[He feels a certain pride swell in him that the kiss just had that kind of effect on her, and him too, if he's being honest with himself. He's glad he happened to remember, or else they wouldn't have the fun of trying it out. Tartaglia glances down at it as she slides it underneath their pillows, hoping that it really would have some sort of magic effect. A lot of things here do have magic attached to them, but he's not getting his hopes up too far.
His arm falls over her as she curls up against him, warmth flooding him from her presence here under the covers, letting his head curl down close to hers now that they're getting settled for the night.]
Ha, you're going to make me blush talking like that. I'll do my best to give you everything you'll ever want.
[Closing his eyes, he relaxes fully now, ready for sleep to take him, whether or not he has any dreams at all. His voice grows more and more groggy, clearing his mind of any worries or thoughts.]
Don't think too hard now, though, or you'll get yourself too worked up to sleep. Goodnight, Yoimiya...
[It won't be long until he's passed out, small, light snores coming out of him as he falls into the dreamland that he hoped he'd discover upon falling asleep...]
---
[When next he opens his eyes, he's not in Ellipsa anymore, but rather he's in his snowy homeland of Snezhnaya, clad in traditionalSnezhnayan garb, standing in front of Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa, who has their wedding rings on an altar. The cold bites at the attendees who are looking on, happy for the groom and bride, his entire family in attendance outside of the church where Ajax and Bronya stand. Yet, he can't feel the cold, instead standing and waiting excitedly to see Yoimiya join him at his side so they can be wed by the sacrosanct Cryo Archon herself. Tartaglia has no idea he's begun to dream of the wedding he wishes he could have, his smile as big as one's can get on their wedding day, and he can't wait to see his bride-to-be. He's paid the ransom for her, and now he finally gets to see her in all her beauty.]
Thank you for doing this, [he says as he turns to Her Majesty with a bow,] it means the world to me.
[But in this dream, she doesn't respond, her cold gaze looking out over the wedding itself, but he doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he expects it, and now he's just waiting for his beloved to appear.]
[ After drifting off to a blissful night's sleep with her beloved, Yoimiya finds herself not in Ellipsa, but walking up to a magnificent Snezhnayan church that stands proudly in the middle of a garden of ice. At her side are her kind-hearted parents, tearing up with joy as they lead their daughter to the happiest day of her life. The back of her Snezhnayan dress elegantly flows in the wind, various shades of ranunculus flowers that match with her dress are neatly woven into her golden hair, and to top it all off is a beautiful kokoshnik that sits on her head. From head to toe, she feels like a princess making her grand entrance to meet with her betrothed.
It hasn't even occurred to her that this is a dream, their wedding so natural as if they've planned every last detail for many, many months. Snowflakes fall from the sky, dusting the path leading to her love but in spite of the cold, Yoimiya is filled to the brim with warmth seeing the happy faces of Ajax's parents and siblings welcoming her into their family with open arms. Once they're close enough, her parents give her one final hug and a warm smile directed at their soon-to-be son-in-law. He's paid the random and more than earned their approval. From the bottom of their hearts, they fully trust this man to take care of their daughter, both of them at ease knowing she's in the hands of someone who swore to love and protect her. They depart to join the rest of the guests, leaving Yoimiya to take her place right next to Ajax.
At long last, she makes eye contact with the love of her life. She looks up, feeling her heart beating profoundly inside of her chest at the sight of his perfect visage against the wintry backdrop. He's stunning as always... the fallen snowflakes shimmers off his face in an empyreal glow, his ginger hair tucked underneath the cossack kubanka astrakhan hat, the red and white garb of his homeland giving him the appearance of a prince. To her, he always and will forever be the most gorgeous person in the whole universe.
Finally, she turns to greet the Tsaritsa, bowing her head out of respect to the Cyro Archon. It truly is an honor to have Snezhnaya's god be the one to oversee this marriage and unite them in holy matrimony. ]
[The minute he sees Yoimiya, he can feel the very air leave his lungs at the sight of her walking towards him in the light, snowy weather. She's gorgeous in that dress, flowing behind her as she glides towards him, her parents accompanying her at her side. Snow gently falls into her hair, a magnificent accessory to her entire ensemble, looking as if she'd always been a native of Snezhnaya, his princess of the frozen north finally come home to stay. He can hear his mother crying, overjoyed that her son was marrying such a sweet, caring girl, his father proud that he'd managed to quell his bloodthirst enough to woo a woman to stand by his side. There's a small voice that cries out Yoimiya is so pretty! from the crowd, belonging to none other than Teucer, his eyes wide as he stares at Ajax's bride to be as she steps up to stand with him at the alter.
Childe laughs quietly at his little brother before turning to admire Yoimiya, even more pristine up close than when she had been entering the ceremony, the perfect vision of beauty and grace. He takes her hands gingerly after bows are made to Her Majesty, unable to see any of the world around him save for her captivating eyes, ones that glow with the sun and shine in the night sky.
You're beautiful, he mouths to her, completely taken in by her radiance, admiration shining in his eyes.]
We'll begin, [the cool voice of the archon rings out, silencing the crowd in reverence of her. She begins the ceremony, moving through everything swiftly, until finally they arrive at the wedding vows. She gestures to Tartaglia to start, nodding back to her as he holds both of Yoimiya's hands. His gaze has hardly broken away from her the entire ceremony, and with a lovesick smile on his face, he recites the vows that his dream brain has written for him in this very moment:]
Yoimiya, my life, my love, the eye of my storm. I give you my entire being, my eternal commitment, m▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊ love ▊▊▊▊▊...your presence is the very ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊ of ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊...
[The dream begins to be fuzzy, his words incomplete, but he can still feel the warmth of his love for the wonderful woman in front of him, and he knows he means every single word he says, even if he can't remember them.]
Let us stand together ▊▊ ▊▊ gaze down upon ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊ below, and I will ▊▊▊▊ ▊▊▊ as ▊▊▊ shining northern star ▊▊▊▊ pierces ▊▊▊ inescapable ▊▊▊▊ night. I love you, and I pledge my body, mind, and soul to ▊▊▊, ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊ alone.
[He finishes, waiting with anticipation for her vows, his heart beating strongly in his chest as he stares back at Yoimiya, still enraptured by her. He can't believe this is finally happening, on this perfect day...]
[ Not only does she love Ajax, his entire family are all wonderful people. She can hear his mother crying and it makes her want to bawl on the spot. And Teucer... sweet little Teucer, Yoimiya can feel her chest bubbling over with joy from how precious he is. She promises to not only be a good wife for their beloved son and brother, but also a good daughter-in-law and big sis that loves them all the same.
You're stunning, she mouths back to him, utterly enamored by her Snezhnayan prince of the deep blue sea.
And then, the ceremony begins. In reverence for the Cyro Archon, she takes in her words but her true focus is on the man who has captured her heart, body, soul, and mind, never once did she pull her eyes away from him, basking in his ethereal glow. As she listens to his vows, Ajax will be able to feel her hands softly shaking before giving him a gentle squeeze. ]
Ajax...
[ She speaks with a hint of a quiver, her voice on the verge of breaking out into a sob. Taking a deep breath, she needs a quick moment to compose herself, blearily blinking her eyes to fight the tears that are about to stream down her cheeks. Another deep breath, she needs to stay strong not just for herself but for him as well. More than anything, she wants Ajax to know just how deep her love runs for him. ]
Ajax, my love, my one and only, the ▊▊▊▊▊▊ of my ▊▊▊▊. I've never known what it's like to ▊▊▊▊ ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊... until I met you. From the bottom of my heart, I believe you were the one I ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊ to ▊▊▊▊, the one I was ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊▊ to be with. You're the ▊▊▊▊▊ that brightens up my ▊▊▊▊▊ ▊▊▊, you shine brighter than any ▊▊▊▊.
[ With every word uttered, she gazes into his deep blue irises, gracing the wonderful man in front of her with a soft, loving smile for him and him alone. The dream starts becoming hazy, and she has a difficult time making out parts of the vow but even if she can't recall every single word, her love for him will always be stalwart and she can rest knowing her dream self was speaking straight from the heart. ]
I love you, I love you so much, Ajax. As I stand on this altar with you, I pledge my heart, my ▊▊▊▊, my mind, and my body to you. I promise to be with you for ▊▊▊ ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊. Across worlds, across ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊s, across ▊▊▊▊, across universes, I pledge to remain by your side and always be with you.
[ Overcome with so many emotions, she finishes her vows and finally, gives in to the tears that tumble down the side of her face. From the audience, she's pretty sure she can make out the sounds of her mother sobbing right alongside her. Yoimiya has been looking forward to this day for so long, and it's almost hard to believe it's finally here. This is truly the happiest day of her life... the happy ending she's always sought. ]
[Chuckling quietly, he holds her hands a little tighter to help her, to give her that rock to lean against so she can keep her composure. But at the same time, he's touched by how she's reacted to his vows, his expression soft yet confident, emotion welling in his chest to see her so happy.
That emotion only grows when she begins, giving her his full attention, his eyes widening and beginning to glisten with the tears that threaten to well up and spill over onto his cheeks. Her speech is as beautiful as herself, how the rays from the sun illuminate her, voice angelic to his ears as she finishes and begins to cry. Tartaglia gingerly lets go of one of her hands to wipe away the tears that fall, his smile gentle as the Tsaritsa continues.]
May these rings be blessed, and the two of you be forever joined until the wolves ravage your bones or the frigid winds freeze you to your cores. Place them on your fingers, and go- may you walk together and fight your way through the eternal blizzard.
[Handing them each other's rings, Tartaglia takes Yoimiya's hand to slip her ring onto her finger, and waits patiently for her to do the same. Little does anyone know, the rumblings of something darker begin to stir behind the church, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.]
[ As he slides the ring onto her finger, Yoimiya's chest swells with overwhelming happiness. The appearance of the ring is hazy and upon waking up, she won't be able to recall its design but she knows that more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry, it's a symbol of their everlasting love and their unbreakable bond.
In turn, she takes his hand, exhaling a loving sigh to shake away the tears as she delicately slips the band on his finger. She stares down at their hands, taking a moment to admire the rings binding them for all of eternity. The perfect ending to a perfect ceremony, now all they have to do is say their ring exchange vows and they can go party with their families—
CRASH Suddenly, the door of the church is violently ripped open. On the other side, is an outpouring of hilichurls, abyss mages, and lawachurls rushing in. Thankfully, there happens to be a few armed Fatui soldiers on the scene, ushering the attendees to a safe location. With her heart at ease that their families will be out of harm's way, Yoimiya giggles, completely ignoring the sounds of the monster's battle cries by giving Ajax's hand a gentle squeeze. ]
Well... what do we have here? Don't you know it's rude to show up to a wedding uninvited?
[ It is almost eerie how she's still smiling, even while they're under attack. She doesn't even spare a passing glance at the monsters, seeing them as simple pests. Unperturbed, Yoimiya never once pulled her gaze away from her beloved, solely focusing on him even with the sudden interruption. ]
With this ring, I promise to always love and cherish you. As your wife, I will always stand beside you through thick and thin. Together, we have the power to conquer multiple universes... and crush anyone who dares to stand in our way.
