Genshin Impact: The Crit Archon

Aether looked at Dvalin, concern etched on his face. "So Dvalin, how did the Abyss Order manage to mind control you again?"

Dvalin went silent, his massive form shifting slightly as if struggling to articulate his thoughts. "I was… sleeping," he finally admitted, his voice heavy with regret.

Hearing this, everyone facepalmed in unison, exasperation evident in their expressions.

"Seriously?" Issei exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're a legendary dragon, and you let them get the drop on you while you were napping?"

"Even a dragon needs rest," Dvalin replied defensively, his pride slightly wounded. "But I will not allow it to happen again."

Aether sighed, his mind racing with the implications. He activated the Fifth True Magic, Blue, feeling its power surge through him as his hand glowed with a brilliant azure light. "Let me do something so nothing like this can ever happen again," he declared, determination in his voice.

[ Host has crit on magic. 1 million times crit effect has been activated. Multiplying success rate. ]

Aether felt the overwhelming energy coursing through him, a tidal wave of potential waiting to be unleashed. "I can create a barrier around you, Dvalin. A protective ward that will prevent any external influence from reaching your mind," he explained, focusing on the task at hand.

"Will it truly work?" Dvalin asked, skepticism evident in his eyes. "The Abyss Order is cunning and powerful."

"Trust me," Aether replied, confidence swelling within him. "I won't let them take control of you again."

With a deep breath, Aether extended his glowing hand toward Dvalin. The energy radiated outward, forming a shimmering barrier that enveloped the dragon. Dvalin flinched initially but soon relaxed as he felt the protective aura settle around him.

"What is this feeling?" Dvalin mused, his eyes wide with surprise. "It feels like… clarity."

Aether smiled, the glow of his magic intensifying as he poured more energy into the barrier. "It's a magic of protection and restoration. You'll be safe from mind control as long as this barrier remains intact. It will also enhance your awareness, keeping you alert and strong."

As the barrier solidified, the atmosphere shifted. The air became charged with a new sense of hope, and the burden of the past seemed to lift from Dvalin's mighty shoulders.

"Thank you, Aether," Dvalin said, his voice softer now. "You have given me a second chance."

"Just doing what's right," Aether replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Now we need to figure out how the Abyss Order managed to get to you in the first place. We can't let this happen to anyone else."

"Agreed," Albedo chimed in, his expression serious. "We must investigate further. There may be more hidden threats we aren't aware of."

As they gathered together, Sucrose added, "Perhaps we can find clues in the ruins we just came from. There might be remnants of their dark magic left behind."

"Let's split up and search for anything that might give us an idea of their plans," Aether suggested. "Dvalin, can you guide us through the areas you remember?"

Dvalin nodded, his wings spreading slightly as he prepared to take flight. "Follow me. I will lead you to the depths of the ruins."

With that, the group followed Dvalin, who soared gracefully through the snowy peaks, guiding them toward the ancient structures hidden within the mountain's embrace. As they approached the ruins, Aether felt a tingling sense of anticipation and dread; the Abyss Order's influence still loomed, and they needed to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

Upon reaching the ruins, the air was thick with an eerie silence. The remnants of dark energy flickered in the shadows, remnants of the battles that had taken place. "Stay close," Aether warned, activating his Crit System once more, readying himself for anything.

"Do you think there are more enemies waiting for us?" Issei asked, looking around cautiously.

"Possibly," Albedo replied, scanning the area for signs of life. "But we won't be caught off guard this time."

As they delved deeper into the ruins, they stumbled upon an ominous altar surrounded by scattered relics. The altar pulsed with a dark energy, reminiscent of what they had encountered before.

"This must be where they conducted their dark rituals," Albedo theorized, examining the markings etched into the stone. "If we can disrupt this altar, we may be able to weaken the Abyss Order's hold over this area."

"Then let's do it!" Issei exclaimed, stepping forward. "What do you need me to do?"

"Protect the area while we work on the altar," Aether instructed. "Dvalin, your presence will help keep any lurking enemies at bay."

With the plan set, Albedo and Aether approached the altar, focusing their energies to disrupt the dark magic that surged within it. As they channeled their powers, the energy began to react violently, sparking and crackling.

