressure to put on a mere five year old.
nevertheless, he trekked on, and became the adoptive son of the ragnvindr clan and newfound brother of the youngest member, diluc. for the most part, he played his role well, building a story and a life for himself just as his father told him to.
but he needed to come clean. the one thing he had always been good at was lying, but now it was time to let the truth come to light.
kaeya would be a fool to not notice the wash of relief that overcame diluc when he finally appeared in the tavern. the idea of seeing someone he called family again made him smile. but there was a grimace on kaeya's face as his brother took him into his arms. his grip was firm, tight, almost as if it said you're all i have left now. yet kaeya pats his back, mirroring his brother's actions as he tries to offer some sense of comfort, of solace in these dire times.
"can we talk?" kaeya's voice is barely a mumble, but concern glosses over diluc's eyes as he nods yes. "let's," he hesitates, "let's sit down."
"okay," diluc mumbles as the two move to take a seat. "it's so good to see you again," he tells his brother.
"it really is," kaeya sighs. there's a light in his brother's eyes, one that hadn't yet been extinguished, even with his father's death.
"what did you want to tell me?"
"i," kaeya pauses for a moment, heart thrumming in his chest as his brother only grows more worried.
"you what?" he questions, "you can tell me anything, you know that?"
yeah, he can. just not this, anything but this.
"i'm from khaenri'ah."
it's just that the sheer guilt was becoming too much to bear.
diluc only blinks, "you what?"
and he only repeats, a bit louder than the last, "i'm the last descendant of khaenri'ah." he watches his brother with careful eyes, relief washing over him as the burden he carried for so long was finally lifted off his shoulders.
but as one burden leaves, another comes.
"you're what?" diluc deadpans, "what? how is that possible? why didn't you ever say anything? there's so much more you could've done to-" he pauses, turning to meet his brother's gaze. "did father know?"
kaeya shakes his head, "i told no one."
"you're lying."
"i'm telling the truth."
the iciness in his voice catches even himself off guard. he meets his brother's gaze, for the first time reaching up for his eyepatch. "i'm a spy from khaenri'ah."
a small gasp leaves diluc's lips as he stares at his brother, the star in his other eye shining a bright gold.
"this can't be," diluc mumbles.
"it is."
and he doesn't miss the way diluc eyes the claymore sitting against the bar tavern.
"i'm here to bring back khaenri'ah," kaeya then explains. "to reclaim the glory of my homeland and revive the nation that died at this world's hands."
diluc's gaze narrows, "this isn't possible, there's no way. if you knew, you could've, you might've, you won't-"
and the reminder of his old mission makes his gaze turn cold. "i will restore my homeland to glory."
diluc's first attack comes without warning.
kaeya's quick to defend himself, blocking his brother's vengeful attacks. the sound of clashing metal rang throughout the tavern. kaeya's gaze remained dead set as he watched anger boil in his brother's. it made sense, kaeya thinks. he deserves this, he thinks. this is what he gets for keeping such a burning revelation a secret.
and with that, his resolve begins to crumble.
instead of the burden of a secret, guilt hung over his head. diluc started landing hits, his sword tore through kaeya's clothes and skin until small gashes littered his arms. he didn't even bother to reason as he blocked himself from vital shots, landing a few hits on his brother as well.
the hilt of diluc's sword hit kaeya's stomach until he went flying backwards. pain shot down kaeya's back when he landed. diluc stood over him for a moment, before the tip of his claymore stood inches from kaeya's neck, and kaeya's just about to accept his fate. after all, he deserved this. he deserved this for wanting something like this so selfishly.
"stand up."
his eyes widen at diluc's words.
"what?"
"stand up and fight me just as you wanted to fight our father."
a small laugh leaves kaeya's throat as he stands immediately remembering his birth father's words.
"save the old nation. no matter who you have to kill, no matter how many clans you destroy, no matter how many nations you conquer, you must restore khaenri'ah."
kaeya begins fighting back.
new cuts appear on diluc's limbs as kaeya feels his lip bleed. there's a hint of mania in his glare as he attacks, finally fighting his brother properly.
the hilt of the blade suddenly feels cold.
kaeya doesn't back down, fighting his brother just as he practiced all those years ago. a brief memory flashes through his head of him and diluc sparring with wooden sticks. after all, crepus was the one who taught them to fight.
he just never thought he'd be fighting his brother with metal instead of wood.
the air gains a slight chill.
a small smile appears on kaeya's face as he continues to fight his brother, the rage in his brother's eyes only spurring the fire in him.
"you were supposed to be my brother!" diluc calls out as he kicks kaeya down. yet even with all his injuries, he gets up with ease.
kaeya only shakes his head as their swords clash once more, there's newfound ice on the blade, one neither of them has properly noticed. diluc goes for kaeya's throat, only for kaeya to block the shot, but he only pushes further, his anger and rage manifesting into an immense heat.
diluc's sword is inches from kaeya's throat
"was anything we went through even real to you?"
fire and ice meet.
kaeya falters almost instantly as a gust of wind runs through the tavern. he looks over at his brother, whose eyes are only darting around the surroundings, confusion in his own gaze at the reaction.
a small laugh leaves his lips as he kicks his brother to the ground.
a bright light appears from the heavens as kaeya feels the sudden chill in the room. his gaze turns to his blade, now frozen to the tip. for the first time, he meets his brother's gaze.
and he'd be a fool to not notice the sadness in his eyes.
it's at this very moment that kaeya received his vision. a light blue pendant floating down from the sky as newfound tears begin to leave his eyes. there's a newfound shake in his hand as he reaches to grab it.
it's light blue, matching the element the gods have given him.
a vision's meant for heroes, for people who've saved people and conquered nations, not for someone like him who's only done nothing but lie all his life.
he looks over at his brother, the initial anger in his eyes now replaced with melancholy as he finally stands up from his spot. kaeya stares over at his brother.
"where are you going?"
diluc's tone is cold. "i'm leaving."
"what?"
"i'm leaving," he only repeats.
"no," kaeya protests. "no, wait, you can't leave."
but diluc only keeps walking making his way towards the tavern door.
"diluc, please you can't leave, you can't please, no don't."
the sound of the tavern door serves as the answer to his pleas.
tears falls from his eyes as he stares at the door, the sound of the slam ringing throughout the room.
"no," kaeya continues, despite the fact that his brother's gone. "you can't leave."
yet unfortunately, he already had.
kaeya drops to his knees, clutching the vision to his chest as pain from the fight sears through his body. his sobs ring throughout the tavern, heart cracking as he finally grapples with the seriousness of his position.
and he cries, despite his mission, despite his supposed original purpose, he cries.
because diluc was the only family he had left.
yet he seemed to leave him too.
—
"so," tartaglia starts, "i take it you have an answer to my offer."
diluc only stares at the ginger in front of him.
this is the one who calls himself an elite?
but diluc only sighs. if he's learned anything over the past few years it was to never question the decisions made by the gods. "i have your answer yes."
"wonderful!" tartaglia smiles and diluc would be a fool to miss the malicious intent hidden behind it. after all, he is part of the elite, their god is their top priority over all. they'll overcome any obstacle in their way to do the tsaritsa's bidding. no matter how high the cost or how detrimental the damage, if their queen wants it, it's done.
"well," the elite smiles, "is that a yes then?"
"yes actually, it is."
and tartaglia definitely wasn't expecting that.
"well," he coughs. "may i ask why?"
and diluc's gaze turns stone cold.
"i need answers to my father's death."
well that, the elite was actually anticipating. he just didn't think it would work in his favor.
"my father died by one of the delusions the harbinger produces."
"ah," he nods. "i take it dottore was the one who handed it out?"
diluc nods, "to my extent yes."
"a wonderful man that is," tartaglia mumbles, annoyance lacing his tone. "he's certainly an interesting fellow."
"i need to figure out why the delusion killed him," diluc adds. "he used it once in battle, yet it seemed to drain his life force. it seemed like it backfired."
"if i may offer some input," tartaglia cuts in. "the delusions are only meant for the toughest to handle. we've given it to some of our top soldiers and even then they weren't able to withstand its powers. the elite are the only people who often have the strength to do so."
"but tartaglia-"
"childe."
diluc blinks, "what?"
"we're partners now after all," childe waves off. "you can use that name with me now. if you wish."
"okay," diluc mumbles. "childe, my father is one of mondstat's best soldiers. he's been through hell and back, i'm sure he can withstand the power that a delusion holds."
"then why did he die?"
diluc only sighs, "as i was saying, a delusion is incredibly similar to a delusion. the only difference is that a delusion comes from the gods and a delusion is man made."
"okay," childe nods, "when did he receive the delusion then?"
"many years ago," he answers. "i'm not sure of how he got it i just know he died by using it."
"if i remember properly," childe starts. "we did start testing around then. it might've been possible he got a faulty one."
"no no," diluc mumbles. "i read in my father's journals that it was the best delusion they had. there's no way it was faulty."
"i don't know," childe mumbles, "you'll just have to join me to find out."
"i will," diluc nods as he extends his hands forward. "i've never been a fan of your practices," he directly states. "nor am i a fan of how you do things, but if it's in exchange for answers then i'll support you throughout the war."
childe can't help but smile as he shakes his hand. "wonderful, i look forward to working with you."
"as do i with you," diluc answers.
"our partnership will be wonderful for the harbinger army," childe cheers. "but you'll work as part of my specialized forces."
"okay," diluc quirks a brow. "what does that mean?"
"well, i sent out some other invitations to people who caught my eye asking them to join me in our battle in liyue," childe explains.
"who've you heard from?"
"enough people to know i have a strong set of fighters on our side," childe answers rather pridefully.
"well, who's joining us then?"
and diluc would be a fool to miss the sinister grin on his face. "it's a secret."
"and why is that?"
"because," childe shrugs. "i'd rather keep that information a secret now. but don't worry."
"i think you and your new partners will get along just fine."
Notes:
if any of the lore is wrong i'm so sorry
especially with stuff like this, i'm trying to stay true to the actual information available, but there's only so much lore one can look at haha. i did my best to use the lore in my own universe so i really really hope i did kaeya's vision story justice
thank you for reading and i hope you liked this two chapter update :D 3
Chapter 15: fourteen
Summary:
"you're acting a bit out of character."
"i'm desperate for information."
Chapter Text
the door to zhongli's tea house opens with a slam.
it's at this point that zhongli begins to run through a list of people who would greet him in such a way.
most of the harbingers are rather disciplined. other than tartaglia, they would open the door rather gracefully instead of a slam. the qixing leaders are the same way, even in a rush they'd remain respectful and kind towards his living space.
it wouldn't be xiao. he hasn't visited since the day the two fought.
maybe it was the old funeral director. the one who went into hiding after the harbingers realized she could cross to the realm of the dead. after all, she and the two sides of war leaders were the only ones who knew about this place. his contract did allow his location to remain a secret.
but he never expected it to be you.
"oh," he blinks, "hello. i wasn't expecting to see you today."
"give me everything you know about tartaglia" you're a bit out of breath, as you doubled over, hands gripping at your knees as you caught your breath.
zhongli only stares. "didn't you already ask this?"
"i did," you answer instantly. "yes, i did. but i need more."
"you can't just ask me for more," he reminds you. "i can only tell you so much."
"but even then," you continue. "you can tell me enough."
"i've told you everything i know."
you meet his gaze, "no you haven't."
"let me rephrase," he explains, not missing the way you continue to pry for information. it was incredibly out of character.
and it wouldn't be the first time he had that belief about someone who's dropped by.
"i've told you everything i can tell you."
"bullshit," you mumble under your breath before pointing at the man. "you know something. you know more, but you can't tell me."
"isn't that how i am with everything you ask me about?"
you hesitate, "well, yes. but i need more information right now. please, give me everything you have."
but he only pauses, "if i may ask, why do you want more information on the elite? i know you came in one time asking out of curiosity. but why are you asking again?"
and you sigh, "he crashed out ball."
well, that certainly isn't new news.
"he did?"
you nod, "he did and we don't know how much he learned about us through the party. we're searching for more information out of precaution. the tianquan's worried we might need something on him for leverage."
but zhongli only shakes his head. "while i understand your reasoning, i'm afraid i can't say anything more."
and at that you only groan. "is there anything i can do? anything i can exchange? come on, there often is."
zhongli shakes his head, a small frown on his face at the way you continue to grasp at strings. "i'm sorry, i'm contractually bound to not tell you anything more than what i've told you."
yet you only press further, "do i need to give you more information then?"
he only waves you off, "you've given me enough."
"but you know i have more."
and he knows you do. after all, you've given your family's name, your real name, the vision you own, stories about your life, even the memories you had of that fateful night you wished so desperately to push down. the secrets you've hidden away from the world were fair game for him if people asked the right questions.
yet even then he continues to refuse. "i'm sorry, i'm serious when i said i was contractually bound."
"fuck," you mumble. "did you learn anything new at least?"
now that, he can say.
"i did."
and he'd be a fool to miss the way your eyes lit up. "when did you learn it?"
"a few days ago," he answers.
"did someone come in to give you more information?"
"someone did yes."
"and was it an elite?"
zhongli sighs, as always, you know your way around his contracts.
"yes," he tells you. "an elite did come in telling me more information."
and you'd be a fool to miss the implications in his eyes.
"what did tartaglia tell you?"
zhongli caves, you've got him cornered.
"his real name."
a gasp leaves your lips.
"tartaglia offered me his real name."
"in exchange for what?"
and he only shakes his head. "you know i can't tell you that."
"alright," you sigh. "worth a shot."
"are you that desperate for knowledge?"
you answer without an ounce of hesitation. "i am, yes."
zhongli's eyes widen at the honesty in your words.
"the tianquan is desperate," you tell him. "for the first time in an incredibly long time, we have no leverage over the harbingers. no trump card, no new information, no plan, nothing. that's major considering the potential situations that arise from this mishap."
"you mean him crashing your party?"
"that exactly," you nod. "we're only trying to play it safe here, gaining leverage on him specifically helps us do just that."
"i see," he mumbles. "well, i'm sorry i couldn't be of more assistance to you."
"oh," you wave off. "don't worry about it. i think you've done enough for me today, thank you. also sorry about my rudeness."
ah, there it is.
"don't worry about it," he nods. "you were in a rush, i understand."
you make your way out of the room with a small smile, waving him goodbye. "your payment will come in shortly."
"i don't need payment," zhongli calls after you.
you peek your head through the door, "trust me,"
"for all you've done, you deserve payment."
Chapter 16: fifteen
Summary:
newfound information drives the boy to insanity as the severity of his repercussions seem to hang over his head, sending all of his efforts to waste
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
the sheer turmoil that boiled in his head seemed to drive childe absolutely mad.
he's breaking protocol. for the first time in his service to the tsaritsa, he's going against her orders.
"you must find the traitor."
the ice in her tone still sends a chill down his spine.
"locate and kill them at all costs."
he thought his mission would be a lot easier than he was anticipating. a simple assassination and then he was done. he's done so many of these throughout the course of his life, a simple hit and run. he's become quite neutralized at the idea of taking a life, so desensitized at the idea of killing someone by order of his god. it's become so easy for him, so simple and effortless something he did with ease.
but when you spilled his true identity to him, the idea of taking a life seemed much more complicated than he was anticipating.
if anything, he thought he would never see you again, that you would be the romanticized stranger that treated him differently from everyone else. he thought you'd be his one regret, his one wish that he had when his inevitable death came.
the wish to keep his promise to you.
but then he saw you once more, he spoke to you, he danced with you. he even kissed you under the bright moonlit sky. you were everything he wished you would be.
and suddenly taking a life seemed much harder to do, especially when you revealed you were the traitor he was set to kill.
he's breaking protocol because there's no way in hell he can take away a life like yours. it makes him wonder about the other lives he's stolen without a second glance, the feelings and emotions others must've held towards them, their regrets, their wishes, their dreams.
and suddenly the guilt he tried to escape came flooding back in one go.
inner turmoil is truly the best way to describe the conflicting words in his head. the screams and cries he hears as the two sides of his conscience go back and forth in search of the right thing to do because all his life he's thought what he's done is right.
but now he realizes he couldn't be more wrong.
his thoughts scream at him as he walks closer to liyue harbor, glancing at the landscape from his place in the hills. the city once served to be a calming place, a place where he could just forget everything he didn't want to think about.
yet everything in the city seems to painfully remind him of you.
the dock was where he met with you that one night, where for the first time in a very long time, he could truly be honest and open in conversation. the jade chamber floating in the sky was where you danced, where you reconnected. the stairs back up to the buildings in the harbor only reminded him of when he ran after you to kiss you a proper goodnight. he doesn't even dare to look up at the sky, at the twinkling stars in the night sky and the crescent moon that shines bright.
it's painful, and for the first time in a long time, he wishes to leave the city he had grown so fond of.
"ajax?"
and the combination of his given name your voice only seems to make it worse.
the smile he adorns is tight but it's enough to not make you worry. "it's good to see you," his voice is soft, genuine, as honest as it was when he spoke with you that one night.
he still wishes he could go back to it, maybe then he'd be more likely to come clean instead of live with this burden.
"how've you been?" he smiles.
and your previous grin drops into a frown, "honestly?"
concern laces his tone, "honestly."
you shuffle forward to rest your head on his shoulder, and he'd be a fool to miss the way his heart skipped a beat. "i'm stressed."
as if on instinct he wraps his arms around you, "you're stressed? about what?"
"about tartaglia."
and his heart drops at the sound of his name.
"oh," he mumbles, doing his best to not show the instant panic in his voice, "that's one of the harbingers right?"
"it is," you sigh. "and apparently he infiltrated the ball."
so they did notice.
"he did?"
"he did." you nod. "and the tianquan's pressing me for more information about him."
"oh," he hesitates, "did you learn anything?"
and he doesn't miss the way he relaxes when you shake your head.
unluckily for him, you don't miss it either.
"my sources are running dry," you explain. "it's always been hard to find information on the elite."
"it seems like it," childe nods before a brief silence looms over you both.
you pick your head up from his chest to meet his gaze, "i've been meaning to ask."
"what is it?"
"how did you get into the jade chamber ball?"
"as i told you," he smiles reassuringly. "the tianquan and i met in snezhaya because of my business."
you click your tongue. "right, of course. sorry, it just slipped my mind."
"it's okay," he nods. "if you're wondering if i'm qixing aligned i am."
"oh i knew that," you mumbled before standing up on your toes to press a kiss to his cheek. "you needed to be to get into the party."
"of course," he mumbles. but there's still a sense of guilt that hangs over him. despite making it out of the rather spontaneous interrogation, a sense of regret hangs over him from lying.
"i just need more information on tartaglia," you mumble. "once i have that everything will be back to normal."
"normal?"
"of course," you mumble. "if we have some kind of leverage over the harbingers we'll always have the advantage."
and he sighs at that because if anything, he had the advantage over you.
"what do you want to know about him?"
you pause, "anything works honestly," you explain, "but particularly his given name."
his given name.
he gave that to zhongli a few days ago, and he still managed to keep his part of the contract.
"would you like to know it?"
your eyes light up, "you know?"
"i do."
a small smile appears on your lips, "then what is it?"
childe hesitates, he knew better than anyone that he needed to come clean before the guilt swallowed him whole.
one day, one day when the war's over, you'll understand.
"ajax."
maybe then you two will finally get your chance together.
"tartaglia's real name is ajax."
Notes:
and that concludes act two!
i really hope you all like it so far, i've got much more in store for this story so i really hope you all will stick around to see it hehe :D
thank you for reading! 3
Chapter 17: sixteen
Summary:
pieces of the puzzle click together, dots are connected as metal clashes in the dark night, elements clashing while the truths you both wish to ignore become something neither of you can deny.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
you stare up at him, "what?"
"how did you get into the party?" you mumbled, voice starting to waver as you continue to back away.
you slowly begin to back away, "no, no you're not, this isn't, no, no."
and childe's heart breaks as he sees the fear in your eyes. but even then he presses forward as he nods softly.
"how did you get into the party?" you mumbled, voice starting to waiver as you continued to back away.
"i crashed it," he tells you.
"you went with diluc and kaeya didn't you."
"yes, i did," he confirms.
your voice turns cold, eyes glassy as you stand up straight, "did you take anything from the chamber?"
childe shakes his head instantly, "no, we couldn't. the place was too crowded and we couldn't get into her office," he explains. "besides, it wasn't in the initial mission anyway."
your gaze narrows, hand instinctively hovering over the sword at your hip, "then why did you come to the chamber?"
he lets out a sigh as his eyes turn serious.
maybe, one day you'll understand.
"to kill you."
and his words send a chill down your spine. your voice turns cold as your eyes darken, "you wanted to kill me?"
"that was before i knew your identity yes," he reasons. "but i can assure you i don't want to now."
"ha," you scoff crossing your arms, "excuses excuses ajax, is that even your real name?" you question with a short laugh, "would you rather me call you ajax? or does tartaglia suit you better?"
ajax, he'd take ajax in a heartbeat. it reminds childe of those happy days of his youth before he fell into the abyss. they remind him of the days he spent fishing with his siblings, ice skating over frozen lakes, and the days when his family loved him and appreciated him. it reminded him of the love they showered him with, the feeling of being loved, the feeling he only dreamed of today. it reminded him of you, the kindness in your eyes, the bright smile on your lips, and the melody that he called your laughter.
but now your eyes are cold, the bright smile he adores has been replaced with a sullen frown and darkened features as your soft sobs begin to replace the melody he called your laughter.
"i don't want to hurt you," he mumbles.
"bullshit," you hiss.
"i never wanted to hurt you."
"oh but you were so willing to hide your identity, to just simply forget to tell me that you were on the other side?" you cry out. "you and your fellow harbingers are nothing but loyal to the tsarista, surely someone like me wouldn't be enough to go against orders."
you would, you're more than enough to push childe to go against protocol.
you open your arms out, "well i'm here now then!" you yell out, "this is your perfect opportunity to complete your mission!"
childe only shakes his head as he still continues to hear your sobs despite the rage in your voice, "no, i can't."
"you can," you whisper, "you so can."
"no," he mumbles, now stepping backward as you move towards him, "i could never, i would never hurt you."
"but you have!" you cried. "you lied to me ajax, i don't even know who you are anymore!"
"i'm still ajax," he reasons, "i promise you, it's still me."
you only shake your head, "bullshit." your gaze darkens as he freezes up under your stare.
"you've changed."
and childe tenses at the anger in your voice.
"so fight me then," you tell him. "complete your mission! make your dear tsarista proud."
his voice is soft, fragile even as he stares at you, the girl he once knew began to disappear before his eyes as the air grows cold, "no, i don't want to."
"but you have to."
childe goes silent.
"fine then," you huff, pulling out your sword.
"then i guess i'll have to make the first move."
childe's instincts kick in as he dodges your attack, yet your sword skims his clothes.
you sigh, "fight me!"
"i won't," he answers firmly as he continues to dodge you.
"fight me!" you lunge forward once more, anger taking over your system as you search for openings, yet he continues to dodge you every time, your blade continues to leave small cuts on his skin.
the pain's still bearable, childe thinks, but as he meets your gaze once more, he wonders if it'll remain like that for long.
"fight!" you almost command him. childe brings out one of his hydro blades as you rush toward him once more, not missing the way it turns into sheer ice as he blocks your sword from piercing his skin.
"you wanted this," you seeth out as you continue to push your blade forward.
no, he really didn't.
"you need to complete your mission don't you?"
childe continues to push away until he's able to jump backward putting some distance between you both.
you grit your teeth as you rush towards him once more, each step leaving behind ice. metal hits the water blade once more before it leaves a gash on childe's torso.
but even then, he doesn't try to counter.
he's scared of hurting you.
"fight!" you cry out tears beginning to blur your vision, "you wanted this! you wanted an opportunity to kill me!" you lunge forward with your icy blade despite the fire in your voice, "go on harbinger! give me everything you got!"
you run at him.
"come kill me tartaglia!"
and this time he obliges because he hopes that one day when the war's over, he'll still have a chance, that maybe you'll understand.
"you wanted this," he mumbles as he pulls out his second blade managing to block your attack with ease now as he pushes you away. you stumble back a bit before regaining your fighting stance, a small sigh leaves your lips before running forward once more, each clash of metal sending another crack to your heart.
there's a small grin on his face as you two fight and you don't miss the way he begins to give into the thrill of the battle. small cuts adorn your arms now, cuts that almost seemed to compliment his. you land a hit to his shoulder and he flies backward. but as you watch him stumble backward, you can't help the way you want to apologize to him, you can't help the urge to rush up to him and check if he's okay.
but you don't, because he betrayed you.
you did nothing but trust him yet the one person you loved did nothing but betray you.
so you run toward him again, vengeance and anger filling your being as your sword becomes frozen once more. ice follows in your footsteps as you jump, hoping to land a good hit on him, only for childe to use both blades to block your attack.
you grit your teeth as you notice the new bruises on your legs before continuing further.
why is he doing this?
a chill runs through the air as your elements crash. water and ice are perfect for each other, they work in perfect sync, it's quite a shame that they now clash in battle. there are tears falling from your cheeks, but now they're turning icy at the sheer chill in the atmosphere.
why is he pushing away the one person he loves?
metal clashes once more as he continues to fight, falling into old habits and forgetting the person in front of him as newfound electricity fills the air.
oh, he loves you.
his aura turns purple.
he loves you so much.
and in that moment, childe's delusion shines bright.
so why is he doing this to you?
you fly backward as his clothes turn black, the mask he wore on his head now covering his face. your back hits the cold ground hard as you stare up at the sky for a minute. the clouds are gray, and you swear you can spot hints of purple lighting in the atmosphere.
you turn onto your side and slowly sit up as you watch childe approach you, eyes widening as you hurry to resume your fighting stance, stumbling a bit in the process.
this time, he attacks first, the hilt of his sword reaching your stomach as he sends you back once more. he's as fast as the lightning of his vision and as you try to stand up once more you find him standing over you once more.
his voice is solemn, "you wanted this."
"you do too," you grit out. "you're the one with the mission to kill me."
he sends you flying once more at your words, but this time you can't find it in you to get up.
he walks slowly toward you, the blue blades he once held now bright purple. "you wanted this," he reminds you once more.
"go on," you scoff, "complete your mission then."
"any last words?"
"liyue will prosper, she'll never give into the likes of you."
childe sighs at your words, and you don't miss the tears that slip out from underneath the mask. his eyes slowly switch from purple to blue, as if a part of him is begging him to stop. his blade is shaking, quivering as he continues to hold your life in the balance.
he's still in there. the boy you love is still in there.
"ajax," you mumble as you meet his gaze in horror.
and as you stare up at the boy in front of you, tears flood your vision once more.
"what happened to you?"
Notes:
thank you so much for waiting for act three!
i'm honestly very very excited to see what you all think of this story and i truly hope you all enjoy it. also, sorry for the delay hehe i got busy with work and school last week (also i had prom! which was very exciting!). we're back on to finish this story by summertime and i'm so so excited to see what you all think of it 3
thank you for reading! 3
Chapter 18: seventeen
Summary:
the day he fell into the abyss is a day that lives vividly in his head as a former master helped him grow into the warrior he is today
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
the day the world cracked underneath him was the day ajax calls the beginning of the end.
despite the stomach churning feeling being years ago, he can still see the stars wishing him goodbye, he can feel the earth swallow him whole as his lifeless eyes stayed glued to the constellation appearing above him. six stars combined in a geometric pattern served as his farewell from his old life, a life he truly loved.
regret seemed to swirl in him as memories flashed before his eyes, moments with his dear siblings that he promised to treasure forever. he shouldn't have ran away. he shouldn't have left home without saying a word. he shouldn't have let nature let him take himself so far away.
one small misstep, one moment of cowardice toward the animals pursuing him led to this.
his hand reaches forward and ajax isn't sure if it's screaming for help or if it's saying goodbye to the world around him. but what seems to approach him is a bright light from the universe.
it's almost as if someone had answered his prayers.
water cushions his landing and ajax finds a small blue pendant next to him as he recovers from his fall. the stone under him is cold, but the pendant shines a deep blue. ajax stuffs the pendant into his now torn up jacket as he stands up. it's cold, the light from the vision serving as ajax's guide. his steps are careful and cautious, despite his previous actions. it's bleak almost as he continues forward, holding his vision forward to illuminate his path, but when he holds it up to the environment around him, that's when he realizes the truth behind his location.
he heard stories about the dreaded place. how a dark and dim place under the earth was home to the monsters of the planet. but those were all myths, stories conjured up around fireplaces by his family while his siblings snuggled into his side with terror in their eyes.