[So entranced by Yoimiya's gaze, he barely seems to notice or care for the moment the fact that monsters have suddenly burst in on their wedding ceremony, knowing that their families were safe and wouldn't be hurt even during this rampage. Aside from the guards that stand watch over everything who are now moving to usher them away from the carnage, there's no logical reason for Tartaglia not to take action here, and yet he doesn't- the strange sensation of feeling completely at peace in this dream seems to gloss over the danger that their dream families are running from. It's almost as if their frightened screams are muffled in the background, their shapes hazy and hard to make out, and all he can see in front of him is Yoimiya and her absolute beauty.
Tartaglia relishes in the fact that fighting is to be had, but not before he completes his vows to her, to complete their ceremony and officially be husband and wife. Neither does the Tsaritsa seem bothered, waiting for her Harbinger to finish.]
Haha, those are my lines.
[He grins back at her with a wink, his heart swelling with pride and adoration at her vows, love leaving him a little lightheaded even as a pew gets thrown across the room in the background. Fatui soldiers fight against them, determined not to let the ceremony be interrupted, but their battle is a losing one. Tartaglia clears his throat, smiling as he recites his ring vows, eyes locked on Yoimiya as he continues:]
I give you this ring, as a symbol of my eternal pledge to you. For as long as the sun rises and the moon falls, my love for you will never fade, for my love is as strong as the permafrost, perdurable and ever-lasting. With our love, we shall ascend above all those who dare to challenge us, leaving nothing but slaughter in our wake; for this world is for us to conquer, together.
[The Tsaritsa nods once, and says-]
Do you, Ajax, take Yoimiya to be your lawfully wedded wife?
[Childe nods, his eyes still gazing into Yoimiya's own, radiating confidence and a deep devotion and affection shining in his eyes. This is the moment they'd finally been waiting for, when he can call her his wife, where they truly can spend the rest of their lives together. If he weren't so sure of himself, he might of been nervous here, but he states his devotion to her with no hint of hesitation.]
I do.
And you, Yoimiya, take Ajax to e your lawfully wedded husband?
[ One by one, Fatui Skirmishers march into the holy building with their weapons drawn, the sounds of fists flying and gunshots echo throughout the walls of the church. Although they are at a disadvantage, the brave men vow to fight till the bitter end to not only protect their Archon but to sure ensure that their Lord Harbinger's scared vows on his wedding day go without a hitch. An unrelenting battle is taking place behind them but even with the intense noises, the only sight in Yoimiya's vision is the splendorous scene of the stained glass windows shining on her betrothed's face as he says his final vows.
His pledge resonates in her heart like an empyreal symphony pouring into her entire being with so much love that she could burst. The promise he makes isn't just talk. Together, the power of their love will stand strong in the face of opposition, their bond will enable them to conquer not only this world but also the stars spread across the vast galaxy above them.
I do.
Those two powerful words fill her heart with absolute joy. Such a simple phrase holds the power to bind them in wedded bliss. Every moment they've spent together has led up to this beautiful ceremony where they can start the next chapter in their lives as husband and wife. A soft smile pulls at her lips, her eyes reflect nothing but the utmost love and devotion for the man standing in front of her. ]
I do.
[ Yoimiya nods, her response firm and full of conviction. Together forever with Ajax, the man of her dreams, the love of her life, this is right where she wants to be, at his side for all of eternity. Ajax as her husband... she's so happy to call him that she could cry. ]
[His heart swells hearing her say those words, simple and absolute, their destinies now intertwined with each other until their dying breaths. He couldn't be more happy, letting go of a breath he hadn't known he was holding as his expression breaks into a wide smile, letting out a small laugh as he gazes back into her eyes. This is it, the moment that would seal their fates together, as the Tsaritsa nods her head.]
Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
[It's such a routine part of any wedding ceremony, but the gravity it has and how much it means to him is far from routine. It's an honor and a blessing that he gets to call her his wife, moving inward to take her into his arms to slot their lips together. Ajax's hand comes up to brush her cheek before cupping it in his hand, eyes closing as he savors the feel of kissing his lovely new wife, deepening it even as chaos ensues behind them. All that matters to him is showing his eternal love to his wife, and once that's done, they can have some real fun.
But for now, Childe kisses Yoimiya for as long as he pleases, each languid pass of his lips against hers is like a moment in paradise, drinking her in as if she were a fine wine that deserves to be savored for as long as possible. When he finally breaks from her, all he can do is stare downwards to admire her, his precious Yoimiya, priceless in every way and stunning in the traditional Snezhnayan dress she's picked. Nothing could be more perfect, including the fighting that's now destroyed half the church while they both drowned in each other's eyes.]
Shall we show our rude guests what happens when they barge in uninvited?
[He asks her, eyes heavily lidded, so besotted with Yoimiya that he's still unable to tear his gaze away. Tartaglia's thumb brushes across her cheekbone, memorizing every detail of her face, wanting to remember this moment for the rest of his life, and of the impending battle that they would both be partaking in.]
It would be a perfect opportunity to show the world that they should fear our might. And I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our love than slaughtering every single of one of them.
[ Every kiss with him is heavenly, shaking her to her core in complete and total bliss but Yoimiya's first kiss with her now husband will forever be a wonderful memory engraved into her heart as they grow old together. As they celebrate the happiest day of their lives on the altar, every soft pass of his lips tastes all the more special in a tender ceremony that binds them together as husband and wife. In this moment, it feels as though their hearts are beating as one, she flutters her eyes close to relish in the sweet taste of his eternal devotion, kissing him back in full to fill his soul with her immeasurable love. A battle of mayhem is taking place just behind them but even a destroyed church isn't enough to pull her away from the love of her life, all that matters is drowning in the splendor that is her wonderful Ajax.
Even as they part, Yoimiya can't get enough of his magnificence, lost in her husband's beautiful blue eyes, his dashing Sneznhnayan outfit that gives him the appearance of a prince from the frozen tundra... she could stare at him all day long. Their wedding has been beyond perfect and although they are forced to break away from one another, their special day is about to become all the more momentous. ]
Yes, let's. Since they're here to start a fight, it's only fair we give them what they want.
[ She tenderly smiles in response, melting into the gentle brush of his thumb tracing over her soft cheeks. Utterly enamored by Ajax, the screeches of a nearby Cyro Abyss Mage is like white noise to her, even as it conjures up an icicle aimed at the couple. ]
This will be the grand opening to our conquest. It's as if the gods gave them as wedding gifts to us, our opportunity to show the world the power of our love. Now...
[ Truly unfortunate they have to pull away from each other, the only saving grace is witnessing her beloved relishing in the one thing he loves as much as her; the thrill of battle. Yoimiya summons Thundering Pulse, avoiding the honing ice shard in an elegant spin while her dress beautifully flutters in tandem. ]
I'd say till death do us part but I think these guys are the ones that need to worry about their fates, hehe.
[ In lightning-fast reaction time, Yoimiya fires off her ryuukin saxifrage at the extremely RUDE Cyro Abyss Mage, searing her signature goldfish mark that explodes the shield upon impact. With its defenses down, a string of pyro-infused arrows is mercilessly shot at the poor thing, killing the monster instantly before it even realizes what's happening. One right after the other, the scorching goldfish mark moves from hilichurl to abyss mage, all the while Yoimiya easily picks them off one by one with her arrow barrage, giggling at the fact these sad creatures are nothing compared to what they fought in Ellipsa.
She couldn't have asked for a more splendid wedding. ]
[Wedding days are supposed to be a joyous, harmonious celebration of the love between two people, decorated to the brim with flowers and other symbols of love that make it all the more special. And where that had certainly been the case here today, it now lay in almost complete ruins by the time Yoimiya and Ajax had finally shared their kiss and been wed by the ruler of Snezhnaya. And honestly, to Ajax, it made it all the better.
He gracefully separates from Yoimiya as the icicle soars between the two of them, water coalescing and forming in his hands into his swords, a satisfied smile on his face at Yoimiya's words as they snap into existence. Tartaglia licks his lips with a hunger that can only be satiated with blood, excitement pumping through him as he watches his beautifully deadly wife execute an Abyss Mage with almost no effort at all. The first line of monsters fall to her arrows, leaving a line of carnage on the floor as blood trickles past the white petals of flowers that were tossed to the floor earlier in the ceremony, leaving a contrast of new beginnings and death as the backdrop for this battle. And now that Yoimiya has had a little fun, now it's his turn.]
They won't have time to worry, [he finally responds, stepping forward as he twirls his blades at his sides,] because they're not even knowing to know what hit them. Hahaha...
[As he steps off, he becomes a blur of blue, aimed right at the lawachurl that's ripped through the church's wall, roaring at the top of its lungs. It's the biggest and most dangerous target in the room at the moment, and Childe wastes no time reaching it as its fist comes hammering down at him. Wood, dirt and debris explode upward in a cloud of destruction, but the Harbinger is no where to be seen until it's too late, his blades slicing clean through the armor of the beast before moving again to avoid the thrashing of its arms around it to hit its target. Smirking, the young man knows that it doesn't stand a chance against him, finding his way up its body before his double glaive spins as he beheads it, the head smashing into the ground before rolling a few feet away from the body, which follows suit with a enormous thud.
At the very least, he's managed to terrify some of the smaller hilichurls, who shake in fear from the sight of their leader going down on top of the small blonde woman who's picking off their archers and the mages who gave them the strength to fight.]
Is that all you lot have got? I barely broke a sweat!
[And just to hammer it home, Ajax swings his blades a few more times, cleaving through a few monsters who had gotten too close to the battle, their bodies cut in half as easily as slicing through a stick of butter. He looks up to the Tsaritsa, bowing before his god, hoping that their performance has pleased her.]
Your Majesty, allow Yoimiya and I to clean up this mess. It wouldn't do if you had to dirty your hands on such filth. Yoimiya, you're fine with that, aren't you?
[He grins at his lovely wife, his eyes sparkling to see her kill another monster with deadly accuracy from her bow, the gleam of Thundering Pulse giving her a more heavenly, ethereal aura, as if she were slaying them with the very divinity of Inazuma. It leaves him breathless, his hand falling over his heart to watch her work.]
Because it seems you're having a lot of fun as well, haha.
[ Tartaglia's fighting form is magnificent as always. Even as she skillfully mows down the horde of hilichurls with precise aims, she's utterly enraptured by her husband's magnificent technique with his deadly water blades. Whenever she gets even a slight breather, her focus is on Ajax alone, in awe watching him carve right through that lawachurl's armor like it was a slice of soft cake. In a blink and you might miss it moment, the once fearsome monster that cleaved its way into the church walls was now standing without a head, her beloved slicing it off in one fell swoop. She knew that poor lawachurl couldn't even hold a candle to her beloved but Ajax's pure confidence and stunning abilities has her feeling like she's falling in love with him all over again. Yoimiya's heart pounds and beats with excitement from that boisterous THUD the sound of its head makes.
