At the Hazbin Hotel, both Alastor and Zhongli sat in front of one another, the latter with a visible angry look on his face, compared to the more casual Alastor.
« Charlie, this isn't working…. » Vaggie groaned.
« Yeah, you've got a point…» Charlie scratched the back of her head nervously. « All right, you two, I know that the both of you are not on the best of terms, buuutt… »
« Seriously, Rex. Could ya loosen up a bit? It's getting creepy…» Angel commented.
« Not as long as I stay in a room with this guy. » Zhongli replied.
« Look, let's just all agree both of you did something wrong, and move on with our lives…» Charlie said.
« Wait, both of them? I get Alastor, but what about Morax? His hands are bloody clear! » Husk commented.
« Oh don't get me wrong, Alastor is the one more in the wrong, but Morax here isn't exactly that innocent either. » Charlie noted.
« Seriously! She wouldn't hurt a soul and yet you just LEFT her to the wolves? » Vaggie raised an eyebrow.
« Wouldn't be surprised if ya took a bit of land yerself. » Angel smirked.
« I took ONE slither of land off of her, and the only reason I did was because otherwise it would had been taken by the bastard that used Xiao for his dirty work. » Zhongli replied.
« Good fucking call. » Angel replied.
« And you couldn't turn her into some sort of vassal or make a contract with her like you did with the Adepti? » Vaggie asked.
« If I have to be honest, that one is on me. During the Archon war, it never came to me to do something like that. » Zhongli replied. « Then again, during that time I was also a far different person. If you think Angel is bad, thank the Heavenly Principles you didn't have to deal with me back then. That, and, not trying to justify myself here, but everybody is kind of an asshole in their early 2000's, and if they're not, they're probably a sociopath! »
« What about tit-katana in Inazuma? » Angel asked.
« She's a sociopath! » Zhongli replied.
« Well, glad that we got that our of your system. Now, what we need is for the both of you to make amends and avoid future conflicts. Cloud Retainer nearly had a hear attack seeing you fighting one another… » Charlie said.
« Would it be possible to have a rematch against this respectable elder here? » Alastor asked.
« No rematches. » Charlie said with a stern tone.
« Well it was worth a shot. None the less, very well. I'll admit that perhaps my little comedy sketch was an itty bitty too much….» Alastor admitted.
« No kidding, even Vox thinks it's too evil, and that guy brainwashes people for a living! » Angel commented.
« And perhaps I reacted in a rather childish way back then…even though you were essentially mocking the memory of a person I used to know. » Zhongli admitted.
« I mean, she was fucking pitiful, ya have to admit it. » Angel smirked.
« She still deserves some respect. » Zhongli replied.
« Did she though? » Angel asked.
« Yeah, for once, did she though? » Charlie joined in.
« …Charlie? » Vaggie said incredulous.
« I mean, even I have to admit that she was…pitifulish? » Charlie admitted.
« Not that I'm complaining, this chalice thingie is a God sent! Literally! » Husk commented.
« Shame ya sold the ruler to Rosie. » Angel shrugged.
« Well, I would certainly love to spend more time with you, but unfortunately, I'm needed elsewhere. » Zhongli said, as he rose from the seat.
« Oh, so am I! There are countless Chilli Churros that need slow, agonizing deaths out there! » Alastor added.
« And I'm off too. Cherri's back at the Adventure's Guild and she's looking for her favourite spider demon for some Chilli Churros exterminations! » Angel added.
« You mean commissions…» Shenhe commented.
« Bitch you know what I am all about. » Angel replied, as he exited the hotel.
« …Morax, do you know the location of an individual known as Mihoyo? » Shenhe asked Zhongli.
« I do not know who this Mihoyo is, but it sounds like a foul creature….» Zhongli replied.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, Angel reached the Adventurer's Guild, and waiting for him was Cherri.
« Angel! My man! You ready to wreak some shit up!? » Cherri exclaimed.
« You bet toots! So what's the job? How many Chilli Churros do we have to sacrifice to the machine this time? » Angel asked.
« None, as a matter of fact. » Katheryne replied. « Uncle Dai is one of the foremen at Huishan Hall over in Liyue Harbor. He's hoping the Adventurers' Guild can spare some manpower. »
« So what's the issue? Futa's? Treasure Fuckers? » Angel asked.
« I believe you'll be looking for workers. » Katheryne replied.
« Oh, so we have to fetch some slaves for the guy! Got it! » Angel replied.
« No, you'll be looking for people who ALREADY work for Uncle Dai. » Katheryne replied annoyed. « I'm sure the details can be worked out face to face. If you're willing to accept this commission, head over to the dock and talk to Uncle Dai. »
« Won't be a minute! » Angel replied, as he and Cherri Bomb headed out.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the two reached the docks and met up with Uncle Dai. « Hey there pal. Lookin' for folks? »
« I am indeed. » the man replied. « Ahh, now then, you must be the adventurers assigned by the Guild. »
« At your service, pal! » Angel casually replied.
« Alright, my assistant should be arriving soon so let's just wait here a moment. » Uncle Dai replied.
« Competition, huh? I like it! » Angel grinned.
« Well, to tell you the truth, this is a very difficult matter. Too much for adventurers alone to handle, I fear... » Uncle Dai replied.
« Bitch we wrecked Osial's ass! We got this! » Cherri exclaimed.
« It just occurred to me that you don't have all the facts. The incident in question happened in a mine, and it's a little out of the ordinary, to say the least. Mines are dangerous places, as I'm sure you're aware. As such, I've enlisted an industry expert to cover all contingencies. Last time I checked, adventurers weren't experts in ore appraisal or geological analysis. With a professional by your side, everything should run smoothly. » Uncle Dai explained. « Besides, this guy is the best in his field. No matter the rock, he'll tell you its value to the nearest Mora at a glance. I'd go as far to say that there's not a soul in Teyvat that knows rocks better than him. I'd be a fool to not enlist an expert of his calibre! »
« Is the guy Mr. Zhongli? » Angel asked.
« Uh…no, as a matter of fact. » Uncle Dai replied.
« Then he's NOT the master of rocks. Wait here a sec, we'll fetch him for ya. » Angel replied, as he and Cherri headed off.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the two reached the Third-Round Knockout, where Zhongli was discussing some matters with a man.
« Hey Rock Daddy! Get your ass over here, we need your help! » Angel exclaimed.
« I specifically told you not to call me that before. » an annoyed Zhongli replied. « Nevertheless, what appears to be the issue? »
« We need someone who understands geology and ore. » Cherri replied.
« Hmm... someone who understands geology and ore...» Zhongli pondered.
« Oh, cut the crap, old man! » Angel complained. « The guy we're working for says he has enlisted China's biggest rock nerd, and I thought that instead of having him dealing with some charlatan we bring the real dick into action! »
« That is quite the disgusting metaphor… » Zhongli commented.
« Look, people are actually missing, and we could use a hand, and given our records regarding "experts" we've met so far, I think it's best to bring you, an ACTUAL expert, along. » Angel replied.
« Makes sense. "Starsnatcher" my ass….» Zhongli replied, murmuring the last part. « Well then, it will be my pleasure to accompany you. »
« Excellent! » Angel exclaimed.
