"I have to admit that's amazing" mused Kenshin, looking at the huge monster running rampant on the sea.
"...." Morax stood to the side observing Lumine, whom he had shared a little travel through the past and rites of parting, lead the charge against the unsealed Ossial.
Kenshin could discern that Morax was nervous, at least as much as he could be.
He believed in humanity, but this didn't detract from the fact that this battle would allow him to step down as Liyue's Archon.
"Although I get your idea" Kenshin said, looking at the pretty buffed Lumine dispatching enemies after receiving help from the Adeptus. "I don't think this is a battle humans are fighting. Only that Electro girl is doing something, the one I'm pretty sure it's not human Lumine is doing all the job protecting the only way of damaging Ossial, those 3 ballistas Guizhong created. Even if humans constructed them, the technology Guizhong used is beyond their understanding, humanity can only copy them."
Morax didn't say anything, noting how the Fatuis were sending more reinforcements, only to make it look like the Harbor needed to fight for its life.
"But I get you want them to feel that they can move forward by themselves" Kenshin commented, making Morax look at him.
"You don't approve?" inquired calmly Morax. He knew Kenshin had a different opinion of all this, and over the years he had seen Kenshin grow and mature, the now Shogun of Inazuma had ideas he himself appreciated.
"I approve of your intentions, and you should know that I'm happy you are hanging your hat as the Geo Archon" Kenshin said, looking at the battle in front of him. "But do you really think humanity is ready? Just look at this, without the Adeptus, Lumine and Guizhong's technology, the Harbor would have been destroyed in an hour. Judging by Guizhong's analysis, only the Jade Chamber detonating in front of Ossial will be enough to weaken him, and yet those water blasts would have destroyed that flying rock without Cloud Retainer's help."
"Adeptus are also a part of Liyue" countered Morax. "And they will always be."
"That's right" Kenshin agreed with a nod. "But I always need to put myself in the worst case possible. 'Humans beat a God' is what everyone will speak of tomorrow, and I don't think very highly of humans as a whole. There are amazing people everywhere, but I think humanity as a whole is a piece of shit."
"How lamentable" Morax sighed, feeling sorry that someone as brilliant as Kenshin had grown up in a place that made him think like this.
"Maybe" Kenshin knew what Morax meant. "But it's not only about Inazuma. Mondstadt has its dark past even if it's one of my favourite places now. Liyue has its own problems, the other day one retiring member of the Qixing was poisoned by its adoptive son just for money, and of course the Fatui were also involved. From what I've heard from merchants, Sumeru is messed up and based on Arlecchino Fontaine is a cesspool where human and even child trafficking is quite spread."
"I'm old" Morax replied. "I have seen the birth and decay of nations, and from my experience, I see how humanity has never stopped moving forward. Just like Mondstadt is a place you consider a happy one, Sumeru's people will resolve their problems, Liyue will gradually improve so no such horrifying crimes occur. Didn't Inazuma improve in the same way?"
"Could a normal human have changed it?" muttered Kenshin.
Morax and Kenshin stood silent, each thinking about their own things.
Morax believed in the progress of humanity, while Kenshin was more pesimistic.
This pessimistic view was exactly why Kenshin was so driven to make Inazuma a better place. Maybe after growing up in a good place where they could appreciate what life had to offer, they would not do anything to harm that peace.
"Things are ending" Kenshin sighed seeing that humanity couldn't win against a God.
Ossial was too strong for anyone to deal with, even Lumine with the Adeptus' help was useless.
The only way of fighting the Harbor had, 3 ballistas Guizhong made, were destroyed in a single attack, rendering everyone unable to damage the God.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
The Jade Chamber exploded, raising a mushroom cloud in the sky.
"I guess that's also the power of humanity" mused Kenshin, realizing that in the end, the most effective weapon had been built by human hands. "Still, I don't know what to think. The only thing humanity did in this battle was to make a bomb explode."
A green mist beside them heralded the visit of one of the combatants.
Xiao appeared next to the 2 who were looking at the now calming sea, pondering about the battle and its consequences.
The Adeptus knew Morax was still alive, there was no chance of fooling them now that every single one of them knew Guizhong was pregnant, Morax wouldn't leave his child behind just like that.
They only needed to be persuaded to comply with this plan, and then keep the secret of Morax's fake death.
"What do you think?" asked Kenshin looking at Xiao.
"About what?" Xiao was more vocal after being free from his curse for 13, almost 14 years now.
"....it doesn't matter" Kenshin sighed, not wanting to start again. "Ningguang knows about this whole thing, she is too smart. Even if she won't say anything, I think it should probably be better if I talk to her."
"If you think it's the best path" Morax calmly nodded and turned around.
"Morax" Kenshin's solemn voice made the soon-to-be former Geo Archon look at him. "Guizhong will come back in a week, and we still have a Contract to fulfil."
"In a week, I will wait for you in the Sea of Spears" Morax's unchanged voice reached Kenshin's ears.
