(TL/N: I dropped a new fanfic (Soul Land), give it a read ☺️)
At this moment, inside the Stormterror's Lair.
Lumine held her longsword as she fought fiercely against the enemies. They had already been here for two days. Their progress was not slow, and they were now close to Stormterror's nest. With one more day, they would likely reach the inner ruins.
Paimon floated in the air. Seeing the corpses scattered across the ground, she asked with confusion, "It feels like there are more monsters than usual today. Am I imagining things?"
Kaeya had just finished his battle. Hearing Paimon's question, he answered with a grin, "The Abyss Order must be preparing to prevent Stormterror from being saved. Otherwise, there is no way to explain the number of monsters."
"So that is why. But since all of us are gathered here, does that mean there are not many people left defending Mondstadt? What if Stormterror chooses now to attack?"
Hearing Paimon ask again, Kaeya muttered, "It should not happen. Su Han just heavily injured it not long ago."
"But…"
Paimon was about to continue when alarm bells suddenly rang along the front line. Everyone rushed over and saw sixteen oval-shaped Abyssal gates appear before the wind barrier, with countless eerie knights slowly stepping out.
Listening to their strange footsteps, Lumine frowned. "These are Abyssal monsters too?"
"Be careful. These guys are unusual. Everyone pull back!"
For some reason, Kaeya felt extremely uneasy when he saw these creatures. Something felt very wrong.
Just as they were preparing to retreat, a monster in a crimson robe blocked their path. It held a strange artifact in both hands, and behind it a mass of blazing fire roared.
The monster opened its arms. Flames rose from the ground and transformed into a towering wall of fire, cutting off their escape.
The Abyss Lector sneered. "How is it? This should be enough to stall you."
"Stall us? Do you mean…"
Kaeya's expression changed. He finally understood their plan. Just as Paimon had said, the Abyss Order had already decided how to deal with them from the beginning. They did not confront them directly and instead used monsters to drag them out here.
Their real purpose was to allow Stormterror to attack Mondstadt.
Damn it. He had fallen for such a simple trick.
Sure enough, the next second a shrill dragon roar echoed through the ruins. Stormterror, eyes glowing red and filled with darkness, flew straight toward Mondstadt.
Seeing this, Kaeya cried out in despair, "No!"
Meanwhile in Mondstadt, its citizens remained safe and peaceful, unaware of the danger approaching.
In the plaza, Jean was speaking with Venti.
"Please accompany us into the inner ruins tonight. The front line just sent word. We should be able to enter tomorrow, so I must ask for your help."
"Of course. Although it is a shame you let Su Han leave. Things would have been even easier if he were here."
Venti agreed while hinting relentlessly.
But Jean only shook her head. "No. This is Mondstadt's responsibility. We cannot always rely on outsiders."
She certainly wished Su Han could stay and help govern Mondstadt, but his home was in Liyue. Here, he was ultimately just a guest.
Venti was speechless. Before he could say anything, he sensed a change in the sky and immediately warned, "This is bad. Stormterror is coming. We cannot let it get near Mondstadt."
"Take me with you!"
"You?"
"Yes. I am the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt. Last time Su Han drove it away. Before that, it was Eula. This time it should be my turn."
Seeing Jean's unwavering determination, Venti knew that even without him, she would still rush over. So he said, "Then protect yourself. What about the city while you are gone?"
"Do not worry. Diluc and Lisa are here. Nothing major will happen."
"Then let's go."
A powerful gust erupted from Venti, lifting them high into the air. By the time Jean processed what had happened, she was already soaring far above the ground. Before she could appreciate the beauty of flying, Venti reminded her urgently:
"Be careful. Stormterror is approaching. We must intercept it at Dawn Winery's lake, otherwise its winds will affect Mondstadt."
"No problem."
Jean tightened her grip on her sword and focused with all her strength.
In less than two minutes, Stormterror arrived before them shrouded in heavy dark clouds. When it saw Venti, its eyes filled with even greater rage as it roared, "You abandoned me!"
"I am sorry, Stormterror. I know you cannot listen to anything I say right now, but at least let me calm you down first."
With the experience of last time, Venti immediately unleashed a massive storm to restrain it. Then he looked at Jean, signaling her to attack.
"I am going!"
With the power of the wind guiding her, Jean could freely move through the air. She shot forward until she reached the top of the dragon's head. Only then did she see the three massive tumor-like growths on Stormterror's back. The closest one had a large indentation.
Jean's eyes brightened. She murmured, "That must have been caused by Su Han. In that case, I only need to destroy one. Then it will retreat. Let me save you, Stormterror."
Countless winds gathered around her sword. Considering her own strength, Jean poured every bit of power into this strike. With a burst of overwhelming pressure, her sword energy erupted.
Buzz.
The tumor trembled violently as countless cracks spread across it. Just when Jean thought she could destroy it completely, Venti shouted behind her in panic.
"Move! Look behind you!"
Behind?
Jean froze for a moment. Then a cold object pierced through her body.
She looked down at the gaping wound in her abdomen and realized someone had ambushed her.
"Heh. After what happened last time, did you think we would come unprepared? Foolish human."
Behind Jean, an Abyss mage grinned triumphantly.
The black spike rapidly corrupted the wound. Jean felt unbearably cold, but when she thought of the people of Mondstadt, she knew she could not fall yet. She had to force Stormterror back.
"At the very least, I must give them a peaceful sky. Go back, Stormterror."
Using the last of her strength, Jean threw the Eagle of Favonius. The tumor, already covered in cracks, finally shattered under its impact.
Seeing the tumor break apart, a faint smile appeared on Jean's face. But her injuries were too severe. Her consciousness slipped away. At the brink of death, she found herself reflecting on her life. She had always yearned for love, yet had never been able to pursue it.
"If I could live… I really want to fall in love."
In the final moment before losing consciousness, Su Han's figure appeared in her mind. Then everything went dark.
After the tumor was destroyed, Stormterror lost its balance again and fled back into the sky.
The Abyss mage shouted in frustration, "No. You useless beast, get back here! Get back here and destroy Mondstadt. Get back…"
He did not finish his sentence. The winds around him suddenly turned icy cold.
He turned stiffly. The young man who had been smiling moments ago now had a face as cold as frost.
"Do not insult my friend."
Venti clenched his hand. The Abyss mage was torn apart by a thousand winds before he could utter a final word.
After finishing, Venti looked at Jean, who was wrapped in wind. He sighed. "This is truly troublesome."
As the Wind God, he had no way to deal with the Abyssal corruption. Jean's internal organs had already been infected. In her current condition, she was beyond saving unless someone could both cleanse the corruption and heal her internal injuries. Otherwise, death was the only outcome.
"What should I do? At best I can maintain her condition, but I cannot save her. Wait… Su Han can purge Abyssal poison."
Suddenly Venti remembered the golden light Su Han had used to destroy Abyssal corruption. Perhaps he could help. And since Liyue was that old man's domain, there must be some method available.
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