Cardfight vanguard + gacha game enjoyer!!

It is no wonder you turned to the gods; they were all you had left. In your belief, the mountains were the safest haven to ask for and to obtain the right of Freedom which had become a privilege when Diluc had first set his sights upon you, for the cold would presumably deter anything which burned passionately, like his love. Dragonspine’s peak was the closest you could reach for Celestia where Barbatos surely lives, and upon reaching it, you would call out his name in a desperate prayer.

“Save me, my Lord,” Diluc repeats what he had heard you say moments before in a mocking voice so quiet, you can barely hear through the wind’s cries. “From this terrible monster.”

A part of you knew you would never make it to the peak. Not because of the sheer cold, nor the Fatui soldiers and hilichurls you barely made it past on slippery trails covered in permafrost, but because of Diluc’s determination. Nonetheless, you and Diluc are quite similar in that respect. Determination is what Diluc had once admired in you when he had yet to call you his. That fire in your eyes paired with the passion in your heart burned so brightly that he was the moth to your flame. You are his sun, his whole world. That is why you knew it was unlikely for you to reach the peak. Your determination for Freedom is, however, something you would dance with Death for.

You feel something against your back as you slowly retreat further into the cave. There follows a loud thud. Oil paints of all primary colours bleed from opened cans onto the stone ground where brushes lay sporadically and aimlessly as if exhausted from being dragged against canvases. The paints mix into varied colours, and in some areas, muddle into brown. This is the vacant campsite of the alchemist and artist Albedo which you have unknowingly sought refuge in.

“You cause disaster wherever you go.” Diluc steps forward with his claymore as a cane. His voice is clearer this time. “I’m fairly certain it’s your curse. You curse me.”

Any vulgar warning and pathetic plea escaping your lips to leave you alone falls on deaf ears. He continues to approach you in a slow, steady manner unlike the raging fire from his claymore had as it lit his path to you in the darkness of night.

You look around the cave’s interior dimly lit by tabletop lamps. Miscellaneous items for alchemical and artistic purposes decorate the tables. Flasks, vials, rulers, pencils, and canvases with flying birds painted on them. You throw whatever you can at him and at his feet to deter him from entering the cave, so when you grab a glass Erlenmeyer flask with an unknown liquid inside, you do not think before you act.

Fire becomes all there is. It spreads rapidly in streams inside the cave but embers fear the blizzard where Diluc stands outside. Flames catch onto the fabric of your clothes, fire eats at your frost-bitten flesh. Your screams breathe to life the inferno that burns to death Diluc’s soul and heart just from witnessing it. Corrosive, oxidizing acid and oil paint do well to emulate hellfire.

You jump around frantically to free yourself of the flames. This is your dance with Death and the music which accompanies you are Diluc’s shouts and the blizzard’s howling in a harmonious symphony.

Between fire and snow, you must choose. Corrupted Freedom in Death or in Diluc’s arms?

Choice, however, is a freedom you do not have.

Diluc pulls you out of the flames with bare hands when you stumble close enough to the cave’s entrance. Quickly, in arms that cage your body, he wraps his wool coat around you to successfully smother the flames. Snowflakes sizzle and burn exposed skin where fire fueled by oil once raged. Your knees buckle but he catches you before the snow at your feet could hurt you anymore than the fire has.

“I’ve got you now! You’re safe!” He chokes on his sobs as he tries to hug you with burnt hands despite all the pain that shoots up his arms. He leans his head downwards to kiss your head before stopping when he sees how the fire has scorched the hair off your scalp. The damage inflicted upon you as a result of rejecting his pursuit, his desire, his love, pains his heart more than his burns for a moment. He is a monster, and he cannot help but cry harder. “I love you—I love you so much! Don’t ever leave me, don’t ever die on me! I won’t let you!”

In burning yourself, you have put out the fuel that is his anger.

“Barbatos could never take you from me.”

In your peripheral vision, miraculously preserved, you see the flames continue to engulf the campsite.

Only then do you remember there are no gods in Hell.

A/N: I originally wanted Diluc to roll you and himself in the snow to put out the flames but then I remembered snow is water and this is an oil fire…so instead, I gave him a wool coat to keep him warm in Dragonspine’s eternal winter since wool is fire-resistant. I hope this is all correct in chemical terms…but if it's not, oh well, Teyvat has its own laws, right? Also, please do not use this fanfic as a way to understand how to put out grease fires. This is fanFICTION!

>> ZHONGLI ( featuring Ganyu, Xiao, Cloud retainer )

Ganyu ( About Qingyun Peaks )

Once in a while, moon carver would host a gathering at Qingyun Peaks–and during occasions like this, Lady ( Name ) is allowed to go out during these events–i have served rex lapis for three thousand years and there's never been a day that rex lapis doesn't love her, there's no doubt he truly value her in the highest esteem.

Xiao ( About The Archon War )

During the archon war, I was tasked to be a body guard for the lady while rex lapis is away. She and I have brief interactions–i sometimes feel pity for her due to how over protective he is for her. The lady has to follow a strict rule of not going outside from the nest that he prepared–even though she begged me to let her see the sun and feel the grass, but i was stern and wouldn't disobey his orders after everything he did for me. I guess she also gave up on the idea of freedom.

Xinyun ( About Liyue Harbor )

One never once doubted the judgement of rex lapis, his reign is the reason why Liyue is able to prosper for so many years. Imagine one surprise when he brought a consort, Lady ( name ) was nothing but a minor goddess in chenyu vale. She nursed him back to health after one of his battles, such a pity–one mere act of goodwill led towards catching the eye of the God Of Contracts. Even after integrating into human life, he still kept her in the dark–not allowing her to go out.

Neuvillette ( Featuring Arlechinno, Furina, Sigewine )

Arlechinno ( About The Ludex )

It is such a shame, truly... I'm pretty much sure you are already aware of madame ( name ) is expecting. Truly I felt pity for her, last time I met her she looks exhausted beyond belief–even though I offer her assistant to break her out, I can see in her eyes that she simply had already given up on the idea of freedom. I wish her luck on her and her future child, unfortunately I'm only able to give these words of encouragement.

Furina ( About The Opera House )

Neuvillete and madam ( name ) would come visit one of my shows if their schedules are free, or in other words– when neuvillete schedule is free. During my time as the hydro archon, both me and her would get along and interact on a daily basis... We even have tea parties together... Of course if neuvillete permits it.

Sigewine ( About Spring Season )

Every time spring approaches, monsieur neuvillete and the madam would go to the countryside for one week... Not sure why, because every time I ask about it–monsieur neuvillete would brush it off saying that it ties towards his nature and as well as how it changes throughout the seasons. He is always so affectionate towards her during this season and wouldn't even allow her to go out.

Varka ( Featuring Mika, Kaeya, Jean )

Mika ( About letters )

Words cannot be expressed on how much the grandmaster loved his wife... Literally, one of my usual tasked is to send important letters back to mondstat–and one of those letters are grandmaster varka letters to his wife... The pile can be quite big to the point he daily writes 50 letters to her, i-i couldn't disclose what he usually writes but just to let you know–it's better off you didn't know what he usually said towards her, because it's usually too provocative for anyone... Trust me, I read a few lines in one of the letters–and he is quite perverted

Kaeya ( About Mondstat )

Grandmaster Varka asked me to keep watch on ( name ) on a daily basis, keeping a check on her–making sure she is well behaved. He is quite a lover man wouldn't you agree ?, despite being his age–he is quite eccentric to experience new things with his wife, probably the reason why she always looks exhausted everyday as well as limping.

Jean ( About Paper work )