Suddenly, the shadows around them began to writhe, and a dark figure emerged from the depths of the ruins, its eyes glowing with malice. "You dare to meddle in our affairs?" it hissed, revealing itself to be a powerful Abyss Mage, anger radiating from its form.

Aether's eyes narrowed, and he readied his sword. "Looks like we have company! Issei, get ready!"

"Let's take it down!" Issei shouted, his fiery determination igniting once more.

As the Abyss Mage unleashed a wave of dark energy, the group sprang into action, united in their mission to protect not only themselves but the world from the growing threat of the Abyss Order.

The group was ready to fight, but the Abyss Mage didn't engage. Instead, it simply regarded them with an unsettling calmness.

"Ah, visitors," the Abyss Mage spoke, its voice smooth yet laced with an eerie undertone. "It has been a while since a new one came."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, unsure how to respond. The Abyss Mage's demeanor was entirely unexpected; it simply looked at them with curiosity rather than hostility.

"Please, take a seat," it continued, gesturing to the remnants of the ruined altar. "I am surprised my servants haven't told me of your arrival."

The group exchanged glances, bewildered. A seemingly civilized conversation with an enemy was not what they had anticipated.

"Sorry for the earlier aggressiveness," the Abyss Mage said, its tone shifting slightly as it regarded them with a mix of interest and regret. "It has been some time since I've seen anyone new in my castle."

Albedo cautiously stepped forward, his keen intellect racing. "What do you mean by 'new'? Are you referring to us or the Abyss Order?"

The Abyss Mage chuckled softly, its eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom. "You are new to this place, but I have existed long before the Abyss Order sought to taint this land. I have seen generations of travelers, yet few have dared to approach me."

While the others listened intently, Albedo's attention was drawn to something on the ground—a broken photograph. Kneeling down, he carefully picked it up, revealing a picture of a man and a woman alongside two children, all smiling brightly. The woman had a striking resemblance to people from Mondstadt, while the man appeared to belong to Khaenri'ah.

"What's this?" Albedo muttered, holding it up for the others to see. "This photo… it looks like a family."

A sense of unease washed over the group as they processed the sight. "What happened to them?" Issei wondered aloud, glancing between the photo and the Abyss Mage.

"Ah," the Abyss Mage said, its gaze flickering to the photo with an odd mixture of nostalgia and sorrow. "They were once my family—long ago. Before the darkness consumed us."

The atmosphere shifted, the tension giving way to an unexpected vulnerability. "I was once a protector of this realm, long before the Abyss Order rose to power. I lost them in the turmoil that followed. The Abyss Order took advantage of my grief and turned me into what I am today."

The group stood in silence, absorbing the weight of the Mage's words. It was a revelation that shifted their understanding of the creature before them.

"Why tell us this?" Aether asked, curiosity piqued. "Are you trying to manipulate us?"

The Abyss Mage shook its head slowly, its expression earnest. "No. I share this with you because you are different. You possess hope. I have grown tired of fighting; the conflict consumes me as it consumes this land. If you are here to oppose the Abyss Order, then perhaps we can work together."

"Work together?" Issei echoed, skeptical. "Why should we trust you?"

"Because I can provide information," the Abyss Mage replied, its tone unwavering. "I know their secrets, their weaknesses. I can guide you to disrupt their plans and reclaim this land."

The group exchanged hesitant glances, weighing the Mage's proposal. Albedo broke the silence. "If what you say is true, we may have no choice but to listen. But know this: if you betray us, you will face the consequences."

"Fair enough," the Abyss Mage agreed, a hint of a smile gracing its lips. "Let's not waste any more time. The Abyss Order has already set their plans in motion. The longer we wait, the stronger they become."

"Then lead the way," Aether said, resolve returning to his voice. "We'll stop them together."

As the Abyss Mage began to guide them through the dimly lit ruins, a sense of cautious optimism emerged within the group. They were venturing into the unknown, but with an unexpected ally by their side, perhaps they could unearth the truth behind the Abyss Order's intentions and reclaim the peace that had long eluded Teyvat.