« But I should inform you that despite my expertise... I cannot necessarily claim to be a leading authority. » Zhongli continued. « We are at all times adrift in a sea of learning — new knowledge should be welcomed with open arms. Still, I imagine I will be of help to you in this endeavor. If we do encounter an expert, I look forward to broadening my own understandings. »
« Suuuuureeeeeeeeee….keep telling yourself that, buddy… » Angel commented sarcastically.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group had reached the dock.
« Hey pal! We brought the pal we were talkin' about! » Angel exclaimed.
« Oh! And this must be the friend you spoke of? » Uncle Dai asked.
« Name a rock and he'll tell you everything about it! Even the nasty parts! » Angel grinned.
« I do not think there are nasty parts about rocks…» Zhongli noted.
« Well clearly ya haven't seen Nifty with one! » Angel replied.
« Uh-huh, so you say. Wait till my guy gets here, then we'll see. » Uncle Dai replied. « It's no use me singing his praises. You'll have to see for yourselves. »
Then, a man arrived. « Uh... is this the place? »
« Aha! Speak of the devil! Allow me to introduce my assistant, Kun Jun. » Uncle Dai introduced the man. « Young Kun, these are two adventurers assigned to us. »
« Oh god, he looks so fucking stoned…. » Angel commented. « Anyway, you showed yours, I'll show you mine. This is Zhongli, a consultant from the funeral parlour and quite possibly the Director's father.»
« I am not Director Hu Tao's father. » Zhongli replied.
« Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant... now that I think about it, I've heard about you, Mr. Zhongli. They say you're a man of great knowledge and many talents. I had no idea I'd be meeting you in person today. »
« I... I'm sure I recognize you... Have we met at the parlour? Wait, I've never been to the parlour ... » Kun Jun commented.
« Are we SURE we can rely on this joker? » Angel asked.
« How about a contest. That could show you his capabilities. » Uncle Dai replied.
« A contest? Why, it would be my pleasure! » Kun Jun replied.
« I admire your enthusiasm, good sir. » Zhongli replied.
« Haha! I must say, you certainly have the look of an industry expert about you. It'll be interesting to see which one of us wins. » Kun Jun replied.
« Glad ya stopped yer drug addiction just to keep fucking talking… » Angel grumbled annoyed.
« I'm just saying it like I see it, haha... Which is incidentally the only skill I have worth talking about. » Kun Jun replied.
« So you're an appraiser, Mr. Kun Jun? » Zhongli asked.
« Well, no... actually I've already forgotten what I'm in Liyue Harbor for... I was standing by the side of the road one day when Uncle Dai called me over. » Kun Jun replied. « He saw me holding a rock and asked me a few questions. He seemed incredibly excited, even followed me for a while. We arranged to meet here. »
« …What? » was all Angel could utter.
« I saw him on my way over to Liyue Harbor, poring over rocks and muttering to himself. He looked to be very familiar with them. » Uncle Dai replied. « I asked him a few questions out of curiosity. To my surprise, he knew more than me, an old mining foreman! In any case, he didn't have any pressing matters, and agreed to help me. »
« So, like, you got Alzheimer or some shit? » Cherri asked annoyed.
« Not exactly... Anyway, if it's rocks you need help with, I can most certainly lend a hand. » Kun Jun replied. « Mr. Zhongli, what do you make of this rock? »
After pondering for a bit, Zhongli gave his response. « A glossy exterior, with a fissure that could only have been left in the wake of a volcanic eruption. If I'm not mistaken, this is a rough gem from another nation. »
« Ah... a keen eye! » Kun Jun praised the man.
« It's no ordinary rough gem. Fragile surface layer, black veining... My intuition tells me that there's high-quality crystal ore inside. » Zhongli noted.
« Remarkable. This rock does indeed hail from the vicinity of a volcano. I came across it in a market and snapped it straight up. The seller thought it was some leftover industrial remnant. They had no inkling of the treasure that lay within. » Kun Jun explained.
« We collected thousands of Crystal Ores so that Charlie could have her floating tree house, what's so special about that thing? » Angel asked.
« Purity and geological rarity alone aren't enough to make a treasure. Some of the most precious crystals contain deposits of water or sand. » Kun Jun replied. « In the moment of its formation, the crystal hidden within this stone shell captured a pocket of water. For water to be hidden in its depths, like a moon concealed within a mountain, reflecting shafts of daylight that make it through... Now that's a rare treasure. »
« Zhongli. Verify it. » Angel replied.
« Everything he said is true. » Zhongli replied. « Most crystals are born in high-temperature environments. Heat and water aren't natural bedfellows of course, which is why crystals with water deposits are so sought-after. Moreover, this particular crystal contains mountain lake water. A rare find indeed. »
« In that case, yer explanation checks out. » Angel shrugged.
« I've yet to encounter anyone with a judgment as shrewd as yours, Mr. Zhongli. How did you know exactly what lay within? » Kun Jun asked.
« I've seen many such stones in my time, I recognized it immediately. I hope you didn't mind me flaunting my experience, Mr. Kun Jun? » Zhongli asked back.
« Of course not! I feel I've met a kindred spirit here today. I hope you will accept my friendship. » Kun Jun replied. « Uncle Dai, it would be a mistake for Mr. Zhongli not to join us! Trust me when I say that his level of expertise is unrivaled in the trade. You won't come across another of his caliber in your lifetime. »
« Very well, there is strength in numbers after all! Everyone, follow me to The Chasm. There are men counting on you to find them. » Uncle Dai replied.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group finally reached the Chasm.
« Wow. Danger, Will Robinson. » Cherri commented.
« Who's Will Robinson? » Zhongli asked.
« Liyue is no fun… » Angel complained.
« We've managed. » Zhongli shrugged.
« This is where the incident occurred. » Uncle Dai explained. « Six days ago, a group of us left the site to attend to other matters. When we returned, the four men we'd left behind had vanished. »
« Which is where we come in. » Angel smirked.
« So four miners have disappeared. » Zhongli noted.
« Yes. There were ten of us. We lost Long, Bold Cen, Brave Cen, and Mao. I worked with all of them. » Uncle Dai explained.
« Workers in this trade are usually young men in the prime of their lives. Could it be that the four of them left for another mine? » Zhongli asked.
« Unlikely. There's no other lodging for miles around, and we didn't pass any other mines on the way over. » Uncle Dai replied.
« Huh... such a huge mine. Did you really manage to explore every corner? » Kun Jun asked.
« Underground, overground... we left no stone unturned. We tried everything short of digging further into the earth itself. How could four sturdy young men just vanish into the bedrock? » Uncle Dai replied.
« We'll need to explore the site ourselves before extracting any conclusions. » was Zhongli response.
« Very well, I'll wait here, please proceed wherever you'd like. If you come across any clues, let me know straight away. » Uncle Dai replied.
« All right, let's Sherlock Homes this shit! » Cherri exclaimed.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group had found the first clue, a pile of clothes.
« What do we have here….» Angel murmured as he looked the pile.
« A few everyday items, they must belong to Uncle Dai and his men. » Zhongli noted.
