His feet still fixed to the ground, Xingqiu's mind worked without his body. His brother was the daycare picture book delivery man, the prankster aficionado, his first best friend; now he slammed the butt of his sword against Zhongli's shield like an enraged, caged animal. Sure, they had grown apart since they were younger, but he still didn't want to believe it. He still couldn't raise his weapon, though his sword itched impatiently in the palm of his clammy hand.

Until the shield broke.

Reflexively he deflected the oncoming blade, and his feet immediately slid into a fighting stance. His body caught up. Behind him Zhongli grunted, his polearm whipping the air against Xingqiu's back as he wound up,

"Nothing to fear." Electricity crackled against his ears, and a cicin mage's cry quickly followed like thunder. The clunk of Zhongli's spear against his boot, and the singing of Xingqiu's blade happened at once as he refocused his attention. To his brother, the Fatui Swordsman.

The moisture in the air condensed around him, coalescing along the surface of his blade as he forced him back with a horizontal slash. Adrenaline foamed beneath Xingqiu's sternum as he flipped backwards, parrying the oncoming fire with a seismic, piercing wave. It doused his opponent completely; their hair clung to their forehead in great steaming clumps. The battle around them disappeared. He drew the last of the remaining water from his vision, corkscrewing it around him, imagining the path it took as it did so, and he slashed forward over his shoulder.

The agent barely countered the strike, and panting he shouted beneath the clear-skied rain, "First it was the exorcist, then the Guhua Clan, then the Traveler," he parried, piercing the skin on Xingqiu's arm, "you always thought you were better than me. You aren't! You're the second son, and that's what you'll always be!"

"RISE!" The earth trembled beneath their feet, giant boulders erupted around them, and only his brother fought to maintain his balance. Xingqiu took the opening and sliced upwards, knocking the sword from his hand. It collided with a stray supply box.

"This isn't about that! Tell me, what don't I know? You said I didn't know the half of it."

"You're right. It's bigger than that," he laughed manically, "it's bigger than you. It's bigger than both of us."

"Xingqiu!"

His brother raised his hand, sparks searing through his coat, and then his arm fell. Xingqiu gasped, at first a sigh of relief and then one of horror, as his blade impaled his left shoulder. Blood pooled and spilled around the entry point, and his head fell back. Limp. Suddenly Xingqiu couldn't see. He couldn't breathe. He released the sword, shaking.

"Xingqiu," Zhongli's polearm pierced the dirt beside him, "don't move. Leave it to me." His knees buckled, but he didn't really feel it. Blood trickled down his arm, growing cold as it stained the torn fabric.

"Xingqiu you need to breathe-" Zhongli continued speaking, presumably while wrapping his brother's wound, but he didn't hear the rest.

And this is Wanwen Bookhouse! The greatest trove of literature in all of Liyue!

What's that? Is there a limit to the number you can check out? Hah, not today.

Don't tell Dad, it will be our little secret.

Ha! I can't believe you fell for that!

You should have seen your face, PRICELESS!

That's just stupid. Do you like how your hair looks?

I'm just saying, if I had been there, I would have kicked them in the dick.

Go get some rest. I'll see what I can get done.

But you're the one telling father.

Well, thanks for telling me I guess.

Is it the exorcist?

Ohhhh it is isn't it!

Wait until I tell father!

Do this.

You remember our contract, don't you?

"-ts it. In and out. In and out." Something squeezed his arm, and then he realized Zhongli had torn his outer sleeve. Xingqiu's head floated above his shoulders, he was cold.

"Is he okay?"

"His condition is stable. He likely fainted from the delusion, not the blood loss. The damage you did was minimal."

"Oh." The scent of silk flowers and sweat flooded his nostrils. Zhongli removed his jacket and placed it on his shoulders. It was still warm. "I want you to know that I will still abide by the terms in our contract. I will not tell the Qixing nor the Millelith about the information pertaining to Feiyun."

"I'll tell them."

"If that is what you wish. I would also like to apologize. I confiscated information pertaining to this case, and I commandeered your family's sword. I'm sorry."

"You did what you thought was right." Zhongli nodded.

Despite what had just transpired, the breeze still caressed the mountain side, tousling his hair to the opposite side of his face. The moon still hung high in the sky, the campfire dwindled, and he was still alive. It wasn't exactly what he anticipated for this evening; he wondered if Chongyun had gone to sleep or if he was still awake practicing his mantras.

"He said that this was bigger than us. My brother, that is."

"That certainly appears to be the case. In truth, I didn't expect an operation of this scale."

"Then I guess it makes sense. Him pawning the work off to me, that is." Xingqiu took Zhongli's hand as he offered it, and he stood precariously. His coat was comically large on him, and it dragged when he walked.

"I would still like to investigate this camp. Perhaps I can determine their next course of action. You however, should get some rest."

"I'm not leaving. If it pertains to him then it pertains to me. Tell me everything you know."