The Phoenix's Clipped Wings | Kaedehara Kazuha

Chapter 22

"What is that?" Sentience says as she looks up. She and Phoenix look up at the incoming light beam coming from above, Phoenix watches in horror as cube like objects begin to absorb the phoenix behind her.

Her eyes shake with fear as it comes straight at her and in the blink of an eye, she stumbles back and off her weapon. Her vision goes dark as a pain emerges from somewhere on her body.

In her mind, the image of cold, golden eyes piercing at her stays in her mind as everything goes dark.

You wake up with a gasp, sweat on your forehead as your whole body shakes as you recall what happened during the fight.

Calming your breathing, you look down to see a hand holding on yours and your eyes widen at the sight of someone you never thought you would see again.

Pulling your hand back from shock, your breathe flinches as Kazuha moves his head away still sleeping. Your eyes begin to water at the sight of him and you quickly get out of bed and stumble out of the room. Not caring that you were in sleeping attire.

You came cross Qiqi and you both stared at each other. "You're awake..." she says. "Qiqi will go....and wake up-"

Bending down to her size, you place a hand on her head and caress it softly. She looks up at you, noticing how glossy your eyes were and tilts her head.

"How about you let him sleep? I'm sure he must be tired." You muster a smile for her as you blink away your tears. "Can you look out for him while I'm gone?"

You ask and smile as she nods her head. "Okay, Qiqi can do that."

You give her one last look before you stand up and walk away. Walking down the large set of stairs, you walk past the gate and into the street where the Funeral Patrol was located.

Casting your eyes down, you notice you were holding something in the palm of your hand. Confused, you open your palm to a dull vision, one from Inazuma.

Your eyes widen at the sight of it and before you could proper inspect it, a voice calls for you ahead. Lifting your head, you saw Zhongli standing a few feet away from you, although his expression look the same his eyes are filled with emotions as he stares at you.

Your breathe hitches as you spot a girl with pigtails hiding behind the wall, her eyes stare right at you and she hides back as you spot her.

You take a step back and soon the world around you begins to spin as a sharp pain erupts from your head, clutching your head. Without taking a second look at Zhongli and the girl, you run past them in a sudden panic.

Hugging the vision close to you, Zhongli takes a glance at you before sighing.

3rd pov

Zhongli looks at the girl, Hu Tao, who frowns at the sight of Phoenix running away. She leaves her hiding spot and wants to go after her but Zhongli stops. His hand on her shoulder, he shakes his head.

She sighs as she recalls what she saw moments before. Shaking her head, she keeps what see saw to herself and returns back inside the parlor as Zhongli stays outside.

"Will you keep running away, letting your powers win against you or will you remember?" He says in a quiet voice before following Hu Tao inside.

—

You continue to walk to who knows where and you end up at the harbor, where merchants load up their ships and you walk past them, ignoring the stares you keep getting.

Coming at a stop at the edge of the walkway, you look into the endless ocean as your hair sways behind you with the wind.

The other merchants gives glances at you, you could feel their stares as you sat down, your feet dripping in the water.

Closing your eyes, you enter deep into your consciousness and open your eyes to see yourself in complete darkness. Looking around, you spot an all familiar figure in the distance and you softly call out.

"Sentience."

She didn't respond.

You call out again but she doesn't respond.

You sigh, she doesn't want to talk at the moment, you thought as you give her one last glance before walking back and into the darkness.

Hearing your footsteps fade away, Sentience clenches her fist as her brows furrow with emotion as she glances to the side.

—

Opening your eyes back, you find yourself back in Liyue Harbor and you see that the sun is being to set. You slowly look at the dull vision beside you and you hesitate to pick it up.

Just as you begin to retract your hand, a larger hand lays on yours and you look up to see Zhongli smiling at you.

"Zhongli?" You say but he just smiles.

"Why do you hesitate to pick it up?" He asks as he sits beside you. You shrug your shoulders as he holds the vision in his hand before grabbing your hand and places the vision in your palm.

You look at it and carefully flip it, your eyes widen as your eyes begin to get watery as you see a familiar craving[1] on the back.

A single tear rolls down your face as you hug the vision to your chest as you cried. Zhongli places a hand over your shoulder as he listens to your quiet sobs.

Unknowingly to you, the vision gives off a soft glow.

—

Next chapter, Kazuha and [Y/n] will properly meet and with that, marking the end of the Guardian Phoenix's arc.