insurmountable | you know i'm the type / type to risk my life, not afraid to die

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you know i'm the type / type to risk my life, not afraid to die

[Call it crazy, call it morbid curiosity, call it insane. A craving for battle, a craving to test his skills against the powerhouses of the Abyss, he follows a few Heralds into the portal they'd left behind as they whisked themselves away from the camp they'd set up for their next assault in Teyvat. He couldn't leave the Abyss without aid, of course, but if he could find his master once again, he'd be able to return to Teyvat. And maybe get a good sparring match out of her while he was at it. Either way, he's got his sights set on those Heralds who thought they were alone, announcing himself behind them as he brandishes his weapons with glee.

They look surprised. Good. That was the point.

The battle rages on for some time. They prove to be incredible foes, taking several on at once. One dies, cut down by the Harbinger- the others wounded badly. But what Childe hadn't counted on was that they'd get reinforcements so soon, and with more numbers, they manage to overpower him. The Foul Legacy Transformation still proves to be a large burden on his body, and with waning strength, he finds himself captured and chained. The remaining Heralds drag him to an incredible hollowed out ruin, one that looks like the very architecture of the ancient dynasty from Khaenri'ah itself. Finally, he's thrown to the ground in a room that clearly was made for some sort of royalty, his knees hitting the concrete hard.

His head bowed, he coughs up blood, knowing he'd really messed up this time. This isn't good, and he has no way out of it. His body is wrecked. It's taking all his strength just to keep from passing out, as he looks up and sees the leader of the Abyss...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Heh.

[Another bad situation. He puts his hands on the sides of her head.]

Make one move and I snap her neck. Is that what you want?

[He's not sure how this is going to go but he's not sure what else to do.]

Or, one of you can retrieve my vision, and this can all be a thing of the past. What do you say?

[ that's very bold of him, to assume that her heralds will simply be cowed by a threat to her life. at the end of the day, the will of the abyss and her wrath towards the gods will linger with them, even if she dies. surely, he doesn't think that the order will simply crumble with her disappearance, right?

her gaze flicker at his eyes, burning with cold fire, before it moves to her heralds.

but then, it's not really her time just yet, and it shows in the way her lips curve upward just a tad bit just as she starts sinking into the floor. a portal has opened just beneath her, the blackness of the abyss swirling around her. ropes of dark energy also curls around his wrists, keeping his hands from moving. ]

Don't kill him. He's still of use to me.

[ and then she disappears beneath him, the portal closing right after. ]

[He stares on in disbelief as she sinks into the floor, restraints again wrapping around his wrists so he can't move. And just like that, she's gone, and he's in a room full of Heralds who would have murdered him right there and then if she hadn't ordered them not to do so. He's yanked upwards, back onto his feet, and promptly escorted back to the room he'd been staying in, now chained to it.

He paces the room for days, annoyed, looking out his small windows at anything that might entertain him. He tries to escape, but to no avail. He can't get the bonds off of his ankles and it's driving him insane. He tries to talk to the Herald that stands outside of his room, but it says nothing.

Frustrated, he lies on the bed, staring up into the ceiling. They'd been careful with how they brought him food and water too, so he couldn't even take advantage of that. A week goes by. Finally, after that time, he'd cooled down a little.

So once again, followed by his Herald, he seeks Lumine out, finding her wandering her palace. He joins her at her side, keeping pace.]

I was wondering if you had a moment, to talk.

[Look! He's calm for once.]

[ the order to keep him locked up in his room came from her and the order to allow him to leave his room once more came from her.

it's ignited a whole debate about allowing a harbinger to roam the halls of their ruined palace, one that's piled a lot of mistrust on her plate and one that she's easily dismissed with a single look. feral animals need to be locked up, yes, but they too need air, water, and space to get some exercise. if one wants to tame one, then adequate care needs to be provided.

it's a week after the incident when she receives a report that their guest has finally calmed down. an improvement, but she's gotten to know him in that short span of time that he created trouble for everyone. still, she allowed for his binds to be removed and for his door to be unlocked.

and of course, the first thing he does is look for her. she glances at him, not at all slowing down her pace to accommodate him. ]

Walk with me, then.

[He walks, thinking on what to say. How to maintain his own dignity, still get what he wants, and get back to Teyvat. It would be a careful dance he dances now, but asking her is something he hasn't tried yet.]

I want to know what I can or need to do in order to receive my vision back from you. I know I'm not going to be able to take it from you. But you know that I can't leave without it.

[He thinks he sounds desperate. Maybe he does.]

I'm still interested in what you said as well. About showing me a thing or two about the Foul Legacy Transformation. Surely that's something that requires effort on my part as well, yes?

[ and here she thought he'd never swallow his pride. it's a surprise, really, for him to actually ask for his vision rather than fight for it—or try to force her hand into surrendering it. she can't say if it's refreshing, but it's certainly ... different? curious seems to be more accurate.

at the very least, she's more than willing to indulge his questions at the moment. he could consider it as a whim of sorts, but in truth, it's only because he's asking properly for once. ]

Your transformation doesn't require you to use your Vision to acquire its fullest potential.

