Chapter Text
Part LXII. The Art of War, Part I
Ajax was expecting a relatively uneventful evening of dinner, music, and listening to Zhongli read some of his writing out loud. He expected to then take a nice warm bath followed by snuggling with Zhongli in bed before drifting off to another night of peaceful sleep. What he wasn’t expecting was being launched into crisis-mode and riding Zhongli’s back in his dragon form as they zip through the Mondstadt night sky, following Barbatos’ green flying orb thing.
Ajax tightens his grip on the soft silky strands of Zhongli’s mane. He can feel the serpentine body flex under his legs as Zhongli gallops through the air, the howling wind whipping through his hair near deafening. However, despite how quickly they’re travelling, the ride is surprisingly comfortable; Zhongli’s dense dragon mane unexpectedly serves as a fluffy blanket that insulates him from the cold. His scales are also smooth and warm to the touch, and they remind him of heat packs he would have in his pockets during cold winter months in the modern world. If the situation isn’t so dire, he would’ve whooped and hollered and maybe asked Zhongli to do a couple of barrel rolls.
Felix, who’s wrapped his arms around his torso in a death grip, does not appear to be having a good time though.
“Oh gods, I shouldn’t have looked down!” he moans. “We’re so high up and we’re going so fast.”
“Just keep your eyes at the front,” comes Ekaterina’s voice further behind. Her words may sound confident but the shakiness of her voice betrays her true feelings. “We shouldn't be in the air for long anyway. I hope.”
“Are you alright, beloved?” Zhongli asks though Ajax doesn’t hear him speak; rather, he feels his voice echoing in his mind like he’s injecting his thoughts directly into his head. “Are you comfortable? Cold? I’m not jostling you too much, right?”
Ajax leans over and pats Zhongli’s scale. “I’m fine, Zhongli. No need to worry about me.”
He suspects the reason why he’s not afraid is due to his upbringing in the modern world. Between the roller coaster rides and the air travels, he’s pretty inoculated against travelling at great heights and speed.
“The orb is descending,” Zhongli says. “It looks like it’s taking us to Barbatos’ house.”
“Oh, thank the gods,” Felix wails.
They touch down gently on the grassy lawn in front of the familiar cabin just as the orb disappears through the roof. Zhongli finishes transforming into his human form (and poor Felix is done hurling in the bushes) when the door flies open with a loud bang.
“Morax! Master Ajax! I’m glad you came!” Venti cries out, eyes wide with panic. “Come in! Quickly!”
They find Xiao lying on the couch with his stomach swaddled in a cocoon of bandages. There’s dried blood on his pale face, his arms are covered in scratches, and his clothes are caked with dust and dirt. The corners of his bloodless lips are pulled down in a pained grimace but he tries to get up at Zhongli’s presence.
Venti immediately flits to his side. “You are lying back down! Do you have a death wish?”
“Lord Lapis,” Xiao says, continuing to struggle but failing thanks to Venti’s effort to get him back on the couch. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“Nonsense.” Zhongli walks over and takes Xiao’s hand. Light glows from under his fingers and sinks into the other’s skin as the smell of ozone and silk flower rise in the room. Xiao closes his eyes as gold seems to emanate from his body, and it pulses sluggishly like slow gentle heartbeat before dissipating. When the last traces of magic disappears and the air turns clear and sweet once more, Xiao blinks his eyes open and his expression relaxes. He looks noticeably healthier; his breathing is easier and the sickly pale-greyness of his skin is chased away by the pink returning to his cheeks and lips.
“Your injury is not as severe as I feared,” Zhongli says with a sigh of relief. He lets go of Xiao and turns to Venti. “Thank you for helping him. He would be in a much rougher state had it not been for your intervention.”
“I’m only sorry that I didn’t get to him sooner,” Venti answers. His worry fades transforms into more panic when he sees Xiao try to get up once again. “Stop moving! You’re still not fully healed! Your energy is still depleted!”
This time, Xiao ignores him and tries to pull himself up with shaking arms. “Lord Lapis, the borders and Wangshu Inn are filled with monsters. The Adepti are trying to get things under control but—urgh!”
His arm gives. Venti catches him before he collapses.
“I sent an emergency missive to Acting Grandmaster Jean already,” Venti continues as he helps Xiao to lie down more comfortably. “The Knights are rushing to the border including Sir Kaeya, but what’s causing this attack?”
Zhongli offers the explanation. “We just obtained intel from one of La Signora’s men about this monster attack. They are using artificial Sigils of Permission—it’s a type of talisman that allows mortals to channel divine power.”
“No wonder,” Xiao mutters. “The saving grace is that a Sigil only has so much energy before it’s used up.”
Ajax winces. “La Signora’s people are carrying more than just one Sigil each. We found a stack of five on the agent we detained.”
Venti’s grimace mirrors how everyone in the room feels. “We don’t know how many Sigils La Signora’s agents used, so we’ll just have to assume they still have plenty at their disposal. How do we stop this?”
“We destroy the Sigils,” Zhongli answers. “Luckily, since they are created using adeptal art, there is a spell we can use to trace their locations. We’ll need to be on site to use it since it only works within a certain radius.”
They don’t have time to make a thorough plan. They spare a minute to grab a disguise for Childe while Venti goes outside to summon Dvalin. Ekaterina and Felix are staying behind to keep their spy work alive and keep things under control in Mondstadt.
“We’re better off staying put then joining the fight. We’ll also keep Mondstadt safe. I’m sure, um,” Felix’s gaze flits to the door, “Mister Bard would appreciate it.”
Right. Neither Felix nor Ekaterina were told who Venti really is but it looks like the cat’s out of the bag from context clues alone. It’s still rather sweet of Felix to feign ignorance.
“Good luck and keep safe,” Zhongli says with a nod. He turns to Ajax, who’s done securing his veil hat—the one he had worn when he snuck into the Golden House—and face mask. “Come, my love, let’s get going.”
Xiao is pushing himself up again. “Wait! I want to join as well!” At Zhongli’s disapproving look, he retorts, “I cannot just lie here while my brethren are fighting!”
Zhongli sighs. “Xiao, you can join after you’ve replenished your energy.”
“Is there something we can do to help, though?” Ajax asks and as he does, a memory surfaces. Energy…energy…something about having too much of it? Didn’t he have a conversation with Xiao about this? And he was just whining to AR about this topic too during training session. It was…um…something to do with Zhongli, and roundness, and a diet—
A lightbulb turns on in his head and Ajax is bolting to the kitchen before he finishes his sentence: “I think I have an idea! Gimme two seconds!”
He rummages through the cabinets grabs a mug. There’s a bottle of sparkling wine, some apples in the cold box, a bit of sugar, a touch of lemon, and a sprig of mint. Combine it together, muddle it, and give it a stir and aha! The laziest co*cktail ever made served in a coffee mug but it’ll have to do. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
He rushes out to the living room and practically shoves the mug at Xiao, spilling the liquid on him a little. “I, Ajax Rybakov, would like to make this offering of, um, apple cider co*cktail thing to Adeptus Xiao, Conqueror of Demons. May he recover swiftly!”
Xiao takes the cup. “Oh,” he says, surprised and, dare Ajax say, a touch impressed? Ajax is certainly giving himself a mental high five for his moment of enlightenment anyway. With a muttered, “Thank you,” the Adeptus takes a sip.
And promptly makes a face like he’s been sucker punched. “So sweet!” He hacks a little and glares at him through watering eyes. “And prickly! What is this? Are you trying to kill me?”
It never occurred to Ajax that Xiao has never had carbonated beverages before, so it’s understandable that he’d find the sensation alarming. He probably should’ve made something more simple like tea, but then he’d have to wait for the water to boil and who has time for that?
“It’s made with Venti’s cider! It’s the best I can do with what I can find!” he defends. “Besides, this is the fastest way to recovery unless you want me to sing—”
Xiao downs the drink wearing a sour expression the entire time. He makes it look like he’s consuming the most bitter medicine known to man rather than a tart apple-lemon co*cktail (one that probably doesn’t taste that bad given Ajax’s maxed out culinary stats). So dramatic. So rude.
