Ascension of the Celestial Archon (Genshin Isekai AU)

Trial By Elements

Diluc and I make our way back to the training grounds, but everything feels distant. My feet move, but my mind is miles away, trapped in the conversation we had with the knights. Their words echo in my head—Zhongli working with the Fatui, the looming threat of the Abyssal Archon. My chest feels heavy like the weight of the world is pressing down on me, and I can't seem to shake the feeling.

I barely notice when Diluc stops in front of me, his voice blending into the background of my swirling thoughts. His words are a distant hum, and I don't realize he's been talking to me until I hear the sharp edge in his tone.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?"

I blink, snapping back to reality, and nervously laugh, trying to cover up how distracted I've been. "Um... yeah... feet apart and lengthen the core."

He crosses his arms, one eyebrow raised. "We finished that exercise already."

"Oh... right." I glance down at the floor, embarrassed. "Sorry."

His stern expression softens, and he places a hand on my shoulder, the warmth of it pulling me out of my thoughts for a moment. "You're still thinking about that conference, aren't you?"

I hesitate before nodding. "Y-Yeah. It's just... a lot."

He watches me for a moment, his eyes searching my face, and then his expression shifts—warmer, more understanding. "In that case," he says, his voice softer than usual, "maybe we should try something different. How about practicing elemental magic?"

"How is that going to help me regain focus?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

His expression remains calm and patient. "Your powers are channeled through your emotions," he explains, taking a step closer. "Right now, you're scared, uncertain. Fear and doubt can cloud your mind, but they can also strengthen certain elements. Since water is tied to those emotions, we could work on your Hydro abilities."

I hesitate, glancing at my hands. The memory of the tidal wave I unleashed yesterday is still fresh in my mind. "You think that'll help?"

"It might. Your elemental magic does need some control, though." He crosses his arms, studying me. "What do you usually do when you're scared?"

I raise an eyebrow, letting out a half-laugh. "What are you, my therapist?"

He smirks. "No I believe YOU'RE the therapist of Mondstadt. Shouldn't you know basic coping mechanisms?"

"I do but..."

"What do you do when you're normally scared?" He repeats. "Not here, but back when you were still on Earth."

The question hits me harder than I expected, stirring something deep inside. My chest tightens as memories I've worked so hard to bury resurface. Who I was back on Earth—those darker times, the trauma, the despair that clung to me like a shadow. I can feel myself slipping back into that place, a place I thought I would escape and to never look back.

My throat tightens, but I force a shrug, trying to play it off. "I don't know... run away from my problems?"

He crosses his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, that certainly isn't going to help your predicament, now is it?"

I let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. "I don't know what you want me to say..." My gaze drifts upward to the sky, to the clouds slowly passing by. "I was never really a brave person..." My voice comes out softer, almost fragile.

"The day I died..." I pause, feeling a familiar ache in my chest. "It wasn't because of an illness or some natural disaster... I..."

Before I can stop them, tears begin to spill from my eyes. He is silent but attentive, and he takes a step closer. His hand hovers near me as if he's unsure whether to offer comfort or give me space.