Arknights - Echoes Of The Unfound Dawn

A/N:....

T/L:..... I know and im sorry

Xian wiped sweat from his brow, exhaustion weighing heavily on his limbs. Despite his condition, a newfound confidence surged through him. His breathing steadied, his focus sharpened. There was no turning back now.

On the opposite side, the enemy adjusted their stance, their movements growing rigid under Xian's unwavering gaze. Their heightened vigilance wasn't just from his sudden shift in demeanor; it was the intensity in his eyes- deep, dark voids bordered by a faint white glow. Those eyes radiated something unnatural, something terrifying, like staring into a black hole ready to consume them whole.

One of the enemies murmured, "What the hell is he?!"

Their leader, tightening their grip on their machete, barked, "Stay sharp!

He's no ordinary fighter!"

The first attacker swung their blade, but Xian's kick connected first, sending a jarring vibration through both their bodies. The machete followed in a swift counterattack, but Xian sidestepped, his movements refined yet erratic, slipping through their strikes with unnerving ease. Another enemy lunged, forcing Xian into a backflip, his agility keeping him airborne longer than humanly possible.

While in mid-air, a streak of energy shot toward him from the caster, crackling with raw originium power.

Xian twisted, summoning a thin barrier of dense originium in response. The impact crackled across the translucent shield but failed to penetrate. The enemies faltered at the sight, exchanging wary glances.

"That control... Capture him! Don't let him escape!" the leader snarled. "You're kidding! His Arts control is on another level!" another shouted back, their voice laced with panic.

Xian stepped forward, the ground beneath him crunching softly as he launched into a full-speed dash. His gun was drawn, and his body moved with fluid precision. The enemy group split into formation, one remaining behind to cast Arts while the others charged in.

Xian's lips curled into a wry grin. "You think capturing me is gonna be that easy?"

He landed, rolling out of harm's way while firing a precise shot. His bullet connected, but their armor absorbed most of the impact, cracks forming across the surface. Xian didn't pause. He kept moving, kept firing, each round forcing his enemies to adjust. His strikes were relentless, alternating between acrobatic flips, evasive rolls, and coordinated shots, utilizing the environment to his advantage.

The air between them grew tense.

Sparks flew as bullets clashed against steel, and the sound of Arts discharges filled the air. Xian blocked incoming strikes with his shield and his gun, deflecting blows with finesse, though his stamina began to wane. Yet, despite his exhaustion, every effort chipped away at their defenses.

Their armor groaned under the pressure, splintering in places.

Malfunctions became evident as their Arts began flickering. The leader growled in frustration, barking orders to regroup.

"Keep him pinned down! He's wearing out!"

Xian's movements slowed, but his resolve remained firm. He ducked beneath a horizontal slash, sliding between two enemies. A blade nicked his side, drawing blood, but he fired point-blank, forcing them to recoil. Another strike came from his left, but he twisted, firing a desperate shot that barely grazed his attacker. Despite the injuries mounting on his body, he kept fighting, refusing to fall.

"You're dead!" one of them shouted, frustration boiling over as they hurled curses at him.

Xian stumbled, cornered now, blood dripping from multiple wounds. The enemies surrounded him, grinning with cruel satisfaction.

"Any last words?" their leader sneered, raising their weapon.

But Xian only smirked, blood staining his teeth. He raised his hand, snapping his fingers.

The faint snap echoed eerily, and a sickly green glow enveloped his battered body.

"What.. what is that?!" one of the enemies stammered, eyes wide in terror.

Too late. They felt the pull-an invisible force dragging them toward each other. Panic erupted as they flailed, their bodies drawn like magnets into a single spot. Cries of

Confusion and terror filled the air as they collided, limbs twisting unnaturally.

Xian's eyes gleamed with a wild intensity as he clasped his hands, forming a dome-like structure. His fingers tightened, and the space around the enemies compressed.

The ground trembled.

"No! Stop him!" one of them shouted, struggling futilely.

A deafening blast reverberated through the area, shaking nearby buildings. Residents from afar turned toward the sound in alarm.