The beverage helps though. When Xiao gets off the couch, his feet are steady and his eyes look alert. And he’s just in time for their ride out of Mondstadt too as a thundering boom fills the air, followed by tremors that send the furniture shifting against the hardwood floor and the delicate knickknacks clinking against each other.
They head outside to see a large azure dragon on the lawn with six feathered wings draped over his body like a jeweled mantle with its hem spilling onto the wild grass. His body is visible from the porch light reflecting off his blue-green scales, turning them a deeper, glittering sapphire. His massive head is lowered and pressed closed to Venti to speak privately, though despite best efforts to keep quiet, his low, rumbling words can still be heard from where the group is standing. After a few minutes, he gives Venti a little nod and looks up.
“Oh, it appears there are some new friends here. More of Barba—um, Master Venti’s guests?”
“Guests? You’ve met them already though. That’s just Master Ajax and—” Venti turns around and does a double take at Ekaterina and Felix. “Wait, who are you? Where did you two come from?”
“We’ve been here the whole time,” Felix explains, mildly exasperated but largely unsurprised. He must be used to being unseen given his job to remain discrete. “We came here with Masters Childe and Zhongli. More importantly, is that another dragon? Where are all these dragons coming from?”
“We know about Master Zhongli’s other identity,” Ekaterina adds quickly. “We’ve been helping him and Master Childe keep track of La Signora’s movements.”
Venti nods. “Okay. Great. Nice to meet you. I’m Barbatos. Please keep that a secret. Next question.” He points to Xiao and scowls. “Why are you here? What are you doing standing up? Go lie down!”
“I’m joining the fight,” Xiao explains. His voice is a lot more gentle and kind than when he was talking to Ajax too. Double rude. “I have recovered sufficiently, so you need not worry.”
“How can I not worry?” Venti squawks. “You were bleeding on my couch ten minutes ago and now you’re saying you have the energy to fight?”
Xiao extends his arm out. “See for yourself.”
Venti stalks over and wraps his fingers around Xiao’s wrist. His frown slowly eases to confusion the longer they remain touching.
“Huh.” Venti blinks. “I guess your energy level is replenished. How did you manage that?”
“An offering,” Xiao grunts out. “An unfortunate one.”
Clearly there’s a lot to process in that moment but Venti settles with throwing his hands in the air and giving up. “Oh, to hell with this. Fine, Xiao, you’re coming but not without a few additional blessings from me. Blockhead and Ajax, get on Dvalin’s back. He’ll get you to the borders quickly. You two,” he gestures to Ekaterina and Felix, “Are you getting on as well?”
Dvalin tosses his head back majestically and stretches his wings.
Felix pales and takes a few steps back. “Most definitely not. I barely survived my ride here, no offence Master Zhongli.”
“None taken.”
Ekaterina, ever the voice of reasons, adds: “We’re more useful here in Mondstadt. We’ll keep an eye out on things in case La Signora tries anything.”
Barbatos nods. “Alrighty then.” A soft green light materializes in his palm and forms into a floating, glowing orb. He gently tosses it to Ekaterina. “In case of emergencies and you need to contact me. Tap once to record your message and tap twice when you’re done.”
The group climbs on Dvalin. With one last wave to Felix and Ekaterina from Ajax, they set off into the night sky to the sound of beating wings.
The first thing they see upon reaching Stone Gate is a field of flickering torchlights lining the raised stone and wooden platforms. Waves of Hilichurls blanket below, and their advancing with single-minded focus, crushing into each other to form large hills with their bodies piled against the walls. They do not seem to care though. They’re scrambling over their fallen brethren and inching up persistent like rising flood. Their progress are slowed by the men—Millelith and Knights of Favonius alike—gathered at the top, their spears and swords flashing with every desperate swing to beat back the endless hordes. As Dvalin swoops lower, the cacophony of battle reaches their ears; panicked cries, clanking weapons, and thudding footsteps mixed with the haunting, ghostly shrieks of monsters dying under killing blows.
Then, the smell hits Ajax—the thick pungent stench of of thick copper, musk, and damp rot with ozone and charcoal. It fills his lungs, coating the insides in an oily film, and lingers in the back of his throat to the point where he can almost taste it.
It makes him sick to his stomach.
Oh god, oh god, don’t hurl, don’t hurl.
“Healing food applied,” comes the sound of AR’s voice in his head and Ajax instantly feels a lot better. “Your nausea has been lifted. You are also immune to its effect for the next half-hour.”
AR, you are real one. Thank you!
“I know it’s gruesome but stay focused out there,” AR warns. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help much give Auto-Pilot’s duration and cooldown.”
Which means to make maximum use of this ability, Ajax can only use it when he’s about to trigger Foul Legacy Transformation, but that has its own risks too. AR is clearly on the same page given his next comment.
“I don’t want my lack of mastery of Foul Legacy to put you in danger. Use it when you need it and I shall deal with the consequences.”
Ajax grimaces and fights down his remaining queasiness. I’ll use it when I need it but I won’t leave you out to dry! We’re in this together!
“Zhongli!” Venti calls out over the howling wind from his perch in front of them. “Where’s the best place for you to use your spell?”
Zhongli leans down and scans the horizon. “There,” he says, pointing to the roof of a nearby wooden guard tower. “It will take me a few minutes to activate the spell though. I cannot be interrupted during spellcasting.”
“So, we guard you and take out some monsters while you get to work. Understood. Dvalin, if you can be so kind. Clear a path for us!”
Dvalin rears his head back and swirling blue wind gathers in its open mouth in a tight ball of flickering blue light. With a thundering roar, he releases the blast. Devastating wind sweeps down and carves a rugged path deep in the earth, kicking up debris and screaming monsters in its wake. Wind pulls the flailing creatures up into the air and sending them flying far into the plains, likely to their deaths.
Cheers ring out from the jubilant Millelith and Knights while Dvalin soars for the tower. Once he flies close enough to the structure, the gang leaps off and lands safely on the tiled roof.
“Thank you for the help!” Venti cries out with a wave. “Go back to Mondstadt and guard it well! We’ll take it from here!”
“Please be careful,” Dvalin grumbles. “You just woke up and resumed your watch over the nation.”
“Yes, yes, I’m not going to shirk my duties by dying and leave you with all the work. Now off you go!”
Dvalin snorts and turns back towards Mondstadt. He sends a few departing wind blasts on his way out for good measure.
“It appears we have attracted their attention,” Xiao remarks, his eyes flit to the base of their tower. Curious, Ajax leans over to look and sure enough, the monsters that are attacking the Millelith and Knights have turned around and began shuffling towards them as if instinctively clocking them as threats that must be eliminated quickly. They move sluggishly but their actions steady and unbothered by the flurry of arrows raining on them. The orange glow of firelight reveals their dark eyes to be vacant.
“They’re mind-controlled,” Zhongli concludes. “It’s good that they’re targeting us. It’s easier to destroy them if they’re gathered around the tower.” A golden light shimmers around them and forms into the familiar shape of the Jade Shield. “Xiao, Venti, fend off the masses. Ajax, stay here and guard against any attacks that slip past their line of defence. Be careful to conserve your powers though, we will need it to take down the real culprits. I will endeavour to cast this spell as quickly as possible.”
Wait, why is he guarding? Isn’t he better off attacking with Xiao? He’s the Vanguard, after all.
He’s about to open his mouth to protest but catches the warning look Venti gives him.
“Zhongli’s probably worried,” AR fills in the gap. “He’d rather have you beside him than venturing below with the fray. It will also mean that his mind will be more at ease, which will allow him to concentrate better so what’s the harm in staying here?”
“Alright,” Ajax answers out loud for both AR and Venti’s sake. “I’ll stay here and guard.”
Venti gives a wink and a salute as Xiao slips on his dark mask and wraps an arm around his waist.
“Let’s show these monsters what we’re made of.”
With a flash of green-black smoke, they disappear from the roof.
