Genshin Impact: Frostburn

Leo's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend what lay before him. His mind raced, frantically trying to make sense of the reality in front of him. His throat went dry, and a cold sweat clung to his skin. 

Crucabena's laughter rang out, reverberating through the dome like a cruel symphony. It was as if she reveled in the absurdity of the scene, her euphoric tone laced with mockery.

"How poetic, did you truly believe you had a chance against me?"

Peruere stood frozen still, her hands trembled as she let go of the blade. Clervie staggered, her wide eyes fixed on the weapon, her expression torn between disbelief and dread. 

"Perrie..."

Her wide eyes were filled with shock, tears welling as she gasped for breath. Blood soaked her clothes, pooling beneath her as her body trembled.

Leo rushes to her side. Her ragged breaths filled his ears as he held her.

"No, not like this!"

Clervie's trembling hand reached up, brushing against Leo's face. Her lips parted, but her words came in a faint, broken whisper.

"Leo... protect them..."

His chest tightened as a surge of guilt and despair threatened to consume him. Her warmth was slipping away, her blood staining his hands as he clutched her tighter.

"Clervie, no! Stay with me!" His voice cracked, desperation laced in every word.

Peruere staggered back, her sword arm falling limply to her side. Her face was pale, her expression was vacant as the weight of her actions crushed her.

"No... I didn't mean to... I—"

Crucabena's growing laughter echoed on the side. Her gleaming smile threatened to consume them. 

Peruere looked at her. The colors of her hands faded into shaded black. She picked up Clervie's fallen sword in silence and briskly approached Crucabena. 

Her arms slowly lose color as they fade into black. She grits her teeth and her eyes emanate fury and madness that she never felt before. 

Her pace quickened. With her hands trembling, she gripped Clervie's sword tightly. Crimson black flames devoured her as she wailed in anguish and fury. 

With a huge shock, their swords met.

Relentlessly she pursued Crucabena as she maneuvered her way around the dome. The place trembled as they clashed swords.

***

His hands trembled, his mind racing as he stood frozen, unable to discern what to do. Pereure, consumed by a furious fit, flew into a frenzied rage, yet Leo remained there, powerless, unable to do anything.

"Clervie, don't sleep! You hear me! Don't fall asleep!" 

"Leo... Help... Perrie."

"Worry about yourself first would you!"

Leo gripped the sword's handle, struggling to pull it out. Clervie grunted in pain, her hand trembling as she weakly grasped his, her grip tight.

A/N: Never pull out the object that stabbed you, it could lead to a faster death.

"Leo... go help Perrie... please."

In frustration, Leo bit his lip, and the taste of blood entered his mouth. Sharp pain coursed through his body, but it was nothing compared to the weight of guilt and remorse that crushed his chest.

I should have not hesitated, dammit! Dammit!"

His eyes drifted towards Peruere, who was engaged in a fierce battle with Crucabena. Her form was full of blood, and she radiated an aura of madness and hatred.

Think Leo, think!

His eyes darted across the dome, searching for anything that could help them.

'There has to be a way!' He thought, desperation creeping in. 'At least delay Clervie's condition until we can get help... wait, it might work.'

A sudden, rash idea flashed through his mind. His heart hammered in his chest as he considered it. He clenched his fists, the weight of this decision pressing heavily on him.

"Clervie, I have an idea."

Clervie's dimming eyes met his, barely registering his words. Her breath was shallow, and her body trembled with each passing second.

"I-I'll try to freeze your wound, but-" His voice cracked, his breath ragged as he stuttered.

"We need to pull out the sword first. Then, I need you to clean the wound with your Vision. After that, I'll—" His words faltered as his mind raced, the urgency outweighing any lingering doubt. "I'll stabilize it somehow, just—just hang on."

Leo quickly tore off his shirt, his hands trembling as he fashioned it into a makeshift gag. He gently placed it in Clervie's mouth.

"Bite this. Endure okay?"

Aware of the time he needed to charge, Leo began drawing elemental energy from his Vision before pulling the sword.

With a swift, controlled motion, Leo yanked the sword from her body. Clervie's muffled scream reverberated through the cloth in her mouth. Blood gushed through her wound like a fontain.

"Clervie, quick!" Leo urged.

Clervie's hydro vision glowed as water manifested and entered the wound, rinsing it before getting thrown away. Clervie then manifested a new batch of water and covered her wound with it. The water mixed with her blood and turned crimson.

He immediately pressed his hand over the wound, focusing his Vision's energy on freezing the blood flow. The air around them grew cold as frost formed, and she could feel the chill seep into her bones, but it was working. The crimson water slowly solidified, stopping the blood from gushing out.

A small sense of relief washed him as he stumbled on his back, sweat filled his whole body.

"I-it worked,"

A loud reverberating noise rang. Leo's gaze fell in the direction of the sound and saw Pereure's battered figure. But despite her sorry state, her eyes still carried fierce resolve and a relentless desire for vengeance.

Leo was taken out of his stupor. The urgency came to him as he looked at Pereure. They were on a timer on which all their lives could be at stake, and Leo knew that.

Without the earlier hesitation, he let the abyss enter his veins. Misty black horns protruded from his head, his eyes grew reddish-purple and his mind was plagued with whispers.

He rushed towards Crucabena as he kicked off the ground his spear in hand. 

With a spinning motion, he attacked Crucabena as she approached Pereure. Her eyes widened as she stepped back and dodged the attack. An amused smile appeared on her face.

"My, my. I have been waiting for you to come out, our dear demon." She shrugged off the dirt on her battered arms and directed her gaze towards Leo. "To think you would actually defy Her Majesty's word, color me surprised."

Leo's gaze drifted towards Pereue. Her hands trembled and her face was painted in shock and betrayal.

"Leo... what," Her voice cracked as her gaze shifted towards Clervie and Leo. "you-you've been hiding this?!"

She lashed out, as she pulled Leo's sleeves.

Not now! We don't have time. Clervie will die the longer we stay here!" Leo urged, pointing toward Clervie. "I'll apologize later, but we need to work together! There's no time!"

Pereure gritted her teeth and her hands trembled as she struggled to let go of Leo.

A sound of clicking pulled them out. Crucabena was tapping her sword on the ground as she approached. Crucabena's footsteps echoed through the dome, each one deliberate, as if she were savoring the moment. Her smile widened, eyes glinting with malicious amusement.

"Do you think you can stop me, boy?" She taunted, her voice laced with venom. "You are nothing but a puppet—no, a child, playing at power. I've seen countless like you crumble, and you will fall just the same."

She tilted her head as her gaze drifted across the dome where Clervie lay. "You think you're special because you have that power. Then let me prove you wrong." Water surged from her delusion and covered her battered hands. 

It devoured her sword and created one made of water. Her clothes were torn, replaced by armor made of pure water. Spikes protruded from her arms and her hair flowed like water.

With an arrogant smile, Crucabena rushed towards them.

****************

A/N: Been awhile... or not. Anyway I've been addicted to league lately and I spend all my free time playing it with my sister. I finally understand why this game is so addicting XD

But I like tft more, it's my type of game.