The dream was a welcome, yet strange, reunion. It had been a while since I'd seen TD. When I looked around the Infinity Castle I now found myself in, I wasn't surprised to see him lounging on a weird looking chair, his arms crossed behind his head, that familiar smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Well, well, look who finally decided to sleep," TD teased, not bothering to glance my way. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about lil' old me."
"Yeah, it's been a while," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Sorry I haven't had time to take a nap and chat. You know, *life-threatening situations* and all. Besides, I don't even know how to get back here"
TD chuckled, finally sitting up and giving me a look of mock offense. "Oh, please. We both know you love it. Besides, where's the fun without a little danger?" His eyes gleamed mischievously. "But really, you've been doing well, all things considered."
"Gee, thanks," I shot back, crossing my arms. "Glad to know I'm meeting your high standards. So, what's up? You usually don't show up just to tell me how much I've improved."
"True," TD admitted, hopping down from the rock to stand in front of me. "You're heading into one of those corrupted temples, aren't you?" His tone was playful, but there was a shadow of concern lurking beneath his words. "They're pretty nasty places, Tayden. Full of Abyssal energy that's gonna try to worm its way into you. You might want to watch your head… you know, literally."
"Seriously? You show up after all this time just to spook me?" I grumbled, but his words left an unsettling feeling in my gut. "Is that it? Just a warning?"
"Hey, I'm looking out for you," he replied, holding his hands up innocently. "Since you're different from others here in Teyvat. The Abyss is going to sense that, like a predator sniffing out fresh meat. Think of this as a friendly heads-up. Our demonic biology absorbs stuff like the abyss particles, I'm sure you have noticed from being able to kind of use Anemo energy now."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Yeah I noticed. I'll be careful. Anything else?"
TD gave me a lopsided grin, his eyes glinting. "Just this—try not to embarrass yourself in front of that mage. She'll see right through you." And with that, the space around us began to crumble, and I felt myself slipping back to consciousness.
---
I woke up to the soft light of morning spilling through the window. Shaking off the remnants of the dream, I got up, getting prepared as fast as I can. If TD was warning me, then the temple would be atleast pretty tricky to deal with... or he's just messing with me. I dressed quickly and made my way to Mondstadt's gate, where I found Lisa already waiting.
She stood there, casually leaning against the stone archway, her eyes closed as if lost in thought. As I approached, she cracked one eye open and gave me a small, amused smile. "You're up early. Didn't expect you to be so eager, darling."
"Well, I like to start the day with a bit of danger," I replied, attempting to match her lighthearted tone. "You ready?"
"Always," she said, pushing off the wall and adjusting her hat. "Come along then, let's make our way to the temple. It's a bit of a walk, so I hope you're prepared for some company."
As we began our journey, Lisa fell into step beside me, her presence calm and composed. For a while, we walked in silence, the early morning breeze carrying the scents of dew and earth. I glanced at her, trying to figure out the best way to break the ice.
"So, uh, do you always take on front-line missions like this?" I asked. "I mean, no offense, but you're the librarian."
Lisa chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why, are you surprised? A little skeptical that Mondstadt's humble librarian can hold her own out here?"
"Well... yeah," I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. "You just don't seem like the type who charges into danger."
"Appearances can be deceiving," she replied cryptically, shooting me a sideways glance. "I'm not *just* a librarian, Tayden. There's much more to me than a collection of dusty old tomes and check-out slips."
"Right," I muttered, unsure how to respond to that. "So then, what about you? Got any tips for handling... whatever we're about to walk into?"
Her expression softened slightly as she tilted her head, considering her answer. "Patience and awareness are key. The temple will most likely have Abyssal energy. It will try to latch onto anything it can, but since people like us who have an affinity with the elements, we will be fine."
I nodded, falling silent as her words sank in. She had a point; this wasn't going to be a simple clear-and-purge mission. The Abyss had a way of getting under your skin, and I had to be ready for that.
Lisa took a breath and continued. "But enough about me. How have *you* been adapting to Mondstadt? Quite the change, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's different," I admitted. "The people here are... warm, I guess. It's easy to get lost in the crowd and feel like you belong. Though, I still feel out of place sometimes."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Is that because of your... unique nature?"
I hesitated but nodded. "Yeah. It's not exactly easy blending in when you can do things no one else can."
She hummed thoughtfully, a knowing smile forming on her lips. "You're more of an enigma than you give yourself credit for, Tayden. But for what it's worth, I think you've been doing just fine."
After that, we continued on our walk towards the temple in silence.
---
We arrived at the temple's entrance, an ominous stone archway draped in dark vines. As we approached, Lisa's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the air in front of us.