Zhongli closes his eyes. The smell of ozone and silk flower grows thick and pungent, buzzing with power that sends familiar shivers down Ajax’s spine. Light begins to pulse from his feet, slowly at first, growing more frequent and brighter until it becomes strong enough to cast away the dark night and bathe their surroundings in gold. It highlights the shimmering gold details in Zhongli’s suit and illuminates his fine, elegant features even with the way his face is scrunching a little from concentrating so hard on his magic.
Ajax pries his gaze away to focus on the battleground below. He spots the occasional flashes of green from Xiao’s attacks and the powerful gusts of wind blowing monsters back from Venti’s powers. Between the two of them, they’ve managed to clear a ring of no man’s land between the base of the watch tower and the perimeter from which they are attacking. A couple of Hilichurls manage to stagger past their line of offence, but Ajax has just the idea on how to take care of that. He pulls at the Hydro power from his Vision and gathers it into a tight bomb in his palm.
Eat Hydro bomb!
The blue orb hurtles towards the enemies and explodes before it makes contact. Water bursts forth and smothers everything in its radius and in the brief seconds following the explosion, the only thing Ajax can see a large, chaotic splash of blue. The waves die quickly though and by the time they disappear completely, the only thing left behind in the explosion is a small crater is left in the dirt.
From the ground, Venti turns around to give him a quick thumbs up. Ajax grins and gathers more Hydro in his hand.
They fall into an easy rhythm with Xiao being the Vanguard, Venti providing support, and Ajax picking off the stragglers. The air feels saturated with magic—moist and cold from the combined Hydro and Anemo they’ve unleashed on their foes. At some point, the Millelith and Knights started providing supporting fire with their bows and arrows to help thin out the group of monsters, but despite their assists, the horde appears never ending.
“Monsters, three o’clock!” AR warns in his head. “A few at your nine!”
He lobs the Hydro bombs and watches the accompanying wave engulf the monsters. More are starting to stream past Venti and Xiao though despite how ferocious the flashes of green-blue powers are growing. He yanks more Hydro power and chucks a few more bombs.
We’ll need to use more force, Ajax answers. The monsters are coming in droves too, their movements going from sedated shuffling to faster, more eager steps, and he thinks he knows why. A quick glance over his shoulder shows Zhongli practically lit up like a beacon. The air is saturated with power to the point where he can hear a low hum emanating from the very space surrounding them.
They can probably sense Zhongli’s divine energy. Hell, everyone can at this point. But at the rate things are going, they’re going to get overrun.
We need a barrier! Ajax thinks desperately. Zhongli’s Geo shield would’ve been perfect but that’s out of the picture. Venti and Xiao can’t create barriers as far as he knows, and the closest thing he can do is keep casting Hydro waves to push the enemies back, but the effect is temporary at best—
“Master Ajax!”
Ajax spins around quickly. Hope swells in chest and he grins at the familiar and very welcomed sight that greets him on a nearby platform. “Kaeya! Master Diluc! Wait, how did you know it’s me?”
His hat and mask are still on, after all.
Kaeya casts a couple of Cryo spells. Beside him, Diluc gives him a nod of acknowledgement between stabbing a few monsters that managed to climb on top of their platform. Once the creatures are taken care of, Kaeya calls out in response: “I recognize your Hydro spells and the way you fight. Now, do you need help with those?” He gestures to the ring of monsters surrounding their tower.
“Yes! I need to stop them from getting closer! Something to freeze—”
Freeze.
It’s perfect.
“Venti!” he yells down. When he sees the bard look up at him, he points to Kaeya and Diluc.
“Got it!”
A swirl of Anemo magic gathers around Kaeya and Diluc, and they’re gently lifted to the spot beside Venti.
“Everyone, keep the area around the tower clear! I’m going to surround us with Hydro and Kaeya can freeze it into an ice wall!”
With the addition of two more fighters, the monsters are repelled more easily. Diluc swings his broadsword with surprising ease and speed despite how heavy that weapon looks. He twists and using his momentum, brings the great blade slashing across multiple Hilichurls in the stomach in a devastating blow. Meanwhile, Kaeya, who’s beside him, parries the frenzied blows of clubs from monsters that were able to dodge the attack. His lighter weapon means greater speed, and he practically dances on the blood-stained dirt, sword singing in the air with every deadly slash.
Team Xiao-Venti maintains their usual pressure on their foes with Venti manipulating the wind with his bow and arrows to trap monsters in space, leaving Xiao to finish them off with a thrust of his spear. For someone who spends most of his time drunk, Venti’s a surprisingly good fighter with a wicked aim. Arrow after arrow made of pure Anemo energy manifests in his bow before flying through the air and striking their targets in the head and heart, each shot a killer blow that explodes into a gust of wind that sucks the monsters in and letting Xiao finish the job.
The person doing the most devastation is, of course, Xiao, but that’s to be expected. Every strike, every slash, every stab, every movement is measured, and executed with deadly precision that screams of centuries of battle experience. Monsters are reduced to ash with every step, his movements so quick that Ajax is having a hard time tracking with his eyes especially with how Xiao appears at times to simply teleport, leaving the Hilichurls to crumple behind him.
“All clear,” the Yaksha announces. “It’s now or never.”
“Stay close to the tower behind the clear area!” Ajax shouts as he tugs at his magic. “Kaeya, get your Cryo ready!”
He feels his Vision respond and a flood of cooling energy floods through his veins. He directs it to his hands and molds it into something more solid, something that can stretch out and curve like a whip. He winds his arm back. “Now!”
He hurls his magic onto the empty space between his allies and the monsters. Water erupts like a geyser but instead of falling back to the ground, it gathers in the air and travels to the side. It zigzags, following the path of empty land circling them like a snake, sending more splashes of water up to form a wall of Hydro only to quickly turn to ice with Kaeya’s quick magic.
His water finishes its journey and, for good measure, Ajax directs it to circle them a few more times to form a thicker and higher wall. When he gets a Cryo barricade that stretches as tall as where he and Zhongli are standing, he finally dissipates his magic with a sigh of relief.
Just in time too. The golden glow surrounding Zhongli pulses once, twice, and then, light shoots up into the sky, disappearing into the darkness in a shower of sparkles. Everything remains dark except for the spots of flickering torchlight, but in the next heartbeat…
“There!” Ajax says, “And there!”
One by one, bright yellow beacons cut through the darkness like the powerful lamp of a light tower shining through ocean fog. Ajax counts six: two to the south-east, three directly to the south, and the last one—
“It’s here!” Xiao growls out. “Apprehend them!”
The culprit clearly knows the jig is up because that beacon that’s distressingly close to them moves. Xiao disappears in his usual flash of green-black smoke. A few seconds later, the beacon sputters out completely.
Five more and they’re on the run.
Taking down that nearby Sigil user has an immediate effect on the monsters. They stop moving, their heads tilting in confusion as they look around their surroundings. A few arrows from the Knights and Millelith send the hoard turning tail and retreating in panic.
“We did it!” someone yells from the platforms. “The monsters are leaving!”
Minty Anemo magic lifts Ajax and Zhongli from the roof and they’re gently floated down as Xiao reappears. He’s holding the Sigil user’s by the scruff (dressed as a Sumeru merchant) and promptly drops the body face down on the ground. A pool of blood spreads under him to stain the dirt dark, filling the air with the scent of copper mixed with the cool minty smell of winter and frost from the ice around them.
“Good job,” Zhongli praises. He gives Kaeya and Diluc a nod. “Thank you for your help as well. It seems for now, the situation is under control at the Stone Gate.”
Diluc watches Zhongli bend down and rifle through the body. When he sees him fish out a small stash of Sigils, he asks, “So, I’m guessing that’s what’s being used to drive the monsters crazy?”
“These are Sigils of Permission. They were originally made to allow mortals to use Adepti magic during the Archons War. La Signora and Il Dottore have managed to make counterfeits.” Zhongli’s eyes blaze molten gold and the Sigils in his hand catch on fire. They quickly burn to nothing but ashes. “And this fellow is armed with these counterfeits. He’s working for those two Harbingers and has been sent here to cause trouble. The spell I just cast will allow us to find his brethren.”
“La Signora only sent six people? That number seems unusually small,” Kaeya notes.