Where the enemies once stood, two massive black originium crystals now loomed, fused together under immense pressure. Within them, the enemies were trapped, lifeless, their final expressions frozen in horror.

Xian collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. His vision blurred as he stared at the aftermath. "Too close.. way too close..." he muttered between gasps, his body trembling.

For a long moment, he lay there, contemplating. His mind raced with questions: What will happen now?

What comes next? He chuckled dryly, wincing at the pain. "I need a vacation..."

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Ten minutes later, he forced himself up, his legs shaky but functional. He retrieved his phone from his pocket, typing out a message to Chen. His fingers hovered over the screen before hitting send.

"l'm coming back. Situation's handled."'

As he limped away, monologues filled his mind. I've got to get stronger... Next time, it won't just be five. There'll be more. And if l don't push myself now.. Terra will crush me.

He glanced around, noting the ominous signs posted nearby. His eyes widened. He was in a restricted

Zone-an area marked for dense originium activity. 

"Well, crap..."

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Xian barely had time to register the dense fog of fatigue clouding his mind when the sound of a vehicle revving interrupted his thoughts. A black SUV screeched to a halt beside him, and the door swung open with a swift motion.

"Get in." The voice was sharp and authoritative, unmistakable.

Xian's head snapped up. There, standing at the edge of the car, was Superintendent Ch'en, her icy gaze fixed firmly on him.

"What the hell? Ch'en?" Xian mumbled, still dazed from the battle and his injuries.

Ch'en's eyes flickered over his bloodied form, lingering on the fresh gashes and cuts decorating his arms and sides. Her expression softened for a brief second before returning to its usual sharp edge. "You're coming with me. Get in the car, Xian. Now."

He hesitated, confusion lacing his thoughts. "Where are we going?"

"To a safe place. You're injured, and I need answers," she replied curtly, already stepping into the driver's seat.

Xian took one last glance at the scene of the battle, still absorbing the weight of what had just happened. He had no choice but to follow her command, grumbling to himself as he climbed into the back seat.

The door slammed shut, and the vehicle jerked into motion, speeding away from the wreckage. Ch'en drove in silence for a few minutes, her hands steady on the wheel, her eyes scanning the road ahead. Xian, though exhausted, found himself unable to rest. He had to keep his guard up.

"You're infected, aren't you?" Ch'en finally asked, her tone flat but calculating.

Xian froze, his mind racing. He hadn't anticipated her noticing so quickly. He could feel the faint tug of his powers, the low hum of the originium crystals embedded in his back, just beneath his skin.

After a tense moment, Xian sighed. "Yeah... I am. But I keep it under control."

Ch'en glanced at him briefly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she processed his response. "Under control, huh? Then why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked, her voice still calm but with an undercurrent of suspicion.

Xian bit his lip, not wanting to go into the specifics of his powers just yet. "It's not something I like to talk about. But, if you must know, it's not really a big deal."

She didn't buy it. "You're hiding something."

Xian didn't respond. He glanced out the window, trying to focus on the cityscape blurring past. His thoughts were a jumbled mess. He wanted to keep his powers a secret, to avoid drawing attention. The last thing he wanted was to be caught up in any more political messes or get entangled in some organization's schemes.

The car sped on, the tension palpable. After a while, they arrived at an unfamiliar building—a nondescript place that seemed to blend into the surrounding urban sprawl. Ch'en parked and turned off the engine, leaving Xian alone with his thoughts for a brief moment.

"Come on," she said as she got out of the car, opening the door for him. "We need to treat those wounds."

Xian followed her inside, the building almost unnervingly quiet. Ch'en led him down a narrow corridor into a sterile, white-lit room. She motioned for him to sit on an examination table.

"Sit," she repeated firmly.

Xian complied, his body aching with every movement. Ch'en disappeared for a moment, returning with a first-aid kit and a few medical supplies. She didn't hesitate, already preparing to clean his wounds.

Xian winced as she cleaned his cuts, the sting of alcohol and antiseptic making him flinch.

