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6000 years. Zhongli is left on his own. Though he is still the Prime Adeptus, he does not bother with the adepti no more. He lets them live their life as they please, as they see fit. Xiao hadn't given up on protecting Liyue yet, as it is his part of showing his gratitude to Morax, the god who took him and made him a whole new being away from his old master. But that all changed when Aether showed up on his life. Sure he hadn't forgotten his gratitude yet Morax insisted him to prioritize himself now and his life with Aether. Just how he prioritize his orders when he was still the Geo Archon of Liyue.
6000 years. He met Childe. The one feisty and stubborn Fatui boy who tried to mess up his nation but was stopped by the human beings of his own. He was waiting for this. For his own people to fight and defend themselves, despite not having their archon anymore. He is still there, watching as how Liyue prospers, and how it will soon erode to nothingness.
He very much enjoyed the company of the ginger haired boy as well as how he kept spending countless mora for him. He chuckled. He used to be like him before too. No problems with mora, as he can create it on his own hands in a flash.
Zhongli sipped his tea. Looking across the table that should've been occupied by the said Fatui boy, yet it was empty. Loneliness crept up on Zhongli's body. He should be used to it by now. Ever since his close friends died during the war, he had made a contract on himself that he wouldn't let anyone dear close to him die on his watch ever again.
Bitter laugh fell out of his mouth. The God of Contracts, failing to do his own contract. What an irony. Such an easy task to accomplish yet the god himself couldn't do. He maybe no longer Liyue's archon but he is still a god. Yet he felt powerless as he cannot abide by his own terms.
For 6000 years he was lonely. Then he changed to his mortal form, he found himself having friends and acquaintances along the way. And after that, he became to what he was again 6000 years ago.
Those bright amber eyes brighter than a cor lapis, now looking like a dull shade of a faded rock. The orange tips on his dark brown hair now turning into a faded gray similar to that of an old man's. Yet his memory is still clear. So clear that he can remember every single thing that has happened to Liyue, how his people worshipped him on his statues, how Celestia fell in Teyvat and made a mass murder on the Seven's lands similar to what they did to Khaenria'h 500 years ago.
He still clearly remembers how those fools killed his beloved. A single tear fell on his left eye.
His Childe. His Tartaglia. His Ajax.
Zhongli's grip on his teacup tightened so much the cup might break. But it didn't. Those foolish beings will pay for breaking the contract. Those fools shall experience the wrath of the rock.
His dull features began glowing. Yellow lifeless eyes began glowing gold once again. His ponytail magically flowing as his power is coming back to him once again. Zhongli thought he was powerless but here he is, gaining back what once he had lost. He summoned his Vortex Vanquisher as if an enemy appeared after him. He changed his clothing to the ones he wore on his early days as a god. A white sleeveless robe showing his black arms with gold markings and a black baggy pants with similar design on his arms.
"To disobey and disregard the terms written on the contract that has been agreed upon both parties in the presence of the God of Contracts," Zhongli- no Morax's golden eyes glowed dangerously followed by him transforming to his half dragon form. A low guttural growl came out of his throat. "I shall bring upon you the wrath of an enraged god."
Black eyebrows furrowed, eyes lit with a promise to slay and erase anyone to existence who will be proven to be the cause of the death of his lover. "I will avenge you, Childe. Wait for me here darling, I will be back in no time." He smiled one last time and with that, he vanished.
Behind the orange curtains flowing as the wind enters Zhongli's bedroom, there lays a deceased human being covered in four steles surrounded by a Jade Shield. Making sure that no one will dare pry open to get what is inside.
After Zhongli left, the corpse's vision started to glow faint blue. The supposed masterless vision is still showing the ambition and desire of its old(current) master to live, to satiate his want to be stonger than ever, and fulfill his dreams together with his loved ones.
It is a shame Zhongli hadn't seen Childe's eyes pry open that day.