𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

       Zhongli flicked his tail. It was fully grown now, weighing him down. Not like a wanted to get up anyway, the pain he was experiencing was far worst than a little weight. He hadn't eaten in two days, today being the third. That and he had to fight off the creature that was attacking his core. It decided it would get into his head. Either way he'd be trapped in the cave. Even if it had control of his head, it couldn't open the seal. Maybe he could.. take a break.. let it take his conscience.. no! Zhongli what are you thinking..? Wait, Zhongli..? Who is that again..
Zhongli thunked himself in the head, he had forgotten himself for a moment there. That was a side effect of the fight. He curled himself into a ball. His tail tightening around him. He closed his eyes, covering his eyes with his hands. How he missed being normal. If he didn't strike that contract. It wouldn't bother him if he still made contracts. This was worst than being sentenced to death, it was loneliness. Being left just to fight a ghost of your conscience. He mumbled slightly, "Oh I hope nobody finds me.." He looked up painfully, blinking tears away. This happened yesterday. A breakdown, he guessed. Zhongli laughed to himself. Zhongli, Zhongli Zhongli.
He wasn't even Zhongli anymore. He was turning into Rex, Rex Lapis. And after Rex.. came Morax. And Morax would murder.
But.. doesn't Childe have a sigil?
Childe?
Wait, Childe..
Please Help..

---------------------------------------------------------------

Childe jumped out of his skin, drenched in sweats. What in hell's name was that? He felt the abyss clawing at him again in his dreams, a nightmare. Childe clenched his arms, it felt so real. He let out a breath as his body stabilized. That rarely happened, but it scared him. It was almost too real. He opened a blind carefully. It was barely sunrise. He could go back to the bank today, or was it tomorrow? No, he was allowed back yesterday. Hmm, yesterday felt like a year ago. He had bent a deal. One he made with the ruler of contracts.. wait. Oh yes, Zhongli disappeared. And so did the Adeptus. Childe went to grab clothes, his thoughts collected the day before. Hmm, weird.. Zhongli disappeared without a trace? Childe shook his head and sighed, he'd skip today. He'd skip work of course. It's not like he did something anyways. He wandered (😮) outside, to meet Xiao.

Xiao didn't want to return. He felt something hidden under the Fatui's words, as if he were lied to. He stressed enough with Morax's death. Childe's words just made it worst. Xiao had felt a hand on his shoulder, Aether smiled at him. Xiao put his hand on Aether's and sighed.
"I can't get anywhere like this," Xiao looked up at him, "You all are hiding something."
Aether shook his head. He was obviously tired. Xiao stood from his chair. Aether looked away.
"What is it? Why are you all hiding," Xiao tilted his head. The traveler took Xiao's hand.
"It's a contract. Me, Childe, Paimon, and Zhongli. We signed one. Childe even bent it telling you,"
Aether avoided Xiao's eyes. Xiao blinked slightly.
"Contracts are Morax's thing. But why did you all?- " Xiao took the sign, "Right, breaching the contract."
The traveler smiled softly, "Zhongli is probably the only one you could get information out of without breaching the contract. Just have to find him," Aether shook his head. He clearly didn't know why Zhongli would disappear either.
Xiao sighed, he guessed it was time. Time to go back to Childe.
"Aether?"
The traveler looked up to Xiao, "Yes?"
"Get some sleep, you look like you need it."
Aether responded with a laugh, "Alright, I'll see."

Childe poured a cup of tea for the Yakasha. It was awkward because of how they didn't get along well. Childe grinned, "What made you come back?"
Xiao shook his head, "I learned about the contract. The one that Zhongli made."
Childe sat down across from Xiao, "He knew it'd come to the light eventually, just when scared him."
Xiao shook his head again, so it was true..
"Got any clues on finding him?"
Xiao shot him a look, "No, I don't know your boyfriend's hideouts."
Childe laughed. A blank fake laugh, "I don't know his hideouts. He's a friend of mine. Not a lover."
Xiao rolled his eyes, Yeah and you didn't help him hide. Childe shot him a look, reading his mind almost.
"I helped him because I can't let somebody I know die," Childe took a sip of his own tea.
"He wasn't just 'somebody you know' earlier."
Childe sighed, "I know, I know. We aren't on the right foot with each other anymore, but I'm not going to let him die because of it."
"I would of."
"You don't know him as well as I did."
"Gay."
"Xiao, don't act like I don't know about you and the Traveler," Childe grinned as Xiao's face shot red.
"This is about your boyfriend! Not mine!"
"Oh so he is your boyfriend~?"
"You better watch yourself when you don't have that sigil."
"I guess I'll have to stab it into my forehead."
"Please do."
"Alright," Childe reached for a knife only to be stopped by Xiao.
"That was a joke idiot."
Childe laughed, "I know, just wanted to see you're reaction."
"Bitch."
"Short."
"Ginger."
"Emo."
Now Xiao was reaching for the knife.