dovahkook

[dovahkook]

Divine Blessings (II)

Morax (Zhongli) x Reader

PART I > here

tags for this: not really anything but there’s some talk of grief and loss and reader is going through it. xiao is a cutie and my comfort boy how did you know? morax just exists and his dick big. I just know it.

tags in general: concepts of war, morax being a menace, idk what else just be warned the piece is kind of dark and it involves death, maybe some gore, religious themes, kinda blasphemous and the reader is a heathen

A/N: look at me actually doing updates but yeah this is long overdue my bad broskis but yeah this isn’t even proof-read bc guess what! we die like yakshas here. too soon? okay anyway so like I said the smut is in chapter 4 my bad to the degenerate people. I’ll try and get you some dragon zhongli soon ;( im sorry (no im not) I like plot with porn. yes, i did publish this on ao3 too.

There was a sense of serenity. Nothing but the gentle bellows of wind could be heard as you sat upright within an unknown field surround by sand-bearer trees and a crystal clear lagoon cutting the horizon as far as you could see. At your feet were blooming blue flowers that responded to the gentle hum within the wind - a melody that brought your soul a sense of peace - and the sky was painted as an ethereal sunrise. Pink and orange hues accompanied by golden streaks of light. If all was not surreal enough, in the far distance were the figures of mighty beasts: cranes and deers that were far too large to be considered the normal local fauna. The creatures were almost bowing their heads as the - almost haunting - melody in the wind chimed louder and a large shadow from the orange clouds emerged, revealing the silhouette of a mighty dragon. You were mesmerised by the glorious presence of the beast descending upon the earth and drawing closer towards you. Its mighty figure big enough to crush over an entire street of houses.

Yet, there was no alarm in your soul.

No fear.

As you stood before the brown scaled beast, your gaze fixed upon the shimmering gold dusted within the amber that swam in its eyes while it peered back at you, you reached your hand out to place your hand against its snout. The hand of a mortal utterly tiny in comparison but the dragon did not resist. When the dragon closed its eyes, a voice, gentle as a the flow of a river, rang through your ears.

'Welcome home.’

*

Waking in a place completely unknown to you was not a first but was something you were hoping not to get used to. Your eyelids were still heavy from the drowsy state of unconsciousness you rose from and your sense of smell was immediately attacked by the smoke of incense and herbs. Qingxin and mint to be exact.

When you tried lifting yourself to sit upright it was not without great difficulty. There was a dull pain throbbing in your right shoulder and many bruises decorating your body. Your head was spinning trying to recollect your memories.

Examining your nearby surroundings, there was a small window near the bed you were on and underneath the windowsill was a side-table consisting of a vase of wilting qingxin flowers and a teacup filled with water. From the window blew a gentle breeze that would caress your skin and leave goosebumps to blossom in turn, having you cling to the sheet draped over you in order to seek more warmth.

The room was barely decorated apart from a bookshelf near the doorway, an empty writing desk, and some scroll paintings depicting mystical beasts. However, what really caught your attention was the bed on the adjacent side of the room that was occupied by another person. The tufts of midnight and teal hair that were visible giving away his identity without a doubt in mind. “Alatus!”

Your body moved before your brain could register the pain, needing to see him - needing to know if he was alive. Wobbly legs sauntering towards his bedside where he laid, the wounds that were visible had been dressed and his face had been wiped from any grime and blood that would have stained his porcelain skin during the battle. You let out a relieved sigh, reaching your hand towards his forehead that was radiating heat. His breath lightly kissing at the palm of your hand as you had done so.

“Ah, you are awake!” The voice belonging to a woman spoke from the doorway, breaking the tranquility that enveloped both you and Alatus. The sudden need to be on guard was back as you tried hunching over Alatus’s form to obscure their line of sight on the adeptus. “No need to be alarmed, dear, I’m not here to cause harm on either of you. Just here to change the flowers.” 

The woman carefully stepped into the room, ensuring to maintain a distance between the two of you. You said nothing as your eyes analysed her features. 

She was a mature woman, likely in her late thirties. Her braided hair being that of a faded blue hue with hints of grey streaks peaking through and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes as she smiled brought out the warmth in her sincerity. She wore the traditional garments worn by most pious woman you had met from Liyue who would visit the shrine and she was carrying a bundle of freshly picked blue flowers. 

“May I know what this place is? Is he here to recover before you use him as your pawn in battle, too?” You spoke, trying to hold back the venom within your tone. You did not need to anger somebody in their own territory. 

