Book One: Chapter Four

[The Coming Battle]

"Ganyu… I..."

"You do not need to force words out. I am only being honest." She slowly lowers their hands before breaking the contact. "I can't predict what will happen but I would like for us to meet again. Our time together has been… eye-opening." He says with a kind smile.

Staring at her for a moment in mild shock still, a tiny surge of electricity jolts his back making Relon step forward arching his back. In doing so, he nearly collides with Ganyu. Widening, he catches himself just before they make contact. The abrupt closeness causing him to stumble back in panic. In the process, he loses his footing.

"Watch out!" Ganyu gasps, reaching a hand to grasp Relon's only for the momentum to take her with him.

"OOF!"

"O-Ow… My everything. You okay, Ganyu?" Relon winces opening his eyelids to look at the weight atop him only for his fleeting embarrassment to return in full force.

"I'm alright. What about you?" She responds while rubbing her forehead to open her eyes, meeting Relon's as her own blush erupts.

A cliché she has read numerous times; the famous falling on top of one another. Frozen in the moment, neither know what to say or do. Relon's hands carefully holding her waist making a mental note of her stunning curves, Ganyu's flat against his chest taking in his toned abdomen through his ragged clothing. Their chests pressed against one another, each taking in the other's rapid heartbeat. Her heterochronic eyes meet his red as they slowly trail down to the soft-looking parted flesh each has. In doing so, both feel the other's chest beat faster though their eyes remain fixed on their lips. Only inches apart, the sight of such precious skin combined with the temptation hypnotizes the two as their lips tread closer.

Just then, the sound of rumbling from above snaps the two back to their senses as they look towards the ceiling.

"What's that?"

"The army must finally be awake." She notes to look back to Relon, both remembering their situation for their blushes to come back around a third time as Ganyu quickly gets off of him.

"Ahem, then that means the battle is right around the corner." He corrects himself getting to his feet.

But that means… Looking at him with a saddened demeanor, her hand tightens before loosening up.

"I'm going." She speaks with confidence.

"Yeah!" He speaks, Ganyu helping him back into his restraints. "Good luck, Ganyu. And be careful."

"I will. Same to you on breaking out." She steps back. "I can't guarantee your safety once you're out.

"Heh, don't worry about me. These shouldn't be too difficult now." He smirks.

If only it were that easy not to. Turning around, Ganyu looks over her shoulder at the young man who captured her heart before departing. Emotions truly are a finicky thing I suppose.

With the sound of a slamming door as the que, Relon finally breathes a sigh of relief.

"What the hell…? Things escalated so fast, I got lost in the heat of the moment." He mutters, his mind going back to earlier. "That jolt of electricity… that wasn't my imagination nor is there anything in here that could possibly shock me…"

Could I really be an Electro?

The idea of wielding lightning was a nice thought but if his encounter with Eula and the Cryo Army was anything to go off of, then his innate ability to summon strikes of lightning was something entirely different Regardless, his object remained the same. Escape this prison once the coast is clear!

Hurrying upstairs to find many of the Cryo Army scattered with setting up weapons, formations, and a multitude of other things, Ganyu takes sight of her fellow friend.

"Ayaka!" Looking to, the girl waves her over as they take off. "Where were you? When I woke up, you were nowhere to be seen."

"I… went to clear my mind."

"Ganyu… Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She speaks up. "I've been fighting for so long, I forgot why we were fighting." She smiles. "But I'm okay, Ayaka. I promise. Just as I do in putting a stop to this war."

"Ganyu… I never see you so excited. Alright, our goal is the same as ever!"

Making it outside, they see the army nearly set up and at its front, the general and the other lieutenants.

Joining the others lined up side-by-side, they listen as the general readies to speak.

A man of above-average height with a muscular physique. Blue military cut hair with cyan eyes and a facial beard of a designer stubble type. Around 200 pounds of pure muscle, he wears a blue and white kimono under layered armor pieces covering himself from top to bottom.

Taking in some of his cigar, he lets out a puff of smoke before tossing it to the ground and stopping it out. Scratching his back in thought, Ganyu widens slightly at the polearm Relon was using attached to his back.

"Now that you all are here, I shall briefly go over our plan of action. And no, we are not going to the trouble of trying to discuss some barbaric treaty." He adds eyeing the two newcomers, Ganyu narrowing her eyes, Ayaka giving the man a look of dislike, and the other lieutenants except Eula saddened albeit knowing looks of their own. "We've taken the port; Ritou and recently, the village; Konda. The enemy is aware of our location and our scouts have notified us of Inazuma's army taking defensive positions towards the North and West. We'll retreat towards the shoreline where we'll launch our counterattack and take down the Electro Army in one swoop. Anyone wishing to speak up, do it now." After a moment, none do. "Very well. Rosaria, Kaeya, Chongyun shall take to the left while Lawrence, Ganyu, and Kamisato take the right, leaving myself at the center. Should the Inazuma's archon appear, I'll use this." He pulls out a crystal orb. "Lord Tsaritsa bestowed one of her beasts should the Raiden Shogun make an appearance. Should I use it, I shall have full control over the creature. We'll use that as a means of distraction to escape. Any questions?" Once more, none speak. "Then all units, move out!"

