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Betrayal.
Childe had known that his mission would end in betrayal.
Had known it, the moment he allowed himself to feel and care.
To allow himself to form attachments and personal connections.
It was a price he knew he had to pay.
A price he was willing to make amends for.
But never had he ever thought, it would be himself that would feel the pain of betrayal.
That it would be he, who would recieve a knife to his back.
And as he watched the man, nay god, talk so calmly, nonchalantly, to not only the Traveler but also The Fair Lady, confessing that it all had been a ruse.
A lie.
That Childe had been used, for his own gain.
That Childe had been nothing but a tool, a fool, to hide the contract between the gods.
He sees the disgust in the Traveler and Paimon's eyes.
The mocking from the Fair Lady.
But seeing, indifference in Zhon- no, Rex Lapis' eyes.
Childe felt himself splinter.
Splinter and shatter, until his heart turned cold.
And as he watch them walk away, leave him, and never to look back, Childe knew, they found him unworthy.
And he could only smile, even as bitterness welled up within.
He walked aimlessly, a smile on his lips even as he felt the hatred directed upon him.
Truly he was such a fool.
He could now see, clearly for he had been blinded by his trust and loyalty, how deep the machinations had gone.
They had known, of course they would, that he was soft.
Soft when outside battles where bloodlust sings.
Soft because he would come to care and feel for the people he was set up to betray.
Soft, that he would believe every order blindly because he trusts to deeply.
Soft, that he would be blinded by lies when shown affection to.
Soft because they knew he would take blame without protest.
And as he stood upon the mountain, overlooking Liyue Harbour he allowed himself to grieve and feel.
One last time.
He grieves for the boy who trusted a salvation of lies.
Grieves for the youth who swore loyalty for a love, that was not meant for him.
Grieves for the lonely man who only wanted to belong but was ever denied for he was deemed unworthy.
Grieves for the heart that shattered, longing for a love that never existed.
He grieves and grieves until all he felt was emptiness.
His tears had dried.
His soul was parched.
And the well of emotions in him had seeped out, leaving nothing behind.
He found it ironic of course.
A hydro vision holder, emptied of his very essence.
Where once there had been a vast ocean, now only a desert remains.
He had been generous with himself, giving and nourishing others. He had thought himself to be infinite, that the idea of him drying up never came to mind.
And now, he pays the price for his hubris.
He had drained himself dry.
And he only had himself to blame.
He had been warned, that the world would not be kind to him.
That they would only seek to use him for their own gain. That whatever he seeks among them would never come to be.
For thus was the fate of those who carry the abyss in them.
But he ignored the warning, not because he thought he knew more, but simply because he had been a child.
A young naive child who saw goodness in the world.
He saw kindness and warmth in a desolated cold land and the people within.
He saw and he believed. He trusted and he followed.
And now as his trust lay broken, his loyalty mocked, his very being judged for crimes he was both guilty and not guilty of.
He knew he had to shed what brought him this low.
Gone would be his bleeding heart, an unfeeling matter was all that's left.
No longer would he feel so freely. No longer would he trust to true.
No longer would he allow himself to be used in the name of loyalty.
No more.
The world had looked upon him and saw murky waters, dirty and worthy. Filled with muck and only useful if he take blame for their faults.
They judged him, thinking him beneath him, when in truth, he was but a reflection of themselves.
Childe had molded himself according to their wants. A mere reflection of whatever they wanted him to be.
They saw the image, and had judged him, never realizing they were merely gazing upon their own reflections.
Never realizing that they never knew him, beyond the image they painted of him.
He was done being who he wanted to be.
But he was also done, trying to make others see.
See him, the real him, behind the tainted reflection.
Rex Lapis had taught him that.
The Tsaritsa saw to that.
He had been himself with Rex Lapis. Had been true, or as true as he could be without derailing a mission given to him by the Tsaritsa.
A mission he was set to fail, all the while being fooled to think his relations with Zhongli had been real.
He had been used, and tossed aside.
He was aware, now, that the Tsaritsa have set him for failure.
Failure so he would be punished.
So he would be isolated.
So he would cling to her more, to offer himself more.
She set him to fail, so she could use him more.
Use him until he breaks and was nothing but an empty husk to be tossed aside.
She was gonna burn him, and he saw the truth he had deluded himself in.
She would never love him, the way he wants her to love him.
Never love him, like a mother to her son. Never be proud of him.
To her, he was merely a weapon to use and toss aside when it breaks and shatter.
This mission had been meant to dull him, so she could reforge him anew.
Forge him into a being, who was less human and more monster.
For that was what she wants from him.
