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...]

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You're the one who's provided all the reasons. Haven't you just been waiting for me to figure it out?

[His hands spread out in front of him. It might of taken him quite a bit of time to really figure it out, but he really didn't think this was her motivation to keep him alive, and tell him the things she had.]

I wanted to discuss this before when I met you in the ruin, but, we never had the opportunity.

[ lumine says nothing for one long moment, her eyes simply narrow as they search his expression. a moment later, she lets out an amused sound. ]

I have been providing all the reasons? Aren't you being delusional right now?

[ to assume that all she's done is for him. such arrogance, though she supposes this should no longer surprise her. he's been consistent about it, to say the least, so much so that it's becoming a form of amusement. how is this different from dealing with the gods in celestia? ]

Come now.

[He steps forward to come up to her, giving her a knowing smile back. Playing hard to get? Seems like her.]

Keeping me alive in the Abyss, letting me roam free, revealing secrets of my power- surely it's not because you like me, is it?

[He didn't add the whole kissing him thing, which is still infuriating, but that's besides the point right now.]

You saw the value in me for your own ends. Isn't that it?

[ he can be forever infuriated by that.

she remains rooted on the spot, staring at his smug expression. if they were elsewhere and not in the middle of liyue harbour, then she might've done something to wipe that smile off of his face. another trip across the sea, maybe. perhaps somewhere no one will be able to find him. ]

Yes, and that value is dropping with every passing minute. [ every moment he's tied to celestia is a waste of her time. ] You're too arrogant for your own good.

I'm too arrogant? Hah! You know how I have lived on the battlefield, ever sharpening the edge of my blade with every foe I crush. But you-

[He says, arms folding across his chest. She played the long game on him, though it may not be intentional. Their last two meetings seemed completely by chance, but she hadn't wasted them.]

You're the one who was so arrogant to think that making me experience the harsh realities of this world might even have the chance to sway my heart in the other direction. But if you want me to become your warrior, there's a few things I require before I swear any fealty to the Abyss.

[He gestures in the direction of his home here in Liyue- if she'd like to talk about it, privacy will be important.]

[ she gives it a beat, an eyebrow arching at his gesture. in a way, he isn't wrong; just like celestia, she's seen the kind of potential he has and has realised the kind of havoc he could wreak across teyvat.

but then, he's too uncontrollable, too unpredictable that his archon barely has a grip on his leash—and while those could work well to her favour, it wouldn't matter if she couldn't make him heel. it's not impossible to keep him under her control; she has her ways. but when celestia just has as much of a tight rein on him ... ]

Making demands, are we? Is this also what you've asked of your Tsaritsa?

[ still, she shrugs and lets him lead the way. this, at least, has to be entertaining. ]

[It's not too far, leading her to the stairs that eventually head up to Northland Bank. Childe only gives her a look, as if the princess of the Abyss was comparable to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa in any way here.]

Of course not. I never had to- my demands were always assured with her. However, I can't say the same of your operation.

[He doesn't mind sharing this out in the open as they walk upwards to the apartment under the bank, explaining what he means.]

My homeland means much to me, as do the people of Snezhnaya. If something were to befall them, I could never forgive it. As you can imagine, my service under the Tsaritsa doesn't compromise their safety. They aren't to be harmed. Keep the people out of this. Even doubly so for my family. I want them to live safe, peaceful lives away from the darkness that sleeps under this world.

[He's deadly serious- his eyes narrow, not willing to concede on any part of this demand.]

[ she meets his gaze head on, unwilling to be cowed by that look even when she's on the surface world. if he thinks an unspoken threat is enough to bulldoze her into accepting his demands, then he may want to reconsider whatever decision he's making. and he's really only lucky that she shares an indifferent sentiment towards teyvat. ]

I have no interest in the people of this world.

[ which is true; she has no reason to annihilate the people of teyvat. the will of the abyss itself, however, is another thing entirely. ]

All I wish is to bring down the gods and then leave this world with my brother.

Then that's settled then? There will be no plans or moves taken against the people of Snezhnaya, at least not by your will or anyone else you command? That includes their homes and their land as well.

[He doesn't know enough about the Abyss to know if there are factions within it or not, but he expects her to control what she can. He'll destroy anyone else who threatens his homeland.

Reaching the apartment, he opens the door to let her in. He gestures inside, towards the chairs that are arranged around a small coffee table in the middle of the room.]

[ isn't her declaration enough for him? or does he want some other way of confirming her lack of desire to involve the humans in her war? she supposes his distrust in her is the reason for it, but she doesn't see the need to reiterate her words over and over again.

she stops at the threshold of the doorway, turning her gaze on him. ]

If I say yes to those questions, then there's no need for this conversation to continue here.

