#0th Harbinger

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

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MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

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Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Story also available om Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

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Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐

𝐋𝐢𝐲𝐮𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞

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It had been three days since the funeral...

You sat on a couch, draped in a silky nightgown, your gaze wandering around your bedroom.

You couldn't help but wonder why, all of a sudden, maids and servants were bustling about your room and home, while Fatui Guards patrolled your residence.

You had always lived alone, cherishing the quiet and stillness of your home atop a hill in Snezhnaya. The solitude was your sanctuary, a place where you could exist without intrusion.

So... what had changed? You had never requested such an absurd arrangement.

And then your eyes fell on the huge pile of expensive-looking gifts stacked neatly on your coffee table.

'Why in Teyvat would someone send you so many gifts?!' you thought, annoyance bubbling up inside you. Slowly, you felt your patience waning, your eye twitching in irritation.

"Lady Innamorati," a maid's voice called out, breaking your thoughts. You turned to see a row of maids lined up, each bowing respectfully as your gaze met theirs before they knelt. The one who spoke wore slightly different attire, suggesting she was the Head Maid.

"We were sent by Pantalone," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "We are here to assist you in any way and to guard you."

"Why were you all sent?" you asked, your quiet and cold tone sending shivers down their spines.

"A-as compensation, Lady Innamorati," the Head Maid stammered in fear. "Pantalone learned that the escorts ran away the moment they saw you. He sent these gifts, along with maids and guards, as a form of apology."

When you remained silent, the Head Maid quickly added, "If this is a problem, we can leave immediately!"

You sighed, exasperated by the unnecessary fuss. "...I don't care," you muttered, dismissing the situation with a wave of your hand.

The other maids exchanged nervous glances before one of them, hands trembling, stepped forward holding one of the many gifts. "L-Lady Innamorati, would you like to open a gift from Pantalone?" she asked hesitantly.

You noticed her hands shaking and asked, "Are you cold?" Your gaze moved from her face to the others, who seemed equally uneasy.

"N-no, Lady Innamorati!" she shook her head quickly.

You sighed, realizing their fear. "You don't need to be afraid of me," you said in a gentler tone. "I don't bite, nor do I kill innocent people out of nowhere, despite what the rumors say."

Her face flushed with embarrassment, and the Head Maid stepped forward. "I must apologize for our behavior—"

"There's no need for an apology," you interrupted softly.

The maids exchanged relieved smiles, and the maid handed you the gift.

The gift was elegantly wrapped in luxurious paper, adorned with intricate designs and topped with a satin ribbon. You pulled on the ribbon, and the wrapping fell away to reveal a dark wooden box. Its surface was smooth and polished to a high sheen. You ran your finger over it, appreciating its fine craftsmanship before opening it.

Inside, nestled in velvet lining, was an exquisitely crafted set of red lipstick and eyeliner. The lipstick was encased in a gold-plated tube with delicate engravings, and the eyeliner's sleek design spoke of its high value.

Your eyes widened as memories from your past came flooding back. These items looked remarkably similar to those you had once cherished.

A rare smile broke across your face, a smile so uncommon that it felt almost foreign. In that moment, you might have remembered what it felt like to smile genuinely.

"Please convey my kind regards to Pantalone. I like this gift very much," you said with a light and soft tone, so gentle that the tension in the room dissipated. The maids visibly relaxed, their expressions softening.

"Yes, I will immediately relay your regards," the Head Maid replied, bowing deeply before exiting your bedroom.

"The makeup will surely suit you well, my Lady!" one maid said with an excited voice, her smile radiant.

"Then how about pairing it with these?" another maid suggested, presenting an incredibly high-quality box. Inside, nestled in plush velvet, lay an exquisite set of earrings and a necklace crafted from diamonds and crystals. The craftsmanship was impeccable, each gem catching the light and sparkling brilliantly.

"Another gift from Pantalone?" you asked, your eyes fixated on the pair of dazzling accessories.

"Yes!" the maid replied eagerly. "He wanted to ensure your happiness."

You examined the jewelry, appreciating the intricate design and the flawless cut of each gem. It was clear that no expense had been spared. The diamonds and crystals were of the highest quality, their brilliance unmatched. The necklace was elegant and refined, the earrings delicate yet striking.

"Such beautiful pieces," you murmured, tracing a finger over the diamonds. "Pantalone has truly outdone himself."

The maids exchanged pleased glances, their faces lighting up with pride at your approval. They had never seen you so engaged, and their excitement was palpable.

"Shall we assist you in trying them on, my Lady?" the Maid offered, her voice filled with anticipation.

You nodded, allowing them to help you with the delicate jewelry. As they fastened the necklace around your neck and secured the earrings, you caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. The makeup and jewelry complemented each other perfectly, enhancing your natural beauty in a way that made you look even more ethereal.

"Thank you," you said softly, a rare smile gracing your lips once more. The maids beamed, their efforts rewarded by your approval.

As you sat back down, you couldn't help but feel a slight warmth in your heart. Despite the loneliness and the icy reputation you carried, there was a small comfort in knowing that someone, even someone as calculating as Pantalone, cared enough to send such thoughtful gifts.

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, and a Fatui Skirmisher barged in, holding an important-looking letter aloft. "Lady Innamorati...." He trailed off, his gaze fixated on your silky nightgown, which clung elegantly to your beautiful form.

"Hey! Don't look!" one maid shouted. "How dare you!" another maid scolded, rushing to shield you from his prying eyes. The skirmisher's face flushed bright red, and he quickly bowed.

"I apologize for barging in, my Lady! But an urgent letter from Her Royal Highness, the Tsaritsa, has arrived for you," he stammered, holding out the letter. One of the maids swiftly snatched it from his hand and ushered the skirmisher out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.

She handed you the letter with a bow, and you took it, breaking the wax seal to reveal its contents. As you read, your eyes scanned over the elegant script:

'Dear Innamorati,

I deeply regret the incident involving Childe. Please accept my sincerest apologies on his behalf.

Your presence is required in Liyue. Your mission is to capture Osial, dead or alive, and deliver him to Dottore for experimentation. This task is of utmost importance. Failure is not an option.

Remember, Innamorati, the fate of our plans rests upon your shoulders.

Her Royal Highness, Tsaritsa'

Your smile faded as you read the letter. "Liyue... The Land of Contracts," you murmured, the name conjuring up a flood of fragmented memories.

Your expression grew distant. Liyue was a place you had avoided for a long time, a place associated with pain and loss.

The memories were always hazy, shrouded in the fog of time, yet the underlying emotions were unmistakable. Something terrible had happened there, something you had been trying to forget.

The maids noticed your change in demeanor, their faces filled with concern. "My Lady, is everything alright?" the maid asked softly.

