Chapter 32: Spelunking

"..How does a God of Death even, you know, die?!"

Lumine spat out her objection with no small amount of frustration and well-meaning denial, trying to wrap her head around the concept and failing miserably. Ganyu tried to keep a straight face herself but only managed a small, sad smile as she explained, "You are not the first to ask that question and when pressed for an answer he always answered one of two ways. The first is that he was merely a conduit for the god's power, not the deity itself and was just as mortal as anyone else. The second is that it would be unfair and a mismanagement of power if the God of Death held dominion over such a force but was immune to its effects."

Lumine felt her expression sour.

"So a bunch of esoteric nonsense as he avoids the topic at hand."

A slightly more genuine smile adorned the Adeptus' features, replying, "We always assumed he himself didn't have a satisfying answer and just made ones up."

Lumine released a heavy sigh, mood grim and sullen as she tried to avoid paying attention to the pit in her stomach.

A lot of Alec's seemingly arbitrary and whimsical decisions now made sense, viewed through the lens of someone with not a lot of time left. Trying to ensure they didn't travel together after Mondstadt, having her go on misadventures and sidequests with the pretext that she see the world and formulate her own opinions on the state of Teyvat, whatever that meant. He'd been trying to keep them separate and apart so that his death wouldn't affect her as much, having seen her at her most vulnerable when first coming to this world.

"That overly sensitive and emotional MOTHERFUCKER!"

"Lumine?"

Snapping out her righteous fury at Ganyu's concerned inquiry the Traveler quickly cleared the air, huffing out a breath as she reassured, "Sorry, it's just that he told me something a while back…apparently he wanted me to explore as much of Teyvat as he could and eventually tell him what I thought of it, of what the future of the land might be. Pretty sure that was just to throw me off the proverbial scent."

"I wouldn't be so quick to discount what he asked. You hail from beyond the stars, yes? That offers a unique perspective upon this world that shouldn't be discounted, Alec wouldn't have requested something of that magnitude unless he desired it."

"Okay, well, what's he hoping to get out of one girl's uninformed opinion? I've only been on Teyvat a month at best."

Ganyu slowly closed her eyes, thoughtfully stating, "For all his self-professed simplicity and abdication of responsibility compared to the other Archons Alec has always known more than he lets on…this is important, no matter how strange it may seem at first."

Lumine huffed out a breath, nodded at Ganyu's words…and slapped a palm over her face, groaning in embarrassment.

"I came here to comfort you and this conversation somehow came back around to my baggage. Sorry."

"No, I…appreciate the distraction. In fact I think I feel a little bit better."

The Traveler peeked at Ganyu through her fingers, inwardly dying inside at the slightly eased and composed expression she now held, throwing herself onto her back as she groused, "You finally confess to the love of your life and it turns out he's dying. And here I thought my previous romances were slowly spiraling disasters."

A mildly awkward chuckle left the Adeptus, eventually turning into a soft sigh.

"I should return to Liyue. I have been absent for far too long and staying here to 'find myself' is…no longer palatable. Goodness, I shudder to think what has become of the records and other administrative functions…"

She squared her shoulders, resolutely stating, "Alec wouldn't want me to sit and do nothing."

Sensing an opportunity and shift in mood Lumine hopped to her feet, offering Ganyu a hand up that the Adeptus took as the Traveler innocently used a bit more force than needed, pressing their bodies together before regretfully allowing the woman to step away, stating, "I'll walk you back, I need to check up on some people and we can brainstorm ways to punch Alec in the face for being both a terrible friend and a lover."

"E-eh? While I appreciate the offer that really won't be necessary!"

Lumine snickered at the Adeptus' stammer, demeanor significantly improved over how it had been not too long ago before quietly resolving to figure out just what the God of Death had in mind for the city.

"Look, I know this isn't easy and that I'm asking you to set aside a well-earned centuries old grudge but-"

Alec sent a pointed glance Dainsleif's direction, the man's posture and demeanor perfectly calm and composed…except for his right foot, tapping out an uneven tempo on the stone road that was driving the man more than a little crazy.

"-please stop making that noise. I appreciate the stylishness of your attire - really, I do - but it doesn't lend itself to a quiet time."

The Bough Keeper sent Alec an unimpressed glare, the latter merely shrugging as he added, "Think of it this way, you can settle things with Morax and the rest at your leisure if we pull this off correctly and without undue ill wishing."

