The air around the Abyss Herald was thick, oppressive. It was different from the fear I felt when facing Stormterror. That fear had been raw—primal—but this… this was something else entirely. Stormterror had been a force of nature, wild and destructive. But the Herald? It was calculated, malevolent. I could feel it in my bones—an instinctual understanding that I was completely outmatched.
My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of the Herald's presence pressing down on me. The knights stood frozen around me, their eyes wide with the same recognition. We were in the presence of something far more dangerous than anything we had faced before. Even Kaeya, always calm and collected, looked rattled.
I gripped my sword tighter, the cool metal grounding me. My blood thrummed with energy, but even with the power coursing through me, I knew… this wasn't a fight we were prepared for.
The Abyss Herald's cold, blue gaze swept over us, its voice low and filled with venom. "You are insignificant. The Abyss shall rise, and Mondstadt will be the first to fall."
I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I forced myself to stand my ground. The Herald radiated power in a way that made the Abyss Mages we had just fought seem like mere annoyances. This was something ancient, something far beyond my understanding.
Kaeya's jaw was tight, his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword. "We need to fall back," he said, his voice strained but steady. "This is no ordinary enemy."
I glanced at the other knights. Mara's hands trembled around her bow, her eyes darting between the Herald and Kaeya. Elric looked grim, his body tense, ready for a fight, but even he wasn't blind to the danger in front of us. Venn stood frozen, his face pale, his eyes locked on the Herald with a mixture of awe and terror.
The Abyss Herald didn't wait for us to make a decision. With a swift motion, it raised its hand, dark energy swirling around its arm. A surge of Hydro power crackled in the air, and before I could react, the Herald sent a wave of water crashing toward us.
"Scatter!" Kaeya shouted, moving with blinding speed. He dodged the attack with ease, his sword already in hand.
I followed instinctively, diving to the side as the water slammed into the stone where I'd just been standing. The force of it sent cracks through the ground, and a cold spray hit my face as I rolled to my feet.
The knights scrambled to take positions, weapons drawn, eyes wide as they tried to assess the situation. But it was clear—we were outmatched. The Abyss Herald moved like a predator, calm and deliberate, its power far beyond anything we'd encountered.
Kaeya was the first to strike, his cryo-infused blade flashing as he aimed a swift blow at the Herald. The Herald raised its spear, deflecting the attack with a sharp clash of metal. Sparks flew, and for a moment, it seemed as if the two were evenly matched.
---
I could see the strain on Kaeya's face. He was fast—faster than anyone I'd seen before—but the Herald moved with a cold precision, its attacks relentless and unyielding. Kaeya's blade danced through the air, a blur of icy light as he struck, parried, and dodged with almost supernatural agility. Every time his sword connected with the Herald's spear, a sharp crack echoed through the cave, sending sparks flying.
The Abyss Herald didn't flinch. Its movements were smooth, controlled, its Hydro-infused spear slicing through the air like a serpent's strike. The two combatants circled each other, their weapons clashing with terrifying force. Kaeya's speed was impressive—he moved like liquid , every motion fluid and purposeful—but the Herald was a step ahead, its attacks calculated and ruthless.
A sweeping strike from Kaeya came down toward the Herald's head, but the Herald sidestepped with a sharp pivot, twisting its spear to block and counter. Kaeya barely had time to parry the incoming thrust, the spear's tip grazing his armor with a metallic screech.
Kaeya's expression remained focused, his breath steady, but I could see the strain building in his shoulders. His strikes, though precise and deadly, were not landing. The Herald was toying with him, matching his speed and strength blow for blow.
I watched in awe, barely able to comprehend what I was seeing. Kaeya was known for his skill, but this—this was a different level. The speed at which they moved was overwhelming. Every strike, every feint, was faster than my eyes could fully register. The two of them were clashing in a battle that seemed inhuman.
The knights around me were just as stunned. Elric, normally so stoic, was wide-eyed, his sword held loosely at his side. Mara's bow was still in her hand, but it hung uselessly as she tried—and failed—to track the fight with her eyes. Venn looked completely lost, his mouth slightly open as he tried to process what was happening.