You took a deep breath, regaining your composure. "I will prepare for the journey to Liyue. Please ensure everything is in order."

The maids nodded, already moving to assist you in changing into more appropriate attire for travel. They brought forth a luxurious yet practical ensemble, suitable for the journey ahead and the potential battles to come.

Once ready, you stood before the mirror, your appearance now befitting the formidable 0th Harbinger. The makeup and jewelry from Pantalone added an air of grace and power, while your new attire showcased your readiness for the mission.

With a final glance around your room, you felt a mix of determination and resignation. The journey ahead would be perilous, but failure was not an option.

As you stepped out into the cold, snowy landscape, your mind focused on the task at hand. The fate of the Fatui's plans and the will of the Tsaritsa rested upon your success.

"Osial," you whispered to yourself, the name echoing in the frigid air.

"I will not fail."

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You stopped at the edge of the hill, gazing down at the city below, bathed in a sea of lights and floating paper lanterns.

The Lantern Festival was in full swing, painting the night with a warm, ethereal glow. Each lantern, carefully crafted and illuminated from within, drifted upwards like a myriad of tiny stars, carrying the hopes and wishes of the people of Liyue Harbor.

The city was alive with a joyful buzz, music and laughter echoing through the streets, creating a stark contrast to the cold stillness of your perch.

You didn't want to go. You knew that within the vibrant heart of this city lay the seeds of your deepest anguish.

A past marked by betrayal and suffering that made you question the worth of gods and mortals alike. Stepping into the city would mean unraveling the painful memories piece by piece, a torment you weren't sure you were ready to face.

Your right hand rested on the hilt of your sword, the cold metal a comforting reminder of your power. You could erase this land from existence with a single strike, rendering its pain and betrayal into nothingness.

"The land of betrayal and pain..." you whispered to the breeze, your voice cold and detached. Your gaze, icy and unwavering, locked onto the heart of the festival below.

The lanterns, symbols of hope and renewal, floated gently upwards, oblivious to the dark thoughts they illuminated. The streets of Liyue Harbor were a tapestry of vibrant colors, filled with stalls selling traditional foods, children chasing each other with sparklers, and performers enchanting the crowds with their skills. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the sound of festive music, creating a sensory symphony that seemed almost otherworldly.

But to you, it was all a cruel mockery.

This land, with its beauty and its light, held the shadows of your past. Each step you took towards it felt like a step into the abyss, where every smile and every laugh could trigger the painful memories you had buried deep within.

With one last look at the glowing city and the floating lanterns, you began your descent toward Liyue Harbor, your heart a battleground of emotions. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with memories and challenges, but you knew you could not turn back. The echoes of your past would follow you, but so would the faint hope of redemption.

Your right hand tightened around the hilt of your scabbard, and you moved forward, ready to face whatever awaited you in the land of Contracts.

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[areadersuncertaintyprinciple]

Lovecraftian Influence in ORV (part 2):

Disclaimer: idk if all the parallels are intentional; I'm not an expert on Lovecraft; this is defo not going to contain all the stuff in detail or even all the stuff coz like I said, I ain't an expert 1. Textual parallels:

Both ORV & Lovecraftian lore emphasize the cyclical nature of time and existence. In ORV, Dokja's regressions and the ever-repeating scenarios of "Ways of Survival" mirror the cyclical dreams of Azathoth. Similarly, Lovecraft's stories often feature ancient entities trapped in endless cycles of slumber and awakening.

The motif of uncaring gods and the dangers of seeking ultimate knowledge is central to both Lovecraftian mythos and ORV.

The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. - H.P. Lovecraft

In the mythos, Yog-Sothoth embodies the totality of time and space, existing outside our linear perception. It has the ability to manipulate time in non-linear ways, creating alternate realities and diverging timelines. Imagine a tapestry of time, and Yog-Sothoth meticulously snipping sections and reconnecting them in impossible geometries, birthing new worlds and realities into existence. Similar is ORV's "square circle". Imagine a perfect circle, representing a closed timeline, yet simultaneously containing its own square corners, moments of choice and potential divergence.

Crawling Chaos(one of the names of Nyarlathotep) is directly mentioned in ORV: (look at the phrasing- myths that were prototype of Ways of Survival)

Character parallels:

Most Ancient Dream & Azathoth: This one's a no-brainer.

Both are dreaming entities who shape reality without conscious intent- while Azathoth is a blind god who's unconsciously dreaming up the universe & MAD is a traumatized child who's dreaming up stories as a coping mechanism.

The "idiot god" aspect of Azathoth resonates with MAD too. Both are unaware or atleast have a lack of choice/control. Their dreams & reality itself are in a continuous loop

The "uncaring god" aspect of Azathoth resonates with the MAD's desire for new stories rather than any sense of morality or concern for its creations.

2. Nyarlathotep & Secretive Plotter:

Nyarlathotep is said to be the puppet/avatar of Azathoth while YJH/Secretive Plotter is labeled as the puppet of MAD.

Worldline Jumpers

All black ensemble (silly comparison ik)

Mocking contempt for their "masters"

Nyarlathotep views humanity as playthings, pawns in his game. He's often described as a harbinger of apocalypse, acts on an enigmatic agenda seemingly tied to chaos and destruction. While Secretive Plotter's goal was to meet-kill MAD & end the cycle of regressions once & for all through an apocalypse.

3. The Hounds of Tindalos:

The Hounds of Tindalos are creatures created by Frank Belknap Long and later incorporated into the Cthulhu Mythos. Both the names of Hounds of Tindalos & Hounds Chasing After the Abyss have been mentioned in the text. So, it's a direct reference.

4. Yog-Sothoth the gatekeeper & Fourth Wall+Dokkaebi King

5. Shub-Niggurath & tls123/1863hsy: disclaimer: Lovecraft's work is unfortunately riddled with racist and xenophobic imagery and tropes, particularly regarding Shub-Niggurath.

Shub-Niggurath is said to be the "Mother of All Gods" & we can compare tls123 to her in the same vein as tls123 is the author of TWSA while 1864hsy is the author(or co-author) of ORV. "tls" represents the Korean word for "god" as the keys for T, L, and S correspond to the letters ㅅ, ㅣ, and ㄴ on the Korean keyboard. => tls123 is the author-god of the universe

(tls123 is also kinda similar to Azathoth in having no power over their creations)

6. Randolph Carter & the 0th YJH: Randolph Carter is a recurring character in many stories from Lovecraft's Dream Cycle series. He also features in an unfinished short story called "Azathoth". In Azathoth, Randalph travels through space and time in his dream-form, and is drawn to the nighted throne of the far daemon-sultan Azathoth, the blind idiot god who rules over chaos and creation. Like, Randalph, 0th YJH chooses to regress because he wants to meet MAD

...and that's it for now. I'll add more if I remember. Constructive feedback is welcome but keep in mind: I'm no expert & also a human behind the keyboard.

