The Rifthound's claws, reeking of decay, slashed through the air. Lydia could even smell the festering stench of the monsters clinging to their tips, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.
She twisted violently to the side, her Festering Desire arcing behind her in a black-and-white arc. The blade grazed the Rifthound's claw, leaving a gash in its deep gray fur.
Dark purple blood welled from the wound, yet the Rifthound seemed oblivious to the pain. A low, guttural growl erupted from its throat as it lunged at her again.
Abyss energy had long since numbed its pain receptors, leaving only a ravenous thirst for carnage.
Simultaneously, three other Rifthounds flanked her from both sides, their sharp teeth gleaming coldly, saliva dripping onto the ground.
"Lydia, watch out!" Lumine's voice pierced through the monsters' roars.
Having just hurled a swarm of Hilichurls aside with Anemo, she saw Lydia cornered by the Rifthounds and her heart clenched with dread.
But before she could rush to help, a Stonehide Lawachurl wreathed in Abyss black mist slammed into her from the side. The impact of its thick Geo armor knocked the air from her lungs, sending her flying like a kite with a severed string. She crashed heavily into a tree trunk, the coppery tang of blood rising in her throat.
Lumine forced herself to stand, but before she could catch her breath, several Mitachurls wielding massive axes surrounded her.
More monsters surged forward like a tide: Hilichurls brandishing torches shrieked wildly, slimes rolled into black spheres and rammed into her, and Mitachurls' axes shattered the ground, sending debris flying.
Though individually weak, the sheer number of monsters formed layers upon layers, trapping her completely. She could barely defend herself, let alone reach Lydia.
Lydia's situation had already become perilous.
Just as four Rifthounds had forced her back a step, the Stonehide Lawachurl lumbered into the fray, its Geo armor churning with Abyss black mist. Each step shook the ground.
To her horror, the Hilichurl Frostarm Lawachurl and Hilichurl Electro Lawachurl also emerged from the space rift.
"They're after Festering Desire..." Lydia gripped the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles white with the strain.
She could see it clearly: every monster's gaze was fixed on the Festering Desire in her hand. The sword's faint Abyssal aura, like honey drawing ants, drove the monsters into a frenzy.
Taking a deep breath, she activated her Vision, the gem at her waist blazing with Anemo energy. A blast of wind elements tore through the air, striking the Stonehide Lawachurl directly in front of her.
This Stonehide Lawachurl was unlike the one they'd encountered in Springvale. Imbued with Abyss energy, its Geo armor had become exceptionally hard.
Lydia's Anemo attacks left only shallow scratches on its surface. Far from harming it, these strikes merely enraged the creature further.
The Stonehide Lawachurl roared deafeningly, its cauldron-sized fist crashing down toward Lydia's chest.
She dodged sideways just in time, but the wind pressure from the strike still grazed her arm. The searing pain numbed her limb, nearly causing her to drop Festering Desire.
As Lydia staggered backward, her back suddenly collided with something hard.
Immediately, a powerful electric current surged through her body—it was the Hilichurl Electro Lawachurl!
Lydia groaned in pain, cold sweat beading on her forehead. The shock reopened an old, still-healing wound on her arm, blood dripping down her sleeve.
As she tried to raise Festering Desire to retaliate, a Rifthound lunged from behind, its sharp claws tearing three deep gashes across her shoulder. Crimson blood instantly stained her skirt.
Lydia collapsed to her knees, the impact sending a jolt of excruciating pain through her.
Jean and the others, watching the battle unfold, felt their hearts leap into their throats.
Just as Jean took a step forward to provide support, the space rift beneath the city walls suddenly widened. A dozen Ruin Guards lumbered out, their metallic joints grinding with a grating screech that echoed through the night.
Even more alarming was the sight of Ruin Graders trailing behind each Ruin Guard. Their cannons gleamed coldly, clearly fully charged and ready to fire.
"The weight of stone brings peace of mind!" Noelle declared with unwavering resolve, immediately activating her Geo Shield. Geo element solidified into armor around her Great Sword as she charged alone toward four Ruin Guards.
The Great Sword clashed against a Ruin Guard's fist with a deafening clang.
Noelle's arm went numb from the impact, her hand throbbing painfully, yet her gaze remained locked on Lydia in the distance, her eyes brimming with concern.
She desperately wanted to rush to the girl's aid, but she couldn't allow these mechanical monsters to approach the city walls.
Diluc's flames erupted among the monsters, instantly incinerating several Mitachurls into charred husks. New Ruin Guards emerged from the rift, their projectiles hurtling toward the city walls, sending shards of stone flying.
Forced to abandon supporting Lydia temporarily, Diluc turned to intercept the Ruin Guards, pinning them in place.
Sweat beaded on his temples; even the strongest warrior would be exhausted by such prolonged, high-intensity combat.
Kaeya had just frozen a Mitachurl about to swing its axe when a cannonball hurtled toward him.
He could only tumble awkwardly aside, dodging the blast that cratered the ground and cracked the ice crystals surrounding him.
