stellafortunalogs | Memshare/March Catch-All!

Item: A fairy tale book

[It wasn't supposed to go like this.

Zhongli will find himself in a castle hallway, but he should be able to tell right away from the amount of elemental energy this is more likely something akin a domain rather than a real place. And from the sinister aura, it was also clear whoever was the master of the Domain was more likely a powerful demon than anything else.

Nearby, Jun in his full uniform stands against the wall, trying to peer around a corner. Down the hall, there's fiends and monsters that wander the hall, searching for prey. He hasn't noticed Zhongli's presence yet, focused too much on what's down that hallway]

Damn...

[Even with the hood up, there's something about his body language that indicates he's more agitated and shaken than usual. Something hadn't gone to plan.]

[ This isn't right.

Zhongli notices immediately that he's been transported somewhere else. However, he can still feel the connection of Teyvat's earth, so his physical body must still be back home. Then, this is...

His eyes flick to Jun hiding behind a wall, and he holds out his right hand on reflex, a black spear appearing smoothly in his grasp. Quietly: ]

Tell me about those beasts.

[ If he has to fight, then he would go in with a plan. ]

Edited 2021-03-01 14:15 (UTC)

[This wasn't the same Jun that Zhongli knew in Teyvat, but rather a memory figment of him. As such? When Zhongli speaks up, he looks and seems rather surprised by the presence of the other. This wasn't someone from the school or one of the wielders in the city he knew about. Not to mention, his energy was reading as very not human. ]

Who're you?

[His voice has that distortion sound to it to mask his identity, not that it really mattered considering he was wearing a uniform Jun wore regularly in Teyvat. ]

Edited 2021-03-01 15:07 (UTC)

[ Oh? Jun doesn't recognize him - not entirely surprising, given that he knows this is a vision. Nevertheless, he should see it to its completion. Perhaps vision-Jun was from some other place, just like how Figaro failed to recognize Zhongli when he arrived in Mondstadt.

So, a simple answer: ]

A friend. I will assist you, but to do that I will need information.

[A friend...?

...

Whatever. This is peculiar, but this really wasn't the time to investigate further. So he'll accept the answer and go along with it.]

...Very well. Those are "kin" to the Master of this labyrinth. A team should be handling the Master, so I'm to focus on collecting information.

[...He's glad the hood hides his facial expression, because he's a lot more shaken up than he's trying to let on.]

[ He tries to guess at Jun's reason at being anxious. He doesn't seem like he's new, so there's bound to be another reason... not an immediate priority to investigate, though. ]

I see. What information are you collecting?

[ He can be subtle if it's needed, though a straightforward battle is easier. Speaking of that - he doesn't make any visible movements, but a golden shield manifests around Jun, to protect him. ]

[Jun gives a brief shake of the head. Even if he hadn't just met whoever this it is, the data he was collecting was for Aegis so they could best decide their course of action. And they'd been pretty clear about wanting discretion for now.]

I can't disclose that. It's for the ones who contracted me.

[Look at him respecting contracts, are you proud.

He's surprised to see the shield appear around him. It doesn't look like a barrier spell he's seen Nemesis or Zodiac. Just who was this guy...?]

Thanks. [He's not sure he's worth protecting, but it'd be harder to complete the mission if he got hurt.] I assume you know your way in a fight.

[Between the spear and the magic? Whoever this man was, he was probably trained. It should be alright to have him accompany]

[ A contract... hah, he almost smiles at that. Once again he's reminded of why their mysterious host chose to give Jun a Geo Vision. ]

Very well. [ Zhongli will follow and analyze the situation on his own, then. ] I do know how to fight. Lead and I will follow.

[ The main thing that's stopping him from methodically sweeping the area and clearing out any Greed is that he's not sure if this will hinder Jun's mission. For now, he'll observe what Jun does. ]

[No follow up questions about his contract? Jun can appreciate that, since the less said about his contract the better. Instead, he can focus on the mission.

With a nod, he'll finally turn that corner, breaking into a run as he heads towards those Greed. With his sword brandished, he immediately begins to slice through ones that come across his path. That holy blade, now powered unlike it was in Teyvat, emits light-powered shockwaves as it hits enemies that burns through their defenses regardless of their elemental affinity and cuts into other fiends nearby.

There's plenty of other greed for Zhongli to handle, but at the rate and ease Jun is cutting through foes - it's clear he's been fighting at a fraction of his capabilities in Teyvat]

[ Jun's strength is impressive for a human - then again, the holders of Delusions are capable of similar. His lack of strength in Teyvat might be because he was cut off from his god.

