Divinity in mortal | Childe x Zhongli

Rite of Descent

The agents reported to Tartaglia that there had been no traveler's activity during the night, he had remained at the inn. Childe then sent the agents to relocate the Sigils of Permission he had created with Zhongli to an area further out of the city and well guarded by the Fatui, as the traveler was now roaming around and did not seem to have any intention of exploring beyond the gates. Childe kept the original sigil in his jacket. It had regained its golden sheen somehow. The agents informed Tartaglia of the area chosen to store the sigils and even charted a small map with directions to give it to him.

"Thank you. Make sure no one comes within a mile of the area. Any suspicious movement, you can report it directly to me. In case someone tries to steal the sigils, you are free to use your weapons as you please. Protect the sigils with your lives, they are necessary for a direct mission from the Tzaritsa. They must remain undamaged under any circumstances," Tartaglia paused briefly and looked at each of the agents seriously. "Understood?"

"Yes, Master," they replied in unison. Some bowed their heads slightly toward the Harbinger, others instead had their bodies stiffen due to fear toward their superior.

Childe left the Bank by himself. The Tzaritsa had asked him to be present at the Rite of Descent to investigate the situation, so he thought it more convenient to act alone to avoid arousing suspicion. One thing he could not avoid: as soon as he arrived at the Yujing Terrace, all eyes were on him. Obviously the Harbinger of Liyue could not go unnoticed wherever he went. Childe smiled at the citizens paying their respects to the gods and placed his hands behind his back to have a casual and carefree posture. Some of the citizens also smiled back and even waved at him.

As Childe was not going to offer incense to the Adeptus, he looked for a place to watch the Rite. Not just any place: discreet, so he could keep an eye on Ningguang and the traveler, and with a free way to escape in case things got bad - the latter was a must in public places -. In more reserved places he could always fight his way out.

Little did the spotlight on the Harbinger last. When the blond-haired boy appeared with his flying fairy, all the citizens began to look in his direction and began to whisper. There was already quite a crowd in the square, creating a loud murmur. The traveler didn't seem at all concerned, he headed off with his fairy to give incense to the Adeptus. A Liyue citizen stopped him and spoke with him, but Childe could not hear what she was saying from his position.

The murmur died down and all eyes watched the figures approaching the center of the square. Ningguang and two of her attendants. The group walked towards the long shrine placed meticulously in the center, where the citizens had left their offerings to the Adeptus. The assistants adjusted the position of some of the food so that all the offerings were visible on the table. The crowd began to move. Childe couldn't help but look in the direction of the movement and could see that the traveler had just joined. The traveler was trying to squeeze in to watch the ceremony, looking for space between the front rows. Childe stood between the back rows, with his height he had no problem with visibility.

"It's time!" announced Ningguang.

She summoned the Geo element around the shrine to illuminate it. Childe thought she was showing off and grimaced. Suddenly a golden wave illuminated the entire square and the Geo energy shot into the sky, creating a strong whirlwind and illuminating the sky. The sky was losing its golden color as the wind grew stronger and stronger. Childe couldn't help but become alert and look around. The astonished people looked at the sky and remained in their position. The traveler was also looking curiously. Childe, on the other hand, looked at Ningguang. Nice acting, he thought. It was then that the wind became stronger and the sky darkened completely, it seemed to have become night in a moment. Ningguang began to make nervous movements, which further alarmed Childe. Ningguang, in case she was not Rex Lapis, would have attended previous Rites, if she was nervous this was not what was to be expected.