Fugitive of Inazuma (Genshin Impact)

❀ IV ❀

A/N: I don't know about you guys, but I was more excited about Thoma than Hu Tao. I managed to pull him and adore him even more. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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"Xiao..." A voice whimpered in pain.

The adeptus' eyes open at the sound of the feeble voice. Eyes scanning around the room, he found himself in a concrete chamber. Torches dimly lit the perimeter of the circular room. No windows allowed him a glimpse of the outside world. Time was an anomaly and there were no indications of day or night. The sensation of cold metal digging into his wrists and ankles startled him. Examining his position closer, his arms were bound by shackles above his head and his legs were chained to the floor.

Across the way, Xiao saw Izanami restrained just like him. His eyes widen in horror at seeing her body littered with cuts and bruises. Blood trickled down her face, legs, and arms as she hung lifelessly like a battered doll. He yanked against his restraints, desperate to reach her. The shackles jingled as he tried to free himself. With gritted teeth, he jerked harder against the rusted chains. The metal links creaked, straining agaisnt his strength. Just as the chain was about to snap, a sharp pain resonated from his chest. As the pain intensified, he screamed in agony. There was only one thing that caused him such pain--his karmic debt.

Xiao's karmic debt maifested into shadowy tendrils. They emanated from his body and wound around the chains, strengthening them. A few of the tendrils snaked around his body, preventing him from moving at all. The pain lessened, but it still emitted fainty from his chest. His body shook with rage and agony, chest rising and falling rapidly. Even through the pain, his eyes never left Izanami. He cursed his karmic debt for holding him back when she needed him.

The yaksha's attention was drawn to a shadowy figure he spotted from the corner of his eye. He watched closely as the black silhouette walked towards the shinigami. He glared threateningly at the person shrouded with shadows. "Don't touch her," he growled.

The person ignored him and kneeled down in front of the unconscious girl. They roughly grabbed her chin and lifted her head, their distorted voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Death for a shinigami would be liberation. I shall utilize your skills to achieve eternity."

Xiao clenched his fists tightly, fingernails digging into his palms through his gloves. He wouldn't let this person enslave Izanami like he once was. It was pure torture to be used as a weapon of destruction and treated like an object. "I won't let you use her!" He hissed.

The figure released Izanami and turned to face the adeptus. "You are powerless because you choose to be. Allowing such corruption to shackle you to an invisble prison is what makes you feeble. Perhaps once your chains shatter will you then see true power and protect what is yours. For now, they shall bind you and inhibit you from aiding those you cherish. All you can do is merely watch."

Xiao fought against his karmic debt and the chains. He could feel the pain and madness beginning to cloud his mind. His attempt to escape was futile with no sign of freedom in sight, but he continued to struggle.

The black silhouette only watched him struggle in vain. They were tired of him and looked at the shinigami. "You will be a weapon to achieve eternity. Be prepared for your suffering shall be for naught."

"Xiao!"

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