A monstrous weapon only she could use.
It was merely unfortunate for the Tsaritsa and everyone, that Childe was done.
He was done.
He no longer cares about what they saw as they look upon him.
No longer cares to make them see beyond their reflection.
He was done.
The Tsaritsa had ordered chaos and theft.
He may have been fooled into failing in the taking of the Gnosis.
But Childe will not fail in bringing chaos and destruction.
As he looked upon the harbour, his mind was clear.
There would be no forgiveness.
---
For his plans, Childe needed time.
And time was what he had.
The people of Liyue had ceased coming to bank to conduct their business.
Their hatred for him was blatant, their disdain obvious.
They view him with contempt, not realizing their liar of a god walks among them freely.
Lives among them, even as said god made them grieve and suffer as a test of their worthiness.
Still he cared not for the majority of Liyue's people.
He no longer cares for fickle individuals who dare to mock and belittle him when they have done nothing for themselves.
He only cares for a handful now.
Individuals who chose to see him even if their view of him is distorted.
He would care that they survive, even if Liyue would not.
Even if he would not.
He owed them that.
He owed it to them, in return for the kindness they had given him.
That was their only salvation.
And so he planned and arranged for everything.
The Tsaritsa had not called him back, and he knew it was because she had no use of him for now.
He knew she would call when once more she needed someone to take burden of the blame.
When once more, she would need a monster while she paints herself as a benevolent ruler.
But he would no longer heed her call.
He would not, could not, for when all was said and done.
He would no longer be among them.
---
Few days before his end, Childe had given Ekaterina and Vlad tasks.
Ekaterina was tasked to take Xiangling, Xingqiu and Chongyun, while Vlad would take Baizhu and Qiqi away from Liyue Harbor and into Mondstadt.
They were the only handful whose survival Childe cared for.
Hu Tao would have been among them, if not for the fact that Childe did not want to alert Rex Lapis or the Qingxing that something was amiss.
A loss but there was nothing to be done.
And once they were safe and away from Liyue Harbour, Childe commenced his plan.
The people saw him as a villain, a monster.
They never cared to see beyond what they had been told. Cared not to see what reasons he must hold.
No.
To them he was merely an enemy.
And they would hate him, feel disdain and contempt towards him.
He was unworthy of them, and should never be trusted and welcomed.
They judged him unfairly.
And it was only proper, that he shows them the error of their ways.
They thought of him as a liar, a fake, unworthy and untrustworthy.
He will make them see, who the real liar was.
---
He walked around the Harbour, a contented smile on his lips even as he felt the hatred.
He heard the words spat out of their mouths.
Trash.
Scum.
Liar.
Monster.
He cared not about what they say, in the end they would pay and realize the error of their ways.
He watched as people worked, the reconstruction was going smoothly it seems.
The damage done by Osial's unleashing had been minimized and controlled, with only the Jade Chamber being the greatest loss.
It was simply quite unfortunate they do not have a second Jade Chamber to stop what Childe was about to do.
He stood upon the Harbour, the vast ocean behind him, beckoning him to their depths and Childe smiled, welcoming the wild call of the abyss that lays beneath the sea.
Like call like.
He was a child of the abyss, and unlike humans, the abyss would never turn her back on him.
He smiled, bright and happy, even as people started to scream around him.
They screamed as they try to futilely try to escape the hydro whale he called upon that crashed upon the shore.
They scream and ran, fleeing for their pathetic lives as his whales rained down without mercy.
It didn't take long before those who would fight him appeared.
The Qingxing, Hu Tao and Rex Lapis.
He could see the anger in the eyes of the Qingxing.
The shock in Hu Tao's, before it turned to pain.
He dared not to look at Rex Lapis for Childe already knew what would be reflected on those golden gaze.
Indifference and Anger.
And he laughs brokenly, watching them.
They screamed at him, raging for his crimes.
And he let them.
He laughs and he smiles, because their opinion of him matters not.
He told Hu Tao to leave, to head for Mondstadt where the others were safe and away from this.
Told her, he holds no ill will for her and asks that she leaves, for her safety and survival.
Hu Tao protested, that he already knew.
She was a fierce protector, and even if it pains her to fight against someone she sees as a friend, she would protect her home.
And he admires her for that.
So he made the decision for her.
A quick swipe and she fell unconscious in his arms. And as he was no longer summoning his whales, it was easy for him to create a horde of hydro constructs and have them take her away to safety.
It was for the best.
And once Hu Tao was gone.
Childe allowed himself to be swallowed by bloodlust and the battle rages.
A three against one battle.
