Through Thick and Thin- Diluc x (female) Reader

Chapter 53: The Golden House

When we reached the city once more, something seemed amiss. Zhongli eyed the scene carefully as we approached. Some Fatui members were standing and talking with the millileth, although they seemed tense.
"What's going on?" I asked nervously, stopping and watching the scene before me.
"Wait here a moment," Zhongli said. He held his hand up to us, telling us to stay as he walked over to a Fatui agent.
"Somethings happening," Diluc said, eyeing the Fatui around him with suspicion. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently, making me feel calmer.
"These guys look tense," Paimon said, studying the faces around her. "Paimon wonders if something happened?"
Aether shrugged as Zhongli came back, a concerned look on his face. "It seems the Adepti and Qixing are at an impasse."
"An impasse?" I said, raising an ear. "Are they fighting?"
"The Adepti recognize only their contract with Rex Lapis," Zhongli began, seeming tense himself. "There were questions about who would take control over Liyue. Adepti, or man. Both want control over the city, and it seems they are finally confronting each other."
"That can't be good," Aether spoke up, eyeing the millileth around us. "The millileth are everywhere..."
"Ah, speaking of," Zhongli said, starting to walk away. "The millileth are confronting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor due to our ties with the Fatui. I must assist Hu Tao, forgive me," he gave a quick wave and rushed off before we could question him.
"Hu Tao works at Wangsheng?" I said, tilting my head. "Oh, that's probably not whats important right now..."
Zhongli stopped, and turned towards us for a moment. "Go look for Childe," he shouted before rushing off again.
"Childe?" Paimon said, confused. "Wait..."
"The Golden House," Aether said in realization. "He must be going after the Exuvia!"
"It's at the Golden House?" Diluc said before noticing my confusion.
"But... Why would he go after it now?" I questioned.
"He's taking advantage of the confusion and chaos," Diluc said, nodding to Aether. "If I know anything about the Fatui, it's that they can't be trusted during a time like this, it's an opportunity for them. Let's make haste."

Rex Lapis laid dead before us. The serpentine dragon was coiled gracefully, and emulated stature despite being nothing but an empty vessel.
"Haven't you already seen enough trouble for today?"
We turned our heads to the source of the disturbance, and I felt my stomach turn. Childe's footsteps echoed as he walked towards us, his eyes locked on the Exuvia.
"You're in my way," he said coldly, his words cutting through the air like butter.
I ran a finger across my vision. Will I have to use this? Diluc stood his ground, watching the other redhead make his way up the steps with a single goal.
"Looks like we made it in time," Aether said, glancing at Diluc and I. He set his eyes back on Childe, watching for sudden moves.
"While I am grateful to you that I was able to find the location of the Exuvia effortlessly," He said, glaring at Aether. "Don't you think that trying to stop me now would be a wasted effort?"
"You're going for the Gnosis, aren't you?" Paimon shouted at him angrily. She said it like she had seen it coming. Had it happened before?
"The Gnosis? What do you plan to do with that?" I asked, an ear raised.
"It's my duty to carry out the will of the Tsarista," Childe said, taking a step forward. "She will get what she desires. If it's a Gnosis, then she will get a Gnosis."
"Step back," Diluc said, setting his hand on my shoulder. "I'm warning you."
Childe laughed coldly, finding Diluc amusing. It sent chills down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel my stomach clench in nervousness.
"It's not as if I'm asking for your blessing, am I? There's nothing you can do to stop me, anyway," he crossed his arms, and turned to me. Childes eyes piercing me like daggers, I couldn't help but feel nervous. "The time for diplomacy and discussion has passed, although I would have skipped it to begin with if I could. If I were you, I'd take her and leave before things get ugly."
"Are you intending to fight?" I asked, ignoring his statement and trying not to let my nervousness show. Take me and leave... yeah, right.
"That's my favorite part," He smiled, looking back to Aether.
"So you're the type that goes looking for trouble!" Paimon said, frustrated. She had definitely seen something like this before, I could tell. But she didn't back down, and neither did Aether.
Aether drew his sword, holding it out towards Childe. "We won't let what happened in Mondstadt happen again!" Paimon said, her hands on her hips proudly.
So they have seen this happen before. And in Mondstadt? There's something I don't know.
"Oh, so you intend to fight me? Good. I won't kill you, traveler," Childe said, his face lighting up with excitement. "I'll just play along to feel the thrill of the battle!"
"This guy... he's nuts," I said, summoning my bow. "But I can't let you fight alone, Aether."
"You too?" Childe said, seeming even more delighted at the thought of an extra challenge. "No matter, it's not as if you could beat me in your wildest dreams. But hey, let's relish the fight anyways. Because, if you ask me, without that... then what else is there?"
"You're completely delusional if you think we can't beat you," Diluc said, brandishing his claymore. "I may be a bit rusty, but no need to go easy on me," Diluc said, his eyes locked on Childe.
"Fighting talk, I love it!" Childe said, his eyes widening as his lips pulled into a twisted smile. "Now, let's see you live up to it!"

