His Eyes Never Change (Gold like Cor Lapis, Blue as Noctilucous Jade)

Gods Do Not Truly Die

The look on Guizhong's face when she opened the door told Childe that she was fully aware of the nature of their visit. She hadn't yet invited them inside when Childe pushed his way through. Xiao Ping appeared scandalized by his rudeness, giving her god a swift bow before following suit.

Childe stood out in the clouds, facing away from them. His arms were crossed. Guizhong could almost feel the irritation radiating off of him.

"So, you've encountered them," she said.

"I have," was his clipped reply.

"And you are angry with me?"

He turned to face her, frowning, "Obviously."

"I see," Guizhong had a sympathetic look on her face and she sighed, shrugging. "Well, I was prepared for that. Though, I am surprised it was this secret of mine that brought you to this point."

"Never been a fan of secrets, particularly ones involving monsters," he pointed accusingly towards her. "I know you know how bored I've been. All this time I could've been out fighting!"

"Ah, but it's more than that isn't it?" she tilted her head, attempting to meet his eyes. Childe looked away and she smiled. "Well no matter, now you know. Can you show me what you brought with you?"

Xiao Ping, who had been standing awkwardly off to the side, stepped up and revealed a small brocade pouch. Upon opening it, glowing sigils appeared and out of the bag came the desiccated body of the vision wielder.

After they were certain that all the monsters had been exterminated, they had talked with the farmers in the area. Apparently, the creatures had flooded onto the fields without a clear indication as to where they had come from. It was as if they had simply emerged from the ground. The pyro wielding one was the only of its kind, and it had acted as a leader of sorts. With a mixture of curiosity and concern, they had decided to bring the body back with them. At the very least, they figured Guizhong would appreciate it.

Guizhong crouched down next to the body, observing it. She was silent for a while before humming an acknowledgement of what she had found. She turned towards the other two, her eyes trained on Childe.

"I believe you are owed an explanation, yes?"

Childe dramatically bowed in her direction, "If you would be so kind."

"I'll start at the beginning, then," Guizhong said, ignoring his antics. "It is an issue that has appeared in recent years. You see, in places that accrue large amounts of hatred and anger, fear and death, the land becomes saturated with negative energy. This energy then gives rise to all sorts of dangerous beasts. The war has become a breeding ground for such things."

She summoned a small glass vial and held it up for him to see more closely. Inside was that uniquely evil energy. Little tendrils rose from it as it prodded at its glass cage.

"Morax has been aiding me in my research on this phenomena by collecting samples of these manifestations," she sent the vial back to where it had been with a snap of her fingers.

"The lingering hatred of slain gods is powerful. You see, gods do not truly die. A physical death means nothing, our power will simply manifest itself in new ways," her eyes narrowed. "The countless human lives lost in the war are certainly no small thing, but it is the immortal will that is causing the problems we currently face."

"Some call it corruption, others call it karma. No matter its name, it poses a great threat to us all," she glanced back at the body. "I suppose it's only natural, there is no kindness in war after all. We reap what we sow."

Karma... he had heard that term used by Zhongli in passing once. There was an adeptus living out at Dihua Marsh who had dealings with it, but he didn't know any more than that. It seemed that whatever it was, they had found a way to deal with it in his time.