Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

In an instant, a violent gust twisted the very air itself as Xiao vanished from where he stood.

A flash of cold light appeared directly in front of Ami.

But Ami was ready. The iron chains in his hands glowed with a pale purple light as he swung them forward with full force.

Boom!!!!!

A deafening roar tore through the sky. At the epicenter of the clash, the ground exploded into a massive crater, with cracks radiating outward like thunderbolts.

The shockwave from their clash was overwhelmingly fierce, blasting all the surrounding demons away.

Just then, a long spear flew from the distance and struck Ami in the back.

"Flame Flash!"

Elliot flashed in and thrust his spear forward.

Just as he was about to land the blow, a purple shield inscribed with runes and strange symbols appeared behind Ami, blocking the attack completely.

Elliot's pupils contracted. Before he could react, the chain lashed out at him!

Smack!

Crack...

A dull thud sounded. Struck at the waist, Elliot was sent flying in a spray of blood, several ribs broken.

Xiao furrowed his brow, suppressing Ami with a rapid flurry of spear strikes.

"Oh? Got angry already?" Ami mocked with a grin.

With that purple shield, no matter how Xiao attacked, he couldn't break through Ami's defense.

But Xiao's speed was unmatched—even Ami couldn't find an opening to counter.

"Tsk... such overwhelming strength..."

Coughing up blood, Elliot wiped the corner of his mouth and spoke with a heavy tone.

If not for the magic scale coat, that blow might've shattered his spine entirely.

"I can't go on... In my state, I'd only slow you down…"

He shouldn't have been hit just now.

But the exhaustion from his drained mental energy dulled his reflexes—leaving him open to attack.

If he charged in recklessly now, he'd not only be useless, but also risk dragging Xiao down.

Holding his spear, Elliot stayed back, eyes locked on the fight, looking for a chance.

The ground had been ravaged by the battle—pocked with deep craters, swirling with sand and sparks.

At this point, Ami hadn't fully recovered his strength after years of imprisonment, which made him struggle against the strongest Adeptus, the Great Demon-Subduing Saint.

The two were evenly matched. Neither side had the upper hand.

Despite the fierce fighting, Elliot deliberately moved to a spot within Xiao's line of sight, then quietly laid down his spear and buried it with dirt and stones before slipping away unnoticed.

Their battle stretched from night until sunrise the next day.

As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Xiao unleashed a sweeping strike that knocked Ami slightly off balance.

At that moment, Elliot knew—

The time had come!

Black Flame burst into his hand as he flashed behind Ami, nearly chest-to-back with him.

Ami's pupils instantly contracted.

"Goodbye."

With those words, Elliot pressed the Black Flame onto his back.

Whoosh!!!

In an instant, the jet-black fire engulfed Ami completely.

"Aaahhh!!!"

Ami screamed in agony, stumbling unsteadily.

From the moment Elliot set down his weapon, Xiao had known his plan. He remembered the exact spot.

They had fought through the night for this single opportunity. They knew it would only come once. If they failed, Ami would never lower his guard again.

That's why both of them remained so patient.

Xiao held off Ami for an entire night, while Elliot watched every move, waiting for the right moment.

All he needed was for Xiao to guide Ami into position—and then strike.

And they did it!

But they didn't drop their guard. Even with Ami burning, neither paused—they pressed in with their spears and unleashed a relentless assault.

Strike after strike rained down like a torrential storm.

Their attacks alternated with lightning speed, overwhelming Ami.

Suddenly, a burst of black mist shot out from the flames and rushed at Xiao with shocking speed.

Elliot's pupils shrank. He instantly used Flame Flash to shift positions.

In a flash, he threw himself sideways in midair, intercepting the attack.

The black mist slammed into him directly.

He crashed to the ground.

[Mortal! You again, mortal! You ruined everything!]

Ami's voice roared in Elliot's mind.

His heart trembled, but then he grinned.

"What, moving into my body now? Feeling wronged?"

"What... are you talking about?"

Seeing Elliot talking to himself and grinning in such a strange way, Xiao's brows furrowed with worry.

[Just a lowly mortal! I'll use your body for the sacrifice!]

"Urgh…"

Suddenly, Elliot clutched his head and collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

Ami was trying to seize control of his body.

[Stop struggling. With what little mental strength you have left, you think you can resist me?]

"What's happening to you?!"

Xiao panicked at the sudden change, eyes wide in alarm.

Then he noticed the purple light barrier.

Right!

If he could destroy the Archon's barrier, Lord Zhongli would be able to sense it!

With that thought, he moved to lift Elliot and carry him out.

But Elliot gripped his clothes tightly, pain etched into his face, and shook his head.

He rolled on the ground, screaming in agony, smashing his head against the earth until blood poured down his face.

"Lis...listen to me…"

Gritting his teeth, Elliot's face contorted like a starving beast, pupils wide.

"It's fine, it's fine! We just have to get out! Once we're out, Lord Zhongli will know what to do!"

Xiao didn't hesitate. He grabbed Elliot and started to run.

"No!!!!"

Elliot broke free, falling from Xiao's arms. He braced himself on the ground, half-kneeling.

The moment Xiao saw his face, he froze.

Half of it was twisted in pain. The other half—grinning maniacally.

"It's... too late..."

"Listen to me…"

"I have one... one request…"

Grabbing Xiao by the collar, Elliot spoke through clenched teeth, his face twisted with torment.

"What... what is it...?"

Xiao looked at him in a daze, his voice full of helplessness.

Seeing the panic in Xiao's eyes, the gentle smile returned to the other half of Elliot's face.

"Kill me."

...