[philosopherspebble]

You're correct. There were several reasons we assumed the rankings of the Fatui Harbingers, as evidenced in the game, although a lot of those reasonings no longer stand up to distinct scrutiny with the new information we have. However, the strange thing that has absolutely no explanation with the new information we have is the state of the 10th seat, and Pierro's status as the "0th" is still a bit bizarre.

Looking back at all the previous info, the only thing that explicitly mentions Pierro as a Harbinger is Childe's voiceline about him.

"He was the first ever Fatui Harbinger, and today he is our leader. He only appears on important occasions. As for his accomplishments... To be honest, I don't really care. I owe my loyalty and devotion to the Tsaritsa, no one else."

And even this seems to imply that he was the first, but not necessarily "the 1st". We were all bamboozled! Yet the information we had was apparently convincing enough that I haven't even seen a single person theorize this outcome beforehand.

Since Pierro isn't one of the 11th, this leaves the 10th seat quite a mystery. Is is open? Is it a secret? We don't know. The problem I have with this 10th seat situation is that we have literally zero hints in game to suggest that this seat is unknown. Every single other Harbinger is referenced to in game, and we know a little bit about all of them. We also have lower ranking Fatui agents that helpfully gossip and speculate about the Harbingers amongst themselves.

My question is, if this seat is empty, then why has it never once been mentioned by Tartaglia, Wanderer, in game artifact sets, random pieces of paper lying around, other Fatui agents, etc? And if it's not empty, and there is in fact someone occupying it, why do we have no hints at that? Why would such a low ranking seat be a secret?

Given the trends of this game hinting at lore before its revealed in a quest, there's no reasonable explanation as to why there's no evidence, no paper trail, etc.

Here's the other kicker. If Pierro isn't really a Harbinger, or at least not one of the "11", than why are there 11 symbols on this circle? Even if you assume that the looming mask above them all is Pierro, then that leaves a mystery symbol that apparently applies to the person that seemingly doesn't exist.

It bothers me to no end that there's no reasonable explanation for this ranking. Either it's been planned this way since the start, and they miraculously and ridiculously left a gaping hole in the ranks of the Harbingers, or they changed something recently... and still left a gaping hole in the ranks of the Harbingers.

TDLR; there's a gaping hole that the lore of Teyvat cannot currently fill. I'm despondent.

I don't know if you pay attention to leaks or not, but I have to ask; have you seen the new leaks about the Harbingers?

Basically it's the most infuriating thing I've seen in a while because it's a massive blow to the integrity of the lore... which is funny, because the lore has already taken precedence in the past... in other words, Genshins' writers can't write good characters or good lore! But hey, at least the music is still good, right?

Sigh.

I have!

I can't say I care too much, since at this point, I finally understand that Genshin doesn't do characters, they have convenient cogs for telling you more Lore and occasionally a really obnoxious emotional appeal for you to open your wallet. What am I supposed to care about, another backstory that will be spit out with no buildup and no point?

You're probably thinking of the old idea we had that Harbinger rankings were assigned based on join order. I swear that there was in-game text that supported this, but I absolutely cannot find it. I apparently did not annotate it myself (or else Tumblr search is not spitting it out) and the wiki has no record of it either.

So in this case, it might be just that we had literally less than 20% of the info to work from and made wrong assumptions. One notable point is that, indeed, the lore never calls Pierro the first harbinger, only the first of the Fatui as a whole. Very "no one ever said Naruto was the Kyuubi's first jinchuuriki."

Incidentally, I sure do love how busy the leakers are playing up Capitano. I'm sure this work out well for me. I definitely loved Nahida, whom they shilled a bunch.

This isn't to say that I disagree with you.

People say that Genshin has good worldbuilding, but I don't see it that way. Genshin's world isn't particularly good. There are countless details that don't line up, and it's painfully surface as an actual world. They just have a lot of historical events (which don't even really make a cohesive history in most cases).

But what else is new, I guess...

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost

Story also available on WattPad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

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Chapter 0 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

𝐀 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭'𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐳𝐳𝐨

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Eight members of the Harbingers had gathered in the palace-like church. Inside, the air was so frigid that the nation's flags began to freeze, crackling under the intense cold. No candles lit the space; only the ethereal glow of the polar lights streaming through the stained-glass windows provided illumination.

A petite woman with long hair, her eyes concealed behind a delicate white lace mask, hums a familiar lullaby from her deceased friend as she leans against a casket. Her voice echoes softly in the frozen stillness.

The eight other Harbingers watched her from a distance, each wearing a similar coat of identical design. By order of Her Royal Highness Tsaritsa, all Harbingers were required to attend the funeral, even the elusive 0th Harbinger.

The 0th Harbinger, code name: Innamorati — The Lovers;

A figure shrouded in mystery and danger, Innamorati remained an enigma even to her fellow Harbingers.

Known only by whispers and rumors, she was a being crafted by the Cryo Archon herself, a weapon designed to challenge the Celestial Gods. Hidden away for years, her existence was the subject of much speculation.

Some Harbingers were indifferent, focusing solely on the success of their plans, while others were intensely curious. Pierro, the Director of the Fatui, claimed to know nothing about her, adding to her mystique.

Rumors abounded: some said Innamorati would annihilate anyone who crossed her path; others believed she had perished decades ago, her legend merely a shadow from the past.

What they all knew for certain was that Innamorati had a notorious reputation for forgetting critical missions assigned by Tsaritsa herself. This unreliability made her both feared and ridiculed within their ranks.

"We are gathered here today to remember our dear comrade," an old dwarf with a long nose and mustache solemnly broke the deafening silence. "In honor of her sacrifice, all work shall halt for half a day as the nation mourns her passing."

"Hehe, merely half a day...?" Pantalone laughed coldly, crossing his hands in front of his chest with a mocking smile. "People say the Northland Bank's true currencies are blood and tears... But mayor, even speaking as a banker, that sounds a little unconscionable."

"Rosalyne died in a foreign land," Arlecchino stepped forward, her crimson red X-cross pupils glowing dangerously bright with annoyance. "But you heartless businessmen and dignitaries always find a convenient excuse to remain in the comfort of your homeland..." She frowned. "You couldn't hope to understand, so why don't you keep your mouth shut?! We don't want to make the children cry."

"Hey, c'mon now, even I don't think this is the right time or place for a fight," Childe chipped in, lazily sitting on one of the wooden benches.

"Utterly risible!" Sandrone mocked, and the machine behind her emitted an audible angry sound.

"Though her methods tarnished her honor, Lohefalter's sacrifice is a great pity. Her loss shall not hinder our progress," Capitano's deep voice resonated through the entire palace, catching everyone's attention.

