The ruin grader's mechanical screech echoed through the chamber, a sharp, metallic sound that pierced through the noise of battle. Its eye flickered erratically, sparks spitting from its damaged joints. Despite the destruction we had caused, it wasn't giving up. Every movement sent tremors through the ground, making the stone walls quake with each desperate thrash. The core pulsed with faint light in its eye, the last thing keeping this massive beast alive.
I could feel my demon mode starting to waver, my strength draining with every passing second. The Abyssal energy was clinging to me like a weight, making each step feel like I was trudging through mud. But I couldn't stop now. Not when we were this close.
"Keep at it!" Kaeya's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. His eyes flickered with determination, despite the exhaustion on his face. "It's not done yet. Don't give it any more chances to recover!"
I gritted my teeth, feeling the flicker of heat around my blood-coated fists start to weaken. I could tell I didn't have much left, but I pushed forward, my vision narrowing in on the core. There was no turning back now. The core was exposed, and we couldn't afford to hesitate.
Aether stood beside me, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. His Anemo energy swirled around him like a protective barrier, keeping the flying debris at bay. He caught my eye for a brief second, his gaze steady and determined.
"This is it. You ready?" he asked, voice hoarse but focused.
"Yeah," I muttered, tightening my fists until I could feel the heat of my blood flame burning against my skin. "Let's end this."
The ruin grader swung its massive arms wildly, smashing into the walls and sending cracks spiderwebbing across the floor beneath us. The vibrations rattled through my bones, making it feel like the whole place could collapse at any second. Its movements were frantic now, a cornered animal lashing out in desperation. But that didn't make it any less dangerous.
I rolled to the side, narrowly dodging one of its crushing blows as it slammed into the stone floor with a deafening crash. Shards of rock exploded upward, slicing through the air like shrapnel. I barely managed to cover my face in time to avoid being cut. Paimon was frantically darting through the air, her voice shrill and panicked.
"This thing's not giving up! It's gone completely crazy!" she shrieked, her hands clutching her tiny head.
The grader's eye flickered again, glowing a bright, angry red as it prepared for another attack. Its remaining leg scraped against the ground, dragging its broken frame forward like it was trying to hang onto life.
"We need to act now," Lisa called out, her voice cutting through the chaos with calm authority. She raised her hand, and sparks of electricity crackled between her fingers. Her catalyst hummed with energy, ready for the final blow. "It's desperate. If we wait too long, we'll lose our chance."
I could feel the embers of my blood flame sputtering as my demon mode edged closer to its limit. The Abyssal energy clung to me, making every breath feel labored. But I didn't care. I had enough left for one final push. That's all we needed.
I took a deep breath, ignoring the burning in my lungs, and sprinted toward the grader. My body screamed in protest, but I forced it forward, every step heavier than the last. The grader's wild swings made it harder to get close, but I knew I couldn't hold back anymore.
"Keep going, Tayden!" Aether shouted, his voice hoarse but steady. He swung his sword, sending a gust of wind spiraling around him, creating a protective barrier against the falling debris. His focus was unwavering.
I gritted my teeth, feeling the familiar sting as I drew more blood, coating my arms in the thick liquid. The flames reignited around my fists, burning hotter than before. "Come on," I muttered to myself, gathering every ounce of strength I had left. I let out a yell as I slammed my blood flame-infused fists into the grader's leg, the heat from my attack searing into the cracks in its frozen joints. The combination of ice and fire reacted violently, causing a loud crack to echo through the chamber.
The grader shuddered, its leg buckling slightly, but it still stood.
I stumbled back, panting heavily, my chest burning with each breath. My vision blurred for a moment, but I could hear Kaeya's voice cutting through the haze.
"Now!" he shouted, his tone sharp and commanding. "It's time. Everyone, together!"
Aether was the first to move. His Anemo energy surged forward, swirling faster and faster as he raised his sword. He directed the wind toward the grader's exposed core, creating a powerful vortex that funneled everything directly to its weakest point. I caught a brief glance of Aether and Kaeya exchanging a look—something unspoken passing between them. Kaeya gave a subtle nod, his lips twitching into the barest hint of a smirk.
"Got it!" Amber's voice rang out, her bow already drawn. Her arrows glowed with Pyro energy, crackling with heat as she took careful aim at the core. She exhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing in concentration before releasing the first barrage.
Each arrow streaked through the air like a comet, slamming into the grader with explosive force. Flames burst from the impact points, and the grader let out a mechanical roar, staggering under the assault.
Lisa stepped forward, her hand crackling with electricity. Her eyes were sharp, calculating every movement of the grader. "I'll add to that!" raising her catalyst as arcs of lightning spiraled between her fingers. With a swift motion, she unleashed the Electro energy into the vortex of wind that Aether had created. The electricity crackled and surged, merging with the wind and fire to form a chaotic storm of elemental power.