« Yeah, numbers seems to check out…. » Cherri noted.
« The four of them have been gone for six days without a change of clothes. » Zhongli deduced.
« There's also a few handkerchiefs and some soap lying around... Oh, and some tool belts. » Angel noted.
« Items for washing one's face before the dawn shift... mining equipment... » Zhongli noted.
« And no supplies, that's weird…» Angel added.
« There are four pickaxes missing. It seems likely they left with the tools of their trade. » Zhongli noted. « They had time to take their tools, but not their everyday items? Curious. »
« Yeah, this shit ain't adding up…. » Angel noted.
« Indeed. Either they were working close by and didn't need to move their personal effects, but seeing as they've yet to return, this seems an unlikely hypothesis, or they were forced to leave and had no time to think about their supplies. » Zhongli explained.
« I swear to Christ if the Futas are involved in this shit I'm gonna grab my shotgun. » Angel growled annoyed.
« We'll need more clues before any further inference can be made. » Zhongli replied.
« Well, let's go to Mr. Dai and tell him what we found. » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the trio had reached Uncle Dai and Kun Jun.
« Hey fellas! We got bad news! » Angel exclaimed.
« Oh, right on time. » Kun Jun replied.
« Not the best answer to what I just said, but who am I to judge…»
« Did you find anything? » Zhongli asked.
« There's a chunk of ore here, perhaps there are clues within. » Kun Jun replied.
« How the fuck is a rock gonna tell us where four miners went!? » Angel asked angrily.
« Let's find out. I'll give it a try. A moment please. » Kun Jun replied, as he seemed to be deep in concentration.
« ….So you done wasting our friggin' time? » Angel asked annoyed.
« I see... four men... following someone out of the mine... it looks like a child. » Kun Jun replied.
« Were they wearing an Ushanka? » Angel asked annoyed.
« What? » Kun Jun asked.
« He's asking if the child seemed to be affiliated with the Fatui. » Zhongli translated.
« Oh, not at all. » Kun Jun replied.
« Also how the fuck can you see from a fucking rock? » Angel asked.
« Oh! I don't mean "see" in the traditional sense... I—I would appreciate it if what I'm about to tell you remained a secret. It's a little odd... I've never dared to tell anyone before. » Kun Jun replied. « I can... perceive the memories of ore. »
« That's bullshit and ya know it. » Angel shot back.
« "Perceive?" So there's no... conjecture at work? » Zhongli asked.
« Wait, yer buying into his shit? » Cherri asked incredulous.
« I've always sensed that ore contains "memories." Sometimes it records events that occur in the surrounding area. All I have to do is touch one and focus my attention, and the memories come to me. » Kun Jun replied.
« So what, if I gave you a blood diamond you can see all the children who died digging up that shit? » Angel mocked the man.
« It depends on the ore. Some ores have astounding memories. Others, like Iron Ore and White Iron Ore aren't up to much. Their memories are hazy. » Kun Jun replied. « Cor Lapis and crystal memories are much stronger. They record more events and in greater detail. »
« Well tell ya what, "Rocky." You caught us in a good mood. We'll "Humour" you. » Angel replied.
« Stone-seeing... fascinating. A rare ability indeed. It was prudent of Uncle Dai to recruit you, Mr. Kun Jun. » Zhongli ignored Angel's comment.
« Haha, I'm glad I can be of assistance. » Kun Jun replied. « Based on what I saw, I believe they followed this path. »
« This will take us north, away from the mine. » Zhongli noted.
« You better be right, Rocky, or a horse head on your mattress will be the second worst thing to happen to you today. » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
On their way, the group found a man.
« Excuse me sir, are you one of the workers here? » Zhongli asked.
« Ah! Yes, yes! You must be here about the disappearance. Please find them if you can! I... I don't know what happened. The weather was gloomy that day, the foreman left with a few men. » the man replied in a panic. « I stayed behind with the other four. After a while I decided to take a break... just to catch my breath! I ended up falling asleep in the shelter inside. When I woke up, there was no sight of them! I'd only just been speaking with them and suddenly... they'd vanished...»
« So the men that were out working disappeared, with the only one left to tell the tale having been asleep in a shelter. » Zhongli noted. « Perhaps an accident occurred on-site. »
« Well, time to get yer shirts out! Someone's gotta mark these poor bastards graves somehow! » Angel joked.
« Wait, you just leave your fallen companions in unmarked graves? » Zhongli asked incredulous.
« Oh no, just the poor guys! » Angel replied.
« …Your world is sick, you know that? » Zhongli shot back.
« It really is. » Cherri shrugged.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group returned to Uncle Dai.
« You're back! How are the investigations going? » Uncle Dai asked.
« We found three clues in the vicinity. First, there are four missing pickaxes, yet everyday items are still in their place. This suggests that your men didn't leave of their own accord, but were forced to. » Zhongli explained.
« Forced to!? But... who would kidnap miners? » Uncle Dai exclaimed.
« Still betting on the Futa theory…» Angel grumbled.
« Second, there were five workers at the mine. One of them left the site to take respite. When he awoke, his colleagues had disappeared without a trace. » Zhongli continued. « Those who kept working all disappeared. The one who left early emerged safe and sound. It would appear that the incident occurred on-site. »
« Now that you mention it, I recall Bravo saying that he took a break. » Uncle Dai noted. « Could someone have entered the site and simply walked away with them!? »
« This leads me to my third point. Mr. Kun Jun here made good use of his... expert techniques... to arrive at a conclusion. It was a child that took your men away. » Zhongli explained.
« A child!? But there are no settlements here for miles around! There's no way a child would have made it over to the mine! » Uncle Dai exclaimed.
« Wouldn't be surprised that the Futas use child soldiers. » Angel shrugged.
« Where did they go? » Uncle Dai asked.
« We believe that they followed the road north, away from the mine and toward the ruins. » Zhongli replied.
« North! Right, I'll rally my men and head in pursuit. » Uncle Dai declared.
« No need, daddy. We'll handle the kneecap shattering… » Angel smirked evilly.
« You've been invaluable to the investigation, but leave the legwork to us. If we set off now and make haste, we might be able to catch them. » Uncle Dai replied.
« Not so fast. The incident occurred six days ago. Even if they set out on foot, they will have covered a lot of ground by now. » Zhongli replied.
« You're right... New plan. I'll lead my search party over to the settlements further out and make some inquiries. » Uncle Dai sighed. « There are only a few settlements around here with lodging for the night. We'll go investigate and see if we can come up with anything. »
« Smart choice, old man! » Cherri exclaimed.
« In the meantime you could keep looking for clues. If we don't see each other, let's reconvene at Wangshu Inn tomorrow evening. » Uncle Dai continued.
« Agreed. » Zhongli nodded.
« Alright, me and my men will get going! » Uncle Dai replied, as he headed off the area.
« Welp. Time to find more clues! » Angel exclaimed.
« Correct. » was Zhongli response.
« Since we're not gonna find shit here, how about we head north? » Cherri asked.
« Wait... I believe we're missing someone. » Zhongli noted.
Soon, the two demons realized what he meant.