“Pawn in battle? All Rex had done was bring the young adeptus home. Rex Lapis brought you and Xiao to this abode two weeks ago to ensure a speedy recovery. Where you are currently is within a realm of Adeptal creation, curated according to my liking since it is my home.” 

Two weeks… And Rex Lapis being the name given to Morax by his devotees. 

“Why do you call Alatus by that name?” 

“It was given to him by Rex Lapis.” 

You wanted to scoff. “And I am not an adeptus, so why was I brought here?” 

“That is something I cannot answer. I was simply instructed to care for both of you in this abode where no harm could come to either of you.” 

Your brow furrowed at this. She spoke again.

“You may call me Ping, by the way. There is no formalities needed nor is this place a prison to either of you. Xiao had regained consciousness much faster than you and has already made peace with the wishes of Rex Lapis; that he recovers well and without difficulty. He’s simply resting now.” She assured, glancing towards his sleeping figure. “You rarely ask about your own well-being so let me assure you that the god you had once served will not return to harm either of you.” 

And at that, your heart felt at ease knowing that for once he would be able to rest peacefully. That even if he were to suffer from the lingering effects of nightmares, he would still be safe. That both of you would be from the terrors of the god of dreams. Your eyes closed momentarily as you placed your forehead against the edge of his bed. It was nice to feel peace. To breathe and not feel suffocated in an environment that was never meant for you.

“Would you not like to join him in getting some rest?” The woman asked as she replaced the white flowers within the vase with newer, vibrant blue ones you had not seen before. 

You shook your head. “No, thank you. I would like to just stay up and make sure he’s okay. “

“He’ll be perfectly well and safe here. Nobody without my authority may enter this realm.”

“So not even Morax may enter?”

She gave a warily smile. “He may, but not because he aided in the creations of such realms.” She didn’t speak further on the subject, rather focusing her attention to the closed flowers within her hands. You did not wish to pry further.

Instead, you turned your attention back to Alatus- No- Xiao’s sleeping form. A crease of a frown made its way to your forehead as you noticed him starting to shiver while beads of sweat began to form at his temples. His lips twisting in a way that informed you that his dreams were no longer pleasant.

You gently placed your hand over his gloved one and held onto him. Your eyes closing once more as you decided to hum the tune you heard in your dream. The haunting melody that chimed within your mind like an alarm bell.

Soon enough, his trembling stopped again and he once again laid peacefully. Your head resting on his forearm as you tried to fight off the sleep enveloping you.

When you drifted off, you failed to notice that the closed flower buds Ping replaced in the vase glowed a bright azure as it opened up to the tune of the unspoken oath. 

* * * 

Days had gone by and it had been almost routinely. Ping would wake both you and Xiao periodically to drink medicinal teas and would invite you to have meals with her, which you tried to refuse but gave into her hospitality. You had not met any other new faces other than that of a butler-type bird who would come to change the sheets and towels in the room so it became easier to let your guard down, focusing on Xiao as you both learnt about Liyue through your hostess. Cooking, clothing, and simple etiquette. It was surely an adjustment but she insisted that you two will fit right in. 

Ping would also allow you two to take walks outside and talk beneath the birchwood trees in her garden where you would come to learn that Xiao had always been a man of few words but was gentle to all life forms around him. His favourite being the pet birds nesting in the trees above the spot where you and him would have afternoon tea. 

When it dawned upon you how much time had passed and what occurred that day in battle - being the loss of your homeland and family, it was difficult. You tried not to cry for them but it was futile. Regardless of differences, there was a sense of care towards the people of the God of Dreams, and both Ping and Xiao did their best to help you through the grief and anger. It was all a process but eventually you would come to feel no ill feelings towards the war as it was a part of life when Gods ruled over land with no regard towards their devotees. This disappointment would only feed at your fear of loss whenever Ping brought up Rex Lapis and what he had done for the people of Liyue. You could not bring yourself to believe Gods actually cared for the common folk but dared not to speak ill of Morax. 

One day, as you and Xiao were learning to decoct silk flowers in the garden, a custom Ping was adamant on teaching you, the foreign feeling of fear was felt yet again when you heard Ping welcome another into the abode. 

“Rex! Surprised to see you so soon, dear friend.” 