Zhongli relies on his spear for the most part - without any flashy elemental magic, his brute strength shines through, able to pierce the hide of smaller Greed entirely and sending them crashing against the walls. His weapon returns to his hand after a moment - he can keep up with fights when they're one-on-one, though it means he has to tap into his other powers when a group of them attempt to swarm him. Several golden energy spears rise up from the ground, staking the Greed group and making them easy targets for Jun's sword. ]

[While Jun is experienced and skilled enough to know to focus on his own battles, he still can't help but try to observe Zhongli between fights. That power...while it's similar to element of Steel, there's no mistaking the tinge of divinity from the shield and the energy spear. This couldn't be a normal wielder, not by any means.

He's tempted to ask, and almost does when there's a pause in the onslaught- only to be distracted by something he sees ahead]

-!

[On the ground, there's a teenage boy lying on the ground, passed out and yet clearly in pain as a dark energy clings to him and slowly drains his lifeforce. Jun, without thinking about discretion, sprints over and reaches down to shake his shoulder.]

Ryouta!?

[Even through the distortion, there's no mistaking the fear in his voice as he calls out to his friend. The attempt to wake him, however, is to no avail. ]

[ That's a civilian...?

Zhongli follows, taking a moment to strengthen Jun's shield in case it's an ambush. Luckily, things turn out otherwise, though the civilian's condition is definitely suboptimal. ]

What happened to him?

[ The aura isn't something he recognizes, and his limited healing ability probably wouldn't be much help. ]

[He tries shaking him again, calling out his name, but even in Jun's freshly frantic state he can see it's not working. He pulls back his hand, looking over the aura.]

...I-It the Grim Greed. [He's trying to regain composure to answer Zhongli, but there's a slight shakiness to his voice] It's feeding on the lifeforce of those that were trapped here when its labyrinth formed. Our spirit power likely allowed us to resist the hold.

[His stomach kept churning as he looked upon his friend, feeling heavy with fear and guilt. He never expected things to go this way, but it was still his fault all the same. He sighs and shakes his head in shame.]

He won't be the only one like this.

Edited 2021-03-02 01:57 (UTC)

[ It's familiar and alien to Zhongli all at once. Good thing the way ahead is clear to him now. He fold his arms, eyes closed in a posture that would no doubt be familiar to Jun of the future ]

So if we defeat this Grim Greed, everything will return to normal?

[ That's easy for him. Just like back in the Archon Wars, to destroy any and all opposition to the peace of Liyue. ]

Tell me how to find it and it shall be done.

[Well that gets him to look away from Ryouta and at Zhongli. Wait was this guy for real?

But at the same time, it's not like whoever this guy was under orders. And Gorou-sensei would probably prefer an adult handling things over the kids that were due to arrive, right? Right?]

... Deeper in the labyrinth, towards the east if I were to guess.

[near the library, where the book was. That said...]

I won't be able to go with you, my mission is to collect data. Facing a being of that power alone would be certain death for most. [Maybe not for a seal knight, but most wielders. Especially when he's still not sure WHAT this guy is] Are you sure about this?

I am.

[ His words are resolute. Once Zhongli decides on something, nothing will sway him from enacting his plan. He hasn't had to fight in a while, so this could be a good chance to practice and stretch his legs a bit. Jun already knows of his true nature, so he doesn't have as much reason to hide himself. ]

You can follow me and collect what information you need. As long as you do not participate in the battle, it would not break your contract. Is that correct?

[ He doesn't want to leave Jun unattended. What if he gets hurt or worse? Would the real Jun be affected? ]

[There's a brief pause of disbelief, as if he's a little stunned that this guy is even being considerate of his mission while finding a loophole.]

...Mm. I believe my commissioner would find that acceptable.

[Gorou-sensei wasn't an unreasonable man. While gaining the information was very high priority, he's sure the man wouldn't complain about this compromise.

Jun will look back at Ryouta. Having a more viable solution made him feel a little better, but worry and guilt still gnawed]

Let me find a safer place for Ryouta first. A Greed might find him if we leave him out here.

[ Leave it to the God of Contracts to find a compromise that doesn't violate any existing contracts. ]

Alright.

[ He'll still follow Jun as the boy finds a place to hide his friend, careful to maintain the shield on Jun always. Once Jun has found a place to leave Ryouta, Zhongli applies a shield to the unconscious boy as well. It would be hard to maintain an exceptionally strong one at a distance, but this boy shouldn't attract too much attention. ]

The east, you say?

[ He's a little challenged here since his native magnetic sense is responding to another location. Once Jun ascertains the direction, they can head off.

Zhongli seems to be very used to fighting alone, only employing his spears for the most part. More challenging Greed might be obstructed by Geo Constructs - he's not actually on the earth, so he has to draw from himself instead of using surrounding energy. ]

[I can't believe Zhongli just decided to fight everything in this memory.

Jun will pick up Ryouta, being able to carry him easily despite the other boy being much bigger than him. He eventually finds an open space near an energy stone - a safe haven from Greed, so long as it doesn't get too overrun.