« OH SHIT, THE ROCK JUNKIE! » Angel exclaimed.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group finally found Kun Jun.
« Rockie! Ya better not had tried to ditch us! » Angel exclaimed angrily.
« Ah, apologies, I'm conducting a quick search for my own benefit. I'm looking for a precious stone known as Dragonfall. » Kun Jun replied.
«…The fuck is Dragonfall? » Angel asked.
« Dragonfall is often used in forging. What use do you have for it? » Zhongli asked.
« I... I don't know. » Kun Jun replied honestly.
« ….YOU DON'T FUCKING KNOW!? » Angel shouted angrily.
« I—I'm sorry, I don't recall why I'm seeking it... I've been feeling very... absent lately. Name and address aside, I'm having trouble remembering things. » Kun Jun replied. « In fact, I've been feeling extremely... anxious... as if there's something I've forgotten to finish. It's... an unpleasant sensation. »
« Shoving some pills down your throt, for example! » Cherri exclaimed.
« Kinky! » Angel replied.
« I know, right! » Cherri shot back.
« Ugh... I don't even know where to start with it, I've been... aimlessly wandering. That day at the market, I overheard a conversation while I was buying something. They mentioned Dragonfall. » Kun Jun replied. « It sounded so familiar to me, as if whatever it was I had to do was linked to that stone... So I decided to look for some. »
« Why? Does that shit help you with your ADHD? » Angel asked annoyed.
« Perhaps if I can retrieve some, I'll remember what it is I have to do. » Kun Jun replied.
« I see... If I am able to during our endeavour, I will help you look for this stone. » Zhongli replied.
« Really? Oh, thank you Mr. Zhongli! You're too kind! » Kun Jun replied.
« Think nothing of it. »
« Well, that's sweet and all that jizz, but if yer done talkin', can we get a fucking move on, 'cause we have some miners to save. » Angel asked annoyed.
« Heading north from The Chasm, we'll reach Lingju Pass. If this is indeed the path they chose, there will be traces. » Zhongli replied.
« Rock Junkies, roll out! » Cherri exclaimed.
« What does that even mean? »
Xxxxxxx
And so, our heroes headed towards Lingju Pass.
« We got tracks here, fellas! I think we found our miners! » Angel exclaimed as he found a trail.
« It would appear that they made their way through Lingju Pass and kept moving. » Zhongli noted.
« In that case, let's follow these guys! » Cherri replied, as the group followed the trail.
However, after a while, the footprints ended.
« Ah, shit. Well I guess that's it. Aw man…..» Angel groaned annoyed.
« We should inquire with anyone nearby. If the miners came through here, they may well have seen them. » Zhongli replied.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group found a girl, and begun their questioning.
« Hey babe, seen any miners 'round these parts? » Angel asked.
« ...It must have been about four or five days ago. There were a few men who came through here carrying baskets and picks... I guess that could have been them? » the girl pondered.
« Yeah, those are our guys, all right…» Angel replied.
« Four or five days ago? It appears that they were moving slower than we'd anticipated. Traversing the geography of Lingju Pass must have held them up. » Zhongli noted.
« It was so strange! Four big guys with lifeless expressions... It was like they were in some sort of trance! And there was a child staggering in front of them... » the girl continued.
« Huh, this child... Did you see what they look like? » Zhongli asked.
« I caught a glimpse... blue hair, short. I think... I think it was a girl! She wasn't smiling, in fact she looked very serious. » the girl replied.
« Wait, she wasn't a Ruskie? Then how the fuck did she get into the mines? » Angel asked incredulous.
« And they took this road? » Zhongli ignored Angel's question.
« Yes, they followed it straight from here. » the girl replied.
« Well, what do ya know, they're still worth saving! After them! » Angel exclaimed.
Xxxxxxx
The group raced along the path, when they saw a man being attacked by reptilian creatures.
Angel was quick to react, and shot down the assailers with his Tommie gun, freezing them on the spot.
« YOU! MONKEY FACE! MINERS! SEEN THEM? » Angel exclaimed in a hurry.
« I... I think I saw those people. » the man replied.
« Tell us more, dude! » Cherri exclaimed.
« I set off from Nantianmen the day before yesterday heading for Lingju Pass. About halfway there I came across some people — a few men and a child. » the man replied.
« And? » Angel asked in a hurry.
« I was in a hurry, I didn't get a good look. I'm afraid I'm not even sure what they looked like... apologies. » the man replied.
« I think that's all we needed to hear. Thank you. » Zhongli thanked the man.
« I hope it's useful to you! » the man replied, before heading out. « I'd better get going, there's a conference I need to attend. Again, thank you all for your help. »
« All right, fellas! To Nantianmenstan! » Angel exclaimed.
« Can we be absolutely sure that it was the men that we're looking for? » Kun Jun pondered.
« It's either our guys or the cast of the sequel to the world's renewed film "A Serbian Movie". Either way, we gotta hurry! » Angel replied.
« "A Serbian Movie"? » Zhongli asked confused.
« Ya don't wanna know. Some works of fiction are too foul even for immortal eyes…» Angel replied with a traumatized look on his face.
« Hey, perhaps that rock over there can tell us more! » Kun Jun exclaimed.
« Whatever gets your dick hard…» Angel shrugged.
« Can you not use a sexual innuendo for five fucking seconds? » Zhongli asked annoyed.
« Your daughter doesn't seem to mind! » Angel teased the man.
« … WHAT? » Zhongli asked "calmly."
« It's the same group alright. They followed this road. » Kun Jun said all of a sudden.
« Oh, right. The case. In any case, Mr. Kun Jun, your stone-seeing is something I won't forget in a hurry. » Zhongli replied.
« I suppose it is an asset, though I rarely find a use for it. But praise from Mr. Zhongli is high praise indeed. » Kun Jun replied.
« Still having doubts that it actually works… » Angel commented annoyed.
« Be that as it may, we would do well to keep our guards high. » Zhongli warned the group. « Four fully-grown men in a trance-like state... walking ceaselessly day and night... over hills and mountains... led by a child... This is no ordinary incident. »
« Oh! You're quite right, Mr. Zhongli. We should have our wits about us. » Kun Jun noted.
« We have encountered many clues along the way. So far they've pointed us in the right direction. » Zhongli noted. « Hmm, the miners headed in the direction of Nantianmen the day before yesterday. From here they would have had to navigate a perilous mountain road. If their destination is indeed Nantianmen, we should be able to catch up with them. »
« What are we waiting for!?» Cherri exclaimed.
« I left a mark in the vicinity just now. If Uncle Dai does pass through here, it should guide him to us. » Zhongli added.
« After you! » Angel replied.
However, as they were heading off, Cherri went to speak with Angel. « Hey Ange….Did you and Hu Tao, like…»
« Get yer mind off the gutter! I just taught her some dirty talk to tease people! She's, like, 16! » Angel shot back slightly disgusted.
« Actually, she's in her early 20's. » Zhongli replied.
« Wait, for real? » Angel asked shocked. « Huh. Could had fooled me…»
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group finally reached Nantianmen, where they found one of the miners.
« Guys! Here's one of the miners! Hopefully he's not dead yet! » Angel exclaimed.
