Fu Gu stood at the edge of the battlefield, still lost in thought. The encounter with Ayaka weighed heavily on his mind, not because of what she had said, but because of the lingering sense of something more—something that had begun to shift between them.
But that wasn't his primary concern right now. Liyue was preparing for something much larger than anyone realized, and the Fatui were far from finished. They had bigger plans, and Fu Gu knew they wouldn't give up so easily.
*They're planning something massive, and I need to be ready.*
His gaze drifted toward the city, where the people of Liyue went about their lives, unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon. He could feel the tension in the air—the calm before the inevitable clash.
Fu Gu sighed, stretching his arms lazily. "Looks like it's time to stir things up again."
---
### **The Calm before the Fight**
As Fu Gu made his way back into the city, he couldn't help but notice the whispers that followed him. Liyue was a city full of secrets, and Fu Gu had become a hot topic. Some saw him as a savior, others as a potential threat. But one thing was certain—he was not someone easily ignored.
It didn't take long for him to reach the Jade Chamber, where Ningguang waited. She had requested his presence, no doubt to discuss the growing threat of the Fatui. Fu Gu respected her intelligence, even if she always seemed to have her own hidden agenda.
Ningguang greeted him with her usual calm grace, her eyes sharp as ever. "You've been causing quite a stir, Fu Gu."
Fu Gu grinned. "I like to keep things interesting."
Ningguang nodded, motioning for him to sit. "The Fatui's movements are becoming more aggressive. Their influence is spreading throughout Liyue, and it's clear they're after something valuable."
Fu Gu leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Zhongli mentioned something about that. What are they after?"
Ningguang's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "We believe they're after a powerful artifact—something that could tip the balance of power in their favor."
Fu Gu smirked. "Let them try. I'll crush them."
Ningguang's lips curved into a faint smile. "I admire your confidence. But the Fatui are not to be underestimated. They're already sending more agents into Liyue, and their numbers are growing."
Fu Gu shrugged. "Numbers don't scare me."
"I know," Ningguang replied. "But be careful. Even the strongest can fall if they're not cautious."
Fu Gu chuckled softly. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
### **The Gathering Storm**
After leaving the Jade Chamber, Fu Gu wandered through the bustling streets of Liyue, his mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming battle. The Fatui were becoming more of a problem than he had anticipated, and it was clear that they wouldn't stop until they had what they wanted.
But what was it that they were really after?
As he walked, he felt a familiar presence nearby. His eyes flicked toward a rooftop where a figure stood, watching him with quiet intensity.
It was Raiden Shogun.
Fu Gu's heart skipped a beat, though he didn't show it on his face. Ever since their first encounter in Inazuma, he had felt a strange connection to the Electro Archon—one that went beyond mere power.
Raiden's eyes met his, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was palpable, and yet there was an unspoken understanding—a shared respect that transcended words.
"Raiden," Fu Gu said calmly, his voice cutting through the silence.
She didn't respond at first, her gaze still fixed on him. Then, slowly, she descended from the rooftop, her feet touching the ground with quiet grace.
"I've been watching you," she said, her voice as steady as ever.
Fu Gu raised an eyebrow. "Should I be flattered?"
Raiden's expression remained unreadable. "Your power is… intriguing."
Fu Gu chuckled. "That's one way to put it."
Raiden's eyes narrowed slightly. "But you're reckless. You rely too much on your abilities without understanding the consequences."
Fu Gu's smirk faded slightly. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" Raiden's voice held a note of challenge. "Power without discipline is dangerous."
Fu Gu's gaze hardened. "I'm not some reckless child, Raiden. I've been through more than you can imagine."
Raiden's eyes flickered with something—perhaps understanding, or perhaps something else. "That may be true. But you must learn to control yourself, or you will fall."
Fu Gu's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He knew there was truth to her words, even if he didn't want to admit it.
After a moment, Raiden turned to leave. "I'll be watching you, Fu Gu. Don't disappoint me."
As she walked away, Fu Gu's eyes followed her, a strange mix of emotions swirling in his chest. He had always been confident in his abilities, but Raiden's words had struck a nerve. She wasn't wrong, but that didn't mean he was going to change who he was.
*I'll show her,* Fu Gu thought, his determination hardening. *I'll show all of them.*
---
### **The Battle Begins**
It wasn't long before the tension in Liyue reached its breaking point. The Fatui were making their move, and Fu Gu knew that the time for action had come.
The city was in chaos as the Fatui soldiers swarmed through the streets, their weapons drawn and their eyes full of malice. The people of Liyue were fighting back, but it was clear they were outnumbered and outmatched.
Fu Gu stood at the center of it all, his eyes gleaming with excitement. This was what he lived for—the thrill of battle, the rush of power coursing through his veins.
He cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, Fatui. Let's see what you've got."
As the first wave of soldiers charged toward him, Fu Gu raised his hand, channeling his cursed energy into a powerful blast of blue and red. The soldiers were thrown back, their bodies slamming into the ground with bone-shattering force.
But there were more—hundreds more.
Fu Gu's grin only widened. "This is going to be fun."
---
### **The Three Harbingers**
As the battle raged on, Fu Gu found himself facing the three Fatui Harbingers—Scaramouche, Tartaglia, and Rosaria. They stood together, their eyes locked on him with cold determination.
"You've caused enough trouble," Tartaglia said, his voice low and dangerous.
Fu Gu smirked. "You think you can stop me?"
Scaramouche sneered. "You're just a pretender. We'll crush you."
Rosaria said nothing, but her gaze was sharp and focused. She was the one Fu Gu was most wary of—her silent intensity was unnerving, even for him.
The three Harbingers moved in unison, their attacks coming at Fu Gu from all sides. But he was ready. His cursed energy surged around him as he dodged and countered, his movements a blur of power and precision.
For a while, it seemed like the fight could go either way. But then, Rosaria landed a devastating blow, striking Fu Gu in the heart with her lance.
He staggered back, blood pouring from the wound as pain shot through his body. For a moment, the world around him seemed to blur, and he felt his strength fading.
But then, something snapped inside him.
His eyes flashed with a fierce, determined light as he pushed himself back to his feet. The pain was still there, but it was nothing compared to the surge of power that now filled him.
Fu Gu's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—a hint of something darker. "You should have finished me when you had the chance."
And then, with a surge of cursed energy, he unleashed his ultimate technique: Hollow Purple.
---
### **End of Chapter 16**