Her incredible, powerful, beloved husband is the most amazing man to ever walk the face of Teyvat. And Yoimiya is so proud and happy to stand beside him as his wife.
The rest of the vanguard of hililchurls are smacked down like insects, Tartaglia continues to impress her by slashing them clean in half while she picks off the remaining stragglers. The aftermath of their carnage is simply beautiful, the blood dripping across the once pristine floorboard and onto the white petals is proof of their masterpiece, their eternal love creating this spectacular sea of blood that paints the church floor.
Once the pests have been taken care of, Yoimiya turns her attention to the supreme ruler of the country cascaded with ice. She's quick to take her place right next to the Harbinger, bowing right alongside him to bestow her own respect for the Tsaritsa. Yoimiya's heart will always be with Inazuma but now that she's wedded to Ajax, she's more than ready to serve Snezhnaya's Majesty together with him, especially since the Cyro Archon was gracious enough to officiate their wedding. For that, she feels forever indebted to her husband's god. ]
Yes, I'm having the time of my life fighting alongside the person I love the most in this world. It'll be my honor to get rid of these pets so Her Majesty doesn't have to lift a finger.
[ Cold and imposing, the Tsaritsa nods her head at the couple, heeding their request. ]
With your blade as sharp as ice, go forth and defend this church with your permafrost will, Tartaglia.
[ Like moths to the flame, more enemies dare to emerge out of the broken walls. Standing in front of the newlywed couple are a pair of elite monsters from the Abyss, a Frost Fall Herald, and a Fathomless Flames Lector. Certainly a step up from the pitiful hilichurls but still not enough. ]
Oh? Is this the backup? Hmm... kind of disappointing, not gonna lie. I was expecting more than just you two.
[ They already have the advantage in terms of elements and with Ajax by her side, there's no need for her to worry. Just to drive home the point that she's not even scared, Yoimiya slots her lips with Tartaglia's to give him a good luck kiss before sending him off, trusting her husband to take on the pyro lector while she fights the cyro herald. When she breaks, she's breathless, staring into his stunning eyes as if he's the most gorgeous being ever created, gently stroking his cheek one last time before departing to battle. With her bow aimed, she steps out to engage in combat, her glass heels click against the blood-stained floor that dyes her once crystal-clear slippers with the blood of their fallen enemies. ]
[Bowing deeply to the Cryo Archon, he smirks as he raises his head to look up at the god he so faithfully serves, honored that she would bless them with her words and overjoyed that Yoimiya stands beside him to offer herself alongside him. They would both bring glory to Snezhnaya and to Her Majesty, crush all that stand in their way, and eventually conquer the world- starting right now.]
Of course, Your Majesty.
[He turns to watch portals from the Abyss open up to reveal something more dangerous, generals of the Abyss Prince that clearly wanted to disrupt their perfect day. Little did he know, that this is the exact kind of thing Tartaglia thrives in. And naturally, his fearless partner here, the love of his life just looks at them like they're just simple pests, making him laugh. Abyss Heralds were no joke...except to them.
And if she wanted to make that point more clear, he bends down as she pulls him into a kiss, closing his eyes and smiling into it as they both wish each other good luck through the passes of their lips against each other. As they break, her brilliant golden eyes capture his own, the brush of her hand against his cheek making his skin prickle as he admires her beauty right before they move to take on their respective opponent.]
Let's dispatch them quickly and then clean up the rest of the rabble, Yoimiya.
[Tartaglia's movement afterwards is so fast it's hard to see him, abusing the power of his Vision as he practically hydroplanes to the pyro lector that shoots fireballs in his direction, bloodlust coating his expression as his blades sing through the air to assault his target. Though he's fought them before, among the many monsters of the Abyss that he saw as a child, he knows Yoimiya hasn't. Not that he's worried, but his instinct to protect her in case things go south hasn't dulled even with how powerful she's become. So even through his attacks, with one blade cutting straight through the lector's armor and another coming dangerously close to impaling it through the chest, he keeps an eye on Yoimiya. Because he wants to make sure she's okay, and so he can watch her murder a monster.]
[ The generals of the Abyss are a huge step up from the hilichurls, even unlike anything she fought during their time in Ellipsa. This is her first true rodeo against abyssal creatures, their mere presence should be intimidating but with the power of Tartaglia's love and encouragement surging through her, Yoimiya feels as though she can take on the whole world, the denizens of the Abyss are nothing but a stepping stone for the couple's path to conquest.
And since she can feel her lovely husband's brilliant blue eyes watching her, Yoimiya is determined to prove herself worthy enough to stand strong as Ajax's wife.
Brandishing its frosty blade, the cryo herald lunges forth in a myriad of slashes. Every step is laced with grace and elegance, Yoimiya dodges the oncoming strikes, backflipping and twirling out of the way as the bottom of her white dress beautifully sways in the cold wind. Her smile is full of confidence even as her opponent's blade creates a pillar of ice so cold, it leaves a stinging sensation on her cheeks. But in the face of danger, the chill is nothing compared to the harsh conditions of Snezhnaya. Despite wearing a long dress, she's proving herself to be quick on her feet, releasing arrows in perfect symphony with her swerves and even landing a few direct hits that manage to penetrate the herald's cyro armor. Smirking, she's utterly satisfied to see the monster staggering from her explosive arrows. ]
Don't you know it's rude to dance with a bride on her wedding day? [ she says while giggling in a very unsettling manner, ] The only person I wish to dance with is my beloved husband.
[ Unbeknownst to the herald, the new bride already had a trap set in motion the moment the two rude guests barged in.
One final desperate attempt is made as the creature vaults into the air, using its remaining life force to encase its body in a cryo shield. Now within good distance, a dark icicle projectile is aimed at her until, BOOM, a loud explosion echoes throughout the wall of the church. From behind, Yoimiya's beloved fire familiars— a goldfish and narwhal forged from the flames of the couple's everlasting love hurl themselves onto the herald's armored back, detonating upon impact to burn away the protective shield. Satisfied at the work of her beloved familiars, her heart swells with pure joy, proud to see their accumulation of eternal love wreaking havoc. A dangerous expression settles on her features as she watches the abyss creature writhe and squirm in pain. ]
Hehehe, shouldn't have underestimated the power of our love.
[ Laughing like a madwoman, she decides it's time to put the herald out of its misery. In quick succession, Yoimiya shoots pyro arrow after arrow, piercing both shoulders, arms, and legs leading up to a final pierce that skewers the monster dead center of its face. One snap of her fingers causes the arrows to explode in a dazzling display of sparkling golden narwhals and goldfish, blowing up its head and the rest of the monster's body until it's nothing but an incinerated mess of what it once was.
What a thrilling battle that was, leaving her fulfilled right down to her bones. Some blood has splattered onto her white dress but ah well, that's part of battle. What's more important is watching Ajax's fight. Now that her thirst for blood has been satiated, she turns her attention to her gallant husband, excited to see how he's going to ruthlessly kill his pesky opponent. She knows her Harbinger sweetheart has this in the bag but should he need some assistance, her Thundering Pulse is aimed and ready to assist. ]
[Tartaglia isn't giving his opponent much attention as he fights, enough to keep himself from suffering any serious injury as he darts and spins around assaults from the pyro lector. He's far too enthralled with watching Yoimiya absolutely devastate her own opponent, with each turn, each sidestep nimble with a level of grace that's befitting of his newly minted wife. Like she were dancing on a lake frozen over from the eternal freeze of of Snezhnaya, her arrows representing the blazing passion she has for bloodshed, just as he does. It's breathtaking to see it in motion, his heart beating hard in his chest to see her employ tactic after tactic, feeling himself fall deeper in love with her than he already was.
He quickly delivers a slice to the lector fighting him, applying his riptide mark to it and kicking it to the side so he can enjoy the final show here, the explosion reminiscent of the brilliant display of fireworks the Nagonahara Fireworks Show is so renown for. Goldfish and narwhals explode outward to dance along the walls of the church, charring them black as the herald falls to the floor, smoking and almost unrecognizable. He looks to Yoimiya, splattered with blood, enamored with her and her performance, seeing her as the most gorgeous woman in the world.
But he's got his own problems, the lector not staying down for long, irritated with the disrespectful way Tartaglia has treated their fight. From behind, as the Harbinger gazes at his wife, it fires several fireballs at him, but he's more than aware of what it's doing. With a smirk, Childe turns as he dodges each blast, closing the distance between the two of them as one of his blades slashes right across its chest, causing it to roar in pain and frustration before the rumblings of power that manifest within its core start to outwardly show itself. He's seen this before, moving backward not to get caught in the blast, waiting for it to protect itself, knowing that it doesn't have a chance even with the shield. It summons a meteor, aimed right at him that he quickly dodges, manifesting the fiery prism that causes pillars of fire to erupt from the ground all around the Harbinger.
Yoimiya isn't the only archer here- quickly swapping to his bow, he begins to fire hydro arrows at the Darkfire Furnace, destroying it and ruining its plans to keep him at bay. However, giving it what it expects isn't the name of his game, letting another arrow charge in his bow as water forms around him with more and more power until he releases the symbol of his constellation out from it. The whale's cry is haunting, echoing throughout the church as it slams into the pyro lector, eliminating it instantly. The smirk on his face is wide, turning back towards his beloved with pride, not even taking a moment to revel in his victory. For that opponent was weak and hardly worth his time, and he'd much rather spend his attention on Yoimiya.]
Even the Abyss can't ruin our perfect day. I dare say they've made it all the better. I haven't had this much fun in quite a while.
[He walks over to Yoimiya, placing a hand on her cheek to capture her in a kiss, so unbelievably proud of her and her skills.]
Watching you fight was like watching the elegance of a royal ballet fit for the Taritsa herself...it took my breath away. It was as if I'd fallen in love all over again.
[ Gods, there isn't a man more incredible than Ajax. The smell of death and destruction is so pungent in the cold air but through it all, Yoimiya's gaze is solely focused on Ajax and Ajax alone. Her heart beats with excitement as she watches her stunning husband move from dodging fireballs to slicing the lector's chest wide open in such a cruelly beautiful manner befitting of her blood knight. Tartaglia is in his element, perfect in every sense, his footwork the epitome of divinity as he dodges the searing meteor in such phenomenal fashion that it takes her breath away. As tempting as it is to jump in and fight alongside him, Yoimiya knows he's got this match in the bag, the lector is nothing but a puny insect in the face of her lovely Harbinger. Like the true warrior that he is, Tartaglia is the paragon of power with his hydro blades in hand, the stained glass windows that shine upon him only add to the picturesque scene of her beloved showing off his expertise by quickly swapping over to the bow as sharp as the glaciers of his homeland— Polar Star.
Watching him fight will always be one of the most magnificent performances to gaze upon. There's no way she could rush in and interrupt their fight, he's enjoying himself and she couldn't be any happier for him.