"YES, GENERAL MCGRUFF!"

Turning around, the six lieutenants face their army before they begin their march. As they do, Ganyu glances at General McGruff's waist where the orb lays in a pouch,

"Hey, Ganyu." Ayaka speaks low, walking closer to the girl. "What do you think of General McGruff's strategy?"

"We'll be cornering ourselves with our backs to the sea. So if the need arises, we'll make a foothold atop the water. Although…" She begins with hesitation.

"What is it?" Taking note of her friend's gaze upward, Ayaka follows to see the grey clouds over the village.

"Those dark clouds make me feel uneasy..."

Eula mentioned Serei Island calming down after abducting… Furrowing her eyebrows, Ganyu mentally sighs. I forgot to ask him his name. Could he really have the ability to summon lightning at will? Regardless...

"I agree. Fighting against an army that wields warriors capable of exerting electricity, it doesn't help alleviate the thought of being struck from above."

"From what I've read, only the Raiden Shogun is capable of controlling lightning. No other news or texts have brought up another. As long as the information General McGruff acquired from the scouts is accurate, we shouldn't have to worry. The only possibility I can think of is a group of electro users focusing their attacks at a singular point. If that occurs, we should counter with an ice shield."

"If not that, then what other way could they use?"

"One with a vision possibly. Though no data on any electros with a vision has arisen either."

"A vision." Ayaka murmurs, both glancing at Eula. "Those recognized by an archon are given access to a dramatic boost to their elemental power… Haha, I sound envious."

"It's understandable. With an ability like that, peace wouldn't seem so distant."

"Ganyu…"

"I'm fine. A chance for negotiations will come. I'm sure of it. And when it does…" A bow materializes in her hand. "I'll strike. This time for certain."

"Then…" The horned-girl nods at the direction Ayaka is referencing. "I thought you hadn't made up your mind on what to do?"

"I hadn't originally."

"I suppose that walk did more wonders than I thought."

"In more ways than one." Ganyu smiles.

Konda Village

The rumbling has stopped for a while...

"Hel-" Coughing, Relon recovers from his small fit.

Considering I haven't eaten or drunk anything in almost a week, I'm surprised I have as much strength as I do… Yeah, I'm no longer normal that's for certain. I couldn't go a day without eating let alone an hour without any form of liquid. Seriously, what the hell happened to me?

"HEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLP...!" No response. "I guess those guards aren't here. That or they don't care. Regardless… Hmpf!" He sucks in a breath mustering what strength he has before beginning to yank the chains.

With every pull, the usual clanging sounds though this time a creaking sound rings in unison. Harder and harder he pulls until… snap! Falling forward, Relon catches himself panting in need of breath.

"Alright! I knew it wasn't much longer! Now then…" Turning to his ankle chains, Relon begins bashing them with his wrists. "Come on…! Stupid… chains…! Break already…!"

Clank. As if hearing his tired pleas, they do.

"Finally!" Relon cheers. "Now to get out of here." His direction going to the cell bars.

With every step, the rattle of the chains echo until he stops in front of it. "I wonder…" Tapping the door, it swings open as a smile adorns his face. "I'll have to thank Ganyu when I get the chance."

Hurrying up the stairs, he cautiously opens the door to find the coast clear. Taking a step, his legs give out.

Damn it… my body feels so weak…!

"No one seems to be around anymore so I should be safe." He notes getting back to his feet.

What should I do? The Cryo Army is off to fight the Electros. Should I go after them? Wait, what would that accomplish? First things first, I need to arm myself.

After searching the entire village, Relon takes a seat on a porch.

"Damn it, nothing! Not even a knife!" Groaning, he falls backwards. "Cool it, Relon. Think for a sec. What do you do...?" He asks himself before sitting upright. "Ganyu mentioned Qiqi possibly being with the Inazuma army. My best guess would be to find them or one of the villages or cities. Best bet is to go towards the city. But wait, if they're about to go to war with the Cryos, then that means the city will be guarded. No, wait again, Ganyu mentioned Inazuma having the smallest army. Argh, damn it all!" He jumps onto the dirt going into thought. "I refuse to get captured again! If I were a tactician, I wouldn't leave my home completely defenseless when going to war. That would just allow a third party to gain an advantage." He ends with a sigh looking at the tracks leading off along the trail.

The best thing I can do right now is get somewhere high. I may get a view of the battle or a town. Maybe even both.

With that thought, he begins his trek along the dozens of footprints.

Guest: This is an AU isn't it?

Yup yup. It's in the description :)

Temsen: Relon just went full shonen there, haha. :D
Very nice story so far, good job!

Thank ya, thank ya. Hope you continue to enjoy it!