Freedom (Jean x oc) A Genshin Impact Fanfic *Completed*

Chapter 17

Today was the day.

The Abyss Order's scent coasted over Stormterror's Lair with macabre energy. Wind currents were as harsh as the last time Jean had set foot in this place. It didn't alarm her. She'd expected right away the inimitable weather conditions in this tempestuous demesne. 

However, the knights that had volunteered for extra armaments were not used to the hazardous environment. Their polearms threatened to fly away like loose twigs, their armor like the substance of slimes to the violent breeze. No matter how grandiloquent their preparation was, actions produced different outcomes than the initiative. 

Amell earlier in the morning proceeded to observe the rest of the surroundings. Each sight beheld significant meaning. Things in this location weren't exactly mundane, after all. 

Today, members of the Order were here and Diluc was already in the heart of their hideout.

Shockingly, Diluc made it a point to not get near the knights during this important mission. He kept a distance like he usually did with everyone, the scars of long ago engraved deeply into his heart. Initially, he'd interacted with Jean and Amell beforehand, notifying them of the details and how he'd swoop in at the right moment. 

They were situated near Brightcrown Canyon mountains. The number of hilichurls in the area was in voluminous amounts but nothing Jean and Amell couldn't handle. The Acting Grand Master with her Anemo mastery and her assistant's Electro dominion. They'd created a small camp right away as soon as they established a checkpoint, polishing and refining the weapons they carried to use in a battle that'd determine their lives. 

After the knights adjourned their thorough yet brief meeting in discussing their battle strategies, Jean wasted no time to grab a hold of Amell and lead him away from the knights' voices.

"Are you feeling well today?" Jean asked him,  a blush decorating her cheeks, fragments of their recent intimate act still fresh in her mind. 

Amell silenced her concern for him, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close but just enough for her to break free in case she felt uncomfortable.  She squeaked out a cute yelp. Jean still wasn't used to anyone touching her. Eventually, she eased in his grasp, moving closer.

"Jean," he cooed. "Who wore their cape the wrong way this morning?"

"That's because you were distracting me!"

Amell grinned cheekily. "The ever-so beautiful Acting Grand Master has distractions now?"

She pinched him. He winced. "Ow, ow. I surrender." 

"So, do you think whatever the Order plans to do is here?" Jean had her doubts.

"These days it's just a bunch of Order this, Order that. Personally, I'd want to take care of this quickly and just find out if there's merit to it or not, you know?" he answered. "At this point, I just want the truth and if it's not here, there will be another time."

He realized he didn't word that out quite correctly. "Ah! But I do want to get to the bottom of what they're doing as soon as possible!"

Jean smiled, winning before even starting. "I hope so too. I just wanted to get your thoughts and shape you up before we get out there," She leaned her head against his chest, inhaling his scent.  

"Amell, you're really important to me." 

"I know. Me too." 

~*~

Diluc concealed himself in the shadows, monitoring the Order's minions gathering at the northwest section of the lair from atop the walls. It made sense for them to assemble in a wide and empty area. 

He was itching to storm out and send them flying with his vision. He didn't operate that way. He'd do this in a calm and unrushed manner. For now, the monsters would have to bask in their own ignorance and build whatever they were creating. 

"I want you two to create a diversion for me." 

Amell raised an eyebrow. "Would that work?"

"Considering their strength, they might just send out their weaker underlings to take care of it and let the stronger ones stay in their base." Jean hypothesized. "But what are you going to do, Diluc?" 

"Wait for it..." Diluc whispered. 

A smoke bomb burst in the middle of the base, alerting the brainwashed hilichurls and Ruin Guards to take action. 

"Then how about you just take away their sight for a minute and I'll unleash everything I got from there."

"And what if your strength isn't enough?" Amell asked.

"Well, if that ever happens. Pray."  Diluc simply stated. "We will either find out today or never."

Calling forth the blistering fire from within him, Diluc infused his claymore with a blazing hot rage, swinging it in one go to propel the scorching phoenix towards its enemies. Thanks to the smoke, the attack was just in time to appear so suddenly for the monsters. The fog that had dissipated completely dismembered, a fiery flame engulfing the ashes of those who had been slain.  

"Come out now!" Diluc yelled out. 

Amell blinked by his side in a few seconds, charging up his polearm and twisting it around to create sparks on the battlefield. The aggressive hilichurls roared at him menacingly but their efforts of intimidation were futile. "Ya know, for a plan, this just seems so reckless!"

 Diluc tossed out his own words to him, masterfully avoiding the incoming missiles from the Ruin Guards. "Compared to previous wars, this is but an orchestra."

Jean handled the rest by supporting the rest of the knights with her healing, striking only when necessary. When she'd heard Diluc's go sign, she rushed ahead with her knights following in tow. 

"But this is just phase one, Amell. Don't lower your guard." 

Amell widened his eyes at the tall monstrosity before him. The one that took away his master. 

"Abyss Herald," Diluc whispered.