I could feel it too—the growing sense of helplessness creeping into my chest. As I watched Kaeya fight, moving with such grace and precision, I realized how far beyond me this was. I was strong, yes. I had my blood powers and my demon mode. But this... this was different. Kaeya's experience, his raw skill—it was something I couldn't match. Not yet.
The Abyss Herald lunged forward, its spear spinning in a fluid arc, the Hydro energy swirling around it like a storm. Kaeya deflected the strike, but the force of it sent him skidding back several feet, his boots scraping against the stone floor. He recovered instantly, his blade raised in defense, but I saw it—the brief flicker of weariness in his eyes.
The Herald pressed the advantage, its spear stabbing forward in a rapid series of thrusts. Kaeya dodged the first two, the third grazing his shoulder with a hiss of freezing water. He grimaced but didn't falter, countering with a swift slash aimed at the Herald's midsection. The Herald blocked the strike with ease, the spear spinning in its hand as if it weighed nothing.
Then came a moment that nearly stopped my heart.
Kaeya lunged, his blade cutting through the air with terrifying speed, aiming for the Herald's exposed side. But in a blur of movement, the Herald spun, its spear arcing upward in a deadly sweep. The force behind the strike sent Kaeya stumbling backward, barely managing to keep his footing.
I saw the briefest flicker of frustration cross his face. He was giving it everything, but the Herald wasn't slowing down. It was relentless, each attack sharper and more precise than the last.
The clash of steel rang out again as Kaeya blocked another strike, but the Herald wasn't done. It followed up with a rapid series of slashes, its spear moving like a whirlwind. Kaeya deflected each one, his sword a blur of icy light, but I could see the toll it was taking on him. His breath was coming faster now, his movements just a fraction slower.
My heart pounded in my chest, and a cold dread settled over me. Kaeya was one of the best fighters in Mondstadt, and yet... this Herald, this creature from the Abyss, was pushing him to his limit.
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of my own blood pulsing beneath my skin, but even then, I hesitated. What could I do against something like that? I had fought before—against Abyss Mages, Hilichurls, even Stormterror—but this... this was different. The speed, the power, the sheer precision of the Herald's attacks—it was beyond anything I had faced.
I wasn't ready for this. Not like Kaeya was.
Another flurry of strikes sent Kaeya reeling back, his blade barely managing to block the Herald's relentless assault. The knights around me watched, their faces pale with fear and awe. None of us could intervene. We were all frozen, caught between the desire to help and the crushing realization that we couldn't.
The sound of metal on metal rang out again, and I saw Kaeya stagger slightly as he parried another strike. His breathing was labored now, the strain finally showing on his face. The Herald, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. Its movements were as fluid and precise as ever, its cold, calculating gaze fixed on Kaeya with a terrifying intensity.
And then, in a sudden burst of speed, the Herald launched forward. Kaeya's eyes widened, his sword coming up just in time to block the incoming blow. But the force of the strike was too much. The impact sent Kaeya crashing to the ground, his sword skidding across the stone floor.
My breath caught in my throat as the Herald raised its spear for the final blow.
"Kaeya!" I shouted, instinctively stepping forward, but I knew I couldn't reach him in time.
But Kaeya wasn't done yet. In one swift motion, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the Herald's spear as it slammed into the ground where he had been just moments before. With a grunt of effort, he pushed himself back to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination.
He lunged forward again, his blade flashing with icy energy. This time, his strike was true. The blade cut through the air, colliding with the Herald's spear in a shower of sparks. For a brief moment, they were locked in a struggle, the force of their clash sending ripples of energy through the cave.
Kaeya's face was tight with concentration, his muscles straining as he pushed against the Herald's strength. I could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the sweat dripping down his brow, but he refused to back down. He was fighting with everything he had, and for a moment, I thought he might actually have the upper hand.
But the Herald was stronger. It twisted its spear, breaking the lock and sending Kaeya stumbling back. Before he could recover, the Herald struck again, a quick, brutal slash that Kaeya barely managed to parry.
The fight was dragging on, and Kaeya was tiring. I could see it in the way his movements were slowing, his strikes less precise than before. The Herald, on the other hand, seemed as relentless as ever.
---
The sound of clashing metal, the speed of their movements—Kaeya's fight with the Abyss Herald had reached a fever pitch. It was overwhelming to watch. The knights and I stood frozen, our eyes wide with shock as Kaeya danced on the edge of life and death, narrowly avoiding each blow. The Herald's spear cut through the air like a phantom, its strikes lethal and precise.