"Xiao, can you take me to Ningguang's location?" asked Kenshin, mkaing Xiao nod.
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"You owe me another one" was the first thing Kenshin knew after seeing Yelan.
"...." Yelan's dark face spoke for itself.
They were in a closed room in the most luxurious hotel in Liyue. After Ningguang lost her Jade Chamber, she would stay here while the construction of the new one was in progress.
"What do we owe you for your visit?" asked a politely smiling Ningguang, who already knew Kenshin's purpose.
Kenshin only looked at the frowning Yelan, and Ningguang nodded.
"How do you feel?" asked Kenshin, taking a seat in front of Ningguang after her invitation to sit. "Now Liyue has no God, it's a city of humans and Adeptus without a bigger existence to follow and rely on."
"Are we really?" replied Ningguang with a small smile making Yelan open her eyes.
"What do you mean?" asked the tall woman with black and blue hair narrowing her eyes.
"Do you think Morax would die just like that?" inquired Ningguang with raised eyebrows. "He is someone who won in a war where Ossial was defeated. Based on this fight, do you think he would have died so...easily?"
Yelan thought about the destruction Ossial caused, and couldn't help but sigh. Morax had appeared dead, how could that happen?
At least a few meteors should have appeared at some point.
"But yes, you are without a God now" Kenshin's words took Yelan out of her stupor. "After 2 thousand years, he has chosen to retire. Ningguang, you already know his identity, he isn't even trying to hide, but leave him alone."
"Of course" Ningguang nodded, but a small smile appeared on her smile. "We already wo-"
"This is why I came" Kenshin sighed, interrupting Ningguang, who frowned paying attention. "I came here to give you the information only a God has. Now that Morax's won't guide you, you should be aware of the world you are living in. You can do with this information whatever you want, you are way smarter than me to realize what should and should not be told."
"I'm listening" Ningguang nodded with a serious expression, Yelan by her side doing the same.
"The Harbor won, but you should realize how fucked up your situation is" Kenshin's words made Ningguang frown in displeasure.
"I know" Ningguang curtly said. "We needed to use everything we had. Had the explosion of the Jade Chamber failed to defeat Ossial, God of the Vortex, the Harbor would have lost."
"It wouldn't, the Adeptus are way stronger than what you think" confessed Kenshin. "They acted as supports in this battle as the purpose of this debacle was to make humanity take a step forward without a God, if that explosion failed they would have unleashed all their power. I know them, but I only know the strength of a few. The Conqueror of Demons is the strongest one, even if he isn't strong enough to defeat Ossial by himself the support from the other Adeptus would have been enough."
"Are you implying something?" asked Yelan directly, her playful demeanour being forgotten.
"I'm not implying anything, I'm telling you directly that you are weak" Kenshin replied with brutal honesty. "Before you complain, let me ask. Should Ossial attack again, right now, what would you do?"
"Evacuate" Ningguang curtly replied. "Until I build my Jade Chamber again and build more ballistas, there is nothing we can do."
"It's good that you know it. But there are enemies more dangerous than Ossial" Kenshin rubbed his eyes in tiredness. "I know for a fact that the Harbingers from Snezhnaya are strong. A few of them, maybe 3 or 4, could have defeated Ossial alone."
"What?!" asked Yelan with a surprised expression. "Can a human beat a God alone?"
Ningguang had to agree with Yelan. She was the most influential and powerful person in Liyue, so she knew a lot more about the world, but it seemed that her lens wasn't wide enough.
"They are basically cheating" explained Kenshin. "They have a lot of knowledge about the truth of the world that no, I'm not aware of, in fact, I'm not even interested. They have other ways of getting power that don't involve a Vision. But you don't need to worry that much, they already got what they wanted from Liyue, they will leave or stay to get more information or money."
Ningguang, as the leader of the Qixing, frowned in thought.
"We are wide open" she muttered.
"I came here to warn you" Kenshin said leaning back on his chair. "Warn you to get stronger quickly. This world is way wider than what you may think and infinitely more mysterious. Things are starting to move, and you need to be prepared."
"What's your place in this mysterious world?" asked Yelan curiously, looking at the seemingly relaxed Kenshin.
"A pawn in someone else's game" confessed Kenshin. "In the big picture, I'm nothing more than an ant the players can remove with a thought. I am in a weird relationship with Snezhnaya, where they want something from me but I'm so pissed about them that I can't bring myself to care. But even with the backing from the Raiden Shogun I can't poke them or we will probably face defeat. I'm not that eager to start a fight with the strongest nation in the world."
"Can we count on Morax to help should the need come?" asked Ningguang, her privileged mind going through countless plans. "I can understand his feelings, but against those enemies, he is our only chance, at least for now."
Ningguang was a person proud of her abilities and clearly believed that humanity wouldn't ever stop growing until the point where they could be independent.
But they needed time, and that's what she may need Morax's help with.
"In the next week, yes. Even if he stepped down from this position as the Geo Archon, he is still Liyue's protector" said Kenshin standing up.