Lady Ningguang was providing support, bolstering Lady Keqing and Rex Lapis against Childe's assault.
It was a hard battle, considering that his enemies had shields to protect them but Childe was stubborn and creative.
It didn't matter that he was getting cuts and burns as the battle waged on.
Didn't matter that he was overextending himself as he simultaneously wield both his vision and delusion.
He fought as hard as he could, dragging the fight for as long as he could.
And when the adeptis arrived, Childe knew it was time.
He pulled back, and floated above the water as he felt the abyss claim him once more.
He had removed the seal that had been placed upon him before his departure from the abyss.
A seal that stopped him from accessing his full capabilities.
A seal that was placed, so he wouldn't be used carelessly and he wouldn't burn himself fast.
His abyssal form stood before them, radiating power and strength.
But instead of engaging in combat once more, he did something that they didn't expect for.
He unleashed Osial once more.
The Jade Chamber had not killed Osial as much as it was to seal him away.
But they had fallen into the water and depths where the abyss of the ocean thrives.
And Childe was both water and abyss.
It was taxing and draining, but he managed it.
He had unleashed Osial once more.
And with the panic shouts he could hear, they knew they stood no chance.
Last time, Osial had been unleashed they had the Traveler and the Jade Chamber, but now they have neither.
They had no time to prepare, no time to plan a grand counter.
They had no hopes bring down a god.
For only another could truly take down Osial.
And as the despair of the people rose, only then did Childe look Rex Lapis.
And yes, he sees the anger, the loathing. He sees something else, he refused to name for it was meaningless to.
No need to name a lie.
They could try of course to fight back, but at what cost?
Many of their kin and brethren will die, and even then they are not certain of their victory.
Childe looked on, as the adeptis and Qingxing did their best to fight back. With Rex Lapis providing shields and assistance.
But Childe knew it wasn't enough.
He toyed with them though.
When Osial's attack would come too close and defending seemed impossible or too late, Childe would be there blocking and saving them.
But soon after he would retreat and watch them battle for their life once more.
And he did so over and over again. Keeping the group of fighters alive but never doing anything against Osial in between.
He could feel their derision and contempt with his actions, but as they needed everything to live, there was nothing they could do.
And it seemed his mocking had become too much.
They were calling him out for it.
And he only laughed and mocked them, before going for his goal.
The revelation that Rex Lapis lives.
It was met with stunned silence for those who didn't know and discomfort from those who did.
He taunted them, mocked them, demeaned them.
They loathed him for unleashing Osial when it was part of Rex Lapis' test for them.
A test they had passed with some help.
A test, Childe laughs cruelly, he will make them redo because he wanted to see how true.
How true can the people of Liyue protect themselves when left on their own devices without help.
The Traveler had been the reason they passed.
But with the Traveler gone, it seems they really were helpless and weak.
How could Rex Lapis allow such weaklings to defend his land.
He mocked and taunted, even as he helped them defend against Osial.
And when Osial was close.
Childe called out to Rex Lapis.
Liyue wasn't ready to be left alone by their god.
They could not defend against a god, they knew. How badly would they fair against one they don't.
A contract means nothing when it gets in the way.
A vow holds no sway when they have no use.
Trust. Loyalty. Fairness.
They mean nothing when one's vision is set on revenge.
The Tsaritsa had not honoured the vow Childe swore to her.
How certain was Rex Lapis that she would honour the one they had.
God of Contract Rex Lapis may be, but in the face of the Tsaritsa who would soon hold all gnosis, what could Rex Lapis do when Tsaritsa breaks her oath.
What can the Prime Adeptus do against an Archon who holds all seven?
Nothing.
Much like how Rex Lapis can do nothing but watch as Osial advance towards Liyue.
Rex Lapis had surrendered his godhood, thinking his people capable.
What a farce it was.
Such a foolish endeavour.
No nation can survive without her god protecting her.
Inazuma had been forsaken by her Archon, and look what happened.
Civil War.
A fight for power and dominion.
Innocent blood spilled as the war wore on.
The people crying in anger, in despair, in tears pleading for salvation, for an end.
How certain was Rex Lapis that Liyue wouldn't follow suit?
Even before abdicating from his position, the Qixing had already been jockeying for power.
The favour tipping over Lady Ningguang with her sacrifice of her Jade Chamber.
But only time could tell if said favour stayed with the Lady.
After all, the people of Liyue had shown Childe how fickle they were.
Before Osial, the citizens of Liyue lavished themselves with the goods and services Childe and his men had provided.
They eagerly accepted Fatui mora, gorged themselves even with it.
But after Osial.