He turned towards the Doctor, his face hidden behind a dark veil. "But Dottore... What of Scaramouche and the Gnosis from Inazuma?"

Dottore smiled, twirling a tube filled with blue liquid between his fingers. "Conventional wisdom holds that Divine Knowledge cannot be rationally comprehended. After conquering the Divine Gaze, he will make his next move."

The heavy, frozen church door creaked open, allowing the bitter winter air to sweep inside. Everyone turned their gaze towards it, even Columbina, who had paused her humming. 

A woman, clad in a coat of the same design as theirs, stepped into the church, holding a red paper umbrella. The door closed behind her with a resounding bang. The click of her heels on the marble floor echoed through the hall, a stark contrast to the silence that had filled the room.

Her face remained obscured by shadows, yet every person in the room knew instinctively that she was not someone to be trifled with. 

The sense of her power and presence was palpable, a mutual understanding among them all. To cross her would be to invite disaster.

This was Innamorati, the 0th Harbinger, a figure shrouded in mystery and danger, whose very presence commanded respect and fear.

As she advanced, the air seemed to grow even colder, the weight of her presence adding to the already frigid atmosphere. Each step she took resonated with authority, and the silence in the room deepened, a silent acknowledgment of her status among them.

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Finally, you found your way to the place where the funeral was to be held. You hadn't thought you would make it in time, given the ferocity of the snowstorm that had nearly obscured your path and made the journey treacherous.

Your heels clicked sharply with each step as you approached the group of people gathered at the center, where the casket lay. You set your red paper umbrella on one of the wooden benches, the action deliberate and unhurried. 

As the shadow over your face disappeared, the polar light from the stained-glass windows illuminated your features.

With the shadow gone, the collective breath of the eight Harbingers halted involuntarily.

Your beauty was striking: peach-colored, plump lips; long, dark eyelashes framing eyes that seemed to hold the very essence of winter. Your skin was pale and flawless, with a cold radiance that mirrored the icy surroundings. Your presence was both ethereal and commanding, a juxtaposition of delicate grace and chilling power.

You stopped a few steps before the group of Harbingers—your comrades—and looked up at them. 

"0th Harbinger, Innamorati... That is what they call me. You may call me whatever you wish," you introduced yourself, your voice ethereal and soft, yet so cold and lifeless it sent shivers down their spines. "This must be the first time we meet."

"You are quite late, Lord Innamorati," Pulcinella, the old dwarf, addressed you with a mix of respect and caution.

After all, The top-ranked Harbingers, from rank 1 to No. 3, possess powers that can rival the gods. So what about No. 0? Could she surpass the powers of the gods? Or even be greater?

You let out an annoyed sigh. "All the snow-covered streets look the same, and the blizzard did not make navigating to this gathering any easier."

Pantalone chuckled, turning towards you with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"If I had known, I would have taken you with me in my carriage, Lady Innamorati. Alas, I am left to wonder why there were no escorts ready for you. I thought I had ordered the highest-ranked Skirmishers for your protection." His voice was dangerously smooth, laden with speculation, hinting at the rumors of you annihilating anyone who crossed your path.

Before you could respond, Childe interjected from the side. "Huh? The oh-so-feared Innamorati getting lost in a mere snowstorm? This is truly a sight to behold." His tone dripped with mockery. 

"Were you also getting lost on the way to your missions?" His voice carried an angry undertone, bitterness seeping through his words. 

He had often been the one to hurriedly take on your missions at the last minute, running from one nation to another like a lackey. The mission to obtain the Geo Archon's Gnosis had been assigned to you, not him, nor the now-deceased Signora. In the end, he had faced severe repercussions after the Northland Bank had to pay heavy reparations.

If gazes could kill, Childe would have been long dead under Pantalone's icy stare. Though his slight smile remained, his eyes closed behind his glasses, he radiated a murderous aura. He longed to hear your voice again and to capture your attention. Such a rare opportunity shouldn't be wasted.

"Insolent child! How dare you—!" Sandrone hissed at Childe, her anger palpable. She, too, feared inciting your wrath. If Childe weren't a fellow Harbinger, Sandrone would have killed him long ago for destroying her ruin guard factory.

"It's time to end tonight's foolish theatrics." 

A deep, husky voice resonated through the church, cutting through the cold silence like a blade.

The man stepped forward from the shadows, his right side concealed by a dark mask. It was Pierro, the Director of the Fatui, and his presence commanded instant respect.

His voice, cold and demanding, echoed with authority as he advanced towards the casket.

"Right now, you have no captive audience," he said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled Harbingers and guests, silently commanding them to gather and pay heed.

You stood on the opposite side of Pierro, your own presence a stark contrast to his imposing figure.

"Let every worthy sacrifice be carved in ice, and let this nation endure for all time," Pierro intoned, his voice carrying the weight of solemn duty.

The assembly lowered their heads in reverence, eyes closing as he delivered the farewell speech. Your hand drifted absently towards your Divine Key, a subconscious gesture.

"In the name of Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa," Pierro continued, his voice imbued with a steely resolve, "we will seize authority from the gods."

After several minutes of mournful meditation, Pierro broke the silence and left the building, his movements purposeful and commanding.

The others followed in silent procession, a testament to their respect and shared grief. You took your red paper umbrella, closing your eyes briefly before stepping into the freezing, snow-covered landscape.

"Absolute peace."

As you all departed, the church behind you began to freeze over, layers of crystal ice encasing it under the unyielding winter sky, which shimmered with the ethereal glow of the aurora.

"Such is the gift from the Tsaritsa, such is Her Majesty's benevolence," Pierro declared, his voice carrying a chilling reverence as he halted and gazed up at the celestial lights.

"Now you rest in this coffin, encased in layer upon layer of ice. But, Rosalyne, I promise you..."

"Your final resting place will be the entirety of the Old World," Pierro's voice echoed through the night sky, his farewell imbued with a cold resolve that matched the frozen land around you.

As you watched the polar light dancing across the vast darkness of the sky, a thought surfaced in your mind. You had never known this person, but you had made a promise to someone...

You halted in your steps and glanced back at the frozen church.

Some tasks have to be done, even if they seem pointless.

Amidst the snow, you caught a glimpse of shadowy hands emerging from the icy landscape, reaching out towards the sky one by one, as if seeking transcendence. As you blinked, everything returned to normal.

"Another Memory..."

"Lady Innamorati, is something the matter?" Pierro's voice broke through your reverie as he noticed you staring back at the frozen church.

"...meaningless," you whispered to yourself, yet the faint wind carried your words to Pierro. 

"Pardon?" Pierro asked again, this time capturing the attention of some of the other Harbingers, especially Dottore. The Doctor, ever curious, considered whether you might make an intriguing subject for his experiments.

