Betrayed Dragon

-Another message from Fontaine… He got the Hydro Gnosis too…

Nahida announced to others around her. Her face was now worried even with her childish face.

-Then his next step will be here…

Aether mumbled. He saw his powers, how he had toyed with Zhongli…

-How is Zhongli doing? Is he still recovering?

-He is okay, still has to rest though. There was a wound on his stomach that still had that black corruption like liquid.

-You aren't trying to say he is…

-No, he is okay. It's not corruption, but more like venom. I was able to stop it but Zhongli still can't regenerate. This will take time.

-I see… but, what can we do now? He is on his way here.

-There is still some hope. There will be a second fight soon that's for sure. But this time Mavuika and Anemo Archon Venti will assist soon too.

-That makes 4 archons with a harbinger! We would have a chance!

-The thing is their arrivals will take time. We have to resist him as much as we can.

-Hm…

Aether turned to Ei and Arlecchino who were listening from afar.

-Do you think we can hold on?

-Without even them arriving, we are two archons, a harbinger and a traveler who can use almost any element.

-Yeah maybe we can even beat him.

-Don't be so sure…

Aether interrupted with these words. Whenever they talked about him, his powers came to Aerher's mind. Someone whom he knew as the strongest was just played by him… It caused trauma to him.

-We have to use reactions a lot. If we can trigger a good reaction and catch him off guard, we can deal damage to him…

Nahida said. She was scared herself for sure. She wasn't a warrior after all. But there was no time to run or hide anymore.

Aether turned to Paimon. He wanted to talk to her alone.

-What's wrong Paimon? You have been silent for so long.

-It's just… Paimon is scared… Paimon doesn't want you to get hurt. Paimon doesn't want anyone to get hurt!

-It's okay Paimon. This time we will stop him!

Aether couldn't understand why Paimon was scared of him this much. Of course, he was the strongest enemy they faced. Yet Aether never saw Paimon this silent and scared…

They all left the Sumeru's safe city. Started to make their way to face Neroth again. This time with all their powers though.

As Neroth was walking through the endless deserts of Sumeru again. He felt some unusual sense of power. Same power type that came from Neuvillette…

He walked towards this feeling. But as much as he got close, he felt that this power was slowly dying. He finally found a huge cave with a beautiful green scene inside in the middle of the desert.

The moment he walked in, a voice talked to him through this power.

-So… You are that Archon of Hate…

Neroth felt a huge power coming from inside and when he looked carefully, there was a dragon's silhouette in all that green. Its massive body was seen to have a hard time carrying itself.

-I see that my name is already carrying me. Tell me then. Who are you?

-I am… Apep. Once known as the heart of nature…

-So you are a dragon… Even if your power is slowly dying, you aren't trying to cover yourself like Neuvillette. Now I see what that sense was coming from him. Yet tell me, what is making you this weak?

-I am sick, because of something known as Forbidden Knowledge…

-I can sense your fury. Yet you don't talk to me with anger. Who is that fury towards?

-Isn't it obvious? It's towards to creator of this knowledge of course. Calling themselves heavenly but trying to rule people from their fancy thrones. And they "eliminate" whoever doesn't think the same as them… You on the other hand. Don't seem scared my friend. Celestia's destruction doesn't scare you?

-The thing you call Celestia's destruction is only a hallucination. A manipulation Celestia did to keep everyone in their palms. Yet everyone seems to bow to their "great power", even Archons…

-That's why I am mad at archons too. Yet, not all of them are the same… Dendro Archon proved that to me.

-I don't know what you two had between you. And I don't care that much either. Shamefully, you can't change my mind with fancy words dragon. I have no desire to fight you, but if you get in my way. I won't hold back…

-I don't have both the will or power for that after all. But consider my words Archon of Hate. I can sense your hatred towards Celestia. And I approve it, but you have to think calmly.

-I have stayed silent and thought for hundreds of years dragon. This is my judgment. I won't hold back from taking action anymore.

Neroth turned to leave, but he talked one last time calmly.

-When I am done, there will be no Celestia or Forbidden Knowledge left. So you will be free soon.

-…

Unlike Neroth's thought, the dragon didn't act so excited about it. But he didn't have any more time to question it. He left, leaving the dragon to its suffering.

-Is everything settled?

Mavuika asked curiously. She was trying to calm down the mad people of her country for a few days. Mualani and Kinich were the only ones who helped her so much in this, but their efforts alone wasn't enough too.

-People are calmed down a little more, but still worried about their own lives.

Mualani answered. Her voice was tired now.

-I see… they have a point of course. Yet I will have to leave soon. We can't let him have other Gnosises.

-You are going to fight him again?!

-I won't be alone… This time, we have a chance to win…

-I… I hope you do win…

-We have to…

Mavuika finally got up from her chair. She had to prepare for another fight. This time she couldn't get caught off guard.

She went to equip her sword. Her eyes were filled with determination again. She couldn't show any more mercy…

Preparations were started at Mondstadt too. Even if Anemo Archon gave them free will, this didn't cause them to be weak. Instead, they worked harder to be better, to be a beautiful freedom region.

Yet they were aware of danger too. Leader of the Favonious Knights, Jean, was working so hard to make sure of Mondstadt's security.

Her crisp blue-and-white uniform, her blonde hair tied neatly back, and her tired blue eyes reflecting both duty and responsibilities on her shoulders.

She was wandering between streets, checking every knight one by one and warning them about the situation.

A carefree bard with his emerald eyes, short dark teal hair was watching over them, taking care of Mondstadt from the shadows.. Even if he seemed like a silly bard, he knew he was carrying a bit of responsibility as an Archon after all.

He knew soon he would face the Archon of Hate himself. But before leaving he should make sure that everything is good.

His faith in his people never faltered. Yet against this threat, even Archon of Anemo was worried. He should have been the one to symbolize freedom. Yet he couldn't let Mondstadt face it alone.

Nahida, Ei, Arlecchino, and Aether were at the edge of Sumeru. Waiting for the inevitable fight.

-Are you sure this will be enough?

Aether asked with a worried face. He was still a bit afraid of Neroth…

-It will be, you don't have to worry about it. All you have to do is focus on catching a glimpse of his feelings or purposes.

-I am not sure how I was able to do it…

-It's okay, we will win time for you.

Ei said with a reassuring voice. She knew the heaviness of the situation. But still trying to hold her calm face.

He appeared not long after… still carrying his black ominous scythe. He started to talk with his usual cold and composed face.

-What a nice surprise from you. Bringing these Gnosises without even trying to hide.

-I think you already know why we are here… Neroth…

Neroth held his gaze over them. His eyes carried a hint of boredom.

-You know, that dragon's faith in you seems to be all wrong.

-Dragon… Wait… You met Apep?! Did you hurt her you monster!

Nahida talked with anger, she was worried about Apep after all.

-There was no need for me to hurt her. She is already in pain because of you, archons, idiotnesses.

These words did hurt Nahida, but she wasn't someone to back down easily either.

-We made many mistakes in the past. And I am aware we aren't as powerful as we thought. I can call myself even weak. But… no one can be perfect don't you see? Do you really think you and your ideas were perfect?!

-I never said I am perfect, but I never forget the perfection Celestia destroyed. Yet you chose to act like nothing happened and even dared to stand in my way to say that I am the one gone mad… Well then…

Neroth held his scythe a bit tighter. Preparing for another battle.

-You will go down with your "Lovely Celestia".

I won't show any more mercy.