"Stop," she commanded, holding out an arm. I halted immediately, glancing at her in confusion.
"What's wrong?" I asked, watching as her gaze seemed to pierce through the surroundings, seeing something I couldn't.
"The Abyssal energy here is... strong," she murmured, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "It's being drawn toward you like a moth to a flame." She turned to look at me, her eyes gleaming with a strange mix of curiosity and concern. "You're unique, Tayden. Normally, Abyssal energy corrodes and destroys anything it touches. But with you, it's almost as if it's trying to merge with you."
I frowned, processing her words. "Why? What makes me different?"
Her eyes softened slightly, and she gestured to me with a wave of her hand. "Your demonic nature, I'd guess. You're not like anything I have ever seen before. The Abyss senses that. You're a... conduit of sorts—something that can absorb the energy instead of simply being corroded by it."
"That... doesn't sound reassuring," I muttered, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
Lisa laughed softly, patting my shoulder. "Relax, darling. We'll handle it together. Just be mindful. If you feel anything unusual, let me know immediately."
I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword as we moved forward into the temple.
---
The interior of the temple was just as ominous as the entrance suggested. The air was thick, almost suffocating, and the stone walls were covered in pulsating dark vines. Lisa moved ahead, her catalyst glowing softly in her hand, casting a faint light around us.
"These temples were once places of worship for the Four Winds," she began, her tone more professorial now. "But over time, as Mondstadt changed, they were abandoned. The Abyss took advantage of that, spreading its corruption throughout the ruins."
I listened, fascinated despite the looming danger. "So, they were sacred?"
"Once," she replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Now, they're shadows of their former selves. And we're here to cleanse that darkness."
We continued deeper into the temple, our footsteps echoing through the halls. I took the opportunity to ask, "You seem to know a lot about this place. Did you study it back in the library?"
Lisa gave a wry smile, glancing back at me. "Let's just say I have a keen interest in the history of Teyvat and its magic. Being the 'librarian' has its perks, it lets me keep an eye on the things most people overlook."
I couldn't help but laugh. "So you're telling me you use your job as an excuse to go on adventures?"
"Precisely." She grinned, that spark of mischief lighting up her eyes. "You'd be surprised how much knowledge one can gain while wandering the ruins of an old temple."
As we walked, the silence grew heavier, and the dim light made every shadow seem alive. It wasn't long before we encountered our first obstacle: a group of hilichurls. Their eyes glowed an unsettling red, and dark energy crackled around their weapons. It has to be the result of some abyss mages!
"Ready?" Lisa asked, her voice calm and confident.
"Always," I replied, "Switch On!" as I drew my sword. The surge of power filled my veins, but this time, it felt... different. It was like a damper was being put on my strength, and I realized the temple's corruption was already taking its toll on me.
The hilichurls charged, and I moved to intercept, swinging my sword in a wide arc. Using my sword to cut my arm and letting y blood flow over it. My blood ignited along the blade's edge, creating a crescent of flame that cut through the first two hilichurls. They screeched as they fell, but my attack left me feeling a little drained? Ok this is NOT normal.
Meanwhile, Lisa moved with a grace that was almost hypnotic. She raised her hand, her catalyst glowing with a soft purple light. Lightning crackled around her, and with a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a wave of electro energy that eviscerated the hilichurls. Her expression remained calm, almost serene, as if she were simply tending to her library rather than fighting for her life.
I barely had time to marvel at her skill before another hilichurl came at me. I swung my sword, cutting it down, but I could feel my body is unstable in a way. The Abyssal energy in this place was messing with me, making my attacks less efficient.
"You're struggling," Lisa commented as she dispatched another hilichurl with a bolt of lightning. "Focus on precision rather than power. Let me handle the heavy work."
Her words stung my pride, but she was right, I needed to save my energy. I nodded, adjusting my stance and focusing on quicker, more precise strikes. I moved in tandem with Lisa, covering her back as she unleashed spell after spell. Watching her in action, I realized just how much I had underestimated her. She moved like a seasoned warrior, every motion deliberate and efficient.
After clearing out the last of the hilichurls, I leaned against the wall, catching my breath. "You... you're a lot stronger than I thought," I admitted, glancing at her.
Lisa merely smiled, giving a little shrug. "There's more to me than meets the eye, darling. Remember that."
---
We continued through the temple, the air growing heavier with every step. I felt the Abyssal energy coiling around me, gnawing at my stamina. Lisa kept an eye on me, her calm demeanor never wavering.