« Judging by his appearance, he must have collapsed from exhaustion. » Zhongli noted.
« Ya better not die on me, fucker! » Angel exclaimed, as he prepared to perform CPR
« I can… I can still dig…» the man whispered.
« Honey, I think ya digged enough for today…» Angel replied.
« It seems that he thinks he still has work to do. Something's not right. » Zhongli noted. « There's a camp nearby. We should take him there and monitor his condition before deciding our next move. »
Xxxxxxx
As quickly as they could, the group brought the man to the camp.
« Well, here's hopin' he won't be yer daughter's newest clients….» Angel sighed.
« He's worked himself into a stupor. Thankfully, he's not in serious danger. » Zhongli replied.
« Well, they may not be Futas, but there's still kneecaps to shatter for what they did to this poor bastard…» Angel grumbled angrily.
« Hm? It looks like there's something in his pocket... » Kun Jun noted. « Are these... ore fragments? »
As he grabbed said fragments, he had a vision. « I just witnessed the memories within these ore fragments. This person brought these fragments out of the mine. He's one of the four that we're searching for. »
« How he came to be here is what we need to understand. » Zhongli replied.
« Tsk. Didn't even fucking bother to deal with him once they worked him to fucking exhaustion. » Angel said pissed.
« Oh! Wait a moment! Seeing these fragments has jogged my memory — I have something for you. » Kun Jun said all of a sudden.
« Unless that thing is the location of the other miners, ya can keep it, Rocky. » Angel replied crudely.
« As I mentioned, before I met Uncle Dai I was in a daze. After setting out with you on this case, it feels like a fog is lifting. » Kun Jun explained.
« Well that's great, at least yer ADHD is getting fixed. » Angel shrugged annoyed.
« I was so happy when Uncle Dai enlisted you to help. I would never have managed to track down these clues by myself. » Kun Jun continued. « These are some crystals that I bought from the market. Not any old crystals mind you — this purity is extraordinarily rare! One for each of you. A memory, if you will. »
« Well it's better than nothing, I suppose…» Angel shrugged, as he and Cherri picked a crystal each.
« And this one is for Mr. Zhongli. » Kun Jun then handed another to Zhongli, who remained silent. « Huh? I—Is something wrong? Not to your liking? »
« On the contrary... I just hadn't anticipated receiving a gift during the current circumstances. » Zhongli replied. « But, thank you. I will take good care of it. »
« I'm pleased you like them. It's nice to be able to give a gift that others can appreciate. » Kun Jun replied. « Oh! I see more rocks over there. You should all get some rest, I'm going to walk awhile — perhaps there are more memories to uncover. »
« Ya better not leave us, Rocky! If ya do, say goodbye to yer ass and yer balls! » Angel shot back, as the man wandered off.
A short silence followed.
« Soooo…..ya wouldn't happen ta secretly know the bastard, Morax? » Angel asked, highlighting the name Morax to let Zhongli know how serious he was.
« I have a hunch, but first… Does Dragonfall mean anything to you? » Zhongli asked.
« Ya mean Rocky's medication? What about it? » Angel asked.
« Dragonfall is an incredibly rare ore used in forging. The majority of regular crystals are formed in high-temperature environments. Dragonfall, on the other hand, is formed as a product of elemental reactions. » Zhongli explained.
« And the catch is? » Angel asked.
« The catch is, only a minority can survive for long periods of time.» Zhongli replied. « Dragonfall first emerged in the midst of a great battle, thousands of years ago. Powerful clashes of elemental energy gave birth to elemental crystals. When the fighting ceased, these geological remnants were miraculously preserved. »
« Is there a stop between here and the fucking point? » Angel asked annoyed.
« The point is, they are crystal creations all the same, few and far between, relatively unknown. A few hundred years ago, they were virtually mined into obscurity. » Zhongli replied. « Why is it then, that a citizen of Liyue now wishes to strike upon ore that has long since vanished from the earth? »
« Morax, if that fucker is the follower of another god ya bullied because ya were part of the "Cool kids club", I'm gonna lose it! » Angel replied angrily.
« A conclusion that is presently impossible to reach. We must watch... and wait. » Zhongli replied.
« As cryptic as ever, ain't ya? » Angel replied annoyed.
« Don't forget, rescuing those miners is the primary objective. As for anything else... Sooner or later the tide will reveal the lie of the land. We're drawing closer to our goal. I believe we should continue to follow this road through. Now that we've found one, the others won't be far away. » Zhongli replied. « When you're well-rested, call Mr. Kun Jun over to us. We still have more investigation ahead. We should ensure this miner is settled here at the camp. Once we've brought this matter to a close, we can return and attend to him. I suggest we leave a note for Uncle Dai. If he does find the camp he'll know what to do. »
« He better not be hiding one of yer fucking secrets, pal…» Angel replied angrily.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group finally reached Kun Jun.
« Ya done Rocky? » Angel asked annoyed.
« Indeed I am. » Kun Jun casually replied.
« Any results, Mr. Kun Jun? » Zhongli asked.
« There are many beautiful rocks here, but nothing out of the ordinary. I couldn't find any clues. » Kun Jun replied. « Then again, the memories of ore can shift with the passage of time and the changing of the environment. »
« Is there a pattern in this weird ass memory collective? » Cherri asked.
« Hmm, difficult to say... I feel that ore memories tend to be from the recent past. » Kun Jun replied.
« Minors. Got it. » Angel replied.
« Not…quite…never mind, let's get going. » Kun Jin replied.
Xxxxxxxx
After a while, the group found themselves in front of a giant tree.
« Wow, such an immense tree! » Kun Jun exclaimed.
« Last time I checked trees don't grow crystals, but pot. So what the hell is this? » Angel asked confused.
« This ancient tree...» Zhongli pondered. « Let's conduct separate investigations. I'll take that area, perhaps you could survey this section. »
« This better be fucking working…» Angel complained, as he searched the area.
After a while, Kun Jun found something.
« Hey Rocky! The hell did you just see? » Angel asked.
« Well... there is this stone tablet here. » Kun Jun replied.
« We can check that shit later, we got miners to save. » Angel replied.
« Huh? It's worth a try, surely. Let me see... » Kun Jun reached for the tablet, before he widened his eyes in shock.
« Rocky? Ya good? » Angel asked slightly concerned.
« ...Just a bit light-headed... It's passed, nothing to worry about. » Kun Jun replied.
« Saw anything pretty in there? » Angel asked.
« Not... hmm... not yet... » Kun Jun replied.
« God damn it. » Angel cursed.
« All of you, come here. » Zhongli suddenly ordered from behind the tree.
« Comin'. Ya better have found another fucking miner…» Angel replied. As he and the rest of the group reached Zhongli, they noticed a large tunnel.
« This has been newly dug. It would appear our answer is up ahead. » Zhongli replied.
«All right, ya crazy miner-kidnapping bastards! WE'RE COMIN' FER YA! » Angel exclaimed, as he charged towards the tunnel, followed by the rest of the group.
Xxxxxxx
As the group charged in the tunnel, they finally found the miners, doggedly digging away inside the tunnel, at the end of which was an ancient seal.
