𝚂𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝙰𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 [𝚐.𝚒 𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚡 𝚐𝚗!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛]

XXXII

We rush out of the heavy doors of the Golden House, only to be quickly assaulted by heavy rains and winds. Running through the streets of Liyue, we nearly slip multiple times, our vision clouded by the rain.

"Look! What's going on?" Paimon's voice is a mere muffle under the terribly loud storms, but her exclamation still serves a purpose as it brings yours and Aether's attention to the precariously moving Jade Chamber that is slowly making its way to the open water.

Aether takes off immediately, following the drifting, floating building as it nears closer and closer to several water spouts curling in the center of the water.

Dashing through the raging storm is difficult, the wind pushing us side to side to the point where you thought to yourself that you'd have some very stern words with Venti later. In the distance we see the five water snake heads of Osial rise from the water.

Your hair was so stuck to your face that you almost didn't notice when your guardian angel landed right in front of you, looking pristine as always. You jerk back in shock, but Ariel grasps your shoulders with a frantic look on his face.

"What the hell is happening?!" He yells. Despite being a few feet in front of you, his voice barely managed to reach your ears. You absentmindedly wondered if that was only from the storm as the deep cuts in your hand somehow became more prominent.

"A giant sea monster just got resurrected from the depths of the ocean!" You spit rain water that had fallen in your mouth as you spoke.

"WHAT?!"

You shake your head, no time to deal with Ariel's confusion. "We have to get on to the Jade Chamber!"

"Are you out of your mind?! You want to fight the giant ocean monster?!" Ariel's hand clamp down tighter on your shoulders.

"I'm not going to explain why I technically will not be fighting the ocean monster, we just need to get on the Jade Chamber!"

Ariel shakes his head. "I can only carry one of you up there!"

Fuck. In your hazy state it's kinda hard to think, but you remember a certain anemo shortie who had given you his permission to call him not too long ago. "Xiao!" You yell out as loud as you can.

For a moment you think he doesn't hear you, or worse, is choosing not to help you, and your stomach sinks. But the trademark flurry of black and green soon reveals the soaked adeptus, who looks entirely unaffected by the rain despite his state.

Xiao's stern eyes turn to you and he opens his mouth in what you feel is going to be a reprimand, so you quickly interrupt him. "I need you to carry Aether up to the Jade Chamber so he can help fight Osial!"

"That's what you called me for?!" Xiao's frown deepened even as he moved over to Aether, who had been standing beside you, shuffling his feet as he watched you have a quick conversation with the air. Once Aether sees Xiao, he smiles slightly before screaming as Xiao roughly picks him up. Aether has the incredible foresight to grab onto Paimon as they're whisked away.

You turn back to Ariel. "Okay, now you gotta carry me to the chamber!"

Ariel goes to grab your waist, but hesitates. "If you fight, are you going to be okay?!"

"I can't promise that right now! It's a fight, it's raining, my hands hurt, and who knows what else! I have to be up there, if not just because fighting is the right thing to do, but because Aether is up there and I will literally go crazy if I am not there with him!" Half way through your speech you lost what you were saying, but you knew you meant it. You were running so high on adrenaline right now that so many things weren't even crossing your mind.