His gaze darted to Lydia in the distance, her figure growing increasingly frail. His heart burned with urgency, but the relentless monsters clung to him like inescapable shadows, giving him no respite.
Everyone watched with bated breath as Lydia's movements grew slower under the monster onslaught. Her arms and legs were crisscrossed with claw marks and abrasions, and her movements grew increasingly sluggish.
Finally, as the Hilichurl Frostarm Lawachurl unleashed another icy breath, Lydia's foot slipped. Festering Desire clattered to the ground some distance away.
"Lydia!" Lumine's eyes burned with fury.
A trickle of blood oozed from her lips as she charged toward Lydia like a madwoman, Anemo energy erupting around her and instantly obliterating the Hilichurls in her path.
But the distance was still too great. She could only watch helplessly as a Rifthound bared its fangs and lunged for Lydia's throat.
The gleaming, razor-sharp teeth could easily sever the girl's carotid artery!
At that critical moment, a cyan-green arrow suddenly descended from the sky, striking the ground right in front of Lydia.
The instant the arrow landed, a violent burst of Anemo energy erupted.
Immediately afterward, a massive tornado materialized from thin air, sweeping all the monsters around Lydia high into the sky!
The monsters' roars were torn to shreds within the vortex. Their bodies collided and tumbled in the whirlwind before crashing heavily to the ground, dissolving into white light.
Stunned, Lydia slowly pushed herself up, gazing upward.
Through her blurred vision, a familiar cyan dragon swooped down from the clouds. The figure in a green cloak on the dragon's back made her breath catch in her throat.
Dvalin's wings beat powerfully, the resulting gusts of wind sending the remaining monsters staggering. He landed steadily before Lydia.
Venti hopped down from Dvalin's back. Using the dragon's massive form as cover, he floated gently toward Lydia, the Elegy for the End in his hand still glowing faintly with Anemo energy.
He maintained his usual carefree demeanor, his green cloak fluttering lightly in the wind.
But when Venti saw the wounds covering Lydia's body, the smile on his lips froze instantly, the tenderness in his eyes replaced by heartache.
He hurried forward, knelt down, and gathered green Anemo energy in his palm. With a gentle sweep, he brushed the claw marks on Lydia's shoulder, soothing the pain and gradually fading the bloodstains.
"Geez, what did my little drunkard get herself into this time?" Venti's voice was softer than usual, with a barely perceptible tremor.
He reached out to brush the dust from Lydia's cheek, his heart clenching as his fingertips touched her icy skin.
"I'm late. I'm so sorry you had to endure this."
Seeing Venti's familiar face and the genuine heartache in his eyes, Lydia's tears spilled over.
She had believed that Venti and Albedo would never return.
She had thought she would have to face these monsters alone, carrying the regrets of Lucy and the others...
She had even feared she would never hear Venti play his harp and sing again...
Yet here he was, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, descending before her with the Wind Dragon at her most desperate moment.
"Venti..." Lydia's voice choked with emotion. She reached out a trembling hand and clutched tightly to Venti's sleeve, as if grasping at the last straw. "You... you're finally back... I thought... I thought you weren't coming back..."
Venti gazed at Lydia's tear-reddened eyes and the wounds covering her body, a pang of pain stabbing through his heart like needles.
"I'm sorry for making you wait so long," he murmured, gently patting her hand, his voice as tender as melting snow. "The Abyss monsters were quite persistent and delayed me."
"But look, I'm here now, aren't I?" He paused, then reached down to help Lydia to her feet. Verdant Anemo energy swirled around her, stabilizing her posture. "Need any help, little one?"
Lydia nodded vigorously, tears still streaming down her face, but a faint smile gradually blossomed on her lips.
Venti chuckled softly, ruffling her hair before turning his gaze toward Lumine and the Knights, still locked in fierce combat. Verdant Anemo energy coalesced around him, forming a radiant aura.
"Don't worry," he declared. "With Dvalin and me here, Mondstadt will be safe! I've seen your unwavering dedication to protecting Mondstadt."
With these words, Venti released Lydia's hand and, stepping lightly on the wind, leaped onto Dvalin's back.
Dvalin unleashed a deafening roar and soared toward the monster horde. Verdant Anemo energy coalesced around him into massive wind vortexes, sweeping relentlessly through the ranks of monsters.
Seeing this, Lumine finally exhaled in relief, her tense shoulders slowly relaxing. With her agile movements, she broke free from the monsters' encirclement and hurried to Lydia's side, picking up Festering Desire from the ground and handing it to her. "Are you alright? Does your wound hurt?"
Lydia took the Festering Desire, her gaze fixed on Venti's figure and Dvalin's soaring azure form. A long-lost, genuine smile spread across her lips. "It doesn't hurt anymore..."
"Because... he's back."
High above, Venti turned and waved toward Lydia and Lumine, his cheerful voice carried on the Anemo currents.
"Ehe~ Leave the rest to me!"
"You two find a safe place to rest first. There's a lively party to attend later—I haven't even sung Happy Birthday to our little birthday girl yet!"