« Fucken' finally! We've been looking fer ya bastards! » Angel exclaimed angrily. « And what the hell is that shitstains on the wall? »
« Digging a tunnel to this ancient seal… Had they not been discovered, they would undoubtedly persevere until they opened the gate. » was Zhongli's response.
« And what's behind that gate exactly? » Cherri asked.
Suddenly, however, the miners grabbed their pickaxes, and charged at the group.
In response, Angel shot at them mercilessly with Cryo bullets, freezing them on the spot, taking everyone by surprise.
« Easy there, fellas. They're fine. Once we get them out of this shithole, we'll unfroze them. » Angel commented.
Just as he said that, however, a little girl appeared out of nowhere, and fired dark energy from behind the group.
Kun Jun was quick enough to somehow block the attack, but none the less, the sigil was broken. As that occurred, the whole group was dragged towards the sigil.
Xxxxxxx
A few moments later, the group found themselves in an arena, and in front of them was an impressive beast.
It had a colossal, rotund, and heavy build with the resemblance of a crocodile. Its entire body was coloured in shades of brown and black with numerous large spikes and golden gilded scales on his back. His head was layered in numerous large frills of spikes and was adorned with four long golden curved horns. He also had a large stone chin that covered its entire mouth.
He possessed thick limbs with a thickset of bark like armour. It had Geo Crystals and entangled plants on its body as well as a pattern derived from the Liyue Geo elements across its entire body.
« What. Is that. » Angel said.
« Morax... you arrive at my doorstep of your own volition. Excellent... taking revenge for sealing me away will be all the easier! » the beast roared out.
« MORAX! WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME, YOU MORON! » Angel shouted angrily.
« So... the little girl is your power incarnate. » Zhongli replied to the beast. « But if you recall, Azhdaha... this is not how we intended for events to transpire. »
« Waste not your words! Your life is mine! » the beast, Azhdaha, shot back, as it charged towards Zhongli, only for Angel to rain fire with his Tommie guns, whilst Cherri bombed the creature with all of her bombs.
« Not so fucking fast! He's our contingency to Smiley, we need him alive! » Angel exclaimed.
« Think we can handle the guy? We might have to call the nuclear option here! » Cherri exclaimed.
« Rock Daddy banished him here, we can banish him again! » Angel replied cockily, as he kept on firing his twin Tompson Submachine guns against the creature, with very little effect.
« Okay, Morax! We could use some pillar support here! » Angel exclaimed, as Azhdaha attempted to strike the duo with his forelimbs, only for the attack to be blocked by Zhongli's shield.
Then, he struck the creature with one of his pillars, allowing Cherri to counterattack with her bombs.
« This ends when ya say so, scaly! Our lives or your ass, yer call! » Cherri exclaimed.
« Argh...! Is once not enough!? You would forsake me again!? » Azhdaha cursed.
« If that is what you choose to believe, so be it. » Zhongli replied. « He who bears the weight of memory is destined to shoulder the burden of truth. As it ought to be. »
« Can't believe I'm saying it, but can we talk this out? » Angel asked annoyed, only for Azhdaha to strike at Angel with inhuman strength, sending him flying outside the arena itself.
Xxxxxxx
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt….
« And then, the tiny little demon flew aaaaalllllll the way home! » Moxxie was telling a bedtime story to both Diona and Klee, who were having a sleepover. However, seconds later, Angel struck the nearby wall, his head poking out inside of the residence.
« Mind sending me back to Liyue? » Angel asked.
« Grabbin' the wonderbat! » Moxxie casually replied.
« Are you okay, Mister Demon? » Klee asked concerned.
« Yeah. I'm all right. Been better. I'm fighting a dragon that has beef with Morax. » Angel replied.
« Would this very big bomb help? » Klee asked, as she pulled out a gigantic bomb strapped with an atomic warhead from…somewhere, and handed it over to the demon.
« Oh, this will do nicely….» Angel grinned.
Xxxxxxx
Five seconds later, Angel was back in the fight.
« So fellas! What did I miss? » Angel asked.
« How did you- » Zhongli was about to say, before being interrupted.
« Questions for later. I have a plan to beat this guy. » Angel interrupted the man.
« Well it sure as shit hope so, 'cause he seems to have hit phase two! » Cherri cursed, as Azhdaha seemed to had absorbed the elements in the area.
« …Well shit….» was Angel was able to say, before the Azhdaha sent them flying with an Electro attack.
After a good five seconds, the trio fell to the ground, and definitely felt the fall.
« Morax! You think you can destroy me!? » the beast cursed at the fallen trio.
« All right. Morax, ya better turn Rock Hard, 'cause this is a "Code Viagra" situation! » Angel said, as he pulled out some Viagra pills.
« Wait, what? » Cherri asked confused.
« Yeah, apparently Viagra doesn't give him a raging boner. Instead, it essentially turns him Super Sayan. » Angel explained.
« Even so, it won't last long enough to defeat Azhdaha. » Zhongli replied.
« Not if this big baby has anything to say about it! » Angel replied, as he pulled out Klee's massive bomb.
« Oh my God! » Cherri exclaimed. « Nice! »
« Are you sure this work? » Zhongli asked.
« I HAVE NO IDEA! » Angel exclaimed, as he tossed the pills to Zhongli, who grabbed and swallowed them.
As a result of that, he was engulfed in an orange aura, and roared in sheer power as he charged towards Azhdaha, laughing like a madman.
In response, the beast struck at him with an Electro attack, only for Zhongli blocking the attack, whilst still laughing. « I'M GOING BALLS DEEP! »
« …What? » was all Azhdaha could respond with, before Zhongli struck at him in the head, causing the beast to be sent back by the sheer strength of the attack.
Then, before it could recover, Azhdaha caught a glimpse of Angel diving towards him with a massive bomb.
« The demons wish you a merry Christmas, motherfucker! » Angel shouted, as he tossed the massive bomb towards Azhdaha.
« This is a bunch of bull-» Azhdaha was about to yell, before the bomb exploded on his face, causing an explosion that outmatched anything this Fanfiction has seen so far.
Xxxxxxx
Even outside of the Chasm, the spectacle of said explosion could be seen.
And it was definitely noticed by Charlie, who was casually walking on the streets of Liyue whilst the explosion occurred.
« …ALASTOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! » she yelled out in anger for once in her life.
« Yes, my dear? » Alastor casually replied.
« Oh, you were right beside me this whole time. Sorry, force of habit. » Charlie sheepishly replied, only for her face to turn into one of shock and disbelief. « Wait, how did they even do that!?»
« The power of sheer entertainment, my dear! » Alastor replied.
Xxxxxxx
Meanwhile, back at the Chasm, the whole arena was reduced in shambles by the explosion.
As a bright yellow light dissipated, it was revealed that both Zhongli, Angel and Cherri had barely survived the explosion.
« Are you two all right? » Zhongli asked concerned.
« The pain… is almost euphoric, daddy….» was Angel's response, as he collapsed on the ground.
« Thank fuck this is over, at least! » Cherri exclaimed.
