Twisted
Chapter 3
It had been at least three hours since they made it into this damn room- though it could have been a lot longer. Because someone was clearly still messing with their perception of time.
At least lighting the pillars was easy. But, everytime they guessed the order incorrectly they had to fight more and more dangerous enemies before they could try again. The most recent enemies to spawn from the puzzle were a large rift wolf and two smaller ones after a pair of ruin guards. And before that was a medium sized geovishap with a pair of hatchlings randomly bouncing around.
But regardless, the pillars were stubbornly refusing to open the way forward. They had tried a lot of patterns and nothing was working!
Aether and Paimon finally had to sit down and rest. Zhongli wanted to keep going. But knew that his companions were tired after spending the last several days in the desert- not to mention fighting alongside him here.
So, Zhongli sat down beside them.
He didn't know how much more of this separation he could take. He had faith in Xiao. He knew that his mate was strong, used to being bombarded by pain from his karmic debt. But the involvement of the Abyss made things so much more dangerous. Until recently in the Chasm, Abyssal corruption had been relatively rare in Liyue since the Cataclysm.
He had heard of the way Stormterror and even Andrius in Mondstadt had been manipulated by the corruption of the Abyss. He supposed it made sense for them to try that tactic in Liyue too, but it annoyed him that they chose Xiao.
Although to be fair, the other remaining adepti lacked not only Xiao's recent combat experience but his determination and physical strength too.
No doubt that the Abyssal monsters were trying to turn his mate back into the demonic shadow that Zhongli still remembered from thousands of years ago.
When Zhongli first saw him, Xiao had been a tireless hunter that was even faster than the wind with sharp talons and a deceptively small, lithe form. A creature almost made of shadow; Xiao had been held prisoner for so long that he was barely recognizable as an adeptus. Shadows clung to him like cobwebs. The humans and even many of the adepti in his army had been afraid of this mysterious creature.
Xiao had to be kept in amber for the first week as his tortured body healed. It had taken a month of purification rituals to soothe the little yaksha's badly wounded mind and spirit. Xiao didn't remember any of it, and Zhongli was never going to tell him.
But even knowing what Xiao had been forced to do, Zhongli couldn't bring himself to slay the little yaksha. Even then, Xiao was hauntingly beautiful and more mysterious than the last rays of moonlight just before a storm. But his beauty alone wasn't why he spared him. It was his bright golden eyes. They were so full of pain and desperation that-
"So, Zhongli, how did you find us anyway? The area beyond Aaru Village isn't exactly crowded with people to talk to, you know," Paimon wondered.
Shaken from his thoughts, Zhongli tried to smile. "I can feel Aether's elemental energy- not only Geo, but Anemo, Electro and now Dendro too. The two of you stand out from ordinary vision wielders like a crystal fly among sweet flowers in the night."
"Oh," Paimon nodded. "Yeah, I guess Nahida said almost the same thing a while ago. I'm so glad she's doing better now. But she's sure got a lot of work to do putting the Academia back together!"
"Yes, over the years I'd heard whispers that the sages imprisoned their own Archon. I'm glad she is now free. Lord Kusenali is wise and kind. She saved all of Teyvat the only way she could."
Aether nodded. "Yeah, according to the ancient Shrine Keepers in the desert, she used so much of her power that she lost a lot of her memories helping King Deshret try to save his kingdom. So, when she chose to do the same thing again during the cataclysm, this time she lost all of her memories. She became someone the sages considered worthless so they pretended she didn't exist, so they tried to build their own god."
Zhongli nodded. "Well, the scholars won't be doing that again any time soon. So, may I ask what drew you out into the desert earlier?"
"Oh, we were just looking for a set of famous ruins we heard about. Supposedly no one else has ever been in there. But we got sidetracked by mercenaries twice and then a sandstorm happened. So it's probably just as well that we're with you now," Paimon sighed.
"Yeah. But I still can't believe Xiao was attacked… I mean, we've been so busy chasing the Fatui all over Sumeru that it never occurred to me that the Abyss might pop up so soon too- especially in Liyue!" Aether said. "Anyway, thanks again for allowing us to try to help."
"You should know that I always enjoy spending time with the two of you," Zhongli smiled. "And Xiao must protect others from the darkness he carries. But he enjoys seeing you as well."
"Yeah," Paimon nodded. "We know. Say, speaking of curiosity, how did you two get together anyway?"
"Paimon," Aether said, shaking his head. "Remember he said Xiao didn't want anyone to know yet."
"Well, yeah, but I still wanna know!"
Zhongli sighed. "I'm afraid that I don't really know what to say."
"Then you don't have to say anything," Aether shrugged. "No one likes being put on the spot like that, Paimon. Come on, let's try the puzzle again. I think I have an idea. It might not work, but we're already out of patterns that make sense. So this time I will try lighting them in a 'Z' shape. So, starting from the back again, geo, dendro, anemo and then electro."
"I see," Zhongli said. "And, thank you."
"I'm sorry, Zhongli," Paimon grunted. "I'm just extra curious because none of the other adepti seem to have a mate."