As we finally reached the heart of the temple, a corrupted core pulsed in the center of the chamber. Tendrils of dark energy snaked outward, spreading the corruption to every corner of the room.
"There it is," Lisa said, her tone grim. "We destroy that, and the corruption in this temple will begin to dissipate."
I nodded, pushing myself off the wall. "Let's do it."
Lisa raised her catalyst, electricity crackling around her fingers. I drew my sword, making a cut on my arm and splattering the blood all over the corrupter core. Lightning and fire collided, creating a massive explosion that rocked the chamber. The core cracked, and a blinding light filled the room as the dark tendrils disintegrated.
I stumbled back, gasping as the Abyssal energy around me suddenly vanished. My body felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The oppressive aura that had drained my strength was gone.
Lisa stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room as the last of the corruption faded away. "You feel that, don't you?" she asked, turning to look at me. "The Abyssal energy was somehow interfering and reacting with your unique.. demonic biology. Now that it's gone, you can regain your strength."
I nodded, flexing my fingers. She was right. My stamina was returning, and the tightness in my muscles eased. "Yeah... it feels like I can actually breathe again."
"Good." She gave a satisfied smile, placing her hand on my shoulder. "You did well, Tayden. Not many could withstand the Abyss' influence for so long."
I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Only because you had my back."
As the last of the corrupted energy faded, a heavy silence filled the temple chamber. I let out a slow breath, my body gradually returning to normalcy now that the Abyssal energy had dissipated. Lisa stood beside me, her eyes scanning the room with a satisfied nod.
"So... what now? Do we head back to the city?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Lisa turned to me, her expression thoughtful. "Not just yet. Remember, we're not the only ones out here. Amber's handling the other temple, and if all has gone well, Aether and Kaeya have completed theirs. We should rendezvous with Amber as planned."
"Right," I couldn't help but wonder how the others had fared. The thought of Aether and Kaeya dealing with their temple put a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I had my struggles, but they might have faced something far worse. And Amber… I hoped she hadn't rushed into anything reckless.
I can just see her planting dozens of baron bunnies and blowing herself up accidentally..
"Worried?" Lisa's voice broke through my thoughts. She was watching me, a knowing glint in her eyes. "They're capable, you know. Don't doubt them so easily."
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's not that I doubt them... I just can't help but worry. Anything that's related to the Abyss is really unpredictable and dangerous." Ever since the encounter with the Abyss Herald, it really made me more cautious of the Abyss.
"Dangerous, yes, but so are they." Lisa's lips curved into a small smile as she turned toward the entrance. "Come on, let's not keep them waiting."
---
The sun was dipping lower in the sky when we finally arrived at the rendezvous point near Amber's temple. The place had a foreboding air, the ancient stone structure half-hidden by thick undergrowth and twisted vines that coiled around its crumbling facade. Shadows crept along the forest floor, casting an ominous gloom as I scanned the area, searching for any sign of Amber, Kaeya, or Aether. My heart pounded with a mix of hope and apprehension, the knot in my stomach tightening with every second that passed in silence.
"Looks like we're the first ones here," Lisa murmured, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings. She closed her eyes briefly, a frown etching across her face. "There's Abyssal energy here, but it feels… disjointed. It's not as concentrated as the last temple, but something's not right."
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. "So what does that mean? Is it a good sign or a bad one?"
Lisa opened her eyes, fixing me with a thoughtful stare. "It's hard to say. The corruption here is more chaotic, which could mean it's been weakened... or it's on the verge of something worse." Her expression softened slightly as she added, "We'll only know once we get inside."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "Then we go in. We can't leave Amber in there alone."
"Indeed," Lisa agreed, her tone lightening just a fraction. "But keep your wits about you. The corruption here might react differently to your presence, and we don't want any surprises."
I swallowed hard, the memory of the previous temple's draining effect on my powers still fresh in my mind. There was no telling how this temple's Abyssal energy would affect me, especially now that my stamina was already being affected. I glanced at Lisa, who was already walking toward the entrance, her catalyst held at the ready, eyes scanning for any potential threats.
"Wait, Lisa," I called out, quickening my pace to catch up. "What do you think happened to Aether and Kaeya? Do you think they've already cleared their temple?"
She paused, looking up at the sky where the last light of the sun was beginning to fade. "I'd like to think they have," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the dying light. "But the Abyss is unpredictable. If the corruption here is acting out of sync, there's no telling what they might have encountered in their own temple."
Her words hung in the air between us, unspoken fears creeping into my mind. I tried to shake them off, focusing on the task at hand. "Right. Let's just hope they're okay and focus on what we can do here."
"Exactly." She glanced back at me, a reassuring smile tugging at her lips. "Now, let's find our little firecracker , shall we?"