"It's nothing. Continue without me. I wish to be alone," you ordered, your voice light as silk yet cold as ice. Pierro nodded, casting one last glance at you before leaving. 

Dottore lingered a moment longer, watching you with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. As he did, the falling snow seemed to halt and move backward, defying the natural order.

"Existence is fleeting as the dawn's dew," your voice echoed in a dimension separate from the real world, where time had ceased.

Dottore's breath caught as he watched you, disbelief etched across his features. His analytical mind struggled to comprehend the anomaly unfolding before him.

"Yet, I guide the wandering souls on the still waters of oblivion..."

The dimension around you cracked like glass, shattering as you began to walk towards the church.

"...and weep for the departed."

A powerful gust of wind struck Dottore, and in that moment, he perceived everything yet nothing. The world seemed meaningless and empty. He felt his body ascending, his soul slipping away...

"Don't look back..." Your ethereal voice called to him, a beacon of light in the encroaching darkness.

He felt a pull from behind, "Move forward," you whispered. In the next instant, he stood where Pierro had asked if you were alright moments before.

Dottore's breath hitched, his cold heart pounding faster than ever. This was neither a dream nor an illusion. He knew this with certainty. What had just happened? The question echoed in his mind, a mystery as deep as the winter night itself.

One thing was certain: he had unmistakably felt the presence of the Almighty One—the Divine Creator.

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Reblog if you like this story

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost.

This story is also available on Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Chapter 0 - Prologue

[Lament of the Fallen]

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"I have lost everything."

The relentless battle against the Honkai beasts rages on, your katana slicing through their monstrous forms with a desperate fury. Explosions erupt around you, the searing heat mixing with the blood and sweat that drips down your temples. The ground is littered with the fallen, comrades who once fought beside you now lifeless amidst the swarming beasts summoned by the Herrschers.

"My family..."

The horrifying sight of humans, transformed into mindless Honkai zombies, fills you with dread. Your grip on the handle of your Divine Key falters as you witness your little sister and brother among them, feasting on the remains of fallen soldiers. Tears blur your vision as you dash towards them, the agony of what you must do tearing at your soul. With a heart-wrenching cry, you end their suffering, beheading the only family you had left. You had promised to protect them, to create a peaceful world for them.

"My dear comrades..."

A wall of flames engulfs the encroaching monsters, giving you a momentary respite. Kalpas, your grey-haired, masked comrade, stands before you, his power saving you once more. Exhaustion is etched on his face, but he urges you to keep moving. Before you can respond, a piercing laser beam shoots through his chest, and he crumples to the ground. One by one, your friends fall, their bodies lifeless on the battlefield. The bonds forged in blood and battle, severed in an instant.

"My world..."

The battlefield is a graveyard of Honkai beasts and fallen soldiers, their bodies buried beneath layers of ash. The sky above is a mournful grey, reflecting the lifeless desolation around you. You stand alone, the sole survivor amidst the ruins. Have you won the war, or merely survived its horrors? The answer eludes you.

"And..."

In your hand, you clutch your new Divine Key, forged from the shattered remains of 70,033 blades and the essence of twelve Herrschers. You gaze up at the bleak, grey sky, the weight of your existence pressing down on you.

"I realize now..." You unsheathe your Divine Key, Nihility, unleashing your Active Honkai Reaction. Golden cracks spread from your right hand, blossoming into ethereal flowers. Your hair turns snow-white, your skin pale as ivory. Golden horns sprout from your head, and your eye color turns into gold.

"I've lost myself."

"...That the ultimate fate of this world is nothingness, and therefore, worthless... or even the whole universe?"

With a final, devastating swing of your Divine Key, you begin to unravel the very fabric of this world, reducing it to void, to nothingness. The ground beneath you crumbles, the sky shatters, and everything you fought for dissolves into oblivion. As the world collapses around you, you raise your katana high.

"Yet... I still want to stay..."

With a heavy heart, you turn the blade upon yourself, splitting your soul in half, and embracing the void.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Snowflakes drift gently from the dull, grey sky, their delicate forms hitting softly against your window. You stare blankly at the wintry landscape, your mind lost in the endless dance of the snow. Your right hand, adorned with claw-like metallic finger guards, rests against the cold glass. As you blink, the serene snowflakes transform into ashen rain, and the snowy ground becomes a graveyard, littered with swords and corpses.

Startled, you stumble back, your heart pounding in your chest. The haunting vision fades as quickly as it appeared, leaving you standing in the quiet room. A single tear escapes your eye, tracing a cold line down your cheek. You wipe it away, confusion mingling with the sorrow etched on your face.

"... A forgotten memory?" you whisper, your breath fogging the glass.

Before you can ponder the vision further, a knock on the door pulls you from your thoughts. You turn away from the window, your expression hardening. "Come in," you command, your voice firm yet distant.

The door creaks open, and a Fatui Skirmisher steps in, bowing deeply. He holds a letter in his trembling hand, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor. "Lord Innamorati," he begins, his voice wavering with fear. "A letter from Her Royal Highness."

'Her Highness?' The title feels foreign, a distant echo in your mind. You frown, trying to grasp the fleeting memory.

"Can you remind me of her name?" you ask, your tone soft yet icy, sending a shiver through the skirmisher despite his thick winter coat.

"H-Her Royal Highness Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon," he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nod slowly, the name stirring something within you. A fleeting sense of purpose, lost in the haze of your fragmented memories. "Thank you," you say, your voice carrying a trace of melancholy. "My memory... it often fails me."

The skirmisher quickly hands you the letter and exits the room, his relief palpable. You turn to your desk, the weight of the message heavy in your hand. If the Cryo Archon herself has written to you, it must be of grave importance. Did something terrible happen? Or have you forgotten another mission?

You break the seal and unfold the letter, your eyes scanning the contents. With a sigh, you crumple it and toss it into the trash. Your hand instinctively moves to the scabbard where your Divine Key, Nihility, rests.

"A funeral..., huh?" The words hang in the air, heavy with sorrow and resignation.

You move to the window once more, the snowy landscape a stark contrast to the inner turmoil you feel. The snow outside is pure and untouched, but in your mind, the vision of the dead and the desolate ground lingers. You know that each snowflake, each fleeting memory, is a piece of the past that you can never fully grasp.

In the quiet of your room, you can't shake the feeling that you're losing more than just memories. You're losing yourself, piece by piece, like the snow melting away under the weight of the ashes.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Reblog if you like this story

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost

Story is also available on Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 5

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭'𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐲

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

You drift into sleep, and the chaos begins. Memories swirl around you, fragmented and hazy, flashing too quickly for you to grasp. 

Voices echo, overlapping and fading before you can understand them.