“The spell unfortunately only affects those within a certain distance. We will need to cast it again to catch anyone further out.”
“Other Adepti should be able to help including myself,” Xiao offers.
“I think I’ve seen a few of them,” Kaeya says. “I saw two large cranes and a reindeer who told us they’re heading towards Wangshu Inn, Mingyun Village and further south to the Guiliu Plains.”
“The beacons should have attracted their attention so all we need to do is locate the beacons to locate the Adepti,” Zhongli guesses. “We should also tell them to cast more locator spells too.”
Ajax raises a hand. “Hang on, Venti, can’t you use your special communication orb spell thing to warn the other Adepti? That way, they’ll know to start casting those locator spells.”
Venti shakes his head. “Unfortunately, my spell only works on the recipients with energy signatures I’m more familiar with. I’ve never met these other Adepti so I won’t even know where to send my messages to.”
“It’s alright,” Xiao says. “We’ll simply head south and deal with Wangshu Inn first since it’s centrally located and provides a bird’s eye view of the surrounding region. From there, we can split the party to look for the other beacons.”
Ajax and Kaeya dismiss the magic holding the ice wall together. After making sure that the Knights and Millelith have things under control, including with those injured in battle, they get ready to set off to Wangshu Inn.
“How can we get there quickly?” Ajax says, stopping them before they follow the path away from the Stone Gate. “Dvalin is gone and, um, Zhongli, you’re supposed to be in disguise.”
It’s by pure luck that the Knights and Millelith thought Zhongli was and Adeptus rather than their dead Geo Archon. He doubts they’d think that if he transforms into his dragon form to fly them to Wangshu Inn though.
Venti raises his hand tentatively. “I might be able to use my winds, but I only have enough power to carry two of us.”
“Offerings should help,” Xiao says. “It will likely have to come from all three mortals though.”
They dig through their pockets to see what they have to work with. Kaeya pulls out a flask of whiskey and Diluc has some dried berries and nuts ration on him. Ajax has water.
“Huh. I can, um, try to make a sorbet with Kaeya’s Cryo energy?” Ajax offers, looking at the grim selection. “With a side of whiskey?”
“We have no bowl though,” Kaeya counters.
“I guess we can serve it in my waterskin?”
The end result is infinitely sadder than the co*cktail beverage he made for Xiao. It features a slushy ice packed in Ajax’s waterskin with rehydrated mashed up fruits mixed in, lightly “flavoured” with a shot of whiskey. Ajax suspects that not even his maxed out culinary stats can save the dish.
It's so sad that both Zhongli and Xiao are giving looks of pity to a glum Venti.
“Huh. You…um…really shouldn’t have…” When nobody budges, Venti sighs. “Do I have to?”
“Sorry,” Diluc mutters, clearing his throat. It’s evident that he feels guilty that this is the best he can offer to his god too. “I promise to give you a better offering when everything’s back to normal. I’ve got a nice crate of wine back at the Manor—”
Venti lights up. “Deal!”
He takes waterskin and chugs it with the experience of a man who gets black out drunk on a weekly basis. The upside is that he drinks the offering so fast that Ajax is fairly certain he tastes very little of it. Soon after, he pulls the container from his lips with a loud sigh.
“Done! Let’s not do that ag—woah!”
The air grows crisp and cold, every breath in feels like he’s been hit with a spritz of peppermint in his chest. Venti’s eyes glow bright green, luminescent and distinctly otherworldly. Wisps of delicate green light rise from his body like smoke, and, as he closes his eyes, a gentle breeze begins to blow, ruffling their hair, their clothes, and smothering them with more of that fresh scent.
Though the power feels more subtle than the pressure from Zhongli’s Geo magic, its presence is so noticeably strong that it sets off Ajax’s battle instincts that something dangerous is nearby. It finally hits Ajax, for the first time since meeting Venti, that the bard is a true Archon. Not even Venti’s identity reveal in Diluc’s manor had given him that impression, and Venti had tried to be impressive with the glowy lights, echoing voice, and the illusion of wings on his back.
Judging by Kaeya and Diluc’s twin looks of surprise, they share his sentiment too.
“I believe that worked,” Xiao notes with an approving nod. “Let’s get going then.”
They land on the roof of Wangshu Inn light as a feather. Although they are situated high up nestled among the thick canopy of leaves, they can see and hear the chaos below. Millelith forces are surrounding the base of Wangshu Inn behind makeshift, shoddy barriers made with overturned furniture, crates, and spiked fences. Behind them, higher up on the view platforms are the guests of the Inn, trapped indoors, but hardly helpless. They’re throwing everything and anything at the advancing hordes of monsters. So far, Ajax sees homemade Molotov co*cktails, rocks, cutlery, and lit firecrackers.
“Xiao! Lord—Master Zhongli!”
A large brown crane lands on the roof in front of them. He bows towards Zhongli quickly. When he sees Venti, his eyes go wide and he bows again. “The monsters appeared all of a sudden. I also sensed your power. Those beacons—”
“Are enemies who used counterfeit Sigils of Permission,” Zhongli answers his unspoken question. “I saw one here but the light has gone out before our landing.”
The crane nods. “Thanks to you, we have arrested the culprit and searched him. I just destroyed the Sigils on his body. There’s another beacon out in the plains though.”
They turn towards the column of light out on the horizon. It’s getting further and further away.
“I bet you the culprit has surrounded themselves with monsters. Catching them won’t be easy.”
“I’ll go,” Xiao volunteers. “Mountain Shaper, I could use your aerial support as well.”
Venti perks up. “I can guide the winds to help you move faster while I still have the energy and all!”
“Once you’ve caught them, cast another locator spell,” Zhongli says. “My spell only covers a certain area. I don’t know if we have more enemies lurking outside of my spell’s area of effect. In the meantime, we’ll hold the Inn.”
Mountain Shaper nods. “Understood. We shall return once we clean up the mess.”
They take off, their journey hastened by Venti’s winds, leaving the rest of the team to float down the roof to land onto the wooden floor of the balcony.
“Is it just me or are the monsters even worse here?” Kaeya asks as he peers over the railing. “The Stone Gate doesn’t have nearly as many monsters and they’re not as agitated.”
“They have at least two Sigil casters here,” Diluc notes with a grimace. “The Stone Gate only had one.”
“And they had the Knights to help out,” Ajax adds. He’s already got his Hydro blades in his hands and is rolling his shoulders as warm-up. “Welp, we’re here to even the odds so how do we want to do this?”
Diluc snorts and unsheathes his broadsword. “The same way we fight any monsters. We charge forward. Master Venti, if you please.”
With that, he vaults over the railing and plummets down. Before he becomes a pancake on the ground, Venti’s wind catches him (with no small amount of panicked cursing from the Bard too) and he lands behind the group of Millelith with a light “thud”. The moment his feet touch the ground, Diluc springs forward and leaps over the barricade to face the monsters. He draws his blade back, the weapon engulfed in red hot fire, and slashes horizontally.
“Burn!”
A phoenix, a literal majestic magical bird made of pure fire, bursts forth from his sword and swoops towards the monsters. It leaves a trail of flames and sheer destruction as it travels forth, setting everything—monsters and otherwise—ablaze so much so that the night air fills with orange light and the disturbing scent of charred meat from the newly cast inferno. Monsters shriek and try to jerk away, but they’re so compact together that those in the phoenix’s path are burned to a crisp instantly with nowhere to go. Those on the periphery are caught on fire, and their panicked flailing is causing more fire to fan out until a sea of blazing red is formed. Ajax is watching the chaos with his jaw dropped open.
Holy f*ck. He knows what Diluc’s ult looks like from the original game but seeing it in real life is something else entirely, especially with the way he just…charged in there, no f*ck’s given. And Ajax thought he’s reckless. Apparently, he’s got nothing on Master Diluc!
“Holy crap!” He turns to Kaeya, who looks exasperated but unsurprised. “Is he…always like this?”
“Yes,” he replies emphatically. “And no, don’t go getting any ideas. I doubt Mister Zhongli’s heart can take it. We should probably follow him though. Master Venti, please and thank you!”