And it only gets better, he graces her with the most splendid performance she's ever seen. The whale's eerie melody rings throughout the church as if it were a beautiful symphony bestowing its blessings on their wedding day. In one vicious slam, it smites the abyss denizen down with its tremendous weight, killing it right on the spot. It was such a firm blow that Yoimiya isn't sure if there's even any traces of the pitiful lector left, no doubt its body has been completely crushed to death. But that doesn't matter, the interruptions are finally gone. All that matters is reveling in their shared lust for blood by enjoying the sweet taste of Ajax's amazing victory. This is the happiest day of their lives and she wants nothing more than to spend every waking second with him, showering him with all the love she has in her heart and then some.
She wastes no time striding over to him, the touch of his hand draws her into his tender warmth, hopelessly lost in his magnificent splendor. Once he captures her for a kiss, she's practically melting underneath him, their lips slot so perfectly together like two puzzle pieces. A crimson sea of blood pools at their feet from all the havoc they've wreaked together, the perfect backdrop for the destructive couple as they share a kiss in this sacred building with the heavens above watching them. ]
Mmm, it felt like my heart was going to beat out my chest as I watched you. [ Amidst the chilly temperature, her hot breath gusts against his lips. Unable to hold herself back, she quickly kisses him again before finishing off her song of praise. ] You truly are the most incredible warrior I've ever laid eyes on, Ajax. With every second of every day, you just continue to grow stronger and I'm truly blessed to be the person who stands by your side as you inflict your might onto the world.
[Time seems to slow down as the two of them revel in each other, kissing her for a second time as she pulls him in, and the world around them seems to shift as the dreamscape begins to fit the new setting that starts to melt away the church into something darker, more dangerous. But Childe doesn't seem to notice this, still entranced by Yoimiya and her beauty, feelings of love and adoration permeating every part of his body and mind. He's still amazed that he's gotten to marry this wonderful woman, how this day has been the best day of his life, and how much he's looking forward to their adventures together across Teyvat, and with any luck, the stars too. She continues to be the constant bright light in his life, and even among the transient nature of the shared dream they're in, Yoimiya is the one that remains in his sight, lovely and ethereal.
He moves into her to hold her in his embrace, wrapping his arm around her while holding the back of her head as he gazes downwards into her eyes, focused solely on her and her alone.]
You honor me. I can think of no one more deserving and worthy to stand at my side at the very pinnacle of this world once we've conquered it.
[As he speaks, the church blurs together into a darkness reminiscent of the Abyss itself. The ground becomes more rocky and corrupted, the ceiling of the building fading to a darkened sky with stars that paint the horizon, but the Tsaritsa is now no where to be found. Instead, the light of something more powerful emanates from behind the couple, floating in midair staring at the two of them before it speaks.]
You who covet the god's power, return the gnoses to me. They are not to be held by mortals. Return them now and you may still live.
[Tartaglia's head turns, clearly irritated by the interruption. He sneers at the god, gesturing out with his hand as if she were insane.]
And why are you getting on my case about it? I never even had the chance to touch one. If you want them back so badly, you'll have to speak with the Tsaritsa about that. And even if I did have them, there's no way I'd just give them to you. We've worked far too hard to give it all up now.
[He looks to Yoimiya, a grin on his face. Chaos swirls in his eyes, because he sees the chance of a lifetime and he's hoping she'll be just as ready to take this god on as he is right now.]
In fact, [he says to the god,] why don't we just make sure you never get in the way in the first place? You can gain your gnoses back...if you can get through us, first.
[ The once beautiful church seemingly dissolves away, their phantasm built from their happy dream has now been plunged into a space that resembles the depths of the Abyss. Despite darkness surrounding the two of them, Tartaglia's brilliance shines through, he's all she can think about, her gaze solely focused on him even as the world around them changes. She still can't believe she got to marry this amazing man, that their chance meeting in Chinju Forest led them down the path of eternal love. And as they stand under the watchful eye of this powerful god, Yoimiya isn't the slightest bit perturbed nor does she give the being a passing glance, the only thought running through her mind is the lifelong happiness they'll share as they crush any opposition underneath their heel.
It's only when the god speaks that she finally pulls her stare away from Ajax to show some sort of acknowledgment. But in the face of danger, she's still snuggled up in her husband's arms, resting her head on top of his chest and sticking her tongue out at their new opponent in an act of shameless defiance. ]
Even if we had the gnosis, we don't need it to defeat you. The power of our love is more than enough to take you down. You won't be getting past us, hehehe.
[ In a declaration full of confidence, she responds not to the god but to her beloved husband with a sneer that matches his own.
Lost in their dreamscape away from the real world, Yoimiya goes with the flow, not even questioning the existence of the god, the Abyssal realm, and the mention of the gnoses. She's going to have lots of questions upon waking up but for the time being, Yoimiya is excited to engage in another battle alongside her lover. Perhaps this one will provide them with the challenge they are seeking... ]
I'm ready Ajax. Let's turn this god into a stepping stone in our path towards conquest.
[ As much as it pains her to pull away from his hold, she does so in order to get her bow aimed and ready. ]
[Proud of Yoimiya for staring down what is probably the most terrifying opponent of anyone's lives, he laughs through his nose at how she just so unceremoniously sticks her tongue right out at this god without hesitation. Ajax gives her a little squeeze in amusement, standing tall beside her while she tells it off, his expression set in an arrogant, cocky smirk. He knows the odds of them truly winning are pretty low, but there's always a chance to win either way.]
Let's.
[As Yoimiya pulls away to pull out her bow, Tartaglia in turn summons his swords back into his hands, ready to fight and take down this new opponent. It's been the fight he's longed for, one that he's been training since the beginning to have. He said he would conquer the world and defeat the gods, for the Tsaritsa and for his own glory. Never would he of thought, long ago, that someone else would be willing to stand beside him and fight, let alone the woman of his dreams. But here he stands, as the god summons four star sigils in the air around her as what he'd assume are weapons, alongside Yoimiya, who's just as willing to fight this thing to the death as he is. Adrenaline rushes through him and the excitement he feels finally reaches its peak, charging in to clash with the god that wants to ruin all of the Tsaritsa's plans.
Corrupted, blood red energy fires out from the sigils as Childe charges in, shooting not only at him but at Yoimiya as well, his blades flashing to knock some shots away and dodging others. He puts all his trust in Yoimiya's skills for now- he won't be able to protect her from everything here, but he knows his lovely wife can handle herself just fine, given all the training she's done with him and her versatility with not only a bow, but a sword now as well.
He finally reaches his target, coming in with a powerful slash that gets easily blocked by a shield that the god raises with one hand, sending him flying back a foot or so as she counterattacks with an invisible blade that slams into his own sword.]
Foolish mortal, did you think I'd be so easy? And you...
[Turning her attention to Yoimiya, all four sigils now aimed at her.]
Yoimiya! Be on your toes-!
[He can see the god take aim at his wife, making sure to warn her, but he's confident that she can handle the assault with ease. After all, she's his wife and he believes she'll have no issues beating any opponent they face.]
[ The chance to indulge in Ajax's greatest passion as they fight an incredible opponent is truly the honor of a lifetime. Although she's still got a ways to go, Yoimiya feels so blessed to have the utmost trust of her beloved. And in turn, she faithfully believes in him, not even needing to keep an eye on him while they dodge the god's barrage of attacks, she trusts him to take care of himself.
But that shield is proving to be a nuisance. Just as Yoimiya is contemplating how to get rid of it, from the corner of her eye, she can see her beloved sent flying back. It's then, she hears Ajax's warning, causing her to look up and see four sigils aimed directly at her. ]
Got it! I got a little trick up my sleeve that should give you a nice boost.
[ An explosive trick her husband should be all too familiar with. One by one, the four beams of light crash down on her in an unrelenting burst. Smiling, Yoimiya is quick on her feet, maneuvering her body to backflip out of the way and leap into the air. Thanks to that little stunt, their opponent is now left wide open, unfortunate for the god but extremely fortunate for Yoimiya. Tugging on the strings of her bow, she focuses all of her firepower on this shot to deliver the penultimate festive reprise. Fluidly, she releases a blazing arrow aimed straight at the god, searing her signature goldfish mark right on the being's chest. On closer inspection, it's unlike her usual mark. Instead of two goldfish, a dazzling narwhal and goldfish concocted from the bonds of their everlasting love swim together in the shape of a heart. It's a technique she's been working on in secret, a special buff made solely for Ajax. ]
Puny mortals... I will end your existence once and for all!
[ Having underestimated the newlyweds, the god is amping up her power to be rid of them once and for all. She raises her hand, bringing down a rain of eight rays of light onto the couple with the intent purpose of ensuring there's not a trace of them left behind. ]
Use the mark to your advantage, Ajax! I'll make sure it doesn't lay a finger on you.
[ Once more, the god brings her invisible blade down onto the Harbinger but Yoimiya is quick to back him up. While dodging the rays of light, she fires a string of arrows to be a huge pain in the butt by intercepting her moves. She's here to enure Tartaglia gets a good swing at their opponent. ]
[It's just as he guessed, Yoimiya is plenty capable of taking care of herself, and it delights him to see her take advantage of the opening that the god unknowingly gives her. Just to make sure that things go well, Tartaglia moves quickly to ensure that whatever that invisible blade its got isn't used to deflect Yoimiya's attack. Both of his hydro blades get thrown in the god's direction, forcing it to block them both while leaving that clear shot open. And it works beautifully- he can see the searing mark left on its chest, animated and spinning slowly, the heart shape a clear indicator that this special technique was one that was for the two of them only. It touches his own heart, but he doesn't have the time to really express to her how lovely it is, instead nodding as he resummons his weapons to his hands.
His laugh in response to Yoimiya's declaration is laced with murderous intent, happy to take full advantage of the assistance she's granted him. Sprinting forward, each dodge of those pillars of light is precarious yet calculated, rolling across the ground when need be or spinning in a particular direction to keep his momentum. Yoimiya is true to her word- the god is having to place attention on deflecting and blocking arrows that fly through the air at it, keeping it from delivering any sort of decisive blow. But he finally reaches the god, leaping upward over a slash that's aimed at his head, bringing his blades down hard to cut viciously into her it.
With a cry that echoes loudly in this small, abyss-like dreamscape, the god buckles from the sheer force of the elemental reaction and the subsequent explosion that erupts out from the chest of the god, sending colored lights and flares zipping all around it. That must of been what the mark does, adding an additional firework explosion that's triggered by his own blades, and he grins- it's only going to get better from here. His own riptide mark forms under the goldfish-narwhal mark, water erupting from it in a cutting motion, causing yet another explosion to trigger from Yoimiya's own mark.
Childe leaps off from the god, landing to spin his bow into place in his hands to start to fire hydro arrows at it, knowing that it would only trigger his riptide thus triggering Yoimiya's mark over and over again. He laughs like a maniac, enjoying being able to play with his food a little, shrieks and wails coming from their opponent as it gets knocked around by each subsequent explosion.]