"...May the present life shine like gold."

"Further Killing is meaningless."

"...But their death must mean something."

"Death is not the end of life... We will redefine humanity itself."

"...But we all know this world is beyond saving."

"... Despite that, we must become heroes."

You try to focus, but the images shift and blur. Faces you should recognize merge into each other. You hear different voices, yet you are unable to concentrate while the flashing images cross your mind.

A memory flickers: a pink-haired elf in a white dress. This time it's a bit clearer.

You hold her in your arms, blood pouring out of her chest. Her eyes are sad, yet filled with an unspoken warmth. She caresses your cheek, her touch gentle despite her pain. She says something, her lips moving slowly, but the words are lost to you. Then the scene shifts abruptly, the memory distorting.

You find yourself facing a long blue-haired man with piercing blue eyes. He looks at you with intensity, his expression serious. "Y/N, promise me you never forget...-" The memory distorts again, the edges blurring, "...love you."

The images speed up, a kaleidoscope of moments you can't hold on to. They slip through your fingers like sand, leaving only the faintest impressions.

You jolted awake, sitting upright in bed, drenched in cold sweat. Your hand clutched your rapidly beating heart as you gasped for breath. An overwhelming sadness gripped you, manifesting in uncontrollable tears streaming down your face. You let the tears fall freely, unable to stem the tide of emotion.

Confusion clouded your thoughts as fragments of your memories resurfaced, each piece as elusive as mist. You climbed out of bed and paced the room, trying to shake the disorienting sensation. You halted in front of the mirror, compelled to confront your reflection.

Staring back at you were eyes that seemed hollow, devoid of any spark of life, like a puppet's vacant gaze. Your cheeks glistened with the remnants of dried tears, evidence of your inexplicable sorrow.

As you blinked, your reflection shifted.

The reflection showed you with white hair and golden horns. One horn was half-shattered, the broken end dissolving into a sparkling golden mist.

You reached out to touch the mirror, your fingers trembling as they met the cold glass. The reflection stared back with a haunting emptiness that mirrored the void you felt within.

"My MANTIS form? Is this an illusion?" you whispered, barely audible, to yourself.

In the mirror, your reflection stood differently. It wore a white kimono, stained with blood and dirt, its eyes glowing a piercing gold. The reflection seemed more alive than ever, staring back at you with an intensity that made your breath catch.

"Find me,"

The reflection's voice echoed, soft yet commanding, as it leaned closer to the glass.

"Your end... my origin."

Suddenly, the mirror's surface cracked, spiderwebbing outward from where your reflection's hand had pressed against the glass. Startled, you stepped back, eyes wide with disbelief. The reflection flickered and then returned to your current self, leaving only the shattered fragments of glass to catch and distort your image.

You stared at the broken mirror, your face reflected back in jagged pieces, each shard a fragment of a whole that felt lost to you. The encounter left you shaken, the echo of the reflection's voice lingering in your mind.

You draped your coat over your nightgown, pulling it tightly around yourself, and stepped out into the cold night.

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Your heels clicked rhythmically against the cobblestone streets, resonating through the stillness of the night. The air was crisp and biting, carrying the faint scent of the sea.

The moon cast a pale glow over the empty streets, its silver light the only illumination as the city slumbered. You wandered aimlessly, unable to shake the unsettling dream that had stirred your memories.

As you rounded a corner, lost in thought, you nearly collided with someone.

"Sorry!..." A blonde traveler exclaimed, trailing off as his eyes met yours. His expression shifted from apology to shock, and he instinctively took a step back.

You sighed, crossing your arms to ward off the chill. "I'm not going to eat you," you said with a hint of sarcasm. "Couldn't sleep either?"

Aether looked alarmed but quickly relaxed, sensing no threat from you. "I had a nightmare..." he admitted, leaving out the detail that the nightmare involved you.

"A nightmare, hm?" you mused, walking past him and stopping at his side. "The more that weighs on your mind, the more your fears turn into dreamscapes."

Aether glanced at you but remained silent. There was something about you that felt familiar, a sense that beneath your icy exterior lay untold stories. Perhaps, he thought, you had a complex history with Zhongli.

"And you?" he ventured.

You didn't answer directly. Instead, you offered, "Walk with me. Let's forget our problems for a while." You began to walk, your pace slow and deliberate.

Aether hesitated for a moment before falling into step beside you. The two of you strolled through the quiet streets of Liyue Harbor, the silence around you amplifying the noise in your minds. The city's usual bustle was absent, replaced by a serene, almost eerie stillness.

"What a quiet night..." you murmured, your voice soft in the tranquil air. "They say the quieter things are around you, the louder they are in your head. It's true, isn't it?"

You didn't look back at Aether, but you could feel his presence beside you, a silent companion in this nocturnal journey. He nodded in agreement, the sound barely audible.

You halted at the edge of the harbor, where the cold sea breeze caressed your face, carrying with it the scent of salt and the distant, rhythmic murmur of waves.

You clutched your coat tighter around your body, the thin nightgown beneath providing little warmth. The soft rustling of the ocean's surface reminded you of him, a memory as elusive as the shifting tides.

The traveler, Aether, watched you quietly. The moonlight reflecting off the water cast a gentle glow on your face, accentuating your mysterious allure.

To him, you were an enigma. His only encounter with you had been during that tense moment with Zhongli, where you had seemed intimidating. Yet now, in this peaceful setting, you appeared more contemplative and perhaps even kind. He realized he knew almost nothing about you, not even your name.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice curious but respectful.

You turned to meet his gaze, but before you could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the moment.

"Oh? Out for a midnight stroll, are we?"

Childe's voice cut through the night, dripping with suspicion. He approached, eyes narrowed at you.

"Up to no good, perhaps?" His tone was accusatory, a familiar annoyance that you felt in your bones.

You barely knew him, only having seen him briefly at the funeral, yet he seemed to harbor a baseless animosity towards you.

"We're just walking," you replied coolly, meeting his gaze with a calm, unyielding stare. "Neither of us could sleep. There's no need for your baseless accusations."

Aether turned to Childe, sensing the tension. "Childe? What are you doing here?"

Childe's expression shifted slightly as he acknowledged Aether. "Ah, the famous traveler," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mock cheerfulness. "I see you've found your way to her." He glanced back at you with a passive-aggressive look, a mix of irritation and something unreadable.

Aether glanced at you, seeking an explanation, then back at Childe, expecting answers.

"She hasn't told you?" Childe raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "She's quite infamous among us, actually," he began, his tone laced with amusement.

"Us... Are you one of the Harbingers?" Aether's eyes widened, his body tensing.

The quiet harbor was momentarily disrupted by the rippling tension between you and Childe.

