Meraki

Part 2 Chapter 6: Childe's Abyssal Rage

"If you were Fatui, I imagine that you would be entitled to a generous reward from the Tsaritsa herself. But now, you're nothing but dross. And you're in my way." Childe stated.

"Looks like I was just in time, then." Aether growled, summoning his Harbinger of Dawn.

"Ha! Although I'm deeply grateful to you that I was able to effortlessly find this secret location, don't you think that trying to stop me now would just be wasted effort?" Tartaglia wondered. "Stopping the mora mints, hiding away the Exuvia... The Qixing are really pulling out all the stops this time."

"I knew it. You've been planning to take the Gnosis from inside the Exuvia!" Aether shouted.

"As one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, it's my duty to see the will of the Tsaritsa fulfilled. She will get that which she desires."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Aether held his sword out in front of him worriedly. He wasn't sure if he could fight a Fatui Harbinger on his own, especially after what happened to Venti.

"Hah! I'm not asking for your blessing, and there's nothing you can do to stop me anyway. The time for discussion and diplomacy has already passed. I mean, if it were up to me, I would have skipped that stage to begin with, but I'm willing to do as the Tsaritsa deems fit. Either way, we now come to my favorite part. A simple pleasure, and one that I am oh-so-delighted to be sharing with you: The battle."

"I won't let what happened in Mondstadt ever happen again!" Aether lunged forward and swung his sword. The metal weapon collided with two blades made of Hydro. Childe was a dual wielder, just like his little sister Luna.

"Oh? So you intend to fight me?" Childe mocked, deflecting the blow and sending Aether back a bit. "Good. I won't kill you, Aether. I'll just play along, to feel the thrill of battle! Besides, you could never defeat me." The Harbinger sent a few Hydro slashes toward the traveler, who blocked them all with Anemo sword swings.

"I could never defeat you!? You're completely delusional." Aether retorted.

"Fighting talk, I love it! Let's see you live up to it." Childe said. "Don't disappoint me." Aether moved forward and tried to strike Childe, only to be blocked by a Hydro shield. Tartaglia switched to his bow and fired a few Hydro infused arrows. Aether managed to dodge most of them, but some scratched the sides of his arms and face. In retaliation, the Outlander landed a few quick blows on his opponent before Childe countered by sending a narwhal made of water. Aether was able to create a geo shield for himself, but as soon as it vanished, Childe was already attacking with his dual swords. The traveler deflected the attack and pushed the Harbinger away with Anemo.

"Take that!" Aether yelled as Childe surrounded himself in a wave of Hydro. When it cleared, Childe was glowing with Electro energy. The red mask that was usually on the side of his head, now covered his face. It was the power of a Delusion.

"Good! No wonder Signora was wary of you." Childe teased, shooting forward with blinding speed, knocking Aether to the ground. "Well, that just means I can go all out! Brace yourself, this is about to get tough." The Outlander got up, only to be knocked around some more by his opponent. "Now, show me what you can do against the might of a Harbinger!" Childe created a polearm of Electro and was about to swing at the dizzy Aether, when an Anemo infused arrow whizzed past him, followed by a burst of Nova energy.

"Sying! Venti!" Aether called out relieved. The adeptus and the bard ran over to their friend as the Harbinger stayed quiet.

"You did well holding out until we got here. Don't worry Aether, we'll help you out." Sying decided, summoning his sword.

"I may not be that helpful in a fight, but I'll do my best to support you." Venti agreed.

"You finally showed up. I was wondering if you were gonna come." Childe grinned.