[ in his home, where it's clear a conversation such as this should remain but also an unnecessary place for her to be in. if he gets the response he wants to hear, then there's no need to prolong this encounter. ]

You'd be right, if I was finished. Besides, I want to hear you agree to the terms, not some vague statement that could mean anything you want it to.

[Is he being a little demanding? Perhaps, but it's absolutely necessary to him.]

We also need to discuss the matter of...this.

[He looks down to his Vision. He doesn't know how much this is going to be a problem.]

[ does he want to call the god of contracts too? still, lumine simply sighs and follows him into his apartment, already feeling exhausted by this. perhaps she shouldn't have agreed to this at all, wondering if this alliance is even worth it, to begin with.

her gaze flickers at his vision, the orb glowing blue. ]

You can give it up willingly. [ his vision, his powers. everything that's to do with celestia. ] The gods will relinquish their hold on you.

[ the question is, can he? she knows what he's capable of with his vision, his powers. and someone like him who wishes to conquer the world, that's giving up a part of him. ]

[He pulls a chair out for her, before taking a seat himself, one foot coming up to rest on his knee as he props his head up with one hand, elbow on the armrest of the chair.]

I know. I never thought I'd come to view my own Vision as a problem. But I'm sure you understand that I'm unwilling to give up this power. In order to be rid of it, I have to accept in my own heart that I don't need nor want it.

[His eyes flash- the thought of what could be, what power he might achieve burns in his mind.]

But fighting your heralds made me realize something. The creatures of the Abyss can still control the elements- tell me, is that something I'll be able to use as well? It may be motivation enough to cast away my Vision.

[ lumine leans back in her seat, her gaze wandering around the apartment. no doubt provided by his organisation as the harbinger assigned to liyue—and he's giving it all up? she can't tell if he's being reckless or stupid or both. ]

Cast away your Vision, and my Heralds can show you how.

[ no guarantees that her heralds won't try to kill him, but she doesn't say that. she supposes she could always tell them not to kill him. ]

But know that you won't be the same once you've accepted the Abyss as part of you. [ he should know, as someone who had once fallen into its depths. how it corrupts, how it stains a person entirely. ] You have siblings, don't you? A family? That will all change ...

I'll do whatever I must to attain my goal of conquering the world.

[That was a goal he'd gained after leaving the Abyss anyway, gazing at her with complete dedication to his passion.]

I've always accepted that one day, I would never see my family again, though this isn't quite how I imagined it. To seek endless battle, living on the euphoria of walking on the edge of life and death, I thought that I would die long before this day would ever come. ...They're already used to my absence...though what will happen to me? Will I mutate permanently into some monster from the Abyss?

[Or maybe he would be stuck in his Foul Legacy Transformation...]

[ who knew she'd find a person like him on this continent? the abyss has certainly warped him even from his very first fall, and perhaps that's the reason why this conversation is even happening. destiny, or whatever people would like to call this. ]

Yes.

[ there's no reason for her to hide it from him. there's no point, anyway, not when the corruption of the abyss is inevitable the longer you stay in there. perhaps there will even come a time when he will be unrecognisable. ]

You could maintain a human form if you'd like. [ it's not common among her servants, but it's a useful ability. ] So you can visit your family whenever you want to.

That's better news than I expected, [he admits, the small shadows of a smile hinting at the corners of his mouth. He'd been prepared for the worst of news, that he'd just twist into a form that was no longer human, without any way of of seeing his family that wouldn't frighten them to death.]

Those were the only two issues I was concerned about. I don't get the feeling you've lied to me, believe me, I'd be able to tell- but I'll need some time to tell my family that I won't be around as much.

[And that was already sparse as it was.]

I don't want to put them in jeopardy. The Fatui will be searching for me once I disappear, and it's certain that's the first place they'll go looking.

Edited 2022-03-06 23:55 (UTC)

[ would he be able to tell, though? well, she can test it out on another day, given that this is clearly not the last she'll be seeing of him. it's a pain in the ass, but it's a pain in the ass that she'll now have to deal with.

... maybe giving him to the heralds won't be such a bad idea. ]

Get your affairs in order, then. Do whatever you have to.

[ she's in no hurry to admit him into their ranks, not until she's certain of his objectives. who knows if this idea is that of his archon or someone else? ]

Is there anything else you need to demand for?

No. But I still do have something for you. Wait here.

[He gets up, disappearing down the hall before returning with a small envelope. Sealed, with no tampering to be seen on it.]

The letter from your brother, as I mentioned earlier. Here.

[He hands it over, sitting back down in the chair.]