"That's only because there are so few of us left now. The adepti mate for life, and the others all lost their mates long ago."
"Wow," Paimon said. "So it's really just you and Xiao then?"
"Yes," Zhongli sighed. "But this is neither the time nor the place to continue such a discussion."
"Yeah," Aether said as he lit the geo pillar. He needed to try to pull his thoughts back to the business at hand.
This was important. Xiao was counting on them to rescue him. And besides, who knew how many of the Abyss' minions could hear them right now! Putting the remaining adepti in danger too would only make things worse.
And then there was the question of his sister. Could Lumine really be here? And why would she? What could she possibly want with Xiao?
Xiao was startled out of his meditation when a globe of hydro suddenly swallowed him. The bubble enveloped him completely. He was helpless- drowning; literally tied to the ground, he was unable to pop the bubble by struggling inside it.
As such, Xiao's instincts screamed at him to do something- to fight back to protect himself! There was one way out of this.
He knew it very well. If he were to give into the darkness inside him again, he could break free- not just out of the bubble and the chains but the constant pain would dim as well.
He would revert to an almost animal state if he accepted that much darkness at once.
So he couldn't give in. He had promised Zhongli that he would be his. That he would never again allow the darkness inside him to lash out. His master was counting on him to resist!
But as the minutes ticked by, Xiao was getting desperate. It was already hard to breathe in this room. So having to hold his breath was a hundred times harder under the water.
Still, he worked hard to keep his focus. Awareness of everything began to fade as he ran out of breath. He kept his body still waiting for the inevitable. Either Xiao would die or the conjurer of the bubble would have to release him. There was no way he would surrender to evil again.
He was still determined to resist, but he just couldn't hold his breath any longer. He choked on water as his body finally tried desperately to breathe only to swallow a great gulp of water. Thankfully, the bubble finally popped, sparing him from swallowing even more.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Xiao's lungs were burning as he coughed. Choking even as he tried desperately to slow his breathing again. The cool water on his skin actually made him a little more comfortable for a few seconds after feeling too hot for such a long time.
Sadly, the relief didn't last. The renewed onslaught of the invading darkness and karma on his mind and body almost broke through the last of his will. Xiao bit his lip to keep himself from screaming in pain.
An abyss mage giggled in front of him, dancing merrily as it summoned its energy, ready to cast another bubble. Xiao said nothing.
"No. Not yet," The purple armored bastard drawled, lazily floating around Xiao, taunting him. "We should at least talk to our little guest before we resort to drastic measures again."
Xiao looked him in the eye and spat on the floor in front of them.
"Hmm, still defiant? No matter. You fell right into our trap. But do you think your pitiful existence matters to anyone? Why would it? You're a monster. Even the other adepti were afraid of you. Surely you remember?"
Xiao sighed. He had always felt like an outsider among the other adepti. Cloudretainer, Mountainshaper and Mooncarver in particular had always been cold to him. He was their junior in age but their superior in times of war. And he tried not to think about it, but the bastard was right. Xiao had never forgotten their shocked expressions when Morax refused to kill him so long ago… and rescued him instead.
"Yes," The bastard in the purple armor was practically purring with delight. "No better than an animal, you like to think that you've changed since the death of your old master, but I know what's really in your mind… You just wanted your new master to fuck you."
Xiao snorted but said nothing. He wanted to deny it. But that was true too. He had always wanted to be with his new lord. But back then especially, the other adepti would never accept him as Zhongli's mate. Even now he was being foolishly selfish, dreaming of being his mate-
"Though you must be doing something right. Is it true that he actually calls you his mate? Do you like it? Or are you smart enough to know that is just something he says to get you to spread your legs for him?"
Xiao growled. No! That wasn't true. Zhongli loved him.
"Still defiant?" The bastard continued speaking. "Well, sooner or later your body will break. Desperate to survive, it will accept the darkness as the gift that it is and you will be ours. Alright. Let's try this again, shall we? Another bubble, if you please."
Xiao flinched, shifting uneasily against his chains. But he already knew there was no escape as the abyss mage giggled and another bubble slowly floated over and took hold of him.
This time it was harder to focus. Xiao couldn't control his heart rate or breathing. Nearly drowning five minutes ago was still too fresh in his mind.
Coupled with the pain of hearing his worst fears spoken out loud? It was too much-
"Is it true that he actually calls you his mate? Do you like it? Or are you smart enough to know that is just something he says to get you to spread your legs for him?"
Those words echoed again and again in his mind even as his thoughts were overtaken by pain he couldn't help wondering if the bastard was right. Was his master just using him?
No! His master wouldn't do that.
And yet-
Still unable to catch his breath, doubt continued to creep in. It hurt.
Everything hurt- and Xiao was tired of it.
He was hurt and angry and tired of the doubts that had always plagued him for millenia, anytime he and his master were apart. Why was any of this even happening?
Almost of its own accord, his body began to fight the chains. His lungs felt like they were about to burst. Still trapped inside the bubble, Xiao stubbornly fought the urge to breathe. But desperation was taking over. Dark energy coalesced inside him for a moment and then exploded outwards.
