32. Back To The Basics

The wind outside Albedo's lab howled, making the windows rattle and adding a layer of frost that spread like a web across the glass. The cold seemed to seep into my bones, but inside, the lab was warm, lit by the soft glow of alchemical crystals. I could still feel the effects of Albedo's tests humming through me—like my body hadn't quite settled down after all the energy probing and power-poking.

I flexed my hand absentmindedly, half-expecting the weird mouth to reappear. Thankfully, it didn't.

Albedo stood nearby, scribbling furiously in his notebook. The room was filled with the sound of his quill scratching against the parchment—an oddly calming noise, considering how much my brain was still buzzing from everything we'd just gone through.

"So..." I said, breaking the silence, "what's the verdict, Albedo? Am I going to sprout more weird mouths, or are we done with that nightmare for now?"

Paimon let out a dramatic groan from where she floated, bundled up in a blanket. "Ugh, Paimon really hopes not! One mouth was already creepy enough!" She shuddered like she could still feel it on her, wrapping the blanket tighter. "Paimon still gets nightmares about that thing talking!"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, well, welcome to my life. Imagine how it feels to have the thing attached to you."

Aether shot me a teasing grin. "At least you gave Paimon a reason to take more naps."

I rolled my eyes at that. "Ha ha, very funny. Next time, I'll let the creepy hand-mouth give you a bedtime story. See how well you sleep after that."

"Not a chance." Aether leaned back in his seat, still smiling. "I've seen weirder things than talking hands."

Albedo finally stopped scribbling and looked up, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He cleared his throat, his tone as neutral as ever. "Tayden, your powers are... fascinating," he began, glancing at me like I was a particularly interesting science experiment. "Especially the way they manifest physically, as with the mouth on your hand. But while you've unlocked significant potential, you're far from fully controlling it. The Blood Demon Art is potent, but the toll it takes on your body is undeniable."

I felt a knot tighten in my gut. Yeah, I knew this already. Every time I tapped into Enmu's Blood Demon Art, it was like the ground beneath me started to sway, and my strength would drain faster than I could keep up with. Not exactly something you want happening mid-battle.

Albedo took a step closer, gesturing with one hand as he spoke. "You've developed a remarkable level of resilience, but the challenge lies in controlling the power rather than letting it control you. The ability you possess is volatile—unstable—and using it requires immense mental and physical stamina. That's where your struggles are coming from."

"Yeah, I noticed," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "I can activate the power, but once it's going, everything else just... falls apart. It's frustrating."

Albedo nodded thoughtfully. "That's to be expected. Your abilities aren't linked to Teyvat's elemental forces like Visions are, so they lack the natural balance and structure that comes with those powers. Controlling something like this requires more than just brute strength—it's a matter of timing, focus, and most importantly, practice in a real-world environment."

"Real-world environment, huh?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying I should just start using this stuff in actual battles?"

"Not quite." Albedo's lips twitched into something resembling a smile. "What I'm saying is that sparring with someone who can challenge you might be a better way to hone your control. You'll learn more about the limits and applications of your powers in the heat of combat than in this lab."

Aether shot me a look that was part encouragement, part suggestion. "Sounds like you need a sparring partner."

I smirked, already knowing where this was headed. "I'd love to but not this time man. I've got someone in mind—someone who hits hard and won't pull any punches."

"Wait, you're not talking about—" Paimon started, floating up with a suspicious look in her eyes.

I grinned, cutting her off. "Relax, Paimon. I'm not going to ask you to spar with me." I stretched my arms above my head and added with a grin, "But I was thinking about seeing if Eula's up for another round."

Paimon groaned again, throwing her hands up dramatically. "Oh no! Not her! Paimon's gonna get frostbite just watching you two spar!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "You don't have to stick around for it if you don't want to. Aether can drag you off to the Good Hunter for snacks while I get my butt handed to me by Eula."

Aether chuckled, getting to his feet and giving me a playful shove as he passed. "Don't worry, we'll save you some."

I grinned back at him and nodded, I knew that if I wanted to get a hand of Enmu's Blood Art, I was going to need to go to my best option and that is Eula.

