Chapter Text
Slash. One. Swing. Two. Slice. Three.
The bodies of the treasure hoarders slump to the ground, one by one, leaving Childe panting in the middle. He relaxes his battle stance, scanning to the now empty camp. The soft breeze of Guili Plains ruffles his hair, and Childe lets out a long sigh. As there is not a single soul left around anymore, the only sound he hears is the loud beating of his own heart. A sound that seemingly has not calmed down ever since he first felt the sharp stab of betrayal in the golden glow of the Northland Bank. He can hear his blood pumping in his veins, full of anger and sorrow.
Childe watches the blood drip off of his blades slowly onto the ground. He frowns as the blood soaks into the soil, leaving no trace behind. He misses Snezhnaya. There, the blood would have shimmered beautifully against the cold white snow, a sight that would have satisfied a carnal urge in Childe. Here, the solid ground seems to swallow everything, not even barely sating Childe's needs. It was an odd feeling, this new resentment towards Liyue, because Childe had truly loved the land. The bustling streets of Liyue Harbor and its golden lighting, the magnificent mountains, bright and cloudy skies, warm and clear waters. Not to mention the person who Childe had experienced it all with. Now, it was even hard to imagine how content he had felt in his presence, as that presence now taints all the happy memories he has of Liyue.
Zhongli. Morax. Rex Lapis. God of Contracts. Childe grits his teeth and clenches his hands on his blood-tainted blades' handles. It's been days since that fateful realization, since Childe left Liyue Harbor. Days, since Zhongli had looked at him with undecipherable eyes, while Childe had had a hard time swallowing back his tears and shouts of anger. He would have understood, if Zhongli had kept his identity as a secret for the sake of simple retirement and peace. However, teaming up with La Signora, and using Childe as a pawn in his game, was more than he could forgive. To think that Childe had thought about cancelling his whole Osial plan, just so that if something went wrong, Zhongli would come to no harm. Because Childe had cared. Cared like he had never cared for anyone.
Childe shakes his head and with a swift motion and pulse of Hydro he cleans the blood off of his blades. Since leaving the harbor, he has gone from camp to camp, clearing them void of any people. It's the only way he knows to cope with the swirl of emotions inside him. Although, it's simply not enough. He knows who he needs to fight, whose blood he needs to see flowing to feel at ease. Therefore, Childe ignores the small voice in his head telling that he has no chance.
He's the God of War. There's a reason he has denied sparring with you ever since you met. You haven't slept for days. Those treasure hoarders managed to injure you.
Injure him? They are simple scratches, small cuts on his abdomen. Maybe a deeper wound on his shoulder, but Childe almost lets out a giggle at the thought of that being a serious injury. He's the youngest, feared, Harbinger of Tsaritsa. He has seen the Abyss as a small child. As if some feeble treasure hoarders could stop him. He smothers the voice in his head, feeling a delirious grin pulling on his face. There is no time for rest, when there's an Archon to be fought.
The sun has long since set, when Childe finally sees the gates of the city. Liyue Harbor shines the same light as ever, almost welcoming, if Childe didn't find the orange glow repulsive nowadays. He is not sure where the Fatui, especially him, stand in Liyue after the incident. Therefore, he quietly blends to the few shadows to avoid the Millelith. He can get arrested any other day but not now, as he's full of determination, bordering on obsession.
It's almost funny that before, Zhongli's company had calmed down his blood-lust. Instead of looking forwards to demolishing enemies, Childe had been excited to have dinner with Zhongli. Walking through the city with him, buying him anything those golden eyes had caught interest in. Childe would have given anything to Zhongli, had he only asked.
Now though, the thought of Zhongli all but ignites his craving for a proper, deathly fight. With every step along the side-streets of the harbor, the flame within Childe burns harder, hotter. Haste in his movements, he approaches the Funeral Parlor. The path there is so familiar, the difference being that all the previous there had been a light bounce to his step, whereas it's now replaced with heavy drags of his feet.
The Ferrylady's eyes widen when she sees the Harbinger approaching. She raises her hands, unsure, but once Childe throws a glare at her, she dutifully steps aside. Normally, he would have politely greeted her, silently as the custom goes, but not today. He does nothing silently. He throws the door open loudly, standing in the empty hall, where not a sound can be heard. That is, until a cheery voice emerges from the next room.
"Oh? Who other could it be than my favorite patron!" Hu Tao exclaims as she bounces to Childe's view. She takes a long look at him, from head to toe. "Though it seems you are planning on going from a patron to a client. For you, I suggest a coffin made of Cuihua wood, would compliment that ginger hair of yours."
Childe frowns. "Where's Zhongli?"
"Why? You don't exactly look like you're here to take him for a dinner," Hu Tao questions, leaning on the door frame. Her scarlet eyes are inquisitive, and even if she appears cheerful and aloof, Childe knows she is much more perceptive than what she lets on.
