I demand a Duell

The beginning...

"Mr. Zhongli, what are you doing here?" Childe tried his best to hide the blood on his hands, and the dead bodies behind him, well knowing that it was pointless.

"Ah, Childe what a nice surprise. I really did not expect to meet you on my walk" a friendly smile stayed on his face, while his gaze wandered down Childes body, defiantly realizing the blood stains, and where they came from.

"Would you like to accompany me? I'm sure you're 'debts-collection' can wait a bit." Zhongli looked back up to childes face, with not the wink of an emotion, but a straight friendly face. It ticked Childe of. He hated people who acted like everything was a game, or not really important.

" And what" he asked back cold " makes you think I want to join you on your walk?" he looked down on Zhongli from the rock he was standing on, secretly admiring the other man's beauty witch had always fascinated him.

But he would never admit that. Not even in his own thoughts.

"You're still angry about the thing with the Gnosis?"

Childe hated how on look from Zhongli was enough the read him like an open book.

"And what if I am?" "Then this walk could help us clear things up a bit. The Fatui are business partners of the Wangsheng funeral Parlor after all. Working with each other is going to be inevitable" "Oh?" Childe gazed unimpressed at Zhongli who didn't even blink as he looked back. This man had some nerves. Still acting like they were old business partners. Not like Childe had tried to kill him, and summand an ancient good, that was a threat to the entire harbour.

"If you don't intend to take me up on my offer, I am indeed willing to make things up to you in a differed way."

Wasn't Childe the 'bad guy', wasn't he supposed to make things up? What game was Zhongli playing? Was he going to use him again?

"Really?" Childe would not let that happened. Anger build up in him. Oh, how would he love it to just punch that oh so friendly looking face, and make it's true couleurs come out! A battle was the best opportunity to learn about a person. There fighting style could tell you everything.

"And what if I..." Childe jumped down, to stand closer bevor Zhongli, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"...demand a duel? Are you still willing to make things up to me?" Childe knew there was no way Zhongli would agree to that. Morax would. Maby. But not the 'oh-so-nice-gentleman-Mr.-Zhongli'

"If that is what you wish, we can arrange that. But we should head to a different location. I don't want to hurt anyone in the area around us." Something strange seemed to be glowing in Zhongli's eyes. And it made Childe exited.

He wanted to fight that strange power. It seemed so strong. And he wanted to prove that he was strong too.

Excitement spread trou childes body just by the thought of it.

"Fine. you chose the location, but we finish this duel today!" Childe smiled, knowing things would go after his wish now. The blood on his hands was drying out, and leaving an uncomfortable feeling on the skin. But Childe couldn't care less.

"If you wish so. Then let's head to Guyun-Ston-forest. And please, accompany me on the way!" there was something commanding in his Vois, even thou he was still looking all friendly and nice, straight in to childes eyes.

"If you insist..." Childe was in a good mood. A battle was coming up. Oh there was nothing better than that.

"Let's go then" Zhongli turned around, and Childe followed.

The way to Guyun-Stone-forest was a long on. the two men did not exchange a single word along the way.

Childe anger and excitement grew. Anger because, Zhongli seemed so relaxed, and excitement, because he was going to fight him.

Guyun–Ston-Forest was a quiet place in the late noon. Most adventure left already, to come back tomorrow morning

No animal was making a noise, only a few birds, and the sound of the ocean. It should have a calming effect, but Childe could not feel any of this.

"Well then" a smile appeared on his lips. "You seem very relaxed, Mr. Zhongli, perhaps I need to remind you that I am one of the tsaritsas loyal Harbingers, blessed with powers beyond that of a Mortal!"

"and yet you're raked the lowest, and lost a fight against a simple traveller. I don't see a reason to be scared of you."

Zhongli conterd in a calm Voise, only turning his head slightly to look back at Childe.

Childe snapped.

"I'll show you!" he screamed, attacking Zhongli in the same moment. His Hydro-swords did not left a single scratch on the other man, who had raised a shield around him in an instant. Without really thinking Childe continued to blow powerful hits against the shield. At some point it had to break. But it seemed like Zhongli did not really want to fight. All he did was keeping his shield up and smile. Childe wanted to break that smile and make him fight.

"Is that all of your great power Ajax?" Zhongli asked in an almost mocking Voise wile fixing the crack that had appeared in his shield with a simple movement of his hand. Childe stopped for a second. His blood was boiling. "Fin! I'll give it my all! But the same goes for you too. That isn't all you got coward!" child smiled, spreading his arms, and letting the abyssal power, with in him, form the Armor that would make him stronger.

With one attack, he smashed Zhongli's shield, making him change his stand for the first time in this fight.

"Ha- this is getting interesting!" Zhongli smiled, and a spear appeared in his hands. Finally! childe thought. He is going to fight!

The sun set slowly some were over the ocean, behind Imazuma. The last golden light vanished, leaving the two fighting men, alone in the upcoming night.

Childe could feel his strength leaving him. Zhongli was strong. His attacks powerful. Childe gather his remaining strength, and threw his weapon destroying Zhongli's shield, and leaving another scratch on his skin. on last punch! He thought, fighting against the weakness that tried to overcome him. His fist landed in Zhongli's stomach. "Urgh!" Zhongli staggered, and Childe could feal his Armor break.

"I'll...finish you ... next time..."he groaned weak bevor breaking down.

His body, now normal again, landed heavily on the ground turning back normal.

After catching his breath again Zhongli stepped besides him, looking down. Blood was everywhere.

"Good fight Ajax" he mumbled, carefully pulling him up, and throwing him half over his shoulder.

It would be a long way till Liyue harbour, but with a bit of his power, he could at least make Childe easer to carry.

Completely worn out from the fight, and the way back, Zhongli, did not cared mutch. He laid the other man down, on his bed, bevor falling besides him. He would take care of his and Ajax injuries tomorrow...

Within a few second, he was deep asleep.

When Zhongli awoke, the next morning, every little scratch hurt, and something heavy pressed down on his chest.

He opened his eyes, just to see, that Ajax had wrapped on arm half around him.

A little smile appeared on Zhongli's face. He got up carefully, to not wake up the other man, and began, to take care of the blood traces and his wounds, bevor continuing with Ajaxes body. The wounds weren't too bad, and not a live tread, but the use of the Abyss armour, probably came at its price.

Zhongli smiled down at Ajax, carefully stoking the other man's head.

Maby there was a change that they could get along again.

Maby...

Hello :3 

Please leave a Vote or a coment to make me happy. <3

If not: hope you have a great day anyways. 

Saphira