"Raiden Ei," said Shenhe, "I challenge you to a duel."
Raiden Ei grinned. "I accept. Come, we shall spar in Euthymia."
The pair entered the dimension. Thunder boomed over the Torii Gates dotting the sand-covered terrace. Ei savored that tranquil air. Her posture seemed relaxed, but Shenhe watched closely, knowing every move she made could spell the end.
"May I ask why you challenged me?" asked the Archon.
Shenhe said, "That day when we almost fought over Aether, you and I almost came to blows. I've often wondered how such a fight would've played out."
"I have wondered as well," Ei admitted. "If we ever fought, it is not inconceivable that you might win."
She knew Ei was just being humble. Shenhe's odds of victory were not promising. Even if they were matched in raw power, Ei had superior experience and technique. Still, Shenhe had fought gods before. Sometimes, the superior experience didn't always decide the victor. In combat, anything could happen.
"It's more than knowing how it would've unfolded," said Shenhe. "Now that we're friends, I wish to test myself against you. Please, help me grow stronger."
"As steel sharpens steel," mused Ei. "No matter the outcome, we shall both grow. We both must continue to grow, for him and for our own sakes."
Shenhe's blue polearm emitted a frosty sheen. Talisman in hand, she stared down the Shogun. Ei watched her, polearm held lightly in one hand, waiting for the exorcist's chi to shift. They circled one another, their calm exteriors masking their intentions. Try as she might, neither could guess the other's next move.
"Remarkable," said Ei. "When we first faced off, you could not mask your bloodlust. Now, your thoughts are tranquil."
"Yours are as well," she replied.
Shenhe didn't sense any openings in Ei's stance. Sweat rolled down her temple as the goddess' unbelievable pressure fell over her. Even if the Archon had become her friend, she remained as intimidating as ever.
Shenhe's legs coiled. She lunged one-handed. Ei intercepted the blow. Steel rang out across Euthymia as Shenhe's full might fell upon the Archon. Ei did not buckle. Striking her guard was like punching a diamond mountain. The impact rattled Shenhe's teeth.
Still, she pressed on with all her strength. Ei slid back, feet leaving long streaks in the sand. Shenhe raised her free hand and summoned her two Cryo Avatars. They flanked the archon while Shenhe charged from the front. A three-pronged attack.
The spears closed in on the Archon. Shenhe made the mistake of blinking and Ei vanished. She looked around for her. Euthymia seemed empty. The attack came from behind and Shenhe had only a split second. She parried the polearm thrust.
Before she could feel too pleased, the Electro Archon infused Electro into her weapon.
"Keep up," said the Archon.
Ei unleashed a series of rapid thrusts, strikes, and stabs. The blade grazed her shoulder. Shenhe backed up, creating distance between them, but Ei pursued. Shenhe summoned her Cryo Avatars. One blocked Ei's slash to her midsection. Ei reversed stance and struck at her neck, which her second Avatar blocked.
Ei attacked so quickly that to Shenhe, it felt like being assaulted by a swarm of gnats from every angle if each gnat had the force of a tidal wave. Her Cryo Avatars helped her block, but Ei was simply too fast.
Shenhe stomped her foot down. Ice spread across the battleground. The Archon flipped away before frost encased the spot where she stood. Drawing her talisman, Shenhe summoned all her icy power.
Ei drew the Musou-No-Hitotachi. Both women let loose their full elemental might in a devastating attack. The world went blinding white. Her ears popped. Torii Gates were ripped from their foundations into a hurricane of frost and electricity. Euthymia shook. The Heavenly Principles quavered.
Liyue afternoon was often bustling. Not long ago, Morax spent most days fretting about Liyue's micromanagement. These days, Zhongli enjoyed an afternoon tea with Li Siu's storytelling.
Today's story was an old tale about the Yaksha Pervases. The once-overlooked Adeptus enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks in large part to Miss Yun Jun's opera The Children's Yaksha. Now, every storyteller dug out their stories about Pervases. Naturally, they had to capitalize on the lucrative opportunity while they could; strike while the iron's hot, as they said.
Li Siu described Pervases dramatic sacrifice in the Archon War. There were some creative liberties on his part—Pervases certainly hadn't been fearless going into his final battle—but Zhongli long since understood such liberties were par the course. Let the people have their myths. Those interpretations, even the flawed ones, had their merits in that they revealed the author's subconscious creative quirks.
He sipped his tea.
Suddenly the ground rumbled. Li Siu staggered, clutching the wall for support. Around the square, people stumbled, falling on their knees and dropping cargo. Glass windows got hairline fractures. The stone pavement itself began cracking.
Someone shouted, "Earthquake!" causing panic. The Millileth on duty commanded everyone to remain calm, but his voice barely carried over the noise.
Silence. The shaking stopped.
People looked around in confusion. Long minutes passed where nothing happened. The merchant Shitou laughed, "Boy, that was weird!" Gradually, the others laughed. Dismay became amusement. Their initial panic had been completely unfounded.
Everyone returned to their jobs. Li Siu dusted himself off, grumbling annoyedly that his story got interrupted at the best moment. He cleared his throat and continued.
Zhongli lamented his tea, spilled in the quake. So much for his afternoon. He glanced past the Harbor to the ocean where the Nation of Eternity lay somewhere in the distance. Baal must be locked in a very fierce duel.
The victor had been decided. As the dust settled, Shenhe took a single step forward, crumbled to her knee, and fell.
Ei crossed over, offering her hand.
Shenhe reached out, clasping the Archon's hand, and let herself be pulled to her feet. Although unsteady and dizzy, Shenhe felt rather pleased.
Shenhe and Ei gazed upon Euthymia, a ruin of ice, sand, and shattered red gates. Overhead, the thunderclouds had fallen silent.
Ei said, "You almost had me. That was quite enjoyable."
"Yes, it was enjoyable," she agreed. "Next time though, I'll be stronger."
"I've no doubt you will."