"That's none of your business," Childe answers, taking steps towards her. He tries to glance over her shoulder, as well as into the other rooms around them. It's always silent and dark in the parlor, making it hard to sense other people.
"Now now, Childe. I appreciate my consultant quite a lot, which is why I am plagued with the teeny-tiniest bit of worry, seeing that murderous shine in your eyes." Hu Tao delivers her words with her usual cheer, but when Childe directs his gaze at her, he can see something darker in her eyes. He knows she cares about Zhongli, sentiment that has been their mutual trait in the past. Childe likes Hu Tao in general as well. However, he's willing to cast all of that aside to get to Zhongli.
"Then you should understand it's not smart to stand in my way," Childe warns her. He can feel Hydro tickling his fingertips, itching to form a weapon, even if it isn't Hu Tao's blood he truly wishes to spill. Hu Tao keeps her gaze on him, unwavering. Childe knows she wouldn't necessarily be an easy opponent, but he would beat her anyway. Childe's patience is running out fast, as Hu Tao keeps her silence, just a small fake smile playing on her lips.
He takes one more step towards her, as a final warning, when he hears another voice.
That familiar, deep, rich, centuries-old voice. Speaking his name the way it has times and times before. Except now, it feels as if it echoes differently in the dimly lit room.
"Childe," Zhongli says from behind him. Childe closes his eyes for a second, before turning around to meet the heavy golden gaze.
Zhongli doesn't look any different. His clothes are the same, dark and classy. The same red frames his eyes as always, and his smooth hair is neatly pinned to his neck. Even his posture is exactly what Childe remembers. Not that it has been that long since he even last saw Zhongli, even if it feels like eons. The look in his eyes though, is the same he has only seen once before, in the Northland Bank. Hiding any emotion, impossible for Childe to decipher. Which makes the thrumming of his heart, his rage, even louder. Hydro blades form faster in his hands than they have ever before as he strides towards Zhongli. That changes the look on Zhongli's face to one of surprise, which makes Childe grin.
Zhongli doesn't move, not that he really has time to, before Childe points one of his blades right towards his throat. A heartbeat after, he feels the tip of a polearm pressing into his back. Hu Tao.
"No bloodshed in my Funeral Parlor," she says, voice now devoid of any cheer.
"That depends on our dear consultant here," Childe says, his voice slightly shaky. He's filled with a myriad of emotions that he didn't expect upon seeing Zhongli. He knows Zhongli is an Archon who betrayed him, filling him with anger and sorrow. However, seeing Zhongli the same as he has always been has the other part of Childe screaming to lower his weapon. He has spent countless hours with this man, enjoying his company. He's your dearest friend. He betrayed you.
Zhongli is quiet for a while, surprise changing to cautiousness. "You are injured," he slowly says, eyes raking over Childe's shoulder and abdomen. Childe could swear he even sees a glimpse of worry in Zhongli's eyes. That makes Childe let out a chuckle.
"As if you cared," Childe spits.
A pained look washes over Zhongli's face. "Childe, please. I've been wanting to talk to you, but you've been away," he tries and starts raising his arm to touch Childe, deciding against it when he feels a Hydro blade pressing a bit closer.
"I'm not here to talk, Morax. I'm here to challenge you." Childe hears a small gasp from behind him, as Zhongli flinches. Right, Hu Tao didn't know she was housing her own Archon. Not that Childe cares about revealing Zhongli's identity. Hu Tao had probably guessed at least half of the truth on her own anyway.
Childe lowers his weapon from Zhongli's throat and raises both of his hands in the air. Then he takes a step backwards, pressing his back against Hu Tao's polearm, relishing in the way it pierces slightly through his skin. At that, Zhongli throws an almost panicked look at Hu Tao, who immediately pulls her weapon away.
"Refuse me, and I will bring Liyue down. You know what I'm capable of," Childe threatens. He must have the look of a maniac, judging from the way Zhongli stares at him, eyes wide and a frown spread across his face.
Zhongli sighs, before locking his eyes on Childe. The man looks more serious than Childe has ever seen him. "Very well, but not here. Let us settle this outside the city."
At Zhongli's agreement, all Childe feels is triumph and lust for battle.
They make their way silently outside the city. It has started to rain, making them both thoroughly drenched. Childe ignores the way he has trouble keeping his balance on the muddy road, or the way shivers run down his spine. He feels cold, but a glance at Zhongli is enough to keep him going, as it makes the fire in him burn brighter.
Zhongli stops when they reach a clearance, just at the root of Mt. Tianheng. Childe walks past him, and settles himself into a battle stance a few meters away from Zhongli. Once again, he summons his blades of Hydro, frowning when Zhongli doesn't make a move to bring out his polearm.