Well done, Yoimiya! Your performance here has been exceptional...this god never stood a chance. Even I hadn't expected you to come up with such a devious technique. You've had this planned as a surprise for me for quite a while, haven't you?
[Though he knows they won't be able to do this forever- those marks will fade, and then, they can make their final strike.]
[ As Tartaglia is having the fight of his life with the grand opponent of his dreams, Yoimiya strides behind him every step of the way to keep the god's sights set on her. Bow locked onto her target, she backflips out of the pillar's way while firing off a never-ending slew of pyro-infused arrows. She's aiming all over the place, not caring where they fly so long as it provides a distraction for her beloved. Even as she's dodging, Yoimiya can't help but glance over to admire her husband's handiwork. A loving sigh slips out of her lips from the symphony of fireworks exploding at the touch of his hydro blades. It's perfect, the mark working completely as intended.
And naturally, Ajax is an expert at turning her special mark into an incredible power-up. Each subsequent explosion is more dazzling than the previous. Bright colorful lights paint the starry abyssal sky in a picturesque display that Yoimiya will never forget. Finally, Ajax pulls off one of the most brilliant techniques she's ever seen, combining his special riptide mark in tandem with the narwhal-goldfish, it all leads to a series of the most beautiful explosions she's ever witnessed. His delightful manic laughter as he takes pleasure in playing with his new toy only adds to the beauty of it all. So long as he's happy, she's happy and Yoimiya is beyond thrilled to assist his power to reach greater heights. ]
Your performance is just as impeccable! [ She's beaming like a ray of sunshine, Ajax showering her with praise will never get old. ] That's right, I've been working on this technique and saving it as a surprise for when we're facing an opponent worthy of our time. That special mark was made just for you.
[ Now with the god under fire from their combined efforts, Yoimiya uses this as a chance to meet up with her husband. She presses their backs together, charging up her bow to give it a grand finale just before the mark dissipates. ]
Ready, Ajax? The mark looks like it's about ready to fade away. Let's give it a grand send-off. Three... two... one...!
[ On cue, she releases one powerful shot. The three honing arrows target the god's shield, setting it aflame while the main arrow targets their combined mark. Her aim is precise, the arrow hits it dead center of the riptide brand, igniting a flurry of hydro that swirls and whirls around its target in a vaporizing explosion. The god's screeches and cries are like music to Yoimiya's ears. ]
[Yoimiya making a special mark just for him to work in tandem with their attacks is one of the best presents he's ever gotten. As his riptide cutter goes off over and over again to trigger the explosion of fireworks that comes with Yoimiya's technique, he can feel his chest tighten with appreciation and flattery from how she's lovingly crafted it just for a moment like this. He feels her finally join him, her back up against his as they both level their bows at the god while it continues to suffer blows from them both without them having to loose a single arrow. She's read his mind exactly- this is the moment they've been waiting for to finally end this god's reign over Teyvat, and to solidify their infamy and might to the rest of Celestia.]
Ready!
[Water begins to coalesce around the two of them, charging at the tip of his arrow as she counts down. It spirals and flashes with power, until the cue comes and he unleashes the symbol of his constellation down upon their target.]
Celestial Voyager!
[Arcing over the pyro arrows that Yoimiya unleashes, the whale sings a haunting melody as it soars in the air towards the god who's shield is now on fire along with the many explosions and torrents that cut through it. They paralyze their target, unable to get out of the way of the giant hydro mimic that slams into it violently, water erupting everywhere and washing its life away into nothingness. The god's body seems to shudder and become unstable through its shrieks and screams, knowing that it has little more than a few moments left, as does Childe. He grabs Yoimiya, not wasting a moment as he activates his delusion. Lightning sparks up around them, and he looks at her with concern and urgency.]
Hold on tight, we have to move now-!!!
[More terrible screams reverberate around reality itself, and the Harbinger takes off with Yoimiya in his arms, not knowing exactly where he can run or what he can do to protect the both of them from what's about to happen. All he can do is put distance between themselves and the god's dying body, when a bright light suddenly envelops them both...]
[ In the most splendid finish Yoimiya has ever witnessed, Ajax calls forth the power of his constellation to smite the god once and for all. A perfect victory to a perfect day. With this victory, she has no doubt the two of them have carved their names in Teyvat's history books for all of eternity. From this day forward, the names of Tartaglia and Yoimiya will be one to revere and fear, there's not a single being capable of standing in their way. No matter what Celestia throws at them, the power of their love reigns supreme.
But before they even get a chance to celebrate their win, the fight for their lives isn't over yet. The power from within the god is so otherworldy, beyond mortal comprehension causing it to blow up and take everyone else around it. Without a second to spare, Yoimiya brings her arms around his neck, holding onto him for dear life. A white light envelops them but even with the severity of the situation, she faithfully believes in her beloved to get them out of here and out of harm's way. ]
Ajax! Ajax...
[ The bright light consumes their surroundings and at first, she isn't sure if they are dead or alive. Until...
Morning comes. Yoimiya stirs as sunlight pokes out from the windows of her bedroom, shining on her face. Bit by bit, she starts to wake up. She's still tinged with a bit of sleepiness, slowly coming to thanks to the cozy warmth of Ajax's body. Comfortably tangled up with him, she nuzzles her head into his chest, murmuring a soft symphony of his name. ]
[The light hits him but seems to not inflict any pain, enveloping his sight completely. Nothing exists in the realm of light save for the distant call of his name that beckons him towards it, a soft murmur that seems to get closer and closer until he squeezes his eyes before they open.
He's in bed, curled up with Yoimiya, her head nuzzled into him as she calls for him. Exhaling a deep breath that sat in his chest during the finally moments of his dream, Ajax smiles as his hand comes up to hold her head gently, his cute little pavlin who seems a little groggy yet.]
Yoimiya, [he calls softly,] are you awake?
[What a crazy, incredible dream he'd had. It had felt like it were almost real, fighting alongside of her, getting married...maybe that charm really did work.]
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His arm falls over her as she curls up against him, warmth flooding him from her presence here under the covers, letting his head curl down close to hers now that they're getting settled for the night.]
Ha, you're going to make me blush talking like that. I'll do my best to give you everything you'll ever want.
[Closing his eyes, he relaxes fully now, ready for sleep to take him, whether or not he has any dreams at all. His voice grows more and more groggy, clearing his mind of any worries or thoughts.]
Don't think too hard now, though, or you'll get yourself too worked up to sleep. Goodnight, Yoimiya...
[It won't be long until he's passed out, small, light snores coming out of him as he falls into the dreamland that he hoped he'd discover upon falling asleep...]
---
[When next he opens his eyes, he's not in Ellipsa anymore, but rather he's in his snowy homeland of Snezhnaya, clad in traditional Snezhnayan garb, standing in front of Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa, who has their wedding rings on an altar. The cold bites at the attendees who are looking on, happy for the groom and bride, his entire family in attendance outside of the church where Ajax and Bronya stand. Yet, he can't feel the cold, instead standing and waiting excitedly to see Yoimiya join him at his side so they can be wed by the sacrosanct Cryo Archon herself. Tartaglia has no idea he's begun to dream of the wedding he wishes he could have, his smile as big as one's can get on their wedding day, and he can't wait to see his bride-to-be. He's paid the ransom for her, and now he finally gets to see her in all her beauty.]
Thank you for doing this, [he says as he turns to Her Majesty with a bow,] it means the world to me.
[But in this dream, she doesn't respond, her cold gaze looking out over the wedding itself, but he doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he expects it, and now he's just waiting for his beloved to appear.]
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It hasn't even occurred to her that this is a dream, their wedding so natural as if they've planned every last detail for many, many months. Snowflakes fall from the sky, dusting the path leading to her love but in spite of the cold, Yoimiya is filled to the brim with warmth seeing the happy faces of Ajax's parents and siblings welcoming her into their family with open arms. Once they're close enough, her parents give her one final hug and a warm smile directed at their soon-to-be son-in-law. He's paid the random and more than earned their approval. From the bottom of their hearts, they fully trust this man to take care of their daughter, both of them at ease knowing she's in the hands of someone who swore to love and protect her. They depart to join the rest of the guests, leaving Yoimiya to take her place right next to Ajax.
At long last, she makes eye contact with the love of her life. She looks up, feeling her heart beating profoundly inside of her chest at the sight of his perfect visage against the wintry backdrop. He's stunning as always... the fallen snowflakes shimmers off his face in an empyreal glow, his ginger hair tucked underneath the cossack kubanka astrakhan hat, the red and white garb of his homeland giving him the appearance of a prince. To her, he always and will forever be the most gorgeous person in the whole universe.
Finally, she turns to greet the Tsaritsa, bowing her head out of respect to the Cyro Archon. It truly is an honor to have Snezhnaya's god be the one to oversee this marriage and unite them in holy matrimony. ]
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Childe laughs quietly at his little brother before turning to admire Yoimiya, even more pristine up close than when she had been entering the ceremony, the perfect vision of beauty and grace. He takes her hands gingerly after bows are made to Her Majesty, unable to see any of the world around him save for her captivating eyes, ones that glow with the sun and shine in the night sky.
You're beautiful, he mouths to her, completely taken in by her radiance, admiration shining in his eyes.]
We'll begin, [the cool voice of the archon rings out, silencing the crowd in reverence of her. She begins the ceremony, moving through everything swiftly, until finally they arrive at the wedding vows. She gestures to Tartaglia to start, nodding back to her as he holds both of Yoimiya's hands. His gaze has hardly broken away from her the entire ceremony, and with a lovesick smile on his face, he recites the vows that his dream brain has written for him in this very moment:]
Yoimiya, my life, my love, the eye of my storm. I give you my entire being, my eternal commitment, m▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊ love ▊▊▊▊▊...your presence is the very ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊ of ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊...
[The dream begins to be fuzzy, his words incomplete, but he can still feel the warmth of his love for the wonderful woman in front of him, and he knows he means every single word he says, even if he can't remember them.]
Let us stand together ▊▊ ▊▊ gaze down upon ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊ below, and I will ▊▊▊▊ ▊▊▊ as ▊▊▊ shining northern star ▊▊▊▊ pierces ▊▊▊ inescapable ▊▊▊▊ night. I love you, and I pledge my body, mind, and soul to ▊▊▊, ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊ alone.
[He finishes, waiting with anticipation for her vows, his heart beating strongly in his chest as he stares back at Yoimiya, still enraptured by her. He can't believe this is finally happening, on this perfect day...]
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You're stunning, she mouths back to him, utterly enamored by her Snezhnayan prince of the deep blue sea.
And then, the ceremony begins. In reverence for the Cyro Archon, she takes in her words but her true focus is on the man who has captured her heart, body, soul, and mind, never once did she pull her eyes away from him, basking in his ethereal glow. As she listens to his vows, Ajax will be able to feel her hands softly shaking before giving him a gentle squeeze. ]
Ajax...
