NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Chapter 24
When Stormterror regained consciousness, it felt as though its entire body was bound, unable to move. Pain coursed through every inch of its form.
Opening its eyes, the dragon found itself tied to the ground, surrounded by a group of people who were discussing amongst themselves. Their shadows, under the bright sunlight, completely blocked the light from reaching Stormterror's head.
"What now?" Lumine asked, glancing at Stormterror, whose mouth was restrained by glowing rings made of Hiroshi's spiritual power. She turned to Venti, "Now that we've captured Stormterror, do we still need to find its tears?"
Venti looked at the dragon bound on the ground, layers upon layers of rings holding it down. He hesitated.
"Hey, bard, do you have a way to make Stormterror cry?" Paimon whispered into Venti's ear. "That way, we wouldn't have to go through the trouble of finding more Dragon Tears."
"No need for that." Hiroshi walked out from behind Stormterror, where he had just finished securing the dragon's tail with another ring. "All we need is the wind element infused with Anemo Archon's power from Stormterror to recharge the Holy Lyre."
Hiroshi seemed quite pleased with the sight of the immobilized dragon, pinned down with rings made of spiritual energy.
This was a more advanced use of his understanding of the connection between spiritual energy, the world, and elements. Spiritual energy was transformed into shackles that could connect to the sky, earth, and nature itself—or even be fixed within space itself.
For Stormterror to break free, it would need strength surpassing the force that connected and bound it, or a greater understanding of these elements than Hiroshi himself. Due to his current limited comprehension, this process took quite some time to complete.
After taking the Holy Lyre from Venti, Hiroshi approached Stormterror's head, crouching down and placing his hand on the spot where he had previously struck the dragon. With his energy in sync with the dragon's, Hiroshi closed his eyes and sent his consciousness into the dragon.
Within Stormterror's body, a vast sky-like space glittered with elemental energy, like countless stars shining in the dark. Many of these "stars" were tinged red—a sickly and twisted hue—while the remaining pure teal-colored ones fought a losing battle.
Feeling an unfamiliar consciousness invading, two dragon entities appeared in the starry void. One was enveloped in a gentle teal glow, while the other radiated a violent red aura.
Hiroshi's consciousness took form, and both dragons turned to face him.
The crimson dragon shrank back instinctively upon recognizing its opponent. Even in its consciousness state, the lingering pain from their previous encounter haunted it.
The teal dragon, Stormterror—or rather, Dvalin—flapped its wings, soaring over to Hiroshi's side. It connected with Hiroshi's consciousness and gratefully spoke, "To the kindred from another world, thank you for saving me."
Hiroshi smiled. "Don't mention it. But you know why I'm here. I need your help."
Studying Hiroshi for a moment, Dvalin spread its wings, giving a roar to the sky. The remaining teal stars gathered their light, forming a single teal crystal in front of Hiroshi.
Seeing this, the crimson dragon roared angrily, rushing forward.
Hiroshi raised his right hand, a blade of wind gathering at his palm. He swung the wind blade, cleaving the oncoming crimson dragon in two with a swift strike.
As the fragments of the red dragon reformed, Hiroshi shook his head. He still had much to learn. If he could sever the soul or obliterate one's intent, a single strike would suffice.
Taking hold of the teal crystal, Hiroshi nodded at Dvalin, preparing to exit.
Dvalin watched Hiroshi disappear, looking at the crimson dragon that continued to approach. "After years of suffering under a curse, salvation has finally come. My old friend, you are finally back... A kindred from another world, indeed a curious dragon." Dvalin whispered before dissolving into the stars once more, his light shining brightly to resist the crimson corruption.
Back in the physical world, a teal elemental crystal appeared in Hiroshi's hand. He handed it, along with the Holy Lyre, to Venti. "The rest is up to you," Hiroshi said.
Venti took the items, placing the crystal onto the Holy Lyre. A teal glow shone, and a melodious tune began to play.
Strumming the lyre, Venti's face softened with nostalgia as he hummed an ancient song—the same melody from when he first met Dvalin, sealing the bond between god and dragon that protected Mondstadt for a thousand years.
The tune drifted on the wind, as if it became part of Mondstadt itself. In the city, the breeze danced around the Anemo Archon statue, carrying the melody to every alley and street.
In Windrise, beneath the great tree planted by Vanessa, the wind whispered an old friend's song, continuing its journey across the land.
In Liyue, atop the Wangshu Inn, Xiao listened to the distant melody as he savored freshly made almond tofu. A faint smile graced his lips. "Today's almond tofu tastes sweeter than ever."
Klee sat on Hiroshi's lap, her small figure resting comfortably as they both listened to the enchanting tune, while the newborn grass swayed gently in the breeze.
Jean clasped her hands together, offering a silent prayer as the music wrapped around her.
Lumine sat beside them, holding Paimon close, lost in her own memories.
Diluc rested his greatsword beside him. Despite his usual abstinence, he suddenly felt an urge to drink.
On the ground, black curses seeped from Dvalin's body, purified by the music as the poisonous blood dissipated into the wind.
When Dvalin finally opened his eyes, his once-bloodshot gaze had returned to a calm teal. He saw Venti, his old friend, playing the same melody from their first meeting. The bonds holding him broke, turning to white light that scattered across the land.
Rising to his feet, Dvalin lowered his head, his teal eyes meeting Venti's. He let out a low, rumbling growl—
"It's been a long time, my friend."
Venti opened his eyes, his face lighting up with joy. With a quick change in tempo, the lyre now played a more cheerful tune. "Welcome back, Dvalin."
The beautiful melody carried on the wind, taking everyone back to a time a thousand years ago—when a dragon and a god, bound by a shared promise, lived joyously, celebrating every precious moment.
The self-proclaimed bard played countless songs for the dragon, who yearned to understand the human world. The god's divine power flowed through every chord, while the dragon folded its wings and listened, feeling at peace.
As the last trace of the curse disappeared, the corrupt blood of Durin had finally left his body. Venti, his face pale, ceased playing, smiling as he looked at Dvalin.
Fully recovered, Dvalin gazed at his friend. He noticed how drained Venti looked, his powers almost completely exhausted. Spreading his wings wide, he shielded the sky.
"Old friend, is it worth it?" Dvalin asked softly.
Venti smiled weakly, his gaze fixed on Mondstadt. "Mondstadt is a land of freedom—it does not need a god towering above it. This is enough."
Dvalin, seeing his old friend's joyous expression, looked over at Jean and Diluc standing nearby. With wind swirling around him, Dvalin raised his massive head, his eyes surveying the land he once protected.
"A thousand years have passed; my pact with Mondstadt as the East Wind Dragon is fulfilled. There will be no more East Wind Dragon."
Retracting his wings, Dvalin approached Venti, giving some of his regained strength to him. "Our pact is complete, Venti. From now on, I shall stay by your side."