Remember Me at Summer's End [ZhongChi/TartaLi]

Chapter 11 - To Be in Your Presence

23rd Day, 8th Month

It's early afternoon when Childe, Xiao and Cloud Retainer arrive at a mountaintop on the edge of the Sea of Clouds. Liyue sprawls before them, hiding Zhongli somewhere within its jade-capped maze. The wind current summoned by Cloud Retainer to carry Childe to their destination lowers him with surprising consideration, letting him catch his footing on the uneven cobblestone before it drops away entirely.

"This is where one must leave you," says Cloud Retainer. "The Arbiter of Memories awaits one's presence." She looks to Xiao, who surveys the city, his arms folded. "Conqueror of Demons, you are confident in handling this matter without assistance?"

"I am."

"Good. It is impossible to predict how the Arbiter of Memories may react; it is a relief to have the full strength of the adepti at our disposal to handle it. And may this one ask the same to you, Human Childe?"

Childe nods. "Ready as I've ever been."

It's a simple plan. The adepti will wait with the Arbiter of Memories, feeding it with energy in preparation for the arrival of the Memory's Folly. Childe's task is to go into the city, locate Zhongli, and distract him long enough for Xiao to retrieve the artifact and whisk it back to the adepti before Zhongli can stop him.

Simple, but effective. If there's anyone with the speed to get in and out as quickly as they need, it's Xiao.

All they're hinging on is the Arbiter of Memories doing its job and Childe successfully distracting Zhongli. Not that his task will be a problem; even if Zhongli's mind forgets, his heart cannot. Those are Zhongli's words, and Childe chooses to believe them.

Cloud Retainer fluffs her feathers, taking a long, lingering look at Liyue. "Then this one shall leave these tasks in your capable hands. Please do your best, for Rex Lapis' fate depends upon it. This one bids you farewell, and good luck."

"To you too," says Childe. "We'll bring that artifact to you, don't you worry."

"Hmph. This one is not worried, but one is acutely aware of the consequences if one of us should fail. Yet your words are appreciated, human; they rouse one's spirit. And to provide equal invigoration to yours, allow one to submit a phrase that appears to hold popularity among certain spheres of humans: Human Childe and Conqueror of Demons, for all our sakes, break a leg."

It's a peculiar thing to wish upon a comrade. The reason anyone would want to break a leg on a mission escapes Childe. It's a nasty injury, with far too long of a recovery time to be conducive to anything. However, Xiao gives a hum of acknowledgement, and Childe shrugs off the strange words. Adepti are weird.

"Uh, I'll try not to," says Childe politely. "But thanks, I guess."

"Hmm. Perhaps one was mistaken in one's phrasing," says Cloud Retainer. "Regardless, the time has come for one's departure." She spreads her wings, casting a wide shadow over the ground as she takes to the sky. "One hopes to see you both well soon."

Childe turns to Xiao, palms sweating in his gloves. "So this is it, huh?"

"It is. Complete your task well, and Rex Lapis may return to us before the day is done."

"Oh I plan to, don't you worry about that."

"Then let us hope your confidence serves us both well. I shall keep watch and engage once Rex Lapis is sufficiently occupied." Xiao looks to the sky and takes a deep breath. "We shall speak soon."

With that, he is gone.

Shaking out the tingling excitement in his arms, Childe begins down the path toward Liyue.