Apparently water also has some oxygen within it,
Even though he wasn't quite certain how much the quantity was...
*But nevertheless, he could still use this fact to his advantage, which he did...
...
After sharing his idea with an overprotective Jean and Barbara, that is,
And having to come to a compromise with them:
Only using a small amount of his Anemo Power for this...
...
...
Long story short, in the end he just made Beisht unable to move for a short while,
And during that time Dvalin, Enjou and Childe pretty much bullied her into submission,
Before proceeding to happily join the group battling Osial and well...
...
Both "sea monsters" had the corruption basically beat out of them,
And were currently kept alive only because some people wanted to bully..."Punish" them some more...
...
...
Well, at least the battle was over now and they could return to celebrating Lantern Rite, right...?
-I am going to bring everyone down now, seeing as the battle is already over. -Barbatos soon informed, before proceeding to do just that, as the barrier around the Harbor had disappeared. -...Hopefully Morax is still okay..
He couldn't help but mumble upon floating down,
Wishing really hard that this wasn't like the situation with Ei at that time...
*He wasn't that close to her and still felt bad when she nearly died,
If one of his oldest friends were in a similar situation, he might just...
-Barbatos, I am truly alright, so there is no need to look so distraught. This melancholic expression does not fit you. -His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice nearby, as he soon landed to the ground, right by the other Archon's side. -Instead of worrying about me, are you alright yourself...? You did get attacked by Osial...
Morax continued in some worry, looking the other Archon over,
Which Barbatos couldn't help but greatly appreciate...
*So Morax was as worried about him as he was worried about his friend...
...
But remembering about what happened during Osial's continued assault,
The way his people saved his life once again, from Rostam's protection and to Jean's and Barbara's care...
-I am alright, Morax, I really am. Thanks to my adorable people, I am not hurt at all~ -He soon admitted with warmth, feeling very grateful, before his expression fell a little. -...Though, rather than simple protectiveness, it was more of an overprotectiveness...My people are so used to me getting into trouble, that they would rather watch over me 24/7...! -He added in some sheepishness, as well as slight annoyance, while he started to pout. -...Not like I don't understand why they are acting like this, but still...I am not always rushing into trouble, it just finds me and...!
-You are still such a menace, Barbatos. Even when you do not even try to...-Morax interrupted him in clear amusement, before he suddenly paused, just as a weird cracking sound was heard. -...Osial and Beisht should be incapacitated at the moment, yes...? I wish to discuss a certain matter with them. -He soon said, looking and sounding quite serious now, as he turned around and proceeded to walk towards where the two fainted "sea monsters" were currently carried by the Crux. -...And preferably make a binding contract between the three of us...
He added more quietly, with Barbatos barely able to hear him,
As the other soon followed his retreating friend, wondering what Morax wasn't telling him...
...
His friend clearly told him that he was okay,
But then, what were those cracking noises he was hearing...?
...
...
Morax wasn't just faking being fine, was he...?
*This blockhead wouldn't actually do something like this, would he…?
-Yo, Venti! Long time no see! Just recently returned from the battle, eh? -Xinyan delightfully said as soon as she saw him, just as he and Morax arrived to the rest of the gathered group, before her expression turned pouting. -...A shame I arrived so late to it. I really wanted to help fight against those "sea monsters"!
-Xinyan, you know well that the reason we arrived late is because we were busy doing vocal preparations for the upcoming music event. -The person by her side, a black haired and red eyed teen, soon reassured. -Moreover, when we finally returned to the Harbor, we gave our all to support the people.
-Yeah, I know. Still feelin' miffed I couldn't help out their. -The other soon admitted, still looking and sounding a little annoyed, before her expression suddenly brightened. -Hey, Venti, Barbara, do you wanna join our upcomin' music event? It was great the last time we partnered up!
There were a few seconds of silence after her question,
The two aforementioned people looking thoughtful...
...
-I would be glad to join the event, Xinyan! -Barbara admitted moments later, looking and sounding pretty happy, before she turned to look towards Barbatos. -...Venti, if you are feeling alright after...Well...-...The fight against 2 corrupted gods/sea monsters...When one of them was clearly targeting her friend...-...Do you want to join us, as well...?
-I don't mind joining, Barbara, Xinyan. This event sounds like it would be fun~ -Barbatos soon answered her, trying to look and sound as reassuring as possible, before he turned to look towards the teen standing by the rock musician's side. -...But I wonder, who is your friend, Xinyan...?
