The Abyss Mage sat high and mighty atop Dvalin's majestic head, exuding an air of arrogant triumph.
His shrill laughter echoed through the empty valley, each word like a dagger piercing the hearts of all present.
"This dragon, from this moment on, shall kneel before its true master!"
His voice dripped with mockery and disdain.
"And you… you can do nothing but wail in despair in this endless darkness, lamenting your weakness and helplessness!"
With those words, the Abyss Mage vanished into the skies alongside Dvalin.
Venti stood still, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.
He knew the battle had become inevitable, yet deep down, he still longed for peace—for the chance to resolve things through dialogue.
But the cruel reality before him left only disappointment in its wake.
Dvalin's eyes burned with hatred and fury, clearly bereft of reason, consumed by the Abyss Mage's magic.
The mage stoked Dvalin's rage, intent on turning him into their pawn—a force of utter destruction.
"Tone-deaf bard, what do we do now?!"
Paimon stomped her foot in panic, her voice tinged with fear and desperation.
She looked to Venti, hoping for an answer.
"No, it's not too late yet."
There was a spark of resolve and hope in Venti's voice, as though he were still grasping for a final lifeline.
"Our only option now is to go to Stormterror's Lair. There… there may still be a sliver of hope."
His voice carried a note of finality and determination—as if he'd steeled himself for whatever came next.
…
Angry roars echoed above Stormterror's Lair, like the calm before a storm, heralding the chaos to come.
"This Abyssal energy is almost beyond what I can contain. If this keeps up, he really will become a Stormterror."
Aether's voice held a trace of concern.
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
Rosalyn folded her arms and stared at Shajin, who sat lazily on a stone. Suspicion flickered in her eyes.
"And I didn't expect you to be involved with the so-called 'Prince' of the Abyss."
"Purpose? I just wanted to make a little wager with Barbatos. I've placed my bet. Now let's see if Barbatos can ante up something I like~"
Wearing the coat of a Harbinger, Shajin yawned, his tone light and carefree—as if everything was just a game to him.
…
"Traveler, what are you looking at?" Paimon noticed Lumine staring off into the distance, unmoving. She stepped up and tapped her on the shoulder.
Lumine touched her forehead, deep in thought.
"Nothing… maybe just my imagination."
She shook her head and quickly perked up. "Come on, we're almost at the top!"
Once everything was ready, Venti looked up at Dvalin circling in the air, determination flashing in his eyes.
"Traveler, like last time, I'll guide the Anemo elemental energy for you."
"So it was your voice before."
Lumine's expression showed she'd already suspected as much. She was grateful for Venti's help.
"Eh-heh. The two spikes on Dvalin's back are tainted with the same substance as his tears. Traveler, I'll be counting on you again."
There was a note of pleading in Venti's voice.
"Sigh… alright."
Lumine sighed, but determination shone in her eyes.
The wind lifted her into the sky. After a tense chase, she successfully struck Dvalin down once more. The poison spikes on his back were also purified.
"That's mission accomplished!" Lumine clapped her hands, her smile beaming with victory.
"Wait, something's not right! Traveler, move!"
Venti's shout was laced with urgency.
Dvalin, who had been knocked down, suddenly spread his wings again, roaring with renewed savagery.
"What now?!" Paimon cried, clutching her head.
Diluc and Jean sensed something and turned sharply.
Lumine snapped her head around—once again, that strange sense of familiarity. But the figure she thought she saw wasn't there.
"Heh heh heh, I told you. Looks like you do need my help after all."
Shajin removed his sunglasses.
His dreamy, mischievous eyes scanned the group before him.
"You again, Gambling Saint! You knew this would happen, didn't you?!"
Diluc summoned Wolf's Gravestone, pointing it directly at Shajin.
Jean glared at him, something about him triggering a sense of déjà vu.
Shajin noticed her look and helplessly shrugged.
"Captain Jean, you really are the forgetful type. Not long ago, you were tailing me and Rosalyn, remember?"
Rosalyn stepped forward from the shadows.
"I'll never understand your twisted sense of fun, Adventurine."
Upon seeing La Signora, Jean finally remembered where she'd seen Shajin's face.
He was one of the two Fatui Harbingers who had come to Mondstadt.
Diluc's expression turned grim.
"Fatui's Eighth Harbinger—The Fair Lady. Then you must be the Twelfth Harbinger appointed three years ago… The Gambler. I should've known."
Shajin chuckled and glanced up at the sky where Dvalin raged.
"Seems Mondstadt's out of options. So then, Barbatos, shall we make a deal? I'll help you awaken Dvalin—but you'll owe me one favor. How about it?"
Venti hesitated, weighing his options.
"Is it my Gnosis you're after?"
Shajin rolled his eyes.
"Please. You were going to hand that over even if we didn't lift a finger. I'm talking about something else."
Venti clenched his fists.
"The old man was right—you really are a contradiction: mad and rational. Fine… I accept."
"Deal sealed. May those who break it suffer the Wrath of the Rock"
Shajin snapped his fingers.
Imaginary energy wove into threads from his glove, shooting forth from his fingertips.
This was why Shajin often praised Sandrone as a genius—this glove didn't just compress elemental energy, it could even control Imaginary power.
Geo Vision and Cryo Delusion powers pinned Dvalin in place.
With a mighty pull, Dvalin was wrenched from the sky. Imaginary energy burrowed into his wounds, shattering the Abyssal corruption inside him.
Clarity returned to Dvalin's eyes.
"Wh-Whoa… that's powerful!"
Lumine covered her mouth in shock. Just the Twelfth Harbinger alone had effortlessly resolved something they could barely handle.
How powerful must the other eleven be—and above them, the Cryo Archon?
"Barbatos… I'm… sorry."
Venti stepped forward and gently touched Dvalin's forehead.
"It's alright, Dvalin. None of this was your fault. Now, go—fly free with my blessing~"
Then he turned back to the Harbingers.
"Servants of the Tsaritsa, the Anemo Archon grants you what you seek."
A green orb of light floated toward Shajin.
He caught it one-handed and handed it to Rosalyn.
"So this is the Gnosis? Feels less impressive than my chess set."
Shajin nodded in agreement. After all, he played chess with her daily.
"Well then, Barbatos, time to claim the wager I won from you."
Shajin withdrew the threads.
"My request: play the Song of the Skies… and summon the soul of the 'Wolf Pup Knight'—Rostam~"
_
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