"lost?"
ajax jumps at the voice as he holds the light up to the sound.
"who are you?"
"i could ask you the same thing," the lady laughs. "it's not often we see visitors here, especially one that's your age."
"where am i?"
a question he already knows the answer to, but ajax seems to find curiosity in her smile.
"the abyss," she nods, "now, how did you get here."
"i fell."
her eyes widen, "you fell?"
"i fell," he confirms.
she scoffs, "well, wasn't expecting an answer like that," she leans down to his height, "where are you from?"
"snezhaya," ajax smiles.
"so how did you get here," the lady mumbles particularly to herself.
"who are you?"
his question seems to snap her out of her thoughts, "my name's skirk," she tells him with a grin. "what's your name?"
"ajax," he answers, holding his hand out, "it's nice to meet you skirk."
she only stares at the hand before meeting ajax's gaze once more, smiling as she shook his hand. "and it's nice to meet you ajax," she stands up, "come on, i'll show you around."
ajax nods as he follows behind skirk. it's only then that he notices the two swords on either hip. she turns back to him, "stay ahead of me okay? it's easier for me to keep an eye on you."
"okay," ajax says softly as he follows her orders. "is it okay for me to be here?"
she hesitates, "sure, but we'll find a way to get you back home. sound good?"
and he nods.
"okay."
—
time felt relative in the abyss.
the constant darkness made ajax feel like the the days seemed to blend together, one bleeding into the next just like his wounds from combat training. skirk always did seem to push him to his brink, teaching him how to wield his supposed gift from the universe. at times, it felt like that initial kindness she had shown him the first time they meet was replaced by sheer malice and desire to create a perfect warrior.
but ajax didn't mind, if anything, the thought spurred him to be better.
"you have to be faster than that ajax!" skirk calls out as she stands on the side of the supposed battle field.
ajax lets out a breath, not missing the way blood dripped from his lip. a smirk appears on his lips as he stands up rushing to fight the next monster that dared to cross his path. his swords slices through them with ease, a splotch of blood appearing on his cheek as his eyes remain stone cold.
he can still recall the first time he tried to kill a monster, a measly hilichurl. he stared at the thing for a good ten minutes before even stepping forward to attack it, and even then he ended up jumping back once it rushed toward him. but he felt a sense of pride when it collapsed onto the ground, one that was only reaffirmed when skirk pat him on the shoulder with a smirk on her face.
he chases that feeling to this day, that sense of joyous victory becoming something he wished to live for.
he dashes toward the final group up ahead, his sword glowing blue as he caught the monsters' attention and he smiles as they charge toward him, garnering enough speed to beat them to the punch. he strikes first, the singular blade slicing through enemies, stabbing the places ajax knows where to hit. it's quick, he's faster than earlier with careful thought still remaining in each move. one final slice takes out the final monster and he smiles before the remaining hydro disappears from the blade.
"excellent," skirk nods as ajax turns back to his master.
"thanks," ajax answers still a bit breathless from the fight. skirk only stares at the boy in front of her for a moment, watching ajax dust off his clothes and sigh at the newfound rips in his clothes. there's blood on his shirt and his forehead, and she's not even sure if it's his or someone else's.
"what?" ajax's voice snaps skirk out of her thoughts. "is everything okay?"
skirk shakes her head, "everything's fine. you've just changed that's all."
"oh," he blinks, "well is it a good change or a bad change?"
and she smiles, "good, it's a very good change."
—
"foul legacy?"
skirk nods, "it's a transformation method similar to some of the abyss heralds. with your vision it'll only amplify its power."
ajax smiles, "you think so?"
"that is only if you can master it," skirk cuts in, "it's only meant for the bravest and strongest of warriors, for the people who've seen the grave and darkness of the battle field."
"well i don't have too much experience in that realm," ajax smiles apologetically.
"i'm sure you can at least try," she nods, and there's a newfound determination to her grin.
so ajax asks, "why are you telling me this?"
to which her gaze turns serious, "because i think you can handle it."
and his heart drops at the ice in her tone.
"you're strong, i've taught you everything i know from our time together here. it's only inevitable i give you this final piece as our parting gift?"
"parting gift?"
she smiles, "we found a way for you to get back home."
and ajax isn't really sure that he wants to leave now.
"this isn't your world ajax," she tells him, "you belong at the surface. it's where your life is, where your family belongs."
his voice is soft, "no."
and she only shakes her head, "you don't belong here."
"i do!" he exclaims quickly, "i can belong here!"
"you can't," and despite the seriousness in her voice, her eyes are just as kind as when she took him in. "so let me give you this as your final lesson."
"but-"
"no buts ajax."
so he only sighs, "okay."
she steps away. "do you remember those six stars you told me about?"
he nods, "the ones you called my constellation right?"
she points at him, "exactly, the light from the stars will guide you."
ajax takes a deep breath, "okay," before he almost insticvely closes his eyes.
"the stars will guide you through the darkness of the abyss," she calls out, "just as it did when you first met me."
"alright," he mumbles and skirk smiles as his vision grows brighter.
"when you combine elemental and abyssal power you'll get your foul legacy," she tells him as the boy's vision only shines brighter water beginning to swirl around him. "this will require you to use both to their highest potential."
he begins to float and ajax can't help but open his eyes at the feeling.
skirk smiles, "how does it feel ajax?"
he grins.
"good."
armor begins to appear on his body, it's thin and slightly cracked but it's there.
"don't lose this feeling," skirk calls out to him as his vision fills the small cracks. "remember it for as long as you can."
he lands back down on the ground, a new layer of armor covering his body and face. his hair stands up as a newfound cape appears behind him.
"i won't."
"good," skirk smiles as she turns to the new soldiers who approached from the darkness, all being controlled by skirk's abyssal powers.
"now fight."
and he does just that.
the new armor makes him move faster as he lets the soldiers approach him, but the sword he holds is bigger as he fights, grip tightening around the hilt as he pushes himself forward. but ajax doesn't miss how every swing seems to drain him, every step makes him feel heavier. exhaustion seems to hit him harder as he pursues further, fighting the enemies to the best of his abilities. sure, he takes them out, but the battle of doing so seems immensely more difficult than before.
the armor cracks.
ajax crumbles to his knees as the last of the soldiers lands on the ground. the armor slowly disappears to reveal a small boy drained of his life force.
"how was it?" skirk questions as she approaches him.
"strong," ajax answers, exhaustion lacing his tone as pain sears in his side.
"the transformation can be extremely draining," she warns. "if not mastered nor used properly it can leave lasting reprecussions on your body."
"i understand," ajax mumbles.
"use it with caution," she tells him.
"i can master it," he mumbles particularly to himself. "i swear to you i can handle this."
and skirk smiles, "good."
—
from what ajax can tell, only three days passed in snezhaya.
the surroundings around him feel so foreign yet familiar at the same time. it feels like it's been months since he's been here. so he sighs as he walks through the forest once more back down the same path he ran down only a mere three days ago.
he sighs as he looked down at his clothes, they're still ripped and he's still covered in blood. there's no valid excuse for this, he thinks, especially when he's going to have to explain this to his family. maybe he could just say he got attacked by wolves, that seems like something his family would believe. he steps on a twig and the mere sound snaps him out of his thoughts before he begins to pick up his pace towards his home.
the sound of rustling makes him stop.
"who's there?"
and it's only then that he seems a girl in the woods standing next to a swingset as she looks at him with curiosity in her eyes.
Notes:
if any of this isn't correct to the lore i'm so so sorry.
i tried to find as much info on this as possible, so i tried my best to fill the holes with my own knowledge haha but i really hope you all like this chapter. childe is one of my favorites backstories in genshin so i'm glad i got to put my own little version of it in my story :D
thank you so so much for reading!
Chapter 19: eighteen
Summary:
two warriors stuck in a battle of love and war as neither side can truly decide if one can reign victorious
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
it's almost as if ajax is frozen in place.
he holds his sword mid air, one slice would take your life in an instant just as the tsaritsa wanted. but no, he stands still, frozen as tears continue to fall from his eyes which continue to glitch between blue and purple.
he's still in there, the boy you met all those years ago is still in there.
"i never wanted this," he tells you, voice beginning to tremble as purple shocks continue to dance around him. "i put my job, my status, and my life on the line to keep your secret and stay out of the situation we're in now."
your eyes widen, "what?"
"everything i've done was to protect you," and you're not sure if he's talking to himself or you.
you hesitate, "ajax what have you done?"
"apparently not enough."
"ajax," you tread lightly.
"what?" and his words are surprisingly soft.
"who are you?"
the question catches him off guard as you watch him with careful eyes, "shouldn't you know that?"
"i should," you agree, "but now i'm not sure."
and a part of you prays that ajax is still in there. a part of you hopes and believes that the boy you love is trying to pull off the mask that seemed stuck to his face.
his blade shakes, "my name is tartaglia."
and your heart instantly sinks.
"i am the eleventh of the harbingers, the last of the elite," he tells you before sucking in a breath. "my mission from the tsaritsa was to kill you."
your eyes dart to see your sword cast to the side, too far for you to dash and grab.
"and i am loyal to my tsaritsa until the very end."
you swing your leg to sweep him off his feet, sending the boy to the ground as you instantly dash up. his sword flies through the air as a gasp leaves his lips only for you to catch it and pin him to the ground all in one quick motion. and childe curses himself for letting his guard down, for letting himself forget what he's truly here for.
he loves you, he loves you in a way he's never loved anyone before, but his loyalties will always lie with his queen, the one who gave him a home when even you left his side. the one who rewarded him with the power he so craved. it was cruel, and corrupt even to be praised for taking lives, but the tsaritsa was the only one besides his master who praised him for his talents, who was there for him when everyone left his side when he became the person he truly was.
he loves you, but you left him too, you screamed at him to fight, for him to kill you when you learned the truth. he loves you, and he let it cloud his judgment, and as his back hits the ground he can only watch as the sword he once held was the one sitting at his throat.
there are tears in your eyes.
he stares up at you, "what are you doing?"
"you hesitated," you murmur, "this is only a matter of self defense."
and he blinks, "you wouldn't kill me would you?"
your now cold eyes meet his gaze, "i would, the qixing would be overjoyed to learn that an elite has died."
he scoffs, "you'd start a war if you killed me."
"tartaglia, we're already in one."
and he can't help the chill that runs down his spine as you say his name.
"you're a coward."
your voice shakes as tears continue to fall from your eyes, a trembling hand reaches towards childe's mask to pull it off and your heart can't help but sigh when you catch sight of the boy. "you've taken the lives of so many people yet you can't take mine?"
"you're not just another person to me," childe reasons. "i love y-"
"you lied to me!" you cried out. "ajax you fucking lied to me! don't you fucking dare lie to me again."
"it's not a lie," he whispers as your tears land on his cheeks.
"do you really expect me to believe you after this?"
he stares up at you with shocked eyes, not missing the way he can finally see sadness hidden behind your icy glare. "do it then."
"do what?"
"kill me," he tells you. "do what a coward like me couldn't do. i know you know i deserve it."
he doesn't, you think. a part of you doesn't even care that he took countless lives. a part of you doesn't care that he's on the other side. he's still ajax, he'll always be ajax, the boy whose wounds you bandaged, the boy who danced with you under the moonlight, the one who kissed you and made you feel love you haven't felt in years.
you stare down at him, a small sob making your body shake.
"i love you," he tells you, snapping you out of your daze. he hasn't dared move from his spot, he hasn't tried to fight for his life despite how you could end it in mere seconds. "if i am to die, i want my last words to remind you that i love you."
you become hyperaware of the sword in your hand.
"i'm sorry i didn't realize it sooner," he tells you, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "but i love you, i always have, and even in the next life i will."
you stare down at the sword before daring to meet his eyes.
"i love you," he says one more time before his eyes close.
you push the blade deeper into his throat, slowly beginning to draw blood. but even then the boy doesn't move. he stays still, tears still falling from his eyes as he accepts his fate.
the sound of metal hitting the ground makes childe stiffen.
his eyes fly open when he feels you stand up, staring in shock as he watches you walk away from him, picking up your sword in the process.
you turn back to him, eyes still cold as icy as you wipe away the last of your tears.
"i can't kill you ajax," you tell him.
"i love you too much to be the one to take your life."
and then you turn away from him, continuing to walk as childe can only watch.
he doesn't call for you nor beg for you to come back. instead, he sits up, gently touching his neck and staring at the newfound blood on his finger. his gaze turns to his sword now sitting at his side, his blood staining the tip. and then he looks back at you. you haven't bothered to look back as you continued walking, leaving the boy alone in the dead of night.
he sighs as his back hits the ground once more, too exhausted to get up or search for help. his gaze goes toward the stars as tears form in his eyes. sobs ring through the night air and a part of the boy wonders if you could hear his supposed silent screams for you to come back.
you did, and a part of you couldn't help but cry as well.
Notes:
no regrets. i have no regrets.
initially i was gonna make one apologize to the other and everything would turn out okay but in reality...that makes absolutely no sense (also i wrote something incredibly similar to this for my creative writing class and i took that route and so many ppl questioned it and i lost points for it) so i changed it hehe...prioritize your own story over your grades hehehe
but thank you so so much for reading! i truly hope you guys are enjoying the story so far 3
Chapter 20: nineteen
Summary:
the aftermath of a bloody battle, both sides filled with regret as their unheard wishes are only seen by the rising sun
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"kill the traitor."
childe didn't realize how truly difficult the mission was going to be.
it seemed easy at first, especially after the qixing took back wangshu inn. he invited kaeya and diluc in particular, hoping their mondstat status could help them gain an invitation to the party so that when childe went in with them, he could hopefully search for the traitor there. the initial plan was to kill them sometime during it, maybe if no one was looking he'd push them off the chamber so they'd fall to their deaths. at least then tartaglia didn't have to worry about cleaning the blood off his hands.
but then he found you.
he spent the night in your company, danced with you in his arms as his inner child, and relished in the fact that he'd actually be able to keep one of those promises he's held for years. he kissed you that night, and if he could relive it just to the light in your eyes and the happiness in his smile he would.
because now he's terrified he's never going to see you again.
his heart sunk when you told him you were the traitor as if it were a fact that everyone was already aware of. you weren't aware of the consequences of your words that day. when childe told diluc about your identity he made sure he wouldn't tell a soul. when he gave away his identity to zhongli, he made sure you wouldn't find out about who he truly was. panic ensued as the debate between his love and loyalties seemed to swallow him whole. for the first time in his life, childe needed to decide between ajax and tartaglia, between the love he's always wished for and the group he promised unconditional loyalty to.
a pity it was that all his efforts went to waste at his own hands.
he's walking through liyue once more, this time moving as far away from the city as possible. there are no soldiers out at this time, and childe isn't sure if it's incredibly late or incredibly early before his mind wanders back to you. who knows who you'll share his secret with. for all he knows, when he comes back, the qixing could have sent out a warrant for his arrest. he could be hunted down in the streets and captured as a war criminal. he could be sentenced to treason, or worse, used to lure the other elite out to save him. childe promised himself it'd never end up like that. after all, the other elite hated how much attention he garnered, them coming to save him would only feel like a slap in the face.
if any of them actually decided to, of course, he knows how they aren't incredibly fond of him.
he sighs as he reaches an abandoned wooden house, walking inside to see a wooden table and chair. relief washes over him when he sits, the pain from his previous fight and lengthy journey seeming to subside as he finally relaxes.
he catches sight of the old rusted spears on the walls, one that looked like they belonged to the previous milileth. a few crates and barrels stood next to them and as he slowly got up to check them, childe hoped that there would be something inside to help him out with his injuries.
and a sigh of relief leaves his lips when he catches a small roll of gauze hidden in one of the barrels.
he works his way back to the chair the small roll and some other first aid supplies in hand as he sits down.
there are three gashes on his arms, one on his shoulder, and some bruises and cuts on his legs.
he sighs as he bandages them up, wrapping the gauze around his arm, once, twice, three times. a small frown appears on his lips when catches sight of his blood already staining the wrap, but nevertheless, he continues on. he bandages his left arm as he recalls a faint memory in his head, one involving you and a swingset as you took care of his wounds.
and a sad smile appears on his lips at the mere thought, of how you offered your kindness despite not knowing who he was. but now, you knew his true colors, you've seen him at his worst. and he can't help but wonder if you'd still patch him up just as you did many years ago.
he wishes he never went to that party. maybe then he wouldn't have met you again after all those years. he wishes he didn't kiss you that night. he wishes he didn't kiss you all the times that followed, maybe then he wouldn't have realized that he had fallen for you. he wishes you never told him you were the traitor.
maybe then he could've held onto this fantasy for just a little longer.
—
you wish you could run and hide.
you wish you could go sit in a corner and cry your heart out.
yet you continued walking as you made your way into the harbor, doing your best to ignore the stares from the people around you. it was early in the morning when you arrived in the city, just at the perfect time for people to set up their businesses for the day. it was almost inevitable that they would whisper and talk. after all, why would the kaiyang return to the city covered in gashes and blood? why do her eyes look swollen? why is she crying?
those were all questions you weren't willing to answer right now.
so you continue forward, walking up the stairs into the city as people begin to talk and stare. your sword feels heavy as you continue, remembering how you screamed at ajax to kill you, how you swung your sword with the full intent to kill.
you've never done that before, not with an actual human at least, and you hated every second of it.
you wished you could cower and cry, that you could curl up into a ball and sob. but you're a leader in the government, it would be quite hard for you to do that in public without causing a scene.
so you continue forward, mind incredibly focused on getting to the government office. you walk up the stairs, ignoring the questions from the millelith, ignoring the help that baizhu and qiqi offer you. you don't say hi to madame ping or anyone at the front doors of the office, you simply walk in, and once more soldiers continue to batter you with questions.
"are you okay?"
"are you hurt?"
"do you want us to find help?"
"who did this?"
"should i call lady ningguang?"
"no!" you instantly yell, watching everyone's eyes widen at your response. "no," you repeat, voice softer. "no, don't call her i'm fine, don't worry. i just need a minute alone."
they only nod before letting you continue up the stairs to your office.
the silence is deafening, it only makes you think more about the fight last night, at how you cried as you held his sword to his neck. his small smile and supposed last words are forever burned into your head.
"i love you."
he didn't.
you wouldn't let yourself believe that he did, especially after last night.
you swing open the door to your office, making sure to lock it before slumping into your chair, the sobs you had kept in on your journey finally coming out. you mourned the loss of the boy you loved, the boy who vanished right before your eyes. you sobbed in anger about how he betrayed you, how he lied to you about his job, his alignment in the war, his feelings for you.
and you cried because you were a fool to believe all of it could've been real.
small sniffles leave your lips as you reach into one of your desk cabinets, pulling out the first aid kit you kept just for emergencies.
it felt surreal almost, crying while wrapping your arms and legs in bandages to cover your cuts and bruises, injuries that he gave you.
god you didn't even want to say his name anymore, you didn't even want to think about it.
for all you know, ajax wasn't even his real name and he had been lying to you ever since he was young.
that idea makes you cry even more.
you can't help but wonder where he is now. a part of you questions if he'd tell the harbingers about you if your identity (after all this time of bending over backward to keep secrets) would finally be revealed. sure, you had plans in order to keep yourself from being found, you just never thought that the day would come where you'd need to use them, especially when it's all because of ajax that you need to do so.
nervousness fills your body as you stare down at the bandages. people are going to ask questions, rumors fly in liyue and you could only lie to so many people for so long. if people asked the right questions, they could fish out the truth from you.
but until then you'll need to lie until you had a plan.
a sigh leaves your lips as you throw on a jacket to hide your wounds, standing up from your desk to start the day's work.
you stand next to your door, taking a deep breath in before twisting the doorknob, walking out of your office as if nothing had happened the night before.
Notes:
omg have you all played 2.7? i started it today and it was actually kinda fun, like i'm excited for the rest of the storyyyy
but while you wait for the next part of the quest here's the next chapter of tacenda! sorry hehe it's getting like hella angsty now, yn and childe aren't gonna see each other for a fat minute after this ;(
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 21: twenty
Summary:
a reunion between two friends as one discloses the truth about a person who seems to connect them both
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"something tells me you haven't gotten much sleep."
you jump at the sudden voice only to see the old funeral parlor director standing behind you, a cheery smile on her face.
"archons hu tao," you jump. "you scared the shit out of me."
"as i always do," she nods proudly as she pulls you into her arms, "now what brings you here? no one from the milileth dare step foot in wuwang hill."
"i don't know," you mumble rather sleepily, pulling away from her grip, the jacket on your shoulders still hiding the wounds from earlier, "i told myself i needed some fresh air and then i came out here."
well, that's partly true. when you told the qixing secretaries you wanted to take the day off, you ended up wandering around almost as if you were in search of ajax. but, he seemed to be nowhere to be found. you checked the places near the harbor and the closest civilizations, even near wangshu inn, he wasn't anywhere in sight.
wuwang hill is the perfect place to hide. not only is it far enough from civilization, but it's where neither side of soldiers seem to venture because of the rumors of it being haunted by ghosts.
you and hu tao started those rumors actually. she was your one friend when you came to liyue. sure, she approached you asking if you knew anyone who was on the brink of death but, considering she was the first person to ever approach you in the city, you couldn't help but indulge in her antics.
but later down the line when the harbingers found out about her ability to cross into the realm of the dead, she (along with another worker in the funeral parlor) became the target of a manhunt, hoping that they could use her skills to benefit them in the war.
wuwang hill is where your best friend stayed in hiding, a secret that only lies between you and zhongli, her old employee. a part of you hoped ajax would be out here, that maybe he'd been hiding here and that you would run into him.
she quirks a brow, "fresh air? please the air is barely fresh out here."
"it's fresh enough," you tease, "the ghosts keep me interested."
hu tao laughs, "i can't believe people actually believed those, we were kids at the time."
"well one of us is from snezhaya and the other can actually contact the dead."
hutao nods, "very fair, but still who takes children seriously?"
"you'd be surprised," you laugh.
"but seriously yn."
you look up at hu tao as you notice the newfound seriousness in her tone, "why are you here?"
"couldn't i just see my best friend?"
"not in the middle of the day like this," she shakes her head, "what if someone followed you?"
"no one would follow me."
"okay ms. kaiyang, member of the qixing and aforementioned traitor of snezhaya."
your face falls flat, "i made sure no one followed me out here," you reassured, "and i promise you nothing's up."
"okay," she hums before slowly walking away from you, "i just do wish you weren't wishing to find a certain someone out here."
your eyes widen, "you saw someone here?"
she turns back toward you, "so you are searching for someone?"
and you blink, "yeah," you scoff, "just my loving and caring best friend that's who. and i found her woo! yay! end of story."
"you can't fool me with that shit," she deadpans before wrapping her arm around your shoulder, "so who are you looking for?"
"no one," you answer instantly, walking away from her to sit down on a nearby log.
she sits down next to you, "i'm here if you do wanna talk about it," she mumbles patting your shoulder as she notices the newfound slump in it. "i know you have a lot of confidential government things, but i won't tell a soul i swear."
"you'll tell the ghosts."
"it's not like they'll do anything about it."
you pause for a moment, "what do you know about zhongli?"
"that's," she blinks, "rather random."
"no i'm just," you pause, "i'm thinking about things right now."
"why do you need to know about him," she questions.
"because he's the one i get information from," you mumble.
zhongli had to have known about ajax. after all, you did tell him about when you first met during one of your first visits to see him. sure, it was just to establish a good relationship, but now that you think about it, he could've easily connected you both to each other if ajax mentioned the right things.
was he even the one who went to see him? for all you know it could be another elite.
"zhongli," hu tao mumbles pulling you out of your trance, "he's a rather interesting fellow living out in the woods by himself."
"you think so?"
she nods, "he's far away from the war despite being the person who caused it."
you freeze at her words.
"wait what?"
she meets your gaze, "you didn't know?"
"know what?"
"that zhongli is rex lapis."
you blink, "that...that is a rather outrageous claim. the god is dead, there's no way zhongli could be dead," you think to yourself. "unless he's like qiqi and is a zombie," you meet hu tao's gaze, "is zhongli a zombie?"
she can't help but laugh, "no silly he faked his death."
and that revelation makes your jaw drop.
"you're joking."
"i'm most certainly not."
"well," you stutter, "how do you know?"
she shrugs rather carelessly, "he told me. i mean if you asked him about it he'd probably tell you."
"there's no way in hell he'd let you believe a claim as outrageous as-"
"it adds up," she tells you. "he went into hiding right after the harbingers took over the city, and he showed up a lot more at the funeral parlor after he supposedly died."
"so then what dropped down from the sky that day?"
she shrugs, "probably a fake body or something."
"there...there's no way," you stutter out. "there's absolutely no way."
"oh there's certainly a way," hu tao shrugs, "the stories of the dead seem to match the ones he tells," she explains. "normally myths and fables like that get easily twisted, but he seems to recall every detail of the events to perfection."
oh, so that's how he seems to remember everything you tell him. but there's still no way. surely a mortal can have just as clear of memory as him.
"okay," you quirk a brow, "give me an example."
"sure," she nods rather effortlessly, "do you know the story of guizhong?"
"you mean the god of dust?"
hu tao nods, "i met her in the realm once."
you shake your head, "no way."
"even gods go the realm of the dead when they die yn," she states to which you roll your eyes. "anyway, she spoke rather highly of rex lapis and how even though they never made a formal contract they were allies and even friends."
"okay," you hum, "so what does this have to do with zhongli?"
"he told me a story of a god of dust and how rex lapis, the former adepti, and the god would meet together in cloud retainer's home."
you blink, "how...specific?"
"and get this," she continues, "zhongli stated that rex lapis even had a sword made for her, but she wasn't able to give it to her because she died in battle."
"so what did guizhong say?" you question, now intrigued in the story.
"that she knew about the god's supposed surprise," hu tao smiles. "it's quite a sweet gesture, considering it was during the archon war."
"and did that line up with what zhongli said?"
hu tao nods, "he speaks of her rather highly, almost as if the two knew each other personally. it's rather sweet actually even though he misses her dearly, he doesn't stop talking about her."
"i, that's," you shake your head, running your hands through your hair, "i can't believe that."
hu tao raises a brow, "and why not?"
"because if he was god of the nation, why did he not do anything when the harbingers attacked? why did he not do anything when the war ravaged the city?" annoyance started to bubble in your voice at your unanswered questions. "i mean come on, you can't tell me that all he did was sit in his house and brew tea. he could help us! we could win the war with his support, and i'm certain he knows that."
hu tao pauses for a moment, "you should talk to him."
you only stare, "i should?"
"you should," she nods. "and i don't think you'll need to exchange anything for the truth about his past."
"what so i can go sharing that information willy nilly?" you ask, "the townspeople would go insane when they find out their god is still alive."
hu tao pauses, "you wouldn't do that though."
"and why not?"
"because i know you," she smiles.
your face falls flat, "and that proves it how?"
she wraps her arm around you, "go talk to him," she encourages, "once you do, all your questions will be answered i promise."
you sigh, "fine."
"there we go," she smiles.
"do you think he'll actually tell me the truth though?"
"oh he will."
"and what makes you so sure of that?"
"he speaks highly of you already," hu tao explains. "i think a part of him wants to tell you. after all, you've exchanged so much information with him. it's only a matter of time that you learn a bit about him too."
"you think he'll trust me?" you mumble.
"do you trust him?"
you nod.
"well then there's your answer."
and you smile, "you know me too well."
"i wouldn't be a good best friend if i didn't," she teases. "now go, there's a lot in store for you."
you stand up from the log and your friend follows your actions. "i will," you nod wrapping your arms around her once more. "i'll be back to visit you soon i promise."
"i'll hold you to that," she smiles, holding you tightly. you mirror her grin as you pull away walking away from your friend with a newfound hope in your chest.
"oh and yn?"
you turn around, "what's up?"
"i really think you should bandage those wounds of yours properly. zhongli should probably have some stuff to help you with that."
and you can only stare at your best friend in shock before walking away shaking your head with a grin on your face.
after all, she's always been one to see right through you.
Notes:
hi everyone!
i finished 2.7 yesterday and i am in shambles. god i wish i included more about xiao in this story after learning more about him through the quest. but there is a story idea marinating in my head right now hahah might write it we'll see.
anyway welcome hu tao! i wanted to include some more characters in to the story, so i decided to put her in for a (maybe) one time appearance. i plan on doing the same with a couple more characters so stay tuned!