-...Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner, Lord Barbatos. -The teen soon ashamedly said, before going into a small, yet respectful bow before the Archon. -My name is Yun Jin and I am the director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. I am grateful to be Xinyan's friend, despite the disapproval of the senior troupe members...-She soon admitted, with her voice turning a little quiet by the last sentence, before she sighed. -...There is no need to worry, sooner or later, I am certain that they will understand what this companionship means to me individually and to our troupe as a whole. -She made sure to add in reassurance, before she finally straightened up from her bow, soon turning to look towards the other Archon. -Yánwáng Dìjūn, are you truly alright...? For you to maintain such a huge barrier for so long...
-I am alright, Yun Jin, there is no need to worry. -Morax interrupted her, as he was currently checking on the two fainted "Sea monsters", that suspicious cracking sound still being heard occasionally. -...Those two are certainly not dead, yet they are hurt so badly, summoning even one Tsunami would be especially hard for them. You did a fine job, everyone.
He added in some appreciation and warmth,
As he continued checking on Osial and Beisht...
-I am glad to hear that, Zhongli. I gave it my all in this fight! Did you see how awesome I was...? -Childe, who has already changed back to his normal form, made sure to proudly say. -...But even if I am unable to change into my Foul Legacy form at the moment, I still have some energy remaining for a little spar. So, my dear friend, do you want to...?~
-Maybe another time, Ajax. -Morax interrupted him, as he crossed his arms, glancing at the two fainted "sea monsters" with a serious expression on his face. -Osial and Beisht, they are about to wake up. It's time for the three of us to have a much needed discussion.
At his words, everyone now turned to look towards the two "sea monsters",
Soon noticing that they slowly started to stir, clearly about to wake up...
...
And then Ganyu suddenly summoned her bow...
-Yánwáng-dìjūn, please, let me stay by your side during the discussion. -She soon said upon walking towards and standing by his right side, as she went into a battle pose, holding an aimed arrow towards Osial and Beisht. -We still do not know how those two will act once they wake up, but if they plan to do something nefarious, I promise to do my utmost to stop them.
-Well said, my discipline. -Cloud Retainer agreed, as she soon proceeded to stand on Morax's left side. -We shall not let those evildoers have the chance to harm our lord!
At these words, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper also voiced their agreements,
With Ningguang, Shenhe, Yun Jin and Keqing soon following along...
*All the while, Morax started to look more and more confused about the whole thing,
To the sounds of suspicious cracking noises that were still being heard in the background...
...
-Well, it appears that I am not the only one whose people are being overprotective over. -Barbatos couldn't help but say in amusement moments later, just when it looked like more people were about to join the "We have to protect Yánwáng-dìjūn!" group. -Not going to lie, your confused expression to this is actually pretty funny to watch~
-...Barbatos, be quiet. -The other Archon soon said seemingly nonchalantly, as he continued watching the two "sea monsters", with the cracking noises being heard more often now. -They are awake now. My old foes.
He added in seriousness and some nostalgy,
As the cracking noises' pace just got a lot swifter...
-...Uh, I am not sure if I am the only one who can hear them, but where are those cracking noises coming from...? -Enjou, who was in his human form now, asked in confusion and some growing annoyance. -And before they were coming quite rarely, but now it's almost every few seconds! This continuous cracking is starting to drive me insane!
He couldn't help but soon yell out in anger,
As he had a very bad urge to turn into his Lector form and...!
-Morax, our ancient foe. So we have met again. -His thoughts were interrupted by a voice nearby, as Osial was now looking right towards said Archon with all his five heads, Beisht staying by his side protectively. -Speak, what is it that you want from us...?
-I would like to sign a contract with both of you, Osial, Beisht. -Morax answered in all seriousness, pretty much shocking everyone around with his words. -A contract which should be advantageous to both sides, one that...-His words suddenly cut off, as the cracking noises started being heard even more continuously now. -...Would ensure cooperation...In the event that...
And then he suddenly fell unconscious, right on top of one of Osial's heads,
Much to the shock and/or horror of everyone around...
...
-You foul shameless creatures! -Cloud Retainer soon yelled out in rage, as she almost flew into one of Osial's other heads, with the intention of badly scratching it. -How dare you attack...!