Aether was tossed to the side, Paimon rushing to him. Diluc and I put ourselves in between Aether and Childe, protecting our friend.
"Not bad, your swordsmanship is quite impressive," Childes two blades, which had previously been made of water, were now made of electro energy. He combined them, forming a spear of sorts.
"How can you wield both hydro and electro?" I questioned, worriedly glancing back at Aether as he scurried back to his feet.
"It's a delusion, I know this power," Diluc said, focused intently on Childe, who had put his mask on.
"Oh, you know a thing or two, don't you?" Childe said, his face hidden behind his mask. He sounded amused, twirling the spear in his hands. "You fought so well, too. It's a shame, that's about as far as you're going to get, I'm afraid."
This guy... he was a completely different person from the one I met a couple days ago. He seemed psychotic, itching for the fight. Nothing like the generous Childe I had met that day. Although, was he only being nice to get the information he needed?
Aether ran past us, holding his blade up as Childe dashed forward. Diluc and I stumbled back in surprise, not expecting Childe to lunge like that. I watched with uncertainty as their weapons collided, each fighting for a blow against their opponent.
As Aether struggled, I sensed power coursing through the floor towards Childe. Was this the travelers doing? As it reached him, dust flew into the air and Aether jumped back with us.
So he can control the elements without a vision. How?
We watched on as the dust settled, leaving only the spear wedged into the floor. Where is he?
My question was answered when I heard a laugh from behind us. We turned, seeing Childe next to the Exuvia.
"Didn't think you'd have that hidden up your sleeve," he leaned his hand on Rex Lapis's chest, looking up at it.
"You were just distracting us," Diluc said angrily, taking a step towards Childe.
"Oh, quiet down. You've seen this world, haven't you Diluc? You of all people should know," Diluc seemed taken aback, glaring at Childe. Know what?
Wielding his Delusion, Childe plunged his fist into the Exuvias chest, energy coursing through the room. We were pushed back a few feet by the sheer amount of energy present, and I stumbled as I tried to keep on my feet.
"I'll be taking Morax's Gnosis now," Childe said, pulling his fist from the Exuvia. He froze, a look of shock on his face as he opened his fist. It was empty.
Empty?
At first seeming angry, he turned to amusement as he laughed maniacally. "This is most unexpected!" He pointed at us, electro energy crackling around him. "You beat me to it, didn't you?"
We backed up as Childe began to wield both of his sources of power. He rose from the ground, water and electricity flowing around him. It gathered around his body, forming some sort of armor.
"What's he up to now?" I said, starting to worry. I stood my ground, not taking my eyes off of the threat.
"Showing the true power of his delusion," Diluc said, watching Childe with uncertainty. "This isn't good."
Childe landed on the ground, his new armor clanking against the floor. Standing up slowly, he eyed us with a vengeance. Holding his hand out, the spear that had been left behind spun back towards him, landing straight in his hands.
"Not bad, your strength is praiseworthy," His voice was warped as he rested the spear over his shoulder, the electro energy crackling around it. "But this is going to cost you!"
With that, he plunged his spear into the ground, shattering it into mere rubble.

I pulled Aether to his feet, mostly unharmed from the fall. Dust was falling around us, the debris of the floor above covering the new surface we found ourselves on.
"Wheres Diluc?" I said, coughing dust from my lungs, scanning the area. "There!"
I rushed over towards the glimpse of red hair, hoping he was uninjured. "Diluc! You're okay!"
I brushed some of the rubble off of him as he groaned slightly. Holding his hand, I pulled him to his feet.
"I'm... somewhat okay," I said, dusting his coat off. "Nothing is broken... Just a scratch."
"You'll be fine, hold on," I put my hand to his forehead, focusing the energy from my vision through my palm.
The small scratches disappeared, and Diluc sighed in relief before straightening his posture. "I'm fine now... are you okay?" Diluc smiled at me a little before looking around.
"I could use my skill to avoid directly hitting the ground, since the drop wasn't too high up, so I'm fine. Aether, are you alright?" I looked over to him, wondering if he needed any sort of aid.
"I'm okay. Where is Childe?" We all turned our heads to the sky, seeing a slight glow through the dust.
Childe descended, floating like Paimon, only... intimidating. His spear glowed through the dust. With a yell, he unleashed a great force of energy that blew the debris off the floor, almost sending us with it.
Managing to hold our ground, we readied our weapons once more.