[ after all, he acquired it from the abyss even before his vision was granted to him. and if anything, it's irreverent that he uses them together. but then, she also understands why he finds it easier to wield together. ]

The gods ... [ she furrows her brows before she presses her lips together. ] You've no need for their blessing if all you want is power.

I never thought I would need it for the transformation. It's just, a nice accessory, you could say.

[She said a lot with so few words. He carefully considers what she's saying, choosing to address each point separately.]

I know that what happened five hundred years ago would leave you with more than just a bad taste in your mouth for the divine. But...I want you to understand, that I don't seek their blessing. They gave it freely, and I want to use it to its fullest potential. One day, I'll make them regret giving me such power to begin with when I crush them under my heel.

[That was always the plan anyway. Become strong enough to stand atop of the world, with all those who would dare face him broken under his might.]

Anything I can get my hands on brings me one step closer to my goal of conquering the world. I'm just not so willing to give it up once I have it.

[ a nice accessory. if only.

she finds her lips thinning reflexively at the implied remark about khaenri'ah, and she wonders if he's heard anything from the order. the mages tend to be loose-lipped despite her instructions, but she's rather certain they won't betray her trust and the objectives of the organisation in any way. but to make it sound so innocuous ... ]

Do you truly believe that the gods simply grant power for free?

[ they give in the guise of benevolence but they take when it no longer suits their needs, and they leave fire and destruction in their wake. she can't call that generosity. ]

If you do, then you're a fool.

Heh.

[That's no surprise. There is, always a catch to something. But the matters of Visions are kept close to their chests. Even he doesn't know a great deal about them, by design most likely.]

Well, I didn't ask them for it. But that doesn't make your statement any less curious. What do you mean by that?

[Because he really is interested. He doesn't mind learning.]

[ she says nothing for a long while, the sounds of their footsteps against the stone floor filling up the silence instead. it's only after they've stepped out of the palace and into the gardens that she starts speaking once more, shifting her gaze to the sky above them. the moon remains floating above them, casting its sickly white light over the entire abyss. ]

Have you heard of the word allogenes?

[ a word only privy to the gods, so lumine assumes that he doesn't. but then, the fatui has its ways of getting information that's not at all publicly announced or given. ]

No, I haven't.

[He looks at her, interest more than piqued now. This is something not even the Tsaritsa herself has mentioned. And since they were talking about the gods, then he can assume this has to do with the divine.]

But I get the feeling you're not going to be telling me something pleasant.

[ ironic, that even his beloved tsaritsa has never shared this information to her devoted harbingers. which makes her wonder what else is the cryo archon hiding from her own people, from the individuals whose loyalty she commands. ]

Allogenes are individuals who have been given the capability to eventually ascend to Celestia and become a god. They're chosen by the gods themselves after witnessing their potential and ambition.

[ lumine glances at him, an expectant expression on her face. ]

Your Vision is a sign that you're an allogene, someone chosen by Celestia.

[Upon hearing that information, he only stares back at her in disbelief.]

There have been rumors and whisperings of such a thing, but that's all they were. Unconfirmed myths. Are you seriously telling me that Celestia itself has chosen us few Vision wielders to ascend?

[He has no reason to disbelieve her. And though he questions her now, his expression shows that he isn't discounting her information.]

Then explain why the death of one such as myself seems to bear no significance? Unless you're saying one's death leads to ascension.

[He's making a lot of assumptions here okay]

[ so he's curious now, is he? why wouldn't he be when ascension to celestia essentially means becoming a god? if only that were so simple, however. as if the gods of teyvat will make it easy for anyone to join their ranks. ]

Simply because you're given the capability doesn't mean you're assured, doesn't it? At the end of the day, the gods will be the ones to decide if a Vision-holder will ascend or not.

[ otherwise celestia would be crowded, and that won't do. ]

Why do you think the gift they gave you is called a Vision? Don't you find it a little strange to call an item that grants you the power to control the elements something related to the sense of sight?

The thought has crossed my mind.

[But he's lived his whole life with Visions being normalized. There was never a reason to really question it- it was the power sought by people to be used as they pleased. At least, that's what he's thought up until right now.]

That's why you took it. It wasn't because of the danger I posed. You think that Celestia could spy on your operations here through it.

[It makes sense now. He's still dangerous, the Foul Legacy Transformation was the greatest power he had. And yet, he's still allowed to run around the palace as he pleased. He turns, hand going up to push his hair back in frustration, walking away just to pace for a moment. Used as a tool to control the masses and spy on them...was it different than being used as a weapon? Is he really okay with this?

He takes a minute to think. He needs it, just give him a second.]