The group then arrived to a chamber, as they saw Multiple abyss mages and abyss Specter, before anyone can move a blast of blue light destroyed all of them, as they saw it was from Aether using the 5th True magic, he also destroyed/Erased what ever they were working on

As the dust settled in the now-silent chamber, Aether stood with his hand still glowing faintly from the discharge of his 5th True Magic. The remnants of the Abyss Mages and Specters disintegrated into wisps of dark energy, leaving behind only echoes of their malevolent presence.

Aether turned to the group, a smirk playing on his lips. "Problems solved."

Issei blinked, his expression one of disbelief. "Well, that was anti-climactic."

Paimon chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You expected a grand battle? Aether has a knack for making things less dramatic when he chooses."

Rosaria crossed her arms, her usual stoic demeanor wavering as she said, "I wouldn't call it anti-climactic. I'd call it efficient."

Sucrose, who had been examining the remnants of the battle, looked up, her eyes wide. "But what were they even working on? We should check if there's anything left to examine."

Aether nodded, his curiosity piqued as he stepped further into the chamber. "Good idea. They might have had plans or something useful hidden in here."

Albedo, still contemplating the destroyed altar, walked over to the remnants and began examining the debris. "It would be wise to determine what they were trying to achieve. The Abyss Order rarely operates without a purpose."

As Aether scanned the room, he felt a chill run down his spine. He activated his Crit System, enhancing his perception.

[ Host has activated Crit on Insight. 1 million times crit effect has been activated, increasing awareness. ]

Aether noticed a flicker of movement in the shadows at the edge of the chamber. "Hold on," he said, raising a hand. "There's something over there."

Issei squinted in the dim light. "You see something? Can't we just blast it away like the others?"

"No," Albedo interjected, moving closer. "It could be a remnant of the Abyss's magic. We need to approach carefully."

As they approached, they discovered a small, pulsating orb nestled among the debris, emanating an ominous glow. Sucrose leaned in, intrigued. "This… it looks like some kind of core. It could be the source of their power!"

Aether reached out cautiously, his fingers brushing against the orb's surface. Immediately, a surge of energy coursed through him, and visions of the Abyss Order's plans flooded his mind—a dark scheme to awaken an ancient being hidden deep beneath Mondstadt, using the power of the abyss to unleash chaos.

"Guys," Aether said, pulling back abruptly, "this isn't just a core. It's a key… a key to something much larger. They were planning to resurrect something big, and not just any monster."

The Abyss Mage furrowed there brow, glancing at Albedo and Rosaria. "We need to destroy it before it can be used."

"No," Albedo countered. "It might hold vital information. If we can extract what we need, we can prevent this from happening again."

Aether weighed their options, glancing between the orb and his companions. "I can try to use my magic to get a clearer reading of its purpose. But if anything feels off, we need to destroy it immediately."

With a determined nod from the group, Aether focused his energy, channeling the power of the Crit System to probe the core's essence. As he concentrated, swirling shadows erupted from the orb, and a voice echoed in the chamber, filled with malice.

"You meddle in affairs far beyond your understanding, mortals. The Abyss shall rise again, and you will all be mere pawns in our game."

Aether gritted his teeth, pushing against the pressure of the dark presence. "Not if we have anything to say about it!"

With a final surge of energy, Aether unleashed a wave of pure light, shattering the core and eradicating the lingering shadows in a brilliant flash. The chamber trembled as the remnants of the Abyss's power dissipated.

When the light faded, the group found themselves back in the empty chamber, the only sound their heavy breathing.

Issei scratched his head. "Well, that escalated quickly."

Eula sighed, shaking her head but unable to hide a smile. "Let's just hope that's the last we see of the Abyss Order for a while."

Albedo stepped forward, examining the spot where the orb had been. "We may have won this battle, but we still have much to learn about their intentions. We should regroup and inform the Knights of Favonius."

Paimon fluttered beside Aether, looking up at him. "That was so cool! You just totally destroyed that thing like it was nothing!"

Aether chuckled lightly, feeling a swell of pride. "Just doing what I can to keep everyone safe."

With the looming threat of the Abyss Order temporarily thwarted, the group prepared to head back, each of them reflecting on the trials they had faced and the strength they had discovered within themselves. Little did they know, the challenges were far from over, and the real battle for Mondstadt was only just beginning.

To be continued

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