It's kind of Zhongli to cast that shield. As he sets his friend down to rest, he hesitates for just a moment before he swallows and makes a magic glyph in the air. Nearby Ryouta, a fake version of Jun in his school uniform will appear, unconscious and cursed the same way Ryouta is. It's a perfect copy of the boy, only someone who did a thorough examination would be able to discern that it's not real.

He sighs and looks down at the clone and Ryouta, feeling a good deal of disgust at himself]

...Sorry Ryouta. I'll find some way to make this up to you.

[That taken care of, he'll focus on the mission at hand, moving on to lead Zhongli to where he needs to go. His own senses and experience with the Eclipse will give him a better idea where to go, and Zhongli's combat skills makes it a lot easier for him to focus.

Still, there's plenty of troubles ahead. Like after a few minutes of running, they happen upon a wall of thick thorny vines that grow and block the path ahead. On the other side of the hall, there's a wall of spikes that looks like it'll move and destroy the thorns if a lever is switched. So...either they have to switch the lever and hope they can evade the wall of spikes, or figure out a different way to get past the thorns.]

[ Hm, so Jun can also use illusions... he takes note of that. He says nothing while Jun tries to address his friend, focusing on the task ahead. Consoling the boy can come later.

His method of dealing with threats is quite straightforward - first by diplomacy, and when that fails, by force. Geo doesn't have any flashy reactions or magic to its name, only unrelenting will, and Zhongli is a very good example of that. ]

Hmm...

[ On one hand, the lever is there. Zhongli is not a Pyro user, but on the other hand... ]

Stand back.

[ He doesn't want to risk Jun getting crushed by the spike wall. The boy is still human, after all. Instead, he summons a stone pillar directly below the thorns. The rock moves upward at a steady pace, crushing the thorns in its way and crumbling upon completion to make a human-sized passage. ]

[Jun had been assessing the situation and judging what he should do- if he should try to beat the spike wall or use his sword against the thorns to see what happened. But next thing he knows, Zhongli is telling him to step back and...summoning a giant earth pillar to crush the demonic thorns to death like they were just dried up weeds.

Sweet Jesus.]

... I'm aware I have no room to talk. [Having a concealed identity and all] But I can't but wonder who you are.

[Like he gets its none of his business at the end of the day, but even he can't help but be curious because what the hell dude]

[ Sometimes, the easiest way through is the most direct approach. ]

I am a friend. [ A slight tinge of amusement in his voice. ] You will know of my identity in the future, I can promise you that. For now, let us focus on the mission.

[ No need to give memory-Jun too much things to think about. Now that they can pass through and continue down the corridor, the enemies that they face are also getting stronger. They tend to swarm Zhongli in pairs or threes, knowing that facing him one-on-one is no longer wise. However, they don't seem to be able to get past his shield, and are dispatched either with his spear or with rock pillars that emerge out of the ground at frightening speed before disappearing once more. ]

["A friend". Considering that's really not something people in the Underground typically say to Seal Knights- it makes the mystery even more curious. But Zhongli does have a point about the mission. So he relents with a sigh, dismissing his own curiosity for now]

Whatever. You're helping, and that's all that matters.

[He was human, so of course he was still curious...but his apathy will win out for now. The mission was what matters. So he continues to move along with Zhongli. He helps with dispatching some of the Greed...but honestly, this guy seems to be able to handle it all perfectly well on his own - to the point it almost felt like Jun had to work to keep up.

An unusual feeling for a Seal Knight, truly.

Eventually, after a few more traps and many more monsters, they'll reach a glowing and intricate doorway- almost like a gate into a deeper level of the Domain. Jun will stop, and glance at Zhongli]

Here. The Grim Greed is through this gateway.

[ The power that emanates through the doorway is palpable - Zhongli has been gravitating towards it once he's able to pinpoint the source. While their time spent traversing the labyrinth has been long, he doesn't feel tired. Without the Black Seal's interference, he can call upon his true power; something that would become necessary soon. ]

Is there anything I should know before engaging it?

[ He doesn't want to hurt Jun or inconvenience him. Speaking of that: ]

You should observe from a distance. I may not be able to avoid you in close combat.

[ "You should observe from a distance. I may not be able to avoid you in close combat."

.... 💧

Yet again, Jun finds himself wondering who this man was, but what the hell did that mean? But right, right. Mission.]

Understood.

[GONNA STAY OUT OF THE GEO SPLASH ZONE GOT IT. As for information...he thinks back what was spoken about in cases against this type of Grim Greed.]

It's capable of changing its elemental affinity, and making copies of itself. It can create mist to reduce your visibility. Oh, and watch the thorn vines.

[he puts his hand on his hip] Though something tells me you won't have much trouble.

[He possibly picked that up after watching this guy bulldoze the entire castle. Just maybe]

MEMSHARE: Misty Castle (Closed - CW: violence)

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