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 22: twenty one
Summary:
a strange envelope from the supposed other side asking for a meeting sends minds into a frenzy as the elite decides to venture on this quest alone once more
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"why'd you ask to meet?"
"why did you go into hiding?"
childe only stares up at diluc and kaeya with a grimace on his face, "let's just say i had a run in with someone." he only smiles.
diluc quirks a brow, "was it the traitor?"
"it was not," he nods, "but the fight did involve her?"
"how so?" kaeya mumbles.
"the information we have is false," childe lies. "yn is not the traitor and the qixing attacked last night because our information jeopardized a member of the government."
kaeya scoffs, "doesn't our whole existence jeopardize the government?"
"more or less," childe shrugs, "but still i didn't expect them to attack me so out of the blue," he slumps back in his chair, "so i'm in hiding for now, at least until i know for sure that my name is cleared."
"i haven't seen any warrants for your arrest in the city," kaeya tells him.
diluc nods, "no one's mentioned anything about you."
and at that, he can't help but smile.
you decided to keep his secret after all.
"well then," he stands up, "i guess i should head back to the city then, this abandoned shack isn't really the most optimal place to live in."
"you've literally been here for a day and a half childe," diluc deadpans.
"well that's still a long time!" the elite complains, "i'd much rather sleep in the comfort of my room than on the grass."
"oh," kaeya blinks, "speaking of the harbor."
childe's eyes widen slightly, "what did something happen?"
"more or less," diluc nods, holding up an envelope with neat penmanship on the front.
tartaglia.
the elite raises a brow, "why were you the one who got it?"
diluc shrugs, "maybe because they know i'm related to the elite, particularly you."
"you are quite hard to find," kaeya adds, "plus, they figured out we crashed the party."
"they did?" childe questions, pretending this is all new information to him. "how did they figure out?"
"that adeptus," kaeya mumbles. "i think he knew we were there and told the qixing."
"oh," childe thinks, now it makes sense.
"they're on our tail now," diluc nods, handing the envelope over to the elite, "for all we know it's the tianquan requesting a meeting with you."
childe laughs, "she wouldn't do that."
"she would," diluc deadpans.
"she definitely would," kaeya agrees.
childe blinks, "never thought you two would agree on something," he jokes before opening up the envelope. "i will say though, the handwriting doesn't look like hers"
"and how do you know what her handwriting looks like?" diluc asks.
"i remember seeing it in some past negotiations," childe explains. "sure it was just her signature and stuff but still, it's different."
"if it is from her thought," kaeya mumbles. "would you go see her?"
"absolutely not," childe shakes his head.
"and why's that?" diluc questions, "it'll only seem more suspicious if you decline."
"i wouldn't go no matter what," childe sighs, "did you see what happened with signora?"
"she got sent to inazuma?" kaeya asks.
"and was killed by the raiden shogun," childe adds.
diluc blinks, "oh? she was?" childe nods, "i didn't know."
and the elite would be a fool to not notice the ghost of a smile on his face.
childe nods, "i don't know what the tianquan has planned, but i would much rather like to avoid death right now."
and he would, especially considering how you were the one who almost took his life just a few days ago. he's still not over it, he doesn't think he will be. the spinning image of the love of his life holding a dagger to his throat was forever burned into his head, and now he just needs a simple break from combat. besides, he's a vital member of the elite, a trump card almost, considering no one truly knew the strength of his foul legacy. after all, while he might have had the physical strength, the tianquan, along with the rest of the qixing, had the intellectual strength.
besides, he's too valuable to lose because of a simple negotiation.
childe's eyes widen as he opens the envelope, a simple sentence written out in the same penmanship as before.
i will not fight you. i just want answers.
wangshu inn, tomorrow, half past midnight, the soldiers will let you in
-xiao
and that sends childe's mind into a frenzy.
does he know about you? does he know that the two of you were meeting? god knows that adeptus moves fast and he could easily put pieces of a puzzle together with ease. if you said the right stuff or if he saw the right things, he would easily be able to figure out the connection you both had, he would easily learn that you were giving vital information to the harbingers, no matter if it was intentional or not. sure, you didn't know he was an elite at the time, but xiao certainly did, and if he brought it up with certain people, it that would put you in serious danger.
and if childe promised anything to himself, it would be to protect you to the very end.
"who's it from?" kaeya's voice snaps him out of his thoughts.
"the adeptus," childe scoffs as he puts the piece of paper back into the envelope, stuffing it into his pocket. "he says he wants to meet."
diluc quirks a brow, "meet?"
childe nods, "it's strange right?"
"have you spoken to him before?" kaeya asks.
"i haven't," childe lies, "maybe he wants to discuss the jade chamber situation."
"he probably was the one who ratted us out," kaeya mumbles, annoyance in his tone.
"regardless it's weird," diluc thinks before meeting childe's eyes. "shall we come with you?"
"no need," childe answers a second too quick, "he requested that i show up alone."
"oh well that makes it even worse," kaeya grumbles.
"it'll be fine," childe reassures, "we could get some good information out of him as long as we get him to trust us."
"and you can't do that if you show up with us," diluc mumbles.
childe thinks for a moment, "both of you will return to mondstat. i have no need for you both any longer."
diluc stares at him with wide eyes, "you can't be serious."
"i will call you both back if i need you," childe adds.
kaeya scoffs, "but what if-"
"i'll be fine," childe tells him, annoyance lacing his tone.
"okay but-"
"you're really going to defy orders from your boss?"
and that seems to shut both boys up.
"understood?" childe asks.
diluc nods, "understood."
"but let us know if you need us to return," kaeya adds. "i don't trust that adeptus."
"trust me," childe grins a rather sinister smile, "you two will be the first people i call back if i need assistance."
kaeya smiles, "we'll be there in a flash."
"safe travels you too," childe nods. "can't have my two strongest soldiers dying on me."
kaeya's eyes widen as diluc nods goodbye, "we're your strongest soldiers?"
"be safe childe," diluc tells him before he and his brother leave the abandoned shack.
childe waves as the two leave him alone once more. he steals a glance down at the envelope once more, opening it up to see xiao's writing again. his stomach churns at the sight, sighing as questions once again begin to swarm in his head. he makes his way out of the shack but this time in the opposite direction of the harbor.
after all, he needed to make a quick detour before he showed his face in the city once more.
—
"do you think he'll be fine?"
"he's an elite, of course he'll be."
"and what if he isn't?"
"you know we can always have someone look into it if you want."
"that...would be rather useful yeah."
"who do we call then? the alchemist or the astrologist?"
"how about both?"
Notes:
hey! i just got back from work so i bring you another chapter of tacenda haha
i graduate high school in less than a week which is absolutely bonkers to me. i'm like so excited to go into college but it's so bittersweet tbh. it's like a huge transitional period and it's like so insane and surreal since it's literally so soon aaaah.
anyway! since summer's coming up i've got a couple stories that i'll be sharing with you all so get excited! the ideas that i've been keeping in my head are finally coming to life hehe 33
thank you so much for reading! 3
Chapter 23: twenty two
Summary:
tension rise as two sides meet, both of which search for answers to questions stemming from words that were better left unsaid.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
childe can't help but shake his head when he sees the slight tremble in the soldiers standing outside wangshu inn
they all look at him as if he's about to strike, as if making eye contact with him would send them to their demise. but childe did just as xiao said, he came alone and unarmed (mostly). if anything that should send a sign to the soldiers to stand down and that, for once in his life, childe comes in peace. but no, their grip remains tight on their spears, almost as if they're waiting to strike him at any moment.
childe sighs as he reaches the stairs of the inn.
in theory, half of his reasoning for being here revolves around you. sure, he disguised it as sheer curiosity and as a chance to get more information on the qixing, but the anxiousness hit him the second he saw who the letter was from. he knows how fast the adeptus moves, how quick he could connect dots and puzzle pieces. if anything, he already knew that you two had met, he could've watched you two fight, and it must've left him confused, curious as to why the hell you're fraternizing with the enemy.
from what childe can remember, xiao has been incredibly loyal to liyue. despite the god and the other adepti leaving, xiao stayed, and not even the qixing are too sure as to why. if anything, childe could find out why and use it to his advantage. if he's lucky, maybe he'd even switch sides, but childe really doubts he can pull something off like that, especially in this state.
the battle with you took a lot out of him, not just physically but emotionally, and for the first time, he found himself wanting to stay away from combat. every time he even engaged with a simple monster, he just found himself back in that battle, tears springing from his eyes in regret and guilt before he finds himself back on the ground once more.
it's pathetic really, the fact that he was bested by a simple hilichurl.
maybe this meeting could clear his conscious, he hopes it will at least, he got word to meet with the tsarista a few days from now so he'd probably have to leave the harbor soon. and he most definitely doesn't want her to see him like this.
the sky is dark as the moon shines in the sky. a small sigh leaves childe's lips as he walks up to the balcony at the top of the inn. he still remembers the last time he was here when he took over the inn after besting xiao in a battle. it wasn't fair, most definitely not considering the many injuries xiao already sustained, but he still won nevertheless. and in a moment of conquer or be conquered, that victory was essential to the harbingers' win.
"you're early."
childe turns to the follow the voice, smiling when he sees the adeptus, "hi xiao."
"tartaglia."
he clears his throat, "you look well."
"and so do you," xiao nods with a narrowed gaze before crossing his arms.
"so," he starts, "what did you want to discuss with me?"
"what are your intentions with yn?"
ah, straight to the point.
childe quirks a brow, "and what do you mean by that?"
"you two met a week ago," xiao states rather blankly, "and when she left two nights ago to help soldiers she returned injured and hurt."
his eyes instantly widen, "oh no, is she okay?"
"she's fine," xiao answers before a sigh leaves his lips.
"why did you fight her?"
he blinks, taken aback by his sudden directness. "so you saw," childe mumbles.
"of course, i saw," xiao answers.
"well how much did you see?"
"the two of you during the rite of decension," xiao answers. "i saw you both walking through liyue then and then i saw you both again during the fight. i saw you both together by chance the first time, and then i started following her because i got suspicious that she was colluding with the harbingers."
"she wasn't," childe exclaimed, "i swear."
"so then why were you two meeting?"
"because," childe hesitates, if he said the wrong thing, it could seriously spell trouble for both you and him.
"you know if this gets out to the tianquan she could be exiled or killed."
"i'm very aware of that," childe nods with a small frown. "believe me, that's the last thing i want to happen.
xiao only stares, "why do you care for her?"
childe meets his gaze, "what?"
"how did you even meet her in the first place?"
"we're childhood friends," childe tells him surprisingly honestly, "we met back in snezhaya before she came here and we reconnected again at the party."
and a wave of regret crashes over the adeptus. he shouldn't have been so careless, he should've stopped him from entering.
"does she know you're a part of the harbingers?"
"not back then," childe explains, "but she found out right before she fought."
"weird," xiao mumbles. "she hasn't mentioned anything to any of the other qixing."
"is she okay though?" childe asks a second too quick.
"she's fine," xiao reassures once more, annoyance growing in his tone. "when she got back that morning she just requested to be alone and no one's seen her since."
"shit," childe mumbles under his breath, "do you think she got lost or killed or h-"
"enough tartaglia," xiao cuts in. "might i be the one to remind you that you hurt her in the first place?"
oh, right.
"she wouldn't be in this situation if you didn't just leave her alone," xiao's words cut through childe like a knife, "this could jeopardize her career if this gets out. even her life."
"i know!" ajax yells before sighing, "i know, that's why i came here today." a ghost of a smile appears on his face, "i made a promise to her when we first met, that i would take care of her the way she took care of me. i promised to repay her kindness and keep her safe," he sighs. "i want to see it through to the end."
"of course you do," xiao mumbles before sighing. "considering the kaiyang hasn't said anything about you yet i take it she wants to leave your identity a secret. i won't say anything to the tianquan unless she herself decides to turn you in."
he sighs, "that'll do, thank you."
"but you have to do something for me in exchange."
"what do you want?" childe asks, desperation seeping through his voice.
"tell me everything you know about how the war began," xiao demands.
"that's it?"
"that's it," xiao nods. "i need answers, i've been left in the dark for too long."
"well i don't know too much about it," childe mumbles.
"then learn," xiao sighs.
"i do know how morax died," childe thinks. "that was one of the major things that started the war."
a small gasp leaves xiao's lips, "you do?"
childe quirks a brow, "i do but, you know he's not really dead do you?"
"i know," xiao grits out, "i know he had a contract with the tsaritsa that led to him faking his death but i know nothing else from there."
"okay," childe sighs, "i'm going back to snezhaya tomorrow night. i'll gather as much information as i can and then i'll send you a letter telling you everything. does that sound okay?"
xiao nods, "you have one week harbinger, if i don't get a letter back in one week i'll tell everyone about you and yn."
childe swallows thickly, "sure," he offered his hand out. "i'll get everything back to you in one week's time."
xiao shakes his hand, "but if yn says anything about you-"
"then you can share the information you know and have about me," childe finishes. "but just please, leave her out of this. she truly didn't know that i was an elite until a few days ago."
xiao only stares.
"please," childe offers.
and he sighs, "fine, but only because i don't want yn to be executed."
childe blinks, "alright, sounds good. i'll be on my way now."
and xiao doesn't even say goodbye as he leaves, disappearing into thin air as childe makes his way off the balcony and out of the inn.
one week, he had one week to fulfill the rather out of the blue request. but to be honest, it's quite a fair deal. silence in exchange for information.
it almost reminds childe of the supposed dead god himself.
Notes:
thank you so so much for waiting!
sorry it's been a bit since i last updated haha i was busy graduating...and working...and partying lmaoo but no matter! i do hope you all liked this chapter! i keep hyping this buildup to zhongli's supposed answers haha :D
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 24: twenty three
Summary:
he didn't think it'd end like this. he never thought that the conclusion of his contract would end like this, and that thought alone seems to send him out of the harbor and out on his own.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
it wasn't supposed to come to this.
when zhongli handed over his gnosis, he didn't think things would become this bad. sure, the tsaritsa held up her end of the contract, she had the best intentions for liyue at heart, but her soldiers seemed to show the now old god otherwise.
"times are changing, people are changing," he said when he finally completed his half of the old contract. "the people of liyue have outgrown their god, the time has come where there is nothing more i need to do." he told himself he had no more purpose, no more reason to remain their archon. so he did what he needed to do, the contract that he had made with the cryo archon had finally reached its time for redemption.
his ties to celestia were broken, severed by the final exchange between him and his now old friend. he doesn't trust the tsaritsa with anything anymore, he wishes he never did. he still remembers the day his supposed corpse fell from the sky. the way he watched his people mourn and gasp over the death of the god they worshipped so dearly. he remembers the first rite of descension and how he was the one who planned and oversaw it.
how ironic it was that he was the one planning his own funeral.
yet even as he dug his own grave and watched his people mourn, he still remembered that this was his decision, a decision he needed to come to terms with sooner rather than later. this city could thrive and prosper on its own. they didn't need him anymore to protect them. in fact, he thought it was better that they didn't rely on him anymore.
the harbingers came not even a week later, taking the adeptus with them through nothing but deceit and manipulation. they stormed the city, took over buildings, and displaced families as resources from the qixing were spread too thin. there weren't enough soldiers, the leaders could only do so much and before anyone knew what was going on, the harbingers ruled over the harbor. they won with ease, taking advantage of the mourning city, a city zhongli thought could handle itself in dire times like these.
it was only then that he realized how wrong he was.
guilt hung over his head as he now sat in the abandoned funeral parlor weeks later. all was quiet, the funerals of those who died in the first uproar finished and completed. the director already fled into wuwang hill after learning the harbingers wanted to find her. he didn't like it, he missed the director and her strangely bubbly energy despite being surrounded by grief and death. he missed her smile and her strange marketing tactics, something he wishes he could've seen more of. she promised to visit, she promised to see him and sneak her way into the city if she could.
so when the door to the funeral parlor flew open zhongli couldn't help but gasp as he quickly turned his head.
but a frown instantly appeared on his face when he noticed a different face.
"how could you?"
"xiao," he mumbles. "what are you doing here?"
"i was looking for you," he answers, features sullen as zhongli catches sight of the newfound bandages on his body.
"why did you need to see me?" zhongli swallows.
"because you abandoned your city that's why," xiao tells him, approaching the former god with nothing but a narrowed gaze. "you left us all to become playthings for the harbingers."
"that's not what i did," zhongli mumbles.
"then what did you do then?" xiao answers, louder than before. "if you did not mean to abandon us why did you not save your city when its people shed nothing but blood?"
"i am no longer this city's savior," zhongli tells him. "i have no purpose being this city's god."
"you do," xiao hisses. "you most certainly do."
"my days on this earth now are numbered," he tells the adeptus, "i am nothing more than a mere mortal, even if i fought to save the city there is only so much i can do."
"why didn't you help then?" xiao asks. "you told us this was our city, you told us to protect it with everything we are, everything i am?" he steps closer to zhongli. "i did everything you asked me to do, even when everyone else left."
and zhongli only stands in silence.
"why?" xiao mumbles. "why did you not stand up and fight just as you told us you would do?"
and once more, his silence only tells the adeptus the answers he's looking for.
"did you know that you saved me?"
zhongli nods, "i know i did."
"you gave me a chance, you gave me my name. you taught me how to use what i feared for good."
"i know," zhongli sighs.
"you gave me the opportunity to be better," xiao tells him. "and i did just that."
"and you've grown tremendously in the process."
"so why?" xiao mumbles. "why did you force me to stick with a debt you do nothing but run from?"
"xiao, this debt of yours, it's almost impossible for you to pay it in full."
"but i'm trying!" he exclaims, voice slowly beginning to shake. "i'm trying, and that's more than you've ever done."
zhongli sighs, "i've done nothing but try since the day i was born thousands of years ago. i remember every trial, every conflict, every battle that this city has ever faced, every death of an old god, an old friend. i lived through it all." xiao only stares up at zhongli at his words, the man who saved him, the man who gave him a second chance at life was abandoning him, just as everyone else had done.
and xiao only sighs, "you left us," he tells the old god. "you left us and now we've lost."
"it is no longer my place nor position to help," zhongli tells him. "you all have proven to me multiple times that you can win wars without my help. you all are strong, you all grow stronger every day as i grow weaker." zhongli meets his gaze, "liyue can prosper without me. in fact, i think she'll grow stronger if i step away."
yet even with an answer like that, the adeptus still can't help but feel betrayed.
"lies," xiao grits out.
zhongli shakes his head, "i wouldn't have completed my end of the contract if i didn't think this city could handle being on its own."
"what was the contract then?" xiao asks, anger bubbling in his voice. "what was so important in your end of the bargain that it involved leaving your city."
"i'm afraid i can't tell you that," zhongli answers.
"you're bound by another contract," and zhongli nods at the boy's conclusion. "that's what you've always been, bound by contracts."
"this wasn't just about the contract," zhongli reasons, voice firm.
"right," xiao clicks his tongue, "this is about you seeing no purpose to serving your own city anymore."
"you all don't need me anymore," zhongli tells him.
"we lost our first battle without you," xiao deadpans.
"you can fight on without me."
"we still need you," xiao meets his gaze.
"i need you."
and he'd be a fool to miss the way zhongli's eyes widen.
"you saved me when i thought i couldn't be saved," xiao continues. "you gave me a second chance, you gave me my name when i-"
"alatus."
xiao blinks, "what?"
"your name is alatus," zhongli repeats. "i gave you a new name in hopes of helping you forget the past." a sigh leaves his lips, "yet even then it still continues to haunt you."
xiao's eyes widen, his friends, the other yakshas, the other adepti, their absence seems to haunt him, to force him into a position he's too scared to leave, a stance he feels like he has to take. but morax would want him to fight, he'd always want him to protect the city.
so why is he the one now putting it in harm's way?
"we're losing," xiao repeats.
"but in the end, you'll win the war."
"when will that be then?"
zhongli only stares at the yaksha's words. "we're low on resources, our soldiers are spread thin. the qixing don't know how to govern the city right now. the harbingers are wreaking havoc on innocent lives. if this continues we could be at war for years," xiao sighs, "you see the damage, you know what's going on. yet you don't help."
"there is no need for me to do so anymore," zhongli sighs. "i've worked hard to keep this city safe. i've held it's hand as it's grown and prospered. it's time the city stopped relying on me to thrive."
"i see," xiao mumbles a newfound emptiness in his eyes as the answers he searched for only led to a newfound burden on his back. "i understand," he mumbles as he begins to walk away.
but zhongli doesn't go after him, zhongli doesn't reason or call out for him to come back. he lets him walk away, he's given his answer and his reasoning. and he knows xiao's done nothing but respect him, listened to his orders, and helped the city under his command. he's been loyal, and that loyalty continued even when the other adepti left.
but zhongli can't help but wonder how long it will truly last.
xiao opens the door to the funeral parlor, not bothering to take another look back at zhongli.
"you are a slave to your own words morax. the contracts you make will lead to nothing but your own demise."
and with that, the door shuts.
a sigh leaves zhongli's lips as the funeral parlor grows quiet once more. another tie to his former life as a god supposedly severed as he begins to walk, opening the door xiao closed moments ago.
he walked passing through the wreckage of the harbor.
he walked past the docks where ships were now heavily guarded by harbinger soldiers.
he walked past the countless missing person posters of people supposedly lost in the chaos.
he walked out of the harbor, moving far from the city as thoughts continued to swirl in his head. guilt continued to hang over his head as his choice becomes harder and harder to accept.
this was the right choice, he starts to question that after seeing the remnants of the plains.
this was for the good of the city, he debates that after watching the millelith scramble to fight the harbingers, they have no leader, they're working on their own accord.
this was to help the people grow, he thinks before catching sight of wangshu inn, now overrun by the harbingers as he catches sight of one of their elite.
tartaglia.
and zhongli can't help but wonder what's going through that boy's head right now.
he walks and he continues walking until he reaches a familiar place, one that now housed the grave of an old friend. zhongli stares at the tombstone sighing as he reads the familiar writing engraved on it, his own words serving as a tribute to his friend's death. and he sighs as he stares up at the tree, the harbingers had yet to attack this place, and the qixing had yet to venture out and explore it.
zhongli sighs as he goes to work, using his weaker powers to construct a small house, a place of his own, outside of the city, outside of the war, a place where none of that would matter to him.
a place where he could finally come to terms with his decision.
it's away from civilization but close enough for zhongli to find resources to live off. a sigh leaves his lips as he stares at the house made by the remnants of his elemental abilities. he walks towards it, opening the door to the house slowly, only to be greeted with a hollow inside.
but even then he closes it, a part of him hoping that he'll never need to open it again.
Notes:
zhongli backstory zhongli backstory zhongli backstory!
okay so i wrote this before i looked into yaksha lore...and i like really wanted to include it somehow so i will def try to include bits and pieces of it into the story if i'm able hehe honestly i find genshin lore so interesting. like i love exploring it and i can't wait to do more of that as the story goes on :D
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 25: twenty four
Summary:
revelations from an old god bring new secrets to light as a search for answers sends you back to the person who gives them to you
Chapter Text
the stone house has grown since zhongli first built it.
furniture wasn't so hard to come by, especially considering he could just build it himself. he had built up a lot of the place himself, made it seem more homely in a sense. after all, this was his safe haven, the place he built to escape the guilt of the war.
who'd have thought, the oldest of the archons would be the one whose nation saw its demise first.
he had high hopes for liyue, he always had. after all, he'd watched the country prosper and thrive. but when he left, when he fulfilled his end of the contract with the tsaritsa, everything else went to hell. he thought the city would be able to bounce back, that they'd be able to overcome their invaders in a short amount of time.
it's been years since the war first began, and the city still felt like it had its back against the wall.
the harbingers were just as relentless as they were when they first invaded. sure, the qixing and liyue's government had gotten back on their feet, but it wasn't enough to overcome the unpredictability and supposed spontaneity of the harbingers. each side gained new assets as the rest of teyvat learned of the city's demise. sure, people sided with liyue, but others sided with snezhaya. it was intriguing almost to see what the other archons thought of his death, of the idea that the mere punishment of mortality hung over their heads as well. he watched as they picked their side and while some of their nations followed others switched sides. allegiance seemed to waver between people and the war became less about the nations, but about the individuals themselves.
yet even in the chaos, even as he watches people and their alignments, he stays put. he stays in the almost abandoned portion of liyue, he stays right outside of the chaos, far enough to not be involved but still close enough to remain neutral. after all, he fought hard for his neutrality, especially when signora asked him to join the harbingers in their fight against his former city. the qixing never approached him asking. instead, they came to him offering a contract of their own, and zhongli can't help but wonder if that's worse.
"you are a slave to your own words morax."
maybe tradition was starting to hold him back.
the sound of the door opening made him snap back to reality as a part of him wishes that door never needed to be opened again.
but then he sees you standing in his house with bandages starting to fall off your limbs with tears in your eyes.
and at this point, something in zhongli tells him to run. that this simple interaction would maybe lead to him breaking the contract of his own neutrality.
"the contracts you make will lead to nothing but your own demise."
"what happened to you?"
you walk to zhongli's table, doing your best to hide your new limp.
"got in a fight," you mumbled.
"i see," he nods. "would you like help with your wounds?"
and he can't help but notice the relief that washes over you, "yes, please."
it's only when he meets your gaze that he realizes what happened.
see, he's been following the story and surprising connection between you and a certain elite. he knew you met someone named ajax in your past, he just never knew that the said person grew up to become a harbinger elite. it was a connection he never saw coming, and by the looks of it, you didn't see it coming either.
"he told you?"
"you knew?"
zhongli only sighs as he stands up, walking to the bottom cabinet in his small kitchen and pulling out a variety of small medicines and herbs before beginning to boil water on the adjacent stove. "just as you tell me everything in exchange for information, tartaglia does the very same."
"except that he's harbinger scum," you mutter before zhongli walks back to you with a small smile. "so you knew?" you ask again.
"i did yes," he nods.
"and he was the one who told you that his name was ajax?"
zhongli nods again, "i knew you had met someone in the past named ajax before coming here, i just-"
"didn't know they would be a betraying backstabbing harbinger?"
he sighs, "sure if you say so." there's a gentleness to his touch when he takes a hold of your arm, unwrapping your old bandages before his gaze narrowed at your healing wounds. "you didn't bandage any of these properly."
"of course i didn't," you sigh. "i didn't have enough bandages to cover all the wounds."
"no medicine no nothing," zhongli clicks his tongue before using the herbs and medicine himself.
"i don't have that much in my office drawers," you sigh. "just some bandages and pain medicine."
"then this should be a sign for you to start carrying more," he lectures before taking your other arm.
"i don't fight every day or something," you mutter.
"but you still fight," he states. "i take it tartaglia was a strong opponent."
"strong wouldn't even begin to describe it," you mumble. "even when i fought him with all my strength, it still felt like he was holding back."
"he is well trained," zhongli nods.
"with the whole abyss and all," you mumble as a frown curls on your face, "and you don't just become an elite without good combat skills."
"just like you don't become a part of the qixing without intelligence and wits," zhongli reminds you, and you only sigh at his words.
"so," you mumble. "you're…" and your voice trails off as zhongli looks up at you.
"i'm what?"
"you're from celestia?"
and he blinks, "how'd you know?"
"your old boss isn't the best with secrets," you can't help but smile before you wince in pain, "ouch! you cry as he applies more medicine, "be careful there."
"sorry," he mumbles. "but yes, i'm from celestia."
"more specifically," you start.
"i'm rex lapis yes," he sighs.
and you only stare, "i thought you'd be a lot more careful about that secret of yours."
"hu tao and a few others are the only people who know," zhongli says, "and even then most of them are bound by contract."
you quirk a brow, "who else knows?"
"some of the harbingers, particularly the elites, hu tao, xiao," zhongli lists, "but only the harbingers are on contract, hu tao and xiao can tell whoever they please."
"you just trust them like that?"
and he nods rather simply.
"wow," you mumble, "i see."
he can't help but smile before looking down at the bandages on your legs, "may i fix these?"
you stare for a moment, "oh, yeah sure, thank you."
and he nods, a small grimace appearing as he peels the old bandages off, a dark crimson appearing on the inside, "i take it you have questions for me then?"
"yeah," you sigh with a small smile, "a few."
"you've trusted me with a lot of information these past few years," he starts, "it's time i do the same with you."
"okay," you sigh. "my biggest question has to be why did you leave the city?"
he nods, "everyone tends to ask that one first."
"well it makes sense," you mumble. "i mean you're the god of the nation, when the harbingers attacked everyone needed a savior, and you just so happened to still be alive," you meet his gaze, "what happened?"