"I'm well aware of the stakes and what my personal feelings would do if I acted upon them at this juncture. Rest assured, Death God, I won't put this mission at risk."

"Okay. Just, you know. Saying."

Keeping his grin well hidden behind a mask of calm acceptance Alec returned to watching the road for the latest arrival of their motley team, morning fog still casting everything into a dreamlike haze until a cool and composed set of footfalls that was a welcome counterpart to Dainsleif's erratic ones drew close, Zhongli coming to a stop a few paces from where Alec was bonelessly sprawled across a bench, Dainsleif at sharp attention beside him.

The tension was palpable and unfortunately for his mood it wasn't sexually charged, so he couldn't even sit back and watch the drama unfold.

The survivor of Khaneri'ah wore barely contained resentment and ire like a well worn glove, Morax the polar opposite as he was all but emotionless, only the smallest hints of regret and melancholy visible to someone who was familiar with a visage that could be as stoic as the stone it was born from.

If someone was going to break the stalemate then it was unfortunately going to have to be his responsibility, since neither personality was the type to back down in the face of adversity.

"As much as it kills me - feel free to laugh - to pull out this card I would very much like it if my final days weren't filled with infighting between…well friends is the wrong word but temporary allies of mutually aligned interests just doesn't have the same ring, now does it?"

His meandering and irreverent comment had the desired effect, both Morax and Dainsleif rolling their eyes but nonetheless putting their beef on the backburner as the Geo Archon idly observed, "If you called for my aid in a matter such as this with an equally diverse roster to accompany it then matters must be truly dire."

"While I don't know if dire is the right word it is important."

Nodding towards Dainsleif the male carried on with, "I recently discovered a coven of Abyss not far from Liyue's borders, one that has already been quite active in procuring a number of unsettling artifacts and treasures, one of which includes a corrupted statue of the Anemo Archon."

Exasperation quickly replaced stoicism.

"Is the Imp truly so married to the concept of self-governance that he expects inanimate beacons of his own strength to look after themselves?"

"I mean you're retired yourself now after getting on board with the whole self-governance deal…"

Morax gave Alec a look that perfectly encapsulated how he felt about that particular comparison.

"They also have one of the original Field Tiller's control units."

Dainsleif forging ahead got the conversation back on track, Morax's brow mildly furrowing as he began putting two and two together, arriving at the obvious conclusion as he stared into the distance where Osial had once again been entombed.

"Yeah, they're ambitious, I'll give them that. So why let all that work go to waste when we can instead use it for our own purposes? I've got an idea or three on how we can cause a suitable ruckus to get what we want."

Morax slowly nodded, remarking, "I can see why you would desire these items…but is my presence all that necessary? I am under no delusion that in between your skills and talents it would take a dangerous foe indeed to even slow the two of you acting in concert."

Feeling a trace of embarrassment Alec lazily replied, "Well, you know, I kinda figured we'd have one last ride together, just for old time's sake, right?"

His old friend's expression immediately softened, tone light as he replied, "Then I'd be honored. Although…"

A haughty and superior look that was oh so reminiscent of the earliest days of the Archon wars graced Morax's features, voice jovial as he stated, "I have no desire to hear your excuses of being weaker and older than I, seeing as how I have given up my Gnosis before the final battle."

"Yow, talk about holding a grudge. You know, I'm under the impression that you never quite forgave me for all those passes I made at Guizhong."

"Hmph. They were never taken at face value, provided you were operating under such a delusion."

Openly laughing at his old friend's defensive words Alex found his mood uplifted by quite a bit-

-and sat up straight, a frightful chill going down his spine as he had the oddest premonition that he was in trouble.

"Alec?"

"Did anyone else just feel their sixth sense tingle something fierce?"

To his surprise it was Dainsleif who spoke first, wryly remarking, "Have you perhaps done something to make Lumine carry a great deal of ire towards you?"

"Yes, and why?"

His expression turned dead inside.

"The same thing happened with Aether many times. Travelers are…a unique bunch."

"Well in that case let's get the hell out of the city before she finds me."

"Agreed."

Morax only stared in idle bemusement as Alec and Dainsleif were quick to gather their supplies and march out of the city, trailing behind in mirthful silence.

"Rumors abound of little Ganyu having fled the Liyue Qixing in the dead of night not more than a mere few hours ago…would you perhaps know something about that?"

Brow furrowing in blatant annoyance Alec testily replied, "How - in you and your kind's bloody name - do so many people know about that when it happened just last night?"

