117. The Storm Dragon And The Stormterror

Dvalin, the once majestic dragon now corrupted by the Abyssal bloodinfluence, turned its imposing gaze towards Venti, the bard who had summoned it with the Holy Lyre's music. In its eyes, there was a glimmer of recognition, as if a spark of its former self remembered the connection it once shared with the bard.

Venti held his ground, meeting the dragon's gaze with unwavering determination, knowing that this encounter would be a crucial turning point in their mission to free Dvalin from the Abyssal corruption.

Dvalin's voice rumbled, carrying with it a sense of sorrow and sadness, "You have come... What has been done cannot be undone..."

Venti, undeterred, replied with a tinge of empathy in his voice, "If so, then why do I see sadness in your eyes? Sadness that speaks of your yearning for this song..."

Dvalin growled in response, torn between its corrupted nature and the memories of better times.

Jean, who was observing this exchange, couldn't help but express her surprise, "They are... communicating... Huh?"

The unique connection between Venti and Dvalin, forged through the Holy Lyre and their shared history, allowed for a momentary exchange of words, revealing the depth of the situation and the complexity of the corruption that had taken hold of the once-proud dragon.

The ice-like lance suddenly attacked the Holy Lyre and Venti, the group watched in shock as the crystalline weapon shattered the sacred instrument. The abrupt destruction left them momentarily stunned, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability as their connection to Dvalin appeared severed.

Ryūhei, Veldora, and Rimuru sensed a presence behind Dvalin, and with their keen instincts, they observed the unfolding scene. They didn't immediately act, choosing to assess the situation a bit longer.

Soon after, a mysterious figure clad in a hooded cloak that concealed their identity and predominantly adorned in shades of blue and white, appeared behind Dvalin. The Cryo element emanated from this enigmatic character, who carried a staff or scepter as its weapon.

All members of the group recognized the figure as an Abyss Mage, a symbol of the Abyss Order's nefarious influence. The situation had taken a sudden turn as they realized that the Abyss Order was directly involved in their mission to confront the corrupted Dvalin.

Paimon shrieked in distress, using her affectionate nickname for Venti, "Tone-deaf bard!" She was visibly worried about his safety as the Abyss Mage launched its attack on the Holy Lyre.

The rest of the group, excluding Ryūhei, Veldora, Ayaka, and Rimuru, rushed to Venti's side to protect him from the impending threat. Concern for their bard friend's well-being was evident as they prepared to defend him and the Holy Lyre.

Ryūhei, Veldora, and Rimuru, on the other hand, exchanged knowing glances, feeling a hint of disappointment at Venti being seemingly pushed back by what appeared to be a relatively less powerful adversary. They maintained their distance, observing the unfolding situation with a discerning eye.

Ayaka, standing alongside Ryūhei, Veldora, and Rimuru, was unaware of the exchange of glances between the three. As the situation escalated with the arrival of the Abyss Mage and the potential threat to Venti and the Holy Lyre, Ayaka remained focused on the immediate challenge at hand, her concern primarily for her companions' safety.

The Cryo Abyss Mage whispered to Dvalin, a sinister tone accompanying its words.

"Do not be fooled by him, dear dragon... He left you to rot alone... Now he attempts to deceive you once more..."

Dvalin's response was a growled exclamation of "Barbatos," hinting at a depth of emotion and history between the two.

Fischl's reaction was a mix of surprise and curiosity, fueled by her unique way of speaking and her perpetual quest for mystical identities. She glanced at Venti, her gaze enigmatic and filled with intrigue.

"Fascinating!" she exclaimed, "The corrupted Dvalin dares to address Venti as 'Barbatos,' the Anemo Archon. Is it possible that the celestial bard conceals a deeper secret, hidden even from my prying gaze? These are mysteries that must be unraveled in the name of the enigmatic cosmos!"

The Cryo Abyss Mage continued, urging Dvalin to give in to his anger.

"Let your wrath fester! Mondstadt has already turned its back on you!"

Dvalin, torn between the Abyss Mage's words and the emotions welling up inside him, let out a powerful roar, a symbol of his inner turmoil and the conflict that now consumed him. The group watched with growing concern, as the situation became increasingly complicated.

Dvalin, his voice laced with anger and betrayal.

"You! You were planning this all along? To have me slain by them?"

Venti, distressed, rushed to explain, "It's not like that!"

But the Cryo Abyss Mage remained resolute in its sinister purpose, "The time has come for the dragon to serve its true master... While you bewail your pathetic selves, and watch the world tremble with fear!"

Venti, filled with regret, could only murmur, "Dvalin..."

The situation had escalated to a point of no return, with the Abyss Mage's dark intentions exposed and Dvalin's allegiance hanging in the balance. The group braced for the impending confrontation, knowing that the battle ahead would be unlike any they had faced before.

