Chapter Text
“Let the boy go, Osial.”
Osial smiled.
“This is just between you and I.”
”The day you allowed your little pet to summon me back, is when it stopped being just us, Morax.”
Osial had taken a more human form, most likely for the convenience of taunting Zhongli after luring him into this domain.
When Zhongli came across the entrance to a domain, he hadn’t known who it belonged to, who had created it, nor what purpose it served. But to be honest, he didn’t have much time to dwell on it. Childe’s voice had rang out for help. If Childe was in danger, then Zhongli had no choice but to spring into action. His body moved on instinct to aid the man.
What he found made his blood boil. The Harbinger had been stripped of his mask, his signature gray coat, and even his vision and delusion were missing. Osial had most likely taken them to keep the Harbinger as powerless as possible. Hydro wrapped around around his arms, legs, and neck like chains, forcing him to kneel next to Osial with his arms behind his back.
A hand ran its fingers through Childe’s hair in mock affection.
Childe opened his mouth, but the god grabbed a chunk of his hair and yanked it back. Whatever the Harbinger was about to say died on his tongue with only a grunt.
Vortex Vanquisher materialized in Zhongli’s hand. “Do not make me repeat myself, Osial.”
“Or what? You’ll cage me under the ocean again? I’m already here.” He raised his free arm to gesture at their surroundings. “What’s your next move?”
The ex-Archon took a few steps forward. The room they were in lit up in golden light as geo radiated from him, pulsing out with each step. A threat. Or a promise, if Osial continued to hold Childe captive.
“You think you hold the power here, my dear Morax?”
“Let me go and I’ll show you a real figh–” The hydro around Childe’s neck extended upward, covering his mouth and nose, effectively silencing him.
Unfortunately, this was also an effective way to suffocate him.
“Hush, little fox, your owner is having a discussion. The sooner Morax puts down his weapon, the sooner you’ll get to breathe.” Osial went back to petting Childe’s head, and shot Zhongli an amused look.
Zhongli came to a halt, but kept a tight grip on his polearm. “If it is revenge you want, then you can have it. Let the boy go and you and I can continue.”
“Why would I give up such a valuable little creature? You’ve always put importance on these things and now I’m starting to see why. Take away their air,” Osial lifted his foot up, and brought it down upon the Harbingers back,”or apply the right amount of pressure, and they’ll chatter so much.”
Childe tried to shake his head, opening his mouth to say something, but only bubbles escaped.
Zhongli took another step forward. He would not allow this to continue. He didn’t know how long Childe had been captive by Osial, but even a second was far too long. He was going to end this now.
“Osial–”
“I’ve learned so much about you, Morax. It is a pity though…” Osial waved a hand, and the hydro holding Childe’s limbs moved. It swirled over his body, tightening around his legs, torso, and arms. One arm was forced to stretch out to Childe’s side. “...that valuable things can also be the most fragile.”
“This is your last warn–”
There was a sickening POP , as the hydro tightened around Childe’s arm and pulled . Even with his mouth covered by water a scream still rang out.
“ OSIAL! ”
A draconic roar ripped through Zhongli’s throat and his body transformed into the exuvia on instinct. He charged towards the other god. He opened his maw, intending to crush Osial between his teeth. He wanted blood. Blood for hurting his–
Falling.
Childe was falling.
The floor beneath all of them had vanished. A knowing smile split Osial’s face as he stood there as if still on solid ground. Below him, however, a seemingly bottomless pit opened up.
A pit that Childe was now falling into.
Zhongli had no choice.
He plunged into the darkness after Childe while laughter echoed behind him.
It had been some time since Zhongli felt fear. Real fear.
A few hundred years at least. With how peaceful Liyue has been in recent memory, fear has not been much of a problem.
That is until now.
Childe was falling.
Childe was injured, bound by hydro, suffocating, and was falling to what would likely be his death.
This form could move at high speeds. Speeds at which Vision-less mortals would often fail to comprehend. During the Archon war, the speed at which he could reach a battle would save many lives.
But now…
The way the hydro moved around Childe, it was like it was dragging him down faster.
With another god pulling Childe down, Zhongli’s speed could be matched. That was a problem. He didn’t know how deep this pit was, and if Osial decided to make a floor appear instantly again then Childe would–
There would be no failure. There could be no failure. Not when Childe’s life was on the line.
Zhongli let out a roar and his form took on a heavenly glow. A jade shield surrounded Childe’s form, and with it the hydro that enchained him dissipated.
Hope ignited in the dragon as he heard the mortal take in air, and the realization that the man would no longer be pulled out of his reach.
That hope turned into determination, and with another roar Zhongli pushed himself forward.
Thank the heavens, for in that final push he was able to gently snatch Childe from the air and easily fit into both of his clawed paws. He pulled the Harbinger close to his body, to protect him from further harm, and slowed his descent into the depths of whatever horror Osial had created for them.
Although the horror did not wait for them. The sound of stone grinding against stone caught the dragon’s attention, and he looked up.
The ceiling was falling.
With an annoyed snarl Zhongli plunged again and resumed his speed from before.