Albedo packed up his notes and turned to face us, hands clasped behind his back. "I would suggest continuing to practice, Tayden. Push yourself, but know your limits. And remember," he added, eyes sharp behind his glasses, "this power isn't just a tool. It's a part of you now. You must understand it if you are to master it."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words sink in. "Yeah... thanks, Albedo. I appreciate all the help. Hopefully, next time we meet, I won't have any new weird mouth issues to report."

"One can hope," Albedo said with a slight smirk.

With that, we said our goodbyes, packed up, and left Albedo's lab, heading back down the snow-covered path out of Dragonspine.

As we made our way back toward Mondstadt, Paimon was already babbling about hot food and warm beds. I let her voice fade into the background as my thoughts drifted to Eula.

It had been a while since we'd sparred together, and after everything that had happened, it felt like now was as good a time as any to test my limits.

---

The sun hung high over Mondstadt, casting a golden glow over the bustling streets. The familiar hum of the city was a welcome change from the frozen quiet of Dragonspine. As I made my way through the market, weaving past adventurers and vendors, I caught sight of a familiar figure near the entrance to the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

Eula stood with her arms crossed, her claymore strapped to her back, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned the area. She had that ever-present air of 'Im a very serious peron', the kind that made you second-guess whether or not you wanted to cross her path. But when she spotted me, her expression softened, just a little—subtle enough that most people wouldn't notice, but I had gotten used to her stoic demeanor.

"Eula!" I called out, making my way over to her.

She turned toward me, raising an eyebrow while giving me a small smile. "Well, well. Look who's returned from the frozen wilderness," she said, her voice as formal as ever, though there was a faint flicker of amusement in her eyes. "What brings you back to Mondstadt? I assumed you'd be tangled up in another fight with the Abyss by now."

I chuckled. "Not today. Just got back from Dragonspine, actually. Spent some time with Albedo—letting him poke and prod at me, as usual."

Eula smirked faintly, shifting her weight as she studied me. "Albedo's experiments can be... intense. But you don't look any worse for wear."

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Survived, sure. But Albedo wasn't just testing me for fun this time—there's something new going on with my powers."

Her gaze sharpened, her interest piqued. "New powers?"

"Yeah. unlocked a new part of my ability," I explained. "It's... different from what I'm used to. It's not just about strength, it's more... mental, I guess. It lets me put people to sleep, just by making eye contact with them. And once they're asleep, I can enter their dreams."

Eula frowned, her arms uncrossing as she took in the information. "Enter their dreams? How does that work exactly?"

"That's the tricky part," I said, scratching the back of my neck. "It's pretty powerful, but it's also unpredictable. When I use it, I feel... disoriented. Like my body's out of sync. And when I enter someone's dream, I have to be careful not to overexert myself, and I don't want to know what happens if I mess something up in somebodies dream. The technique drains my stamina faster than I can handle, and I haven't quite figured out how to balance it in combat."

Eula's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So you can put people to sleep at will, and then manipulate their dreams?"

"Basically," I said with a nod. "But it's not just about making people sleep. It's about how I control the power when I'm in the middle of a fight. The disorientation messes with my balance, and if I'm not careful, I could end up putting myself in a bad spot. That's why I came to you. I need help figuring out how to use this power without losing my edge."

Eula remained quiet for a moment, clearly processing everything I'd said. Her blue eyes were sharp, thoughtful. Finally, she spoke. "It's an interesting ability. Dangerous, but intriguing." She crossed her arms again, tilting her head slightly. "And you've come to ask for my help with this?"

I grinned, relieved that she was catching on. "Yeah. I could really use the practice. You and I haven't sparred in a while, and I know you won't go easy on me. Besides," I added with a smirk, "you're probably one of the few people who can keep up with me—sleep powers or not."

Eula raised an eyebrow, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Tayden. Also I am pretty sure that you still have not beaten me in any of our matches" She looked soo smug saying that.

"But... I'm not opposed to a good challenge. I'd be happy to spar with you, if only to see how you handle this new ability."