We approached the temple's entrance, the air growing colder as we stepped beneath the shadow of the ancient archway. The darkness within seemed to pulse, almost alive, as if aware of our presence. Lisa halted abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she raised her catalyst, the faint glow of electro energy illuminating her face.
"What is it?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.
"The Abyssal energy here is… behaving strangely," she muttered, tilting her head as if listening to something only she could hear. Then she turned to me, her gaze piercing. "It's being drawn toward you again, Tayden, but this time... it's more erratic. It's like the energy recognizes you."
I frowned, gripping the hilt of my sword. "Recognizes me? What does that even mean?"
Lisa took a step closer, her eyes never leaving mine. "Though it's still just an observation, it looks like the Abyss somehow recognizes you, from the last temple most likely. It senses that your body is absorbing it so it's trying to either prevent it or quicken the process, I can exactly tell which right now."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "So, what? Does that make me more dangerous, or more vulnerable?"
She gave a small, enigmatic smile. "Both. It makes you a potential threat to the Abyss, but also a target for its influence. The energy here may try to feed off your power, but it could also be your weapon if you can learn to control it."
That sounds absolutely horrifying and cool "Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough," I muttered, adjusting my grip on my sword. "Let's go."
She nodded, her expression returning to its usual calm. "Just remember, if you feel anything unusual, you tell me immediately."
---
The air grew colder and thicker as we ventured deeper into the temple. Lisa moved ahead, her catalyst glowing softly to light our path. The walls were covered in more of those pulsating, dark vines, snaking their way along the ancient stone like veins of some twisted, living thing.
"Can you sense anything?" I asked, keeping my eyes on our surroundings.
Lisa looked around a bit, her eyes looks like she is analyzing the room and the abyssal energy. After a while, she nodded and I got myself ready. The corridor opened into a wider chamber, and I spotted movement in the shadows. My grip tightened around my sword. "We've got company."
Emerging from the darkness, a group of hillichurls shuffled forward. They raised their weapons, snarling as they advanced.
"Stay close," Lisa ordered, her voice steady. She raised her catalyst, lightning dancing around her fingers. "Let's handle this quickly."
---
Lisa sent another bolt of lightning that struck two hillichurls, sending them crashing to the ground. She moved fluidly, her every motion deliberate and precise. The air around her crackled with energy as she unleashed a barrage of electrical orbs, decimating the remaining enemies with practiced ease. While I used my speed and strength to cleave through the hillicurls.
We pressed on, the temple's corridors growing narrower and more twisted as we ventured deeper. The oppressive energy increased with every step, pressing down on me like a weight, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through it. I had to. Amber was somewhere in here, and we had to help her. Though I couldn't help wonder how Lisa doesn't seem to be affected by the Abyss.
The sound of a faint shout echoed through the halls ahead, making my heart skip a beat. I exchanged a glance with Lisa, who nodded grimly.
"Amber," I said, a surge of adrenaline clearing the fog in my mind. "She's in there!"
Lisa's eyes hardened, and she quickened her pace. "Then we move, now."
We rushed down the corridor, the darkness pressing in around us. I focused on the sound of fighting growing louder, praying that we weren't too late. Finally, we burst into a large chamber, where Amber was locked in combat with a swarm of hilichurls.
"Amber!" I shouted, drawing my sword as I charged into the fray. "We're here!"
Amber turned at the sound of my voice, her eyes lighting up with relief. "Tayden! Lisa! Took you long enough!"
Lisa wasted no time, raising her catalyst to unleash a wave of electro energy that crackled through the hilichurls, stunning them. I surged forward, swinging my sword to cut down the enemies around Amber, the flames from my blade searing through the corrupted creatures.
"What happened?" I demanded as we fought side by side. "Where are Aether and Kaeya?"
"They're deeper inside!" Amber called back, nocking an arrow and releasing it with a swift, practiced motion. "The core in this temple is... strange. They went ahead to deal with it while I stayed to hold off these guys!"
"Understood!" Lisa responded sharply, her catalyst spinning as she cast another barrage of lightning. The room lit up with flashes of purple, the air sizzling as the hilichurls were obliterated. I moved with precision, covering Amber as she picked off enemies one by one with a flurry of arrows.
With more breathing room, Amber had time to prepare more Baron Bunnies. She sent one flying into a group of hillicurls which captured their attention as they start to attack it. I give Amber a "look" and she grinned, I rush towards the group of hillicurls and splattered some of my blood on the Baron Bunny.