"When the administrative and central authority for all happenings in Liyue has something approximating a panic attack one takes notice. Even more so when said panic attack is a result of a millennia old figure vanishing with hardly a word of warning."

Grumbling to himself Alec replied, "Well we laid our feelings out on the table, I had to be honest about the fact that I was dying soon because that's something a little tricky to hide and…yeah, three guesses as to how that went."

Morax had the gall to frown at him, reproachfully stating, "On the eve of a confession many centuries delayed Ganyu is instead informed that her desired is but a scant few years - if that - away from passing on. Could you truly not think of any better way to break this news to her?"

Eye twitching in annoyance Alec grunted out, "Alright then, romanticist, need I bring up all the painfully awkward and horrifically embarrassing attempts that were Guizhong trying and failing - even with all of her vast intellect - to get it through your head that she had a thing for you? Because I wasn't even in the Guili Assembly for more than a year at a time and I both saw and heard all sorts of horror stories."

It was Morax's turn to sport a twitching brow, testily responding, "As if you have any solid ground to stand upon when it comes to matters of the heart. Have you any idea of the headaches and discord you wrought among the Adepti, Yakshas and many others with your dalliances? More than one dispute came to violence as you conveniently departed on another of your 'journeys'."

"I would argue being able to bed some of the most terrifying and brilliant women across all of Teyvat and not wake up with my throat slit is a point in my favor, not a detraction. How else would you describe my 'daliances' if not informed, considering I lived through all of them?"

"Hmph. I would be hard pressed to describe running away from your responsibility as an act of some great and knowledgeable pleaser of women. You evidently possess no concept of the spats raised between those with fierce personalities such as Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler, unaware as they were of your proclivities?"

Perking at the latter's mention Alec asked, "How is that old bitch doing? I haven't had a chance to stop by and talk to her yet."

Irritability shifting into nostalgic camaraderie at the drop of a hat Morax replied, "She carries on with her retirement at the Yuehai Pavillion, adopting the title of Madame Ping. It remains admittedly surreal to see her in such a calm and unconventional role, compared to her earlier years."

"Yeah, no kidding. Given the opportunity I have to go and see what she's up to these days. Never seen a prim and proper lady act so…dirty before-"

"Are we not supposed to be in the midst of a dangerous and highly sensitive journey?"

Dainselif's wry words from where he brought up the rear of the formation had both Morax and Alec shrugging in unison, the latter blandly stating, "No time like the present, only so many minutes in a day, after all. And besides, the Abyss will most likely be making a move right about-"

He abruptly windmilled a throwing axe right past an unsurprised Morax's ear, a dull crunch echoing in the caverns they'd entered as an Abyss Mage toppled over without so much as a whisper of protest.

"-now, I wager."

As if those words had been prophecy a portal of swirling midnight and purple roared to life in front of Alec and Morax, a torrential gust of wind racing down the narrow path and buffeting the pair through the vortex-

-and neatly deposited them in a large chamber filled to the brim with both their objective and their obstacles. Heralds, Lectors, Mages and two Ruin Guards, one of the Heralds striding forward as it angrily hissed, "The Prince has other duties to attend to, God of Demise…your end thus falls to us. And no outside aid will be of use."

Briefly raising an eyebrow at the bold proclamation Alec instead gazed around the area, Barbatos' corrupted statue high overhead as the control unit was carefully sequestered to the side, out of the line of fire and ripe for the picking once they were done here.

But first…

"It appears the Abyss is uniquely overconfident in this scenario for reasons beyond my comprehension."

Morax's idle words led to a scoff from the Herald, its fellows readying their weapons as the being gleefully remarked, "The God of Death has shown his true colors, that he possesses not the strength once wielded. And one 'refined gentleman' acting as a glorified consultant will not change this!"

A brief glance was shared between the men, predatory smile adorning Alec's lips.

"We just need the statue and unit intact, everything else can go."

"Your penchant for chaos is showing itself once more, Alec."

"And your lust for battle is just as evident."

"Hmm…and here I thought I had ascended past such childish tendencies."

The cavern shook, the Abyss froze and in a blinding display of golden light the stone beneath Morax's feet cracked and shattered, a spear of ornate construction solidly smacking into his palm as he twirled it in a flourish so blindingly fast that the air howled, ramming the butt of the weapon into the ground and causing golden pillars to rise and seal off the exits as a smile not entirely dissimilar from Alec's own adorned his lips.

