Notes!
I just realized this is turning into my own little AU.
This I did not anticipate.
__________________________
(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."
Suddenly a hydro blade burst through the door.
"AAAH!"
Paimon shrieks, hiding behind Hu Tao.
Xingqiu readies his sword, while Chongyun summons his claymore.
.
.
.
.
"Strange, they are not here."
Xiao examines the strange building they are in.
"Acting grandmaster, it's official business, do you know where Venti went and if he had any company as well?"
Jean shakes her head,
"I am sorry honorary knight, Venti doesn't usually say where he is, perhaps he's at Angel's share?"
Aether nods, thanking Jean, before running out the building, Xiao following.
"Excuse me,"
Jean says.
Xiao turns around looking at Jean and Kaeya.
"May we ask what you're doing here."
Kaeya interrogates
Mortals always interfering Xiao thinks to himself.
"I am looking for someone, you mortals do not need any more information."
Xiao then leaves the room.
Leaving Kaeya and Jean in awe.
Xiao after looking around a bit enters the angel's share tavern.
He catches Aether in the corner of his eye, sitting down right next to him.
"No, the bard has not been through here. I found it strange enough as it is."
Diluc says sarcastically.
"And who's your friend?"
Diluc looked at Xiao, Xiao glared at him.
"It doesn't matter right now, please tell us where Venti went!"
Aether says hastily.
Diluc eyes Xiao before looking back at Aether, "He went off to Liyue, but if he isn't there's he's probably at Storm-terror's lair or Windrise."
"Ok, thanks Diluc."
Aether grabs Xiao's hand pulling him out of the tavern.
He let go of Xiao's hand and Xiao could feel the warmth slip away.
Even without the comfort of another Xiao continued to follow Aether to the gate.
Once they reached the entrance they were met by an abyss mage.
It laughed loudly, "You cannot escape the abyss-"
Xiao activates his plunge attack, plunging downward a couple of times before breaking the abyss mage's shield.
Amazing. Aether thought to himself.
"Where're the archons?!"
Xiao growled, pointing his pole-arms end to the abyss mage on the ground.
Aether turns around to see the guards in shock.
"The abyss is only loyal to its prince-"
The abyss croaked,
Xiao kicks the abyss mage with all his might. Sending it flying off the bridge.
"Honorary knight, what is the commotion?"
Aether sees Jean running down from the outdoor steps, Kaeya walking behind her.
"Wow, your little pet kicked the abyss mage off the edge!"
Xiao hisses at Kaeya,
"Watch who you call "pet" mortal."
"Now is barely the time, we're sorry for the commotion Je- I mean Grandmaster Jean."
Says Aether,
before Xiao picks up Aether, sticking a tongue out at Kaeya, disappearing into the wind.
"What a bratty child."
Kaeya examines.
"You should respect our guest's Cavalry captain."
Jean states firmly.
"It is nothing but a joke~ no need to be so coy."
__________
Notes!
I'm not sure why but I
Just picture Kaeya bullying Xiao.
—————