You crossed your arms, your gaze steely. "Childe," your voice was sharp, cutting through the crisp night air like a blade. "Her Royal Majesty sent a personal letter apologizing for your... behavior. I strongly advise you to keep your mouth shut."

Childe's smile widened, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Or what? You wanna to fight?" He stepped closer, eager for confrontation.

Aether glanced nervously between you and Childe, feeling the intensity of the moment.

Then, in an instant, a Hydro dagger materialized in Childe's hand. With a wild laugh, he lunged at you, his speed blurring as he closed the distance.

The blade aimed for your throat with lethal precision, but before it could touch you, your hand shot up, clamping around his wrist with an iron grip.

In the blink of an eye, you delivered a flurry of punches to his face, each strike landing with brutal efficiency. The world seemed to slow down as you pounded him with lightning-fast blows.

As he reeled from the onslaught, you released his wrist, spinning gracefully before delivering a powerful kick to his abdomen. The impact sent Childe flying, crashing through the air and landing hard against a row of trash cans with a thunderous clatter.

The entire sequence happened in a mere heartbeat. The force of your actions left Aether stunned, the air thick with the intensity of the moment.

He stood in stunned disbelief. One moment, Childe had lunged at you, and in the next, he was sprawled across a pile of trash cans, thoroughly beaten. Had it all happened in the blink of an eye? He turned his gaze to you, realizing with a shiver that you were capable of much more than he had imagined.

"Don't worry, he won't bother us anymore," you said calmly, turning towards Aether, completely composed.

"I doubt he will ever..." Aether muttered, noticing your unruffled demeanor. It was as if the scuffle hadn't even phased you; you weren't even out of breath.

"About your question from before," you continued, meeting his eyes, "I am part of the Fatui and one of the Harbingers. My code-name is Innamorati."

Strangely, Aether didn't feel the usual wariness that came with meeting a Harbinger. Instead, there was a peculiar sense of ease, a feeling that it was better to be on your good side.

"Innamorati... I've never heard that code name before," Aether said, curiosity piqued. "And what about your actual name?"

You sighed, crossing your arms. "You might forget it, so you can call me whatever you like. But my real name is Y/N."

Aether blinked, taken aback. "It's... a beautiful name." He blurted out, then blushed slightly. "I mean... you have the same name as the unknown lady in the story."

You tilted your head, puzzled. "Unknown lady? What story are you talking about?"

Aether suddenly realized his slip. The tale he referred to only mentioned Morax and his two lovers, Guizhong and an unnamed woman, without ever revealing her identity.

"Uh... it's a story about Morax, the Geo Archon, and his two lovers, Guizhong and... um, Y/N, the unknown lady. It also involves Osial being jealous," he explained quickly.

At the mention of Osial, your eyes widened as a memory surfaced, a fragment of a dream featuring a blue-haired man with striking blue eyes. You turned towards the ocean, a sad expression clouding your features.

"Are you alright?" Aether asked, concern evident in his voice.

"It's nothing. I just... have a bad memory. The name Osial... I knew him well... or used to," you murmured. "But I'd rather not talk about it right now."

Aether, both surprised and curious about you, realized it was time to part ways as the night was nearing its end. "If you'd like to hear more about the story, we can meet up tomorrow. And..., good night," he said, a shy smile accompanied by a faint blush on his cheeks.

You were momentarily taken aback, your expression softening. "Thank you."

Then, with a thoughtful pause, you looked him in the eye. "Before you go, may I make a request?" Your tone was serious.

"It may seem strange, perhaps even rude, but I must ask..."

"...Have we met somewhere before?"

The question hung in the air, and Aether's eyes widened in surprise.

After a moment's thought, Aether responded, "Perhaps we have."

A small, knowing chuckle escaped your lips. "My memories often fail me..." you murmured. Stepping closer, you leaned in to whisper in his ear, your breath warm against his skin, "Return safely whence you came... Because a particular Yaksha is following us." You glanced around subtly. "If you feel unsafe, you can follow me."

Aether's eyes widened further, immediately thinking of Xiao. "I'm okay, I know this Yaksha," he whispered back, attempting to reassure you. You gave a slight nod, acknowledging his words.

With a final exchange of goodbyes, you turned and headed back to the hotel Pantalone had reserved entirely for your stay. As you walked away, you remained vigilant, aware of the green-haired Yaksha's presence in the shadows, watching your every move.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Reblog if you like this story

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

This story is also available on Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Do NOT Repost

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 4

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚

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"Long ago, in the timeless realm of Liyue, there was a story of love and envy, a tale that has been passed down through the ages. It speaks of Morax, our Geo Archon; Guizhong, the gentle and wise goddess; and a woman of unparalleled beauty and mystery, known to all as the Unknown Beautiful Lady.

The Beautiful Lady was a vision of grace and charm, her presence as enchanting as a moonlit night. Her beauty and elegance captivated even the gods. Morax, our protector, and Guizhong, the embodiment of wisdom, both adored her deeply. Their love formed a harmonious bond, unbreakable and pure.

Yet, this divine trio's tranquility was threatened by Osial, the formidable sea lord. Osial, consumed by envy, coveted the love and devotion that Morax received from his two beloveds. His heart twisted by jealousy, he sought to disrupt their happiness and claim their affections for himself.

Osial's envy grew into a dark cloud of deceit. He whispered malicious lies, hoping to fracture the trust and love between Morax, Guizhong, and the Beautiful Lady. But their bond was resilient, withstanding his insidious attempts to sow discord.

Frustrated by his failure, Osial confronted Morax directly. The confrontation was a cataclysmic clash of divine forces, their battle shaking the very heavens and earth. Osial, driven by his green-eyed fury, accused Morax of hoarding the love of the Unknown Lady and Guizhong, proclaiming that such affection should belong to him.

Morax, steadfast and noble, stood his ground. He fought not only with the strength of a god but with the fierce love he held for the Beautiful Lady and Guizhong. The battle raged on, a testament to the destructive power of jealousy and the indomitable strength of true love. Ultimately, Morax sealed Osial away, imprisoning him in the depths of the ocean to safeguard Liyue and his cherished ones.

And so, dear listeners, this legend became a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love and the perils of envy. The Beautiful Lady's ethereal beauty and mystery, Guizhong's enduring loyalty and wisdom, and Morax's unwavering strength and love form the heart of this timeless tale.

As we gather here tonight, let us remember the lessons of this story. Love is a powerful force, capable of withstanding the darkest storms, while envy and deceit can lead to ruin and despair."

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Striking amber-colored eyes with yellow, diamond-shaped pupils intently listened to the old tale spun by the Storyteller. Despite the early morning rain, the hustle and bustle were nothing extraordinary for the residents of Liyue. 