He feels Zhongli’s hand on his shoulder as the wind sweeps them up and off the balcony. A gold shield shimmers into existence.
“Another one? The first one is not even out yet.”
“One can never be too careful,” Zhongli murmurs. “And Sir Kaeya is right. Please do not charge into battles by jumping down several stories.”
They land on the same spot Diluc was and spring forward to join him against the Hilichurls. Ajax has fought monsters before but nothing like this. He can hear the chaotic shouts of Millelith and civilians, the screeches of monsters, and the clangs of steel, mixed with the press of bodies surrounding him from all sides. The ground feels hard against the soles of his boots, the once plush grasslands flattened and compacted into the hard dirt from hundreds of trampling feet. Whatever discomfort has to be shoved to the back of his mind though. He dodges the axe aimed for his ribs and barely throws his blades up to counter the club towards his head before pushing back and countering with a flurry of slashes. There’s a flash of metal to his right. He parries and stabs the attacker before spinning on the balls of his feet, feeling the cool blast of Cryo magic flying inches from his torso. He drags Hydro from his Vision and throws the magic back like a boomerang. Satisfaction blooms in his heart when he sees his hit take out the Cryo Samachurl that tried to kill him.
“First Battle Gauge is filled,” AR says in his head. “Would you like to use your Delusion?”
Not yet, Ajax answers as he knocks the axe swing off course and kicks a Hilichurl in the head. Gotta save my energy. What else can I do that won’t eat at my reserves?
“Just your Hydro powers then, though if you want to do some more damage, you can try summoning a creature again.”
Ajax grins. Hell yes! I know just what to summon too!
His blade flashes in a flurry of cuts. The body in front of him crumples and he jumps back. Zhongli’s who’s been fighting beside him moves to the front, Jade Shield up and strong.
“Zhongli, can you hold the monsters off? Going to take a page out of Master Diluc’s book.”
Zhongli nods. The peppery scent of ozone spikes and two stone steles emerge from the ground. The shockwave from the Geo magic emanating from the constructs knocks the monsters down. Perfect.
Ajax closes his eyes and focuses on the thrum of his Hydro power circling wildly in his Vision. He reaches out and grabs a tendril, tugging at it until it grows long enough to wind around and around like a spool of thread. With each second, the mass of Hydro grows stronger and brighter until there’s enough for him to sculpt and mold it to the shape that he wants.
The image of Rex Lapis in dragon form comes to mind and it makes him smile. He can see the long powerful body, the clawed, elegant feet, the majestic mane and tail, the great curving horns, and the powerful snout. If anything, his experience riding Zhongli in his dragon form allows him to know more viscerally what that dragon form is really like. It’s hard not to when he’s felt that fur around his body, those warm scales between his thighs, and the way those muscles move and flex as Zhongli soared through the sky. He’s touched those smooth horns and has caressed that tail with its soft fluffy tuft of fur the colour of spun gold. Every last bit of Zhongli’s dragon form is a work of art and his Hydro summons must reflect that as well.
He feels the familiar pressure building in his chest and he opens his eyes. A pool of Hydro is growing under his feet, spreading outwards in ripples. They grow more violent with every heartbeat. In his mind, he sees Water Rex Lapis once more in his full glory. The dragon is bending down and nuzzling against his cheek. The thought makes Ajax smile.
Go forth and stop our enemies!
The water on the ground bursts forth in a large wave and Water Rex Lapis flies up in a shower of brilliant Hydro droplets. His sudden appearance has everyone going still—after all, it’s not every day that one sees a giant water dragon flying overhead—but Ajax is more distracted by the details of the dragon itself. Compared to his previous summon, this Water Rex Lapis is more detailed from the shape of his scales to every strand of hair in his mane. He’s also larger, more powerful, and from the way he’s aggressively circling above Ajax, more protective.
He demonstrates just how protective he is when he opens his mouth and lets loose a torrential cannon beam of water on the monsters below.
He feels someone slips beside him and glances over. Kaeya is watching the dragon, his lips quirked up in mischief. “My, my, Master Ajax. Is it just me or is your Water Rex Lapis even bigger and more majestic than last time? I wonder what could have possibly inspired you to make him like this?”
Ajax thanks the darkness of the night for hiding his flush. “I had a better reference. If anything, he’s much more accurate to the real thing this time around, right Zhongli?”
Zhongli is still positioned in front of him with his shield up, so Ajax doesn’t catch his expression. Whatever fledgling doubt he may possess disappears when he turns around.
“He’s perfect, my heart,” Zhongli gushes, eyes shining and looking so very besotted. “You’ve captured every detail of my Exuvia form and crafted it with so much love. This is magnificent. A true work of art.”
He leans over, tugs down Ajax’s face mask, and kisses him with sole-minded focus ill-suited for the situation considering, well, the battle. A monster may have tried to strike at them (Ajax thinks he hears a loud “thud” of a club hitting against the Jade Shield), but there’s a low growl in Zhongli’s throat, a spike in pressure, and the shriek of a pained cry before the thuds stop abruptly.
“Gentleman, please,” Ajax hears Diluc say after they kiss for a few more minutes, “now is not the time.”
“Oh, leave them be,” comes Kaeya’s amused reply. “That water summons is killing all the monsters anyway.”
Indeed, Water Rex Lapis is laying waste to the hoard quickly, firing blast after enthusiastic blast of Hydro. Ajax catches the sound of murmured awe from the Millelith and civilians, then, loud euphoric cheers for the dragon that looks identical to their deceased Archon to wreak havoc on their enemies.
“We have the blessing of the gods!” one of the Millelith shouts out. “Fight on for Liyue!”
“For Liyue!”
“For Liyue!”
Ajax pulls back with a grin. “For Rex Lapis,” he whispers against Zhongli’s lips to the sound of his own thrumming heartbeat before tugging his mask back up and resuming fighting.
It’s as if a spell has been cast. Everyone resumes their battle against the Hilichurls with a level of renewed enthusiasm that borders fanaticism. With loud cries, the Millelith charge forward to push their advantage. More monsters fall like dominos to sharpen blades and spear tips, those that remain standing are forced back step by step further into the grassy plains surrounding Wangshu Inn. Occasionally, Water Rex Lapis would pause firing jets of water to swoop down and pick up a monster or two with his claws before flying up and tossing them far into the air and to their likely deaths. And if Water Rex Lapis doesn’t get to them, a well-placed wind gust from Venti would. Many monsters were blown away with his charged-up Anemo spells.
They’re so busy fighting that they don’t realize a change in the battlefield until they hear Venti’s voice.
“The beacon, it’s off!”
Instantly, the monsters—or at least what meager number that remains—stop their aggression. A thick daze seems to settle over them as they look around, then at each other. Finally, when they register the overwhelming human forces and Water Rex Lapis circling menacingly above them, they let out cries of alarm and they scatter like panicked rats fleeing from a predator, leaving a field of blood and disintegrating monster bodies behind.
“Another location under control,” Ajax says as he catches his breath while the survivors cheer. Zhongli, who’s pressed himself close, wraps an arm around his waist and squeezes him gently in answer. Even Water Rex Lapis is celebrating by doing happy barrel rolls in the air. “How’s everyone else doing?”
Everyone is mostly fine. After dismissing Water Rex Lapis (who gives him one last nuzzle before disappearing in a shower of sparkling rain), they retreat back to the Inn and settle at the section that was turned into an emergency med bay. Master Diluc bruised his ribs (“A Mitachurl knocked me to the ground,” he grunts as he holds an icepack to his wound, “I got ‘em back though”), Kaeya’s sprained his wrist, and everyone’s energy is beginning to flag from fighting without rest. Luckily, it’s nothing that a few healing spells, some good food, and some good sleep couldn’t fix.
They got their spells and food first. A few of the Millelith officers drop by with fragrant plates of fried rice, chicken, veggies, and a few bottles of wine. They bow in greeting, low with deference.
“Misters…um…Adepti and friends, thank you for your aid. Please accept our, um, humble offerings.”