"i," he hesitates, "i have no purpose as the city's god anymore," and it once more feels like he's repeating the same almost pointless explanation once more. "liyue's strong, when i left i thought she'd be able to grow and thrive. i've seen it prosper for thousands of years, and it's overcome conflicts even worse than this."
"yeah but that was when you were still there to help fight."
"and now i'm not," he mumbles. "liyue needs to learn how to overcome these things on their own, it's only then that the city will grow and thrive."
"i see," you nod. "that makes sense then. you can only hold our hand for so long, there will be a time where you aren't here, and we need to learn how to fight for ourselves, i understand."
he blinks, "you're not mad."
"well," you start, "i don't really think i have any right to be, i'm not truly from here after all. i see why this explanation might shock people, especially since they've loved and respected you since day one. but you're a god, you've been around longer than the city itself. it makes sense why you're so exhausted from protecting it."
"i," he mumbles, "thank you."
and you nod, "i have another question though."
"what is it?"
"why remain neutral?"
"i saw people across teyvat pick sides," zhongli starts. "people fought for liyue and it's old traditions, others wished for change. the city as a whole has progressed immensely while still remaining tied to our roots."
"bound almost," you mumble. "it's something i always admired about the city."
and zhongli can't help but smile at the notion, "but then i watched people of liyue side with the harbingers, i watched them fight to break their contracts and to see a new city, see what the harbingers could maybe bring. they carry so much potential and opportunity that those who weren't happy with the city before see a new chance to love it now," he sighs, "as the former god of the people i still have to represent them, and they're still so divided."
"so you're remaining neutral?"
"so i've remained neutral," he reaffirms, "and until the war is won that won't change."
"but you most certainly have a favorite don't you?"
"of course i do," he nods, "i just don't wish to share it, or else it'll defeat the purpose of my contract with you."
you click your tongue, "right, i see. neutrality in exchange for information."
"and peace," he adds. "no one's touched this city, qixing or harbinger because of our contract, and i thank you for it."
you blink, "what? why?"
"because," he sighs, "out here i don't have to think about the war or let my past regrets weigh down on me. i've lived a long life with people who come and go, but being out here gives me the opportunity to do something i've never gotten to do."
"and what might that be?"
"forget."
a silence looms over you both at his words. zhongli finishes rebandaging your cuts and bruises as he sets the medicine on the table. "take this home with you," he tells you, sliding a new roll of gauze and a fresh container of medicine to you.
and you shake your head, "i can't," you tell him, "i'm asking too much of you already by being here."
"please," he nods, "you've seen me as more than a source for information these past few years, please, take them."
you slowly nod at that, taking the medicine and keeping it in your bag, "thank you."
"don't forget to change the bandage before you sleep, and to reapply the medicine," he reminds you.
"of course," you nod, "thank you again."
"thank you for listening to me," he tells you.
and you can't help but smile at that, "i'm here for you anytime."
you slowly stand up from the chair and begin walking towards the door, slowly swinging it open before turning back to him, "and your payment-"
"no need," he quickly tells you.
"but the contract-"
"this isn't part of any contract," he waves off, "you can do with the information as you please."
"alright, thank you then," you smile before closing the door and heading off.
and zhongli already knows that the information he gave you wouldn't go to another soul.
Chapter 26: twenty five
Summary:
an unfateful meeting between two lovers. one's departing, the other arriving, and neither of them get the words they want to hear.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
when you love someone you want them all for yourself.
there's a newfound sense of selfishness and greed that makes you crave a person. every interaction, every laugh, every smile, a part of a person wishes it belonged to them forever.
but alas, this is a time of war, and childe can only do so much about the selfishness he had with you. he wishes he could explain, go back to that first fight and try to talk things out, although there really wouldn't be that much to say. neither of you knew this was what it would come to, love was not supposed to be part of this equation. if childe could redo that night he reconnected with you, he wouldn't interact with you, he wouldn't let himself hurt you with the web of lies he fed you. he wouldn't let himself fall for you the way he did.
he's never craved love in his entire life, at least a love like this. a love where he could call you his, a love where he could take you back to your home and remind you of all the sights you loved, a love where he could kiss you under shining lanterns in a moment made for just the two of you. childe had learned how to go without love for so long that when you came back into his life, he ended up craving it more than anything.
what a shame that the person he loved only stared at him with a cold gaze.
a sigh leaves his lips when he meets that gaze from the other side of the dock. he watches as you only walk away from him, and that's when he goes chasing.
"lord tartaglia!"
"give me five minutes please!" he calls to the ship workers as he runs after you.
you don't stop for him, you continue walking if anything. you had just come back from zhongli's place a couple hours ago, and you most certainly weren't expecting him to show his face in the city once more. you keep walking, he's the last person you want to see right now.
but he only pulls you back, grabbing tightly onto your hand as he does his best to hold you in place.
"yn."
you swat your hand away from him, not bothering to spare him another glance as you continue walking.
but he only grabs on again, "yn please can we talk?"
"there's nothing to discuss tartaglia," you tell him, voice cold.
and there most certainly is, childe thinks. for example, he doesn't like the way you say his work name, he wants to explain himself and his actions that night, and he wants to get a chance to make things right with you.
so he sighs, "please."
and you only greet him with silence.
"at least look at me," he mumbles with a faint smile, "you know it's not nice to not look at people who are talking to you."
you only sigh as you turn to face him. he's still got a strong grip on your hand when he notices the bandages covering your arm. he gasps, "are you okay?"
and you swat your arm away from him, "i'm fine," you look at him, eyes glossing over his figure, his clothes covering any remnants of that night, "are you fine?"
he can't even try to hide the smile on his face. at least you still care.
"i'm okay," he nods, "thank you for asking."
"of course," you mumble. "now did you have anything you needed to say to me?"
he sighs, "i'm leaving the city."
you blink, "okay, cool, bye."
but before you can even think of making your exit, childe pulls you back.
"wait," he stops you, "before you go i wanted to let you know that i spoke with the adeptus."
and that gets your attention.
"you spoke with the adeptus?"
childe nods, "i did."
"what did you talk about?"
he meets your eyes, "you."
and you can't help the way your stomach drops at his words.
so you tread carefully, "what does the adeptus know?"
"he knows about us," childe mumbles.
your eyes go wide, "how?"
"apparently," the boy sighs, "he was following you."
"and how much did he see?"
"enough to know there's something between us," childe mumbles. "but he'll be quiet about this as long as you are."
you quirk a brow, "why's that?"
"because we made a deal."
"what kind of deal did you make?"
"he keeps quiet for information about how the war started," childe explains, "he particularly wanted more about morax."
zhongli.
you cough, "do you know how much he already knows?"
"enough to know that rex lapis is still alive," childe mumbles, watching your face for any signs of shock. "but i feel like he's looking for something."
yet you only look at him unfazed, "i see," you nod. "you do know that sharing that info with him would be going against the tsaritsa right?"
"i'm aware yes."
"that's breaking protocol."
"she won't find out."
"and how sure are you about that?" you question.
"because it's to protect you," he tells you, gaze serious. "listen i-"
the ship's bells ring.
"lord tartaglia!"
childe sighs, "give me two minutes!" he yells back, "please! i'm talking to someone important here." he turns back to you, "look everything i'm doing is to protect you."
"even going against the tsaritsa's orders?"
"it's because of me that the harbingers haven't figured out who you are yet," childe sighs as he searches for some response in your cold eyes.
but he finds nothing.
"what if i don't keep quiet?"
he stares at you, "what?"
"what if i come clean and tell the qixing about everything we went through?"
"then…then you'll be punished?"
"and what if i'm ready to accept that punishment?"
"then," he sighs, "then that's your decision, not mine." a frown appears on his face, "there's nothing i can do to prevent that."
"alright," you mumble before you turn away from him.
"i meant what i said that night."
a last minute effort from the harbinger. sure, it won't get you to take him back or anything, no, he doesn't expect that at this point. all he's looking for is a chance, some sliver of hope that maybe when the war ends, you'll get your chance.
"i love you."
and you freeze.
"you can't just tell me that," you mumble, "not after that night."
"but you spared my life because you loved me too am i right?"
you turn back to him, stealing a glance at him before walking away, "it's my life's greatest curse," you sigh before you begin to walk away.
"i should've never helped you that day."
your words hit his core.
"i should've never fallen for you ajax."
and before childe protests, you walk away. he steps forward to chase after you but he hears three chimes from the harbinger ship.
"lord tartaglia! we're leaving!"
the ship begins to move from the dock as you walk away from him, not even bothering to spare him a glance. childe only watches, a part of him hoping that you would beg him to stay.
but you're too far gone to do such a thing.
"lord tartaglia!"
so he runs back to the ship, tears beginning to blur his vision as he jumps onto the ship, landing on it safely just before it got too far from the dock. a small sniffle leaves his lips before he quickly wipes the tears from his eyes as the soldiers approach him.
"who was that?"
and he forces himself to lie.
"no one," he shakes his head, "that was no one."
he stands up straight turning towards the front of the ship, "to snezhaya," he says as the soldiers cheer in response.
"let's return home."
Notes:
and that concludes act three!
hi everyone! sorry it's been a bit since the last update haha. but i do want to let you all know that tacenda is officially complete! all i have to do is publish the final chapters (not edit...lord knows i don't have the patience for that right now lmaooo). some stats if any of you care: the story will is about 42 chapters (not including the prologue), has a word count of around 71k (my longest piece of writing to date!), and covers acts four and five! aaah i'm so so pumped to continue sharing this story with you all!
thank you so much for reading! 3
Chapter 27: twenty six
Summary:
the day of the dreaded meaning brings a new timeline, one that will forever change liyue's history
Chapter Text
zapolyarny palace is just as cold as childe remembers it being.
sure, he's been out on liyue's front lines for some time now, but even when he comes back the chill in the air is rather welcoming. he walks in slowly, a jacket covering his usual clothing when a set of soldiers opens the door for him. he nods a quick thank you before strolling into the room. a red carpet leads the way to the tsaritsa who sits on her throne, surrounded by her usual guards.
he knees in front of her instantly, "your majesty."
and she smiles, "tartaglia."
he looks up at her with a small smile, "you look well."
"as do you," she nods and childe is incredibly grateful that his jacket covers the last of his wounds. "were you able to succeed in your mission?"
but at that, his eyes go straight back to the ground, body stiffening, "unfortunately she was not the traitor," childe lies. "based on my information the traitor's a member outside of the qixing, the kaiyang is merely a civil servant.
the tsaritsa's silence sends a shock down childe's body as he doesn't even look up at her to search for a response. even as an elite that immense amount of loyalty and respect he has for her terrifies him. harbingers in general are loyal to their tsaritsa, and wouldn't want to do anything to disappoint their queen.
but this is all for you, and for the first time, tartaglia's found a person who topped his loyalty to the tsaritsa. your kindness, compassion, and love topped everything that tartaglia thought he loved in his life. he's never experienced anything like this before, it's addicting.
"alright," the tsaritsa hums.
and that definitely catches childe off guard.
"do you have any idea of who the possible traitor would be?" she questions.
and at that he nods, "a few yes, but i need more information before i start pointing fingers."
"i see," she thinks. "let me know what you find then."
he stands, doing his best to keep his eyes cold, "yes your majesty," he nods before looking at her. "is that all you summoned me for?"
she shakes her head, "not exactly," she clarifies. "do you know how dottore is doing?"
"i haven't heard from him in a while," childe answers honestly. "the last i saw of him he and his team were working on the sigils over in sumeru."
the tsaritsa smiles at his words, "tartaglia."
"yes, your majesty."
her grin only grows wider, "they're ready."
and at that, he can't help but smile. despite his hatred for dottore, those sigils could turn the tides of the war. they can help the harbingers see their victory to the end. "no more errors or mistakes?"
she shakes her head, "nothing but perfect copies."
"that's," he hesitates as his stomach churns, "wonderful news then," he grins.
"we're ready for our next phase in the war."
"the final phase you mean?"
"the final phase," she reaffirms.
"how much time until then?" childe asks.
"three days time," the tsaritsa tells him, "you will return back to liyue tomorrow night to help prepare the troops," she orders. "stay away from the qixing gaze and if you suspect anyone to be the traitor," her gaze turns cold as a sigh leaves her lips.
"you are to eliminate them immediately."
and that makes his heart drop.
"anyone who shows signs of even being the traitor is to be eliminated," she tells him. "i've ordered all of our other soldiers to do the same. we need them out of the picture."
"does this mean the kaiyang as well?" he can't help but ask, the words leave his lips the moment the tsaritsa stops talking.
she hesitates for a moment, "our intel on them was rather reliable," she mumbles. "but i believe you as you've already met them."
he can't help the way relief washes through his system.
"but if they do show signs of being the traitor again eliminate them. for all we know, they were lying to you."
no, you would never lie, especially to him.
you were always better than he was anyway.
"understood," he nods. "i'll be sure to remind everyone when i return."
and deep down he can't ignore the feeling that someone's going to try and kill you.
she sighs a faint smile appearing on her face, "three days tartaglia, everything you all have worked for will be finally worth it."
he nods, lips pursed, "three days," he mumbles.
it's truly not a lot of time. he knows what the harbingers had in store, he was the one who even helped make that previous plan. it was set to bring havoc, cause chaos, and finally bring the city to its knees again. but you're on the other side, waiting for him in liyue with a newfound order for your head.
"you will fight, yes?"
he can't help but stare up at her question, "what do you mean?" he asks, "of course, i will fight."
and she smiles, "good."
"tell your soldiers as well," the tsaritsa nods, "they will be vital on the battlefield."
"i will notify them immediately," childe smiles tightly. "i'll make sure they're in liyue when i arrive."
"then i have nothing more to ask of you," the tsaritsa tells him. "see this to the end tartaglia. we're all counting on you."
he swallows at that, "yes, your majesty, thank you."
"off you go," she smiles and tartaglia turns to leave her.
a small soft sigh leaves his lips as he makes his way out of the room, thoughts swirling in his head as possible scenarios run through his mind. this is supposed to be a time of celebration, the harbingers are days away from a victory, from reaping the rewards of years of effort.
but when he gets back to his room he slumps behind the door, back sliding down it as he crumbles to his knees. the plan he worked hard to build was finally coming to life.
and now he was sitting in his room, wishing that none of it existed in the first place.
a sigh leaves his lips as he stands up, walking towards his desk to spot the hoard of books he took from the harbinger library. he promised the adeptus information for silence, he promised you that he would keep you safe.
but now as he sat at his desk reading through the countless books, he can't help but realize that those promises he made might all be for naught.
Chapter 28: twenty seven
Summary:
he hands out his answers, the ones that people have been searching for this entire time. but when he lets another piece of information slip, he hopes it falls into the right hands.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
childe's never thought to contact his family ever since they found out about his work in the elite.
it started with his parents finding him working with the harbingers just days after he came out of the abyss. they watched him fight with a newfound lust for blood and battle before disowning him. he no longer had a last name, no longer had a home to go to, nor a family he could take care of.
his small room just outside the palace was nowhere near the warmth that a stable home could bring. the nights where he rested with his family around the house fire come to mind as childe eats his meals alone, relying on the heat from the multiple fires and lamps around his room for comfort, yet even then those couldn't compare to the warmth he used to receive from the people who once loved him.
his younger siblings come to mind, he remembers the terrified look on teucer's face when childe caught him in the corner of his eye. he remembers how tonia cried and how anthon hid behind his parents in fear. who'd have thought the children he had done nothing but protect would suddenly be so terrified of him? his parents and family were certain about the war.
they just weren't certain about childe's deeds during it.
the innocent lives he's taken, the manipulation and deceit, it's all something they wished to just ignore. so they did, disowning him completely and leaving him in the hands of the harbingers, never to speak with him again.
he sits at his desk with a blank sheet of paper and a pen in hand and a part of him wishes that he could address this to his family. but instead, a sigh leaves his lips as he addresses it to the two brothers in mondstat, separately of course. lord knows they don't live in the same house anymore.
it was certainly a tough move to recruit both for the same team. yet at the same time, it was risky to even try to recruit diluc. kaeya felt easy, if tartaglia said the right things and pushed the right buttons he could join the harbingers with ease. but diluc, with all his history with delusions and the harbingers, he thought it'd be a hard no.
answers.
diluc wanted answers.
and he includes just that in the letter. he'd strung diluc on for this long anyway. the delusion wasn't deliberately handed to his father, if anything it was meant to be given to diluc himself. the harbingers wanted it back since it was a prototype, the best prototype they had. they sent soldiers after it, hoping to get everything and everyone back in one piece (although childe knows the only thing the harbingers truly cared about was the delusion). it just so happened that the situation backfired, and his father was the one who ended up seeing his demise.
it's long, childe ended up writing more to diluc than he did with kaeya. but ultimately the letters ended in the same way.
make your way back to liyue harbor, we will attack in three days time. we need you there.
his stomach churns at the line. he knows the dangers and risks of the plan, he knows that half the city would end up dead at the harbinger hands. if anything, they're hoping that the city drowns entirely. but childe can't help but want the opposite. it's conflicting, everything he'd worked for, everything he had wanted for the past few months was now the thing he dreaded.
he sighs as he seals the two envelopes before moving on to the next one.
answers.
xiao wanted answers.
his silence in exchange for information about the war. unfortunately for him, the books he found didn't have that much information on the war. after all, it had only been going on for years and everyone was still waiting to see how it ends before throwing it in their history books. all he knew was signora made a deal with zhongli on the tsaritsa's behalf, something about a contract no one knew the origin of. childe had to assume that it traced back to celestia, something neither the elite nor the adeptus could possibly figure out. zhongli's strict on his promises after all, he'll be forever bound to his words.
but childe did learn something rather interesting, something about liyue's gnosis being the last one the harbingers had collected. the tsaritsa had been planning this for some time now, using careful practices and tactics to obtain the other archons' pieces. sure, scaramouche went on the run after obtaining the inazuma archon's gnosis, but they tracked him down later with ease. zhongli's was the last one to be obtained and after that, the tsaritsa moved forward.
invasion.
contrary to the citizen's popular belief, the archons were no longer gods. there was no one to truly govern the nation, no god for them to worship. and that's where she came in, that's where the harbingers and the soldiers came in to do her dirty work as she conquered the nations. liyue was the first and the other nations of teyvat were soon to follow.
it would be a long process for sure, but it was one their majesty deemed worth it.
the lies and rumors spread about the origin of the war were most definitely wrong. it was more than just a simple miscommunication, more than an argument gone haywire. this was a plan, a carefully meticulously created plan where their god would be the one who prospered.
answers.
childe had his answers.
after being used and manipulated and fed lies by his other harbingers he had his answers. every so often when he asked, they would often brush off the question. after all, childe lived on the front lines. to a lot of them, he was nothing more than a battle pawn. but now he had the truth.
and the fact that it was almost hidden from him makes his stomach turn sideways.
he's about the close the letter before he decides to add one final line.
three days.
he writes with a careful hand.
there will be an attack in three days.
and with that he signs and seals the envelope, not bothering to let the what ifs and scenarios spiral in his head before he throws on a jacket. "mail these out immediately," childe tells one of the harbinger soldiers.
she takes a look at the names, stopping on the envelope addressed to wangshu inn.
"who's smiley?"
and childe lies, "an informant at wangshu inn," he tells her, "i'm just letting him know about the invasion."
but in reality that's the person xiao told him to address the letter to. all childe knows is that he's the hotel chef.
the harbinger nods before walking towards the post office.
and a sigh leaves his lips, "i have to pack tonight," he mumbles to himself before walking back to the palace, back to his small room that he called his home.
he can't help the way he misses the place that used to be his home. but there's nothing he can do about that now. maybe if he wins the war his family will take him back. maybe if they watch him survive the battle and watch him lead and strengthen his soldiers, they might be proud of him. they might welcome him back into their home as their son.
oh, how childe can't wait until that day, but he has to live to see it first.
he has to win this battle before he can even think about that.
Notes:
oh god this is so much exposition, i'm so sorry hahaha
but yeah this is a lot of origin about the war to give it a little more backbone. i feel like i didn't really get to address it yet, so i hope this helps if there's any confusion on it lmaoo might've started a plot hole or two but it's fineeee
also also! i'll be publishing the first part of act four now so i can conclude the story sooner and start my new project hehe :D
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 29: twenty eight
Summary:
the alchemist and the astrologist. as two brothers search for predictions, they only find that everything isn't as it truly seems.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
the alchemist and the astrologist.
two of mondstat's most knowledgeable forces who just so happen to be captains in the knights of favonius. when the war struck, albedo seemed to travel to dragonspine more often while mona took the job the acting grand master gave her. inflation, mona called it, the reason why she found herself needing to get a proper job.
considering mondstat's pledge towards freedom, the knights didn't take a stance on the war, instead letting each individual have their own choice on who's side to stand on. while kaeya, albedo and diluc took the harbinger's side, mona decided to side with the country. after all, she was the only one who ever got to truly live there. she claimed the harbingers invading would ruin the years and years of culture that the country's built up. yet even with the differences, they all still remained friends, tolerating opinions as they were coworkers after all.
so when kaeya and diluc make their way to albedo's lab, they're quite shocked to see mona sitting in the lab.
"so why did you call us in here?" albedo sighs when he hears the door close, still deep into his experiment.
kaeya looks from mona to albedo back to mona.
"why is she here?"
"excuse you," mona rolls her eyes, "i'm here to see albedo, i didn't know you two would show up."
yet despite the way they tolerated their opinions, mona's attitude seemed to change immensely when the elite asked the two brothers for help.
"i asked you here for a reason mona," albedo tells her as he puts down his latest potion.
"does it have to do with us?" diluc questions.
albedo nods as he steps away from the table and towards the two brothers. "tell them what you told me earlier mona?"
she sighs, "there's been a big shift in cosmic energy. while i'm not too sure about it's origins, it's coming from liyue, and i'm almost certain it has something to do with the war."
kaeya's heart sinks, "any predictions come up?"
"a few," mona mumbles as water begins to intertwine with her fingers, "predictions about both sides actually."
"what do they say?" diluc questions.
an astronomy wheel appears at mona's fingertips as the other three watch the two rings spin.
"the war's ending soon."
and even albedo's eyes widen at the notion. "why do you say that?"
"just what i'm seeing here," mona mumbles.
kaeya turns to diluc, relief in his eyes, "the war's almost over."
"our lives will go back to normal."
and albedo's gaze narrows as he watches the two brothers relax.
"neither of you regret anything right?"
kaeya stiffens, "of course, i don't," he tells the alchemist.
"i warned you that your lives would change the minute you agree to work with him," albedo recalls, "and neither of you clearly took my warnings."
"he recruited you too didn't he?" diluc asks.
"he did, yes," albedo nods, "but unlike you two, i didn't want to directly involve myself with a high figure like him, especially in the brutal times of war."
"albedo, he's not-"
diluc nudges his brother's shoulder, "mona, what else did it say?"
"let me see," she mumbles before a soft gasp leaves her lips, eyes widening as she reads the chart, "what?"
"what is it?" diluc instantly asks, walking to see the chart for himself.
"can you even read it?" mona deadpans before sighing.
"not exactly, but if it's gonna elicit a response like that from you, i can't help but try."
"someone's dying," she says, closing out of the chart.
"wait wait," kaeya quickly steps in, approaching the astrologist, "someone we know? or just like other people."
"don't just call them other people asshole," diluc rolls his eyes.
"someone you know," mona tells the two, and instantly their focus is back on her. "i'm not sure if it's harbinger or qixing, or even if you know anyone from the other side. but this is war, death is inevitable."
"do you know who?" kaeya asks, concern lacing his tone.
"like i said," mona clarifies as she rolls her eyes, "i don't. astrology can only give me so many details about people i don't even know."
"is there any way you can find out?"
"kaeya," albedo cuts in as he walks toward the blue haired boy.
"what? do you know?"
he shakes his head as he meets the boy's gaze, "i do not," albedo sighs, "but tell me again, why did you ask to meet with me?"
"because-" kaeya hesitates.
"because he's worried about tartaglia."
kaeya turns to his brother, "and you aren't?"
"of course i am," diluc answers. "but you have to understand, tartaglia's a more than capable fighter."
"but this is war," kaeya mumbles, "and albedo's right, he's a very known person in the war."
"he'll be fine," albedo reassures before sliding a potion to mona. "try this."
"what is it?" she mumbles.
"it's to get a better reading on their friend." albedo turns back to kaeya, "you're spending all this time worrying about someone who you barely even know."
"well if you fight alongside someone for a month, you'll most certainly know him better."
"is that trust not there then?" albedo questions. "the trust between two capable people who will always have each other's back?"
"well- i'm just concerned okay? is it wrong for me to be concerned over someone i care about?"
and that sends a shock down diluc's spine, "that's why we're here," he says rather sternly, "for your peace of mind. i'm telling you brother he'll be fine."
"well i'm not too sure about that notion."
the three boys turn to mona, a new wheel in front of her. kaeya's heart sinks, "what do you see?"
"that he's in love."
diluc blinks, "wait what?"
"he's in love," mona sighs wistfully, "and with someone from his past too, that's sweet."
"tartaglia's never mentioned a lover before," diluc mumbles.
"well that is a personal affair," albedo clarifies. "i don't think he'd bring that up with his coworkers, especially in his line of work."
"fair," kaeya mumbles before turning to mona, "how recent is this?"
"fairly recent actually," mona sighs. "like a month or two back."
"wait," diluc cuts in, "we already knew him by then."
"so he's been hiding this from us?"
"again," albedo reminds the two, "personal and work affairs are two different things."
diluc's eyes widen before he turns to his brother, "do you remember the jade chamber party?"
a small gasp leaves kaeya's lips, "so you saw that too then?"
"i thought he was just flirting with some girl."
"i thought i was just seeing things."
kaeya's face falls flat, "but she's qixing."
"and he's harbinger."
mona sighs, "oh how tragic."
"what is it?" diluc questions.
"death."
and a chill runs down kaeya's spine.
"what about it?" he answers carefully.
"i'm not sure if it's death to their love or physical death, but it's inevitable between the two of them," mona mumbles.
diluc slowly turns to his brother, "you don't think-"
"he wouldn't-"
"he would," mona mumbles, eyes not leaving the wheel, "he loves her, he most certainly would."
"fuck," kaeya whispers.
"do we know this girl?" diluc tries.
mona only nods.
the two brothers turn to each other, "who in the world is it?" diluc mumbles.
"before i forget," albedo mumbles before the air becomes too thick, "i actually have something for you two."
"what is it?" diluc stiffens as albedo reaches into his coat jacket and the two boys look at each other when albedo hands them both envelopes.
"they came in last night," albedo tells the two, "the messenger seemed rather frantic about getting these to you as soon as possible."
"i see," diluc nods as he immediately recognizes the handwriting.
tartaglia.
a gasp leaves his lips on reading, a small tremble in his hands as he reads through the answers childe had originally promised him.
prototype delusion…
…monsters sent by the harbingers
backfired plan.
i'm sorry.
and as the revelations and conclusions begin to file into his mind, diluc can't help the tear that slips from his eye.
his father's death was an accident, a miscalculation from the harbingers all those years ago.
"three days," he hears kaeya mumble.
and diluc's eyes land on the bottom of the page as they instantly widen.
make your way back to liyue harbor, we will attack in three days time. we need you there.
"attack in three days," diluc mumbles before turning to his brother and then back to mona.
"the end of the war," she whispers.
"we need to leave brother," kaeya tells him as he folds the letter back into his envelope.
"you're right," he nods, "we do."
the two turn to albedo and mona, "thank you for your help," kaeya nods.
"you're welcome," albedo sighs.
diluc turns to mona, "payment will be wired to you shortly,"
and she can't help but relax at the notion, "thank you, i was too scared to ask."
"now go save teyvat or whatever," she calls after the two boys as they make their way out of the laboratory.
"did you do the other reading i asked you to do?" albedo's words are stone cold as he turns to mona the second the door shuts.
"i did," she nods solemly.
"and what'd it say?"
"that the harbinger and qixing pair aren't the only people with death in their cards."
Notes:
oh my god, i have been DYING to put mona and albedo somewhere in this story...other than childe (lol yeah that's a given) those two are my favorite characters in the game lol
predictions predictions hmm this is rather explicit foreshadowing if i do say so myself bahaha
thanks for reading!
