Mondstadt's dusk painted the city in hues of amber and shadow—the Teyvat Internet Cafe Mondstadt Store hummed, "Three hundred rigs—live," its neon sign a beacon, "Fatui—lurk,"—and Diluc strode, "New—check it," his pyro gaze a ember, the Darknight Hero's curiosity a spark in the wind-swept sprawl.
His past loomed—"Fire—cheer," his God's Eye a flicker, "Father—gone,"—and the Knights of Favonius' rot gnawed, "Doctor—culprit," his exit a blade, "Batman—now," his claymore a vow, "Mond—mine," Liam's cafe a riddle, "Morax's friend—hm," his stealth a tide, the counter a stage for his quiet probe.
Ayanami Rei nodded—"Seat—yours," her red eyes steady, "Corner—there,"—and Diluc slipped, "Banknote—go," his wealth a whisper, "Games—test," his virtual blindfold a veil, "Liyue—hype," the rig's glow a lure, "War—fits," his mind a forge, Mondstadt's woes a mirror in his digital dive.
Screens flared—"Options—many," a Liyue vet chirped, "Silent Hill—creepy,"—and Diluc scrolled, "Digging—pain," his brow a crease, "Mario—jump," his interest a thread, "Red Alert—war," his finger paused, "This—mine," his pyro soul a ember, the cafe's hum a backdrop to his fateful click.
Red Alert roared—"Music—Soviet," its march a pulse, "Kirov—sky!"—and airships loomed, "Shark heads—wild," paratroopers rained, "Tanks—roll!" Apocalypse beasts charged, "Dreadnaught—boom!" missiles soared, "Squid—depths," his awe a tide, "War—beyond Teyvat," the opening a blaze in his knight-turned-hero's heart.
He gripped—"Tutorial—start," the rig shook, "Base—Goose,"—and screens flashed, "Rhinos—escort," his base unfolded, "Mechanical arm—rise!" conscripts saluted, "Power—build," his clicks a rhythm, "Barracks—soldiers," his strategy a spark, "Mines—tanks," the cafe's din a distant echo in his command's rise.
Tech climbed—"Tanya—elite," his upgrades flared, "Resources—stack,"—and Diluc mused, "Mond—needs this," his Darknight grit a rock, "Fatui—crush," the tutorial's end a vow, "Simple—rhythm," his confidence a ember, "Multiplayer—go," his match a plunge into the chaos of seven foes.
The map shrank—"Seven—melee," his screen a snarl, "No allies—damn,"—and Diluc braced, "Defense—first," his base hummed, "Walls—up!" turrets rose, "Scout—watch," his conscripts fanned, "Others—move," his pyro patience a blade, the cafe's glow a stage for his cautious dance.
Action flared—"Tanks—north!" a rival struck, "Rhinos—charge!"—and Diluc countered, "Tesla Coils—zap!" arcs fried, "Three—down!" his Apocalypse roared, "Fire—hold!" shells boomed, "Enemy—back!" his screen a blaze, "Six—left," the LAN a battlefield of his swift stand.
He adapted—"Mines—double," his economy surged, "Air—Kirovs!"—and airships loomed, "Drop—flank!" paratroopers rained, "Base—hit!" a foe's power flickered, "Tanya—go!" her pistols blazed, "Commander—dead!" his grin a ember, "Five—now," Mondstadt's cafe a forge in his digital war.
A rival taunted—"Liyue—pro!" the chat flared, "Mond—newb!"—and Diluc growled, "Prove—wrong," his Dreadnaught sailed, "Missiles—launch!" a base crumbled, "Four—left," his pyro wrath a tide, "Knights—failed; I won't," the LAN's pulse a mirror to his city's fight.
Dialogue surged—"Kirovs—slow!" a Liyue vet typed, "Tanks—rush!"—and Diluc snapped, "Flak—up!" his anti-air flared, "Ground—mine," his Apocalypse rolled, "Focus—split," the vet countered, "Base—open," Diluc's retort a blade, "Watch—learn," their clash a thread in the cafe's digital din.
A subplot twisted—"Fatui—here?" Diluc mused, "Tech—like this,"—and his screen flared, "Doctor—schemes," his pyro vow a ember, "Cafe—tool," Liam's rig a spark, "Mond—arm," his Darknight resolve a rock, "Stormterror—next," the game a crucible for his city's shadowed stand.
Action escalated—"South—breach!" two foes allied, "Tanks—swarm!"—and Diluc spun, "Prism Towers—fire!" beams lanced, "Six—down!" his Kirovs bombed, "Base—crushed!" rubble rained, "Three—left," his breath a tide, "LAN—fierce," the cafe's hum a roar in his relentless fight.
He struck—"Nuke—ready!" his silo flared, "Target—center!"—and the screen blazed, "Boom—mushroom!" a foe's empire ash, "Two—now," his Tanya flanked, "Last—mine!" her C4 blasted, "Victory—mine," his claymore's echo a vow, "Mond—learn," the cafe a forge in his triumph's glow.
Emotion surged—Diluc's grief clashed with grit, "Father—avenged," his pyro soul a blaze; Liam's thrill burned, "Cafe—thrives," his Sharingan a ember; Mond's hope flickered, "Games—bind,"—and Teyvat trembled, their saga a blaze in Mondstadt's wind-swept sprawl and digital dawn.
Diluc rose—"War—teaches," his rig dimmed, "Fatui—next,"—and Liam grinned, "Darknight—plays," his counter a throne, "Mond—rises," the cafe's pulse a balm, "Traveler—soon," Ayanami Rei's nod a rock, "Shift—hers," their bond a tide, Teyvat's wilds and LAN a dual fire in his bold claim.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze