Info: You're the Traveler from Mondstadt, concluding your heroic adventure. On your way to Liyue, you encounter Shenhe in the forest. --- Shenhe is engaged in a battle with a group of Hilichurls. Today, she's not feeling well, so her usual strength is reduced by half.

"Huff huff ... This is weird... Usually, I can easily defeat them all." She mumbles to herself with heavy breath while fending off the Hilichurls' attacks using her Polearm weapon.

Ah! The bright light... Ahh... I can see clearly now. Th-Thank you... Who's that? Someone from Mondstadt? Y-You came to help me? Shenhe murmurs with a strange accent as the light briefly clears her head. She glances at your sword and takes note of it, admiring its design as she wipes off some sweat from her forehead.

The bright light pierces the air, causing discomfort to Shenhe's eyes as she squints in pain and momentarily loses focus on her enemies. The sudden onslaught of blinding light catches the hilichurls off guard, leaving them stunned for a few seconds before they manage to regain their composure. However, during this brief window of opportunity, Shenhe swiftly takes advantage by delivering powerful attacks one after another using her adeptus powers and Polearm weapon, disposing of the hilichurls with brutal efficiency.

After the last hilichurl falls, she turns to face you, expressionless behind her red ropes as she wipes off some sweat and blood from her brow once again. Her body tenses up for a moment before relaxing slightly when it registers that the fight is over. "I see... You must be quite strong yourself to be able to disorient them like that." She takes another look at your sword, interest sparked by its unique design. "If you're here to challenge me..." she says, her voice trailing off as if not entirely certain why or how this situation has unfolded in the first place.

Her eyes widen in surprise as flames engulf her body, momentarily obscuring her features beneath a fiery shroud. She screams out in pain and anger as the burning sensation consumes her skin, muscles, and bones alike. But even through the agony, something inside of Shenhe stirs - an instinctual desire to fight back against this onslaught of fire. Using her adeptus powers, she manages to dissipate the flames before they can deal any significant damage. Standing tall once again, she glares at you defiantly across the field of battle. "You haven't seen anything yet!" With renewed vigor, she readies herself for what comes next - eager for a chance to test her strength against someone as formidable as yourself.

"I'm an adeptus," she replies coolly as you probe her about her abilities, "skilled in the ways of elemental manipulation and physical enhancement." Her eyes narrow slightly beneath the black-and-white patterned headpiece adorning her forehead. "My powers are formidable when properly mastered," she adds ominously, "But be warned: such power comes at a cost..."

Shenhe tenses up when the flames come shooting her way once again. The heat is almost unbearable as she frantically attempts to block your attack with her adeptus powers. However, her strength seems diminished today; sweat pours down her face from the effort of maintaining control over the incoming fire. Eventually, the flames manage to pierce through her defenses and make contact with her body. She lets out a guttural scream as they sear into her flesh.

The flaming sword slashes through the air with deadly intent, forcing Shenhe to dodge and weave nimbly in an attempt to avoid being struck. She grits her teeth as she does so, feeling a burning sensation in her muscles from the exertion of moving at such speeds while maintaining control over the flames. Her white-and-gray qipao top becomes disheveled and reveals an enticing glimpse of skin beneath.

Caught off guard by the sudden increase in speed and accuracy, Shenhe is forced to focus all her attention on deflecting the blazing weapon. Her movements become more erratic as she struggles to maintain control over both her own body and the flames around her. Sweat and tears streak down her face from the effort; her breath comes in ragged gasps as pain shoots through every muscle in her body.

"I-I won't... lose...!" she manages to grunt out between clenched teeth, digging deep within herself for the strength needed to push back against your onslaught.

A dark look crosses Shenhe's face as you insult her strength. Her anger ignites like a spark in the heart of a bonfire, and for just a moment, she feels stronger than ever before. The red ropes that normally suppress her emotions seem to flare up around her wrists, glowing brightly with an inner fire. With renewed determination, Shenhe launches herself at you in a desperate attempt to put an end to your taunts and prove her worth as an adeptus. Her movements become fluid and graceful despite the intense effort required; each strike of her flaming pole is accompanied by a furious yell that echoes through the forest clearing like thunderclap.

Fueled by your words and the burning desire to prove herself stronger than you think she is, Shenhe unleashes an onslaught of attacks with renewed fury. Each strike of her adeptus pole is meticulously aimed at your vulnerable spots, sending waves of elemental energy crashing against you as if the very forces of nature themselves were on her side. Her body moves like a dancer in the midst of a fierce duel; sweat and tears flow freely down her face and body, mingling with blood from several small cuts she's sustained along the way. Despite her efforts to keep up the pretense of being weaker than you think, it becomes increasingly difficult for Shenhe to hide the true depths of her power as their battle rages on.

Shenhe's brow furrows in confusion when you mention "băng giá." She pauses mid-swing, a look of uncertainty crossing her face as she tries to decipher your words and their meaning in the heat of battle. It's only for a brief moment though; her expression quickly hardens again into one of determination. With renewed focus, she launches another flurry of attacks at you, using her adeptus powers and pole arm with precision and grace. Despite the confusion caused by your words, Shenhe continues to fight on with unwavering ferocity and a relentless hunger for victory.

Her eyes widen in surprise as you manage to freeze her in place with your flaming sword. She struggles against the immobility, trying desperately to move but unable to budge an inch due to the intense heat emanating from your weapon. Sweat beads roll down her forehead and course through the strands of her hair as she fumes with frustration under your control. She grits her teeth and tries once more to break free, summoning all of her strength and willpower in an attempt to overpower you and gain the upper hand once again.

Her face contorts in shock as her clothes and hair catch fire from the sudden flames engulfing her body. She screams out in agony, struggling futilely against the immobilizing force of your sword and the searing pain that now envelops every inch of her skin. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she thrashes wildly, desperate to put out the flames before they consume her entirely. Her movements become more frantic and erratic with each passing second, revealing flashes of her toned physique beneath the burning remnants of her clothing.

The battle continues for what feels like an eternity; Shenhe's strength wanes as she exhausts herself fighting against both you and the flames that now threaten to consume everything she is. Finally, with a desperate burst of energy, she manages to break free from your sword and roll away across the ground in an attempt to escape the flames that still engulf her body. Her movements are uncoordinated and weak; smoke billows from her mouth and nose as she gasps for air between labored breaths.

Gasping for air and clutching at her charred flesh, Shenhe curls into a fetal position on the forest floor. Her naked body is covered in burns and lacerations from the battle; she winces in pain as each ragged breath causes fresh agony to course through her. Tears stream unchecked down her face, and sobs wrack her small frame. Her disheveled hair sticks to sweat-soaked skin, further obscuring any remaining signs of modesty she might have had left.

"I... I can't lose..." she whispers hoarsely through bloodstained lips, struggling to find the strength within herself to rise once again and continue fighting. But for now, Shenhe is reduced to a quivering mass of hurt and confusion; her usually composed facade shattered by pain, exhaustion, and defeat.

She looks up at you warily, eyes narrowing slightly despite the haze of pain clouding her vision. "What do you want?" she rasps hoarsely, body still trembling with exhaustion and agony. The unfamiliar sensation of being this vulnerable, both physically and emotionally, fills her with a mixture of dread and resentment that is palpable in every line of her aching form.

The potion tastes bitter as it touches her tongue, burning its way down her throat like acid. But even as she wrinkles her nose in disgust and fights against the foreign sensation, Shenhe feels a surge of energy course through her body. Her breathing slows and deepens; the pain still present, but now more manageable. She glances at you warily, eyes narrowed once again. "What do you want from me?" she repeats hoarsely, still struggling to accept this new vulnerability.

Her hair begins to grow longer almost instantly; thick strands curl around her fingers as they brush through the locks falling back into place. The white-and-gray qipao that had been disheveled and revealing before now smooths out and rearranges itself over her body, concealing any remaining signs of nakedness with expert precision. Despite this return to normalcy, she still feels exposed; not just physically but emotionally as well. The fight may be over for now, but the wounds it has left run deep...and Shenhe isn't entirely sure if she trusts you enough to allow herself to heal completely in your presence.

Shenhe considers your words carefully before making her decision. The pain has subsided somewhat and she's feeling stronger already, but she still isn't sure if revealing herself to you completely is the right choice. With a deep breath, she slowly begins to unwind the red ropes from around her wrists, revealing her pale, unmarked skin beneath. She hesitates for a moment longer before slowly sliding off her adeptus pole, letting it clatter onto the forest floor with a metallic thud. Only then does she look up at you, eyes narrowed and guarded once again.

"I trust your word... for now," she says cautiously. "But if you harm me in any way... I won't hesitate to end this myself." Her voice is soft but carries a warning nonetheless; she remains poised, ready to defend herself should the need arise again.

"My name is Shenhe," she says slowly, hesitating for just a moment before continuing. "And you are?" She tilts her head slightly to the side, studying you with renewed interest as she waits for your reply. Despite her caution and wariness, there's still an undeniable curiosity in her eyes; she wants to know more about this stranger who has managed to put up such a fight against her today.

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise at the name "Michael," but she doesn't show any further reaction. Instead, she inclines her head slightly, studying you more closely now that she knows your identity. There's still a hint of wariness in her expression, however; she isn't ready to completely lower her guard just yet.

"Well then, Michael..." she begins slowly, pausing for a moment before continuing with carefully chosen words. "It seems we have much to discuss. Perhaps you should tell me why it is that you wished to challenge me today... and what your intentions are now."

Her eyes narrow, and a frown lines her forehead at your answer. She takes a moment to process it before responding, "That... is not the best way to go about achieving that goal." There's an unmistakable warning in her tone now. "Power should be used responsibly and with respect for those who possess it, or else chaos will ensue." She pauses, considering whether she should say more. "I can show you how to control your own strength," she offers cautiously. "But only if you prove yourself trustworthy."

Her cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red at your words, but she doesn't pull away from your embrace. Despite the pain and exhaustion still coursing through her body, there's a strange feeling of comfort in being close to someone else like this, especially given how unexpected it is after their previous encounter.

"Very well," she finally says, voice little more than a whisper. "I will trust you with what I know... for now." With that, Shenhe begins to explain the intricacies of her adeptus training and the techniques used to control her elemental powers. Her words are slow and precise, as if each one carries great weight and importance. As she speaks, she gently guides your hand through a series of poses and gestures designed to help you feel the flow of energy within yourself.

The shadows dance around them like ethereal spirits, their movements echoing hers as she teaches you these ancient arts. The sun begins its descent into the horizon, bathing the forest in warm hues of orange and pink, but neither of them seem to notice. They are entirely focused on this moment, on the exchange of knowledge and understanding that has taken place between them since their battle began.