Chapter 30: twenty nine
Summary:
his message spreads like wildfire, everyone scrambles for a plan of attack as the conclusion to the battle draws near
Chapter Text
there will be an attack in three days.
xiao stares at the last line in childe's letter, blinking as he rereads it. sure, the adeptus was only promised answers, but he never thought the harbinger would include a warning in the letter as well.
his eyes scan over the document once more. maybe he's just seeing things. maybe this isn't his letter and it's supposed to go to a harbinger. yet he only finds the answers he's been promised, an explanation about his old archon and an old contract even the elite couldn't find in his research, and he can't ignore the feeling of guilt setting on him.
he checks the back of the envelope only to see it addressed to smiley.
yep, this letter is most definitely for him.
so why? why would the harbinger drop something like this in a letter meant for someone on the other side? he knows xiao has no intention of switching sides, and that he'll continue to fight for his city, but this practically gave away the biggest surprise the harbingers probably had in store for the city.
there will be an attack in three days.
xiao reads the letter one more time, still in shock and disbelief. there's so many questions he wished to ask, but he's well aware the harbinger had no time to answer them, let alone even write a response back. maybe, he's already back in the city. maybe he's with the soldiers planning the supposed attack. maybe he should go see him, find his two mondstat friends again to hand deliver a letter to him.
but no, he can't ignore the feeling in his stomach that tells him this attack is something way bigger than he was planning.
the fact that the elite even warned him spurred his senses. if it were something like soldiers charging for land, the harbinger probably wouldn't have said anything. if they were planning another conflict then the harbinger would've kept his mouth shut until the two faced each other again. but no, this feels planned. this attack feels meticulous and detailed to the point where the harbinger must've known this was coming for some time now.
xiao's eyes widen.
they're ending the war.
he's quick to teleport into the jade chamber, garnering shocks from the secretaries of the palace, workers he still had yet to remember. "adeptus?" one of them blinks.
his eyes are laced with panic, "i'm looking for ningguang."
another of the workers comes up to xiao, "she's in her office, but i don't think she wants to be disturbed."
"i need to see her."
"but she-"
"please," he tries, "this is an emergency."
the two workers look at each other before gesturing for him to follow them down the stairs to her office. one of them knocks carefully on the door.
"lady ningguang?"
"baiwen," xiao hears her say, "i'm quite busy right now."
"yes, i'm aware," baiwen nods, "but someone's here to see you." she opens up the door to reveal xiao standing next to her.
ningguang puts her pen down on seeing the adeptus, "xiao?"
he immediately rushes in, "we have an emergency."
she looks down at him before looking to the secretary at the door who immediately takes her leave. "what is it?" she asks the moment the door shuts.
"there's gonna be an attack on liyue harbor."
ningguang blinks, "what?"
"a big attack, in three days," xiao continues.
she sucks in a breath, "how do you know this?"
xiao hesitates, he can't tell her that he's been in contact with an elite, it'll be his and your downfall.
wait.
you.
the harbinger probably told xiao about the attack to protect you.
he meets the tianquan's gaze, "i overheard some harbingers talking about it."
"well that might just be a minor attack then," ningguang waves off, "nothing our millileth can't handle. do you know where it's taking place?"
"i don't," xiao answers, "but it wasn't just harbingers talking about it."
ningguang quirks a brow at that, "then who?"
"an elite, i saw one of them discussing battle plans for a big attack with some soldiers," he lies.
"which elite?"
"tartaglia."
well, he wasn't gonna lie about that part.
"i see," ningguang nods before meeting xiao's gaze. "bring the rest of the qixing in here, notify them of another meeting."
"will do," xiao nods.
"and can you also ask my secretaries to prepare the rations and citizens for evacuation?"
"of course," xiao answers before turning back to her, "wait, rations?"
her eyes darken, "i've seen this day coming for months now," she tells the adeptus. "it's only inevitable that the harbingers bring their final attack to the city."
"so you think the war's ending?"
"that i do," she nods firmly, "i've been preparing rations for our citizens as well as a place where we can all evacuate."
"where might that be?"
"at the bottom of the mountains of nantianmen," she answers, "i had an old friend prepare for us in advance."
xiao blinks at her words.
zhongli.
"i see," he nods, "i'll notify everyone right away."
"good," she replies, "please relay to them what you told me, we'll discuss our plans when we're all together."
"alright," xiao nods before turning to walk out the door.
"adeptus."
xiao freezes, turning around slowly to face her, "yes lady ningguang?"
"thank you for telling me."
"of course," he nods. "i'm here to fight for liyue, and i'll make sure the city is safe at all costs."
"good," ningguang nods before xiao begins to walk out of the chamber, the guilt continuing to sit on him as he notified the secretaries to prepare the rations. the weight sat on his shoulders as he told the qixing about the meeting. but he couldn't help the sheer amount of regret when he told you about the meeting.
"an emergency?" you ask.
xiao lets out a sigh, "i got a message from tartaglia about an attack."
and he doesn't miss the way you stiffen at the familiar name, "i see," you hum, "i'll be there soon."
"of course," xiao nods before turning out of your office.
a sigh leaves his lips as he closes your office door.
he should've never let you two meet.
Chapter 31: thirty
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"get everyone out to nantianmen!" you yell once more to the soldiers who continue to go door to door. "travel light! move quickly! there isn't a moment to spare."
you watch as families file out into the street. there's a kid crying in his mother's arms as she attempts to soothe him. there's a small boy walking aimlessly as his eyes search for his parents who he seems to have lost in the crowd yet doesn't try to find. there's an old woman being escorted by her caretaker, complaining about how the city's gone into madness as the caretaker does his best to console her as the only thing she holds in her hands is a picture frame.
"kaiyang."
the voice of a civilian snaps you out of your thoughts as you meet their gaze. it's a family, a father, a mother, and two boys staring at you. "yes?" you nod, "what is it?"
"what's happening?"
you hesitate, "we're just testing some new extra precautions, running a practice run on the city in case an emergency does truly occur," you relay the same words ningguang told all of the qixing to tell the crowd. "do not worry," you reassure, looking down at the two boys who held nothing but fear in their eyes, "you have nothing to worry about." your gaze turns to the parents, "this will only last a few days, and everyone will be compensated for their participation."
"i see," the father nods before gesturing for his family to continue walking, "thank you kaiyang."
"of course," you nod grimly watching the family go off and follow the sea of people to nantianmen.
"kaiyang."
a different voice calls out to you, this time one of a millelith soldier.
"what is it?" you question.
"at this rate, i don't think we can get everyone out to the evacuation point in time."
"that's not the point of this," you mumble before looking her in the eye. "all we need to do is keep them out of the city." your voice turns soft, "we know the harbingers plan to attack the city, we just need to get everyone out far enough before danger ensues."
the soldier looks at you with wide eyes.
"an attack?"
you instantly cover her mouth, "keep your voice down," you whisper, "we can't let anyone know danger is coming. it'll only scare the crowd."
"right," she nods quickly as you remove your hand, voice now just as soft as yours, "sorry."
"it's fine," you sigh, "this is so last minute. we never relayed the truth to some of the soldiers." you look at her, "don't tell them, okay? we need people to be as calm as possible throughout this."
"understood," she nods before taking a glance out into the crowd, "it's amazing how many of them peacefully followed you."
"when you throw a potential new danger at them, they're more likely to be as cautious as you," you sigh. "that's what the tianquan told us."
"so if we tell people we're practicing an evacuation, then they'll actually take it seriously since we've never done it before?"
you nod, "exactly."
"alright," she says firmly, "i'll keep directing everyone out then."
"sounds good," you smile, "you're doing well, keep it up."
you can't help but notice the small grin on her face at your words, "will do kaiyang." and with that she's directing the crowd, first stopping at the now crying boy who couldn't seem to find his parents.
you steal a glance at the city gates, watching the flood move out of the city as the soldiers continue to guide them down the path. you smile when you catch old friends helping stragglers, picking out a pink haired lawyer in the crowd as she helps some of the elderly up the cliff. you laugh when you catch a rather fiery chef handing out rations to the crowd with her father, a grimace forming on her face when some kids pet the small god that followed her.
and then your eyes leave the main entrance, gaze narrowing on a strange small ship approaching the harbor. your gaze narrows as you move to get a closer look as you spot two people jump off the small ship that they parked on the dock.
one with blue hair and one with red hair.
one with an eye patch and one with a big coat.
both you recall being a part of ajax's party.
your heart drops.
kaeya and diluc.
khaenri'ah's last hope and mondstat's unsung hero, the two members of ajax's forces.
you instantly turn to the nearest soldier, "i'll be back," you tell them in a panic, "make sure everyone keeps moving."
"w-will do," he stutters, shocked as he watches you run toward the dock, towards the small ship that illegally landed in the harbor, towards the two people tied to the man you wish you didn't love.
your footsteps slow as you approach, staying light on your feet as you do your best to remain out of their line of sight.
"they're evacuating," one of them says.
"that's…odd," the other answers.
"do we know if childe's here yet?"
"haven't heard from him since the letter saying to meet here."
"well," one of them sighs, "we are a bit early after all."
"and i thought he'd want to talk strategy with us," the other laughs.
"like he'd want to talk strategy with you," and you can hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "if anything he'd just tell you to jump into battle."
"it's how i fight," you hear the other reason. "it's what childe loves about me."
"and the one thing you two share in common."
you jump out from your place, sword in hand as you approach the two.
"neither of you move."
the blue haired man looks at you with wide eyes, "that's a great way to say hello."
"we mean no harm," the red haired man tells you.
"then why are you here?"
"we're supposed to meet a friend here," he answers, "but what's with the evacuation?"
"a practice drill," you tell the two, ice lacing your tone, "neither of you are supposed to be here right now."
you watch as the red haired man straightens up, "are you perhaps the kaiyang?"
you blink, "that's me, yes."
"just the person we're looking for," the blue haired man smiles.
your heart drops to your stomach as your grip on your sword tightens, "who are you two?"
the red head sighs, "i'm diluc, he's kaeya, and we've been ordered by the tsaritsa to kill you."
you freeze.
so he did tell people.
"wow," kaeya blinks, "so direct."
"why are you out to kill me?"
"because the tsaritsa said to kill anyone who was rumored to be the traitor," kaeya explains. "tartaglia seems to say you're not it, but she doesn't trust him, especially considering the amount of intel we have."
you blink.
so he didn't tell people?
"i'm not the traitor," you tell the two firmly, "believe your elite when he says i'm not it."
"well," diluc sighs, "tartaglia may be our boss, but we take orders from the tsaritsa." and your heart sinks as he pulls his claymore out.
kaeya laughs, pulling out his own sword, "we can't take risks at a time like this," he adds. "besides, the tsaritsa specifically asked for your head."
no.
the two come rushing at you as you do your best to deflect their movements.
there's no way.
you push kaeya back as diluc's fire melts your ice. there are two of them, two incredibly capable soldiers swinging their weapons with the intent to kill. you jump back, garnering some distance from the two.
"the way you're fighting says you're hiding something," kaeya laughs.
"i'm not telling you shit," you grit out before running at his older brother, landing a couple hits on him before his brother can push you away.
"what do you know about tartaglia?" diluc coughs out as he stands up.
"nothing," you tell the two, gaze narrowing.
"because if i remember properly, i saw you both at the party together," kaeya reminds you.
and your eyes instantly widen.
"no wonder you looked so familiar," diluc hums.
"t-that wasn't me," you reason.
"why do you deny the man you love?"
and at that, your heart drops.
that's when the two boys move.
"he loves you too ya know?" kaeya sighs as he lands a blow to your stomach.
you fly back with a gasp, back hitting the ground.
"he," you cough, "doesn't."
"he does," diluc nods as he stands over you with sword in hand. you move to stand up but kaeya's newfound grip on your arms is tight.
"bullshit," you grit out as the sound of the crowd seems to grow louder, a bigger crowd starting to make their way out of the harbor. their clamor seems to overwhelm your thoughts as you hear the voices of people guiding them throughout the street. "you wouldn't be trying to kill me if he did."
"he'd probably fight us if he saw this," diluc mumbles, "but we take orders from the tsaritsa, and her words take priority over his."
the voices grow louder.
people.
soldiers.
a loud scream leaves your lips, one that seems to send a silence over the nearby crowd of people.
"shit," kaeya mumbles.
diluc turns to him, "we need to leave."
a crowd of synchronized footsteps approach. soldiers, you can't help but think.
but the two boys have other plans.
"tie her," diluc nods as kaeya takes your other hand and ties both around your back.
"where the hell did you even get that?" you blink.
"we had a back up plan," he smirks as he pulls you up and towards the ship. "unless you want your precious harbinger to meet his end, you'll keep quiet."
"you wouldn't kill him," you grit out.
"technically we could," diluc nods, "he did break protocol after all."
you blink, "and how do you know that?"
"you wouldn't be evacuating right now if he didn't."
and that seems to shut you up nicely.
a sigh leaves your lips as you board the small ship with kaeya and diluc. diluc pushes your head down as the two hide at the sound of voices.
"who was that?"
"you heard it too?"
"it sounded like a scream."
"well no one's here."
"we need to get back then, the crowd's asking questions."
"just say what the kaiyang told you, she's counting on us to help."
and with that, the soldiers take their leave, fear settling over you as you feel the small boat begin to move away from shore.
Notes:
i'll leave it here for now hehe the rest of act four will come shortly :D
honestly...i had no plan to do this. the kidnapping was nowhere in my outline and i just came up with it on the spot and honestly...kinda smart of me considering where the rest of the story's going lmaooo, i hope you're as excited as i am :D
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 32: thirty one
Summary:
a breach of protocol is enough to tip the scales, the harbinger just hopes they still somehow tip in his favor.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"everyone's evacuating right now childe."
childe stops at the front door on hearing zhongli's voice. "how'd you know it was me?"
zhongli only smiles at him. "the qixing are all helping evacuate, and you're the only harbinger who knows where i live."
"i see," childe nods. "i take it xiao got my message then."
zhongli looks up from his tea cup, "oh? so this is because of you?"
and he only smiles sheepishly, "more or less."
"letting the adeptus know about your battle plans," zhongli mumbles. "isn't that a breach of protocol?"
childe hesitates for a moment, "let's just say i owed him one."
zhongli only stares at him before he nods, not willing to press further. "i see."
"now how did you know that everyone was evacuating?"
"because an old friend asked me to stock up some rations not too far from here."
"oh," childe nods, "so that's what all the clamor was about."
"yeah," zhongli laughs softly, "no one's ever out here, it's new to have neighbors."
"does anyone even know you're alive?"
zhongli thinks for a moment, "not that i'm aware of. both the director and i disappeared from the funeral parlor when we learned you both were after our heads."
"you know, we never found where the director was located," childe mumbles.
"that's because only two people in the world know her location."
"who?"
"now why would i tell you?"
"right," childe says with a small grin, "you can't tell me that."
"someone's bound to find her somewhere out there," zhongli mumbles, "i just don't think you all searched the right places."
"we thought she died," childe mumbles. "we stopped searching after someone told us they found her body."
"she's not dead though."
"must've faked it, she's clever like that."
zhongli sighs, "harbinger."
"yes zhongli?"
"why did you tell the adeptus your battle plans?"
"you're pressing."
"because for once in my life, i want answers."
childe laughs, "you never want those, it's always the other way around."
"so maybe now you'll repay the favor," zhongli tells him. "why betray your tsaritsa?"
a soft sigh leaves childe's lips, eyes going down to the table.
"because i love someone on the other side."
zhongli's gaze doesn't waiver as he continues.
"the kaiyang may hate me now, but i made a promise to protect her. i refuse to let her die in this final battle."
"you may find yourself face to face with her again soon," zhongli reminds him.
"i'm aware," childe mumurs.
"what are you going to do if you see her?"
and at that he hesitates. "i'm not sure," he says after a moment, "depends on where she stands with me."
"probably the same as when you last saw her."
"she was scary," childe laughs, "i understand why some of my soldiers are scared of her."
"she's known for her icy glare," zhongli reminds him.
"it's probably how she gets her info," childe smiles, the notion of you instilling fear into others making him smile. it's rather cynical, but it's something he finds impressive. "but we'll probably clash once more."
"are you ready for that moment when it comes?"
"probably not," childe mumbles recalling the last fight. "i couldn't even kill her."
"do you still plan to?"
"if i can save her i will."
"and if you can't?"
"then," childe hesitates, "i'll find another way to protect her."
"even at the expense of your own life?"
"in a heartbeat."
zhongli's eyes widen at that.
"i keep my promises," childe reminds him, "even if it costs me life."
"even for someone on the other side?"
"i love her," childe reminds him, voice firm, "whatever side she's on doesn't matter at this point. the war's ending soon, it won't matter once we win."
"and if you lose?"
"we won't."
"she'll resent you."
and childe sighs, "there's really no winning with you is there?"
zhongli smiles at his words. "just trying to find your reasoning here."
childe groans, "don't doubt me and the harbingers."
"i'm not," zhongli monotonously answers. "i doubt yn will still love you after the war."
and a frown curls on his lips at zhongli's words. he's right, the chances of you still loving him after watching him in battle seems rather slim. but childe only gives the man a smile.
"there's no harm in trying."
maybe you'll understand, maybe you'll understand his loyalty to his leader, why he did the things he did. maybe you'll understand his situation and place in this war. maybe you'll understand the reason why all his plans halted when you came back into his life.
"try all you want then harbinger," zhongli shakes his head. "just be wary with her, she's not one to give second chances."
and childe pauses at that, "what do you know that i don't?"
"most definitely more than you think i do," zhongli meets his gaze.
"after all, you're not the only one who shared information for the sake of the war."
childe's eyes widen at that.
"information hidden behind easy to crack loopholes," zhongli chuckles, "surprised you didn't figure out it was her until she explicitly told you."
"what do you know?" childe immediately asks.
"again," zhongli tells him, "you're asking the wrong questions.
childe sighs, "you know what never mind. i can just get the information from the source." he stands up from the table.
"if you can see her again that is," zhongli tells him, remaining in his place at the table as childe walks closer to the door.
"like you said," the harbinger nods, "we're bound to clash once more. the war is about to end after all."
zhongli sighs, "just don't die ajax."
and a chill runs down childe's spine at the given name.
"i'll live," childe tells him.
"maybe when you come back, we can discuss something other than the war."
"perhaps i can give you answers to your questions this time."
zhongli can't help but smile at that.
"i'm looking forward to it."
Notes:
aaaand (unless i'm blanking right now) that's the last of zhongli in this story!
so i'm including a new segment since we're nearing the end of the story, and it's called: what do the characters do when their story ends? zhongli helps take care of the evacuated citizens, many people are shocked to find he's still alive, but regardless he remains kind to them. after the war, he returns to the harbor and the funeral parlor, where he reunites with a certain director.
thanks for waiting on the new chapter! 3
Chapter 33: thirty two
Summary:
hook, line sink. a bargain, a barter, anything to escape back to your side, and to make sure the one you love stays safe in the process.
Chapter Text
yaoguang shoal.
you know liyue like the back of your hand, but you're rather surprised that the two brothers decided to dock here. after all, if you had the opportunity, you could easily run to the nearby millieth camp hidden in the nearby cliffs. heck if you really wanted to you could ice bridge across the sea back to liyue. but that's exhausting, you'd rather not use those tactics.
after all, kaeya could probably follow right behind you.
"get up," kaeya's voice pulls you out of your thoughts as he pulls you up from the boat and onto the shore.
"you shouldn't really handle your victims like this," you grit out before a cool metal pressed into your throat.
"and you really shouldn't make jokes when your life is on the line."
"right," you cough.
you need a way out. you need a way out now before the two brothers actually man up and kill you. you rack your mind for ideas as you stay silent.
"we can spare her you know," diluc mumbles. "she's rather valuable."
"and dangerous," kaeya mumbles, "do you know what would happen if the qixing found out about her disappearance?"
"are you suggesting we kill her now?"
kaeya only shakes his head, "i suggest we compromise."
diluc quirks a brow at that, "what are you implying brother?"
"simple," kaeya shrugs before removing the blade from your throat and placing it in his hilt. "we get intel out of her first then we kill her."
"you're not getting shit out of me," you remind the two before attempting to squirm out of the rope tying your hands together.
time.
buy yourself some time. time to plan. time to come up with an escape.
time to find a way to use this to help the qixing.
but diluc places a hand on your shoulder, "that's not happening." he turns to kaeya, "it'll take some time for her to crack."
"then we just put childe's life on the line again."
your eyes widen at that.
"that seems like punishment enough to her don't you think?"
perfect.
keep stalling, keep talking to them, spur them on a bit and maybe then they'll figure out who they're dealing with. after all, you're kaiyang for a reason, and you most definitely can do more than obtain intel.
"you care too much to kill him."
kaeya's focus turns back to you, "if he's going against the tsaritsa i'm afraid we'll have no choice."
"he's right," diluc adds. "the evacuation shows clear signs that someone fed you intel."
"someone did," you lie, "but it wasn't him."
diluc thinks for a moment, "then who was it?"
and you feed the same lie xiao told the others, the same lie to protect the harbinger that practically saved them. "some soldiers," you tell the two. "one of my sources heard them discussing it."
hook, line, sink.
your method of cracking your victims, the tactic you use to mentally break your enemies. find their reasoning, go to the very source of their motives. after all, you've got the upper hand here.
you know much more about them than they think you do.
"interesting," kaeya mumbles before turning to his brother.
"she could be lying."
"i don't think she'd lie if her life is on the line."
"please," diluc sighs, "she's the traitor she would."
"again," you mumble, "not the traitor."
"why do you lie?" diluc questions. "there's enough intel to back up that you are."
"the only thing telling the tsaritsa otherwise is childe and even then she's still wary of you," kaeya adds. "she wouldn't have told us to kill you if she wasn't."
"he loves you," kaeya almost taunts. "you're on the other side yet he still loves you."
and you once again retaliate, "he does not."
and again kaeya asks, "why do you deny it?"
"he wouldn't have lied to me if he did," you hiss, "if he loved me he would've told me he was an elite, he wouldn't have lied to me."
"well would you love him if you knew about his stance in the war earlier?"
you think, "probably not."
"there you go," kaeya scoffs.
you stare at the boy wide eyed before a sigh leaves your lips, "look okay fine i may not be the traitor but if you kill me childe will have your heads."
hook, line, sink.
keep searching until you find your opening.
"then we take his," kaeya mumbles. "he can't do two on one."
"again, you won't kill him," you answer. "you care too much to do so."
"but this is a war," diluc explains, "unlike him, we'd put personal feelings aside for our cause."
perfect.
you think for a moment, a brief silence looking over you before you turn to diluc.
"do you really believe in the tsaritsa's ideals?"
diluc's eyes go wide.
"i know what happened to your father," you add beginning your usual interrogation tactics with ease. "he died at the hands of a harbinger delusion didn't he? surely you can't be on good terms with the harbingers after that. there must be some alternative motive here. besides, i don't think you're one to side with your father's killer aren't you?"
hook.
"so tell me, why did you join the harbingers?" you question as the boy just stares.
"for answers then i take it?" you think out loud. "surely, the harbingers must know something about his death. surely, you'll need childe alive for that won't you? or maybe there's something more there. he is a delusion user after all isn't he? he fights just as fervently as your father did right?"
line.
"maybe you want to protect him the same way you wish you could've protected your father? does that sound right?"
sink.
his silence speaks volumes, and you take that as your cue to turn to kaeya, frozen in shock at the way you so easily unpacked his character.
"what about you? khaenriah's last man standing? i heard somewhere you joined for the pure thrill of battle, but that doesn't sound like something you'd do considering your purpose of living in this world?"
"what in the world are you talking about?" he questions.
hook.
"you surely must know," you continue. "you must've joined after seeing childe, something in him must've swayed you. after all, no one would join a life or death war with such trivial reasoning." you meet his gaze, stealing a glance at his eyepatch. "you must know the secrets of the old world considering your lineage, yet i can't help but wonder how you've aged so normally in this one?"
"are you from the abyss by any chance?"
line.
"i-"
"you must've seen the heralds in the abyss, you must've seen the way they transform, and i take it you're also aware of a certain someone's foul legacy?" you continue. "it's a rather brash level of combat considering the toll it takes on one's body."
"okay but-"
"you care too much to kill him," you cut off. "you wish to protect him because you hope he has some ties to your homeland, something to help you bring an end to the world you live in now."
sink.
and kaeya's eyes move towards the ground, wide in shock at how you so easily figured out his true motives.
"brother?" diluc finally calls out as his brother sinks to his knees, releasing his grip on you.
and you smile as you finally create some distance between you both, watching as diluc rushes to his brother's side before using your vision to freeze the ice around your wrists to break free.
"face it," you sigh as diluc stares daggers at you. "you two can't kill him, you care too much about him to do so."
"but we surely don't care about you," diluc grits out before pulling out his claymore.
"hang on a second!" you exclaim.
i can do this.
you jump back as you block his strike
i can find a way out. i can use this to my advantage.
"what the hell do you want now?" he mumbles under his breath.
a small sigh leaves your lips.
"i can help you."
and that certainly catches him off guard.
he steps back, sword still in hand as his gaze narrows. "how can you do that?"
you smile.
"what if the harbingers had a traitor of their own?"
and that most definitely gets the brother's attention.
"what do you mean?" you hear kaeya question.
you approach the two slowly. "i'm a member of the qixing, and i know you're planning an attack," you explain. "i know the ins and outs of the city as well as confidential information about my coworkers." you smile as the two of them stare at your dumbfounded, "i know the tsaritsa wanted to kill me, but i could be a valuable asset to you, couldn't i?'
the two brothers only turn to each other, exchanging glances before kaeya turns back to you. "and why should we trust you?" his gaze narrows. "you could just be using this as an excuse to escape."
"i could be," you mumble. "but i could also be trying to help the man i love."
"so you don't deny it?"
"i only did because i'm scared of loving him." you can't help but notice the way kaeya stiffens at your words. "i want to help him. i'm mad at him for lying of course, but i want him to live. i need him to survive, because," a small sigh leaves your lips as you stare at the ground, your rare honesty with mere strangers making your voice go soft.
"i don't think i could without him."
"you won't betray us?" diluc questions.
"of course not," you nod. "i'm a snezhayan native, after all, you know how we are with promises."
"that we do," kaeya mumbles. "but i still don't trust it."
a sigh leaves your lips, "ningguang is the name of the tianquan. she's the one who constructs the laws in our city. while everyone in the qixing ranks equal, she's the one who took charge in the war."
diluc stares, "what are you-"
"keqing is the name of our yuheng. she works with the land, so real estate and construction. she's the one who planned our rations and supplies. she helped build the houses that our citizens will be evacuating to."
"kaeya what is she-"
"shhh, this is important."
it's really not. most of these are trade secrets you could easily get out of merchants. none of the qixing's true names are secrets. it's their pasts and connections that remain confidential to the public eye.
"ganyu is our secretary. while not a member of the qixing she is essential in helping us with our daily tasks and assignments. she's got a tendency of overworking and doesn't have the best sleep schedule despite how we push her to take breaks," you can't help but smile at that detail, throwing it in to hopefully seem more believable to the two boys.
but you don't dare reveal the fact that she's also an adeptus. that she chose to stay despite cloud retainer leaving. you don't dare mention how she visits mt. aocang weekly, how she trains with xiao to get stronger, and how she continues to play off her horns as a headpiece.
"and me, the kaiyang," you finish. "half inazuman with a sound secret of snezhayan heritage and past residence in order to garner support from the qixing aligned crowds. i work in foreign affairs, particularly in business trades and shipping not just in the port but outside as well." you meet their gaze.
"if that doesn't convince you that i'm here to help then i don't know what will."
diluc quirks a brow, "your heritage is a secret?"
"it was supposed to be," you sigh. "but people are quick to learn details about a newcomer, especially one who wasn't from liyue. it's rather suspicious in times like these."
kaeya sighs, "boats will be docking on the harbor at midnight two days' time," he tells you. "you better be on one of them."
"we'll meet with you tomorrow to obtain more information," diluc continues. "we'll meet here at noon sharp."
"of course," you smile, relief beginning to wash over you. "i'll be there tomorrow and fighting by your side the next day."
and diluc smiles at that, "we're glad to have you."
but kaeya's gaze narrows, "don't make us regret it."
"i won't," you smile. "but i do need to head back to the harbor."
"you-"
"won't say a word," you nod. "i promise."
"but-"
"the qixing will get worried if i don't show up," you tell the two before continuing on your way. "you do want to keep me out of suspicion don't you?"
"you-"
"kaeya!" diluc calls out, "let her go."
"fine," he groans. "don't let us regret this!"