Unexpectedly, Dvalin, the corrupted dragon, chooses to fly away rather than engage in further conflict. His massive wings propelled him into the sky, carrying him away from the group and the sinister influence of the Cryo Abyss Mage.

The group watched in astonishment as the dragon's form disappeared into the distance, his departure leaving a sense of confusion and uncertainty.

Venti, his voice heavy with concern, muttered, "Dvalin, where are you going?"

The situation had taken an unexpected turn, leaving the group to wonder about Dvalin's next actions and the consequences of his departure.

Ryūhei and Veldora exchanged determined glances as Dvalin started to fly away. They knew it was time to take action.

Veldora nodded and said, "Then, let me do it. I have some techniques in mind to teach that dragon a lesson."

Ryūhei agreed, "Well, it's up to you."

In a swift and powerful move, Veldora flew, catching up to Dvalin in an instant. He then unleashed a series of Street Fighter-inspired moves upon the dragon, each one causing the corrupted Dvalin significant pain.

First, he executed a "Psycho Crusher," surrounding himself with energy and spiraling like a torpedo toward Dvalin, dealing a powerful blow.

Although Dvalin retaliated by attacking him back with dragon breath imbued with Anemo power, the attack had no effect on Veldora.

Veldora just brushed the dust off his shoulder while saying, "Is that all?"

What a badass.

Then, a "Shoryūken," sending an uppercut that sent Dvalin's dragon body skyward.

Next, a "Hyakuretsukyaku," imitating Chun-Li's famous lightning-fast side kicks, which Dvalin couldn't evade due to Veldora's incredible speed and agility.

A "Tatsumaki Senpukyaku," a spinning kick, followed.

But, when Veldora unleashed a "Hadoken," releasing an energy ball aimed toward the Cryo Abyss Mage, striking it with precision. He did it with full power. Instantly erasing that figure, even its soul couldn't be spared.

The rest of the group, excluding Ryūhei, Ayaka, and Rimuru, stood in stunned silence. The sight of Veldora single-handedly defeating a dragon, even one as powerful as Dvalin, left them utterly dumbfounded. It was a display of strength and prowess that defied their expectations, and they were left to grapple with the awe-inspiring spectacle before them.

The group, including Venti, Jean, Diluc, Aether, and Paimon, couldn't help but voice their astonishment and admiration for Veldora's impressive performance in defeating Dvalin, the corrupted dragon. Their comments flowed one after another:

Venti exclaimed, "That was... truly remarkable!"

Jean, equally impressed, added, "I've never seen anything like it."

Diluc, usually composed, admitted, "I'm at a loss for words."

Aether, who had seen much in his interdimensional travels, said, "Incredible. Veldora's strength is unmatched."

Paimon, always animated, chimed in, "That was insane! Veldora really packs a punch!"

Fischl's enigmatic speech, as always, left the group both fascinated and bewildered. Her unique language added an extra layer of intrigue to the moment, with her cryptic and mystical words.

She said, "By the mysterious moon! This enigmatic force challenges the corrupted Dvalin with techniques I've never before borne witness to. It is as if the very cosmos has birthed a new and bizarre form of combat. O unknowable entity, reveal thy true nature and the origins of these perplexing maneuvers!"

Oz, ever the diligent translator, followed her with a more straightforward interpretation: "My Mistress bespeaks of arcane mysteries unfolding! She is befuddled by this strange confrontation, much like myself, and demands knowledge of his true identity and the origins of his perplexing techniques!"

Ryūhei couldn't help but twitch upon hearing Fischl's and Oz's words. Her unique syndrome made her speech so deep and cryptic that it left people, including him, utterly perplexed. It was a reminder of the mysterious and enigmatic elements that often colored their world and the characters they encountered.

Other than that, the group was left in awe by Veldora's display of power, unaware of the dragon's true nature and the complexities of the situation. They continued to observe, their curiosity piqued, as the events of the day unfolded.

The onslaught of moves left Dvalin reeling, as Veldora displayed his formidable strength in a truly unique and captivating fashion, inspired by the world of video games. Though no one understood the references except Ryūhei and Rimuru. It was an impressive display of power, but Veldora held back, ensuring that the dragon was not harmed beyond what was necessary.

The threat that the Abyss Mage posed had been eliminated. However, their victory was bittersweet, for Dvalin, wounded and in pain, had fallen to the beach below the Starsnatch Cliff. The corruption from the Abyssal blood continued to seep into his body, and he roared in agony, the darkness still very much present within him.

The group understood that their mission was far from over, and they now faced the monumental task of freeing Dvalin from the Abyss Order's influence and bringing him back to his former self. With heavy hearts, they prepared to descend and face the corrupted dragon, hoping to find a way to save him from the darkness that threatened to consume him.

Dvalin, in his corrupted state, raised his head to the sky, his gaze directed towards Veldora who hovered in the air. He growled in anger, fully aware of the overwhelming power that he possessed. However, Dvalin hesitated to take any further action, realizing the vast gap in their strength and the futility of resistance.

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