Sweat beaded on Lisa's forehead, but her focus remained unshaken. She never let her concentration slip for even a second. "Let's see it survive this."
I could see the opening. I pushed forward, gritting my teeth against the pain tearing through my body. My demon mode flickered, almost spent, but I wasn't about to stop now. I raised my fists, letting the blood flame burn brighter one last time. I hurled them toward the grader's core, joining the storm of wind, fire, and lightning.
The combined force of our attacks struck the core all at once. The light from its eye flared, blindingly bright, followed by a violent explosion that ripped through the chamber. The shockwave hit me hard, knocking me off my feet and sending me skidding across the ground. My body hit the stone floor with a painful thud, the impact knocking the wind out of me. My ears rang, the high-pitched sound drowning out everything else for a moment.
The grader let out one final, ear-splitting screech, its entire body convulsing as the core shattered. The light dimmed, and with a slow, creaking groan, the ruin grader collapsed inward, its massive frame crumpling into a heap of twisted metal and debris.
The ground shook one last time as the grader crumbled into nothing. Dust and smoke filled the air, making it hard to see anything beyond a few feet in front of me.
Then... silence.
As the dust began to settle, I lay there, gasping for breath. My body had finally reverted to its normal state, my demon mode completely drained. I could feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. The Abyssal energy that had been suffocating me was finally fading, dissipating into the air.
I let out a groan, trying to push myself up onto one elbow. Every part of me ached, but it was over. The core was destroyed, and the ruin grader was nothing more than a pile of scrap.
Aether collapsed beside me, panting heavily, his sword lying discarded beside him. His face was pale, his breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. "We did it," he muttered, his voice rough but relieved.
"Yeah," I breathed, leaning my head back against a nearby boulder. My fists still throbbed from the impact, the embers of my blood flame finally extinguished, but it didn't matter. We'd won.
Paimon fluttered down beside Aether, her eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and excitement. "We... we really did it!" she squeaked, her voice high-pitched with glee. "Paimon knew we'd win, but that was... way too close!"
She hovered around Aether, her tiny hands fluttering nervously as she babbled on. "Aether, you were amazing! And Tayden, your flame punch thing was... really cool! But also a little... terrifying!" She shot me a sheepish grin.
I couldn't help but let out a weak laugh. "Glad you approve, Paimon," I said, my voice raspy.
Lisa stood a few paces away, her catalyst dimming as the last sparks of Electro energy faded from her fingertips. She scanned the room with a sharp gaze, taking in every detail of the now-silent chamber. After a long pause, she sighed softly and let her shoulders relax, the tension finally leaving her body.
"It's over," she said, her voice calm and assured. "The Abyssal energy is gone."
Amber lowered her bow, wiping sweat from her brow. Her face broke into a wide grin, despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "That was intense! I can't believe we actually pulled it off."
Kaeya's usual smirk returned as he sheathed his sword with a flourish. "A team effort," he said, his voice cool but with a hint of satisfaction. His gaze flickered briefly toward Aether, and though there was still a glint of his usual suspicion, there was something softer there too. Maybe he wasn't quite ready to fully trust Aether yet, but... he was warming up. Slowly.
Aether caught Kaeya's gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between them. He didn't say anything, but there was a subtle shift, a quiet understanding between the two.
---
Finally, I let myself fall back against the ground with a heavy thud. The cool stone pressed against my back as I closed my eyes, letting out a long, drawn-out sigh. The adrenaline that had been fueling me through the fight drained out of my body all at once, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion. The tension in my muscles began to fade, replaced by a dull ache that reminded me just how close we'd come to getting flattened.
"Well, that was... fun," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aether chuckled from where he sat beside me, equally out of breath but with a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. "Fun might not be the word I'd use, but... we made it through."
Paimon, still buzzing around Aether's shoulder, let out a loud cheer. "We did it! Paimon knew we would win!" she exclaimed, pumping her tiny fists in the air. She floated down, landing gently on Aether's shoulder before adding in a much quieter voice, "Although... it was really close there for a minute."
Amber plopped down next to me with a relieved sigh, her bow resting loosely at her side. Her face was flushed from the fight, but there was an unmistakable glow of pride in her eyes. "Whew! I think that's the most intense fight I've had in a while," she said, brushing some stray dust off her armor. "But I'd say it was worth it."
"Definitely," I agreed, glancing over at the ruined grader's remains. "That thing didn't know when to quit, huh?"
"You didn't exactly seem eager to back down either," Amber teased, nudging me playfully with her elbow. "That last punch of yours... where do you keep getting that kind of energy?"
I laughed, even though my body protested at the effort. "Honestly? I have no idea. I think it's just stubbornness at this point."