"i won't!"
and you can't help but sigh in relief as you walk off. if this will protect ajax, then so be it. you'd do anything to make sure he stays out of the line of fire, out of the suspicions of his own god, even join the other side.
but it's only temporary, something to stall for time so you can return to your side. after all, your allegiance is always to them, no matter what kind of love comes in the way.
—
"i still don't trust her."
"i could track her."
"you can do that?"
"a rare trick my father taught me when he gave me my vision," diluc nods as a small ember appear between his fingers, one shaped like a small bird. "it won't bother her nor hurt her, she won't notice it."
"but you can still find it?"
"it's like a bird coming back to its owner," diluc tells his brother. "if something suspicious happens it'll report back to me."
"then we can kill her?"
"before anyone else can get to her, yes."
Chapter 34: thirty three
Summary:
a small ember burns bright just like the fire behind a burning secret, one that threatens to come to light
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
it's been around five hours since anyone last saw you.
you can determine that much from the sun's position in the sky, or more accurately, a lack thereof. when you last left the harbor everyone was evacuating from an unknown danger. everyone was clearing out as a supposed practice drill, taking their most precious belongings with them as if they were actually preparing for an emergency.
they were, and you're honestly surprised no one figured it out considering how loud the millelith was when discussing it.
the harbor's almost deserted when you make your way back. other than the occasional soldier or government official, everyone was out in the houses near qingce village. ningguang was the one in charge of rallying the crowds along with ganyu and xiao (who surprisingly took charge of evacuating the citizens). you were supposed to be with keqing who stayed back to help prepare the soldiers and look out for any stragglers. it was a good plan honestly, considering how last minute everything was. you can't help but smile when you see keqing approaching you with worried eyes.
"oh yn," she sighs as her arms wrap around you.
"hi keqing," you smile as you rest your head on her shoulder.
she pulls away to take a look at you, "where have you been? are you hurt? is everything okay?"
"i'm-" you open your mouth to answer before something tugs at you to stop.
there's a burning sensation crawling down your spine, one you haven't shaken off since you left kaeya and diluc.
it feels like there's a match running down your body, not bothering to leave your skin despite how you fight it. it clings onto you as if it were meant to track you. it's inevitable that they wouldn't trust a stranger, nor would they let the person they were supposed to kill run free. something's following you.
no, someone's following you.
"i'm okay," you nod. "but i can't stay with you for long."
"what?" keqing only stares at you, confused. "did something happen?" she steals a glance at your arms, eyes widening on seeing the cuts and bruises from your fight not too long ago. a small gasp leaves her lips, "what happened to your arm?"
"nothing!" you instantly hide it behind your back to which she only quirks a brow. "it's nothing," you repeated, "i just had a run in with some hilichurls on my way here," you lie.
"okay," she mumbles, "but where were you? everyone's been worried sick."
definitely not getting kidnapped and swayed into a deal by the harbingers, that's for sure.
"i," you pause, "had an issue with some of the soldiers as they evacuated civilians out," you quickly answer. "yeah, some of them were talking about the harbinger's warning and it was starting to freak people out."
keqing stiffens, "so some of them know that the harbingers are coming?"
"fortunately not," you smile, "i lied my way out of it and lectured the soldiers." you meet her gaze, "don't worry the civilians still think it's a practice drill."
"good," she nods, a small smile forming on her lips, "then let's go, we have a lot of work to do."
you nod as you follow behind her, the burning sensation only continuing to grow with every step into liyue that you take.
—
it's almost early morning when all of the qixing make their way back to the jade chamber.
"we did it," keqing sighs.
"i can't believe we pulled it all off," ganyu groans before slumping into the nearest chair.
"everyone's safe and away from the war," xiao smiles.
"and no one knows what's truly going on," ningguang adds as she closes the door to her office.
"we did it," you mumble before melting into a chair yourself, but you can't help but feel the burning sensation crawling through your skin.
it seemed to have a pulse, growing stronger every time you did something that would supposedly get you caught, every moment you hesitated before lying to your coworkers, every interaction you had with the civilians. but it seemed to quell when you spoke with keqing about government plans when you and ningguang watched and helped the citizens settle into the small homes, and it felt like it disappeared any time you spoke with xiao, almost out of fear.
is this what you wanted diluc? to betray the nation and people i know and love?
the pain grew sharper.
the answer was yes.
your eyes widen as you remember the promise you left the two boys.
yaoguang shoal, noon.
the journey in itself was around three hours, it was barely six in the morning, and you could see everyone was absolutely exhausted.
"we need to start prepping our soldiers," ningguang sighs.
"right," keqing nods before sitting up straight, "i doubt half of them are ready to fight in a battle. much less one against the bloodthirsty harbingers."
"right," xiao nods. "there's still some here i can help train them."
"i can help as well," ganyu nods, "i know we have some adequate archers out in our ranks."
"i'm going to check on the civilians," keqing nods.
"i need to talk with the ministry of foreign affairs," ningguang adds. "we need to get our goods out and away from the harbor."
everyone turned to you.
"i have a meeting i need to get to."
the searing sensation on your neck grew stronger.
ningguang quirked a brow, "i think it's a little too late in the game to obtain information yn."
"after all," keqing adds, "the war will probably be over tomorrow."
the flame on your neck grows brighter.
your eyes widen.
fire. diluc. it's him.
xiao's gaze narrows as he steps closer to you.
"you're betraying us, aren't you?"
"i'm not," you lie.
and then the flame grows bright.
a bright light illuminates behind your head, growing into the shape of a bird like the rest of the qixing stare in shock. ganyu's gaze turns to you, "what was that?"
"i honestly have no idea i swear."
"fire," ningguang mumbles. "are you being tracked?"
"or followed?" keqing questions.
"no!" you exclaim, "at least not that i'm aware of, i don't even know what that is."
"i do," xiao mumbles. "it's from the mondstat native," he explains. "the pyro wielder who's working with the harbingers."
keqing's lips curl into a frown, "did you have a run in with them?"
"i did yeah," you sigh.
"what happened?" ningguang questions, eyes filled with confusion.
"they kidnapped me," you mumble as your eyes reached the ground.
the flame on your neck was gone, probably traveling back to diluc to alert them that the qixing know.
"in exchange for my life they asked for information about the qixing," you continue. "i had to meet with them today i just had no idea that they would've gotten the information through a tracker like that."
"would you have given them information?" ganyu mumbles.
and you sigh, "mostly minor stuff but enough to scrape by."
keqing scoffs, "what if you're lying?"
"i'm not!" you exclaim.
"come on, you've been lying to the harbingers and elite for months now to obtain information, what if you were doing the same with us?"
"i wasn't i swear!"
"keqing makes a good point," xiao cuts in, your eyes instantly go up to him at the sound of his voice. "she does have good connections after all."
you shake your head, almost as if you're begging him to shut up.
ningguang quirks a brow, "what do you mean by that?"
xiao sighs, turning to you, "i'm sorry."
and your heart sinks when he turns back to ningguang.
"remember when you told me to watch her when she joined us?" xiao asks her, to which ningguang only nods.
your eyes widen, "wait hold on-"
"i kept following her after you deemed her trustworthy," xiao tells her. "she has a connection with a harbinger."
her face stays stone cold, "she does?"
xiao only nods. "i've been keeping it a secret for some time, but," he turns to you, "whether she's colluding with the harbingers or not, her connection poses a threat."
"she will be easily swayed on the battlefield."
your eyes widen, "what the hell? xiao this is insane."
"you know exactly what i'm talking about," he mumbles. "i kept this secret for your safety, but i'm afraid this connection might lead to the city's demise."
"excuse me?"
"in a situation that called for it," xiao cuts in, tone sharp as he turns to you. "ajax or liyue?"
your eyes widen at his question.
"ajax?" you hear keqing question.
"tartaglia," ningguang mumbles as she meets your eyes.
"the elite?" ganyu whispers to keqing, who only nods as she keeps her gaze on you.
"ajax or liyue?" xiao only repeats. "what would you choose?"
"ajax."
his name leaves your lips before you could even think, eliciting a gasp from ganyu as you finally look up at everyone, shocked faces and disappointed stares only make your heart sink.
you sigh, "i would choose ajax."
"traitor."
your eyes turn to keqing, "you'd choose an elite over the city?"
"you don't understand i-"
"at the party," keqing cuts in, "were you with tartaglia?"
"well yes, but i didn't know he was a har-"
"that says enough then," keqing sighs.
"wait hold on! i didn't even invite him, i didn't know he was a-"
"get out."
the command comes from ningguang, who's now refusing to even look at you.
your voice goes soft, "what?"
"if you're colluding with the harbingers, then i believe you're in the wrong place," she continues. "i suggest you leave before we kick you out ourselves."
"okay, yes i am connected to tartaglia but please, it isn't what you think it i-"
"she's probably lying to us," keqing mumbles. "you hear the tianquan, get out."
"i'm on your side please i-"
xiao draws his spear, "do you need us to say it again? or should we use force instead."
your vision grows blurry as xiao holds his spear out, almost as if he's ready to fight. your voice shakes as you finally speak, "i won't fight you," you tell him, "i refuse to do so. but if you want me to leave, i'll do so."
"never return," xiao's voice turns cold as you turn to walk out the door, tears clouding your vision as your shaky hand reaches for the doorknob, not even bothering to look back at your friends before closing the door to ningguang's office, and leaving the jade chamber for good.
a sigh leaves your lips as you descend. the sun rose over the now deserted city as your small sniffles ring throughout the air.
traitor, they called you, a phrase only used by the civilians and harbingers because the qixing knew who you were. they knew your intentions, how you acted, why you did the things you did, and they refused to use that name with you.
well, until now that is.
a shaky hand reaches up to dry your tears as you walk out of the harbor, the question of if you'll return hanging over your head as you make your way to yaoguang shoal.
Notes:
from here on out...shit hits the fan
we move fast and we don't beta bahahah
but thanks for waiting! i'm so sorry for not updating, i was super super busy last week and i'm afraid i will be for a little while longer. but! do not fret! my new project is underway hehe i'm so excited for it
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 35: thirty four
Summary:
a battle between sides, one that forces two people to choose between allegiance and love, leaving the young one to bear the scars of the battle
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
it's cold.
it's honestly a given in the snezhayan winter. yet you always found it welcoming. the cold wind felt forgiving, the sight of fresh snow made you smile, and the memories beneath the new layers were ones you held close to your heart. from building snowmen with your friends to skating on frozen lakes with your family, it seemed as if the snow held your best memories along with the people you held close to your heart.
your mother wasn't from snezhaya. the bright skies and humid thunderstorms of inazuma were drastically different, yet she seemed to love the snow and the atmosphere around it. she never dwelled on her past. if anything it seemed to push her forward. it was a story she told countless times, she, an old samurai, made it out of the nation before the raiden shogun implemented the sakoku decree. she met her husband just outside of fontaine on her travels and they traveled back to snezhaya, your father's homeland, just after they got married. it's a beautiful story, you liked to think, the idea of finding your significant other when it felt like no one else was there for you. it was sweet, you liked to think, the way they loved each other as if it'd be their last, how they dedicated their lives to the other and their happiness. it was beautiful.
yet you never realized how tragic the love was until talks of the invasion came about.
with your father being a harbinger diplomat and your mother's ties back to inazuma it was only inevitable that they'd clash. after all, the raiden shogun's adamance on eternity continued to apply to the war as she believed liyue should be able to live on their own. yet your father served the tsaritsa, a ruler who wished to take the nation for herself. they fought and argued as the day of invasion grew closer, beliefs clashing as they wish to follow the person they worshipped. you remained innocently negligent, the idea of them arguing making you miss the reason why they were even fighting in the first place. yet even if you refused to let yourself remember, you can still hear your father yelling at your mother about how the country shut her out, yet she continued to fight back, persisting that it was for the best of inazuma.
it shouldn't have gotten this bad.
you realize that when you spot your mother on the floor, broken shards of glass sitting next to her head as blood seeped out into the floor.
you realize that when you see the mania in your father's eyes, holding the neck of the bottle as he stares down at your mother's body. he drops it instantly, the sound of it shattering ringing throughout your house.
you realize that when he meets your gaze with tears in his eyes, before sinking down next to your mother, holding her dead body in his arms as his body shakes.
their love wasn't enough to beat their ideals. their beliefs and ties to their nation would be what tore them apart.
he looks back at you, and you flinch at his sudden gaze. his eyes widen instantly as he gently lays her body on the ground and walks toward you. you continue to step backward as your father pushes forward, stepping over your mother's body and over to you.
"it's not what it looks like," he explained.
a sudden chill fills the air.
"i promise you i didn't mean to kill her," he cried.
ice appears at your feet.
"yn please i didn't mean to please i-"
and neither of you notice the newfound snow falling inside the house.
"you killed her," you murmur.
your father falters, "huh?"
"you killed mom," tears begin to form in your eyes as you step back and into the dining table.
"baby no i didn't i-" he reaches closer to you.
"get away from me!" you cry.
and before either of you can process what's going on, shards of ice fly up from the ground.
and a gasp leaves your lips when one hits your father's side.
you stand frozen as he falls to the ground, harsh cries of pain leaving his lips as you watch him.
you instantly rush to his side, holding up his head as blood begins to seep through his shirt. tears continue to fall from your eyes as you cry over your father's dying body. you don't know what happened, you don't even know where the ice and snow came from. all you know is your fingertips are alarmingly cold. yet even then, his hand still feels warm as it reaches up to cup your cheek. your soft sobs stop instantly as you meet his gaze, and there's nothing but a smile on his lips as he stares up at you. he doesn't say a word. but you know the moment his eyes close and his hand drops that he's gone. sobs rip from your throat as you clutch your father's body in your arms, screaming out once you catch sight of your mother in the other room.
it's cold, so so alarmingly cold as your body curls in on itself.
it's not the cold you grew to love, nor the cold that welcomed you with open arms. it's a cold that makes you shrivel up and want to run, a cold that makes your tears feel like ice sliding down your cheeks.
and it's only then that you notice the shining pale blue vision on the floor next to you, one that only makes you cry louder when you realize why it's there.
—
"i'm glad you were able to make it up here."
"why did you request to meet with me lady ningguang?" you question as you step into her office in the jade chamber.
"straight to the point i see," she nods as she gestures for you to sit down. "i was hoping to ask a favor of you."
you quirk a brow, "what do you need of me?"
she meets your gaze, and it's just as terrifying as the rumors say it is.
"how much do you know about your father?"
your heart drops at her question.
"enough," you mumble, "why do you ask?"
"i'm well aware he was a snezhayan diplomat before he passed," she nods.
your eyes widen, "how do you know that?"
"when i found out a boat from snezhayan was making their way to our docks, i grew curious about the passengers on board," she tells you. "and you just happened to catch my eye."
"why is that?" you ask her.
"well i know that you fled liyue just after the initial invasion. i know that because you were on the first cleared passenger ship into the harbor, i'm sure you're aware of our new policies on imports and exports to the country," she explains as you nod at her words. "i also know you haven't been here long, and that you've been looking for a job."
"i," you hesitate. "i have been yes."
"so i'll ask you again," she sighs. "what do you know about your father?"
you swallow, "if i may first ask, why do you seek intel about him?"
"to see if it can help us in the war," she answers simply. "someone from liyue must've helped the harbingers plan their invasion. so i'm wondering if you might know anything about that."
you don't like thinking back to those days, the days leading up to the invasion, the days leading up to your parents' death. yet a sigh leaves your lips as you go back in time, almost as if you're numbing your brain of the inevitable memory you wished you could do nothing but forget. "i know that it was supposed to be a surprise attack," you mumble. "and also something about the archons finally sealing a contract."
"morax's death," she mumbles.
"that," you nod, "that might've had something to do with it."
"do you maybe know anything else about the army or the attack that could be useful to us?"
you blink, "why are you asking me about this?"
"because i know you have connections to the intel." her voice cracks slightly at her outburst before she immediately retracts. "sorry, the qixing were just thinking that you might know something we don't, something that could help us."
"you think so?"
"we're," she sighs, "we're in a tough situation here. i'm sure you can see that." you nod at her words. "if you could help us out, we would really appreciate it."
"i will say that it's strong," you mumble. "the elite work hard in training their soldiers. they're few compared to the millelith but still just as strong, if not stronger."
"i see," ningguang nods.
"while i've never seen the elite before," you sigh as your stomach turns. "i'm aware that my father has, and i know they carry delusions and are the tsaritsa's strongest."
"delusions," ningguang mumbles.
"yeah delusions," you nod. "the harbingers make vision like powers that give humans elemental abilities. but it's only for their strongest."
"i see," ningguang sighs.
"i think this is everything i can get for now," you tell her, "sorry, i would need to search around to get more intel."
her eyes widen slightly at those words, meeting your gaze as a small smile appears on her face. "how would you like to obtain that new intel for us?"
you raise a brow, "what?"
"what if i gave you a job of obtaining that intel for us?" ningguang clarifies. "you can obtain information for us using your intel and sources, and we can make you a member of the qixing."
"you can do that?"
"luckily for you we can," she nods. "the kaiyang position has been open for some time, and they specialize in foreign affairs."
"that feels," you mumble. "perfect. but wouldn't i be a traitor then?"
"technically yes," she nods. "but you also aren't considering you're on the qixing's side."
"and how do you know that?"
"because you wouldn't have come here today if you weren't."
and that leaves you at a loss for words.
"look," she nods, "i know liyue hasn't been super nice to you, and i want to help you out through that. give you a chance that no one else has yet to give you."
"and why do you want to do that?"
"i'm," she thinks. "because i know you'll be able to help us," she meets your gaze, "right?"
and you can't help but smile at that. "right," you nod.
"i see potential in you," she tells you. "and i know the rest of the qixing will be able to see that too."
"thank you," you mumble.
"if anything," she smiles.
"we should be the ones thanking you."
Notes:
a backstory was needed for our precious yn :(
god i would so gush about her backstory because she feels like a character of my own at this point but i don't wanna give too much away haha but regardless, i hope you all like her as much as i do :D
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 36: thirty five
Summary:
a reunion rooted in betrayal as two star crossed lovers reunite once more. if it's for better or for worse, it's too soon to say.
Chapter Text
there's a fire in your eyes when you approach kaeya and diluc on yaoguang shoal.
"good to see you," diluc waves with a smile.
"you…"
kaeya steals a glance at you, "what's up with her?"
"you sick motherfucker!"
and diluc eyes widen as small shards of ice fly through the air, heading straight for him.
"easy, easy," he mumbles, using his vision to melt the ice with ease. "i only did what i needed to do."
"i lost my job thanks to you," you cry, hurling another ice shard at him.
this time kaeya's the one who blocks it with his sword. "come on now, did you really think we were going to let you off easy like that?" he asks as the two brothers now step towards you.
you honestly didn't. you had a feeling someone or something was following you that entire time, yet you couldn't help but hate yourself now for spoonfeeding information to the other side. you knew something was there, yet you did nothing to stop it, did nothing to fight back, and now it cost you your job, friends, and the life you once lived.
the title of traitor was all you had left now.
you continue to hurl ice at the two as they walk closer, continuing to block your fiery rage with ease.
"i lost my friends," you tell the two. "the only people who've felt like family my entire life are gone."
"isn't that good in a way?" kaeya questions. "now you don't have to worry about betraying them."
"kaeya," diluc cuts in as a sigh leaves his lips. he walks closer to you, now breathless from your rage, and puts a hand on your shoulder. "i'm sorry," he mumbles.
and you don't dare look up at him at his words.
"war like this is tough," he tells you, "and i'm sorry it's gotten to this extent for you. but kaeya and i weren't going to let you run free just like that."
"we were assigned to kill you," kaeya reminds you sharply. "consider yourself lucky that you're alive."
"i'd rather be dead than side with you," you hiss under your breath.
"that can easily be arranged," kaeya laughs.
"kaeya," his brother calls out again. "remember what childe said."
"childe," you mumble before meeting diluc's gaze, the tears falling from your eyes now sitting frozen on your cheeks.
"woah," kaeya mumbles. "is that normal?"
"oh," you blink before quickly wiping the small pieces of ice away. "to some extent yeah."
"i see," diluc sighs. "but yes, we met with childe, who instructed us to not kill you."
"we told him about the deal," kaeya continues. "and he believes the tsaritsa would be okay with an arrangement like that, as long as you helped us in return. after all, you are of snezhayan heritage, most importantly to an old diplomat."
"we'll be taking you to see him," diluc tells you.
"i don't want to see him."
and your heart sinks because you do. you really do. after the rest of the world has turned their back on you, he felt like the one person you had left. the one person who continued to love you despite being on the opposite side of the war, the one person who would truly understand. even if you've clashed in the past, you still loved him. even if you've threatened to kill each other, there's still love in your heart for him.
what a sick and twisted realization, you think, maybe this is what your parents had to deal with before they both died.
diluc lets out a sigh, "he wants to see you."
"why?" your voice is cold as you finally meet diluc's gaze.
"because he wants to apologize."
"he already has."
"well he wants to try again."
"and why in the world would i let him?"
"let me ask you this again," kaeya starts, annoyance in his tone. "why do you deny the man you love?"
"that's for me to know and you to not ask about."
"you're on the same side right now," kaeya starts. "you're finally aligned with your homeland, with him, so why do you still deny him?"
because a part of you knows deep down that you'll help the qixing when the war comes. because a small voice is pushing you to fight alongside those you truly love when you reach the battlefield, to take on that title of traitor once more to return to where you know you belong. because something inside you screams at you to not be like your parents, to not let a love like this ruin your life.
but you couldn't tell any of them that.
"if anything," diluc continues. "you're home."
and that makes your eyes widen, "i'm home?"
"this is the snezhayan fleet," diluc continues, "we're a part of the army, and this is your homeland, where you once lived."
"the man you love is here," kaeya adds on. "he wishes to see you to welcome you home."
home.
well, that's a place you haven't thought about in a long time.
"i see," you mumble.
but if you knew anything, you knew that home most certainly wasn't here with the harbinger fleet.
"well then," you start.
home is with the liyue qixing.
yet you smile at the two boys at their revelation.
"i'm home," you tell them.
and when you spot the grins on their faces you know your lie has given you an opportunity to buy yourself some time.
—
you've never seen ajax like this before.
he's directing a fleet of soldiers when you, kaeya and diluc approach the makeshift harbor in guyun stone forest. the sun's just disappeared from the sky and the torches around the small camp light the way for the bustling groups of harbinger soldiers, all ready for their big attack on the city. he's yelling out orders as the soldiers prepare the ships, looking over final plans before a lady comes up to him with a wooden chest, whispering something to him before he nods, taking the chest for himself.
"what you got there?" kaeya questions.
"our big tickets for the battle," ajax laughs before turning around to face the three of you. "with this we're guaranteed to win the w-"
and then he spots you.
he stops in his tracks as he meets your gaze, eyes widening at the sheer fact that you're standing in front of him. he questions if you're even real for a moment, wondering if the two brothers are playing tricks on his eyes right now.
"yn…"
his voice is soft, gentle even as the rest of the world melts away.
"hi," you smile with a soft wave, tears beginning to blur your vision on seeing him.
it is you, no games, no tricks.
you're here, so beautiful standing in front of him.
and…you're crying.
he drops the wooden chest in an instant, rushing toward you when he hears a small sniffle from you before scooping you up in your arms. he sweeps you off your feet as your heart swells, tears slipping from your eyes as you wrapped your arms around his neck, resting your head on his shoulder.
"ajax," you sniffled, "they wouldn't listen to me, they turned their back on me."
his heart sinks at your words.
"i have no one left."
"it's okay," he reminds you. "it's okay, i'm here. you have me, and i'm not going anywhere."
and that makes you cry even more.
sobs escape your lips as he continues to hold you, your own grip tightening on him as your tears stain his shoulder.
"i'm here," he repeats as he feels your body tremble. "even if you think you have no one, you have me, and i'm not going anywhere."
"thank you," you manage to tell him between sobs.
he steals a glance at kaeya and diluc, searching for answers in their eyes, but they only nod as diluc shows him a small ember of his vision.
and in an instant, he understands.
"i'm sorry," he tells you. yet you don't reply, continuing to sniffle and sob into his shoulder. but he feels your grip tighten just a bit more, almost out of reassurance.
it's okay. it's not your fault.
"thank you for sparing me," you can't help but laugh as ajax finally puts you down. "i appreciate you keeping them from killing me," you tell him as you wipe your eyes.
"believe me, i had no idea the tsaritsa made an order," he tells you. "i would've stopped her if she did. i told her you were innocent."
"and i'm not," you sigh.
"well," he mumbles. "neither am i."
and a small, clipped laugh leaves your lips at his words. "it's war isn't it?" you sigh. "everyone's got dirty secrets and blood on their hands."
"but when it's over," he tells you as he takes your hand. "maybe i can finally repay you and keep up my end of my promise."
"when the war's over," you sigh, heart sinking at the thought. "maybe we can try again."
and you know you can't. you know you'll be back with the qixing when the war ends, and that you'll end up betraying him on the battlefield. you're aware he'll probably hate you to the point where he wished to never see you again.
but the smile on his face lets you live in a lie for just a little longer. "i'd like that," he laughs. "i'd like that very much." and he leans down as his lips meet yours. your heart swells at the connection, you never truly realized how much you missed this, how much you missed moments like this.
how much you missed him.
you stand up on your toes as your hand reaches up to cup his cheek because, even if he'll hate you, your heart will always and forever hold a special place for him, the boy you took care of as a kid, the boy who danced with you and kissed you under the moonlight what felt like ages ago.
the life you promised him feels so out of touch, so far out of your grasp that tears begin to fall from your eyes as his hands cup your cheeks. his eyes widen as he pulls away, catching sight of the tears falling from your cheeks. "what's wrong?" he mumbles, thumbs wiping away your tears.
"nothing," you sniffle, "it's just."
your eyes shine as you meet his gaze.
"i'm home ajax."
and he grins, "welcome home yn."
and you let yourself live in the lie for just a while longer when his lips crash into yours once more.
Chapter 37: thirty six
Summary:
it's moments like these that make you wonder what life would be without war
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"tell me about your scars."
ajax quirks a brow at your random request. "now what spurred on a question like that?"
"hmm," you sarcastically ponder as you press a wet cloth to his torso, "let's see, you just happen to be absolutely covered in them."
and he can't help but laugh at your change in tone, the mere sound ringing throughout the quiet harbinger camp hidden in guyun stone forest. "i see, i see," he nods.
"besides," you mumble. "scars are the map of one's life," you say before looking away from him. "i don't know, it was something ningguang told me awhile back."
"well i'll be happy to tell you about them as you once again take care of my wounds," ajax smiles.
"it was just a practice sparring," you mumble. "you didn't need to go so hard."
"well i always go hard when preparing for battle," he shrugs. "anyway," he points to his right arm. "i got this one when i was young back in the abyss. the monsters my master made me fight were rather ruthless."
"but you were just a little kid," you mumble with a frown.
"a kid who fell into the abyss," he reminds you. "the only way you survive down there is by killing."
"i see," you nod softly, ignoring the churning feeling in your stomach.
"this one," he points above his torso, next to the bruise you were cleaning up, "is from a hoard of treasure hoarders and this one," he moves back up to his left shoulder, pointing at the fading images of a burn. "came from an old harbinger master of mine. i have this one," he then points to the left side of his chest, three horizontal slices, "from a sparring session with one of the other elite. and i have a couple more on my legs from dottore's experiments."
"what about this one?" you point gently to the purple marks on his side.
"oh," childe blinks, "those come from my delusion," he smiles rather apologetically. "i once overused it and it left a mark on my body."
"i see," you frown, heart aching as you point at another spot on his body, this time up closer to his collarbone, "what about these lines?"
"from," he hesitates as your eyes begin to feel glassy, "from the abyss also," he lies. "i messed with abyssal power on one of my first moments down there." he doesn't want to tell you about his foul legacy transformation, not now at least.
maybe another day, hopefully when the war ends.
"i see," you sigh as you quickly wipe away tears in your eyes.
he looks down at you, "woah, woah hey what's wrong?" his hand cups your cheek, pulling your gaze up towards him as he meets your glassy eyes.
"you injure yourself too much," you mumble softly. "i don't like it."
"it's part of my job," he tells you with a frown. "injuries like this are to be expected."
"but," you hesitate, "you just have so many and i-" you can't help but frown, "there may be times where no one's there to help you with them."
"well," ajax starts, "those are from the past," he smiles. "now i have you."
"but even so i won't always be there."
