Before the colossal Shouki no Kami, Lumine and her group were as insignificant as ants, seemingly crushable with a single step.
The forces of wind and lightning gathered in Scaramouche's hands, their deafening roar echoing throughout the workshop as he hurled them toward Lumine's position.
The next mont, wind and lightning struck.
A cloud of dust billowed across the plaza, obscuring everything within sight.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
Scaramouche scoffed, retracting his hands as he gazed at the dust cloud with the haughty deanor of a god looking down on mortals.
But as the dust began to settle, a faint green glow erged, encasing Lumine. The previous attack had left no mark on her.
"So, you're not entirely useless," Scaramouche sneered, his eyes flicking toward Nahida, who stood behind Lumine. His expression was filled with disdain.
"A god who hides behind others—what's the matter? Afraid?"
With those words, Scaramouche clasped his hands together, and a massive surge of elental energy swirled around him, forming several deep-purple halos behind him.
In the next mont, countless energy blasts rained down from the halos, a torrent of purple energy surrounding Lumine and her companions like a storm.
Nahida waved her hand, summoning another faint green barrier to protect them. Yet Scaramouche's relentless assault intensified, and soon cracks began to form on the barrier.
"Lumine, my power hasn't fully recovered... I can't hold him off much longer..." Nahida warned.
"I understand."
Lumine nodded firmly, gripping her sword tightly as her determined gaze locked onto the head of the Shouki no Kami.
If we keep defending, we'll only get worn down further. I need to find an opening and take him down.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
When the downpour of purple energy finally ceased, Lumine acted before Scaramouche could launch into another bout of taunts. In an instant, she dashed forward, her target clear—the head of the Shouki no Kami.
---
"Tch, Lumine looks so cool!" Luo Qing exclaid as he watched her fighting Scaramouche in the live feed.
"Say that all you want, but could you stop touching my thigh?" ca Ei's mildly annoyed voice from beside him.
"Ahem, sorry, just got carried away by the excitent." Luo Qing patted her thigh again. "You know, helps relieve stress."
"..."
"What do you think? Who's going to win?" Luo Qing asked, leaning toward her.
Ei glanced at the screen, observing the ongoing battle. After a mont of thought, she replied flatly, "Scaramouche."
"Tch, the Traveler is a legend, you know. Are you sure you're not playing favorites?"
"They are both gods, but Scaramouche's power is clearly greater than the Dendro Archon's. If he loses, it's only a matter of ti." Ei remained composed, adding, "Besides, if you truly believed Lumine could win, why would you go to the trouble of eting my terms just to get here?"
"Smart," Luo Qing admitted with a smile, leaving her remark unanswered.
Watching the fight unfold on the screen, Luo Qing wasn't certain who would ultimately prevail. From his observations of Lumine, he doubted she currently had the strength to defeat Scaramouche. That was why, as a precaution, he had called Ei to step in if needed.
Judging from the current situation, that precaution might indeed co into play.
On screen, the once-spacious plaza of the workshop had been reduced to rubble by the fierce battle.
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, remained in the background, offering Lumine support and protection to sustain her fight against Scaramouche. However, having only recently escaped her confinent, her powers were far from their peak. The faith energy she had received from Suru's citizens was also ager.
Despite her 500 years of life, she was notably weaker than Scaramouche, who had just ascended as a god.
Even with Lumine's help, they were barely holding their ground. If the battle dragged on, Nahida and Lumine would inevitably fall into a disadvantageous position.
"It's about ti," Luo Qing muttered, glancing at Ei. "Are you going in now, or do you want to watch a bit longer?"
"Hmph."
Ei snorted softly, rising to her feet. Her gaze briefly flicked toward Luo Qing.
"Don't forget our agreent," she reminded him.
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and strode toward the workshop.
"This is gonna be good~" Luo Qing's lips curled into a smirk.
Just imagining the scenes about to unfold filled him with glee. He almost wished he had a bucket of popcorn and a soda to enjoy while watching.
---
Jouriri Workshop
The prolonged fight had begun to take its toll on Nahida. The green glow enveloping Lumine dimd with each passing mont.
Though both were newborn gods, Scaramouche's strength was undeniably superior.
The massive Shouki no Kami hovered above the workshop, denying Lumine any chance to strike its head. Each ti it passed over her, it unleashed torrents of lightning and wind, forcing Lumine to evade desperately and preventing her from mounting an effective counterattack.
"Damn it... if only I had my wings..."
Fighting an airborne opponent was infuriating. Lumine could only watch as Scaramouche hurled attacks and insults alike, leaving her with no options but to dodge. At best, she managed to land a few strikes on the ch's legs—re scratches in the grand sche.
Her frustration grew, but she saw no way out of the predicant.
Suddenly, Scaramouche raised his hands above his head. A massive orb of deep purple energy ford, crackling with intense lightning. Clearly, this was his strongest attack yet.
Lumine braced herself, preparing to evade. But to her shock, Scaramouche shifted his aim mid-charge. With pinpoint precision, he hurled the orb toward the corner where Nahida and Paimon stood.
"You bastard!"
The unexpected target switch caught Lumine off guard, leaving her no ti to intercept.
Nahida, seeing the attack directed at her, hastily summoned another green barrier. The orb collided with it, the clash of energies producing a deafening hiss.
"Beco my offering for ascension, Buer," Scaramouche said, his voice dripping with madness and mockery.
He gazed down at Nahida, who struggled under the weight of his attack.
Once I have the power of a god, I will exact my revenge on her. I'll make her regret her choices...
"Stop resisting, Buer. You'll—"
Before Scaramouche could finish his declaration, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence.
A foreboding aura approached from the workshop entrance.
Before he could react, a bolt of lightning flashed across the workshop. A blade of pure energy sliced through the orb, splitting it in half. The strike continued, carving a deep scar into the wall behind the Shouki no Kami.
Everyone froze in shock and turned toward the entrance.
"I heard..."
From the shadows, a woman's voice echoed through the workshop, low and commanding.
The shadows dispersed, revealing a figure with eyes glowing faintly with lightning. Her expression was serene yet unyielding.
"You've been thinking about revenge on ?"
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and... well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of sothing truly extraordinary, do step forward here: /WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can soone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instruntal in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
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