Sying quickly turned into a dragon and flew Aether and Venti to the Jade Chamber, which had floated past them when they left the Golden House. When Sying transformed back, the trio noticed that Osial hadn't left Guyun Stone Forest yet.
"What are you all doing here?" Xiao's voice called out. They turned around to see all of the adepti with Ningguang and Kequing.
"Not happy to see me, Xiao? I'm hurt." Sying teased, ignoring the Electro energy still hurting him.
"Lord Astral, that's not what I meant." Xiao protested.
"The adepti? What are you doing on the Jade Chamber? I thought you guys were arguing with each other." Aether wondered.
"Faced with a calamity of such magnitude, we have agreed to put our differences aside for now and unite against this common enemy." Ningguang explained. Moon Carver let out a huff.
"So, how are we gonna defend Liyue? I'm not as strong as I used to be, and Sying's not doing so good." Venti asked.
"I have enough power to defeat Osial, Barbatos." Astral retorted.
"Not enough to kill him. You don't have the strength right now to Foul Legacy, and you have barely enough for a dragon transformation." The bard protested. "Besides, the three of us are exhausted from our fight with Childe."
"So, will the power of the Qixing, Millelith, Adepti, and the Archons gathered here be enough to stop that god?" Aether questioned.
"We've already discussed this together, and our conclusion is: not necessarily." Ningguang admitted.
"Ridiculous. We are the guardians of Liyue!" Sying roared, making everyone go quiet. "If we give up now, we'll be breaking our contracts that we made with Morax. Liyue Harbor has existed for many years, and will not fall today! We will be victorious! We will win! For the glory of Liyue!" With that declaration, Sying transformed into his Archon form and Venti did the same. Everyone else had determined looks in their eyes. Ningguang formed a platform and three upgraded Guizhong Ballistas appeared. Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer became in charge of each one. A barrage of golden Geo missiles shot at Osial, followed by razor sharp winds and Nova orbs. While they attacked, Fatui somehow made their way on the Jade Chamber. Aether and Kequing could each handle one ballista, but they needed a third person. Sying created a portal and a certain ginger haired guy came out of it.
"Where? Wait, is that Osial?" Childe exclaimed, looking around. "I just saw you guys, please tell me that you're not going to kill me."
"Why would I kill you?" Sying questioned. "Look, Ajax, Fatui got up here somehow and I need you to defend the other ballista."
"I am Fatui. You're asking a Harbinger to kill his people." Childe replied. "I would be betraying the Tsaritsa."
"Well, if you drown Liyue Harbor, all the Fatui in the Harbor would get killed. This way, most of the members will survive." Sying pointed out. The Harbinger looked toward the giant water snake.
"That's Osial? I thought he would be like a person or something, not some giant whatever he is!" Childe shouted.
"Yes, that's Osial. Look, just do this for me. I have something to tell you, later." The Nova god said.
"Fine. I'll clean up my mess." Childe mumbled before jumping into battle.
"Why is Childe here?!" Aether yelled.
"Be nice, comrade!" Tartaglia commented.
"We're not comrades!" Aether responded. The group of people on the Jade Chamber continued to fight, even as Osial shot them with giant Hydro hyper beams. More Fatui soldiers showed up as well, making everyone groan.
"How daring. Snezhnaya's diplomats will answer for this afterward. Every last one." Ningguang promised, making Childe sigh. As the fight continued, each adeptus gave Aether some adeptal energy to help him. Sying even gave some of his power as well, making Aether feel a lot stronger than before. The Nova god transformed into a dragon and went to fight Osial himself while the ballistas charged.
"The interlopers are no more. Now we may commit ourselves fully!" Moon Carver declared.
"Well that was fun!" Childe laughed.
"No, it really wasn't." Aether growled. In the air, Astral opened his mouth and fired off a fully powered Nova beam, accompanied by Barbatos' strongest attack, and the missiles from the Guizhong Ballista. The attack hit the Overlord of the Vortex, and for a moment, the group thought they were winning. Until Osial created a pillar of water, shooting it at Sying. The Archon was sent tumbling into the ocean as water pellets rained from the sky. Everyone began to run back to the Jade Chamber, as the platform faded. As the platform broke into pieces, Tartaglia activated his Delusion and saved Aether from falling to his death.
"Hey buddy, you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." Aether breathed. "I'm okay. You?"
"Never better." Childe replied. There was a moment of silence as Sying appeared before the group drenched in water.
"I hate the ocean." Sying complained.
"Astral! I thought you died!" Barbatos wailed, hugging the adeptus.
"Please stop, Barbatos." Sying pleaded. Once the Anemo Archon had calmed down, Cloud Retainer spoke.
"The Guizhong Ballista is destroyed. Without its covering fire, retaliation shall be difficult." The crane stated.
"But the Jade Chamber is our last line of defense! We can't give another inch, no matter what." Ganyu pointed out.
"I have another idea. I'll sacrifice the Jade Chamber." Ningguang decided. Everyone agreed as the palace hovered over Osial. The adepti focused their energy on Aether, who glowed a bright gold color. The traveler struck his sword into the Jade Chamber and it came crashing down. The adepti took everyone back to Liyue Harbor and at last, the fight was over.
"Is it over?" Aether asked.
"It is. We won! Victory for Liyue!" Sying shouted, raising his sword high into the air. Venti let out a happy cheer and hugged Aether, who just smiled. Sying gave Barbatos a pat on the back and ruffled Aether's hair. Childe went to leave the victorious people who defended Liyue Harbor, when Sying called out to him. "Ajax, where do you think you're going? Aren't you going to celebrate with us?"
"Huh?" Childe questioned. "You want me to celebrate with you?"
"Yeah! We won didn't we?" Venti said.
"But, I caused all of this." The Harbinger reminded them.
"You still helped us though. Believe it or not, but you saved Liyue Harbor too." Aether spoke.
"That's right. Ajax, I offer you this: Join me and my nation of Khaenri'ah. I guarantee safety for you and your family." Astral suggested.
"Are you sure?" Childe questioned.
"I'm positive." Sying extended his hand for the ginger. Tartaglia shook it with a smile.
"Well then, allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Ajax, but you can call me Childe, and I'm a proud member of Khaenri'ah."
YOU ARE READING
Meraki
Fanfictionthe soul, creativity, or love you put into something; the essence of yourself that is put into your work. In which the King of Khaenri'ah plans to overthrow the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