I chuckled, feeling that familiar spark of excitement building in my chest. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

There was a brief pause before Eula asked, "So, what's it like traveling with Aether and Paimon? Do they act as amazing as the rumors say?"

I was caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation, but I smiled, thinking about Aether and Paimon. "They do. Aether's calm, level-headed... honestly, sometimes I don't know how he stays so composed. He's always thinking a few steps ahead. And Paimon... well, she's Paimon. A handful, sure, but she's got a good heart. They've both been a huge help to me—more than they probably realize."

Eula nodded, her expression softening ever so slightly. "I've seen them in action a few times. Didn't get to see Aether fighting Stormterror back then sadly. I was too focused evacuating people that I only noticed when Stormterror finally left."

With that, the conversation returned to our original topic. Eula straightened up, her expression sharpening once more. "So, you want me to help you learn how to use this new power without losing control? Sparring with me won't be easy, especially if you're still struggling with the disorientation."

I grinned. "I wouldn't have asked you if I wanted easy."

Her smile returned, small but sharp. "Good. Then let's head to the training ground. I'll push you hard enough to make sure you understand your limits."

I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Sparring with Eula was always intense, but this time, Im going to show her how much stronger I have become.

---

We walked through the streets of Mondstadt, the buzz of the city fading as we moved toward the outskirts.

As we reached the training ground, Eula unsheathed her claymore, giving it a practiced swing. She glanced at me with a determined look. "Let's see what you're made of, Tayden. I won't hold back."

I grinned, drawing my own weapon, feeling the familiar weight in my hand. "I wouldn't want you to."

The air between us buzzed with anticipation as we squared off, ready to push each other to our limits. This was exactly what I needed, a fight that would test me in ways I couldn't afford to ignore.

The training ground was a wide, open space just outside Mondstadt, where the sound of clashing blades wouldn't disturb anyone. The field was covered in tall grass that swayed in the gentle breeze, with the occasional rocky outcropping breaking up the landscape. It was quiet here, peaceful, though the tension between Eula and me was anything but.

Eula stood across from me, her claymore gleaming in the sunlight. Her stance was relaxed but focused, her gaze sharp as ever. She wasn't messing around, and I knew she wouldn't hold back. That was exactly why I asked her to train with me—there was no point in holding back now. I needed to push myself, to figure out how to control Enmu's Blood Demon Art without losing my edge.

"Ready?" Eula asked, her voice calm but edged with challenge.

I nodded, lowering myself into a fighting stance. "Let's do this."

The moment the words left my mouth, Eula surged forward with incredible speed, her claymore cutting through the air with a powerful swing. I barely had time to react, raising my sword to block the strike. The force of her attack sent a jolt through my arms, and I gritted my teeth as I pushed back.

Eula didn't relent—she followed up with another swing, then another, each one as precise and deadly as the last. I dodged and parried as best as I could and I know Eula can see that I've gotten stronger. Each strike was met with a block and a swift counter, but even with a weapon that big, her mobility is not affected at all.

Eula fought with the grace and power of a seasoned warrior, and even if Im getting closer and closer to her level, I can tell that she has almost fully figured out my new move set. I knew I couldn't keep up with her if I didn't use my new power. I needed to level the playing field.

With a deep breath, I locked eyes with Eula, feeling the familiar pull of Enmu's Blood Demon Art stirring within me. The world around me seemed to shift slightly, the edges of my vision blurring as I activated the power. I can feel the invisible thread, drawing Eula into the pull of sleep.

'SLEEP'

Eula's eyes flickered for a split second, and I could see her body begin to slow, her movements faltering ever so slightly. But just as quickly, she shook it off, her eyes sharpening as she snapped back into focus. She adjusted her stance, her grip tightening on her claymore.

"Is that all?" she asked, her voice cutting through the haze.

How the hell did she do that?!

She had resisted the effect, that's now how it's supposed to go! Enmu's powers work instantly and the only way to get out of the dream is to either kill yourself in it or have the Blood Demon Art deactivated... WAIT!

Its the Elemental Energy! Dammit why did it take me so long to notice. Teyvat's world revolves around Elemental Energy, when my powers try to put her to sleep, her vision with insane levels of Cryo Energy is messing up the Blood Art's effectiveness!