The plates are presented to Zhongli and Venti with both hands and more bowing. Ajax blinks when one of the plates is handed to him in the same manner. Wait. Did they think—?
“Thanks,” he says, taking the food. “For the record, I’m not an Adeptus.”
Although he can’t blame them. He supposes he does give off that mysterious vibe with his large hat, face mask, and cloaked figure.
The Millelith exchange bewildered glances. “You’re not? But…but you possess such terrifying strength! You summoned that water dragon!”
“He is not an Adeptus but he is my beloved priest,” Zhongli says, interjecting smoothly. He sounds both smug and deeply fond. “He is my precious, most devout head priest and my beloved fiancé. Thank you for the food and your kind words though.”
The Millelith leave them alone to enjoy their food in peace. To make up for the awful offering from before and to help replenish energy, Ajax, Diluc, and Kaeya dedicate one of the bottles of wine to Venti, which he gladly accepts by cracking it open and downing it straight, cups be damned. They try to make a wine offering to Zhongli, but it was refused.
“Thank you, but it is not necessary. I am brimming with energy,” Zhongli says, pushing the wine bottle away. “My dear Ajax’s gift just now gave me more than I need.”
Ajax gives him a look. “Gift? What gift?”
Zhongli’s smile turns radiant. “The summon. You dedicated him to me. ‘For Rex Lapis’.”
He laces their fingers together and brings up Ajax’s hand to kiss the knuckles. “Such a wonderful, precious gift. I can feel how you’ve crafted him with me in mind. Every part of him was filled with your love for me.”
“Ignore them, they’re always like this,” Venti grouches to Diluc as Kaeya chuckles. “We should probably eat before this gets cold though.”
They finish their meals and drinks quickly, leaving one bottle in case they need to make more offerings. Once they’ve stacked their used dishes and dropped them off for the volunteer cleaners, they make their way up the inn to the highest viewing balcony to find Xiao and Mountain Shaper.
“I thought I sensed his presence just now,” Venti says while passing the front desk and climbing up the stairs, “Given how nobody around us seems panicked, I’m assuming that things remain under control and that their mission was a success.”
The assumption appears correct and as predicted, Xiao and Mountain Shaper are resting on the balcony at the highest floor with a nice spread of food and drinks on their wooden table. They look tired and dusty, and, as Ajax gets closer, he can smell an odd smokey scent clinging to their clothes as if they’ve been frolicking in a forest fire, but nobody is visibly bleeding or grimacing with pain. That’s a win in his books.
“I am glad to see the both of you well,” Zhongli says, quickly waving at the two to remain seated before they can even stand up and bow. “I heard that you took down the Sigil user. Well done.”
“The user was a slippery one,” Mountain Shaper replies. He pecks at a piece of fish, tosses it in the air and swallows it whole before continuing, “She surrounded herself with an army of Lawachurls and Mitachurls with flaming axes. We were able to force her to burn through her Sigils quickly to counter our offensive maneuvering. Her guards proved to be her undoing when the last of her Sigils are used up and the monsters turned on her.”
“We cast the locator spell too. There are no beacons near Wangshu Inn but we’ve found some more lurking eastbound and southbound.”
“How many?”
“Four more. They also appear to be the only ones remaining. All the previous beacons are down so it appears the other Adepti have caught on.”
Ajax does some mental math in his head. Zhongli spell located five Sigil users, now, they’ve got four more, and there’s one that didn’t manage to use theirs because his men got to him first. That’s ten people in total. That doesn’t seem like a big number at all.
“I don’t like this,” AR says, apparently on the same page as Ajax. “La Signora appeared to have only sent ten people to cause trouble with the monster summoning. Why didn’t she send more people? If she’s sitting on a cache of Sigils, doesn’t that mean she has the capacity to have her people summon enough monsters to eradicate the Stone Gate and Wangshu Inn completely?”
A hand brushes against his shoulder and Ajax looks up. Zhongli is staring at him with concern. “You look troubled, my love. What’s the matter?”
“I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but doesn’t this seem rather fishy?”
He shares AR’s observations with the rest of the team and continues, “Even if there are more Sigil users that are undiscovered, the fact that only ten of them have been identified after two locator spells suggests two things. One,” Ajax holds a finger up, “the Sigil users are very spread apart, which means La Signora sent a small number to begin with. Two,” another finger goes up, “there’s more hidden outside the spells’ detection zones. If it’s the former, then I can’t help but wonder why La Signora would only send such a small number. If it’s the latter, then…”
“Where’s the rest of them hiding? Are they unleashing more monsters on some village right now?” Kaeya finishes for him with a frown. He turns to Xiao (who’s patiently allowing Venti to fret over him) and Mountain Shaper. “Lord Adepti, were you able to contact your brethren while you were away?”
“We have not come across any other Adepti,” Mountain Shaper answers. He tosses another fish in the air and catches it in his beak. “We should venture south and east to make sure that the monster situations are under control.”
Diluc crosses his arms over his chest and rubs his chin. “Going eastbound is further than going southbound, so those who can travel the fastest should take that route. I also hate to bring this up but us mortals will need to rest at some point or else we’ll become liabilities on the battlefield.”
Now that Diluc mentioned it, Ajax can feel his alertness starting to go fuzzy. His arms and legs also feel heavy now that he’s full and warm, and he can feel a yawn building in his chest. With how long they’ve fought at the Stone Gate and at the Inn, the current time has to be way past his usual bed time.
“Master Diluc, Sir Kaeya, and Ajax should rest at the inn while the rest of us venture out to check on the other Adepti,” Zhongli concludes. “We’ll take it from here.”
Despite Zhongli’s best attempts to sound calm, Ajax feels his sleepiness thoroughly shaken as his stress level begins to rise. “How is dividing the party going to help when there’s four of you? What happens if the monster situation is worse out there?”
Zhongli caresses Ajax’s face gently. “It won’t be just the four of us, dear heart. We will have our Adepti brothers and sisters waiting for us.”
“Chin up, Master Ajax,” Venti adds. “Don’t forget that Zhongli and I are brimming with energy thanks to your offerings! Did you know that Zhongli here can easily toss boulders the size of houses at his enemies? We’re in very good hands!”
“Mountain Shaper and I are also feeling much better now that we’ve had the chance to enjoy these offerings,” Xiao says, tilting his head towards the food-laden table. “Miss Goldet and the Inn staff are very generous in giving thanks.”
Zhongli smooths the furrow between Ajax’s brow and coos, “We promise to return as quickly as possible, beloved. You won’t even miss us. But the sooner we leave, the sooner we can return.”
Ajax lets out an unimpressed little sniff. “I feel like I’m being ganged up on here.” He rolls his eyes and gives up at Zhongli’s soft, doe-eyed look. “Oh, alright! Alright. Would you stop looking at me like that, already? It’s not like I have any alternatives to propose anyway so you might as well just go. Stay safe though and don’t be reckless!”
Zhongli laughs. “I feel like I should be saying that. But yes, noted. Thank you, my love.” One last kiss on his forehead and Ajax is being ushered back inside with Kaeya and Diluc. “Now, go get your rest. I will see you once I’m done.”
Ajax tries to sleep, he really did. There’s nothing wrong with his accommodation; he, Diluc, and Kaeya were granted the deluxe penthouse suite the size of a three-bedroom apartment, equipped with state-of-the-art bathing facilities and super comfortable beds, both of which he has taken full advantage of. It’s just the moment that he flops down on the mattress, he finds himself annoyingly wide awake despite how much his muscles appreciate the softness cradling his tired body.
He rolls around, trying to get comfortable going from sleeping on his sides, his stomach, his back, hell, even sprawling out diagonally across the bed like shameless starfish to maximize the feel of the cool plush bedding supporting his back.
No can do though. With a heavy sigh, he gets up, pulls a robe around his body, and slips on a pair of fluffy slippers. Maybe some calming chamomile tea will help. The suite has a kitchen with a well-stocked pantry. He’s sure he’d be able to rummage something that will help his insomnia.
He closes his bedroom door quietly and steps quietly for the kitchen. He jerks back in surprise when he sees Diluc and Kaeya at the table, dressed in bathrobes with a warm mug cradled between their hands.
