𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦

Careful

Notes!
I just realized this is turning into my own little AU.
This I did not anticipate.
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(Storm-terror's lair)

"An abyss lector?"
Zhongli questions, narrowing his eyes, clutching his polearm.

"Wow, you look older than Zhongli!"
Venti gasps.

"This is not the time, bard."
Zhongli sneers.

A bolt of electricity hits Venti,
"GAH!"
Venti barked.

"Silence suits you better."
Says the abyss lector.

The abyss lector summons three balls of electricity sparkles a purple.
Casting the balls of energy straight for Venti.

Venti quickly dashes away, giving Zhongli an opening to attack the abyss lector.

  Swiftly the abyss lector sends a row of lightning.
Knocking Zhongli back,
"Old man!"

"Don't call me that you bard!"
Zhongli growls.
Venti shoots his arrow at the abyss lector,

The abyss lector fails to dodge the attack, stunning him for a second, before shielding himself.

"T-they have shields?!"
Venti gasps.
"It appears so-"
Zhongli gets up, summoning a pillar, creating a shield around him.

.
.
.
.

"What is our plan now?"
Xiao looks at Aether, they were seated separately from each other, both leaning on the cave's wall.

"We have two options, we find Hu Tao and the others, or we find Rex Lapis and Barbatos."
Xiao closes his eyes.

"Hu Tao I'm sure can protect the others, however, I'm not sure about the ex-archons."
Xiao adds.

"You have a lot of faith in Hu Tao."
Aether states.
"I've seen her engage in battle, she is experienced in her field."
Xiao mentioned.

"You seem to like her a lot."
Aether couldn't help but feel a churning in his chest when saying those words.

"Best we go look for the archons."
Xiao picked himself up, standing above Aether.

Xiao held out his hand to which Aether accepted, pulling him up.

"Where might they be?"
Xiao asks.

"Maybe Liyue harbor, or Mondstadt?"

"That's impossible Rex Lapis doesn't set a foot out of Liyue"
Xiao protests.

"Well it's no longer Rex Lapis, now it's Zhongli."
Xiao looked down. Examining the cold floor.

"We should check Mondstadt."

.
.
.
.

"Here Aether's in her-"

Paimon opens the door to be greeted by a not-so-happy abyss herald.
Paimon quickly closes the door,
"Maybe he's not in here."