« NOT SO FAST! » a voice called out to the group, belonging to the little girl who had brought the miners to Azhdaha's prison. « Morax! A thousand years after you sealed me underground... you return for the second time... »
« You should call it by its name, Azhdaha... fate. » Zhongli replied.
«Fate? Fate! Hahahaha!» the little girl, a personification of Azhdaha, broke down laughing. « So here lies the wisdom of the gods? Destroy all deemed redundant, enlist tyrants to ravage the wilderness! »
« No. You have forgotten. » another voice replied, belonging to none other than Kun Jun.
« …Rocky? » Angel asked confused.
« Azhdaha...» Zhongli said.
« Wait, HE's the real Rock monster!? » Angel exclaimed shocked. « Do we have to kill him again? »
« Morax. It's been a while. And I can see you made some weird friends on the way…» the man replied.
« You have no idea. » Zhongli sighed.
« Wait, are you secretly a rock lizard?! WHY ARE YOU A ROCK LIZARD!?» Angel shouted.
« Forgive me for concealing the truth, Angel. There were things that only became clear to me upon reaching this tree. » Kun Jun replied.
« What is happening!? »
« Allow me to elaborate. I am not Azhdaha the whole... but a fragment. » Kun Jun explained. « Heaven and earth, yin and yang, opposing forces... You can consider the existence of me and the Azhdaha you see there, to be a reflection of such polarities. "We" are a schism of the will... the will of Azhdaha. »
« Oh great! 'Cause the last thing ya friggin' needed was a fucking Bipolar Split Personality Disorder! » Angel exclaimed.
« No! It can't be! That's impossible...! » the little girl exclaimed.
« When the seal loosened, your power manifested in this world as a child. With this new identity, you were able to vent about the forces that suppressed you... but would anyone listen... would they even care? » Kun Jun replied. « That's when it occurred to you. The loosening of the seal constituted an opportunity to strike back. Kidnapping the miners was all in aid of digging to the entrance to the seal itself. Your plan was to launch an attack on both ends. From outside... and within. Thereby fully destroying the seal. »
« The audacity! Are you insane!? If you truly are a part of me, how is it you find yourself standing on the side of the betrayer!? » the little girl shouted angrily.
« I was another power awakened with the loosening of the seal. Too weak to reincarnate, but strong enough to possess a human body. » Kun Jun explained. « I was barely conscious... I couldn't remember who I was. Only the past would elicit a reaction from me... But my aim was clear: Find Morax... and aid him in stopping you. »
« I had sensed that something was amiss when you mentioned Dragonfall. Had your power been but a little stronger, I would've recognized you. » Zhongli replied.
« Don't blame yourself, I have changed beyond all recognition. Only when I touched the stone tablet... did I truly remember. » Kun Jun explained. « It's been so long. A secret beyond all comprehension, of youthful humanity and ancient dragon-kind... Morax, do you want to tell the tale? »
« Ya fuckin' bet someone will! I want a fucking explanation! » Angel exclaimed angrily.
« Azhdaha was once a friend and ally of the Geo Archon, Morax, with a lifespan far exceeding that of mankind. However, that which is derived of the earth is no more or less than the earth itself... » Kun Jun begun. « The memories of rocks do not last long. Those memories that survive are rooted in powerful emotion. But as time passes, so these memories fade into obscurity. Erosion is the world's greatest destroyer of memories. »
« Glad that even rocks can feel the effect of water boarding. » Angel said.
« Erosion ground Azhdaha's consciousness into oblivion. Slowly, he forgot the face of his old friend, and his memories of defending Liyue Harbor disintegrated. » Kun Jun continued. « Azhdaha, now incomplete, became irascible... aggressive. »
« What would you expect!? It was humanity that attacked the Ley Lines that sustained me! » the little girl replied angrily.
« This much is true. Which is why "you" attacked The Chasm... why "you" waged war against Morax. In the beginning, in order to open up new territory and increase production, the citizens of Liyue came to the mountains to mine. Overexploitation caused the Ley Lines to quake, which brought untold suffering to "us." Erosion made "us" even more savage. No matter how we struggled, we lost the ability to coexist with humanity... we lost all reason. » Kun Jun replied. « Morax shared with us some of his power, to prevent further erosion. But... it was futile. Everything returns to dust. It is the natural order, an unstoppable force. And so, "we" became "you." And from your will... "I" emerged. I am your final contract. Witness the promise between Azhdaha and Morax. You can hate me... but you cannot deny me. »
« No... no... » the little girl uttered in disbelief.
« I am the remnants of Azhdaha's benevolence, the echo of a contract set in stone. I harbour a willingness to go further, a willingness to coexist peacefully with mankind. » Kun Jun continued.
« No, no! It is I, Azhdaha, forged of elemental crystal, bearer of the weight and memories of the earth, older than the mountains and the oceans that decides! I will not swear allegiance to this insect! » the little girl replied angrily.
« Morax is not an insect. » Kun Jun replied.
« A lord over insects is nothing but an insect in turn! » the little girl shot back.
« You forgot yourself. Nobody held Morax in higher regard than you or I. That which you have forgotten, I hold here in my heart. » Kun Jun replied. « If you are the memory of the earth... then I am the memory of coexistence... of coexistence with humanity. All powers under heaven, rise and fall of land and sea...»
« ...A star appears within the wild... a sun ascends as bright as... jade...» the little girl said weakly. « Strange... What... what is this feeling? And all this... »
« You are spent, and I will soon disappear. Before I do, heed these words. » was Kun Jun response. « In the wilderness, snow falls on a spring day. In an instant it will melt. Even where it is fleeting and leaves no trace. Even where it will never fall again... »
« No, that isn't true! I don't accept this as fate! » the girl replied defiant, as she begun to disappear.
« Perhaps it isn't. But it remains... an inevitable misfortune. » Kun Jun replied, as the little girl disappeared completely.
« Well, we managed to banish yer split personality. Ya happy now? » Angel asked annoyed.
« I had to make amends. Satisfaction had no part in it. » Kun Jun replied, before turning to Zhongli. « So, Morax... you call yourself Zhongli these days? »
« I do. » was Zhongli response.
« Well, I'm afraid old habits die hard. To me, you're Morax. » Kun Jun replied.
« As you please. »
« I never did forget your gift of sight. » Kun Jun thanked the man.
« I hardly lifted a finger. Think nothing of it. » Zhongli replied.
« And yet you could see. You wouldn't know the yearning of a blind dragon, searching for the sun. A pair of eyes, from Morax to Azhdaha. This... I will remember this. » Kun Jun replied weakly.
« Your power is nearly spent. » Zhongli noted.
« ...Perceptive as always, my friend. » was Kun Jun response.
« Shall we get going, you and I? » Zhongli proposed.
« Not before we save the fucking miners! Can't believe we left for a rescue mission and ended up in the most nuclear therapy session I have ever experienced. » Angel said annoyed.
« Of course. Let's go. » was Kun Jun response, before turning towards Zhongli. « Also, "Going balls deep" Morax? »
« You know all too well I'm not me under the influence of substances…» Zhongli replied embarrassed.
« By the Heavenly Principles this is the Mondstadt incident all over again….» was Kun Jun response.