"Y-you…you're the God of G-"

"Really should have figured that out sooner, boys~!"

Kicking off of the ground with a burst of Anemo to speed him along Alec reached the lead Herald in the blink of an eye, the Abyss barely managing to grab his leg as it screamed towards it neck…and was left wholly unprepared for the inexorable barrier of Geo that empowered his strike, catching the blow full force in its neck with only one result to show for it.

Dead.

Even as the Herald bounced away in a limp tangle of limbs a Ruin Guard attempted to capitalize on his moment of vulnerability, blade charting a course right for his undefended back-

-and the Abyss found itself unceremoniously impaled on the business end of a spear, Morax dismissively flinging the shuddering corpse away as he and Alec placed their back against each other, mutual grins of eagerness unnerving the Abyss now trapped inside of their trap.

"Let's go wild."

"Age before beauty."

Alec once more sprung into movement with a bark of laughter at Morax's jest, the Lord of Geo following in his wake as this time they didn't stop, continuing to rampage without pause, Alec's weakened state and Morax's absent Gnosis not hindering them to any appreciable degree when working together.

For as much as they may have argued, debated or appeared antagonistic - a state of affairs that only grew more apparent when Barabtos joined the equation - the pair had spent both the best and the worst of their lives in each other's company, often joining hands in facing down the fury and madness that had consumed Teyvat before and during the Archon Wars.

They had fought against monsters of land, sea and sky, facing down individuals and groups of both God and monster alike that even groups of other contenders for Celestia's thrones would have fallen against. For when the God of Death and God of War joined hands there was scant little they couldn't triumph against.

The Abyss were cut down like so much wheat before a farmer's scythe.

Scant as they may be Alec's varied elemental powers and wide range of martial skill made him the perfect offense, whatever Abyss he set eyes on simply incapable of predicting or guarding against whatever he may throw against them, unanimously falling to lethal strikes of his limbs, unexpected swipes of his knife or axes or even elemental blasts.

The only defense against him was offense, exploiting his flanks or back in order to disrupt his tempo…and discovered - to their rapidly escalating dismay - that Morax was an impenetrable wall that allowed his companion to fight without a care in the world. Blurring spear weaving defensive patterns that could knock aside any blow as easily as it could find exposed flesh, pillars of black and gold jutting from the ground and disrupting footing or cutting off avenues of both attack and retreat, each and every step as measured as it was inexorable.

Even the Ruin Guards found themselves helpless before the marauding duo, one of the constructs attempting to use its considerable strength to disrupt Alec's footing and tempo only to be unceremoniously flipped onto its back as a boulder smashed into its sensor array, clumsily collapsing as the God of Death capitalized on his ally's move to ram his knife - imbued with a not inconsiderable amount of Electro - to short circuit the thing and continue the rampage without so much as a backwards glance.

It was only a few short moments later that the chamber fell silent, every single Abyss having been slain in less than half a minute as Alec and Morax - barely so much as breathing hard - turned to face what sounded like a late arrival to the fight…only to find another Ruin Guard collapsing onto its face, Dainsleif withdrawing his sword from its broken body as Morax dropped the barriers, the Bough Keeper's brow raising as he beheld the destruction.

"And here I thought they knew better than to underestimate you."

"In their belated and ultimately pointless defense they didn't know who Zhongli was, otherwise they probably would have…well they probably wouldn't have tried to fight, suffice to say."

The trio spared a quick glance around the cavern to ensure there were surprises waiting for them before turning to examine their prizes, Alec noting that it felt somewhat odd to stare at relics that would be the catalyst for his demise with so much intrigue.

He had thought they would seem more ominous.

"Well, all that's left is to get Eligos to come visit us and then spring the trap. On a similar note, do you still have Guizhong's Memory of Dust lying around, Morax?"

The Geo Archon started, warily asking, "For what purpose do you need it?"

"Pretty sure some of the old knowledge left in there will be key for what's to come…unless you went ahead and saw what was within?"

Knowing full well that Morax had never been able to bring himself to solve the Goddess's final mystery Alec ensured his regret at being so harsh about things was carefully concealed, the God of War eventually nodding in acquiescence after a moment of bitterness.

"It's for a cause she would have approved of, Morax."

He squeezed his friend's arm once as a show of solidarity, the moment passing as they went about collecting their loot…all while Alec ensured it was now his smirk that was hidden.

Morax had no idea the joke he was about to be the butt of.