My heart pounded in my chest. I'd never felt so... useless.
Every instinct told me to stay back. Kaeya was in his element, a master of his craft, but the strain on him was obvious. His movements, while still swift, were slowing. The Abyss Herald was toying with him, forcing Kaeya to burn through his energy just to stay alive. The knights beside me looked equally helpless, unsure if they could even intervene.
A chill swept through me, the cold fear that came with realizing just how outmatched I was. This wasn't Stormterror. This wasn't some random Abyss Mage or Hilichurl. The Herald radiated a different kind of danger—an overwhelming pressure that made my skin crawl. It was like staring into the abyss, knowing it could swallow me whole at any moment.
But then Kaeya staggered.
The Herald's spear grazed his armor, sending him stumbling. For a split second, I saw the exhaustion in his eyes. He wouldn't last much longer.
"Screw it"
I couldn't just watch this. It didn't matter if I was outmatched. I couldn't leave Kaeya to face this monster alone.
A surge of adrenaline shot through me, and before I could second-guess myself, I switched on demon mode.
The familiar rush of power coursed through my veins, sharpening my senses and heightening my awareness. A new clarity washed over me, and with it, the fear faded into the background. I knew I had 26 minutes—26 minutes of unlimited stamina, enhanced strength, faster regeneration and I intended to use every second of it.
My fists tightened around my sword as I charged forward, blood roaring in my ears. "Kaeya!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.
Kaeya glanced back, surprise flashing in his eyes. But there was no time for words. I was already in motion.
The Abyss Herald turned toward me, its cold gaze locking onto mine. I could feel the weight of its attention, a predatory focus that made my skin prickle. But I didn't care. As long as I wasn't decapitated, I could handle whatever it threw at me.
With a snarl, I swung my sword, aiming for the Herald's midsection. The creature reacted instantly, deflecting the blow with its spear. The force of the impact sent a jolt up my arm, but I pressed forward, launching a barrage of slashes, each one more furious than the last.
The Herald's speed was incredible—it parried every strike with ease, its movements impossibly fluid. But I didn't let up. My blood was boiling with energy, my stamina bottomless in this form. I knew I wasn't as fast or skilled as Kaeya, but I didn't need to be. I just had to keep pushing, keep attacking, and give Kaeya the space he needed.
I darted forward, slashing at the Herald's arm. It dodged, but I expected that. Using the momentum, I flicked my wrist and drew my sword across my own palm, letting my blood flow freely. In a single motion, I splattered the ground around the Herald with my blood and ignited it.
The flames erupted, bright and hot, catching the Herald off guard for just a second. That second was all I needed.
I lunged, my blood-coated sword now ablaze with searing heat, and swung it toward the Herald's shield. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, the flames licking at the creature's armor.
The Herald hissed, staggering back from the intensity of the fire. It retaliated quickly, slashing its spear in a vicious arc. I tried to dodge, but the tip of the spear caught my face, slicing across my eye. Pain exploded in my vision, blinding me for a moment, but I didn't stop.
The wound healed almost instantly, my demon mode working in overdrive to patch me up. But the Herald was relentless. It followed up with a brutal strike, and before I could react, its spear cleaved through my arm, severing it at the shoulder.
I cried out, the pain blinding, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to keep going. My arm would grow back. I just needed time.
---
Kaeya, seeing the opening I'd created, wasted no time and leaped back into the fray with fluid precision. His sword, gleaming with frost, slashed at the Herald's exposed side. The icy blade crashed against the Abyss Herald's shield, freezing it and sending a reverberating shock through the cavern.
It was a calculated strike—quick, sharp, but not enough to pierce through. The Herald snarled in response, its spear lashing out in a vicious counterattack.
But I was already moving, stepping in front of Kaeya to take the hit. The spear gouged deep into my side, the pain sharp and immediate, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay in place. My body's regeneration worked overtime to heal the wound, but it was worth it.
Kaeya's eyes flickered with brief surprise, but he didn't hesitate. He used the opening I had created, spinning around me and striking the Herald's shield once again, cracking it further.