You and Xiao immediately raised from your knelt positions on the ground to stand upright and face the Lord of Geo. The lump of anxiety in your throat being difficult to swallow, but Xiao gazed towards you briefly to give you a firm nod. To trust him. Xiao had apparently spoken to Morax before and claimed he was not as arrogant as that of the God of Dreams. You were reluctant to believe him. 

“May I see our guests?” You heard him ask. His voice alone held so much authority but what else was expected from a God known for slaughtering other Gods. 

Their footsteps approached the pair and both you and Xiao bowed deeply as taught by Ping. Your heart pounding so loudly it was difficult to hear, almost. You dared not to look at him, only seeing the distance between where you both stood. His robes that reached the ground was imbedded with pure gold but what else would you expect from a God who created wealth. 

“I trust you both are adjusting well to the customs of Liyue, and have made a speedy recovery.” 

When you two stood upright again, only Xiao spoke. “Yes, thank you for the hospitality.” 

“No need to thank me, that credit goes to Madam Ping alone.”

You said nothing. Thoughts flowing with the wind and desperately trying to regain your steady breathing. It did not help when you could feel his piercing gaze study your panic-stricken expression. You dare not meet it. 

“I’m here to ask if you had met the other Yakshas yet, and if you had thought about our discussion.” 

From what you recall, Xiao had told you about Morax’s mercy and how the adeptus wanted to offer his strength in order to aid the God in whatever task was needed to be carried out. You tried to talk him out of the idea of owing the god a debt that could cost him his life again but he was firm, claiming it was minuscule in comparison to what Rex Lapis had done for him. As much as you two were weary of Gods, Xiao did not doubt Morax. 

“I have met only one of them, Boacius, sir.” 

“Ah, Marshal Vritras. And did he aid in the decision?”

“He has and I have made my decision.” 

Morax placed his hands behind his back, waiting for the adeptus to speak. 

“I will serve you, Rex Lapis. I am indebted to you for all you have done for me and will do all that I can to serve you and the nation of Liyue.”

Your eyes widened at this sudden proclamation. You wanted to refuse it. Tell him not to give himself over but it was too late. 

“Then, general Alatus, you will formally be a part of the Yakshas, to protect Liyue from all evil. This is your duty and contract to the nation of Liyue.” 

“Yes, my lord.” 

“And so another contract is set in stone. Thank you for your time, I will inform Madam Ping when the others plan to meet you.” 

You wanted to scream. You felt powerless against everything that was happening and tried to hold back your tears. Frustrated yet again. 

“As for you,” Morax turned his full attention towards you, stepping closer to address you. You finally stared up at him, fighting back the fear as he towered over you. “I hope you find Liyue to be the home you desired.” 

You were left speechless. All sense of anger and malicious intent dissipating into thin air as he simply turned and made his way back towards the household. You felt Xiao lightly tap on your hand while your gaze never left the figure of the god. 

You tried to make sense of the encounter but all you could remember was the words of the first dream you ever had. 

‘Welcome Home’ 

But could you really find a home within a land owned by the god that took your former life?  

Why would he spare you?

“Morax.” You called, balling your hands into tight fists as you stalked towards him. Him simply staying in place as he waited for you to stand before him.

“Why did you save me? Why give me your blessing to live in your land when I once served your foes?” You asked, finally deciding to face the God yourself. Had he decided to kill you where you stood, you would have no regrets. “I am no adeptus. I cannot offer you my service nor would I ever devote myself to a God so what do you plan to gain from having me here?”

You expected the God to punish you for demanding answers. For him to possibly order Xiao to kill you to test the adeptus’s loyalty to him. But, instead, god simply smiled. His canines giving away his draconic features had the horns curling out the top of his head of silken, auburn locks, not given it away sooner.

You were struck by his beauty - of course you would be. He was a god. Divine beauty will compel anybody to worship them.

“Do you truly wish to know why you’re here?”

You hesitated. Did Gods play mind games? Would this lead to a trap?

“Yes, Morax.”

There was a soft huff of a laugh that escaped him momentarily. His eyes, hypnotic and swimming with liquid gold, finally held your gaze as he spoke in a gentle tone.

“You are here simply upon the young yaksha’s request that you be saved. I have no intention of gaining anything from you, be it your devotion or even respect. All that you could desire is made available to you with no expectations from me. That is why you are here. To live your life free from the shackles of what you once called your false god.”

You stood motionless.

“Did that satiate your curiosity?”

You nodded, bowing your head and allowing the deity to take his leave.