[ She speaks with a hint of a quiver, her voice on the verge of breaking out into a sob. Taking a deep breath, she needs a quick moment to compose herself, blearily blinking her eyes to fight the tears that are about to stream down her cheeks. Another deep breath, she needs to stay strong not just for herself but for him as well. More than anything, she wants Ajax to know just how deep her love runs for him. ]
Ajax, my love, my one and only, the ▊▊▊▊▊▊ of my ▊▊▊▊. I've never known what it's like to ▊▊▊▊ ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊... until I met you. From the bottom of my heart, I believe you were the one I ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊ to ▊▊▊▊, the one I was ▊▊▊▊▊▊▊▊ to be with. You're the ▊▊▊▊▊ that brightens up my ▊▊▊▊▊ ▊▊▊, you shine brighter than any ▊▊▊▊.
[ With every word uttered, she gazes into his deep blue irises, gracing the wonderful man in front of her with a soft, loving smile for him and him alone. The dream starts becoming hazy, and she has a difficult time making out parts of the vow but even if she can't recall every single word, her love for him will always be stalwart and she can rest knowing her dream self was speaking straight from the heart. ]
I love you, I love you so much, Ajax. As I stand on this altar with you, I pledge my heart, my ▊▊▊▊, my mind, and my body to you. I promise to be with you for ▊▊▊ ▊▊ ▊▊▊▊▊▊. Across worlds, across ▊▊▊ ▊▊▊▊s, across ▊▊▊▊, across universes, I pledge to remain by your side and always be with you.
[ Overcome with so many emotions, she finishes her vows and finally, gives in to the tears that tumble down the side of her face. From the audience, she's pretty sure she can make out the sounds of her mother sobbing right alongside her. Yoimiya has been looking forward to this day for so long, and it's almost hard to believe it's finally here. This is truly the happiest day of her life... the happy ending she's always sought. ]
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That emotion only grows when she begins, giving her his full attention, his eyes widening and beginning to glisten with the tears that threaten to well up and spill over onto his cheeks. Her speech is as beautiful as herself, how the rays from the sun illuminate her, voice angelic to his ears as she finishes and begins to cry. Tartaglia gingerly lets go of one of her hands to wipe away the tears that fall, his smile gentle as the Tsaritsa continues.]
May these rings be blessed, and the two of you be forever joined until the wolves ravage your bones or the frigid winds freeze you to your cores. Place them on your fingers, and go- may you walk together and fight your way through the eternal blizzard.
[Handing them each other's rings, Tartaglia takes Yoimiya's hand to slip her ring onto her finger, and waits patiently for her to do the same. Little does anyone know, the rumblings of something darker begin to stir behind the church, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.]
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In turn, she takes his hand, exhaling a loving sigh to shake away the tears as she delicately slips the band on his finger. She stares down at their hands, taking a moment to admire the rings binding them for all of eternity. The perfect ending to a perfect ceremony, now all they have to do is say their ring exchange vows and they can go party with their families—
CRASH Suddenly, the door of the church is violently ripped open. On the other side, is an outpouring of hilichurls, abyss mages, and lawachurls rushing in. Thankfully, there happens to be a few armed Fatui soldiers on the scene, ushering the attendees to a safe location. With her heart at ease that their families will be out of harm's way, Yoimiya giggles, completely ignoring the sounds of the monster's battle cries by giving Ajax's hand a gentle squeeze. ]
Well... what do we have here? Don't you know it's rude to show up to a wedding uninvited?
[ It is almost eerie how she's still smiling, even while they're under attack. She doesn't even spare a passing glance at the monsters, seeing them as simple pests. Unperturbed, Yoimiya never once pulled her gaze away from her beloved, solely focusing on him even with the sudden interruption. ]
With this ring, I promise to always love and cherish you. As your wife, I will always stand beside you through thick and thin. Together, we have the power to conquer multiple universes... and crush anyone who dares to stand in our way.
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Tartaglia relishes in the fact that fighting is to be had, but not before he completes his vows to her, to complete their ceremony and officially be husband and wife. Neither does the Tsaritsa seem bothered, waiting for her Harbinger to finish.]
Haha, those are my lines.
[He grins back at her with a wink, his heart swelling with pride and adoration at her vows, love leaving him a little lightheaded even as a pew gets thrown across the room in the background. Fatui soldiers fight against them, determined not to let the ceremony be interrupted, but their battle is a losing one. Tartaglia clears his throat, smiling as he recites his ring vows, eyes locked on Yoimiya as he continues:]
I give you this ring, as a symbol of my eternal pledge to you. For as long as the sun rises and the moon falls, my love for you will never fade, for my love is as strong as the permafrost, perdurable and ever-lasting. With our love, we shall ascend above all those who dare to challenge us, leaving nothing but slaughter in our wake; for this world is for us to conquer, together.
[The Tsaritsa nods once, and says-]
Do you, Ajax, take Yoimiya to be your lawfully wedded wife?
[Childe nods, his eyes still gazing into Yoimiya's own, radiating confidence and a deep devotion and affection shining in his eyes. This is the moment they'd finally been waiting for, when he can call her his wife, where they truly can spend the rest of their lives together. If he weren't so sure of himself, he might of been nervous here, but he states his devotion to her with no hint of hesitation.]
I do.
And you, Yoimiya, take Ajax to e your lawfully wedded husband?
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His pledge resonates in her heart like an empyreal symphony pouring into her entire being with so much love that she could burst. The promise he makes isn't just talk. Together, the power of their love will stand strong in the face of opposition, their bond will enable them to conquer not only this world but also the stars spread across the vast galaxy above them.
I do.
Those two powerful words fill her heart with absolute joy. Such a simple phrase holds the power to bind them in wedded bliss. Every moment they've spent together has led up to this beautiful ceremony where they can start the next chapter in their lives as husband and wife. A soft smile pulls at her lips, her eyes reflect nothing but the utmost love and devotion for the man standing in front of her. ]
I do.
[ Yoimiya nods, her response firm and full of conviction. Together forever with Ajax, the man of her dreams, the love of her life, this is right where she wants to be, at his side for all of eternity. Ajax as her husband... she's so happy to call him that she could cry. ]
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Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
[It's such a routine part of any wedding ceremony, but the gravity it has and how much it means to him is far from routine. It's an honor and a blessing that he gets to call her his wife, moving inward to take her into his arms to slot their lips together. Ajax's hand comes up to brush her cheek before cupping it in his hand, eyes closing as he savors the feel of kissing his lovely new wife, deepening it even as chaos ensues behind them. All that matters to him is showing his eternal love to his wife, and once that's done, they can have some real fun.
But for now, Childe kisses Yoimiya for as long as he pleases, each languid pass of his lips against hers is like a moment in paradise, drinking her in as if she were a fine wine that deserves to be savored for as long as possible. When he finally breaks from her, all he can do is stare downwards to admire her, his precious Yoimiya, priceless in every way and stunning in the traditional Snezhnayan dress she's picked. Nothing could be more perfect, including the fighting that's now destroyed half the church while they both drowned in each other's eyes.]
Shall we show our rude guests what happens when they barge in uninvited?
[He asks her, eyes heavily lidded, so besotted with Yoimiya that he's still unable to tear his gaze away. Tartaglia's thumb brushes across her cheekbone, memorizing every detail of her face, wanting to remember this moment for the rest of his life, and of the impending battle that they would both be partaking in.]
It would be a perfect opportunity to show the world that they should fear our might. And I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our love than slaughtering every single of one of them.
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Even as they part, Yoimiya can't get enough of his magnificence, lost in her husband's beautiful blue eyes, his dashing Sneznhnayan outfit that gives him the appearance of a prince from the frozen tundra... she could stare at him all day long. Their wedding has been beyond perfect and although they are forced to break away from one another, their special day is about to become all the more momentous. ]
Yes, let's. Since they're here to start a fight, it's only fair we give them what they want.
[ She tenderly smiles in response, melting into the gentle brush of his thumb tracing over her soft cheeks. Utterly enamored by Ajax, the screeches of a nearby Cyro Abyss Mage is like white noise to her, even as it conjures up an icicle aimed at the couple. ]
This will be the grand opening to our conquest. It's as if the gods gave them as wedding gifts to us, our opportunity to show the world the power of our love. Now...
[ Truly unfortunate they have to pull away from each other, the only saving grace is witnessing her beloved relishing in the one thing he loves as much as her; the thrill of battle. Yoimiya summons Thundering Pulse, avoiding the honing ice shard in an elegant spin while her dress beautifully flutters in tandem. ]
I'd say till death do us part but I think these guys are the ones that need to worry about their fates, hehe.
[ In lightning-fast reaction time, Yoimiya fires off her ryuukin saxifrage at the extremely RUDE Cyro Abyss Mage, searing her signature goldfish mark that explodes the shield upon impact. With its defenses down, a string of pyro-infused arrows is mercilessly shot at the poor thing, killing the monster instantly before it even realizes what's happening. One right after the other, the scorching goldfish mark moves from hilichurl to abyss mage, all the while Yoimiya easily picks them off one by one with her arrow barrage, giggling at the fact these sad creatures are nothing compared to what they fought in Ellipsa.
She couldn't have asked for a more splendid wedding. ]
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He gracefully separates from Yoimiya as the icicle soars between the two of them, water coalescing and forming in his hands into his swords, a satisfied smile on his face at Yoimiya's words as they snap into existence. Tartaglia licks his lips with a hunger that can only be satiated with blood, excitement pumping through him as he watches his beautifully deadly wife execute an Abyss Mage with almost no effort at all. The first line of monsters fall to her arrows, leaving a line of carnage on the floor as blood trickles past the white petals of flowers that were tossed to the floor earlier in the ceremony, leaving a contrast of new beginnings and death as the backdrop for this battle. And now that Yoimiya has had a little fun, now it's his turn.]
They won't have time to worry, [he finally responds, stepping forward as he twirls his blades at his sides,] because they're not even knowing to know what hit them. Hahaha...
[As he steps off, he becomes a blur of blue, aimed right at the lawachurl that's ripped through the church's wall, roaring at the top of its lungs. It's the biggest and most dangerous target in the room at the moment, and Childe wastes no time reaching it as its fist comes hammering down at him. Wood, dirt and debris explode upward in a cloud of destruction, but the Harbinger is no where to be seen until it's too late, his blades slicing clean through the armor of the beast before moving again to avoid the thrashing of its arms around it to hit its target. Smirking, the young man knows that it doesn't stand a chance against him, finding his way up its body before his double glaive spins as he beheads it, the head smashing into the ground before rolling a few feet away from the body, which follows suit with a enormous thud.
At the very least, he's managed to terrify some of the smaller hilichurls, who shake in fear from the sight of their leader going down on top of the small blonde woman who's picking off their archers and the mages who gave them the strength to fight.]
Is that all you lot have got? I barely broke a sweat!