We fell into a rhythm, our movements synced in a way that felt almost natural. I would throw myself into the Herald's attacks, using my regenerative abilities to soak up the damage while Kaeya danced around, striking with deadly precision. Each blow he delivered chipped away at the Herald's defenses, and each time I blocked or deflected the Herald's spear, I made sure Kaeya stayed unharmed.
The Herald roared in frustration, its spear thrusting toward Kaeya's exposed back. Without thinking, I surged forward, taking the hit directly to my chest. The impact was brutal, sending a shock of pain radiating through me, but I didn't falter. My body shuddered from the force, but as quickly as the wound opened, my blood began to knit it back together.
Kaeya's blade flashed in the dim light, his strikes becoming more aggressive, his confidence growing with each successful hit.
"You're crazier than I thought, Tayden," he muttered through gritted teeth, his focus never wavering from the battle. There was a glint of respect in his voice, though he masked it with his usual sarcasm.
"Better me than you," I shot back, forcing a grin despite the pain as my body continued to heal. "You're the one who can actually finish this fight."
Kaeya's lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smirk, but he kept his eyes on the Herald. He moved with a fluid grace, each strike aimed at the weak points I was exposing. I wasn't just acting as a shield—I was pushing the Herald, forcing it to react to me while Kaeya dealt the real damage.
I took another swing at the Herald, my sword burning with my ignited blood. The flames flared as I brought the blade down on its shield, forcing the creature to raise its defenses just as Kaeya darted in from the opposite side. His blade struck true, slicing through the Herald's armor with a sickening crunch. The creature staggered, but before it could regain its footing, I was already on it again.
I slashed my arm with my sword, coating the blade in my blood and igniting it once more. The flames roared to life, bright and fierce. I charged the Herald, swinging my fiery blade with reckless abandon. The flames seared through the air, the heat causing the ice and snow around us to hiss and steam. The Herald, caught between my relentless assault and Kaeya's calculated strikes, began to falter.
As its spear came down in another wild arc, I raised my arm to block it, letting the weapon dig into my flesh. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and held firm. "Come on!" I growled, forcing myself to stay upright as Kaeya lunged in from behind, his sword crashing into the Herald's side.
Kaeya's blade cleaved through the weakened armor, and the Herald bellowed in fury. But even as it tried to retaliate, I was there, once again putting myself between Kaeya and the Herald's spear. My body took the brunt of the hit, the spear slicing across my ribs, but I didn't care. The pain was nothing right now.
"Don't get yourself killed," Kaeya grunted, his eyes flashing with a mixture of frustration and admiration.
"Not planning on it," I shot back, already feeling the wounds begin to heal as I pressed the attack. The flames from my sword danced across the Herald's armor, my special fire somehow not evaporating even against the Herald's hydro powers. I could feel the creature weakening, its movements becoming more sluggish as we wore it down.
I saw Kaeya's next move before he made it—a faint shift in his stance, a tightening of his grip. I lunged forward, drawing the Herald's attention, and as it raised its spear to strike, Kaeya moved. His blade came down in a precise, lethal arc, slamming into the creature's shield with a force that sent cracks spidering through it.
The Herald recoiled, its shield barely holding together under the onslaught. With a snarl, it raised its spear once more, but this time, Kaeya was faster. His sword flashed, and the shield finally shattered, pieces of ice and metal scattering across the cave.
"Now!" Kaeya barked, his voice sharp with authority, cutting through the chaos of the cave.
The signal was clear. The knights didn't rush in recklessly—they knew better. Instead, they moved with precision, using every ounce of their skill to support Kaeya and me in the fight. They knew that getting too close to the Abyss Herald was a death sentence, but that didn't stop them from playing their part.
Elric, the most experienced of the knights, was the first to act. He circled around the battlefield, his eyes never leaving the Herald. His sword remained sheathed for the moment; instead, he focused on reading the Herald's movements, looking for any sign of weakness. He wasn't a man of many words, but his sharp instincts were invaluable. As Kaeya's sword clashed against the Herald's shield, Elric darted in, delivering quick, precise strikes to its exposed legs. His sword moved like lightning, a blur of silver that forced the Herald to stumble, if only for a second.