-We do not use such underhanded tactics, you foolish bird! -Osial yelled back upon spraying her with water, which was a lot smaller than earlier due to his tiredness, before he practically threw Morax into the similarly enraged Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver, knocking them both back on the ground. -We might not like to lose, but we know when we are beaten, you animal-like imbeciles! -He yelled in more annoyance and rage, with Beisht deciding to spray the Adepti trio with water this time. -...Thank you, our wife. We got mad and were about to try drowning Liyue Harbor again, whilst we were still tired due to the earlier battle. This "corruption" might be vaguely affecting us still. -He soon admitted, looking a little confused, before becoming quiet for a few seconds. -...But Morax, it appears that he is dying...
"Morax, this blockhead, was indeed faking being well this whole time!",
Was what Barbatos irritatingly realized amidst the ongoing panic...
*As he tried very hard to ignore it, even though seeing the Adepti like that was a little funny,
While he understood why they reacted like this, they usually saw themselves as better than anyone else...
...
Even though everyone had their strengths and weaknesses,
And it didn't matter wherever you were mortal or immortal...
...
...
"There is no need to worry about me, my friend. Even if this continues for a while longer, I wouldn't fall so easily.
...But it's true that I wouldn't be able to keep the shield up forever, especially considering how much stronger the corruption made them. The Abyss Order truly planned it all this time...
...Truthfully, I am unsure how long I would be able to maintain a shield of this size. If the Harbor wasn't continuously attacked, it would have surely been easier, but as things stand..."
...
Right, this was really not the time to think about that,
He had to focus on helping Morax, this stupid blockhead!
...
"Don't worry, Miko, Sara. I can still save Ei.
Please, keep what you are about to see a secret."
The same way he helped Ei at that time,
When he used the power of Time to...
"The huge amount of energy he needs for this aside,
Hopefully THEY wouldn't notice..."
...
"It was actually your Time power, wasn't it, Venti...? An old power which came from HER, one that many would seek once they realize you can use it, be it the Sages, the Fatui, the Abyss Order and even those much stronger. You should be really careful about where and when you use it, Venti."
...
There was no need to remember any more of this,
He knew full well of the danger he could face if he goes along with it...
*He could be hunted down for this power and if those guys in Celestia find out...
"THEY are not after you particularly, but THEY might target you due to the connection we share."
...
...
Still, Morax was one of his oldest friends...
*If this blockhead dies and crumbles down now, he...
...
Morax was one of the only people who could keep him grounded...
-Everyone, I am going to use my powers to help Morax. -He soon reassuringly said, upon crouching by the other Archon and positioning his hands on top of his body. -Please, don't let this secret get out of Liyue's walls.
And with those words, he activated his Time powers,
Making sure that his friend is "healed", that he survives...
*The whole process took some time, yet he was glad that it worked again...
...
Morax should be okay now, right...?
...
...
...
Weird...
...
Usually, doesn't he fall unconscious by this point...?
...
So then, after using so much Time power,
Why doesn't he feel in the least bit tired...?
...
...
"...Considering how your powers have recently grown..."
"I realize that you must want to know more, but I would rather not draw THEIR attention here. We can always talk later, preferably when the power I left you grows a little more."
...
Kairos, she...
...
