Rebirth of a Lost God: A Xiaolumi Series

Chapter 11: Preparations of War

"This camp doesn't even need training... it's just the minors who don't know the definition of 'stealth' much." I said to Xiao.

"I can help with that, but it depends if I can actually drill it into their brains.

I signed. I knew Xiao was just trying to push some stress off my shoulders, but it wasn't helping much. For the past month, it seemed like an endless path at a marathon. The path would only end when I rested. Not only that, almost everyone was bickering with someone in the traveling war camp. Diluc and Kayea, the most opposing 'friends'. Jean and Klee, due to Klee's explosive personality, Klee's been seeing herself off to solitary confinement more and more often since she was finally outside for awhile.

"Xiao, did anyone check on the minors? We don't want Qiqi to rot while indoors."

"I wouldn't think so."

I signed once again. " Someone should go check on them before Qiqi rots, or Klee blows up another tree. One thing that's not on my todo list is to blow up Dihua Marsh with Klee's super bomb."

It was January 10th. We had another month until Aether played his cards. We were already finding more and more monster's as the camp traveled closer and closer to the Wangshu Inn and Liyue Harbor. We spent less time taking breaks and training and more traveling. It was obvious that if we hadn't traveled any faster, it would have taken forever.

"Xiao, are there any karma-ifed monsters ahead?"

"I'm afraid, yes. We'll have to get the kids to fight in this one. They need to know how to slay these kinds of monsters. I do feel bad for spreading this karma of mine."

"It's fine Xiao. It's not your fault. CHILDE! WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Right here." Childe said. He looked tired. The last fight with the monsters must have drained him alot.

"Protect the minors. I understand you're completely drained from the last fight but we must have everyone alert. The children could get hurt during this battle. There are karma-ifed monsters up ahead."

"No... problem." He replied wearily.

"Baal, Venti, join him. He's almost dead."

"Alright." The two looked at each other and then headed off to get ready to help Childe.

"We are nearing the monsters. Should I take the lead?"

"No need. Let's get everyone ready and then ambush them. This will be a mini lesson to the minor of what stealth is."

"Alright. DANGER AHEAD! PROCEED WITH CAUTION OF KARMA-IFED DEMONS!" Xiao called out.

Hearing this, Jean admittedly pulled out her sword. Others started to draw their weapons as well.

"Time to start the fun. Xiao, take the lead. I must get my elemental bursts ready. It really is fun to use the ambitions of everyone every once and a while. And that's what I plan on doing now." I said, smirking at Xiao. He rolled his eyes and turned into a blur of blue green as he sped forward.

Vines gathered around me as we finally reached the battlefield. Xiao dashed around, bullying the monsters that had taken upon his curse.

Water, ice, and fire spun in a circle around me and the air around me seemed to crackle with Geo and Electro sparks. "ATACK!" I yelled and dashed forward to help Xiao. Cut, elemental burst, downward smash, electrocutions, flames. Everything seemed to happen so fast. Then, I had an idea.

"Everyone stand back! The ambitions call!" Everyone backed off at the sound of these words.

"Xiao, stay. I have an idea.". Hearing these words, he stayed his ground, monsters surrounding us, and then I let it out. The ambitions sparked around me.

"Xiao, downward smash 5 times, then stop and come back. I don't want you to get hurt during this process." He did this then the ambitions exploded around us. Red, blue, yellow, white. So many other colors. When I finally opened my eyes, the ambitions still were floating around us. Not even a scratch or dull color came off from them. I relaxed myself and the ambitions faded. Monsters no longer surround us. All that remained was a pile of ash and a couple pieces of gear that didn't mean much.

"Xiao... WE DID IT! IT WORKED!" I jumped and hugged Xiao. He didn't seem to mind much, but he did blush a little bit.

"Wait a minute Lumine... you're saying you haven't ever done the trick you just did to get rid of the monsters?!" Keqing questioned me. "That's dangerous!"

"Better to try than not." I replied back, still hugging Xiao. His blush had faded and now he seemed like what I was doing was totally normal.

"Xiao, anything else up ahead?"

"No, the path to Wangshu Inn is clear. No monsters at all. Not that I sense."

"Alright then. You have already notified Verr Goldet about us?"

"Yes. I didn't say anything about you though. I was afraid that you would still want to keep your identity from the world." I considered his words for a moment.

"Xiao, don't worry about that much any more. The only people we hide this from are the people of Liyue Harbor, and the fatui. I wouldn't worry much about the last one though. We already have a fatui that's taken his powers over the limit already."

Xiao nodded at his understanding of the situation.

"Well, what are we waiting for? We have only another hour until we reach Wangshu Inn. I would take that as good news. On top of that, there are no monsters ahead! Let's go!" At the thought of this, everyone cheered. 1 more hour until they got a true break for a day.