[And just to hammer it home, Ajax swings his blades a few more times, cleaving through a few monsters who had gotten too close to the battle, their bodies cut in half as easily as slicing through a stick of butter. He looks up to the Tsaritsa, bowing before his god, hoping that their performance has pleased her.]
Your Majesty, allow Yoimiya and I to clean up this mess. It wouldn't do if you had to dirty your hands on such filth. Yoimiya, you're fine with that, aren't you?
[He grins at his lovely wife, his eyes sparkling to see her kill another monster with deadly accuracy from her bow, the gleam of Thundering Pulse giving her a more heavenly, ethereal aura, as if she were slaying them with the very divinity of Inazuma. It leaves him breathless, his hand falling over his heart to watch her work.]
Because it seems you're having a lot of fun as well, haha.
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Her incredible, powerful, beloved husband is the most amazing man to ever walk the face of Teyvat. And Yoimiya is so proud and happy to stand beside him as his wife.
The rest of the vanguard of hililchurls are smacked down like insects, Tartaglia continues to impress her by slashing them clean in half while she picks off the remaining stragglers. The aftermath of their carnage is simply beautiful, the blood dripping across the once pristine floorboard and onto the white petals is proof of their masterpiece, their eternal love creating this spectacular sea of blood that paints the church floor.
Once the pests have been taken care of, Yoimiya turns her attention to the supreme ruler of the country cascaded with ice. She's quick to take her place right next to the Harbinger, bowing right alongside him to bestow her own respect for the Tsaritsa. Yoimiya's heart will always be with Inazuma but now that she's wedded to Ajax, she's more than ready to serve Snezhnaya's Majesty together with him, especially since the Cyro Archon was gracious enough to officiate their wedding. For that, she feels forever indebted to her husband's god. ]
Yes, I'm having the time of my life fighting alongside the person I love the most in this world. It'll be my honor to get rid of these pets so Her Majesty doesn't have to lift a finger.
[ Cold and imposing, the Tsaritsa nods her head at the couple, heeding their request. ]
With your blade as sharp as ice, go forth and defend this church with your permafrost will, Tartaglia.
[ Like moths to the flame, more enemies dare to emerge out of the broken walls. Standing in front of the newlywed couple are a pair of elite monsters from the Abyss, a Frost Fall Herald, and a Fathomless Flames Lector. Certainly a step up from the pitiful hilichurls but still not enough. ]
Oh? Is this the backup? Hmm... kind of disappointing, not gonna lie. I was expecting more than just you two.
[ They already have the advantage in terms of elements and with Ajax by her side, there's no need for her to worry. Just to drive home the point that she's not even scared, Yoimiya slots her lips with Tartaglia's to give him a good luck kiss before sending him off, trusting her husband to take on the pyro lector while she fights the cyro herald. When she breaks, she's breathless, staring into his stunning eyes as if he's the most gorgeous being ever created, gently stroking his cheek one last time before departing to battle. With her bow aimed, she steps out to engage in combat, her glass heels click against the blood-stained floor that dyes her once crystal-clear slippers with the blood of their fallen enemies. ]
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Of course, Your Majesty.
[He turns to watch portals from the Abyss open up to reveal something more dangerous, generals of the Abyss Prince that clearly wanted to disrupt their perfect day. Little did he know, that this is the exact kind of thing Tartaglia thrives in. And naturally, his fearless partner here, the love of his life just looks at them like they're just simple pests, making him laugh. Abyss Heralds were no joke...except to them.
And if she wanted to make that point more clear, he bends down as she pulls him into a kiss, closing his eyes and smiling into it as they both wish each other good luck through the passes of their lips against each other. As they break, her brilliant golden eyes capture his own, the brush of her hand against his cheek making his skin prickle as he admires her beauty right before they move to take on their respective opponent.]
Let's dispatch them quickly and then clean up the rest of the rabble, Yoimiya.
[Tartaglia's movement afterwards is so fast it's hard to see him, abusing the power of his Vision as he practically hydroplanes to the pyro lector that shoots fireballs in his direction, bloodlust coating his expression as his blades sing through the air to assault his target. Though he's fought them before, among the many monsters of the Abyss that he saw as a child, he knows Yoimiya hasn't. Not that he's worried, but his instinct to protect her in case things go south hasn't dulled even with how powerful she's become. So even through his attacks, with one blade cutting straight through the lector's armor and another coming dangerously close to impaling it through the chest, he keeps an eye on Yoimiya. Because he wants to make sure she's okay, and so he can watch her murder a monster.]
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And since she can feel her lovely husband's brilliant blue eyes watching her, Yoimiya is determined to prove herself worthy enough to stand strong as Ajax's wife.
Brandishing its frosty blade, the cryo herald lunges forth in a myriad of slashes. Every step is laced with grace and elegance, Yoimiya dodges the oncoming strikes, backflipping and twirling out of the way as the bottom of her white dress beautifully sways in the cold wind. Her smile is full of confidence even as her opponent's blade creates a pillar of ice so cold, it leaves a stinging sensation on her cheeks. But in the face of danger, the chill is nothing compared to the harsh conditions of Snezhnaya. Despite wearing a long dress, she's proving herself to be quick on her feet, releasing arrows in perfect symphony with her swerves and even landing a few direct hits that manage to penetrate the herald's cyro armor. Smirking, she's utterly satisfied to see the monster staggering from her explosive arrows. ]
Don't you know it's rude to dance with a bride on her wedding day? [ she says while giggling in a very unsettling manner, ] The only person I wish to dance with is my beloved husband.
[ Unbeknownst to the herald, the new bride already had a trap set in motion the moment the two rude guests barged in.
One final desperate attempt is made as the creature vaults into the air, using its remaining life force to encase its body in a cryo shield. Now within good distance, a dark icicle projectile is aimed at her until, BOOM, a loud explosion echoes throughout the wall of the church. From behind, Yoimiya's beloved fire familiars— a goldfish and narwhal forged from the flames of the couple's everlasting love hurl themselves onto the herald's armored back, detonating upon impact to burn away the protective shield. Satisfied at the work of her beloved familiars, her heart swells with pure joy, proud to see their accumulation of eternal love wreaking havoc. A dangerous expression settles on her features as she watches the abyss creature writhe and squirm in pain. ]
Hehehe, shouldn't have underestimated the power of our love.
[ Laughing like a madwoman, she decides it's time to put the herald out of its misery. In quick succession, Yoimiya shoots pyro arrow after arrow, piercing both shoulders, arms, and legs leading up to a final pierce that skewers the monster dead center of its face. One snap of her fingers causes the arrows to explode in a dazzling display of sparkling golden narwhals and goldfish, blowing up its head and the rest of the monster's body until it's nothing but an incinerated mess of what it once was.
What a thrilling battle that was, leaving her fulfilled right down to her bones. Some blood has splattered onto her white dress but ah well, that's part of battle. What's more important is watching Ajax's fight. Now that her thirst for blood has been satiated, she turns her attention to her gallant husband, excited to see how he's going to ruthlessly kill his pesky opponent. She knows her Harbinger sweetheart has this in the bag but should he need some assistance, her Thundering Pulse is aimed and ready to assist. ]
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He quickly delivers a slice to the lector fighting him, applying his riptide mark to it and kicking it to the side so he can enjoy the final show here, the explosion reminiscent of the brilliant display of fireworks the Nagonahara Fireworks Show is so renown for. Goldfish and narwhals explode outward to dance along the walls of the church, charring them black as the herald falls to the floor, smoking and almost unrecognizable. He looks to Yoimiya, splattered with blood, enamored with her and her performance, seeing her as the most gorgeous woman in the world.
But he's got his own problems, the lector not staying down for long, irritated with the disrespectful way Tartaglia has treated their fight. From behind, as the Harbinger gazes at his wife, it fires several fireballs at him, but he's more than aware of what it's doing. With a smirk, Childe turns as he dodges each blast, closing the distance between the two of them as one of his blades slashes right across its chest, causing it to roar in pain and frustration before the rumblings of power that manifest within its core start to outwardly show itself. He's seen this before, moving backward not to get caught in the blast, waiting for it to protect itself, knowing that it doesn't have a chance even with the shield. It summons a meteor, aimed right at him that he quickly dodges, manifesting the fiery prism that causes pillars of fire to erupt from the ground all around the Harbinger.
Yoimiya isn't the only archer here- quickly swapping to his bow, he begins to fire hydro arrows at the Darkfire Furnace, destroying it and ruining its plans to keep him at bay. However, giving it what it expects isn't the name of his game, letting another arrow charge in his bow as water forms around him with more and more power until he releases the symbol of his constellation out from it. The whale's cry is haunting, echoing throughout the church as it slams into the pyro lector, eliminating it instantly. The smirk on his face is wide, turning back towards his beloved with pride, not even taking a moment to revel in his victory. For that opponent was weak and hardly worth his time, and he'd much rather spend his attention on Yoimiya.]
Even the Abyss can't ruin our perfect day. I dare say they've made it all the better. I haven't had this much fun in quite a while.
[He walks over to Yoimiya, placing a hand on her cheek to capture her in a kiss, so unbelievably proud of her and her skills.]
Watching you fight was like watching the elegance of a royal ballet fit for the Taritsa herself...it took my breath away. It was as if I'd fallen in love all over again.
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Watching him fight will always be one of the most magnificent performances to gaze upon. There's no way she could rush in and interrupt their fight, he's enjoying himself and she couldn't be any happier for him.
And it only gets better, he graces her with the most splendid performance she's ever seen. The whale's eerie melody rings throughout the church as if it were a beautiful symphony bestowing its blessings on their wedding day. In one vicious slam, it smites the abyss denizen down with its tremendous weight, killing it right on the spot. It was such a firm blow that Yoimiya isn't sure if there's even any traces of the pitiful lector left, no doubt its body has been completely crushed to death. But that doesn't matter, the interruptions are finally gone. All that matters is reveling in their shared lust for blood by enjoying the sweet taste of Ajax's amazing victory. This is the happiest day of their lives and she wants nothing more than to spend every waking second with him, showering him with all the love she has in her heart and then some.
She wastes no time striding over to him, the touch of his hand draws her into his tender warmth, hopelessly lost in his magnificent splendor. Once he captures her for a kiss, she's practically melting underneath him, their lips slot so perfectly together like two puzzle pieces. A crimson sea of blood pools at their feet from all the havoc they've wreaked together, the perfect backdrop for the destructive couple as they share a kiss in this sacred building with the heavens above watching them. ]
Mmm, it felt like my heart was going to beat out my chest as I watched you. [ Amidst the chilly temperature, her hot breath gusts against his lips. Unable to hold herself back, she quickly kisses him again before finishing off her song of praise. ] You truly are the most incredible warrior I've ever laid eyes on, Ajax. With every second of every day, you just continue to grow stronger and I'm truly blessed to be the person who stands by your side as you inflict your might onto the world.
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He moves into her to hold her in his embrace, wrapping his arm around her while holding the back of her head as he gazes downwards into her eyes, focused solely on her and her alone.]