"What will happen in a week?" Ningguang was too smart to not realize Kenshin was involved in some way.
"I have a fight with him" Kenhsin revealed much to the other two's surprise. "After which he will step down from that position too."
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"Well, if it isn't the hot woman" Kenshin smirked entering the room where Lumine, Morax, Childe and Signora were conducting the exchange of the Gnosis.
Morax had the Geo Gnosis in his hand, and seemed to be saying the last words to Signora before giving it to her.
"What do you want now" Signora grumbled, sensing that nothing good would come from Kenshin's presence.
"Kenshin?!" asked Lumine in shock, realizing that this man who disappeared after going to Inazuma had somehow been aware of Zhongli's identity and the Fatui's plans all along.
And Childe just frowned, not liking this man who gave off a dangerous feeling. In fact, he hated Kenshin deeply for even mentioning his brother Teucer.
"Lothario!" Paimon flew in front of Kenshin's face and frowned with her arm crossed. "So you were aware all along!"
"If it isn't the most brilliant pair of people in the whole Liyue!" Kenshin mockingly smirked at Paimon, making the little flying baby's face turn red from indignation. "I saw how you ran from the scene where that cardboard body fell. I may be stupid because I can't fathom why would you escape being innocent."
"U-uhhhh...hmmm" Lumine tried desperately to think of a possible reason, but she found none. She had panicked at the time, and now that she thought about it, it hadn't been a very bright idea.
"Or" Kenshin continued, pointing at Childe with his thumb. "Why would you trust a Harbinger after you knew what they did in Mondstadt. I may be stupid because I can't fathom why would you do that."
"He seemed to be a good person" tried Lumine, but seeing Kenshin's blank expression she felt that she messed up.
"The 'good person', even while being played like a fiddle, released a God in Liyue. Do you really, really think he was a good person?" now Kenshin's mocking face was directed towards the red-faced Lumine.
"Shut up" Childe's cold voice sounded in the room.
"Enough" Signora intervened with a frown. "What did you come here for?"
"Not your business, I have no intention of going against you after your Contract of leaving alone my family" Kenshin looked towards the solemn Signora. "But I also am not inclined to help you and your people. I gave you the Electro Gnosis because I had no other way of getting rid of it without making you my enemies, but that was the last time I gave you my help."
"That's not your decision to make" Childe added, making Lumine look at everyone nervously, and Paimon hide behind her realizing that the conflict here was not something they could get involved in.
"And what are you going to do?" smirked Kenshin, looking at the icy countenance of the youngest Harbinger. "You can't hurt or threaten me with my family, and I would probably die before lending you all my help if my family isn't taken hostage. Please mister Battle-Lover, tell me how you intend to make me comply."
"Stop" Signora said, making the temperature of the room sharply descend.
Morax looked calmly at all this, but a small frown was present on his face.
"Do you think your family is all we can do?" Childe smirked back, making Kenshin's grin disappear, being replaced by a blank expression that would have made Shenhe's face look exultant. "Your family is not the only thing you value, is it?"
The air stalled in the room.
Everyone, even Paimon, felt something was happening inside of the room, but no one knew what.
Crack
Morax looked in astonishment at the Gnosis in his hand, which now sported a crack. Not even he knew what or how had Kenshin done it.
"...." and the 2 Harbingers looked in panic at the now cracked Gnosis.
"If you want to play the threat game" Kenshin's gaze had no feeling on it, but his brightly shining purple eyes made everyone in the room feel alarmed, feeling that a part of their being was naked before them. "I can play it too."
"STOP!" Signora shouted and quickly grabbed the Gnosis before Kenshin would do something more. She didn't know if this crack would have some repercussions, but she guessed not.
Irreparably damaging the Gnosis would count as harming Snezhnaya's interests and the Contract would be voided, so she knew Kenshin wouldn't do anything to damage the Gnosis in a way that would render their plan useless, but she didn't want to take any chances.
Humans were not always rational, and even though she had her doubts now, Kenshin was still one.
"Kenshin" Morax warning tone made Kenshin take a step back.
"Whatever" Kenshin grumbled, and with a last threatening look towards the shaken Childe he left the building, but not before saying some last words. "I am going to the bird's place."
Morax nodded, understanding that it meant that Guizhong was back, as Kenshin had no other reason to visit Cloud Retainer, as they didn't like each other that much.
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"Morax" Guizhong nervously said, looking at the solemn man at the door of their house, ready to leave. "Are you.... never mind."
A week had passed, and the moment of the fight between Morax and Kenshin arrived.
"I'm going" Morax said before leaving the house.
He was not going to fight as Zhongli or Rex Lapis but as Morax, the Geo Archon.
And as such, his attire was the same as the one he used during the Archon War.
A white cowl that covered his head and a white and golden robe.
That was the attire that instilled terror in his enemies and relief in his allies.
An attire that after this night, might be hung forever in a closet.