Chapter Twenty

We really can't catch a break, can we? Diluc huffed in annoyance as he flung himself forward, landing a series of Pyro-infused attacks on the Ruin Grader's enormous metal leg. He hit a weak spot, stunning the robotic enemy for a few precious seconds of respite. He pressed the advantage, dealing as many hits as he could. Glancing over at his brother, he called, "Kaeya! Melt!"

A spray of icicles blasted the Ruin Grader from where Kaeya fought the Abyss Mage. Diluc reacted quickly, following up his brother's attack with his blazing phoenix to inflict an impressive amount of damage to the enemy. Good, not too much left here. I don't know that I can keep this up for much longer… this thing hits too hard. Diluc tried to shake off the exhaustion clinging to his bones and kept fighting.

The Ruin Grader recovered, rocketing upright with a mechanical warning sound. The Darknight Hero barely dodged its attack in time. A dangerous whirring deep in the machine sent him lunging to the side just before its laser shot into the ground where he'd been standing. Diluc attacked one of its arms in retaliation, fire trailing from the tip of his weapon.

He couldn't reach the weak point at the top of the Ruin Grader where it tracked him, but after certain attacks, its legs would be vulnerable for a few vital seconds. Diluc wrinkled his nose as his reaction took much longer than usual after it landed a hit on him and knocked him back. I'm out of practice. Ridiculous. There can be no excuse for defeat. With a yell, he charged back into battle. "Flames, purge!"

Every time Kaeya could spare the attention, a dagger-like rain of icicles would pierce the Ruin Grader, giving Diluc the perfect edge. But the huge machine still refused to surrender to the Pyro user's attacks. It managed to hit him twice more, each time knocking the breath out of him and nearly spelling disaster.

Regaining his balance with an effort, Diluc's eyes flicked up, assessing its health, and his mouth thinned with determination. He's nearly gone! I just have to hit him a couple more times… He gave another shout as he kept up the relentless attack, hoping to chip off the last dregs of the enemy's energy. So close!

He wasn't quite fast enough.

The Ruin Grader's life held only a mere sliver, and Diluc reared back for one last savage blow. That's when the hydraulic-driven fist whipped around in a blur of motion. It clipped the former knight's side with enough force to dent a mountain, flipping him straight into the air.

Diluc hit the ground hard, helpless to prevent himself from tumbling several times. With an effort, he threw out an elbow and managed to bring his wild flight to a sharp halt just before careening into the wall. He lay there for a second, dazed, then forced himself up on his elbows. He heard Kaeya let out a wild yell, and a second later, a chill snapped across Diluc's face along with the cacophony of the Ruin Grader's mechanical groan of failing mechanics. Even in his hazy state, the corner of Diluc's mouth tilted up in a wry smirk. Ever the kill stealer, eh Kaeya? He staggered to his feet, nearly collapsing again, and pressed his gloved hand to the side of his head as his thoughts scattered. Where did I… go wrong…?

The Abyss Mage's shrill shriek of triumph pierced his daze. "Hah! This will finish you off, Phoenix! Now, at last, you will become one of us!" He dragged his attention back to the Mage, shaking off the pain just as the Mage shot another burst of swirling Dendro energy at him. With absolute certainty, Diluc knew he couldn't move fast enough to evade the attack, and he drew in a harsh breath. No! I can't let them use me to hurt Kaeya!

But just before the energy slammed into his chest, a slim body blurred in front of him and took the hit. Diluc jolted forward, ignoring the pain that flashed through his head. "Kaeya!"

His brother stirred, blinking, then rocked up onto his elbows. "Oof… Diluc? Are you okay?" He grinned up at Diluc with a sparkling smirk. "Pff, it's a full-time job keeping you from turning back into a cat, isn't it?"

And then he stiffened, and the relieved light in his eye faded into… nothingness. He met Diluc's eyes with the cold glare of a sworn enemy. Diluc frowned, confused at his brother's response. He reached out to help Kaeya up, but the knight didn't even glance at his outstretched hand, his icy gaze locked on Diluc's face. The tall redhead took a half-step back, his eyes narrowing as his hand went back to the hilt of his greatsword. Something's not right…

Kaeya rose to his feet without taking his eye off of Diluc. Alarm spiked higher and higher as the knight turned and walked slowly to the Dendro Abyss Mage's side. "Kaeya? What's wrong?"

The Mage looked surprised, and poked his wand suspiciously. "Argh, it backfired again, didn't it!? I knew I shouldn't have paid good Mora for a second-rate wand from a thrift store!" Then he looked up at Kaeya and tilted his head consideringly. "Although… I can still use this. It might turn out even better, actually." Turning to Diluc, he said with relish, "I may not have succeeded in my original mission, but now I have a willing minion who will kill you for me." He gestured to Kaeya. "As a loyal Khaenri'an, he'll be more than happy to end the life of one of our worst enemies." His voice was filled with malicious relish as he ordered, "Now then, finish him!"

Kaeya stepped forward, raising his sword in his left hand. Diluc's breath caught in his throat. "Kae?" he whispered.

But the knight didn't respond. His mouth was set, his gaze flat. Wisps of pale green mist swirled alarmingly around his lean body. And then he lunged.

Diluc barely dodged the attack and lifted his claymore defensively. "Kaeya, what's going on?" He blocked another strike, but even left-handed, his brother still fought with the speed of a Rishboland Tiger. The Pyro user glanced back at the Mage, who was watching the battle from the safety of his shield and stroking the top of his Abyssal wand with satisfaction…

…The Abyssal wand that was glowing with the same poisonous green as the wisps swirling around Kaeya.

Understanding burst upon Diluc. That last attack forced Kaeya into obeying his orders! With the realization, Diluc's heart nearly stopped. "Kaeya, snap out of it!" he shouted urgently. Kaeya simply tried to stab him again.

Diluc had perfected the art of violence. He was a skilled fighter refined by the fires of lethal battle, a swordsman who excelled in fast, decisive encounters. And he had more stamina than most, so he could power through a longer battle if need be. But… he was not accustomed to fighting like this. His defensive skills were practically nonexistent.

He managed to knock Kaeya's sword away, but he knew he couldn't keep it up for long. Kaeya was too fast, too agile for him. And Diluc was still regaining his footing, trying to get used to fighting as a man again instead of a cat, on top of his current dearth of stamina. Eventually, Kaeya would land a blow from which the Pyro user might not recover.

But he refused to fight back.

In his mind's eye, he saw Kaeya, shuddering as he bore the brunt of Diluc's grief and fury, bleeding and injured but never complaining or fighting back. Diluc saw the Cryo Vision snapping the shield up around Kaeya at the last possible second, saving his life against the great claymore. Diluc's jaw set, and his eyes flashed. There is no way in Teyvat that I'm letting this duel end like our last one. I will NOT let it happen! I'd rather die than hurt Kaeya again.

So his only choice was to try and outlast his injured brother. He deflected the next attack and met Kaeya's dead gaze. "Don't worry. I won't hurt you this time. I swear it." The leather of his gloves creaked slightly as he tightened his grip on his claymore. Kaeya paused, the vow hanging for an instant in the air between them. Then he attacked again, and Diluc lost himself in the deadliest fight he'd ever endured.