"You don't look like a typical infected," Ch'en muttered, her hands steady as she worked. "Most would be in worse shape, or acting more erratic."

"I'm not your typical infected," Xian replied quietly, his voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "I've got my own ways of managing it."

She didn't press further, instead turning her attention to the left side of his back, where an odd crystalline formation had begun to emerge. Ch'en's eyes flicked to the subtle protrusions of crystallized originium embedded in his skin.

Xian could feel the heat from the crystals, a constant reminder of the power coursing through him. But as Ch'en gently examined them, his nervousness began to rise. He didn't know how she'd react to the growing infestation within him.

"What... what are these?" Ch'en asked, her voice now tinged with curiosity, but also concern.

Xian looked over his shoulder, trying to act casual. "Oh, those? It's nothing serious. Just a little... side effect."

Ch'en didn't respond right away, her gaze lingering on the crystals as if processing something deeper. She placed her hand lightly on his back, causing him to tense.

"That's no small side effect," she muttered, though her voice wasn't as accusatory as before. "You're growing these crystals at an alarming rate. If you don't deal with it soon, it could spiral out of control."

Xian swallowed hard. He wasn't ready to confront the reality of his power. He still didn't fully understand it himself. The way it had manifested… and how quickly it could get out of hand.

"Yeah, well," Xian began, shifting slightly to get more comfortable, "it's not like I asked for this power. It just... happened."

"That's a poor excuse," Ch'en shot back, though her tone softened. "You need to be more careful with how you use it."

Xian sighed, glancing at the floor, unwilling to look at her. "What else do you expect from me? I've only had a year to adjust to this. I wasn't trained for it."

"Nobody is," Ch'en replied. Her voice softened again, and she seemed to reflect for a moment before continuing. "You're lucky you're not a danger to others. But if you don't find a way to control this... it could get ugly."

Xian nodded silently, reflecting on her words. He could feel the gravity of the situation pressing down on him.

As they sat in silence for a while, Ch'en spoke again, her words cutting through the stillness. "I could use someone like you. You've got skills, and a mind for strategy. Why don't you work with me?"

Xian blinked in surprise, sitting up a bit straighter. "What? Work for you?"

Ch'en gave him a hard look, her expression unwavering. "You're smart. And capable. You'd be useful. I can give you access to resources that might help you manage your... situation."

Xian leaned back, crossing his arms. "I don't need your help. I don't want to be anyone's pawn."

"You wouldn't be a pawn," she countered, voice still firm. "But if you want to survive in this world, you'll need allies."

Xian's eyes narrowed, his defenses up. "And I suppose you think you're the best option?"

Ch'en smirked. "I know I am. But if you don't want to work with me, that's fine. Just don't expect me to save your hide when you get yourself into trouble again."

The exchange hung in the air, filled with a mixture of tension and reluctant understanding.

"You're persistent," Xian muttered, shaking his head. "Fine, I'll think about it. But I'm not making any promises."

Ch'en chuckled, a small glint of amusement in her eyes. "That's all I need. You'll come around. Besides, I like a challenge."

Xian grinned despite himself. "I'm full of surprises."

"Yeah," Ch'en retorted, rolling her eyes. "And I'm sure you'll surprise me again. Just try not to break anything in the meantime."

Before Xian could reply, a strange sound echoed behind him—a faint clatter, like something small falling. He turned quickly, startled by the noise.

To his horror, a small piece of crystal broke free from his back, falling to the floor with a soft, tinkling sound. He could feel his heart skip a beat as he glanced at Ch'en.

She froze, her eyes wide in shock.

Xian couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh... well, that wasn't supposed to happen."

Ch'en stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and concern written across her face. Then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, she sighed deeply.

"You're really going to be the death of me, aren't you?"

Xian couldn't help but grin. "I'm just getting started, Ch'en. You haven't seen anything yet."

She raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Yeah, I'm sure," she said dryly, turning to gather her supplies. "And we're definitely going to have a talk about that crystal problem."

Xian's smile faltered, but he couldn't suppress his laughter. The world may have been falling apart, but at least he had someone to bicker with.