A Honkai: Zhongli x Star Rail

The ruins of Panhua loomed around them, the weight of history pressing down like an unseen force. The further they ventured, the deeper the silence grew—as if the land itself had been holding its breath for centuries.

Zhongli walked at the front of the group, his mind replaying the vision he had seen.

"A civilization built upon contracts… and yet, it fell."

He had witnessed countless ages in Liyue, seen empires rise and crumble. But this? This was different. The echoes of this world's past did not merely fade—they lingered, like a debt left unpaid.

And now, something—or someone—was demanding recompense.

March 7th sighed dramatically. "This place is getting creepier by the second. I swear something's watching us."

Dan Heng remained alert, scanning the inscriptions on the surrounding structures. "Whatever happened here, it did not end naturally. The level of destruction suggests an external force."

Zhongli placed a hand against a nearby stone pillar, feeling the faintest pulse of energy beneath his fingertips. The sensation was familiar—structured, deliberate.

This was no ordinary ruin.

This was a contract left incomplete.

Himeko's voice came through the communicator. "We're detecting another anomaly deeper ahead. Be careful—things might get unstable."

Zhongli straightened. "Then we must move forward."

With that, they pressed on—toward the heart of the forgotten city.

---

The Chamber of Oaths

At the end of a long, crumbling corridor, they found it.

A vast underground chamber, untouched by time. The air within it felt heavy, as if burdened by centuries of unspoken words.

And at its center—

A colossal stone monolith stood, carved with inscriptions in a language long lost. Golden energy pulsed faintly through its cracks, as if still alive.

March took a cautious step forward. "Okay… is it just me, or does that thing feel really important?"

Zhongli's gaze was unreadable. "It is not merely a monument. It is a contract."

Dan Heng turned to him. "Explain."

Zhongli walked toward the structure, his hand hovering just above the surface. The moment he did, the engraved words began to glow, responding to his presence.

A voice—distorted, ancient—filled the chamber.

"In the name of the Celestial Accord, we, the people of Panhua, forge this covenant…"

The group tensed as the voice continued.

"Let the stars bear witness: Our civilization shall endure through unity and law. Should the contract be broken, our souls shall wander… until the debt is repaid."

Silence followed.

March swallowed. "Sooo… this entire civilization was running on one big contract?"

Zhongli's expression darkened. "Yes. And it was broken."

Dan Heng narrowed his eyes. "That would explain the anomalies. The creatures we encountered—they might be remnants of those bound to this failed pact."

Zhongli lowered his hand. "Then their suffering has continued for centuries."

Before anyone could respond, the chamber shuddered.

The golden inscriptions flared violently, the energy twisting and crackling like an exposed nerve.

And then—the monolith spoke again.

"…A witness has come."

The ground trembled.

Dan Heng stepped back, gripping his weapon. "Something's reacting to us."

March tensed. "Okay—this is definitely the part where things go horribly wrong!"

The energy surrounding the monolith shifted.

From the shadows of the chamber, figures began to emerge.

At first, they were formless—mere distortions in the air. Then, slowly, they took shape.

Tall, armored beings, their bodies composed of fractured golden crystal, their hollow eyes burning with ancient light.

Their voices rang out in unison—

"The contract is broken."

"A debt must be paid."

"WHO WILL ANSWER?"

The air cracked with sheer force.

The guardians of Panhua had awakened.

---

The Weight of Judgment

Zhongli stepped forward.

His golden eyes met the glowing visages of the guardians, unwavering. He could feel their presence pressing against him—an entire civilization's worth of lingering will.

This was not just a battle.

This was a reckoning.

March pulled an arrow from her quiver. "Uh, Zhongli? Now might be a good time to tell us what the plan is."

Zhongli exhaled. "They are not merely attacking us. They are delivering a verdict."

Dan Heng tightened his grip on his spear. "Then we have two choices: Convince them to stand down, or fight."

The nearest guardian moved, its massive crystalline blade forming in an instant.

"The law was shattered. The debt remains unpaid."

It raised its weapon.

"Who among you will take responsibility?"

Zhongli did not hesitate.

"I will."

The chamber shook.

March's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, what?"

Himeko's voice came through the communicator, alarmed. "Zhongli, what are you doing?"

Dan Heng's gaze flickered with understanding. "He's taking on the burden of the contract."

Zhongli took a steady breath. "This contract has remained broken for too long. If I must stand as its arbiter, then so be it."

The guardians froze.

For the first time, the air around them felt… different.

The energy pulsing through the chamber slowed, as if listening.

Then—one of the guardians spoke.

"…Do you understand what you offer?"

Zhongli's voice was steady. "I do."

The lead guardian tilted its head.

"then prove it."

The monolith pulsed, and in an instant—

The battlefield shifted.

---

Trial of the Arbiter

The chamber around them dissolved into golden light.

Zhongli found himself standing in an endless expanse, surrounded by the echoes of a lost civilization. The stars above flickered, forming ancient constellations.

And before him—

A massive, armored figure loomed.

It was unlike the other guardians. Its form was twice his height, its body composed of pure celestial stone, golden inscriptions running along its limbs.

A final enforcer.

"Face judgment, Arbiter."

It raised its colossal blade.

The Trial of the Arbiter had begun.

---

Chapter 9 Preview: The Final Judgment

A battle beyond time.

A contract left unfulfilled.

And a god who refuses to bow.

As Zhongli faces the final guardian of Panhua, he must prove his worth as an Arbiter.

But some laws are not meant to be rewritten.

And the price of failure… is eternal.

---

Author's Note: Stone me! (⁠θ⁠‿⁠θ⁠)