Oath [BL; Book 2]

76

Xianyun ran in striking the demon from the side and Xiao came in from the other side. Aether ran grabbing Paimon and rushing back to where it was safe. Giving her to Ganyu he continued fighting to get the muck off and finally it peeled off when Xianyun struck the heart of the beast.

"AAAAARGH!" He roared and the sludge melted off.

"Ah!" Aether could breath better, "Paimon!" He quickly checked her.

"Ah?! What's going on?!" She quickly took cover in his arms as Xianyun appear blowing away the rubble that came their way.

"To safety! Quickly!"

"Right!" Aether took no chances taking Paimon along with him. However when he took the step the ground began to rumble and lifted beneath their feet. "Paimon!" Paimon was separated from him and Xianyun was flung aside as a claw grabbed Aether. "Agh!"

It squeezed him nearly breaking every bone in his body. "YOU'RE MINE!" Verdis growled stomping away going back to the ruins but Xiao came in slicing its arm right off. "AAAAGH!!" He roared and swung his other claw into Xiao sending him straight into the ground, but he was up again and into the air.

The Yaksha mask appeared and his weapon became infused with the anemo power. Straight to its head he raised his spear and struck Verdis in the eye making him flail, his tails whipped around, Aether pried himself from the claw only to be whipped by the tails.

"?!" It was such a hard hit he was shot into the Chasm rocks.

Xiao's immediate attention was taken and he vanished when Xianyun came in to take over. Crashing into the wall be grabbed Aether who fell from it. The impact sent him right into the dark. He was unconscious, with the target down, Aether couldn't protect himself. This was great cause for concern, more so as he saw the damage he had taken. He needed immediate rest and care.

Clenching his jaw Xiao looked to the beast. Verdis went rampant but was far enough from the harbor he didn't have to worry. He was also surprised to see the Jade Chamber had moved positions coming in with heavy artillery. This was his chance to get him away for a moment.

Cloud Retainer appeared in her adeptal form then her human form, Xianyun. "Aether!" Xiao lay him down carefully as she hurried began to treat his wounds. "He has taken much damage, he needs to rest."

"He will not." He said though knew she knew that, "We must get him somewhere far, the demon.." he looked at it then seeing Shenhe and Ganyu ran in to get its attention from them. "Aether is his target, if we move Aether from the area near the harbor, he will follow."

"Where can we go?"

"The mountains." Zhongli came forth. "We must move Aether to the mountains away from the harbor."

"It is too risky," Xianyin shook her head, "his injuries--" before she could finish her sentence the rocks they were perched on were targeted. Verdis shrieked ramming his head into the rock beginning to climb it to reach them.

"GIVE HIM TO MEE!!"

"Take him." Xiao passed his hand over his face and the mask appeared. "Leave the demon to me." Xianyun grabbed Aether up quickly and jumped after giving him a nod.

When Verdis saw Xianyun taking Aether he shrieked following after. Zhongli could only watch knowing better than to intervene more than he already did. The millelith were surveying the area already and took notice of the stone pillar that wasn't there before. He narrowed his eyes and turned, the pillar crumbled.

Aether quickly came to being carried by Xianyun, "Paimon?!"

"Aether, you're awake!" Xianyun was alarmed.