45 Chapter 44: Sky Battle

High above the clouds, we could see Dvalin flying around. But he seems to be in pain. Black lines are growing and covering his entire body. Each passing moment his mind is being corrupted screaming for destruction.

"RAAAH!" Dvalin screams as his torment increases. He tries to fight back but his struggle is futile

"Cease your futile attempts and succumb to the darkness." a man in a cloak said and Dvalin looked at him

"AAAH! Who are you!"

"None of your concern. All you need to know is that you will serve me." The man stretched his hand toward Dvalin and emitted a dark aura

"RAAAA GGGGHHHH!" The corrosion of the darkness spreads faster within Dvalin and he cannot stop it. His scales turned gray and his feathers turned black. 

His eyes turned crimson red and within them a creature hell-bent on destruction. The corrupted crystal on the back of his neck turned red and parts of his body turned into metallic armor. His head had ash-gray armor as his underbelly and wings. His claws became sharper and could cut through steel and the dark aura emanating from him became even more violent

"Excellent… A stronger being will bring out more of the gem's power. This is wonderful news."

Dvalin hovers before the cloaked man waiting for his instructions itching to cause destruction. Your friend will be here soon enough and the rider will be with him. Destroy them."

*ROAR!*

Dvalin flies down to the tower searching for his "friend"

…

(Jun POV)

We all met up again at the top of the tower and everyone was pleased none were harmed and was successful.

Venti had an idea and said, "I'm thinking about turning these adventures into songs after we're done…"

"Well, we certainly have gone through quite a lot recently." said Lumine

"Hopefully, this song will be sung for years to come by the people of Mondstadt, just like The Legend of Vennessa."

"I have loved that song since I was small." said Jean reminiscing old times

She turned to everyone and said "How are everyone feeling? I am completely prepared and fully confident that we can do this."

"You're so reliable, Master Jean. Rest assured, we are all completely prepared!" said Lumine

Paimon looked at Diluc and said, "Even Master Diluc accompanied us to the very end. Despite only being an accidentally involved… bystander."

"You shared your secret with me, and I only returned your trust to the same extent." said Diluc

"So "trust" is what drove Master Diluc here." said Lumine

"As for Master Jean... "responsibility" perhaps? Jun is here about the same reason as us." said Paimon

"Amber followed Jun while Lisa, Kaeya, and Eula were here because Jean requested them. I guess they are here also because of their duty. What about you Venti?" said Lumine

Venti looked at Lumine with resolution and said, "It's 'freedom'."

"Freedom...?" said Paimon confused

"When you first arrived at Mondstadt, did no one tell you that Mondstadt is the City of Freedom?"

"It was Amber." said Lumine looking at Amber

"Hehehe…" Amber blushed a little

"Hahaha... You really are a child of freedom!" said Venti

"Thank you… Venti." Amber was embarrassed about Venti's comment

"Mondstadt is a romantic city, without the reign of a king. And its citizens enjoy the most freedom amongst the seven nations. I hope the dragon that once protected Mondstadt will soon be free too… No one should have deceived him by telling him that Mondstadt betrayed him. And no one should have told him that it was his eternal duty to protect the city. He has the right and freedom to choose his own way of life."

"Venti…" said Paimon sympathizing with him

"Well then, Everyone, may the thousands of years of wind that have blown through Mondstadt go with all of us. Just like the last time, I shall channel Anemo energy to you Lumine."

"I knew it! It was YOUR voice I heard." said Lumine

"Oh! No wonder Lumine said his voice sounds familiar!"

"Jun, can you go with her? You two fought Dvalin off before and I was impressed that you were able to fight in the sky without my help." said Venti

"Say no more, I was planning to anyway. Dvalin has gotten stronger. I'm gonna take this seriously."

"Thank you…"

We all prepared ourselves and stood on the magic platform.

"Everyone, are you ready?" said Jean

We all nodded ready to continue when suddenly we heard a roar

*ROAR!*

We saw Dvalin but he was different. He looked more menacing, his body was dark, with crimson eyes, and armor on his body. We all saw and were shocked at his appearance.

'Is it because of the black gem he became like this?' I thought with dread

He swooped down toward us destroying the roof of the tower before ascending towards the sky again.

"Dvalin…" said Venti saddened by the appearance of his friend

"Are we too late…" He was losing hope

"Don't give up!" I said bringing back light to Venti's eyes

"We don't know if he is gone yet. Until the end don't lose hope! The plan has not changed."

Venti smiled at me at my optimism, "You're right, it is too early to lose hope. Lumine, are you ready?"

"Yes" Lumine nodded ready to save Dvalin

I prepared as well, I took my Zero-One driver and Flying Falcon Progrisekey

[Wing!]

[Authorise]

The falcon and grasshopper rider models appeared surrounding me

"Henshin!"

[Progrise!]

[Fly to the sky!]

[Flying Falcon!]

[Spread your wings and prepare for a force]

Now in my Flying Falcon form, I flew up into the sky chasing Dvalin. Venti controlled the Anemo energy around Lumine sending her flying as well into the sky using her wind glider to control herself. We floated in the sky and saw Dvalin floating as well staring at us with his crimson eyes wanting to destroy us.

'I swear we will save you!' I thought to myself about our inevitable confrontation

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