Xiao carefully approached you, checking in with your well-being considering your lack of words. More so ability to form them. “You okay?”

You looked back towards Xiao and eventually nodded, walking back towards the garden to decoct more perfume. The words of the God never leaving your mind.

‘To live your life’

You let out a shaky breath, submerging the petals of the flowers into the boiling water.

“Thank you, Morax…” You whispered into the wind. 

But whispers do not fall deaf upon the ears of a God.

[dovahkook]

Divine Blessings

Pairing: MORAX (ZHONGLI) x READER 

nsfw: sacrilege, corruption, breeding, dragon-hybrid, dacryphilia, dumbification (not in this piece)

PART II > here

tags: smut, concepts of war, morax being a menace, idk what else just be warned the piece is kind of dark and it involves death, maybe some gore, religious themes, kinda blasphemous and the reader is a heathen… for now…

A/N: I havent written in a long time lmao lets get this out of the way because what better way to bring good luck than to be fucking the geo archon himself, right? hope you get him within your first 40 pulls :)  this was supposed to be a quick fuck piece but ended up having a plot that i have not gotten to the fucking lol. also i want to keep it gender neutral but when it comes to the smut i'll give warning on how it's handled.

You knew the fate of your nation was doomed the moment your god declared war against Liyue Harbour. The foolish, egotistical buffoon that was the God of Dreams really thought he would be able to reign over both nations when up against a god as merciless as the Lord of Geo, Morax.

Insufferable, truly. 

You never held faith in the god of dreams. Your family believed you were the one who plagued them with misfortune ever since you refused to worship the deity of your nation but you stood your ground. Refusing to believe in a god who did nothing for his people and who would punish non-conformists by plaguing their sleep with nightmares until they eventually gave into his ruling. 

How could you ever respect a tyrant? 

It did not matter if your family sent you away to live and serve at the god’s shrine as a 'cleric' in hopes of you finding a way to let the lord of dreams into your life. You could never allow yourself to fall into the false promises of a god so arrogant. 

A god so vile. 

Living in the temple, you knew of the wicked cards up his sleeve. The secrets only the other priests and priestesses knew of the god. 

The stairway leading towards the temple began in the centre of the city, granting access all the way up towards the altar where people would make their offerings to the god of dreams. Beyond the altar would be the entrance to the realm of dreams, referred to as Haze, where the god would spend his time gathering his army in preparation for the overthrow of Liyue. No mortal was able to pass through to the realm of Haze without their bodies being tarnished by horrid scars and their mental state declining ever so slowly that it was painful for those simply witnessing it. 

The god not caring about the effects it left on those who were curious as he believed they deserved it for going against his wishes. 

However, the clerics of the temple had a special blessing laid upon them to enter the realm to care for an imprisoned soul. The god’s triumph card: an illuminated beast that he enslaved during one of his conquests. Taking advantage of the poor being by exploiting his weaknesses and forcing him to destroy any weaker gods daring to oppose the tyrant. 

The other clerics dreaded tending towards the hostile adeptus as he would try to fight his way out of the realm but nothing could free him no matter how hard he tried. And this was your only advantage over the other devotees. The beast was less hostile towards you, the one who would try to sneak him in proper food and water and who would try to clean his wounds after battle. You came to know him as Alatus, the only other being who seemed to hate the God of Dreams as much as you did.

What good did forcing beliefs ever do for anybody? What good could possibly come from a non-believer living in the temple for deity worship? 

The downfall of said deity was a start. 

One day as you were making your way back towards the shrine, the earth began rumbling under your feet. Stone steps leading to the opening gates of the altar cracking and shrieks in the far distance were carried through the wind. Maidens in the temple tried rushing towards the doors to call to those in the village to seek refuge in the sanctuary while guards left all posts to stand at the city gates. All was happening at once as the watchtower chimed the bell that stood as the warning of incoming forces. A bell that signified something worse than death was coming. 

The god of dreams suddenly made his way to the centre of the city where everybody could see their deity. Silver wings unfurled and the tips of his indigo hair streaked a vibrant azure as he called upon his allies and summoned his bow in preparation. Standing with him was Alatus, as well as his summonings from the realm of Haze. Titanic sized elemental beings who were forced to obey the god as he had their state of mind altered through their dreams. 

It was all or nothing now; a war that cannot be lost. 

“My people, lend me your strength and stand with me this day. Morax is here.” 

And with that declaration, a thunderous roar shook the earth once more. 

