After Morax left, Elliot rose slowly, intending to go out and take a look.
Expanding territory wasn't Morax's task alone. The Adepti and Ganyu were also involved, pushing toward Cuijue Slope.
Since Morax's side seemed settled for the moment, Elliot decided to check on the Adepti's situation instead.
The Azhdaha remained beneath Mt. Tianheng to guard their home.
The division of labor was clear.
Elliot followed the general direction until the sounds of battle reached his ears.
Perhaps the fighting had forced them off course, for the commotion was now coming from west of Cuijue Slope, near Tianqiu Valley.
Tianqiu Valley…
The Adepti…
Territory expansion…
The Adepti–Archon War!!!
Elliot's eyes widened as he recalled: Tianqiu Valley was a land of rugged mountains!
And this time, it was the Adepti who had mobilized—Morax wasn't there!
This lined up perfectly with the scene of Qiqi's appearance!
Elliot dropped his leisurely pace and burst forth like lightning, vanishing from sight in a streak of thunder.
Guided by the clash of battle, he arrived to see the Adepti and Ganyu locked in combat with a god and its many followers.
The battlefield was chaos, a storm of techniques flying in all directions.
Elliot didn't join the fight. Instead, his eyes darted to the cliffs, searching.
BOOM!!!
Just as he noticed a suspicious cave, a god's attack hurtled toward him.
With a sweep of his hand, Elliot swatted the elemental orb away.
Neither the god nor the Adepti noticed.
Elliot rushed into the cave—and there, he found the familiar figure.
"Don't… don't eat Qiqi…"
"Qiqi isn't tasty…"
When she saw him, Qiqi shrank back, frightened.
It was only natural. Outside, the battle raged fiercely, and Elliot was wearing that eerie mask and a black coat. Mistaking him for an enemy was only expected.
Elliot let out a long sigh of relief at her words.
Good…
He had made it in time.
"Hello, your name is Qiqi, right?" Elliot crouched beside her, speaking gently.
Though wary of his mask, Qiqi gave a small nod.
"It's dangerous here. Let me take you back."
"Qiqi… leg hurts… can't walk…"
Elliot's eyes fell on her leg, clearly broken. He placed his hand over it.
Channeling his divine power, he mended the injury. In moments, the shattered bone was fully restored.
The power of a god was immense; healing human wounds was nothing to him.
"Try it now. Does it still hurt?"
At his words, Qiqi moved her leg instinctively. To her surprise, the pain was gone.
She stood, walked a few steps, then hopped in place. Her wide eyes turned to him in amazement. "It doesn't hurt anymore… so amazing…"
"I'm glad it's better." Elliot smiled softly, ruffling her hair.
"You're so kind… Can you tell me… your name…?" Qiqi looked up at him with her round eyes.
"My name?"
"Mhm…"
"Elliot," he answered truthfully.
"Elliot…"
"Thank you… for healing my leg…"
"Qiqi… wants… to repay you…"
She began fumbling around, searching.
Soon, she pulled several Glaze Lilies from her pocket and offered them to him.
"These… are Glaze Lilies… Qiqi just picked them… they're for you…"
Hearing her familiar words, seeing the flowers in her small hands, Elliot froze.
His mind was pulled back to the days they had spent together.
Gathering herbs side by side. Drinking coconut milk together. Raising sparrows. Picking flowers to make sachets.
"Elliot… brother…?" When Elliot didn't respond for a long time, Qiqi leaned closer and whispered.
"It's nothing. I don't need these. You keep them."
Elliot shook off his thoughts, gently patting her head again.
"Brother Elliot… you don't like… Glaze Lilies?"
"Then I'll… find something else…"
Mistaking his refusal, Qiqi began rummaging once more.
"This place is dangerous. Let's leave first," Elliot interrupted softly.
Hearing the constant thunder of battle outside, Qiqi hesitated, then nodded.
"Alright…"
Under Elliot's protection, they left the cave.
"Elliot…"
"Brother…?"
But when Qiqi turned to speak, the space behind her was empty, as though no one had ever been there.
She froze, her eyes filled with confusion.
She couldn't understand how Elliot had vanished so suddenly.
If not for the damage to her clothes, Qiqi might have thought it all a dream.
But she didn't dwell on it long. After a pause, she turned and made her way home.
Unseen, Elliot shadowed her the entire way. Only when she had safely returned did he finally slip away.