[ there's that temptation to leave despite being told to wait. after all, their conversation has already ended and there's no point for her to linger. but he returns just as a quickly, and she finds herself staring at a sealed envelope.

... right. the letter from aether.

for one long moment, she hesitates to take it, if only because she already has a feeling of what could be inside of it. she knows her twin brother well enough to predict what he'll say, what he'll ask even if there's no guarantee for a reply. she takes it a moment after, but she doesn't really move to open or read it, standing up from her seat instead. ]

My Heralds will find you when you're ready. Just make sure you leave your Vision before you join them.

Of course.

[He's already got a good place to leave it- with his family, hidden somewhere where he's certain even the Fatui won't be able to find. He knows their tricks, but he's got his own tricks up his sleeve too.]

I look forward to working with you, [he says, giving her a cocky grin.] I promise I won't disappoint. I'll be standing next to you at your throne before you know it.

[ she says nothing to that, only walking towards his door. a portal appears the moment she opens it as if it's been waiting for her all this time. her herald, however, doesn't step out of the void, and lumine knows it might create chaos if one were to accidentally see it. there's a reason, after all, why she alone walked the streets of liyue harbour.

he looks forward to working with her, he says. she does wonder if the same goes for her, but she'll have to see that for herself. eventually, she thinks, if he'd even survive the heralds without his powers.

in any case, she leaves him without another word. she'll see him again when he's been deemed fit to see her. ]

[He'd returned home, unbeknownst to the Fatui. The only inkling that might of been left was when he'd gifted Ekaterina with an ornate antique from Xigu Antiques, a beautiful tea set that must of cost him more than her entire salary for a year. Extracting large amounts of money from his own coffers hadn't been an issue with her help either, and she knew better than to ask. The money had been transferred into his family's estate, for them to live on for as long as they needed it.

They'd discover this money later, after he'd gone home and told them he'd have to travel incredibly far from Snezhnaya. A trip that would keep him away for nothing less than a significant amount of time. His siblings were beside themselves, meaning he wouldn't be home for the holidays. No matter how many times they'd asked for more details, he wouldn't give them- only dodging the question and distracting them with something else to keep from answering.

The less they knew, the better.

It's early the next morning that he sneaks out, leaving his Vision and Harbinger mask behind, to meet the Heralds that wait for him just outside the village. Without looking back, he steps through the portal.

A few months pass in the Abyss at the palace, Childe hard at work trying to perfect the use of the elements with the other Heralds. Hydro comes easy to him, and he even begins working with Electro with some of the Lectors. It's difficult, the Heralds almost breaking him with how hard they battle with him, and how the Foul Legacy Transformation still wears on his body. But it becomes more natural every day. It seems being in the Abyss helps, as it did so long ago when he was first taught the transformation. He can feel himself becoming more twisted, not just mentally but physically. He can't help but wonder if the continued use of the transformation is speeding the process up, but he'd been warned this would happen.

It's almost as if a little part of his armor doesn't fade when he returns to his human body every time he uses it.

But he's been itching to see the Abyss Princess once more- if anything to show her exactly how far he's come, and wanting to challenge her to a spar, the spar he still hasn't gotten and that he still wants. He goes looking for her, checking the same spots she'd been in when he'd been in the Abyss as a prisoner months and months ago.]

[ he'll find her in the gardens as usual, a cryo mage flitting next to her. endless reports, endless findings—none of which truly help her in any way, but it's better than nothing at all. but lumine holds up a hand, the abyss mage pausing in its babbling, and she looks over her shoulder to look at him, an eyebrow mildly arched.

she hasn't seen him in a while, having left him in the care of the heralds. his powers, after all, are much closer to the kind of powers they possess, and so, they can teach him more than she can with him. the fact that he's here must mean that the heralds have deemed his progress enough—or at least, regained the ability he lost.

the mage bows at lumine before it disappears, leaving a flurry of snowflakes. ]

You've come to find me. I assume you need something from me again.

[ isn't that usually the reason why he seeks her? though this time around, she's not entirely sure what he's come to her for. surely, anything related to his abilities can be answered by the heralds or the lectors. ]

Can't I just seek you out just for the sake of speaking with you?

[As if the princess ever has time to do that, her quest against the gods as eternal as the abyss itself. He happily joins her, looking happier than he ever has while spending time in the Abyss- he's grown stronger, and he can feel it. If he truly wanted more power, this was the right decision to make.]

Do you have a moment? I have a proposal for you.

[His eyes shine, a strange quality considering the endless depth of the darkest ocean there, where no light can reach- serving as proof that whatever he's thought of is something he's excited about.]

It would be worth your time.

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