"Keep it off balance!" Elric shouted, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Mara and Venn moved in tandem, their roles just as vital. Mara, the archer, hung back, her bowstring taut as she scanned the battlefield for openings. She wasn't aiming to kill the Herald—she knew that wasn't within her reach. Instead, she sent her arrows flying , aiming for the creature's joints and limbs, each shot designed to distract or disrupt. A well-placed arrow to the Herald's arm caused it to jerk just as it prepared to bring its spear down on me, buying me a moment to regroup.
Venn, the youngest and least experienced, was clearly nervous, but his instincts were sharp. He darted in and out of the battle, never staying in one place for too long, always moving. His role was to support wherever needed, and he played it well. When the Herald focused on Kaeya, Venn rushed in to strike at its side, forcing it to split its attention. It wasn't a heavy blow, but it was enough to create another opening for Kaeya to exploit.
Kaeya and I continued to fight side by side, his speed and precision perfectly complementing my more aggressive, relentless approach. He would feint and strike, his blade flashing in the dim light, while I pressed forward with brute force, my sword burning with my ignited blood. Every time the Herald lashed out, I was there, taking the hit so Kaeya wouldn't have to. My body healed quickly, but I could feel the strain building with each blow I absorbed.
The Herald's movements were still fast—too fast for most of the knights to keep up with—but I could see the signs of fatigue creeping in. Its strikes weren't as precise as they had been at the start of the battle, it was beginning to crack.
Kaeya noticed it too. "It's getting tired," he muttered, his breath coming in short bursts. He glanced at me, his eyes sharp with determination. "We push now. No holding back."
I nodded, feeling the same surge of energy rush through me. We'd been fighting for what felt like hours, but seeing the Herald finally start to weaken gave us all the motivation we needed. I charged forward, slashing at the Herald's shield with everything I had. My blood-coated blade flared to life as it connected, the flames scorching through the ice that protected it.
---
Elric saw his chance. With the Herald distracted by my assault, he lunged in with a well-placed strike to the back of its knee. The Herald roared in pain, its balance thrown off just enough for Kaeya to move in. His sword flashed in a deadly arc, shattering the remnants of the Herald's shield in a single, powerful blow.
Mara, from her vantage point, didn't waste a second. She fired two arrows in quick succession, both finding their mark. One embedded itself in the Herald's shoulder where it's armour was broken, and the other struck just beneath its ribs. The creature staggered, its movements becoming more erratic.
"Almost there!" Venn shouted, his voice filled with renewed determination as he darted in, landing a quick slash to the Herald's side before retreating.
Kaeya and I exchanged a glance. We both knew this was the moment. The Herald was still dangerous—one wrong move could be fatal—but it was on the defensive now. It was tiring, its attacks growing more desperate.
"We finish this!" I yelled, pushing myself forward with everything I had left. My sword, still burning with my ignited blood, slashed through the air, aiming for the Herald's chest. The flames danced wildly, scorching the creature's armor and flesh as I pressed the attack. I didn't care about the wounds I was taking—I would heal. All that mattered was taking this thing down before it could recover.
Kaeya was right behind me, his strikes cold and calculated. While I focused on brute force, he aimed for precision, striking at the creature's weak points with deadly accuracy. Every time I forced the Herald to block or parry, Kaeya was there to land another blow.
The knights continued their support, using every opening we created to chip away at the Herald's defenses. Elric's sword slashed at its legs, forcing it to stumble. Mara's arrows flew in rapid succession, each one designed to distract or disorient. Venn, despite his inexperience, darted in with quick strikes, never staying in one place long enough for the Herald to retaliate.
As we pressed the attack, I could feel the Herald weakening further. Its once-imposing aura was fading, and its movements were becoming sluggish. It roared in frustration, swinging its spear wildly, but it was no longer the precise, calculated fighter it had been at the start.
Kaeya's sword found its mark once again, slashing through the Herald's side. The creature staggered, barely able to keep itself upright.
"Now!" Kaeya shouted, his voice filled with finality.
I didn't hesitate. With a roar of my own, I lunged forward, my sword burning brighter than ever as it plunged into the Herald's chest. The flames erupted on contact, consuming the creature in a blaze of fiery light. The Herald let out one final, guttural scream before collapsing to the ground, the flames slowly dying out around it.
The cave fell silent, save for the sound of our labored breathing.
We had won.