The disorientation hit me harder than I'd anticipated, making my balance waver. My muscles felt sluggish, like I was moving through water. My grip on my sword loosened, and for a moment, I stumbled.

Eula didn't miss a beat. She closed the distance between us in an instant, her claymore coming down in a sharp arc. I barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side and scrambling back to my feet, but the moment of weakness had cost me. My stamina was draining fast, and I hadn't even landed a solid hit on her yet.

Damn it, I thought. This is harder than I expected.

Eula's gaze was steady, her expression unreadable. "Your power is interesting," she said, her tone even. "But it's still unrefined. It's affecting your combat ability more than mine. Looks like my Vision is somehow disrupting your ability too"

I clenched my jaw, trying to push through the fog that had settled in my mind. "Yeah... I noticed," I muttered.

But I wasn't ready to give up yet. I had to push further—if I didn't, I'd never figure out how to make this power work. Gritting my teeth, I tried again, focusing harder this time. I locked eyes with Eula once more, feeling the pull of the Blood Demon Art activate. My body protested, my muscles burning with the effort, but I forced myself to hold steady.

"Sleep!" 

Eula's eyes fluttered for a moment, her body swaying slightly as the power took hold. I could see her struggle against it, her movements slowing as she fought to stay conscious. But just as before, she resisted, her Cryo Energy and insane willpower made breaking out of my spell look easy. She shook her head, clearing the haze, and fixed me with a determined glare.

"Not enough," she said, her voice sharp.

I groaned inwardly. How was she resisting so easily? I had poured so much energy into that last attempt, and yet she was still standing, still focused. The frustration bubbled up inside me, making my grip tighten on my sword.

Before I could react, Eula lunged at me again, her claymore sweeping toward me with deadly precision. I barely managed to block, the force of her attack sending me stumbling backward. My vision swam for a moment, and I could feel my stamina slipping away, my body growing weaker with each passing second.

I couldn't keep this up.

Eula stepped back, lowering her claymore slightly as she watched me. Her expression softened, just a little, as if she could see the struggle I was going through. "Tayden," she said, her voice gentler now, "your power is strong, but you're relying on it too much. You're letting it control you."

I wiped the sweat from my brow, my breathing ragged. "I know," I admitted, frustration lacing my voice. "It's just... harder than I thought. When I use it, everything else feels... off."

"That's because you're forcing it," Eula said. "You're focusing too much on the power itself, and not enough on how it fits into your overall combat style. You need to learn when to use it—and when not to."

I frowned, lowering my sword. "What do you mean?"

Eula sighed softly, stepping closer. "Your power isn't like mine. It's not an instrument that you can use in every situation. It's more... subtle. It's about timing, precision. You have to know when to activate it and when to rely on your regular combat skills. If you use it recklessly, it'll only leave you vulnerable."

She was right—of course she was. I had been trying to force the power to work, pushing it into every fight without thinking about how it fit into the bigger picture. But I couldn't just rely on the Blood Demon Art alone. I had to learn how to balance it with everything else I could do.

I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "You're right. I've been treating it like a crutch when I should be using it more strategically."

Eula nodded in approval. "Exactly. You're capable without the power, Tayden. I've seen it. You just need to trust yourself—and use your power when the moment is right."

I smiled faintly, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "Thanks, Eula. I needed that."

"Of course," she said, offering me a rare smile. "Now, let's take a short break. Then we'll go again. This time, focus on your regular combat skills. Use your power only when you see an opening. Don't force it."

I nodded, feeling a new sense of determination. Eula was right—this was just the beginning. I still had a long way to go, but at least now I had a clearer idea of how to move forward. "Thanks Eula, for helping me again"

Eula just looked at me and gave a wide smile, "Hey, what are friends for. Also don't forget to also tell Amber about your new ability, pretty sure she would make you test it on all sorts of critters"

"Great, just what I needed. To become another lab rat for someone". Eula just looked at me in amusement and I couldn't hold back a chuckle and then she also joined in.

Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me.