"You promised to fight me," Childe states, blinking as raindrops fall into his eyes.
"That I did. I, however, do not wish to hurt you. I would much more prefer to talk," Zhongli answers, taking a step closer. It's unfair, how perfect and powerful he looks, even when miserably wet from the rain.
"You promised. Besides, you betrayed me. What else is there to talk about?" Childe accuses. Before Zhongli has a chance to answer, Childe lunges forwards, aiming for a strike on Zhongli's side. In that blink of an eye, Zhongli summons a shield around himself.
"It was never my intention. I apologize, Childe," Zhongli says, the dim glow of his Jade Shield lighting his face. His eyes look sad, and for a moment, Childe almost wants to believe him.
Instead, he scoffs and continues slashing the shield. "Then show me how sorry you are and fight me," he growls and uses all of his force to stab the shield.
Zhongli seemingly gives up and brings down his shield. In the next second, he has his spear in his hands, blocking Childe's next strike. That brings out a smile on Childe's face.
"That's more like it, warrior god. Now that I think about it, it almost makes sense how you used me." Childe aims to cut Zhongli's leg, but is again stopped by Zhongli's block. Zhongli has a serious look on his face, meanwhile Childe is bordering on hysterical.
"You are a leader, Morax. We are all just pawns in your game, your grand plan. What more could I ever be to you than a soldier, ready to be used," Childe laughs drily. Laugh, which is quickly cut off by a sharp pain from his shoulder. He hisses as he prepares for his next attack.
"You were never a tool for me, Childe. I genuinely appreciated the time we spent together. You are my friend," Zhongli says, a pleading tone in his voice. He still hasn't shown any intention to attack Childe, only lazily defending with easy-looking movements.
Childe pants before lunging again. "You lie! Just like the rest of them, all you ever did was lie to me!" he almost screams while desperately swinging his blades at Zhongli. He had trusted Zhongli, had finally felt safe, which was a rare feeling after the Abyss. When he had risen from that nightmare, his beloved family was never the same. His older siblings were wary of him, and kept their distance. His mother had tried to help, but all it led to was her praying for their Archon to bring their old son back. His father finally decided they had had enough, and sent Childe to the army. Once he gained the status of Harbinger, lies and deceiving was all he got from his colleagues. Zhongli, on the other hand, had seemed trustworthy. He didn't find Childe scary, despite being aware of his job. Even if he didn't know about the Abyss, Childe had thought about telling him some day. Day that would now never come.
Zhongli looks truly pained now, even while being completely untouchable to Childe, precisely defending against every single slash of Childe's weapons. "How can I make it up to you?" he asks.
"By stopping holding back and truly fight me!" Childe shouts while taking a few retreating steps. His field of view is slowly getting more and more blurred, something he can't blame on the rain anymore. He feels warm blood gushing out of his shoulder and abdomen, caused by the stretch of the fight. Maybe the treasure hoarders had gotten to him more than he thought. He hadn't been at his sharpest after days without proper sleep.
That's why he almost doesn't register the way Zhongli is finally, finally, walking towards him with his polearm pointed sharp towards him. Disappointment flows inside of him, as Zhongli just before reaching him, turns his weapon around and hits him on his side with the dull end of his spear. The strength of it is still enough to make Childe's knees give out and for him to fall to the ground.
Zhongli's voice is soft when he talks. "You are in no shape to fight. Let me tend to your wounds."
Childe braces himself with his palms and knees against the ground. The audacity of Zhongli is almost shocking and that has Childe laughing again. The sound is odd to Childe's ears, and what he intended as a mocking laugh, comes out sounding more like choking sobs. If his body is giving up on him like this, he only has one choice left. He won't lose. He's the Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, he can't lose. He takes a deep breath before trying to fill his body with the electricity of his Foul Legacy. The pain that flashes through his body is almost unbearable, but he can't stop. He hears Zhongli exclaiming something, sounding alarmed. Whatever he says, Childe can't understand, the crackling of Electro too loud in his ears. The flood of power starts raising his body off the ground, the mask of Foul Legacy slowly starting to form on his face.
Before Childe can even get close to the full transformation, his body cracks. Unspeakable pain flows through him and he slumps straight back to the muddy soil. He might be screaming, but can't say for sure because of the ringing in his ears. He thinks he hears shouting that's most definitely not coming from him. He feels an arm on his shoulder and then on his back, a warm hand cradling his face. He pries one eye open and is met with Zhongli's face right above him.
The always such well put together consultant is looking more shaken than Childe ever thought possible. Zhongli's lips are moving, but Childe has no idea what words are they forming. He wonders that even after all that has happened between them , dying in Zhongli's arms isn't the worst way to go. Which is why he tries to give a small smile, even if warm tears fall down his cheeks. Then he succumbs to the sweet darkness.
"Childe!"