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"Let me fight with you !"

I stare at Y/N. Dumbfounded.

"Are you insane ? An archon that wreaked havoc across Teyvat just got revived for unknown reasons, and the only one who could beat an enemy of this scale was Rex Lapis. And we were both there, we both saw Rex Lapis' corpse. And you're no more than a human ! I can't let you fight a battle you were never meant to be a part of !"

"I know this shouldn't include me but it does now. The very moment I fell for you, I knew that I wouldn't be able to live life normally after we became a thing. But I didn't care about normality. I fell in love with you and I don't care how big of an enemy I have to fight just to be with you."

"And what if you die ?"

"I could ask you the same thing Xiao. Like I said, the very second we both agreed to be in a relationship with each other, we knew a time like this would come sooner or later. And if I were to die right here in battle, I'd love to die fighting alongside you."

"How can you be so selfish ? Fine, go ahead and dive foolishly into battle, you're satisfied right ?"

"Yes !"

"But I'm not ! I can't let it end like this Y/N, I still have so much to talk to you about, I still want to have more dates with you, I just want to spend more time with you. Sure maybe you're satisfied but I'm not. Did you even think about how I felt when you said you're fine with dying ?"

Y/N looks at me with teary eyes, they look down and silently sniffle before wiping away the tears.

"I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have screamed at you like that Y/N I—"

"It's fine... you're right anyways. I'll just go follow the Millelith to somewhere safe now."

I smile. And pull Y/N into a hug.

"Thank you, Y/N."

They hug me back and before they let go, they ask for one last kiss.

I squat a bit and lift Y/N up. They wrap their legs around my waist and pull me into a kiss. I should be fighting right now but... I guess I can spare a bit of time for them.

They pull away, then look me in the eyes and smile.

"I love you so much Xiao."

"I love you too."

As soon as I finished saying my words I feel water touch my feet, as it slowly rises I look around to see where people are evacuating to. I see that they're heading towards the top of Mt. Tianheng.

It seems like Ningguang was prepared for a disaster like this and had already set up a clear evacuation route up the mountain of Osial were ever to awaken. I heard that Rex Lapis did have a private talk with Ningguang a few months prior to the Rite of Descension.

It seems like I won't be able to make it to Mt Tianheng and by the time I do, Osial will already be attacking so best course of action is to bring Y/N up to the Jade Palace with me and then take them down to where the rest of the people are. Hopefully Cloud Retainer can get them there before we start attacking.

"Hold on tight."

I carry Y/N and flash up to the Jade Palace right as the water was about to gets past our hips. We make it and I set Y/N down.

"Xiao, finally you're here." Madame Ping says.

"Cloud Retainer ! Please do me a favor and bring Y/N down to where the rest of the people are."

"We cannot afford to lose any of the Adepti fighting right now, if need be, they can go inside the Jade Palace and wait there." Ningguang interrupts.

I clench my fist.

"But—"

"Xiao, she is right, we have much bigger problems to deal with right now. I promise you we will protect Y/N with our lives." Cloud Retainer spoke.

With me out of options, I have no choice but to give in. I look at Y/N and say.

"Just please promise me you won't come out okay ?"

"I won't, and promise me that you won't get hurt."

"It's a promise then."

Y/N nods at me and they run inside the Jade Palace. Ningguang flys up and creates a platform with her Geo constructs and out emerges the three adepti cannons Cloud Retainer just designed.

Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer all get on a cannon and start attacking Osial. But suddenly, portals open up with Fatui fighters walking through, looking to attack the cannons.

Me, Keqing, and Ganyu all jump down to the platform to fight. Me and Keqing take to the frontlines while Ganyu provides support from behind.

"All hail !"

"Nowhere to hide."

We endlessly fight off the hordes of Fatui attacking us. It feels like we've been fighting for an eternity. If only Rex Lapis were here.. this would be over in a second. I've already lost him so I can't lose Y/N either. I have to fight to protect—

"Xiao !"

Ganyu shoots an arrow behind me, knocking down an Electrohammer Fatui about to strike me. I shake my head to try and stop worrying about Y/N. They're going to be fine, right ? Right ?

Before I knew it I was standing still, frozen in fear. Keqing and Ganyu were also tired from fighting for so long, despite all of Madame Ping's help and buffing us for the fight, we couldn't continue. I could still fight probably, but... worry and anxiety kept me frozen.

I didn't realize it but a Pyrogunner had appeared and was aiming at me. I couldn't move though. As much as I wanted to my biggest concern was Y/N.

Just move.

Xiao. Move.

You have to protect—

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