"and i'll be even more cautious now because of it," he reassures before pulling you into his arms.
"i want to make sure i can come back to you."
and his words alone are enough to bring tears back to your eyes.
"hey hey," he mumbled pulling back slightly to see tears fall down your cheeks. "no more crying okay?" he presses his lips to your cheeks, kissing away your tears with nothing but tenderness to his touch. "you're with me now," he mumbles. "you're home, and i promise you, no matter what, i will always find you again."
"and you'll love me?"
"with absolutely everything i am."
and he pulls you back into his arms once more. your grip is tight on him as you rest your head on his shoulder, letting the last of your tears soak his shirt before you pull away from him. "make sure to put ice on that okay?" you tell him. "i refuse to let you march into battle tomorrow already injured."
"understood," he grins before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek. "thank you for taking care of me."
"of course," you grin. "anything for you."
he meets your gaze, "are you injured anywhere?"
"just in one spot," you mumble as you wet the cloth again in water before lifting up your shirt, just enough to soothe the bruise on your torso.
but ajax watches you with careful eyes. "what's that?"
"what's what?" you hum.
he points down at the scar on your ribcage, "that."
"oh," you mumble. "it's a scar i got from a group of treasure hoarders one day."
"interesting," ajax tells you with a starry eyes smile. "what other scars do you have?"
"be a dear and hold this cloth here for me?" and ajax nods as he holds the cloth up to your bruise. "i've got a few burn marks on my right arm from an abyss mage," you tell him, pointing the marks out on your lower right arm. "i've got one on my back from a group of treasure hoarders too, but other than that, that's it."
"i see," ajax mumbles before taking your right arm.
"what are you doing?" you quirk a brow.
and he only hums as he holds your arm up to his lips, giving your burn marks a gentle kiss as your eyes widen. "ajax? what?" he only shushes you as he continues leaning down gently as he removes the cloth, pressing a kiss to the scar on your ribcage which sends a shiver down your spine. he meets your gaze with a toothy grin, before leaning in once again to kiss both your cheeks and you can't help but grin when his lips find yours. it's short, quick, but he's gentle, so different from the soldier you knew on the battlefield.
"now what was all that for?" you mumble.
he shrugs, "you're just beautiful," he answers simply. "scars and all."
and heat rushes to your cheeks at the sudden compliment, "thanks," you mumble.
"of course," he laughs before pressing another short kiss to your lips. but you keep him there with a hand wrapping around the back of his neck. you feel his lips curl upward as his hands cup your cheek. you're breathless when he rests his forehead against yours. "i love you," he whispers for only you to hear. "once the war ends, once we can put this life behind us. i'll give you everything i am." he pulls away to properly meet your gaze, and it's only then that you see the certainty in his eyes.
"i promise," he nods holding his pinky out.
and you can't help the giggle that leaves your lips as you link your pinky with his.
"i can't wait for the day you keep it," you smile.
"i can't wait for that day either," he hums before pulling you into his arms, the two of you watching the waves crash onto the ocean shore, spending your final moments together before the war resumed tomorrow.
Notes:
...not gonna lie, had to fight for a place in my outline for a fluffy scene lmaoo
consider this your last chance to back out and remember the fic as a happy ending lmaoo bc the angst gets pretty real from here on out...sorry bahahaha
thanks for reading! 3
Chapter 38: thirty seven
Summary:
the beginning of the end,
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"they say the geo archon sealed him under the sea over two thousand years ago."
your gaze moved from the island back to childe at his words.
"i think i've heard this story before," you mumble as you approach him on the ship, resting your head on his shoulder. "the one about the sea monster who created waves as big as liyue's mountains."
"that's the one," childe nods before he pulls out the small wooden chest from earlier. "osial caused chaos in the archon war, particularly on liyue's shores. he's known as the overlord of the vortex, and he's been sealed under guyun stone forest ever since morax defeated him."
"i see," you hum before stealing a glance at the small chest. "so what's in there then?"
"that my darling," he starts, "is our key to winning the war," and you watch with curious eyes as childe opens the chest.
"sigils of permission," you mumble under your breath before looking up at childe. "i thought these were extremely rare."
"they are," childe tells you. "they're a part of the ancient world, and almost impossible to find now."
"so then how did you find one?"
"by chance," childe hums, "we've kept it and have been studying it ever since. we've been manufacturing copies to prepare for this moment," childe explains. "we tested a few of our first ones on the adepti, and it worked with ease. so, we decided to use them to win the war."
you file through the sigils, eyes widening on seeing what's inside. there's not just one, not two, not even five.
"ten," you whisper.
"and we have more with us in case this fails," he smiles as the ships now approach closer to liyue harbor."
"wait hold on," you cut in, "so what do you plan on doing when you summon osial?"
"what we've always planned on doing," he tells you with a newfound fire in his eyes.
"we'll win the war."
—
the sun sets over the island as the boats slowly begin to approach liyue harbor.
"ajax," you mumble when you catch sight of the harbor.
he follows your gaze as the other soldiers stand up, "it's time," he whispers before he stands, directing the soldiers to their positions. he turns to you, "you remember the plan?"
you nod.
line with kaeya and diluc before attacking the qixing soldiers, but honestly it didn't matter at this point. as long as the qixing got your message, the harbinger's battle plan wouldn't matter to you.
"good," he nods with a small smile.
and your heart can't help but sink as he approaches the front of the ship.
you run after him, catching sight of diluc and kaeya on the adjacent ships all preparing to dock in the harbor. "ajax," you mumble.
"what is it, my love?"
"where are the other elite?" you question. "isn't this a huge moment? wouldn't they want to be here to fight?"
and he sighs, "the other elite are taking care of their own nations, each one's been assigned one to conquer," you can't help but notice the way his eyes darken.
"liyue just happened to be mine."
"lord tartaglia," one of the soldiers calls out to him. "it's time."
childe nods as he looks to you one more time. "stay safe okay?" he asks as his hand cups your cheek. "we're bound to be scattered considering our fight, so i'll see you after the war."
your heart sinks, "i promise," you tell him, "don't go dying on me."
and he laughs, offering out his pinky, "we'll see each other soon." and you link your pinky with his before pulling him into you, your lips crashing against his one final time. you kiss him like it's your last like you'll never see him again.
because after today, you're not sure if he'll even want to.
"i love you," he whispers against your lips.
"i love you too," you tell him. "stay safe."
"you too," he nods before pressing another kiss to your lips once more. he gives you one more look before jumping off the ship and a small sigh leaves your lips as you remember your own mission.
a lover's betrayal, you couldn't live this lie any longer.
—
the sky turns gray as thunder begins to rain down on the city.
all the harbinger soldiers were in position at the gates to the harbor. you steal a glance at childe close to the edge of the dock, sigils of permissions swirling around him as he speaks to someone. your gaze narrows as you inch closer, hoping to get a better look at the scene.
your eyes widen.
it's xiao.
his spear's ready in hand, but the cyclones on the ocean have already started.
he's too late.
you watch as he vanquished into thin air before childe goes back to summoning osial.
you hear the ocean roar as the waves transcend into chaos, the three cyclones on the surface of the sea make way for a bright light shining down on the ocean. and that's when you see it, five heads appearing from the ocean, all of which let out a mighty cry as the waves grow stronger on liyue's harbor.
the millelith approach the harbingers, all of which take a glance at you, whispers erupting amongst them as you pull out your sword. xiao appears in front as keqing teleports in.
"we were right," she sighs.
"she was working with the harbingers," xiao shakes her head.
and instantly you open your mouth to speak before kaeya stops you, holding his sword in front of your chest before turning to his brother, giving him a nod.
"it's time," diluc tells him.
"it's time," kaeya mumbles back. he points his sword towards the qixing. "now or never everyone!"
and then, everyone charges forward.
keqing looks up at ganyu, sitting atop one of liyue's buildings. "ganyu," she cries out.
"yes yuheng?"
her gaze narrows as she points her own sword forward, signaling for her own soldiers to charge.
"aim to kill."
—
"osial?"
childe turns around at the new voice behind him. "tianquan," he nods, "we finally meet."
ningguang meets his gaze with narrow eyes, "this is how you plan to win?"
"it wasn't my first option," he sighs, "but if it'll end the war so be it."
"and i thought you liked battle," she mumbles, "why the sudden change?"
"well," he steals a glance at the soldiers once he hears the harbingers cry. "i have something i'd like to protect now, and ending the war is the only way of doing so."
"interesting," ningguang mumbles, "now tell me, have you and yn always been this close?"
and his heart drops at the sound of your name.
"not since recently no," childe answers rather honestly, "she's someone from my past."
"i can see that," ningguang hums, "i don't think she would've betrayed you if you two would've known each other longer."
childe blinks, "what?"
"yn sent us a message a couple hours ago warning us about a certain ancient god that would be making its appearance today," she explains. "funny thing is, we thought she betrayed us, but in reality, she's the one betraying you."
and childe only stands in disbelief.
"you should get to fighting you know," ningguang mumbles.
"my soldiers aren't aware of the new information, they'll hit her with the intent to kill."
childe's eyes widen at that as ningguang disappears from his sight and his gaze turns back to the battlefield, screams and cries littering the atmosphere.
but he doesn't think too much about that right now, he doesn't think about the betrayal too much right now, considering his own soldiers tried to take your life, he most certainly should've seen it coming. yet, he's honestly not too sure about how he feels right now.
all he knows is that he needs to get to you.
so he runs toward the battlefield, delusion glowing bright as purple energy courses across his arms. he reaches for his red mask, pulling it over his face before his eyes glow purple.
this is it.
this is the end of the war.
whoever emerges victorious here is the one who wins liyue, but why is it that childe finds himself suddenly hoping to lose?
Notes:
welcome to act five! the last act in our little story, thank you to everyone who's stuck through the story so far. it honestly means so much to me that you're sticking by my side and reading along. i cannot wait to share these last five chapter with you all, and i hope you enjoy them!
Chapter 39: thirty eight
Summary:
professions of love finally come to light,
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
did they not get your message? the one you somehow managed to send out to ningguang about the ancient god?
you were well aware of the sigils of permission. while you didn't know the harbingers had as many as they did, you knew they had enough to summon ancient powers, hence the warning you sent out to ningguang. it was rushed and a supposed last minute effort in hopes of telling your friends and coworkers that you were still with them to the very end. sure, you loved ajax, but your heart still aligned with the qixing, and not even the elite could do anything to change that.
but by the looks on your friends' faces when they saw you again, they didn't seem to get the memo.
you charged into the battle with a heavy heart and hesitation in your blade as the harbingers and qixing began their final clash. but as you turned into battle you turned around while everyone else ran ahead, assuming your fighting stance as the harbinger soldier looked at you confused.
"we're supposed to be charging ahead."
"what are you doing traitor?"
you can't help but smile.
"i'm doing exactly what my title says."
betrayal came easy this time around as you swung your blade towards the harbinger soldiers. their eyes went wide as you struck them down, the vision in your hair glowing as ice shards shot up from the ground and went straight for the harbingers, all of which let out cries and screams of defeat as you took them down.
"what are you doing?"
your eyes turn to kaeya at the sound of his voice amongst the commotion. "you're taking down harbinger troops."
"i'm well aware of that," you nod. "you know for someone who keeps taunting me about betrayal, you didn't seem to see your own coming."
"are you crazy?" he yells. "what about childe, what's he going to say?"
and a frown curls on your lips at that, "he'll say what he needs to say," you sigh before standing up.
"but by then, the qixing will have already won the war."
"oh, you little-"
"kaeya!"
he turns his head at the sound of his brother's voice. "we don't have time to worry about this."
"but if we don't take her out now she'll ruin our troops," kaeya reasons.
diluc steals a glance at the harbor, gaze narrowing once he sees childe running back towards the commotion. "we'll see if childe has anything to say about that." he grabs his brother's arm. "we have troops to oversee, come on."
"you idiot! can't you see how big of a threat she is to us?" but you're unable to hear diluc's answer once you notice keqing's stiletto standing in front of you. a small gasp leaves your lips when she swings her sword at you in an instant, appearing in front of you almost out of thin air. a small cut appears on your cheek as you deflect her next hit.
"tell me something," she seethes. "this entire time, was your plan to betray us?"
"it wasn't," you answer instantly. "i didn't betray you."
"so then why is it you charged with the harbingers."
"because they were threatening my life," you answer honestly. "they kidnapped me while we were evacuating the people and let me go alive when i promised i would side with them," you explain. "but look at me," you tell her, "do you really think i would betray you after all this time?"
"after what you said about tartaglia i'd believe it," she mumbles before pushing her blade down further, making you jump away to avoid being injured.
"where's ningguang?" you ask her once you're far enough.
"last i knew she was talking to your loverboy," she rolls her eyes.
"did she get my message?"
keqing blinks, "what message?"
"the one about osial," you nod, tone firm.
"not," she hesitates, "not that i know of?"
you sigh, "great, i need to go find her then."
"hey!" she exclaims, "wait! what do you mean message?"
"i sent her a message warning her about an ancient god. i told her about the sigils of permission the harbingers had been researching and duplicating and how they planned to use them in this final battle," you tell keqing. "if she didn't get the message then that means you're not prepared to take on osial and win."
keqing's eyes widen. "okay, but how do i know you're not bluffing about the message," she sighs. "for all we know, you're lying about it to get on our good side again."
"she's not lying."
you jump at the sudden sound of xiao's voice, watching as he appears between you both.
"i overheard ningguang mention it to childe," xiao nods. "he went running into the battlefield after she left." he turns to keqing, "the tianquan didn't mention it to any of you since she didn't have time. like yn mentioned, it was a last minute effort, something to help our city survive. so, ningguang most likely finishing those preparations for osial as we speak."
keqing turns to xiao then looks over at you, "is all of this true?"
"as far as i'm concerned yes," you nod. "everything on my part is at least."
"i see," keqing mumbles.
"i'm on your side," you say as you turn to xiao. "i may love ajax, but even so, i'll be on your side to the very end."
"you're still too emotional to handle the battlefield," xiao sighs.
"but i wouldn't be here right now if those emotions took over," you tell him. "i'm here to help you all, and as far as i'm seeing," you start as you steal a glance at osial, "you might need it."
a small smile appears on xiao's lips, "i see," he nods. "well it's great to get to fight with you once more."
you grin to both xiao and keqing, "i look forward to fighting alongside you both now, and in our future fights."
"you as well kaiyang," keqing smiles, "and i'm sorry for doubting you."
"you had every right to," you nod. "thank you for a second chance."
"i promise you, i won't waste it."
—
when diluc ran into battle today, he wasn't expecting the tides to turn like this.
well, he had a feeling it would all happen. you betraying the harbingers honestly wasn't out of the cards, and considering the qixing already knew about the attack, they were already in for a tough battle. so much for the element of surprise, he thinks.
"you ass," kaeya mutters as diluc drags him away. "we need to take her out."
"childe would kill us if we did," diluc reasons. "we can't let our soldiers see their strongest turning against each other." he lets out a small sigh, "she's been a wildcard since the beginning, i would've killed her if it weren't for the fact that childe loves her."
"he's not gonna love her after this," kaeya mumbles.
"he will," diluc nods before pulling out his sword once more. "he most definitely will. but for now, keep your guard up, we have soldiers coming."
kaeya turns at the mention of the millelith, pulling his own sword out before stealing a glance at his brother.
"do you still hate me?"
diluc blinks, "i'm sorry what?"
"for what i said all those years ago, for betraying you by not telling you my true identity," kaeya clarifies. "do you still hate me for that?"
"kaeya this is really not the time-"
"but i need to know brother," he cuts in as the soldiers begin to charge.
diluc's grip on his sword tightens as he swings, fire appearing at the tip of his blade as he swings, a fire his brother's attacks melt with ease.
"you keep acting like you care," kaeya reasons. "you keep looking out for me, but you continue to argue that you despise me, i need to know brother." diluc huffs as he swings his sword, the two brothers now back to back as they took on the millelith men. "you keep saying calling me your brother even though we're not even related."
"for fuck's sake kaeya, you're the only family i have left!"
and that makes kaeya falter.
"i was frustrated because you could've saved dad," diluc tells him as kaeya strikes another soldier down. "but now that i know the truth to his delusion, i know it's stupid for me to be mad at you." diluc uses his flames to take down another soldier. "we're family, whether adopted or not, we're family."
"some fucked up family we are," kaeya grits out as he blocks an attack by a soldier. "diluc on your right!"
diluc turns in an instant, eyes widening as he pulls up his sword to block geo energy from striking him. "thanks," diluc mumbles before turning to his brother. "if you wanted to save khaenri'ah i wouldn't stop you."
"you would," kaeya immediately deadpans.
"i mean i joined the harbingers didn't i?" diluc scoffs. "the one group i never wanted to be associated with."
"you had your reasons," kaeya mumbles.
"and i know you obviously had yours," diluc adds. "you just never told me."
"we just never talked," kaeya sighs. "i think klee called us…what's the phrase…emotionally constipated?"
diluc can't help but laugh at that before blocking his brother from another round of geo energy, "where in the world did she learn words like that?"
"probably one of albedo's books," kaeya shrugs before countering another bout of geo energy.
"more like one of lisa's," diluc scoffs.
"but let me tell you then when the war ends," kaeya nods. "give our sibling relationship another try maybe."
and, after taking out his final millelith soldier, diluc can't help but turn to his brother and smile. "that sounds nice, yeah."
"the more i see you two, the more i think you're on the wrong side of the war."
diluc stiffens as the tianquan floats down in front of them. "good to see you again master diluc."
"tianquan," he nods, "never thought we'd end up here."
"well," she shrugs, before launching another attack on the two brothers "it was bound to happen eventually."
"just never thought it'd be so soon," diluc grits out as he uses his sword to block her attacks once more. kaeya runs up to her in an instant, but gets instantly shut down the second she puts up one of her shields. "i hope you both realize i've never been one for combat," she tells the boys from behind her shield. "i'm more for verbal negotiation rather than physical."
"if you have anything you need to ask us just say it," kaeya cuts in. "unfortunately for you, the battlefield is turning into more of a bloodbath."
"what do you know about tartaglia and yn?"
diluc blinks, "honestly, just as much as you do."
"tartaglia wouldn't let us kill her when we originally kidnapped her," kaeya explains. "but honestly all we know is the two love each other."
ningguang quirks a brow, "kidnapped?"
"yeah," kaeya blinks, "a little while back, we let her go free in exchange for her working with us."
"but apparently she still betrayed us too," diluc mumbles.
and ningguang looks between the two boys before shaking her head and mumbling something under her breath. she looks up at them once more with certainty in her eyes. "this is my last offer," she tells the two of them.
"if you join the qixing, we'll absolve you of your war crimes."
"you're offering now?" diluc questions.
ningguang nods, "a last minute effort so to say, and as i mentioned before."
"i think you're on the wrong side of this war."
"we got what we needed from the harbingers by joining," kaeya tells her, "it would be a shame to betray them after all this time."
"understood," ningguang nods before turning to diluc. "and what about you?"
"i've always hated the harbingers," diluc mumbles. "but i stick with my brother," kaeya's eyes widen at his words. "where he goes i go."
kaeya looks up at him. "is this why you joined the harbingers?"
"well," diluc mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck, "it was one of my reasons yes."
"alright," ningguang nods. "i hate to break up this whole brotherly reconciliation moment here, but we are in a war."
"i'd like to join the qixing."
and diluc's eyes widen at kaeya's sudden change. "hold on what?"
"this isn't what either of us want," kaeya sighs. "we joined the harbingers for ulterior motives, but now we have what we need." he looks to diluc, "i don't want to fight this pointless war anymore, especially since the harbingers have yet to give us answers as to why we're even fighting in the first place."
"it's an unknown contract," ninguang quickly adds. "none of us know why we're invading, not even your own elite."
diluc only blinks at that before coughing, "we have what we need, and i still don't want to be associated with the harbingers. honestly, i feel like there would be a lot more regret or guilt in my system when it came to a betrayal like this."
"and how do you feel?" kaeya questions.
diluc can't help but smile, "good, this feels good, right even." he turns to ningguang, "we'll take you up on your offer."
"so be it," ningguang nods before the shield in front of her disappears. "happy to be working with you both."
"likewise," diluc nods.
"now, i would like you both to meet me at the jade chamber once it floats by," ningguang tells them. "there will be strings attached to the end that you can use to climb up."
"gotcha," kaeya nods.
"you'll be key people in fighting osial," ningguang tells them. "but for now, try to survive, we'll be by shortly."
"sounds good," diluc nods before ningguang runs off.
"so," diluc turns to his brother, "qixing aligned?"
"childe's gonna be pissed," kaeya shakes his head.
"if anything, we can try and talk him out of the war," diluc reasons.
"i doubt it," kaeya laughs. "he is the one leading the army after all. if anything he'd-"
a gasp leaves kaeya's lips.
"kaeya?"
but he doesn't respond, instead his breath become labored as he sinks to his knees, crumbling onto the ground.
"kaeya?" his brother tries again before his eyes widen at the growing wound in his brother's side. it's not a wound from a sword, nor an arrow. "kaeya, stay with me okay?" but he still doesn't speak.
diluc eyes quickly glance around the surroundings before stopping on a harbinger soldier standing far in front of him. his cryo gun is still up, this time aiming for the other brother.
but diluc is far faster.
the shards of ice flying in front of diluc melt in an instant as he runs towards the soldier, and in a fit of rage he drags his sword through the soldier, one that seems to burn him into flames in a brief instant until all that's left of him is ash and his gun. diluc shakes off the blood on his sword as well as the lingering flame before returning back to his brother, who's still lying in the same spot diluc left him in.
"fuck," he curses out before ripping off a part of his jacket, pressing it to kaeya's wound making him hiss out in pain. "fuck, i'm sorry."
"it's fine," kaeya grits out, struggling to breathe. diluc's in a state of panic, not caring as his brother's blood stains his own clothing as he pulls him closer.
"you'll be fine," diluc says, unsure of if he's talking to himself or his brother. "if i remember correctly yn can heal you, if we find her then-"
"diluc."
he instantly quiets at the sound of his name.
"i'm sorry."
"no no," diluc shakes his head. "you have nothing to be sorry for."
"i should've told you the truth about me sooner," kaeya sighs. "maybe then we wouldn't have grown so far apart."
"well we're back together now," diluc reassures. "and once we find yn, you can finally tell me everything about the ancient world."
kaeya smiles before a small sigh leaves his lips, "do you remember…when we were young…we went to the beach together?"
diluc nods eagerly, "yes, father took us when we were kids, we would pick crabs for dad to cook for us."
"we were so happy," kaeya sighs,
"i hope we'll be able to be like that in the next life."
and with that, kaeya's eyes shut.
"don't close your eyes," diluc immediately tells him. "fuck, come on, stay with me please."
but as he takes another look at his brother, he realizes he's already gone.
"fuck," diluc curses before tears spring from his vision, uncaring if anyone else saw him on the battlefield. his sobs were almost unheard considering the sheer volume of the battlefield. he takes another glance down at kaeya, completely unmoving before more tears spill from his eyes.
his body shakes when one of the millelith catches sight of the scene, she's calling for help but diluc pays no mind to it. his hands pressing into his eyes in hopes that he's dreaming.
but when he looks down and sees kaeya again that's when he realizes that this is reality, and the sheer regret he had about his relationship with his brother seems to hit harder than it did before.
he blinks as he takes another look at the battlefield. there's a few millelith soldiers approaching now, with ningguang looking at the two brothers with wide eyes before directing a few more soldiers in his direction.
there are bodies on the streets of the harbor, both millelith, and harbinger giving their all as they fight each other. there are light blue arrows coming from above as purple lighting seems to disappear and reappear in an instant.
and that's when he sees it.
it looks like a monster almost, covered in dark blue and purple armor, yet the red mask on its face seemed vaguely familiar. the orange hair only clarifies his suspicions. he'd only heard of the foul legacy in rumors, in stories from harbinger soldiers who were lucky enough to see the elite on the battlefield. it's strong, a symbol of power almost amongst the ranks.
but when diluc spots you standing in front of childe with a tight grip on your sword, he realizes it was nothing more than a last minute resort.
—
xiao's grip on his spear tightened as he faced another harbinger hoard, one just as merciless as the last. the endless slaughter is getting exhausting even as an ever powerful adepti. he could only fight at full power for so long, not that he minded, he could take down most of the soldiers easily at this rate.
but the problem here is, that the harbingers weren't the only things xiao needed to worry about.
osial's roar snapped him back to reality. no one's even bothered to fight him yet, not with the constant wave of soldiers that never seem to end. at this rate, he'll drown the city. if no one does anything to stop the ancient god, everyone here might die.
xiao looks over at keqing, making her way through her own mob of soldiers. she's out of breath, using her vision to move from fighter to fighter as she takes them out in a single strike. she's always been good at that.
he looks up to ganyu, her aim is as sharp as ever. she meets xiao's glance with concern in her eyes, giving him a thumbs up, and he only nods, returning the gesture with one of his own before she goes back to her bow.
then he spots ningguang running through the battlefield with a couple soldiers following behind her, she's yelling at the medics and pointing back towards the battlefield. xiao follows her fingers and his eyes widen when he sees the now limp body of one of the mondstat brothers lying on the ground. kaeya was his name, xiao thinks. and then he spots the other, the flame in his blade as strong as the fire in his eyes as he now turns his blade against the harbinger soldiers. they're most certainly losing ground, especially with their two strongest no longer fighting alongside them.
and then xiao finds you.
you're standing face to face with tartaglia, now donning his foul legacy transformation, the one that xiao came face to face with all those years ago. there are tears in your eyes as you face your supposed lover, shaking your head before you run to strike at him. but the elite pushes back, once again not bothering to fight you.
he's seen this before. a sense of deja vu hits him when you steal a glance at xiao, whose eyes widen on meeting yours. you give him a nod before running back towards tartaglia once more, searching for a way to crack through his armor.
"i'm on your side."
and xiao can't help but smile as you keep your word.
his head snaps back to osial whose roar reminds him once more of the impending danger for liyue. it's in that instant he decides, at that moment he disappears from the battlefield and up to the top of guyun stone forest, his mask appearing around his face in an instant. it's only then that he rules that he's the only one who can seal the ancient god back underground.
and when he jumps off the cliff, he realizes it's his final will to do just that.
he is the last remaining adeptus, the last remaining yaksha, the last one standing who had any connection to rex lapis.
oh. zhongli, i wonder what he's doing right now.
xiao thrusts his spear forward as he charges toward the monster. a surge of green energy appears in his hands as a bright light appears from his eyes. he jumps from place to place in the air in order to avoid the monster's attacks. a plethora of spears appear with each strike from xiao as he throws all his strength and energy forward to defeat the ancient god standing in front of him.
alatus.
xiao moves from one head to the next. the newfound voice in his head throwing his senses into a flurry. it's distant and almost unrecognizable, but there's a strange sense of familiarity to it as it calls him by his real name.
this is your duty.
xiao continues on, using his powers to his advantage as he darts across the sky, not missing the way osial snips off a piece of his clothes. he's already bruised and injured from his fights earlier, he can't afford a major hit from the god now.
you're our last line of defense.
his memory snaps back to the other adepti, the other yakshas, the people he used to call his friends before they vanished into thin air before they succumbed to the darkness that they protected the nations from.
you're our last hope.
maybe this is why he's the last one remaining. maybe this was the reason why he chose to stay despite the other adepti leaving, why he ended up being the final yaksha in liyue, and why he never gave in to the darkness he fought so hard.
because he needed to be here.
a crack appears in his mask, one that xiao can't help but notice as he continues fighting. it grows wider as he throws strike after strike at the god, in hopes of finally finding its weak spot and bringing it down. he's running out of strength. half of the mask shatters in an instant as xiao's eyes widen. yet he refuses to give up. he needed to save the city, even if it was the last thing he needed to do.
it's only then that he sees the jade chamber float towards osial in the sky. his eyes widen as a smile grows on his face. you were right, ningguang knew in advance about the ancient god, she came prepared with reinforcements because of your final warning.
you were truly on their side after all.
and it's in that moment of hope that osial finally strikes.
it all happens too fast. a gasp leaves xiao's lips as he flies backward, his body hitting the cliffs of guyun stone forest before his body goes limp, falling down towards the island. black spots appear in his vision as he hits the sand. immense pain coursing through his body as he finally gives in to the darkness.
—
"xiao."
the yaksha looked up at the god with curious eyes.