The hillicurls were stunned and confused about the blood, but they didn't have time to think as the blood lit up and activated the Baron Bunny, sending them all flying and obliterating them. I can hear Amber cheering behind me "Yeah! Feel the wrath of BARON BUNNY!" I had to hold myself back from laughing and focus on finishing off the rest of the hillicurls
With Lisa's aid, the battle was over in minutes, leaving us standing amidst the scattered remains of our enemies. I turned to Amber, my chest heavy from the exertion.
'Abyssal Energy is such a pain, It's like doing cardio with Eula again!' I can also feel that my time limit is being reduced fast, I need to learn how to absorb and decompose Abyssal Energy soon or else it's going to be a problem.
I headed over to amber so I could check on her "You okay?" She nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. "Yeah, thanks to you guys. But we need to hurry. Aether and Kaeya went on ahead, but I haven't heard anything from them since."
Lisa's eyes narrowed as she glanced toward the corridor leading deeper into the temple. "Then let's not waste any time. Tayden, Amber—stay close."
We fell in behind her as she led the way, the tension in the air growing thicker with each step. The temple's final chamber loomed ahead, a dark aura spilling out from the entrance. My heart raced, a mixture of fear and determination driving me forward. We had to find them.
---
The chamber we entered was vast, the walls lined with ancient carvings now marred by tendrils of darkness that writhed like living things. At the center stood what appeared to be the temple's corrupted core, a pulsating mass of twisted energy that emitted an ominous glow. Its power washed over me in waves, making the hairs on my arms stand on end.
I couldn't see Aether or Kaeya anywhere, which made my stomach twist. Had they already moved on, or... were they still somewhere inside, dealing with something far worse?
"Is this it?" Amber asked, her voice tinged with both relief and suspicion. She nocked an arrow and took a step forward, her eyes locked on the writhing mass.
Lisa studied the core, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. "It feels… strange," she murmured, narrowing her eyes. "Not quite like the one we destroyed in the last temple. This corruption is... incomplete, off-balance. But we should eliminate it regardless. Be prepared for anything."
I nodded, gripping the hilt of my sword. "Got it. Let's finish this."
Lisa raised her catalyst, lightning sparking around her fingertips and Amber prepared a Pyro infused shot. Lisa's lightning crackling around its surface and as Amber's arrow made contact with it, the room filled with a blinding flash as the core shattered, dark energy splintering into fragments before dissipating into the air.
"Yes!" Amber cried out, pumping her fist into the air. "Mission complete!"
A wave of relief washed over me, but something still felt... wrong. I paused, my eyes scanning the room as a shiver ran down my spine. The air was still heavy, thick with the same oppressive force that had been here since we'd entered.
"Wait," I said, my voice cutting through the momentary silence. "Something's not right. I still feel... Abyssal energy."
Lisa turned to me, her eyes widening as understanding dawned on her face. "You're right, Tayden," she muttered, her tone now sharp and tense. "That wasn't the true core. This temple is still corrupted."
Amber's smile faded as she looked around, her grip on her bow tightening. "Then where...?"
Before she could finish her sentence, a deafening explosion echoed through the chamber, the ground beneath us shuddering violently. Dust and debris filled the air as the walls around us trembled, and the floor cracked under the sheer force of whatever had caused the blast.
"The fu—?!" I yelled, trying to regain my balance.
"Stay on guard!" Lisa shouted, electricity crackling around her as she readied her catalyst. "We're not alone!"
The wall to our left exploded outward, fragments of stone flying in all directions. Instinctively, I raised my arm to shield my face, squinting through the dust cloud that billowed around us. My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of what was happening, the loud noise and chaos throwing my senses into overdrive.
Through the settling dust, three figures came crashing through the breach, two of them tumbling to the ground but quickly rolling to their feet in a practiced motion while the last one, the smaller one, flew to the others side? My eyes widened as I realized who they were.
"Aether! Paimon! Kaeya!" I shouted, relief and shock flooding my system.
Aether was already back on his feet, his clothes were torn on some places and he was bleeding from his right arm with Paimon looking horrified and hiding behind Aether, while Kaeya scrambled up beside him, I could also see that he was also not doing any better. Before I could ask what was happening, Kaeya turned towards us, his voice booming through the chaos.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!" he bellowed, drawing his sword. "It's a ruin grader!"
My blood ran cold at his words, and I spun to face the gaping hole in the wall. From the swirling dust emerged a massive, hulking form, its crimson eye glowing like a beacon of destruction. The ruin grader lumbered forward, its heavy footfalls shaking the ground as it moved, it's form excluding a cloud of potent Abyssal Energy.
And there, burning in the ruin grader's eye, was the true corrupted core.