Lisa approached, wiping a small bead of sweat from her brow, though her posture remained as graceful and composed as ever. "Stubbornness can carry you a long way, darling," she said with a sly smile, her eyes glinting with amusement. "But next time, let's avoid getting crushed by giant ancient machines, shall we?"
"Agreed," I muttered, shaking my head. "One ruined arm is enough for a day."
Lisa's smile softened, and she glanced at the wreckage of the ruin grader, her expression growing thoughtful. "Still, we did well. No small feat, considering how unpredictable Abyssal energy can be." She rested her catalyst against her hip, her gaze shifting between the group. "And we all made it out with no major- sorry, I meant permanent injuries"
"Nicely put, Lisa," Kaeya's smooth voice cut in as he strode toward us, sheathing his sword with a practiced motion. His usual smirk was back in place, but there was something a little lighter in his tone, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Though I think we'd all agree that Tayden's fire fists stole the show."
Amber snickered. "Oh, definitely. That was something."
Paimon, still perched on Aether's shoulder, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Paimon thought it was really cool... but also a little scary!" She paused, tapping her chin as if in deep thought. "Do you always fight like that, Tayden? Because that was a little intense."
I shrugged, still catching my breath. "Well, it's not something I try to make a habit of, but when you're up against a ruin grader, you've gotta give it everything you've got."
"Can't argue with that," Aether said, his gaze still on the fallen grader. His expression softened for a moment, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We worked well together. Better than I expected."
Kaeya tilted his head slightly, regarding Aether with a subtle shift in his usual carefree demeanor.
"Of course," Kaeya finally said, his tone casual but warmer than before. "I wouldn't have expected anything less from this group."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh? You actually believe in us, Kaeya? That's new."
He chuckled, a low, rich sound that echoed in the now-quiet chamber. "Let's just say this team had surpassed me expectations.. for now."
Amber groaned dramatically, leaning back on her elbows. "Ugh, there it is. I was starting to think you might actually be giving us a real compliment, Kaeya."
"Oh, come now, Amber. You know I always reward my comrades' hard work," Kaeya replied, his smirk widening.
"Right," Amber deadpanned, rolling her eyes. "Like that one time you promised to treat us and then conveniently forgot your mora purse? Even though we can literally store things in our Vision?"
Kaeya placed a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "You wound me. I had every intention of treating you all."
Lisa let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Well, since we've finished what we came here to do, perhaps we can settle this matter at the Good Hunter?" Her eyes flicked to Kaeya, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Assuming, of course, you remember to bring your mora purse this time?"
"Ah, Lisa, always keeping me in check," Kaeya said, flashing her a knowing grin. "Fine. A meal at the Good Hunter it is. My treat."
Paimon lit up immediately, practically bouncing in place. "Really?! Paimon needs something delicious to recover after all that! Let's go! Let's go!"
I let out a tired chuckle, pushing myself up onto my feet with a groan. "I won't say no to food. I'm starving."
"After that battle, yeah I get the feeling," Aether said, giving me a nod.
I dusted off my clothes and gave him a grin. "Though I'll admit, I might've gone a bit overboard with the whole 'punching a ruin grader to death' thing."
"Overboard? Nah," Amber said with a grin. "That's just your style. Gotta give the people a show, right?"
As we started making our way out of the temple, the weight of the battle began to fade, we were finally able to lower our guard. Kaeya walked beside Aether, the tension between them noticeably lighter now, while Lisa and Amber chatted up ahead, already debating what to order.
"Hey, Tayden," Amber called back over her shoulder, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "You sure you don't just want to get back to Mondstadt just to sleep and be lazy?"
I grinned, leaning casually against the wall for a second as I caught my breath. "Me? Nah, I think you mean Lisa. Finishing the mission just so she can curl up with a book and take a nap? Typical."
Lisa shot me a playful glare, sparks of Electro crackling at her fingertips again. "Watch it, Tayden. I can still zap you if you're asking for it."
I held up my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I get it!" That made Amber and Paimon laugh, alright laugh it up, but I'm being held at gunpoint here!
Kaeya chuckled, shaking his head. "Wise choice. You wouldn't want to end up on Lisa's bad side."
"Sure, Kaeya, Just make sure you actually pay for the food.."
Lisa's chuckle turned into a full laugh, and she patted Kaeya on the back. "Careful, Kaeya. It sounds like you're getting a reputation."
"Completely undeserved," he replied, still smirking. "I thought we already established that I'm treating everyone. Don't worry, Tayden. Even you won't go hungry."
Amber's voice joined the conversation as she turned, walking backward with a grin. "Yeah, Tayden! Try not to eat everything on the menu, okay?"
I shot her a mock-serious look. "I make no promises."