“Can’t sleep, huh?” Diluc asks, his lips twisting in a wry smile. “I made a pot of chamomile tea while Kaeya made some warm milk. Help yourself to whichever you want.”
With a quiet “thanks”, Ajax grabs a mug from the shelf and pours out the tea. He breathes in the warm, cozy, herbal scent and adds a small dollop of honey before taking a grateful sip.
He settles down on a set across the other two. They enjoy a few minutes of peaceful silence.
“So,” Kaeya says, finally breaking the ice, “You mentioned earlier how your men caught one of La Signora’s people? The one who should’ve summoned monsters in Stone Gate alongside his partner in crime?”
Ajax blinks. “Hm? Oh! Yeah! Just found out tonight? Yesterday night? What time is it even anyways?”
“Too late to be up, that’s for sure,” Diluc mutters. “I’m guessing that’s how you, the Archons, and Adeptus Xiao knew to show up when you did. It was impeccable timing.”
Ajax nods. “Yeah. We immediately rushed to the Stone Gate. I’m glad we got there in time. Were you two there for long?”
“I happened to be patrolling the border with my men while Master Diluc here,” he gestures to the redhead, “had to address problems at the checkpoint with one of his shipments.”
“A shipping problem at night and you’re willing to leave your home for it?” Ajax asks, brow raised. “Master Diluc is a hard worker.”
“Most of my rarer perishable items are transported at night so that they can arrive at Angel’s Share before opening time. It ensures peak freshness,” Diluc explains with a bored shrug. “I’m used to dealing with these problems during the nighttime. It’s a good thing my Manor is close to the Stone Gate. It makes travelling and handling these matters a lot easier.”
It doesn’t explain why Diluc can't just send a lackey to take care of things, but Ajax chalks it to his workaholic tendency. He can recognize that in himself, after all.
“Looks like the people at the Stone Gate got really lucky then.”
The way Kaeya is pursing his lips gives Ajax a pause. “Um. Kaeya? You look like you got something you want to say.”
“I’m just thinking back on your first theory about the lack of La Signora’s people summoning monsters with the Sigils. That would certainly explain why our intelligence has trouble tracking La Signora’s people down. It’s hard to find them when there are so few of them hiding among the fray.”
“But why though,” Diluc interjects. “If she has access to those counterfeit Sigils, wouldn’t it make sense for her to send an army and lay waste on all of Liyue? Have her men summon non-stop waves of monsters to destroy Liyue’s defence.”
“Each person can carry up to five Sigils before they, uh, literally start frying their bodies from the inside out,” Ajax explains. “I’m also guessing that she has a finite amount of Sigils so she’s trying to conserve them.”
“Which is a terrifying thought. What is she conserving them for if not to raise monsters?” Kaeya asks. “Here’s another thought. I was listening to the Millelith talk and it just occurred to me: nobody mentioned Liyue Harbour being overrun with monsters.”
Something goes cold in Ajax’s chest. He doesn’t know why but that observation makes him feel incredibly uneasy. “Are you sure? Maybe we should talk to more Millelith officers first.”
They look at each other. Then, they get up from the kitchen table and rush to their rooms to change.
They run into members of the Millelith easily enough. Despite being disgustingly late, the inn is very much awake and alive with activity. The survivors—officers and civilians alike—are still recovering from their battle with many offering their help to take care of those injured from the monster attack or stand guard in case a second wave appears.
They pick a particularly tense-looking officer to speak to, offering a warm mug of tea by way of greeting. From the way the man relaxes after drinking deeply from it, they know they made the right call.
“If you don’t mind, we wanted to ask if you’ve heard any news about Liyue Harbour,” Kaeya begins after they make their introductions. “We came here from the Stone Gate so we haven’t had the chance to learn what’s going on south of here.”
“Me and my company were originally stationed just north of Liyue Harbour,” the officer answers. “We were dispatched here to protect the civilians. When we left, Liyue Harbour was safe and sound. I haven’t heard of any monster attacks in the city recently either. A good thing if you ask me. Can you imagine what would happen if Liyue Harbour was overrun?”
“It would be devastating. It’s a good thing the city remains safe,” Kaeya agrees. “I’m glad to see how quickly the Millelith were able to suppress the monsters here. I’ve heard a lot about the bravery and discipline of your men. To witness this first hand is really something.”
The officer puffs out his chest with pride. “We got the Qixing to thank for that. A member of the Qixing had the foresight to send our troops north. Apparently, they were getting reports of increasing monster attacks at the Stone Gate, Wangshu Inn, and Guili Plains so we got here a few days ago to investigate the matter. At first, everything seemed alright but tonight…those monsters just appeared out of nowhere!”
“Wait, did you say you were here a few days ago?” Diluc asks.
“Yeah. It wasn’t just our company either. I see a lot of familiar faces from companies that are normally stationed around the Harbour. I heard that they also received orders from the Qixing to go north. It’s a good thing because the Stone Gate would’ve been completely overrun If they weren’t already there.”
The nagging feeling is back just as the System’s familiar chiming rings out in his head.
“Ajax, this is really strange. How is it that someone from the Qixing knew to pre-emptively send the troops north?”
Ajax excuses himself and pulls Diluc and Kaeya away to a quiet corner. He repeats AR’s words. “Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you? The timing is uncanny.”
Diluc’s lips are pressed in a thin line. “Yes,” he mutters. “How does the Qixing know to do that?”
“Worse still, did you catch what that officer said?” Kaeya hisses. “He said he recognizes a lot of the faces here because they’re normally guarding the Harbour region.”
The words sink in. Oh no.
“Just how many people from Liyue Harbour are up here?” Ajax asks. He sounds faint in his own ears. “What does that mean for Liyue Harbour’s defence?”
He doesn’t get an answer but the grim expression on Kaeya and Diluc’s faces are enough. AR’s simply spoken, “f*ck” seals the deal for him.
“I need to get in touch with Zhongli now.”
“C’mon, Zhongli! C’mon, answer me!”
Ajax is trying his hardest to pray as loudly as he could but he’s getting no response from his fiancé. It’s as if he keeps dialing Zhongli’s number only to get his voicemail.
Cursing, he lights another incense stick, stabs it in an incense holder, and places it on the mini altar. He gets on his knees, closes his eyes, and claps his hands together. “I, Ajax Ryabakov, would like to dedicate this incense offering to Rex Lapis, Prime of the Adepti, once Geo Archon of Liyue, and my fiancé if only he would just answer my prayer. Right. Now!”
Still no response.
Diluc and Kaeya, who have been watching this play out for the last half hour, wince at the same time as Ajax viciously stabs yet another incense stick at the altar.
“Zhongli! Answer your fiancé!”
“Could it be that he’s busy casting that locator spell?” AR offers delicately. “I’m sure he wouldn’t ignore you otherwise.”
Ajax pauses. Ah. sh*t. That’s probably what he’s doing right now.
“Great, now what?”
As if sensing his anger abating, Kaeya steps closer and pats him on the shoulder. “I hate to say it but there’s not much we can do but wait until he comes back.”
“Why don’t we try to rest?” Diluc offers. “I know it’s hard to do but staying up and panicking won’t help at this point. We might as well make sure we’re ready for whatever tomorrow has in store for us.”
He doesn’t want to move back to his room, but with Kaeya and Diluc practically hauling him to his feet and dragging him there, he has little opportunity to resist. Kaeya goes so far as to fluff his pillow and tuck him in bed.
“Good night. Sleep tight,” Diluc says, emphasizing on the word “sleep”. Then, he and Kaeya stroll out of his room, closing the door behind softly.
Leaving Ajax to stare blankly at the ceiling as his mind runs through all the horrible things that could happen to Liyue Harbour in the meantime.
By some miracle, he manages to doze off without even realizing it. One second, he’s tracing the wood grains on the beam above his head and the next, his face is mashed against the soft pillow while he slowly blinks his heavy eyes awake. He hisses as his happy sunlight floods his vision. Ah, f*ck. He forgot to close the curtains. Weird though. Normally, Zhongli does it for him if he forgets.
