"This time, we've been outplayed."
Albedo led the group in a swift retreat. They had fallen victim to a gap in information—by the time Diluc and Kaeya returned injured, it was already too late.
If not for the strike team's unconventional methods in infiltrating Dragonspine Valley, the Abyss Order would have completed their summoning and re-summoning rituals during the battle with the Knights of Favonius.
The strike team's efforts weren't without merit; they had done their best under the circumstances. But the Abyss Order, prepared for this moment, had contingency plans and countermeasures far more sophisticated than anticipated.
When the crimson pillar of light appeared, both Albedo and Gu Sanqiu understood that the situation had spiraled out of control.
If this were a chess game, the strike team was already in checkmate.
"Get moving! Don't make me split my focus!"
Spear thrust after spear thrust tore through the air, each strike carrying a force like roaring dragons. Gu Sanqiu pressed forward relentlessly, forcing the Flame Apostle to the ground with sheer firepower.
Without hesitation, he unleashed the full extent of his black flame, the searing intent pouring from his eyes almost spilling over. Pain burned through his mind, magnified with every second he tapped into the forbidden power.
"[Falling Star]!"
Encased in the weight of Geo energy, Gu Sanqiu and his spear descended like a golden meteor, slamming into the Apostle's abdomen.
"Hahaha! Useless, useless! Young Gu, I think I'm starting to like you."
A sickening crack echoed as the strike fractured most of the Apostle's elemental armor. But beyond that, the damage was negligible.
"Dammit."
Gu Sanqiu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, suppressing the black flames back into their seal.
He had confirmed one thing: this power held no particular advantage against the Abyss. If that was the case, there was no need to risk further harm by relying on it—he still had other tools at his disposal.
The Flame Apostle casually flicked his weapon, shaking off fragments of Geo crystals.
"Hey, you're a far cry from that other Gu I met ages ago. What was his name again... Gu Shaochong?"
The twin blades lashed out again. "Yeah, that's the guy! Strong as hell, but kept saying, 'I don't fight.' Then he buried me in the ground like a sack of potatoes!"
"I'm going to settle the score with you, kid!"
Blocking the Apostle's blades, Gu Sanqiu glared. "If Gu Shaochong beat you, go after him! What does this have to do with me?!"
"I'm barely in my twenties! How do you expect me to compare to some five-hundred-year-old fossil, you idiot?!"
Their weapons clashed repeatedly, Geo-infused shards forming and disintegrating in the heat of battle. Gu Sanqiu used the fragments to coat the Apostle's joints, trying to limit his movements.
"Five hundred years... doesn't feel like that long."
The Apostle's expression shifted as realization dawned. "Oh, right. That Gu was old—hair and beard as white as snow."
Without a word, Gu Sanqiu shattered another fragment of the Apostle's armor, a suffocating frustration bubbling beneath his stoic facade.
Fighting a battle where every strike seemed futile, with no visible progress, was worse than breaking through a shield to see a health bar.
"Hahaha! So you're not as strong as him—perfect. I think I don't dislike you anymore, even if you're a Gu!"
The Apostle's twin blades carved through the air, creating a vortex of searing energy aimed to drag Gu Sanqiu in, shredding him to pieces.
"Feel the grace. Embrace the truth. Let the scorching pain of salvation consume your flesh—return to my Lord, return to truth!"
"[Steady as stone]!"
Gu Sanqiu activated his Geo shield, twin chains of golden light radiating the power of the earth itself. A faint golden glow flickered within the shield—evidence of a deeper transformation taking root.
The relentless combat forced Gu Sanqiu to continually reinforce his shield. The god-like power coursing through him was slowly being integrated, inching closer to evolving into the fabled "Jade Ward Shield."
The Apostle paused mid-strike, tilting his head quizzically as he observed Gu Sanqiu.
"Hey, down there—why aren't you letting me kill him? Are you planning to let him feel the grace of my Lord? That doesn't seem likely."
"Shut up. That's not something you need to understand. Asking questions like that will get you killed."
The Apostle froze. "Huh? Killed? We can die?"
"Want to test it?"
The voice from below turned icy as tendrils of crimson light descended, encircling the Apostle in an ominous glow.
"Fine, fine! I won't test it. Just hurry up with whatever you're doing."
The Apostle shuddered, muttering, "That old Gu almost made me cry back then... I swear, anyone with the Gu name is bad news. Too damned freakish."
Inside the vortex, Gu Sanqiu smirked.
Yes, keep talking. Say more. If you can spill everything about this Gu Shaochong—including the color of his underwear—I'd appreciate it.
And if you accidentally reveal your grand plan while you're at it, I promise I'll build you a magnificent cenotaph. Something your Abyss buddies can spit on for eternity.
Just a little longer...
Within Gu Sanqiu's core, the golden cauldron representing his path to ascension began to glow brighter. Pink patterns, faint but intricate, appeared along its edges, etched by an unseen hand weaving mysterious symbols.
---
On the main battlefield, Jean had joined the fight personally. The conflict had escalated to the point of mutual casualties.
The monsters fought with reckless abandon, but the Knights of Favonius held their ground with discipline and strategy. Their formation remained intact, a testament to years of training and experience.
Not far from the Knights' defensive line, three unexpected figures appeared on the road.
Rosaria.
Tartaglia—Childe of the Fatui Harbingers.
And La Signora—Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter.
"Are we really doing this?" Childe muttered under his breath to Signora. "This wasn't part of the plan."
"I know," she replied, her gloved hand brushing the mask on her face. "But I want to."
The boy who listened quietly to my song... my one and only love.
If it were you, whether imprisoned in blazing flames or frozen in icy despair, I know you would fight to the bitter end.
Are you a young wolf?
No. In my eyes, not even Andrius, the Wolf of the North, can match the brilliance of your light.
You are... the King of Wolves.
Rosaria's icy gaze lingered on Signora.
"I don't know why Her Majesty allowed this meeting, or why she shared the details of this operation with you. But let me warn you—don't do anything reckless."
"Or you'll die."
"Her Majesty?"
Signora turned, a cold smile curling on her lips.
"Do you mean that little girl?"
She extended a hand, feeling the ever-present breeze of Mondstadt.
"Because they grew up on tales of my legend."
"Liyue, Mondstadt—it's all the same. The erosion of time has caused the world to forget too much."
"I am... the Witch."