The End of a Contract - Xiao X Reader

11 : Duel

Y/N'S POV

After 2 days of nonstop training, tomorrow is the day me and Xiao hav our death match. I plan on not exerting too much energy into training today in order to be in top condition for the fight tomorrow. Luckily I packed an extra pair of clothes that I changed in to since my old pair went through... a lot.

Nevertheless I think I'm as prepared as I can be for the coming fight. Tomorrow will be a very important day so I must be prepared, I decided to look over my plans and tactics for tomorrow's battle. I've learn several new tricks with my Pyro, and with a precise and skillful technique, I should be able to take down Xiao and his... years worth of fighting experience...

Shoot, can I really do this ?

Can I really beat Xiao ? He's an adeptus who's lived and fought so many battles in his lifetime, and was there for the archon war. How can I a mere human... stand up against such a godly being such as Xiao ?

My legs started to tremble and I got into a cold sweat. I don't think he's going to let me have it easy too... will I really die to his hands ? Suddenly all the confidence I had before went away. What can I do against someone as powerful as Xiao ?

The pit in my stomach grew deeper and deeper. I was taken over by fear. Soon I was in a fetal position regretting all of my life choices.

But I wanted this, didn't I ?

I collected myself and calmed myself down. There's no backing out now. If I wanna win that fight and prove to Xiao that I don't need him to survive Teyvat, I can't be doubting my own abilities hours before the fight.

I shook away these thoughts and tried to sleep. Eventually succeeding. But my fears were not quelled when I woke up to look outside and see the sun rising.

It's time.

3RD PERSON POV

Both Xiao and Y/N woke up at nearly the same time, Y/N decided it would be good to have a small meal before the fight for energy, so they decided to cook and egg, something small and light so it wouldn't affect their performance.

As soon as they were finished they came out of their tent and walked to the side of pond and watched as Xiao left the cave where Cloud Retainers domain was. Xiao had his mask on, and was using his strongest weapon. The Primordial Jade Wing Spear. This polearm was revered for the past millennia, as it was used by Xiao during the Archon War, and seeing the green color of the blade was enough to strike fear in enemy's hearts.

Y/N knew they were in for a hard battle, but they weren't backing down now. Y/N was waiting for the Xiao to make a move, so they could properly retaliate, but their doubts from last night came back this morning and they were trembling, breathing unsteady, hands jittery, Y/N blinked for one second to no longer see Xiao standing across the pond.

They looked around and when they didn't see Xiao, they knew he was either above or behind them, so in a desperate move to shield themself, they created a wall of Pyro from behind them and brought it up over them to shield themself from attacks coming from out of their view.

Y/N was right in making that move since Xiao was just about to strike from overhead, but as soon as he saw the Pyro wall, he dashed to the ground creating a crater on impact and quickly dashed through the small opening in the Pyro wall.

By this time Y/N was fully awake and their senses were sharp, so as soon as they heard the ground rumble, they created a small hole behind them and ran out so when Xiao got inside the wall, Y/N trapped him and tried closing in the wall to restrain Xiao.

But they were too late since Xiao was able to focus his Anemo on the tip of his spear to pierce through the Pyro wall and get out. Xiao dashed towards Y/N as they ran, but Y/N was making pillars of Pyro burst behind them so it was quite hard for Xiao to chase after them, well not too hard but he hasn't had to try this hard in a while.

Then suddenly, Y/N dove into the pond. Xiao hesitated on following for a bit since he knew he wouldn't be as fast in the water but he must chase after Y/N. So he dove in after him.

Y/N was very talented in swimming so they could hold their breath for quite some time, so they thought it would be smart to hide in the water to tire out Xiao. Despite the water slowing down Xiao, he was still able to find them very quickly, but Y/N was prepared for this.

With a smirk, they created a ball of Pyro underwater to create a small explosion with steam and created it below Xiao. Y/N had already scouted out the pond before and felt another reservoir of water under the visible pond. So when Xiao was struck by the blast of the steam bomb, Y/N created another steam bomb from the reservoir underneath them, to hold Xiao in place with the debris from the explosion on the side of one of the rocks in the pond.

The plan worked accordingly and Y/N swam to Xiao and heated up the water around his face to disorient him and in that time, disarm him and then wait for him to nearly drown before rescuing him and declaring victory. Y/N never intended to kill Xiao, but Xiao was determined to kill Y/N. He wanted to stay true to the death match after all.

But right before Y/N could take away Xiao's weapon, his other hand gripped Y/N which surprised them and so, abruptly stopped controlling the Pyro around his face. And in that time Xiao was able to break free from his grasp and grip Y/N and then dash upwards.

Around 50 meters in the air, Xiao wanted to let go of Y/N so they would fall to their death, but Y/N crossed their legs in between Xiao's so he couldn't let go, and in the meantime, cupped Xiao's face and heated up their hands to further weaken Xiao.

But when they got closer and closer to the ground, Xiao decided to let go of his spear and control the anemo he laced the spear with to make the blade graze Y/N's hand so they would let go, but Y/N held on so Xiao kept piercing Y/N's skin, but they just wouldn't give in.

So Xiao redirected their bodies to fall into the water but at this point, they've been running around for several hours now, and the sun was about to set, and Xiao knew Y/N wouldn't really kill him, so he had to let go of his pride and surrender to Y/N, who was just as tired as Xiao.

Usually Xiao could've done more, but it's long past his golden ages, and time has taken its toll on this Guardian Yaksha. So when they fell, they both swam out of the pond and Y/N got in a fighting stance with their sword that they dropped before diving into the pond. But Xiao, already tired, decided it was time to surrender, so he dropped his weapon, knelt to the ground, and raised his hands up in defeat.

"I surrender."

Xiao spoke, and at that moment Y/N smiled, fireworks lighting off in his head, but keeping a calm demeanor. Y/N walked to Xiao and lifted up his chins with the tip of their sword.

"Any last words ?"

"I should be the one saying that."

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AgHHHHh I hope this chapter was good- I don't think I'm too great at writing action so hopefully it wasn't too boring- was it ?