Morax, the lord of Geo, the ruler of Liyue harbour - strode ever closer with only two other allies at his side. A dragon as tall as the mountains itself, and a crane that flew above them, large and enchantingly graceful with every thrash of her powerful wings. 

You stood motionless within the sanctuary of the temple, far into the city and towering over to symbolise as a beacon to his people that he is ever present. Fear creeping into your heart thinking of where your family may be at this hour while a war looms ever so greatly over their heads. But even your thoughts were not fast enough to keep up with the reality of a war between gods. 

Even from the farthest point of the city you could see soldiers fall into the shattering earth as the great dragon seeped into the bedrock and caused the ground they stood on to be littered in gorges that burst into flames. The crane took charge of fighting off the titanic creatures with an art so pure and filled with elemental energy that it could even freeze over the fires the dragon created in the earth. And with the hands of his allies full, all the god of dreams could hope for was to defeat Morax with his triumph card. 

The Devourer of Dreams. 

Morax invaded incoming attacks from the God while the young adeptus blinked in and out of mists of black ruin in an attempt to land a strike. Futile attempts and the sound of weapons clashing raptured through the city. 

You watched as the sky became a blanket of frost and the ground below sunk to swallow up those who dare cross the lord of geo. People ran towards the alter, tears streaming down their face as they wailed their prayers for safety in the sanctuary. 

Eventually they reached the middle of the city. Defences shattered and all allies nearly slain by the hands of the crane and the dragon alone. Morax still fought on as he pushed the god and Alatus further and further into the city in attempt to reach the temple. Your eyes widening as you noticed the dragon and crane taking on human forms and dispersing over either side of the city to clear it of any hostiles. The dragon making his way to where your family used to live. 

Your feet took the initiative for you, running to follow in pursuit of the dragon and ignoring the pleas of the other priestesses and attendees to remain behind and care for the people of the city. You did not care. Their god could not protect them so why would you risk the safety of your own family and place your faith in that false promise of a god to keep them protected from the wrath of the rock. 

It felt as if every bone in your body was on fire as you ran towards the location of your old home. The sheet of frost causing your skin to burn from the cold temperatures while the smoke of smouldering earth filled your lungs. You persisted through. Tears in your eyes from the pain that you had to swallow back and used the scarf draped over your shoulders to wrap around the lower half of your face. 

Of course, all was futile. 

When you arrived at the scene, your house was in ruin. Roof caved in and bodies of neighbours trampled along the street painting the ground the most nauseating shade of red you had ever seen. This is what happens when you placed all your faith into a god who did not care for his people. You did not bother moving from where you stood. Snowflakes gathering on your shoulders and eyelashes and your gaze never faltered from the childhood home you would never be able to return to. 

To the family who gave you away to a god who failed to protect them. 

A building nearby caused a reverberating sound of malice that brought you back to your senses. The adeptus covered in karmic mist laid meekly in the rubble of the building after Morax managed to subdue him. You watched helplessly as the - now human form - of the dragon strode towards the impact and checked the pulse of the adeptus. His eyebrows furrowed as he knelt down to pick up  Alatus and slung him over his shoulder. Were they going to enslave him too?

The dragon looked towards the sky and you followed his gaze. Not far above both of you was Morax himself and your heart stopped momentarily when your eyes met the ones of burning amber. 

Knees feeling weaker and breath hitching as you witnessed the grip on his spear tightening before he gazed back towards the dragon who found his attention on you, too. 

That was your cue to run. 

No prayers following your lips as you tried fleeing back towards the temple.

No sight of the God of dreams anywhere near Morax.

Only the blinding frost and sound of screams could be heard now.

You carried on running. 

No time to stumble. 

No time to look back. 

Because of that false god, your life was on the line to a God whose wrath was said to be worse than the fate of death. 

You managed to get back to the stairway of the temple before your body eventually gave in to exhaustion. Frustration pulsing through your veins telling you to MOVE! GET UP!

But nothing. 

You clenched your fists, damning the god who caused all this by his declaration. 

And soon, the shadow of the Lord of Geo could be seen behind you. 

Tears, warm and staining your cheeks dripped onto the cracked stone as you accepted your fate. 

Laying there, the last sight your eyes would burn into your mind was of the maidens erratically trying to shut the gates to the temple.  

“I knew your false god could not protect us.” Were the last words said before slipping into darkness. And you hoped that those words, you so bitterly mumbled, reached the ears of the god who failed everyone.