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Chapter 51 A Talk

"really you all came from Mondstadt to find me?" You said surprised. Bennett and Razor nodded with a smile on their face. You felt touched by their concern.

"We really did worry about you. We kept going to your home every day to see if you came back." Bennett said with a embarrassed smile. "Sorry if it sounded weird but we really did worry.."

"Aw you two" you said and patted their heads as the boys both let out a small laugh at the affection you gave him.

Albedo sat with you all at the table you were at. After meeting up with you it was decided to go somewhere to talk. He watched you interact with the two boys and noticed the bond you formed with them. He had many questions but decided to allow you three have some catching up time.

*

Zhongli however was rather uneasy. When the ship docked back to his land he felt the eyes of your eldest brother constantly watching him. Mort hasn't spoken a single word since their departure from Snezhnaya and seems he not going to be speaking anytime soon. Even now as he stood and watch his people follow his commands whenever he glanced to his side Mort was standing there watching over.

He wanted to speak to him. To try and befriend him since he is your brother after all. It would be ideal to get along but something told him it was a bad idea to try to speak with him. So at the moment he decided to allow Mort to adjust and hopefully be the one to speak first.

There was one thing however, his silence was oddly comforting. At times when Zhongli is in his office sometimes he would simply chat about you and how he misses you. He did catch Mort eyes soften once when he was talking to him about you. It was clear to Zhongli how much your brother cared for you and no doubt misses you as well. This kept on for few days til one day the silence was broken. Zhongli was was reviewing some paperwork when he heard your brother speak.

"Why did you break her barrier? As a barrier user yourself. You know what it means when one uses it"

Looking to the side where Mort was standing he stayed silent for a few seconds before replying. "During the Archon war. I heard of a barrier that has stood strong against other gods. Rumors spread the barrier was able to withstand even the strongest of attacks. Hearing that I decided to give it a go and test my strength. So nearing the end of the war I made my way over." Zhongli sat back into his seat "I had high expectations I won't lie after hearing all the rumors. So when I arrived I expected to see a grand sight. Instead. I saw a barrier that looked worn from many attempts it looks like it was about to shatter any day. Still in such conditions it stood stood."

Mort listened to him and kept his eyes on his face analyzing his expression. "So you decided to break it to simply test your strength?"

"That is correct. I'll admit my reasoning may not be the most noble one. But I was also curious to see what was so important that it warranted such a barrier to protect it. In the end you could say it was my curiosity that won me." Zhongli said.

"After breaking it. Did you satisfy your curiosity?" Mort asked. Keeping a calm tone.

"I would say more than that." Zhongli replied. "For me it was easy to shatter it. When it crumbled down I saw what was hidden. It was a settlement of people. I remember how many took up weapons to fight me. They posed no challenge for me and I was easily the victor." The Geo archon said noticing the sharpness of Morts eyes.

"Did you have fun striking down weaker opponents?" He asked.

"No. I acted in self defense. I did not chase down my who fled. Only those that attacked me did I attack back. Still, at that time my curiosity grew. It was clear they fought not only to protect themselves but they seem to be protecting something else. So after looking around I did find what it was." Zhongli said closing his eyes recalling the memories. "It was her honor. They stayed trying to defend what she tried to defend herself. I remember walking around and seeing the traces of her around the area. How they tried to preserve her memory."