Even when no casualty had been tallied, because the members of the Northland Bank ensured so, the people ridicules them.
The workers of the bank were innocent from Osial, and yet they were treated with the same disdain and discrimination.
Not much as Childe, but still it had burn them.
Friendship they had formed, burned without a word.
Bonds they had created, torn without preamble.
Where is the honour the citizens are so proud of?
It was nothing but mere lies.
Lies to make themselves feel better.
Lies to raise their moral high ground.
And now, as they are confronted with the truth of their lies.
They are helpless.
They are weak.
Pathetic.
Cowardly.
Foolish.
Without their god, their Archon, Liyue would be nothing.
Osial would make sure of that.
And as Osial raised it's power, about to deliver a decisive blow that would surely kill the mortal combatatants and injure the adeptis.
A golden glow shone bright.
A shield shone bright between Osial and the injured combatants.
A shield, whose origin came from the draconic figure between Osial and the combatants.
Childe laughed with bitter glee as Rex Lapis finally showed himself.
Ah.
Finally.
It was time for the end.
The shield stood strong even as Osial battered it with his attacks.
But without his gnosis, Rex Lapis was weak.
Weak enough to be unable to destroy Osial, never mind sealing Osial back.
And as the injured fell back to heal themselves, and Rex Lapis stood between Osial and Liyue, Childe made his move.
It was easy, with Rex Lapis concentrating on Osial, for Childe to dig his blade on Rex Lapis' back, making the shield falter.
Easy to twist and pull, and watch as golden ichor fell into the deep raging sea.
A sweep of Osial's arm, and Rex Lapis fell, leaving Liyue vulnerable.
And Childe smiled.
Watched as the outermost harbour was crushed, the boats sinking as people fled inland.
But before Osial could destroy Liyue Harbour in it's entirety, Childe made his move.
A golden glow shone, but this one far darker, far more burnt than bright.
A shield had encompassed the entirety of Liyue, shielding her from Osial.
And the caster of said shield was not one they expected.
The Fatui they had hated, had disdained, had abhorred.
The one who had released Osial was now shielding them.
And in his hand, was something no one had ever thought to see in their lifetime.
The Geo Gnosis.
The Fatui was using their Archon's power to shield Liyue, to protect and save Liyue.
And Childe looked at the injured Rex Lapis and told him.
Liyue wasn't ready.
Liyue wasn't ready to be forsaken and abandoned by their Archon.
Not when another war, one far more devastating is looming in the horizon.
With this act, the contract between the Tsaritsa and Rex Lapis was broken.
Rex Lapis is no longer beholden to his contract.
He is free.
And now he must make his choice.
To take back his gnosis and power, to protect Liyue and her people not only from Osial but from the greed of the unfeeling Tsaritsa and of the unforgiving Celestia.
Or forsake all of Liyue for his personal freedom. To rid himself of the yoke that bound him to Liyue and allow for Liyue's destruction.
It was an unfair choice.
To be selfish or to be dutiful.
Either way, Rex Lapis loses.
Osial raged even as Childe looked at him.
The power of the gnosis was hurting Childe, but he didn't let it show.
One as tainted as the abyss as himself wasn't meant to wield divine power.
But for this test.
He will endure.
For after all, when it ends, he'll have his rest.
And all the while as Rex Lapis decided on his choice, Childe's gaze never left him.
Childe took in all of Rex Lapis.
Savouring the sight of the man he loves, knowing it would be the last time he'll ever see him again.
For death and execution is what awaits a traitor.
And Childe had come to accept that.
When Rex Lapis made his choice, and it was evident what the god of war had chosen when he rose and attacked Childe to take back his gnosis, Childe knew it was the end.
As Rex Lapis made his attack to reach for the Gnosis, Childe pulled the Gnosis close to his chest, and allowed for Rex Lapis' clawed hand to reach him, and pierce him.
Blood spilling from his lips, Childe smiled as he pushed both Rex Lapis and the bloodied gnosis away.
I love you.
Childe spoke, even as his Whales rose to clash against Rex Lapis and Osial, separating them.
I love you.
He whispers even as he felt himself falter.
I love you.
He says, as a shield of water rose, hiding Liyue from view and separating Childe with Osial from the rest.
I love you.
He says, as he used the last of his energy to combine both his delusion and vision, powering his abyss taint and made his attack against Osial.
I love you.
Were the last words he spoke as he faded as the abyss claimed him and Osial.
The abyss greedily devoured Osial, and as the hydro wall fell, the people of Liyue could only watch as the Fatui who caused them grief and pain, fell into the deep maw of the water.
Never to resurface.