Zhongli.
He sits up. Zhongli! Where—?
The spot on the bed beside him is empty. He shoves away his blanket, grabs his bathrobe, and rushes outside.
Diluc and Kaeya are already dressed, lounging on the sofa in the living room. A thick, pregnant silence settles over them.
Finally, Kaeya manages a painfully awkward smile. “Master Ajax, I’m glad you’re awake. We’ve got some breakfast in the—”
“Where’s Zhongli?”
The smile grows more awkward. The fact that it’s so uncharacteristic of Kaeya to show discomfort only sets the alarms in his head. “Ah. Yes. Master Zhongli. You see, um, can you, perhaps, please sit first before I continue?”
Ajax’s eyes go wide. “Oh god, is he hurt? Is he dead?”
“What? No!” Diluc interrupts. “He just isn’t here! None of the Adepti are. Not even Lord Bar—Master Venti returned!”
“Yet,” Kaeya adds quickly. “They haven’t returned yet. I’m sure they’ll get here soon though. In the meantime, why don’t we have some food first?”
Just like last night when he’s been forced to sleep, he’s being guided (dragged) to the kitchen where a plate of scrambled eggs with ham is served (shoved into his hand along with a pair of chopsticks). He eats the food mechanically without tasting it, and downs it with some coffee. He feels more awake, but he doesn’t feel any better.
“We need to find them,” he says once he’s done. “I should’ve known it was stupid for them to go on their own like that!”
Kaeya, who’s nursing his own third cup of coffee, sighs. “It’s a bit too early to send out a search party. I think we should wait a little longer. Who knows, maybe they got held up by something inconsequential. Right, Master Diluc?”
Diluc looks up from the newspaper he’s reading (who knows where he got that from). “It’s a group of Archons and Adepti. Our combined battle experience doesn’t even measure up to one of the members of their party,” he points out bluntly. “They are more than capable of taking care of themselves, we might as well trust them to get back to us safely.”
This, apparently, translates to spending the day waiting around, which Ajax is famously terrible at doing. He tries to let out some of his pent up energy by exercising, including climbing the whole way up Wangshu Inn from the base to the highest observation deck, but that only provides a few hours of distraction at best. He also tries helping out with making the wounded feel more comfortable, but his tense energy is not particularly good at making those around him relax. By nightfall, he’s so filled with worry that he can’t even think of eating, his appetite disappearing completely.
Sighing at the bowl of rice in front of him, he pushes his chair back and gets up from the kitchen table. He goes to the mini altar that’s still sitting in the corner of the living room, and tries to make another incense offering for the umpteenth time that day.
“C’mon, Zhongli. C’mon. Please answer me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
He gets no response. He pulls out another incense stick and tries again.
He goes to bed unsuccessful and unhappy.
Gold. That’s what comes to mind while the hazy world shifts around him. Ajax turns around and stares at the endless soft gold that stretches as far as the eye can see. From the sky to his surroundings to the very floor itself, everything is just so yellow, mixed with the floral scent of silkflowers, fragrant sandalwood, and a touch of musty ink and parchment.
He doesn’t feel alarmed. Rather, as he takes a deep breath in, he feels his body relaxing deeply into the lovely smell. Hmm. This…this smells like safety. Like warmth. Like home.
He feels fingers running through his hair and lips pressing against his forehead. His eyes open—when did he close them?
A figure stands before him, hooded, wearing a white outfit with dark pants. His arms are bare, but they’re completely dark with perfect gold geometric lines decorating his skin.
Ah, he knows exactly who that is.
“Zhongli,” he whines and throws his arms around the other’s shoulder in a tight desperate hug. “Where were you? Do you know how worried I was?”
“I’m sorry that I kept you waiting, my beloved,” he hears his fiancé’s voice rumble softly. “Please don’t worry though. I am fine. Just a little preoccupied.”
Ajax pulls away enough to glare at the man. Zhongli’s sheepish, guilt-riddled expression does not quiet his anger or frustration. “I was trying to reach out to you since last night! I wanted to tell you that a lot of the Millelith from Liyue Harbour were relocated here or further up north—”
“I know, my love.”
Ajax stops. “Wait, you do?”
Zhongli nods. “I do. The Adepti and I made that discovery recently. The situation is being handled though.”
Ajax doesn’t like how vague Zhongli is being. He narrows his eyes at him. “What situation?” When the silence stretches on, he presses again, more forcefully. “Zhongli, what situation? What’s going on?”
Zhongli makes that damnable guilt-shuffle of his. He coughs a little in his fist. “Ah, Ajax, you see…there’s been a bit of complication but it’s fine. I’m working on resolving it. For the time being, please stay put in Wangshu Inn with Sir Kaeya and Master Diluc, alright? Stay here where it’s safe, dearest. That’s what’s most important right now.”
“Zhongli, if you think I’m going to be satisfied with this answer, then you have another thing—” The world wavers around them and everything becomes hazier. Even Zhongli’s body appears less corporeal. “Zhongli! Whatever it is you’re doing, stop it! Stop it right now!”
Zhongli kisses him on his scowling mouth. “Oh, look at that. It appears the dream spell is about to run out. Please stay at the Inn, alright? I shall see you shortly. Enjoy your rest, my heart, and don't go anywhere.”
“Zhongli! Don’t you—Zhongli!”
Ajax’s eyes fly open. The room is pitch black but he has enough awareness to realize he’s back in Wangshu Inn in his bedroom. He sits up, closes his eyes, and takes a few deep breaths.
When he opens his eyes again, he’s possessed with a new sense of purpose. Petty, glorious purpose.
“If he thinks he can run away, he has another thing coming!”
He stomps out of his room and beelines for the altar in the living room. He lights an incense stick, jams it into holder, and prays. Angrily.
“Zhongli! Communication is the foundation of a solid relationship! You can’t just…just tell me to stay here and be safe without bothering to explain anything! Zhongli! Rex Lapis! If you don’t answer me then mark my words, I will feed you nothing but steamed, saltless bok choy for a month!”
He’s still carrying on his verbal threats when he hears doors opening and the sound of soft footsteps getting closer to him.
“Master Ajax?” Kaeya asks, yawning. He’s wearing a blue cotton shirt with long pants with his hair tied in a braid Diluc is also shuffling along beside him in his sleeping clothes, his curly red hair an untameable mess spilling over his shoulders. “What’s…what’s the matter?”
“Zhongli sent me a message!” he snaps. “He told me to stay here but he wouldn’t say why! When I asked, he ran away!”
Diluc snorts, rubbing his eyes. “Lovers’ quarrel. Right. I’m going back to b—”
There’s a loud knock on the front door.
“This is the Millelith. We come bearing emergency news! Please open the door!”
Ajax scrambles up and dashes for his bedroom. He shoves on his hat and face mask while he hears Kaeya call out, “Coming. Just give us one moment, please.”
He skids back out to the living room as the door opens. A Millelith officer stands before them—the same one they had spoken to late last night. Everything about him screams tension from the rigid way he’s holding himself, the tired lines carved into his face, and the tightness of his clenched jaw.
“What seems to be the problem, officer?” Diluc asks.
“Starting today, all civilians will be staying indoors for their own safety,” the Millelith answers. “All essential products, including food, will be transported by the Millelith.”
“This is rather sudden. What’s the reasoning behind this mandate?”
The officer hesitates for a second as if gathering his nerves to speak. “There’s been news…from Liyue Harbour,” he finally says. “The city…is under attack.”
He feels a heavy lump sink all the way to the pit of his stomach at those words. His worst fears are coming true. Oh no.
“Who would dare?” Ajax asks. Gods, he hopes his hunch is wrong. “Which nation would launch an attack on Liyue Harbour, the trading hub of Teyvat, of all places?”
“It’s not a nation, sir.” The officer swallows hard. “It’s an army. Of…of gods. Evil gods that were once held prisoner by Rex Lapis. The Guyun Stone Forest has been utterly destroyed.”
In the ringing silence, Ajax hears the System’s chime.
“So, that’s what La Signora was planning all along,” AR says quietly. “Well, f*ck.”