No! Xiao growled as darkness flooded through him. The bubble and the chains around him shattered, but it was too late. He knew he wasn't in control of himself anymore.
Xiao felt as though he was still trapped in a bubble, but this time it was only inside of his mind. He could only watch helplessly as his body tore the still giggling abyss mage in half.
The bastard in the purple armor only laughed. "See, that's much better, isn't it? You're strong again, yes? Xiao's fingers lengthened into claws and the rest of his body seemed to be covered in dark armor that was made of shadow.
No.
Xiao growled, but it was too late!
Not again!
He really was a monster. The pitiful creature that his master once rescued was back…
But at least the bastard in purple was as shocked as the abyss mage had been when Xiao leaped on top of him and nearly ripped out his throat with his claws…
"Hold!" The female voice that spoke distracted Xiao long enough that the bastard was able to blast him with a jolt of electro as he retreated.
Xiao growled, his body reacted instinctively, ready to attack again. But before he could lash out again, more chains ensnared him and Aether's twin stepped forward to cast an unknown seal on him.
Xiao struggled against the command but began to lose consciousness… Exhausted, his broken mind and heart couldn't take any more pain or disappointment.
And the last thing he heard was the girl telling him to go and destroy the seals binding Osial.
The electro pillar chimed- and then they all went out! Again. Damn it. They had guessed wrong again!
But before he could even feel disappointed, agony ripped through Zhongli's heart as he felt Xiao's mind break. Something was forcing him out of their still new and fragile bond. But there wasn't time to think about that.
Zhongli sensed movement behind him, but it was too late.
The large electro rift wolf struck with its claws, raking down his back. Zhongli growled and dropped the Memory of Dust on himself. The creature was quick enough to dodge, but it didn't move far enough away to dodge Aether's dendro ult. The monster yelped as it recoiled from the green energy attack.
Aether and Zhongli stayed in the energy field for a moment as the two large rift wolves circled them just outside it.
"Hey! W-What happened?" Aether asked. "Are you okay? I've never seen you lose focus like that before."
"I'm fine. It's Xiao…" Zhongli gritted out. "Something is wrong. Something is trying to sever our bond."
"Don't worry. We'll find him."
"He's in terrible pain and I can't reach him."
"Let's get rid of these bastards and then try again."
Zhongli just growled under his breath, summoning his true power. Strength he hadn't called upon in ages returned to him in an instant. "Stand back, Aether."
There was no time for a fair fight with these bastard wolves. The two massive black and gold stone hands that Zhongli summoned into the room barely swatted at the fiends. Yet they crushed both monsters to the stone floor with disappointing ease. Their evil filth disappeared in twin pools of inky black shadow.
"You're too late. He's gone and he's ours now."
Zhongli growled as he and Aether turned to face the opposite door.
Clearly Aether knew the lovely young woman standing beside the Abyss Lector. The pair hadn't actually stepped out of the portal they were standing in.
He couldn't help but feel sorry for his companion, they looked so much alike… But where Aether was equal parts angry and horrified, she was calm and impassive.
"L-Lumine!" Aether tried to move toward her, but Zhongli grasped his arm. "What have you done? What are you doing here- with them?"
"Just focus on your journey, dear brother. And you'll understand. In the meantime, you should watch your back with these… Archons and your other so-called friends."
"So I'm supposed to trust you, right after you kidnapped one of them? This doesn't make any sense!"
Lumine scowled but shrugged. "Five hundred years ago, too many sacrifices were made. And Zhongli knows that all too well. Consider this just one of many to come."
"No!" Aether shouted. "You can't just trade one life for another! W-Wait! Come back!"
But Lumine didn't wait. The portal simply vanished, leaving Aether and Zhongli standing alone in the room they'd been trapped in for so long.
"Tell me what that was all about."
"I'm sorry," Zhongli shook his head. "I can't."
"You really can't tell me anything? Not even to help Xiao? Don't you love him?"
"You know this was never about Xiao for her. Five hundred years ago Xiao was in Liyue. He was leading most of my soldiers and adepti. They held the line against Khanriah's army of monsters, 60 miles outside the Chasm. What you want to know doesn't concern him at all."
Paimon sighed. She looked lost and sad, between the two of them. "Okay, but- Zhongli, why is everything about Khanriah such a big secret?"
"I'm sorry," Zhongli shook his head. "I don't want to disappoint you, but I am not at liberty to say anything more."
Aether snorted bitterly. "Well, that's great. I'm still going to help you save Xiao. But I'm just doing it for him."
"I understand. And, I am sorry to keep disappointing you like this," Zhongli nodded sadly, but that was all he could say before the whole room shuddered violently as little pieces of the ceiling started to rain down around them.
"Time to go…" Aether sighed.
"Definitely! But can't we just teleport again?" Paimon whined.
"No," Zhongli shook his head. "We must try to go back the way we came. Teleporting inside ruins that are this unstable is highly dangerous. Gathering that much energy in one place could rupture all of the remaining seals in this ruin at once, including the one forming the exit."
"Alright, alright," Paimon groused as they started to run. "Let's go already!"