« The "Mondstadt incident?" » Cherri asked confused.
« We do not talk about the Mondstadt Incident. » Zhongli replied in a stern tone.
« Of course. »
« Got it! »
« Yes daddy. »
Xxxxxxx
After checking on the miners, the group headed towards the ancient tree, where Uncle Dai was waiting for them.
« So there you are! My men and I found your clues and followed them straight here. » Uncle Dai explained. « We found Mao in a tent at the campsite unconscious! It seems he'll be okay. Sadly, we found no trace of the other three... »
« Rest of the Stooges are in that cave over there. » Angel casually pointed at the cave.
« Cave? What happened!? » Uncle Dai asked worried.
« They're exhausted, but not in danger. Don't worry. » Zhongli replied.
« R—Right, well... Thank you, all of you! I better go and see how they're doing. » was Uncle Dai response.
« So you're taking them back to Liyue Harbor? » Kun Jun asked.
« That's right! » Uncle Dai replied.
« Can I come with you? »
« No problem! You rescued my men. I'll be happy to assist all of you in any way I can. I'll be back soon, I need to assess their condition. » Uncle Dai replied, as he and his men went inside the cave.
« ….Sooooo…Kun Jun...Azhdaha...Rocky...whatever name you picked this week….what happens now? Ya goin' back to Chinatown? » Angel asked.
« Not I, merely this body. » Kun Jun replied. « Once I'm gone, the true owner will accompany the miners back to Liyue. Kun Jun hails from a family of famous artisans — he too will be famous in time. It would be a shame for someone of his talent to go missing. »
« You always did have a great admiration for blacksmiths. » Zhongli noted.
« Curious how swords and daggers are blind, yet their creators see so much. Perhaps empathy is mankind's proudest achievement after all? » Kun Jun shrugged.
« Azhdaha. I am no longer the Geo Archon. »
« ...I can sense it. »
« Today I am just an ordinary citizen of Liyue. »
« Even you met such a fate... Let's get the difficult part out of the way. I cannot guarantee that I won't be awoken a second time. »
« No matter. If that day comes to pass, Liyue must prepare itself to face you. »
« And how will Liyue fare without Rex Lapis? »
« I fucking dare you to find out, Rocky. » Angel threatened the man with a grin, whilst pointing his Tommie guns on him.
« Even without a god above, this remains a nation of men. I was once their god, I ought to be here to witness their rise and fall. » Zhongli replied.
« All life is shaped and then ground away by the endless flow of time. You were always the strongest among us, yet it would seem that even you have been eroded... That's unimportant... fate is ordained by heaven. » Kun Jun replied. « Even if our mission had already concluded, it would be cowardly not to strike out on the road of departure. You may live forever, doomed to a lonely existence... yet even this is temporary. When you reach the end of time, those people, those past and future relationships predetermined by fate... They will be waiting for you. »
« I do not pretend to match your rhetoric when it comes to the subject of a life long-lived. I fear that the life of an elemental being is longer than any in this world. » Zhongli replied.
« Were it not so, you would have killed me long ago, and would not be having to face me again now. »
« You've brought a smile to my face. When all is said and done, a reunion between old friends is an auspicious occasion. » Zhongli smiled.
« That day in The Chasm? Did you hesitate? » Kun Jun asked.
« A heart of stone is a heart nonetheless. But I am the God of Contracts, and was, for a time, a god of the people of Liyue. »
« You chose justice, but did not forsake your kindness. You came to me not as an assassin, and so I was willingly sealed away. »
« The movements of the Earth Dragon can tremble the earth and shake the heavens. With your abilities, even at my full strength, I struggled to confront you, let alone seal you away. »
« Hence "my" inception. Do not forget that I was there with Liyue's founder. » Kun Jun replied. « The face may have changed, but the content of the contract remains intact. Old friend, God of Contracts. I hereby honour our agreement. »
« Thank you, Azhdaha. » Zhongli thanked the man.
« My life is nigh on eternal. I will go on with the infinite flow of time. And you, Morax... You too will live for many a day to come. » Kun Jun replied, as he was engulfed in light.
« You're leaving? » Zhongli asked.
« If it is fated, Morax... we will meet again. » suddenly, a ray of light flew from Kun Jun's body, and just like that, Azhdaha was gone. The man collapsed on the ground, before Angel grabbed him.
« Well glad that's fucking over…So how was your reunion? » Angel asked.
« Centuries may have passed since then... but events from a thousand years ago... remain crystal clear in my mind. » Zhongli replied, as he begun to tell the demons about how he met Azhdaha and gave him eyes, how he signed a contract with him and how he accompanied him on many campaigns throughout the land, leaving many legends behind.
Xxxxxxx
As the group exited the Chasm, Zhongli continued with his tale.
« A thousand years ago, Azhdaha attacked The Chasm. I tried to obstruct him, fighting him tooth and nail down the length and breadth of the mine. Finally, I brought him down, and sealed him underground. During that battle, Dragonfall was born. Azhdaha could sense the stone. Subconsciously, he wanted to use it to find me. » Zhongli explained. « Despite being the victor, I could not claim to be stronger than he. And in his heart, he still retained an ounce of good will towards me... towards Liyue... towards life above ground. He was willing to be sealed away. But as the erosion set in... he forgot. »
« Ya got to deal with this shit too, don't ya, big guy… » Angel sighed whilst smoking a cigarette.
« Even I cannot avoid it. But there is something I understand better than most: When the door opens, it is time to leave. » Zhongli replied. « The greater the power, the greater the danger erosion may bring about. The millennia may come and go, but even a stone may tire. »
« Knew that the whole "Letting Liyue grow" schtick didn't make sense. Got tired, didn't ya, pal? » Angel noted.
« Personally sealing away an old friend... this is just one form of erosion I have endured. » Zhongli replied.
« Knew a friend back in the days. Good friend, definitely more than a dad than dad ever was. Had to put a bullet between his eyes to protect the Family. I know how bad that shit feels… » Angel shrugged.
« People abandon and surrender the things they love to pursue the right path. Perhaps this is the erosion imposed on me by the Heavenly Principles. » Zhongli said. « But I was a god of mankind. My identity may change, but my eyes will bear witness to the history of humanity. »
« Hey, if it makes ya feel any better, ya ain't getting rid of us any time soon! » Cherri said.
« Indeed. Perhaps you demons are among the few creatures that are not affected by erosion. Both a blessing…and a curse. » Zhongli replied.
« Interested in becoming a Demon Overlord? » Angel asked.
« As of yet…I rather maintain the position I hold as of yet…» Zhongli replied.
« Meh. Makes sense. » Angel casually replied. « Well, this surely has been a day and a half, I think I deserve some rest for like, a week or two…. »
« Very well. Oh, and tell Alastor that next time he pulls another one of his "silly pranks", I'll show him some REAL erosion…» Zhongli replied.
« No promises he'll listen! » Angel shrugged.
« "A warned man, half save man." » was Zhongli's response.
Xxxxxxx
Many thanks to Inanna for many of the suggestions for this chapter.
I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Please review so I can know your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions for what is going to happen, so stay tuned! Also, remember to like and follow, if you want!
See you to the next update!