Devil's Path (Genshin Impact x OC)

Chapter 46: A Collective Hunger

Opening 5

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And so, the defence for Mondstadt is at full swing as monsters would enter the city at various spots. The Knights of Favonious, along with others willing to help such as Fischl, are busy slaying any monsters in their way.

Albedo and Lucius would go around the city providing some much needed back-up from the ongoing waves as they would now arrive at the fountain in the southern side of the city, having heard screams for help.

Though, the scream for help would come from the Anemo Archon of all people.

Lucius: Venti?

Venti: Help me! Please! Someone help me!

He continues to shout, oblivious to their arrival.

Lucius: It's us, you can chill.

Venti: Ah, perfect. I can drop the act...

Venti says, turning around and exhaling in relief.

Venti: Sorry, thought you were regular citizens...

Albedo: It's about time. I think we can proceed as planned.

Venti: Mm, I agree. Although, it's been a while since I dealt with something this big. It's going to be pretty exhausting...

Albedo: Don't worry, I'll treat you to a drink for your trouble.

Venti: Haha, just what I wanted to hear.

Paimon: o, these two know the other's identity, then?

Lucius: Paimon, people do have lives when we're not here. They can make friends even when we're not here.

Paimon: Oh, fair point.

Venti: Monsters started surging in from Dragonspine during the trial. They soon became agitated, likely in response to the core coming under pressure. Still, I never expected those monsters to have become this advanced.

Albedo: The power of evolution cannot be underestimated, especially considering the fact that Durin absorbed the previous imposter.

Lucius: What about the map? And the missing bodies?

Albedo: What the witnesses saw was true... I did hide those bodies. As I monitored the situation on Dragonspine, I noticed that many who ventured there came back... different. Some were under the influence of Durin's power, but the less fortunate ones had already been devoured by monsters, who then assumed their appearance to infiltrate the city.

Albedo: Most of those who were replaced had no close relatives, so when their behavior changed, there was no one to notice. The monsters used their disguise to get close to people. I eliminated two who attempted to attack.

Lucius: And the remains Diluc found? Did they belong to one of the victims?

Albedo: Yes. The monsters slowly digested their victims. Sometimes, they even left behind body parts to aid the transformation. All that remained of the first victim was a few strands of hair, and the second, some teeth and bone.

Venti: The only bodies Albedo destroyed were the monsters' mimic forms. Then, he buried whatever remained of the victims to put them to rest.

Albedo: Well, someone had to do it. Besides, I managed to gather some valuable data on the putrefaction of the bodies. After we defeated that doppelgänger whopperflower on Dragonspine, we promised to tell each other a story, remember?