Work Text:
As Childe got ready to fight off the traveler for the purpose of fulfilling his duties for the Tsaritsa and delivering the geo archon's gnosis to her.
Unfortunately, he hadn't accounted them to be as easy as he'd expected and they'd strongly underestimated their power. Without any other choice, he had to resort to using his delusion, something he'd been lucky to not need since ever he got his vision.
With a heavy sigh, Childe activated the delusion, instantly transforming him into the monster he'd grown to despise. He couldn't even recognize himself anymore whenever the delusion took its form, enveloping his body with a new skin which acted as a shield.
It was usually strong enough to withstand moth swords but as he and the traveler duelled, he found that their moves and stances were quite formidable. Childe hadn't met an opponent this ferocious and determined before, usually they forfeited the second he revealed his delusion form but this was one stubborn guy. Still, he remained steadfast in his battle, not even allowed the benefit of showing weakness or that he was getting tired.
Fighting the traveler obviously wasn't nearly as bad as having to fight his way out of the abyss and facing every single fear he's ever had but it was enough to knock the fear of mortality into him. They sparred and parried yet soon enough, Childe found himself panting, unable to fight any longer.
Hunched over as the delusion shrank away, he heaved deeply, trying to catch his breath as the traveler looked down at him and even though Childe couldn't see the traveler, he could already tell they were wearing a smug grin. It didn't help either that he was already feeling the backlash from prolonged usage of the delusion beginning to hit him. Childe coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the floor, his vision going dark in the corners of his eyes as colours flashed quickly. Coupling that with a pounding headache, Childe was just on the verge of collapse, but somehow through sheer strength or willpower, he managed to stay upright, albeit bent over, one knee in front of him as he used his sword to hold himself up.
Yet even as he was on the brink of passing out, Childe gathered up one last spurt of energy to jump up and make a break for it, running towards Morax's corpse, plunging his hand past the permeable surface to search where the gnosis would usually be, he came away empty-handed.
Seeing as his final attempt was still crushed, he slumped to the floor, utterly defeated. How would he report back to the Tsaritsa and the rest of the Fatui empty handed after promising to them that he'd have this under control? That he could manage it on his own? He'd just failed everyone that he'd made a promise to. Failed to fulfill his duties for the people of his land.
It seemed the traveler's annoying flying friend had taken the gnosis while he was preoccupied with fighting the traveler and delivered it to the still alive geo archon. Childe thought it was game over until, trudging out of the Golden House aimlessly and pathetically, he bumped into some random guy who offered him a seat at his table under the guise of, "you look down, let's talk over some tea".