Chapter Text
The Narwhal Of Primordial Sea
Was it days? Was it weeks? Was it months? Or even years? Childe didn't know. He lost the count past day 10. Since that he was unable to focus on anything else except the dull ache in his bones, the sheer amount of bruises forming underneath the armour which clinged to him like a second skin.
Swing.
Dodge.
Stab.
Parry.
Dash.
Teleport.
Repeat.
Swing.
Dodge.
—
Get up.
Roll away.
Block—
….
Everything was blurry. Where was he? Was this the Abyss? Did he finally win? How much longer? How many blows can he withstand before he finally breaks?
Panting, Childe gripped his spear, eyes locked on his target. He would take down that fish — mammal — and he would also make sure to gain as much as he could from this encounter.
Childe yelped and with the remaining strength, launched himself at the Narwhal. That thing opened its mouth, making a low-tune sound which gave Childe goosebumps all over his body.
Just before the collision, as if it was destined, a tear appeared right in front of the approaching creature. The Narwhal spent no time thinking and entered the cracked timespace. With a thump of its tail, it was gone — and he knew exactly where it went…
To the surface.
The prophecy was unavoidable.
That's what he heard.
But
He didn't spend the whole eternity fighting this thing to give up in the end.
Following the creature, Childe went right after it — in a huge tear.
Travelling through space and time was always confusing and his stomach did few twists, yet he was still able to hold himself together, chasing the biggest fish of his life.
The first thing he notices when that endless spiralling tunnel finally released him, was the light.
It was so bright. Almost too much.
Overwhelmed by the change of surroundings, Childe almost missed his first attack. He didn't even realise that he was going for a strike. His body just moved as if his every breath was predicated. Everything he did was... Was he even himself?
That first strike — his brain reacted naturally but now when he was fully present, he realised that he saved those people, who were running from the Narwhal. Yes, that was his purpose. To stop it from eating the whole population of Fontaine.
Would he be a hero? If he survives this of course.
Childe followed his enemy, matching the pace with his teleporting and dashing. As a river running its eternal course, smoothly cascading through the lands, twisting and turning when terrain demanded, Childe let his body once again become part of the battle.
Sprinting while slashing across the Narwhal's back, he reached the top and stabbed his spear right into the weak spot under the thick armour covering the creature's body. He channelled some of his electro power, however he had a feeling that might not be enough to force the whale back into the Abyss.
He used this split of a second to finally take his surroundings. It was the Opera Epicless, people screaming in panic… His single eye darted across the room, just to notice the blond traveller and Paimon, whose eyes were about to pop out of her skull.
There was someone else.
The presence of someone whose authority was like a heavy cloud hanging in the air.
Then he saw him.
Iudex Neuvillette.
For a single moment Childe was afraid the Iudex would try to stop him, but from closer inspection he noticed his gaze being locked not on him, but on the Narwhal.
Something was telling him Neuvillette was well aware of what was happening and would do anything to stop the creature from devouring the Fontaine.
It was probably fate.
Childe pulled his spear out, dashing forward while striking the Narwhal with remaining electro energy. As he flew through the air, another blash joined him. Like one of his water blades, that hydro power pierced the creature, making it cry in pain and anger.
The Narwhal turned back to retreat and restore its power from the Primordial Sea.
A stone was lifted from Childe's chest when he panted. Finally a moment to catch a breath.
He needed to warn them. Tell them what the creature was able to do.
The Harbinger looked at the group standing on the stage, preparing to say something…. However before he was able to make a sound his Foul Legacy was starting to fall apart. The armour sizzled, pieces peeling off and turning to the dust.
Blinking, he tried to overcome the fatigue once more, just for a moment… No, this was it. He was done. He…
He was falling.