"i shall give you the name xiao. in the fables of another land, the name xiao is that of a spirit who encountered great suffering and hardship. he endured much suffering, as you have." the god looked down at him with a small smile. "you're free now, xiao. your days of suffering are over"
and the yaksha couldn't help the way he began to cry.
Notes:
GOD DID YOU GUYS SEE THE HARBINGER VIDEO?
my only thought right now: if evil why hot? sob sob i can't wait to see more of them
anyway! this is a pretty hefty chapter bahaha so i really hope you all enjoy this one!
thanks for reading 3
Chapter 40: thirty nine
Summary:
although a bit too late for their own good
Chapter Text
the onslaught seems never ending.
you strike down one soldier with ease, then another, then you block an attack from one last one before ganyu's the one who steals the final hit. you're out of breath when the bodies of once able soldiers turn into ones lying on the ground. it's relentless as one wave comes in after the next. ice flew threw the air around you as shards hit your targets head on. your sword was covered in blood, your clothes contained rips and tears that you didn't have time to worry about now.
keqing's lightning stiletto appears to your right as she wipes out soldiers in a single hit. ice shards press forward from your blade as the two elements react, pushing the enemies back further until they're stunned on the ground.
"thank you," you nod to her breathlessly.
"of course," she nods back before shooting out her stiletto to another location on the battlefield.
you stare down at the bodies before taking another glance at the battlefield, soldiers, both millelith and harbinger are being taken out in an instant. a flash of purple lighting takes your focus as your eyes turn to the sky, following the strike down only to see a hoard of millelith men fall to their knees.
ajax stands above them.
sparks of lightning danced across his skin as his mask covered his face, his eyes glowing purple just as they did all that time ago. he's unstoppable to the soldiers, almost unbeatable considering his level of strength compared to his.
but you might just stand a chance.
your vision glows bright as you freeze childe's hydro blades with a simple flick of your wrist. he immediately lets go at the sudden change, ice shattering to the ground as he looks around the battlefield, gaze landing on you before you pull out your sword.
and the blades that appear at his side tell you everything you need to know.
you charge forward, ice appearing at your feet as ajax uses his blades to deflect your first strike. not a single word is exchanged by you both as you find yourself fighting once again. but this time, his gaze doesn't waver, and his eyes don't flicker blue.
he knows of your betrayal, and this time he's the one angered enough for a fight.
ajax is faster now, his delusion glowing bright along with his vision as he moves as fast as the lighting that surrounded him. but you're quick enough to freeze the elements he throws at you, electricity coursing through your veins every time you're unable to dodge an attack. it's a dangerous game almost. but you knew you needed to play it.
you betrayed him after all, it's only fair you saw his anger to the very end.
it's pitiful, the way you both love each other, but it's what you had, it's all you had left. because after this, you doubt that ajax will ever love you again.
"i should've seen it coming."
your eyes widen before you instantly jump away from ajax, moments before his sword attempts to slice through you.
"your betrayal," he scoffs, "knowing you shit like that is right up your alley."
"and you have every right to be angry at me for it," you tell him. "but as i told you before, i am a member of the qixing, and my nation takes top priority."
"you're not even from here!" ajax cries out before lighting shoots up from the ground.
"shit," you curse out, using your ice to avoid the purple sparks. "regardless!" you call out to him before your feet touch the ground once more, "liyue gave me more of a home than snezhaya ever did and i would never submit to snezhaya, not even for you."
"fair enough," he scoffs. "i should've known you and the brothers would turn their back on me at one point."
you blink, "wait what? kaeya and diluc? they would never."
"oh they would," he nods. "the tianquan has always had a way with words after all." and he lunges at you again. "oh i've missed this," he cries as you dodge another attack, "the thrill that battle brings, i've missed it so much."
you instantly jump out of his way before a bolt of lightning hits you.
"tell me this yn," water wraps around your arms, chaining you down to the ground as childe approaches. "have you ever seen me in my true form?"
you blink, fear in your eyes under ajax's terrifying gaze, "true form?"
"of course!" he nods, "you obviously can't believe this is who i really am can you?"
and you stare up at him with wide eyes as you shake your head.
"the rumors you hear about the elite are all true ya know," he tells you. "i take it you must hear a lot as the supposed traitor."
"i do," you mumble almost instinctively before the chains around your wrists disappear.
"then i take it you've heard about this true form of mine then," he laughs before the water crisscrosses around his limbs, purple lightning cracks through the sky as ajax's feet leave the ground. armor appears at his legs before it hits his arms. his hair seems to float as a new mask appears on his face, one that seemed to resemble a cyclops.
"you showed me who you truly are, i guess it's time i finally do the same."
"ajax," you mumble.
and he hits the ground with a thud, standing up slowly as you notice that he now towers over you.
"this is the true me," he tells you with utter certainty. "this is the monster you love."
you pull out your sword almost on instinct. "you're lying ajax," you tell him.
"you lie so often," he laughs, "why is it that you avoid the truth? are you scared?" he approaches closer, as your grip tightens on your sword. "do you not realize this is the man you love? are you terrified of that?"
you spot xiao in the corner of your eye. his eyes are laced with concern as he meets your gaze, but all you do is nod before turning back to ajax.
"i'm not scared," you tell him. "because i'm well aware this isn't you. you just don't want to grapple with the fact that you're losing ground, your subordinates are turning on you, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."
"oh there most certainly is," he laughs. "now come on, fight me. you brought this on! you betrayed me! come on! finish what you started yn! you love me enough to do that now, don't you?"
and you let out a breath before running towards him, ice appearing at the tip of your blade as it glows white.
"you don't want to fight me," you tell him as you attempt to pierce through the skin of his armor.
no dice.
childe pulls out his spear, now glowing purple as a strike of lightning comes flying at you. you use your ice shards to break it down before dodging what's left of the remaining strike. "you're running out of options ajax," you try, "you wouldn't pull a stunt like this so late in the game."
"it's the final battle," he grits out, "of course i would."
you jump back, taking another look at the elite standing in front of you. "alright then," you huff, standing up. "i do believe we have some unfinished business to take care of then."
this was the cruel way you two loved each other.
you resume your fighting stance.
and unfortunately, in times like these, there's no other way to go about it.
"come kill me ajax."
oh how you wished things could be different.
"take your old mission back," you cry out as you slowly approach him, voice shaking slightly.
how you wished there was no war, how you wished you could love him the way you wanted to.
"fight me like it was what you were put on this earth to do!" you look up at him with fiery eyes.
but you're both on separate sides of the war.
"this was what your precious tsaritsa ordered, isn't it?"
and it's only then you realize a love like this wasn't meant to be.
"we both know you love me too much to kill me."
and that seems to set him off.
a blue light shines above you in an instant. you gasp at the light blue whale now crashing down. "shit, shit, shit," you curse out as you run to avoid it.
ajax's the one who appears in front of you this time, almost out of thin air as you use your blade to block his spear. bright purple lights appear in front of you. "now you know how i feel huh?" you cry out. "now you know what it's like to be betrayed by the one you love."
ajax wordlessly pushes forward pressing his blade deeper as you dig your heels into the ground beneath you.
"now you know what it's like to be hurt by the one you love," you tell him. "so fight me, because we both know our nations stand taller than the love we have for each other."
a sigh leaves your lips as ice appears at your feet, helping you slide out and away from the boy as he falls to his feet.
"there's no other way," he grits out. "no matter what situation we're in, we'll always end up fighting each other."
"that's how it is in a world like this," you shrug before you run towards him once more. "but i know deep down that this isn't something you want."
you manage to put a dent in his armor before jumping back once more. "i know a part of you doesn't want to win this war. despite your allegiance being with the tsaritsa, you don't agree with this."
another crack appears in his armor as you strike it again, almost as if it's breaking at your touch. "you're letting me hit you," you mumble.
"you're right," he nods. "i may love battle, but a war with ancient gods wasn't what i wanted, especially against you. but i do what the tsaritsa wishes. if she desires to conquer liyue, so be it."
"you know the thousands of lives at stake here," you yell out. "if you win here, the rest of teyvat will be in immense danger. you don't want this, so why don't you stop it?"
"trying to talk me out of this isn't going to change anything," ajax tells you.
"because you already know that i've changed your mind already."
you have, ever since the day he met you, he's realized how strong of a nation liyue is, how rich and beautiful all the history and culture of this place is. if the tsaritsa conquered it, she'd smash all of that to pieces.
so when she brought up the battle plan with osial to him before he even met you, he was willing to do what she pleased. but now, he's not too sure if she's in the right.
and for the first time, childe found himself disagreeing with her ideals.
"even if you did change my mind, it'll be difficult to defeat osial."
"not if we have someone like you on our side."
"i'm not abandoning my soldiers."
"you don't have to," you reason. "we-"
"this isn't going to work!" ajax instantly snaps before lunging at you again, purple energy appearing at the tip of his blade before a surge of light blue appears at your fingertips, keeping you from his attack.
"ajax please," you cry out, tears beginning to blur your vision. "you don't have to do this."
"i have to," he grits out before pressing forward. "at this point i have no other choice."
"there's always another choice," you tell him as tears flow freely down your face.
and your heart breaks as he shakes his head.
"not this time yn," he sighs. "i'm sorry."
your tears turn to ice as he pushes forward. a chill runs down your fingertips as you try to fight back, digging your heels into the ground despite the way your arms seem to shake.
"you wouldn't kill me," you whisper shakily before kicking ajax's shin, distracting him as you make a run for it. you wipe away the ice stuck to your cheeks as he gets back up.
"i wouldn't," he shakes his head. "i don't want to fight you."
"but you have no choice," you cut in,
and he sighs.
"i have no choice."
Chapter 41: forty
Summary:
their screams will constantly ring through the night
Chapter Text
it's cold.
it's not the same kind of cold that you experienced in snezhaya. it wasn't welcoming nor worrying. it was unfamiliar, a chill you've never experienced before, and a part of you isn't sure if that's a good or a bad thing.
you've never used your vision to this extent before. normally, ice tended to appear at your feet or at the tip of your blade. but now, the ice seemed to fly everywhere as you tried to keep up with childe as he wielded two elements against your one. the tears that continued to leave your eyes seemed to turn into ice. the more cryo energy sat between your fingertips the more your fingers felt like ice. you didn't even bother to notice the way they were starting to turn blue.
ajax's attacks only kept up, but the cracks in his armor continued to grow. his attack patterns, while still unpredictable, began slowing down, making it easier for you to attack him. a piece of armor flies off his legs, then a piece on his right arm, then one on his torso.
it's working, you're breaking it off.
you're breathless as ice appears at your feet once more.
it's in chunks instead of the small print on the floor. you use them to gain height over tartaglia as you go for the next part of his armor.
his mask.
ice covers your blade as you ignore the way your fingers begin to feel numb. it's a dull sensation, one you choose to ignore when a strike to his cheek chips away part of his mask. your eyes widen when you notice a cut appear on his cheek.
but honestly, you're too deep at this point to even care.
you strike once more, a gentler one this time and as your feet hit the ground, part of the mask falls with them, revealing the face of the man you love.
ajax is out of breath, his steps are much slower than when they started. the lightning he shoots out now is much weaker than earlier strikes. you look up at the blue circle on his mask, hoping you're meeting his gaze.
"i don't want to hurt you anymore ajax," you tell him breathlessly. "please."
and to that he raises his arm up, a strike of purple lighting cracking against the sky. your eyes widen when you notice the faint glimpse of purple beneath your feet.
but you're too slow to move.
a scream leaves your lips as the ice and thunder react, sending electricity through your veins as your body grows more frigid. you try to get up, but the stiffness in your legs and feet keeps you pinned to the ground.
it's only then you notice the blue in your skin tone. it's only then you notice the newfound color that was slowly creeping up your calves and forearms. you press your hand to your cheek.
it's cold.
not the same kind of cold that was present in snezhaya. it wasn't welcoming nor familiar.
it was terrifying.
you look to ajax who's only standing frozen. his arm drops to his side as if he's staring down at you in pure shock. a shiver runs through your body as you curl your legs in, searching for some kind of warmth that isn't there. ice seems to appear on the ground below you as you shiver. panicked tears spring from your eyes, tears that turn into ice just like all the other ones. you take out your hairpin, your hands shaking immensely despite the simple action.
your vision's still glowing bright.
you slowly turn to ajax, who's still standing in shock, eyes glued on you as you continue to cry. the shivering in your hands stops as you lose sensation in them. you can't move and your heartbeat goes erratic as you stiffen up.
the words that leave your lips are nothing but a whisper.
"please, help me."
but ajax moves in an instant the second you crash to the ground.
he screams and cries out for help. he looks for fire delusion holders amidst the battlefield. he screams your name in hopes of garnering the attention of the qixing.
but no one came.
and ajax can't help but cry as he maneuvers you into his arms. sure, he knows all about snezhaya's cold. his parents lectured him on how to treat hypothermia when he was still a little boy. but this, he had never seen this before.
this vision induced chill, seemed untreatable.
he's still in his armor as he looks down at you, still staring up into his eyes with a small smile.
"i'm sorry," he whispers. "i should've noticed and stopped you while we were fighting."
you shake your head slowly, "it's okay. i should've been more careful as well."
"do you know what this is?"
"no," you mumble, "i don't."
"let me go find someone then," he reasons as he tries to maneuver your icy body. "we can find diluc! he'll be more than happy to help you out," his voice waivers as he searches around the nearby battlefield once more. "or maybe even a delusion holder? or the qixing! do any of them carry pyro visions? i'm sure one of them m-"
"ajax."
he meets your gaze in an instant, "yes my love what is it?"
"look at my legs."
and he follows your words, a gasp leaving his lips when he notices the way your legs are pure blue, almost as if they're frozen. "no, no, no," he looks up at the vision in your hair clip, pulling it out instantly as he stares at the vision. the light it emits is bright, brighter than a normal vision would look.
he smashes it the ground in an instant, the extra strength with his transformation helping him slam it to the ground in hopes of breaking it. "fuck," ajax curses out. "fuck please, stop i beg."
"ajax."
"fucking hell," he keeps slamming it into the ground, his heart shattering every time he pulls it up to see it look completely normal. "shit, come on."
"ajax."
he stops in an instant once he hears your voice.
"come on," he cups your cheek, heart sinking when he notices how cold it is. "there's gotta be some way."
you only respond with silence.
"fuck, you promised me you wouldn't die," his voice waivers as tears flow freely from his eyes, "you promised me you'd stay alive so we can have a life after the war."
you stare up at him, "you're so beautiful."
and a sob rips through his throat at your words.
"ajax," you mumble, voice soft as you stare up at him. "i'm running out of time."
"no you're not," he shakes his head. "we'll find someone and bring you back. come on we're on a battlefield between two nations, surely someone has to be able to help you." he's frantic, especially when he notices your arms turning the same shade of blue as your legs. "HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!"
you're freezing.
"ajax," you call out once more.
he looks down at you with tears in his eyes.
"i love you."
and he instantly shakes his head at that. "no, no, tell me that after the war. tell me when we're able to find you help, fuck don't say that now."
"i won't be able to say it ever again," you whisper as your eyes meet his.
"i love you so much," you repeat. "i'm so happy i got to meet you."
and he only hiccups at your words, small sobs leaving his lips.
"say it back."
"no," he shakily reasons. "i'll say it to you when i find you help." he turns to the battlefield once again. "SOMEONE, ANYONE, PLEASE HELP ME!"
"ajax."
your voice is barely above a whisper.
"please."
and he leans closer to you shakily.
"i love you," he tells you. "i love you more than you'll ever know. i love you, and i'll keep loving you until the very end."
you sigh, at that, a small puff of white appearing at your lips.
"until we meet again my love."
he pulls up instantly at your words, noticing your eyes were now closed as a final white cloud appeared between you both. "no," he mumbles, pressing a gentle hand to your chest. "no," he says, voice growing louder when he realizes there's no movement. "no," he cries out when he notices your arms and legs have completely turned to ice. "no," he whispers before he crumbles into your chest, sobs leaving his lips as he cries into you, searching for a heartbeat, searching for any kind of movement, for any sign of life.
but he finds nothing.
his body shakes as he sniffles and hiccups, heart shattering at the immense guilt that came with him contributing to your death.
he was the reason you were fighting in the first place.
he was the reason you were overusing your vision.
he was the reason why you turned into this frozen state.
he was responsible for your death.
and that was something he couldn't live with.
Chapter 42: forty one
Summary:
but a bitter shame it is
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
there's a weight that sits over tartaglia as he now stares up at osial.
there's a sense of dread as he watches the creature roar, a sense of anguish as he slowly approaches it, a sense of regret once he notices the dock beginning to overflow with water. his body's weak, and there are a plethora of cracks in his armor, but as he looks back at your frozen body, he finds himself not caring.
you weren't supposed to die.
if anything he should've been the one to go. if he could go back to that moment, he'd exchange his life for yours in an instant.
you didn't deserve to die. you were only protecting your nation, you were only fighting for the freedom of a nation who was losing it because of him.
he's the one who started the war in the first place. he was the one who screamed as he charged into liyue with a hoard of soldiers behind him. he didn't spare mercy to civilians as he fulfilled his tsaritsa's wishes. it was wrong of him to pin all the blame on his queen. you were right, there was always another option.
he just wishes he realized that a bit sooner.
he stares up at osial, purple lighting once again shining in his eyes as he vanished into thin air, reappearing on the cliffs in front of guyun stone forest. childe catches sighed of the jade chamber slowly floating towards the ancient god. but the grip on childe's spear tightens.
he was the one who brought the god to life, he needed to be the one who finished it off.
so he jumps off the cliff and towards osial, thrusting his spear forward as lightning appears at the blade.
he's tired, he's so tired. but at this point, he doesn't give a damn.
childe's never used his foul legacy to this extent. using it in itself is incredibly draining on its own, coupling it with fighting for a short period was something childe had just mastered. but childe doesn't know how long it's been since he was out of the transformation. his energy is draining rapidly.
but as he continues to fight osial, he continues not to care.
the one thing, the one person he loved and wanted to protect was gone.
water rests at childe's feet as he floats over the god, lighting raining down from the sky as he throws sharp water blades at osial. it roars and thrashes, but it doesn't seem any weaker.
childe huffs before he raises his arm up to the sky, another thunderous blast hitting osial as its heads go into a state of disarray.
he's running out of energy. but he doesn't give a damn as he continues forward. he fires purple blades towards osial, before quickly overlapping them with blue. he summons lightning once more despite the way his legs feel as if they'll give out at any second. he uses water to keep himself steady, the small pads at his feet now covering his calves to hold him up.
there are more cracks in his armor, as bits and pieces fall into the ocean below.
his spear breaks into two blades as he moves close to osial, slicing through the neck of one of the heads before moving on to the next. ajax's eyes widen when he watches the heads regenerate at a much slower pace than before.
it's weakening, the ancient god is losing ground.
but it seemed as if childe was even weaker.
the rest of his mask falls next, revealing childe's full face as he continued to drive at full force towards the monster, determined to shut it down. he's moving slower, as armor continues to fall off at a more rapid pace. he's barely dodging the god's attacks despite still being able to throw attacks at it.
a blast of water heads straight for childe but he uses his blades to block it, but before childe can move even further, his legs give out. a gasp leaves childe's lips as he falls, scrambling to use his vision to catch himself before he falls into the sea.
he's gasping for air as he pulls himself up. his grip remained tight on his blades as he summoned one more bout of lightning, watching as sparks of electricity danced across osial's skin.
and it's enough to take out two of its heads.
before childe can even think of another attack, his vision gives out once more, the water holding up his injured limbs disappearing underneath him as he falls. childe's eyes widen as he spots another blast coming from osial. he scrambles to block one, panicking as he uses his blades once more to block the second, but the third hits him head on. his blades drop into the sea below him as he continues falling.
another blast comes towards him, battering the boy as he's unable to defend himself.
he's too weak to continue fighting, he's too weak to save himself.
so he lets himself fall. lets himself succumb to gravity, to his fate, to the eventual demise he knew he would soon face.
he sighs as he catches sight of liyue harbor, and spots the jade chamber approaching closer with weaponry at the ready. he looks back onto the harbor in search of you, or at least the hollow shell that was once you.
and he can't help but smile as he thinks of you, of the short time you spent together, of the memories that always made him wish for more.
how greedy he was, to dream of a love that felt as if could never be.
he looks up at the cloudy sky above him, watching as thunder and lightning crackle above him. osial's been weakened, he did enough to help the qixing finally end the war. and he can't help but smile at that.
at least he was able to do something good.
a soft sigh leaves his lips at that revelation.
"i'm coming my love."
and then his body hits the sea, the splash from the impact seen by no one.
Notes:
one! more! chapter! left!
there it is, the fatal scenes you all knew were coming haha, i'm very sorry for all the pain i've caused, but all of the still alive characters will make their return in the finale! i'll post it later on but thank you so so much again for joining me on this journey, i'm so happy that people even read this in the first place lol but...i'll save all the sentiments for the final chapter :D
thanks for reading!
Chapter 43: forty two
Summary:
that this is their last fight.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"are the cannons ready?"
"yes tianquan they're ready," keqing nods standing behind one.
"we're good here," diluc nods rather solemnly.
"i'm okay here," ganyu mumbles.
"alright," ninguang sighs before she begins to levitate in the air, using her vision to create a shield blocking the chamber. "let's end this war then."
cheers erupt from the soldiers as they prepare the smaller cannons next to the three big ones. the guizhong ballistas were a last minute effort. after hearing the message from you, ningguang did her best to repair them, using the help of some old heroes and new friends to help bring them back to life.
and now, they were the qixing's best option in winning the war.
"tianquan."
ningguang looks back down at the chamber, "yes ganyu?"
"two of it's heads are gone."
"impossible," she mutters before turning to the monster and sure enough ganyu's right. "how could this be?"
ganyu shrugs, "i don't know."
"xiao," ningguang's eyes widen, "where is xiao?" mumurs begin amongst the crowd as a new revelation appears amongst them.
"wait!" keqing yells out, "where's yn?"
"she's fighting tartaglia," diluc answers instantly. "knowing those two and their history, that battle's still on going."
"she's fighting.." keqing mumbles.
"but they…" ganyu shakes her head instantly. "we can get back to them in a moment. we need to take out osial first."
"but what a-"
"yuheng," ningguang calls from above, as she tries to ignore the overwhelming pit in her stomach at the missing members. "ganyu's right. we can worry about those two later."
keqing's lips curl into a frown before she sighs. "understood," she answers as the jade chamber approaches closer.
"i don't know why it's weakened," ningguang starts. "but now's our chance to take it down."
keqing points her sword forward, "everyone fire!"
a chorus of booms ring throughout the atmosphere as the cannons shoot bright light into the sky. the beams come crashing down on osial, sending the ancient god into a frenzy as he roars into the atmosphere.
"keep going!" ningguang yells as her soldiers follow her orders. cannons go off left and right as she keeps up her shield. the lingering voice in her head telling her to look for her missing soldiers. but there's no time, there's no point right now. if they gave this up, they wouldn't be able to win this war once and for all.
a part of her just prayed that they were both alive.
one head goes down after the cannons batter down the monster. ningguang turns parts of the shield into energy particles, sending them flying toward the monster in its weakened state before rebuilding her shield back up. diluc begins embedding fire into their shots before keqing and ganyu decide to do the same. elements fly through the air as they take the monster down, pushing it back into the sea.
ganyu can't help but smile. "it's working! don't let up!"
the soldiers cheer as they shoot cannons of their own at the monster. the vision holders amongst them embedding their own elements into the cannons. the elements react on the monster's skin, stunning it, and forcing it deeper and deeper into the sea. but even with the pure amount of power hitting it, it still refused to give in.
it's roar remained thunderous as the waves thrashed beneath the chamber.
"tianquan," diluc calls out, "we're gonna need something bigger to take it down."
"diluc!" keqing yells, "this is all we have! the jade chamber is our last line of defense."
ningguang thinks for a moment before the shield disappears in front of the chamber, as mumbles of confusion appear amongst the crowd. "everyone," she calls out as she ascends down, "i have a plan."
"what might that be?" ganyu questions.
she turns her shield into a platform, "everyone get on."
"ningguang," keqing cuts in, "what are you doing?"
"it's like you said," she sighs, "the jade chamber is our last line of defense." ningguang turns to the soldiers pushing the cannons onto the platform. "leave them."
"but ti-"
"there's no time," she interrupts. "your lives are more precious than the cannons, hurry." and the soldiers nod as they follow her orders all of them standing on the platform as their told. ningguang turns to keqing. "the sooner we finish this, the sooner we can find our friends okay?"
the yuheng nods slowly before stepping out onto the platform. ganyu pats her shoulder as she steps on. "we'll find them okay?"
"okay," she mumbles before ninguang directs the platform away from the jade chamber, not bothering to look back as it plunges into osial, sending the ancient god back into the sea.
—
when ningguang sees the frozen body on liyue harbor she pretends to ignore the feeling that it's yours.
"diluc," she calls out instantly before running closer to the body. diluc follows behind, picking up his pace when he spots what ningguang's running toward.
no, he thinks, don't tell me that's-
"yn," ningguang mumbles as she now stands over the body. she leans down, noticing your icy limbs.
"can you melt it?" she ask diluc solemnly without even sparing a glance at him.
he sucks in a breath. "i'll try, but that doesn't guarantee we can bring her back."
"i don't care about that," she answers coldly. "i just need you to melt the ice," her voice shakes slightly, "please."
he only nods as he crouches down next to the tianquan, fire emitting from his hand as he hovers his hands over your skin. and he doesn't miss the sigh of relief coming from ningguang when the ice melts.
"where's tartaglia?" ningguang questions as she wipes tears from her eyes.
"i," diluc hesitates as he continues to hold fire over your body, melting the rest of ice away. "i don't know." he looks around, "the harbingers seem to have retreated."
"maybe he went with them," ningguang mumbles
"we found xiao!" keqing exclaims as she approaches ningguang. "he's still alive but he's unconscious! if we treat him he-"
she stops talking when she notices your body on the ground, a puddle of water around it and a blank vision at your side. she sinks to her knees in an instant.
"no," she mumbles softly as her eyes water up. "this isn't-"
"it is," ningguang sighs.
and keqing's cries rip through the atmosphere. her sniffles and sobs making the tianquan break out into cries of their own as diluc only stares down at you in shock, almost as if he's expecting something, expecting a heartbeat, expecting a breath.
expecting a sign of life.
but when he finishes melting the ice, his heart sinks when he only discovers your corpse.
"we found a body in the ocean."
everyone turns to ganyu at the news.
diluc's voice is soft, "who is it?"
she let out a soft sigh.
"it's tartaglia's."
"no way in hell," diluc mumbles.
"so he and xiao," ningguang thinks.
"they fought osial alone," keqing sniffles.
ganyu walks over to the group, a gasp leaving her lips on spotting your dead body. she holds you in an instant, not caring if you're long gone as she grips tightly on you, burying her head into your shoulder in hopes of muffling her cries.
"they died," diluc says. keqing and ningguang turn to him, "they died while we were fighting."
"and none of us knew," keqing stares at nothing as she speaks. "no one did anything to help them."
"they were in a battle of their own," diluc says softly. "i saw it, it was intense." he looked up at the yuheng and tianquan with tears in his eyes.
"no one would've been able to stop them."
ganyu's cries cut through the atmosphere as ningguang finally stands up. "i'll alert zhongli about having the citizens return immediately," she says, voice hollow. "we'll tell them the truth of what happened." she looks back down at you, another tear slipping from her before she sighs.
"and we'll tell them of the heroes that gave up their lives to save our city."
"what do we do with the elite?" keqing mumbles.
ningguang looks to diluc for an answer, "alert the harbingers," he says. "they'll come to pick up the body when they hear the news."
the tianquan mumbles. "understood."
diluc finally stands up, "do you know where my brother's being kept?"
"in wangsheng funeral parlor," ningguang answers. "you can decide what to do with him from there."
diluc nods stiffly. "understood," he says before turning away. "i'll be taking my leave then."
"diluc."
he turns around at ningguang's call.
"thank you."
and he only nods before turning back around and heading into the barren city.
the sun's just started to rise as the members of the qixing finally alert the millelith of your discovery. the pink and orange hues of the sunrise serve as the backdrop as they stare at the sea.
"what do we do now?" keqing mumbles, voice monotonous and hollow.
"we…" ningguang sniffles. "we rebuild our city. we build it again from the ground up. we tell the world we survived." she looks back down at you, at ganyu still holding you as she cries into your lifeless body.
"and we tell them of the heroes who didn't."