The grinding of stone followed closely as he raced towards the bottom. For a split second he thought that this really was bottomless, until a soft glow came into view.
He could see the bottom.
One of the walls at the bottom had an opening. An opening big enough even his dragon form could fit. He pushed even more and darted into the opening.
The opening was to a large passageway, and the dragon was finally able to stop once every bit of him was safely through.
Zhongli turned his head around just in time for a stone block to slam into the ground. He stared at the stone that had effectively sealed off the pit they’d come from, wanting to make sure Osial wasn’t going to try and use it for other means. Like trying to squash them in this passageway.
Irritated, yet relieved that he and Childe had not been squashed, the old dragon let out a huff and relaxed slightly when the stone remained stationary. Although he nearly jumped when a muffled groan came from his paws. Zhongli quickly, but gently, placed Childe on the ground.
The man sat on the stone floor, and clutched his arm, wincing in pain. “That…bastard. We’ll see if I ever summon him from the depths in a Gnosis stealing plot again.”
“I know you are joking,” Zhongli said after transforming back into his mortal form,”But I would prefer you didn’t.”
“Sorry, xiangsheng.” Childe let out a nervous chuckle before groaning again.
“We need to tend to your arm, Childe.”
“It’s fine.” This was said with confidence but it was immediately followed up by yet another groan.
“Osial nearly ripped your arm off. The simplest of movements, or even the mere act of breathing, is causing you pain. It is not fine .” Zhongli knelt beside Childe. He reached out to touch the arm, but retracted his hand when Childe winced. “Did he break it?”
“No, it’s not broken. I’m pretty sure he pulled it from the socket.”
Zhongli held back a growl and several undignified expletives. His anger towards Osial would need to wait for now. However, that anger would be unleashed tenfold as soon as Osial was present again.
“I can help heal it, but we’ll need to fix the dislocation first.”
“Seriously, xiansheng. This is not the first time I’ve dislocated something. Hell, this isn’t even the first time this arm has been dislocated.” Zhongli was unsurprised by this fact, but still considerably unhappy about it. “Just…help me pop it back into the socket. I’ll be fine after that.”
He was no medical expert, but he’d seen plenty of injuries in his 6000 years. Especially with all the battles he’d been in or witnessed. Reading variations of medical books over the years was also probably beneficial. He should be able to help Childe.
With a determined nod, the two got to work.
It didn’t take long to put the shoulder back in place, but it wasn’t easy nor was it painless. Childe had given some instructions on how he’d done it in the past, and Zhongli had also explained his varied knowledge. Together they managed to set the arm, even through Childe’s shouts of pain.
Each shout was like a dagger to Zhongli’s chest, but no matter how gently he proceeded, the pain could not be avoided. The only solace he could take was that he could ease Childe’s pain as soon as the arm was in place and stable.
With a final pop, the joint finally connected properly. Childe was on his stomach, his breathing heavy.
“The worst is over now.” Zhongli carefully eased the man into a sitting position. “Keep your arm close to your body. Like this…” Zhongli took off his tie and began to wrap a bit around the forearm.
“What are you doing?” managed while trying to steady his breathing.
“Ensuring it heals properly. Even with my help it would be best if we immobilized it.” He then began securing the ends of the tie to Childe chest harness.”Unfortunately we don’t have much material to make a sling without ripping our own clothing. I think this will suffice for now.”
With pink dusting his cheeks, Childe turned his head away from the adeptus. “Can’t you make a Geo construct to hold my arm in place? Wouldn’t that be easier?”
“I could,” Zhongli made sure the tie secured Childe’s arm adequately enough, then held his hand over the injured shoulder,”but a geo construct would be heavy. The weight would put more stress on your muscles, rather than alleviate it.”
The Harbinger made a noise, acknowledging the point made, and turned his head to watch Zhongli’s hand. A soft golden glow lit up the god’s palm. He kept his hand steady as the light began to pulse.
After a few seconds Childe’s posture became more relaxed. His breathing had even returned to normal.
“You should be good in a few minutes, but I still recommend keeping it immobilized for now.”
With a huff, Childe nodded, then started looking around at their surroundings. The way they fell was now blocked, and so the only way to go was down a very long corridor.
“Looks like we were given only one option of where to go,” he commented. Zhongli hummed in agreement while still concentrating on healing. “What do you think he’s leading us to?”
“I cannot begin to guess. I assume what we just witnessed was a preview to what he has in store. If that is the case, then I am concerned about your vision and delusion not being present.”
“Even without a vision or delusion I’m still good in a fight, xiansheng. I’m not that weak.”
“I don’t think you are weak, Childe. You are a warrior, and I know you can hold your own. However, he is a god. Despite your strength, going vision-less and weaponless against a god is foolish, to say the least.”
After another small huff the redhead opted not to comment further, and instead turned his attention back to the long dark pathway. Satisfied with the healing he’d done to Childe’s arm, Zhongli stood up and also looked down the ominous corridor.
The Harbinger jumped to his feet in a show that healing had worked. A grin spread across his face.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out what Osial has in store for us.”