[ it's her turn to look at him incredulously, an eyebrow arched and her lips twisted into a crooked smile. is he being serious right now? ]

You think I thought you posed some kind of danger to me?

[ such arrogance and self-assurance. but she supposes that it is, in a way, and perhaps very much influenced by the abilities that he currently has. she's not going to deny that he's powerful, but still, he's in her domain. and the only reason he's granted any kind of mercy or agency is because of her.

she chuckles quietly, her hand brushing against the glowing flora surrounding them. ]

Are all Harbingers self-centred as you are?

[After some consideration, even though one of the true purposes of the Vision isn't exactly to his liking, it does make sense. And they were from the gods themselves...why should he care how they use them? It still gave him the power he sought. But he's going to keep that to himself for now.]

They're far worse, [He immediately says, with disdain towards his fellow Harbingers.] In the future, I'd appreciate it if you didn't compare me to them. Though I may share the same title, we are not the same.

[ of all the things he gets antsy about, and yet that gives her an understanding of how the cryo archon's organisation is structured. and based on the reports she's received about liyue months ago, a part of her wonders if this is something the tsaritsa has planned to shake up the fatui and eventually the entirety of teyvat.

that's quite counterproductive and counterintuitive, isn't it? ]

In any case, I hope you understand why I won't be returning your Vision to you.

[ if he wants his delusion, however, then perhaps she can concede to that, at least. what the cryo archon does and will do pose no change or dangers to the affairs of the order. ]

The fact that you're able to roam my hallways and given the choice to leave is more than enough of a boon granted to a captive such as yourself.

The choice to leave?

[He glances back at the Herald that has been with him for the past few month or so. What???]

Hold on one moment, then the purpose of him was only to watch me, not keep me from leaving? That doesn't make me a captive at all. [He narrows his eyes at her.] You know I can find my way out of the Abyss, right? What was the purpose of keeping me here then anyway?

[ he should know by now that she always has a choice when it comes to the questions he asks, and deflecting this set is no different. instead, she simply shrugs and gestures all around her. ]

I know, but will you leave without your Vision?

[ she knows he won't. she's learned enough about him to know that it's too much for him to give up a power he's gotten used to. a power he could use to fulfill his ambition of conquering the world. his vision is just as much of a shackle to him as a ball and chain. ]

Will your generous gods grant you another one if you lose it?

If I'd lost it, it would be returned to me, [he says,] but that's not the case here, since it was forcibly taken from me. I don't even know if the gods can reach this place to retrieve it for me even if I had lost it.

[He gets it, but he's confused now. Nothing makes sense. He has to pause, since she's not answering his question.

She gains nothing by taking his Vision, really. Right? She gains nothing by keeping him alive, other than maybe enjoying playing a game of keep away. But it doesn't seem like she has the time? Is this just for her amusement, to keep him trying to retrieve what was his? He still had the ability to rip through a lot of her troops, as dangerous as that was.

Why?

Why is he still here?]

Could I at least have my Delusion back, then?

[ whatever her reason for detaining him, lumine keeps it to herself. even her expression remains inscrutable as she continues her promenade around the garden. and for one long moment, she says nothing in response to his remark about the gods and his vision, her thoughts settling on something else instead.

she only pauses when he inquiries about his delusion, looking at him over her shoulder to nod at the herald. the herald bows to her, hand over its chest, before it steps back into a newly-opened portal. ]

I'll see to it that it's in your quarters when you return.

[ and she can also provide further instructions to the others, just in case he decides to wreak havoc uncontrollably. ]

Do you have any other requests?

[He really didn't think she'd give it back to him. Wow. Well, that's one thing down...]

No, [He says slowly, knowing that any questions he had probably weren't getting answered.] I have much to consider given the nature of our conversation. But now that I think more on it...

Is there anything you think I should know that I do not? You have been at war with the divine for some time now, and while Fatui intelligence covers a grand expanse of Teyvat, I know there's many things that lie hidden from us.

[ and here she thought he wouldn't ask, his mind full of thoughts of fighting her and her servants. then again, perhaps a different harbinger is in charge of intelligence—and this one isn't said harbinger. still, she wonders how his archon will react to any of the information she may just see fit to share with him, if there is any ...

the cryo archon seems to have an objective of her own that's similar to theirs. but at the same time, she too is hellbent on getting rid of her and the order, so perhaps not. ]

And what will you give in return for the information you're seeking?

[ surely he can't think that this is for free?? ]

Hmmmm....

[He has to think. Everything he could offer as a Harbinger, outside of delicate information that he knows he couldn't share with her probably isn't of worth to her. So maybe he could offer things he thinks she should know, but who's to say if she doesn't know them already...]

Normally in this case, I would offer up information of my own. But you must understand that there is a lot of matters I have to stay tight-lipped on. No amount of coercion will get it out of me, even the offering of my own Vision back to me.

[He won't betray Her Majesty, even for that.]

But if that doesn't suit you, I'm sure you can think of something else.

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