deercountry | [Closed] Time Cannot Mend All

Who: Childe and Zhongli
What: The aftermath of the fight Childe has been wanting from Zhongli since the incident in Liyue Harbor
When: Backdated to early January
Where: Somewhere nebulously very, very far away from the city

Content Warnings: blood, end results of intense physical violence, will add more if need be

[This was the most intense battle he's had to date. Not a single shred of effort was spared on his part, going into this battle knowing the odds were low for him to win. But that didn't matter, this was a fight he wanted, a fight he craved. And it didn't disappoint. The former archon proved to be more than worthy of a challenger, pushing Childe to his very limits. The clash of weapons against each other rang out in the desolate area Childe had chosen for this battle to happen, and the land itself was marred by their attacks.

Even despite fighting to his fullest potential, the Harbinger proved to be no match for the ex-Geo Archon. His body couldn't withstand the burden of the Foul Legacy Transformation, and eventually Childe falls, defeated. Every single muscle in his body aches, and he can barely find the will to try to stand.

He lays before Zhongli, broken and bloodied, but still feeling satisfied despite his loss. After all, winning is not the ultimate objective, but rather to improve upon his own skills. And after such a fight, he knows there's a lot of distance he needs to cover before he even stands a chance of crushing the gods.

He lifts his head from the ground to look up at Zhongli, smiling.]

Ngh...this is it, huh? Going to end me now?

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[ Zhongli stares down at the other, beaten, bloody, and most certainly defeated. But he knows Childe is not one to give up a fight or even to have this defeat keep him down for long. Vortex Vanquisher is still in his hand as he raises it, almost as if to deal a final blow before it disappears into nothingness. ]

To spill more blood without reason when we are all in this place together would make little sense. I will take you back home to tend to your injuries. Unless you wish for me to call someone to come fetch you.

[Calling someone would certainly land him in a scolding session from someone, so perhaps it's best he didn't take that option.

Slowly he attempts to drag himself to his feet, the muscles in his body screaming at him to stop, but he refuses to stay in such a sorry state.]

I think heading to Lumenwood would be more in line to treat my injuries.

[He groans with the effort, but Childe reveled in this fight, and seems quite content with this outcome.]

Haha, I don't think I've ever had such a thrilling fight in my life before.

[ Childe does need a good scolding if Zhongli is being honest?? But he will leave that to those who are willing and ready to do it. For now, he will focus on getting the harbinger to his feet and to Lumenwood. ]

Shall I help you, or can you walk? [ A thrilling fight indeed. Childe certainly lived up to his name as one of the harbingers, but for an archon as old as himself he had held back in their fight. Zhongli using his full powers would've brought ruin to the place they had designated to have this little scuffle, and even now jagged spiked rock formations dot the landscape. ]

If not then I will let Exuvia carry you to Lumenwood.

Edited 2022-02-20 05:06 (UTC)

Being carried to Lumenwood on the back of a dragon? Hah, what a sight that would be. It's almost tempting, if only just for the experience.

[Listen, he knows how cool that is. But his pride as a fighter won't let him, until his legs give out on him, of course.]

I can walk for the time being. Ngh... [He groans again, barely managing to step forward. Zhongli really beat him down, and he doesn't look like he broke a sweat doing it.]

Tell me...how did I measure up? Was the battle satisfying? Don't hold back on me now, I need to know if I'm to become even stronger.

[ Well Zhongli offered, and at the rate they're going he knows it's only going to be a matter of time before Childe will need it. Lumenwood is still a ways off so there's really no way of knowing if the harbinger will make it all the way there. ]

It was...sufficient. [ Zhongli no!?! ] You're quite strong, but that is a given considering your title and position. I've not had a decent fight like that in some time. Perhaps we might do it more often in the future.

[Zhongli YES]

I'd like nothing more, hahaha. More opportunities to fight an archon...what a rare chance. I won't miss it.

[Getting to fight him again, what a deal. A dream. Throwing himself against a literal brick wall until he figures out how to break through it, he couldn't ask for better.]

Though...I hope you don't mind if I'll need a little time between our bouts if we're to fight as hard as we did this time...

[Admittedly, it's getting increasingly harder to move forward.]

Perhaps we might both grow from the exercise, then. [ If anything it'll be a good way to channel some of that energy. Zhongli doesn't need the practice, of course, but he's willing to fight Childe based on their spar today.

Childe might not think Zhongli is paying attention but he sure is, as he watches the other slow down substantially. ] Of course. I would expect any human, vision or not, to require some rest after all of this.

[ Though he's now crossing his arms over his chest again. ] It would seem that you require it right now. I will summon Exuvia so that we may make it to Lumenwood before nightfall.

[ And his familiar will materialized in the blink of an eye. Exuvia's huge form will loom over them both as it leans down to peer at Childe. ]

[He stops in his tracks, anime sweat appearing on his forehead as he gazes up at the Exuvia. It's not that he didn't know Zhongli could do that, but...]

Hey...Mr. Zhongli...the Exuvia isn't capable of holding a grudge, is it?

[Because the last time he saw that was when he'd reached inside of it to take a certain gnosis that wasn't there...and he doesn't know what the peering means. Oof, he's in bad shape if it can hold a grudge.]

A grudge? Hm. I do wonder if that might be the case.

[ He says with some pondering as Exuvia lets out a growl directed towards Childe with no small amount of leering coming his way either. But Zhongli's gloved hand on its mane will still the beast as amber eyes look towards Zhongli for assistance. ]

I have never thought it capable of such, given that it is merely another form which I took on as the lord of geo. Being that it is now a separate entity perhaps it now might? It's fine, he is no enemy of mine.

[ There's a snort of hot air sent Childe's way as Exuvia closes its eyes and bends down enough to be in a crouched position. It'll be easy for Childe to climb atop its maned back. ] It will do you no harm.

[He can feel his hair fly back from the snort. Not comforting, but if Zhongli says it's safe, it's safe. After all, this is his familiar, and it won't harm him unless the former archon said so. So, cautiously, he moves to its side and climbs up. The pain from moving his body with extra effort rips through him, groaning as he gets up on the Exuvia's back.

The minute he gets up there however, he flops down on his stomach, laying with both hands and legs hanging over each side of the dragon. Archons, did he need the rest.]

In the dream, [he begins, his head turned to look at Zhongli from atop the dragon,] there were these machines called cars and trucks that people would drive as transportation from one place to another. They'd go exceptionally fast, much faster than any ship could sail or horse that pulled a carriage- and I feel like I got hit by one of them.

Hm. I see. This saying makes more sense when you describe what it is. I doubt getting hit by a ship or horse would feel much better.

[ Strange phrase but Zhongli can only imagine how it must feel. He's never been in that kind of pain before, ah well, perhaps maybe after his fights and spars with Azhdaha. ]

I have yet to travel around Lumenwood. Hopefully, they'll be able to aid you in feeling better.

[Closed] Time Cannot Mend All

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