"I̴͇̩̪̤͕͆̾͝ ̷͎̗̜̝̺̇m̷̙̦͗̈i̵̥͋̓͂̌͐g̷͙̈́ͅh̵̻͉͎͎͈̔́t̷̛̝͆̈͌͝ ̴͚͍̤̩̓̏̆ẖ̵̭́͐͘ͅa̴̰͑͝v̵͇̱̓̏ͅͅę̵̼͍͇̰͌ ̴͓͘a̸̙͍̍l̶̥̠̟̹̹̽̆͛̀͝ť̴͈̠̞ͅe̷̛̮̻͇̪̙̎̊r̴̹̟͇̆̊͊̃e̴̢̩̖͎̭͋̿͗͐d̴͓̗͙͗ͅ ̶̢̛̳̠̼̗͗y̶̦̭̽͜ó̴̥̝͔̹̃͒̍͘ṷ̶͇̞̈́̓̑̚r̷̰̈́͌͆̑ ̶͚̆̈́̍f̸̧̧̖͐͋͋̈́̉â̶̱̝̳̕ṯ̶̠̱̗͑̓̀e̸͖͇̋̔͑͂̈ ̷̦̰͐̊͆̇ḁ̵̽͋͒n̶̞̯̹̔d̵̞͎̖̭̿ ̷̢̜̬͈̀̌̌̏̉s̸͓̓̇̂͗̏ě̶̠̼̳̻͝a̶͔̜͂l̶̲̮̼̒̀e̴̠̰̍̂͝d̴̮̬̪̜̦͋ ̶̬̳̯̼͈̋ȳ̶͇̳̖͈̾̓̏ő̸̫̰̋̀̈́͒͜u̷̢͇̙̘̾ͅr̶̞̘̫͍̈͐̿̌͌ ̶̰͚̓͂m̵̲͖̻͕̣̈ě̶̠̻̣m̷̱̎́͛̒͜o̴̫̯͗̈ͅr̶̭̞͑͗͌i̸̜̮̖͎͛̀̈́e̵̺̩͗̓̎̍͠s̷̗̙̮͖̍̆̃͝,̵̞͕͉̭̯̔͒̍̀ ̷̮͚̥͊̃̇̔͘ḃ̵̦͖̠̻̒͒̀͝ù̵̟͂̄͑̅ť̵̞̖͓̱͛͝ ̵͓̖̀͒ẉ̷̓ị̷͎͈͚̼͑͑̏̈́t̸͙̲̙̤̥͒͋̑̈́h̷̻̞̯̓̈́̒̎͒ ̷̻̀̌̂̿t̷͇̰͂͋̒h̶͎͌ȅ̴̮̻͙̦̀͛̓͋ ̴̩̭̫̦̜̎̔̐͠͠T̷͈̞͚̺̑ͅi̶̺̭̦̥̠͐̀͊m̶͇̰̘̯̝̅̈́͝ę̶̛͍͖̖̩̏̔̐̂ ̵̛̗̯̒̈́͑̕͜p̸̭̋̋̑̓o̸̻̩̓̏ẅ̵̩͔́͂̀̄ě̸͈̲̞̰͌̎ͅr̸̨͉͚̈́̇͛͆s̷͙̺͐͐̅̈́̉͜ ̵͓̦̀̄Í̸͉̇͆ ̸̧͎̳͑͂̑̑l̸̨̗̲͗̊͘̚e̴̡̧̢̺̭͑̂̌̽̂f̶̠̌̂͐̎t̸͙͋̑͝ ̵̨̱̦̥͋ỳ̷̹̺̈́̍̕͝ǒ̸͓̭̝ṵ̸̆̚,̴͕͋̿̚̚ ̸̺̣̣̈́͑͋p̸̼̦̞͕̌̄͂̊̒l̶͉̪̙̣͋e̷̪͌̆̃̃͂a̸̭͚͇̤͘ͅs̷͈̞̘͌͆̚͜ë̸̙̬̣̑ ̶̢͖̂̾͊͐̈f̷̥͎̪͎̃į̸̛̗̖̹̥͋g̶̭̣͉̹̓͠ḧ̶̛͙̺̻̩̘́̑t̶̹̤̺̦̿̊̌̄̎ͅ ̵͖̮̦̭̱̀̈́̄̄̈b̸̩̲̻̼̪́́͝ȃ̸͔̲̟͇̕͝c̸̙̻͕̣̦̀̑k̴̻̔̏͐ ̷̰̇̓̐̏̇ä̸̡͚́̑n̷̢̘̮̝̓̍d̷̹̳̱͓̿̏ ̶̢͖͖͖̾ͅş̴͎̺̞̆̆̾͜ũ̷̥͒r̶̢̛͕̠͓̍̅v̸̢͇͚̼̦͂̀̓͆i̴̛̜̫̍̆͂v̶̢̭̞̇̍̊͝e̴͎̰̫͍͔̍͗.̵̳̯͌̇̇̽͗"
...
...
Huh...?
When did she say that...?
...
Or rather, was she going to say this in the future...?
*But why would he suddenly...?
"Past, present and future, this power can affect it all."
…
"I looked through the different possibilities and secretly helped push it to the right course."
...
...
So this is what it was,
After using this power so many times, he...
-...It appears that I have gotten used to this power and its adverse effects...-He couldn't help but soon admit aloud, looking and sounding pretty shocked. -...I don't even feel any energy drain from using so much of the Power of Time...