You honor me. I can think of no one more deserving and worthy to stand at my side at the very pinnacle of this world once we've conquered it.
[As he speaks, the church blurs together into a darkness reminiscent of the Abyss itself. The ground becomes more rocky and corrupted, the ceiling of the building fading to a darkened sky with stars that paint the horizon, but the Tsaritsa is now no where to be found. Instead, the light of something more powerful emanates from behind the couple, floating in midair staring at the two of them before it speaks.]
You who covet the god's power, return the gnoses to me. They are not to be held by mortals. Return them now and you may still live.
[Tartaglia's head turns, clearly irritated by the interruption. He sneers at the god, gesturing out with his hand as if she were insane.]
And why are you getting on my case about it? I never even had the chance to touch one. If you want them back so badly, you'll have to speak with the Tsaritsa about that. And even if I did have them, there's no way I'd just give them to you. We've worked far too hard to give it all up now.
[He looks to Yoimiya, a grin on his face. Chaos swirls in his eyes, because he sees the chance of a lifetime and he's hoping she'll be just as ready to take this god on as he is right now.]
In fact, [he says to the god,] why don't we just make sure you never get in the way in the first place? You can gain your gnoses back...if you can get through us, first.
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It's only when the god speaks that she finally pulls her stare away from Ajax to show some sort of acknowledgment. But in the face of danger, she's still snuggled up in her husband's arms, resting her head on top of his chest and sticking her tongue out at their new opponent in an act of shameless defiance. ]
Even if we had the gnosis, we don't need it to defeat you. The power of our love is more than enough to take you down. You won't be getting past us, hehehe.
[ In a declaration full of confidence, she responds not to the god but to her beloved husband with a sneer that matches his own.
Lost in their dreamscape away from the real world, Yoimiya goes with the flow, not even questioning the existence of the god, the Abyssal realm, and the mention of the gnoses. She's going to have lots of questions upon waking up but for the time being, Yoimiya is excited to engage in another battle alongside her lover. Perhaps this one will provide them with the challenge they are seeking... ]
I'm ready Ajax. Let's turn this god into a stepping stone in our path towards conquest.
[ As much as it pains her to pull away from his hold, she does so in order to get her bow aimed and ready. ]
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Let's.
[As Yoimiya pulls away to pull out her bow, Tartaglia in turn summons his swords back into his hands, ready to fight and take down this new opponent. It's been the fight he's longed for, one that he's been training since the beginning to have. He said he would conquer the world and defeat the gods, for the Tsaritsa and for his own glory. Never would he of thought, long ago, that someone else would be willing to stand beside him and fight, let alone the woman of his dreams. But here he stands, as the god summons four star sigils in the air around her as what he'd assume are weapons, alongside Yoimiya, who's just as willing to fight this thing to the death as he is. Adrenaline rushes through him and the excitement he feels finally reaches its peak, charging in to clash with the god that wants to ruin all of the Tsaritsa's plans.
Corrupted, blood red energy fires out from the sigils as Childe charges in, shooting not only at him but at Yoimiya as well, his blades flashing to knock some shots away and dodging others. He puts all his trust in Yoimiya's skills for now- he won't be able to protect her from everything here, but he knows his lovely wife can handle herself just fine, given all the training she's done with him and her versatility with not only a bow, but a sword now as well.
He finally reaches his target, coming in with a powerful slash that gets easily blocked by a shield that the god raises with one hand, sending him flying back a foot or so as she counterattacks with an invisible blade that slams into his own sword.]
Foolish mortal, did you think I'd be so easy? And you...
[Turning her attention to Yoimiya, all four sigils now aimed at her.]
Yoimiya! Be on your toes-!
[He can see the god take aim at his wife, making sure to warn her, but he's confident that she can handle the assault with ease. After all, she's his wife and he believes she'll have no issues beating any opponent they face.]
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But that shield is proving to be a nuisance. Just as Yoimiya is contemplating how to get rid of it, from the corner of her eye, she can see her beloved sent flying back. It's then, she hears Ajax's warning, causing her to look up and see four sigils aimed directly at her. ]
Got it! I got a little trick up my sleeve that should give you a nice boost.
[ An explosive trick her husband should be all too familiar with. One by one, the four beams of light crash down on her in an unrelenting burst. Smiling, Yoimiya is quick on her feet, maneuvering her body to backflip out of the way and leap into the air. Thanks to that little stunt, their opponent is now left wide open, unfortunate for the god but extremely fortunate for Yoimiya. Tugging on the strings of her bow, she focuses all of her firepower on this shot to deliver the penultimate festive reprise. Fluidly, she releases a blazing arrow aimed straight at the god, searing her signature goldfish mark right on the being's chest. On closer inspection, it's unlike her usual mark. Instead of two goldfish, a dazzling narwhal and goldfish concocted from the bonds of their everlasting love swim together in the shape of a heart. It's a technique she's been working on in secret, a special buff made solely for Ajax. ]
Puny mortals... I will end your existence once and for all!
[ Having underestimated the newlyweds, the god is amping up her power to be rid of them once and for all. She raises her hand, bringing down a rain of eight rays of light onto the couple with the intent purpose of ensuring there's not a trace of them left behind. ]
Use the mark to your advantage, Ajax! I'll make sure it doesn't lay a finger on you.
[ Once more, the god brings her invisible blade down onto the Harbinger but Yoimiya is quick to back him up. While dodging the rays of light, she fires a string of arrows to be a huge pain in the butt by intercepting her moves. She's here to enure Tartaglia gets a good swing at their opponent. ]
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His laugh in response to Yoimiya's declaration is laced with murderous intent, happy to take full advantage of the assistance she's granted him. Sprinting forward, each dodge of those pillars of light is precarious yet calculated, rolling across the ground when need be or spinning in a particular direction to keep his momentum. Yoimiya is true to her word- the god is having to place attention on deflecting and blocking arrows that fly through the air at it, keeping it from delivering any sort of decisive blow. But he finally reaches the god, leaping upward over a slash that's aimed at his head, bringing his blades down hard to cut viciously into her it.
With a cry that echoes loudly in this small, abyss-like dreamscape, the god buckles from the sheer force of the elemental reaction and the subsequent explosion that erupts out from the chest of the god, sending colored lights and flares zipping all around it. That must of been what the mark does, adding an additional firework explosion that's triggered by his own blades, and he grins- it's only going to get better from here. His own riptide mark forms under the goldfish-narwhal mark, water erupting from it in a cutting motion, causing yet another explosion to trigger from Yoimiya's own mark.
Childe leaps off from the god, landing to spin his bow into place in his hands to start to fire hydro arrows at it, knowing that it would only trigger his riptide thus triggering Yoimiya's mark over and over again. He laughs like a maniac, enjoying being able to play with his food a little, shrieks and wails coming from their opponent as it gets knocked around by each subsequent explosion.]
Well done, Yoimiya! Your performance here has been exceptional...this god never stood a chance. Even I hadn't expected you to come up with such a devious technique. You've had this planned as a surprise for me for quite a while, haven't you?
[Though he knows they won't be able to do this forever- those marks will fade, and then, they can make their final strike.]
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And naturally, Ajax is an expert at turning her special mark into an incredible power-up. Each subsequent explosion is more dazzling than the previous. Bright colorful lights paint the starry abyssal sky in a picturesque display that Yoimiya will never forget. Finally, Ajax pulls off one of the most brilliant techniques she's ever seen, combining his special riptide mark in tandem with the narwhal-goldfish, it all leads to a series of the most beautiful explosions she's ever witnessed. His delightful manic laughter as he takes pleasure in playing with his new toy only adds to the beauty of it all. So long as he's happy, she's happy and Yoimiya is beyond thrilled to assist his power to reach greater heights. ]
Your performance is just as impeccable! [ She's beaming like a ray of sunshine, Ajax showering her with praise will never get old. ] That's right, I've been working on this technique and saving it as a surprise for when we're facing an opponent worthy of our time. That special mark was made just for you.
[ Now with the god under fire from their combined efforts, Yoimiya uses this as a chance to meet up with her husband. She presses their backs together, charging up her bow to give it a grand finale just before the mark dissipates. ]
Ready, Ajax? The mark looks like it's about ready to fade away. Let's give it a grand send-off. Three... two... one...!
[ On cue, she releases one powerful shot. The three honing arrows target the god's shield, setting it aflame while the main arrow targets their combined mark. Her aim is precise, the arrow hits it dead center of the riptide brand, igniting a flurry of hydro that swirls and whirls around its target in a vaporizing explosion. The god's screeches and cries are like music to Yoimiya's ears. ]
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Ready!
[Water begins to coalesce around the two of them, charging at the tip of his arrow as she counts down. It spirals and flashes with power, until the cue comes and he unleashes the symbol of his constellation down upon their target.]
Celestial Voyager!
[Arcing over the pyro arrows that Yoimiya unleashes, the whale sings a haunting melody as it soars in the air towards the god who's shield is now on fire along with the many explosions and torrents that cut through it. They paralyze their target, unable to get out of the way of the giant hydro mimic that slams into it violently, water erupting everywhere and washing its life away into nothingness. The god's body seems to shudder and become unstable through its shrieks and screams, knowing that it has little more than a few moments left, as does Childe. He grabs Yoimiya, not wasting a moment as he activates his delusion. Lightning sparks up around them, and he looks at her with concern and urgency.]
Hold on tight, we have to move now-!!!
[More terrible screams reverberate around reality itself, and the Harbinger takes off with Yoimiya in his arms, not knowing exactly where he can run or what he can do to protect the both of them from what's about to happen. All he can do is put distance between themselves and the god's dying body, when a bright light suddenly envelops them both...]
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But before they even get a chance to celebrate their win, the fight for their lives isn't over yet. The power from within the god is so otherworldy, beyond mortal comprehension causing it to blow up and take everyone else around it. Without a second to spare, Yoimiya brings her arms around his neck, holding onto him for dear life. A white light envelops them but even with the severity of the situation, she faithfully believes in her beloved to get them out of here and out of harm's way. ]
Ajax! Ajax...
[ The bright light consumes their surroundings and at first, she isn't sure if they are dead or alive. Until...
Morning comes. Yoimiya stirs as sunlight pokes out from the windows of her bedroom, shining on her face. Bit by bit, she starts to wake up. She's still tinged with a bit of sleepiness, slowly coming to thanks to the cozy warmth of Ajax's body. Comfortably tangled up with him, she nuzzles her head into his chest, murmuring a soft symphony of his name. ]
Mm... Ajax...
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He's in bed, curled up with Yoimiya, her head nuzzled into him as she calls for him. Exhaling a deep breath that sat in his chest during the finally moments of his dream, Ajax smiles as his hand comes up to hold her head gently, his cute little pavlin who seems a little groggy yet.]
Yoimiya, [he calls softly,] are you awake?
[What a crazy, incredible dream he'd had. It had felt like it were almost real, fighting alongside of her, getting married...maybe that charm really did work.]
Good morning.
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gonna skip breakfast prep!
perf
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