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Childe broke through the door and knocked out the 4 guards before rushing through the corridors with Zhongli. ''They must be here somewhere... I wonder if they are okay.." Zhongli was right behind him. A few guys jumped in their way and Childe was quick to cover Zhongli as he sliced them up. ''Ohmygod that's so hot..." Childe sighed and Zhongli smirked at him. ''Wait did I say that out loud!?" The boy blushed and held his face. ''It's all fine we don't have time to flirt.'' Zhongli ran further and Childe followed. Before he could catch up however, a guard grabbed him and hit a syringe in his back. Childe struggled like a wild animal but was ultimately knocked out.
Zhongli stopped, sensing something was wrong and turned around. His eyes widened in an unknown fear he wasn't used to. A weird guy was holding Ajax by the throat with a gun pressed to his head. ''I would follow me peacefully if I were you Morax. Also leave those weapons there.'' The mafia boss growled slightly as he dropped his things and followed the guy.
They came into a big room and he finally faced her. ''Morax! What a pleasure to see you! And you even brought a gift! Is it a new subordinate of you?" The Tsaritsa had a cold smile as always. ''This is no gift for you and it was me who asked him to come. So if you make him pay for it there won't be a day when you will be able to sleep." Zhongli glared with a shadow practically emerging from him. ''Should I really worry? The six of you will die afterall." The Tsaritsa smirked. "The Kamisato clan has been thoroughly scattered and flops like helpless fish on land. The same will happen to the Adepti now that I have you." Zhongli looked away. ''You won't get through with this. And you will regret having broken your promise. Nobody will get away with breaking my contracts. You should know better.'' Zhongli scoffed and his eyes wandered to Childe. ''Why don't I have my fun breaking your endless pride and composure then. Just so you won't haunt me when you are dead." She smiled—Zhongli shuddered. The next he awoke they were both in a cell. Childe was strapped up with weird chains on his wrists, waist and neck. They were only in their shirts and pants the rest must have been removed. ''Ajax...'' Zhongli rubbed his forehead and blinked a bit. His chains looked normal and were on his wrists and ankles. ''Zhong.... zhongli.. '' The ginger looked up and their eyes met. ''Thank the gods you are alright.'' Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief. ''Don't be too happy now.'' The Tsaritsa came in with a weird device in her hand. Childe looked at her and his eyes widened. ''You are my!-" He quickly shut himself up. She instantly glared. ''You're what?" She asked with venom on her tongue. She turned to Zhongli. ''Who is he." Not a question but a demand. If he told her Childe's identity his organisation would be doomed. ''You cannot threaten me with violence." His voice was stern and unwavering like a boulder. ''Can I threaten you with pain tho?" She smiled and turned the device on. Instantly Childe was screaming in pain as the chains pumped electricity through his body. ''AJAX!!!" Zhongli struggled and could only watch in horror as the ginger writhed in pain. She turned it off again and Childe was gasping for air and trembling. ''Impressive he just takes it. I like it when I can have my fun before their flame dies out." Zhongli was trembling slightly. ''I can't tell you...'' She sulked. ''But you will tell me.'' She turned it on again and Childe stiffened and screamed again from the excrutiating torture. He was getting lightheaded and hoped for no brain damage from it. ''Please!!!" Zhongli had tears brimming in his eyes as he struggled in vain. ''I asked you a question." The shocks got harsher and Childe was dizzily swooning around now giving Zhongli a soft nod before passing out. ''Tartaglia...'' Her eyes widened just ever so slightly at that name. ''Two rivals coming together to get me. That is touching. Though it is not the name you call him. You two must have some history hm?" She grinned and Zhongli looked away with guilt. ''I wonder what you do if I...'' She leaned in and kissed Childe passionately. Zhongli looked indifferent at the display. ''Huh...guess i was wro-'' She felt a sharp prick on her arm and looked down to see Childe holding a few needles filled with liquid. She grabbed them quickly and hit them in Zhonglis arm. ''What are these!" Childe laughed behind her. ''They are filled with a designer poison. Specifically prepared for your blood type. How sad Zhongli has the same but he also has the antidote so he is fine.'' Childe sat up and grinned maniacally. ''Usually I don't use that as my last resort but . ... you're a special case... right, Senpai?~'' Childe smiled. She grabbed Zhonglis shirt collar. ''Where is it!?" He grinned showing two pills between his teeth. ''Uh oh seems like mister Zhongli is about to crush those and have it all for himself.~ why dont you free us so he can take them out and give one to you~'' Childe had a smug expression. ''You little rat...'' Zhonglis closed his teeth slightly. ''NO...sigh...fine.'' She opened Childes and Zhonglis chains. Zhongli smiled and crushed both pills in his mouth. ''Oh..my bad.'' He smiled at her. ''Would you like me to kiss you as an apology?'' The man had dark eyes and took Childes hand going soft over one of his cheeks. ''You devil!! How dare you go back on your word!!" Zhongli held up a finger. ''I never said I would share did I? The only one talking was Childe.'' He kissed him and both walked casually past the collapsed woman. ''Time to find those 4 who gave us more than enough trouble.'' Childe smiled at him. ''Its time huh?" He looked slightly sad. After this they would become enemies again.
They cracked open a door and finally found ayato, thoma, ayaka and sayu. ''Zhongli!" Ayato looked happy to see him. ''Hey guys...'' Childe spoke weak. ''Oh dear what happened to you two.'' Thoma looked worried at Childe. ''Thanks for saving us.'' Sayu said with a tiny smile. Ayaka bowed politely. ''Ayaka, Sayu, please inform all the other members we got freed. We have to still go over the information with these two.'' Ayato spoke as he dusted himself off. Zhongli nodded and they all fled the building. Back in the more lively districts of Inazuma they instantly went to the Clans estate and now knelt before a tea tray, all showered and dressed nicely. Childe in a dark blue, Zhongli in a gold, Thoma in a red and Ayato in a white kimono. ''Hahhh... thank you for the nice treatment.'' Childe blushed enjoying the delicious tea. Ayato frowned a bit. ''We should celebrate but a falkon arrived overseas for you." Childe looked confused. It had only been three days since they got rest after killing the Tsaritsa. Ayato handed him a letter. Childe opened it carefully and read it silent. Tears welled up in his eyes as it slipped from his hands. ''No....'' Zhongli slowly took it and went through it. The Tartaglia clan.... the mafia he was leading... got demolished completely and shattered by the remaining Fatui. ''Childe.... I am sorry I didn't intend-" He got hugged by the ginger as he cried. ''Teucer...he is dead Zhongli... I promised I will protect him!" Zhongli held him. ''Ajax.... it's not your fault...."