A Honkai: Zhongli x Star Rail

A tense silence settled over the ruined chamber. The faint hum of ancient sigils filled the air, their golden glow casting long shadows across the walls.

Zhongli stood calm, his gaze locked onto the warrior before him. Yanqing—last general of the Yaochi, the guardian of a forgotten past.

The energy that crackled between them was heavy with intent.

Yanqing's grip tightened around his sword. "If you speak of contracts, then show me their strength."

He raised his blade in a swift, precise motion. The inscriptions along its edge gleamed with a celestial light, a weapon not dulled by time.

"Prepare yourself."

Zhongli exhaled slowly, stepping forward.

"So be it."

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A Duel of Wills

The moment Yanqing moved, the air shattered!

In an instant, he was upon Zhongli, his sword slicing downward with the speed of a falling comet. The force of the strike split the ground beneath them, sending shards of stone flying.

Yet, Zhongli did not flinch.

Clang!

A golden spear materialized in his grip, meeting Yanqing's blade in a blinding clash. Sparks of raw energy scattered, illuminating the chamber with flashes of gold and silver.

Zhongli's feet barely shifted. His grip was steady, his posture unshaken.

Yanqing's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "You are strong."

Zhongli's voice was calm, unwavering. "Strength alone does not define a contract. It is the weight of one's word, the foundation of one's duty, that gives it power."

Yanqing leapt back, his form a blur. The sigils in the chamber flared, responding to his will. Dozens of glowing blades manifested in the air, each shimmering with celestial light.

"Then let us test your resolve!"

With a flick of his wrist, the blades rained down like a meteor shower.

Zhongli did not move.

He lifted a single hand.

The ground rumbled.

Geo responded to his call.

A towering golden shield erupted around him, a barrier of unshakable stone. The spectral blades crashed against it, shattering upon impact. Dust and light filled the chamber, obscuring everything in a storm of debris.

Then—silence.

As the dust settled, Zhongli emerged, unscathed. His shield remained unbroken.

Yanqing's expression flickered. His grip on his sword tightened.

"You wield the power of an Aeon… yet you do not follow their path." His golden eyes narrowed. "Who—no, what are you?"

Zhongli lowered his hand. The echoes of his shield faded, returning to the earth.

"I am Zhongli. Once, I was known as Morax, the God of Contracts. My dominion was over stone and order, over the unshakable laws that bound civilization together."

Yanqing remained still, his blade hovering at his side.

"And yet, I am no longer of that world. My contract has brought me here, though its terms remain unknown." Zhongli's gaze met Yanqing's, unwavering. "Now, I ask you this—what is the contract that binds you to this place?"

The chamber pulsed with a heavy stillness. The weight of history lingered in the air.

Then, Yanqing finally spoke.

"I was the last protector of the Yaochi. When the war against the Abundance was lost, I swore an oath—to ensure that our people's legacy would not be forgotten. This contract has bound me here for centuries."

His voice was steady, but beneath it, there was something else—weariness.

A burden carried for far too long.

"And yet… you still fight," Zhongli observed.

Yanqing's grip on his blade loosened slightly. "Because if I do not, who will?"

For the first time, uncertainty flickered across his face.

Zhongli stepped forward. The weight of his presence was not oppressive, but grounding. "A contract that outlives its purpose must be reassessed. Otherwise, it becomes a prison rather than a duty."

Yanqing's golden eyes met his.

Silence stretched between them.

Then—Yanqing exhaled. Slowly, carefully, he lowered his sword. The celestial energy that radiated from it dimmed.

"…Perhaps you are right."

The sigils in the chamber flickered, their glow softening. The heavy presence that had lingered in the ruins for centuries… began to fade.

Yanqing turned to face the throne behind him. His voice was quieter now.

"For centuries, I have guarded these halls, bound by my oath. But perhaps it is time to let go."

He turned back to Zhongli.

"Tell me, God of Contracts—if my duty is fulfilled, then what remains for me?"

Zhongli closed his eyes for a brief moment, then spoke.

"A new path. A new contract. One not bound by the past, but by what lies ahead."

Yanqing studied him for a long time. Then, he let out a quiet laugh, almost tired.

"Then perhaps… it is time I see what awaits beyond these ruins."

The sigils in the chamber finally dimmed completely. The weight of the past lifted, leaving behind only silence.

For the first time in centuries, the last guardian of the Yaochi had been freed.

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As the Astral Express crew left the ruins, Yanqing followed. His once-stern expression was softer, though his golden eyes remained sharp.

March crossed her arms. "Sooo… does this mean we didn't have to fight to the death after all?"

Himeko chuckled. "Not every battle ends in blood, March."

Dan Heng studied Yanqing carefully. "You intend to leave this place?"

Yanqing nodded. "I do not know what awaits me. But if a god can leave behind his past, then so can I."

Zhongli gave a faint smile. "Then let us walk this new path together."

The Astral Express loomed ahead, its doors open, waiting.

As they stepped forward, the weight of history was left behind.

And before them… lay the boundless stars.

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Chapter 5 Preview: The Call of the Aeons

With the ruins of the Yaochi behind them, Zhongli continues to search for answers.

But something stirs within the Astral Sea.

An Aeon watches.

A new contract is about to be formed.

And the weight of fate grows heavier still.

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Author's Note: <⁠(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)⁠>