The storyteller's corner was fully packed, with people eager to hear the old legend. His smooth lips touched the rim of a heated cup, and as he took a sip, the flavorful liquid danced on his tongue. A relaxed hum escaped his lips, expressing his delight at the tea's rich taste.

"Woah, the story was awesome!" Paimon exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "What did you think, Aether?"

Aether nodded thoughtfully, "Interesting, at least," he said, taking a sip from his own cup. He then turned his gaze to the handsome gentleman known as Zhongli. "But did it really happen, or is it just a tale?" Aether asked.

Zhongli only smiled and continued to drink his tea peacefully, the steam rising in delicate tendrils around his face.

"Hmpf, Zhongli! Please tell us!" Paimon demanded, her feet kicking the air in impatience. "At least the name of the beautiful woman!" She flew closer to Zhongli and whispered eagerly.

"Oh, are you truly so eager to hear?" Zhongli responded with a smile. "I thought you might find the old tale boring, considering you both seemed to daze off from time to time."

The rain continued to patter softly against the cobblestones, mingling with the distant sounds of morning vendors setting up their stalls. The air was thick with the scent of rain and the subtle aroma of tea leaves.

Paimon pouted, "We were just... uhh... absorbing the atmosphere!"

Zhongli chuckled softly. "Very well. The tale, as with many old stories, contains elements of truth and myth. The beautiful woman in the story... well, she was indeed real."

"Can you tell us more about her?" Paimon asked, her curiosity beaming.

Zhongli's gaze wandered to the rain, and a genuine yet bittersweet smile appeared on his lips. "She liked the rain a lot. Her voice, soft yet light as silk, would always say..."

- "As the raindrops tumble, their pitter-patter on my umbrella whispers gently to me. I somehow find brief serenity in these moments." -

He recalled her standing in the rain, holding her crimson red paper umbrella.

The raindrops danced on its surface as she extended her hand towards the falling droplets. She slightly turned around to face Zhongli, her peachy lips painted the same color as her umbrella. Her face was half obscured by the umbrella, yet her words resonated clearly.

The memory of her was vivid in his mind, a moment untouched by the erosion that slowly devoured his old memories.

"Y/N... That is her name," Zhongli mumbled, rolling her name off his tongue as his gaze remained fixed on the rain and the passing people.

Paimon and Aether exchanged glances, their faces reflecting a shared sadness as they saw their friend's distant expression.

The early morning rain continued to fall, creating a soft, soothing melody against the cobblestones. Lanterns hanging from shop eaves and street corners swayed gently in the breeze, casting warm, golden light that danced with the raindrops.

The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and the subtle fragrance of tea leaves from the nearby stalls. The crowd had thinned, yet the lingering presence of Zhongli's story created a bubble of quiet reflection.

Aether took a sip of his tea, savoring the warmth that contrasted with the cool, damp air. "She sounds like she was very special to you," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of understanding.

"She was," Zhongli replied, his voice tinged with both reverence and sorrow. "Her presence brought a sense of tranquility that I have rarely found elsewhere. Even now, the rain reminds me of her."

Paimon hovered closer, her usually energetic demeanor softened by the weight of the moment. "Do you think we might ever meet her?" she asked, her voice hopeful yet gentle.

Zhongli's smile returned, though it was tinged with melancholy. "Perhaps. The world is vast, and fate has a curious way of weaving our paths together. Until then, let us cherish the memories and stories that keep her spirit alive."

The rain began to lighten, a delicate mist rising from the ground as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds.

In this serene moment, a crimson red paper umbrella appeared amidst the bustling crowd. Its vibrant red hue pierced through the throng of people, a color deeply etched in Zhongli's memories.

His eyes widened in disbelief, and his cup slipped from his hand, shattering into tiny pieces on the cobblestones. Yet, the sound was lost to him. Everything became muted, his vision blurring as he saw that unmistakable red on her lips, her face.

He couldn't breathe. He couldn't move.

Was he hallucinating? Was the after-rain playing tricks on his mind? Was he daydreaming?

As the red paper umbrella grew smaller in the distance, Zhongli's heart pounded in his chest. Suddenly, he sprang to his feet, the wooden table toppling over in his haste. He didn't care. He moved forward, pushing through the crowd, chasing the umbrella as if his life depended on it.

The streets were alive with activity, the early morning hustle blending with the gentle patter of lingering raindrops. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting soft, golden hues on the wet cobblestones. The scent of rain mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed tea and street food, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. Yet, all of this was lost to Zhongli. His entire being focused solely on the crimson umbrella, a beacon in the sea of moving figures.

People turned, startled by his sudden urgency, but he paid them no mind. His breaths came in short, sharp gasps, his vision narrowing on the retreating figure. The vibrant red color seemed to taunt him, slipping further away with every passing second. His heart raced, a mixture of hope and desperation driving him forward.

Was it really her? Could it be? The questions swirled in his mind, but he had no time for answers. He needed to see her, to confirm what his heart yearned for. The crowd thickened, but he pushed on, weaving through the throng with a determination that bordered on madness.

Finally, as he reached the edge of the crowd, he saw the umbrella come to a stop. The figure holding it turned, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, their eyes met.

The world around him seemed to freeze, the sounds fading into a distant murmur. It was her. The woman from his memories, the one he thought he had lost forever.

Tears welled in his eyes, and his breath hitched. He had found her. Or perhaps, she had found him. Either way, in that magical moment under the after-rain sky, surrounded by the vibrant life of the city, Zhongli felt a spark of hope reignite within him.

He had been given a second chance, and he wasn't going to let it slip away.

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You turned around to find out who was following you, and your eyes landed on a tall man with brown hair and striking amber-colored eyes. He seemed out of breath, as if he had been chasing you through the crowded streets.

You waited for a response from the stranger, but he kept staring at you, his gaze intense and unyielding. The crowd continued to pass by, casting curious glances in your direction.

"I'd be embarrassed too, getting stared at like that," you said, your voice breaking the trance he seemed to be in. Somehow, your words pulled him back to reality.

He skipped a beat as he heard your voice and stepped forward as if he were dreaming. "Y/N..." he muttered your name, and your eyes widened in shock.

Instinctively, you stepped back, your right hand drifting closer to your sheathed Divine Key.

"How do you know my name?" you demanded, narrowing your eyes.

A strange feeling gnawed at you, a sense that something bad had happened between you and this man. Yet, your memories of this place were fragmented, coming and going in a chaotic, disjointed order that left you feeling more confused and hurt rather than providing any answers.

You could feel in your bones that this man had inflicted great pain on you. There was something about him that screamed betrayal, something tied to Osial.

This man... this man... You gripped your scabbard tighter, ready to draw your weapon if necessary.

The air around you felt charged with tension. The gentle murmur of the crowd faded into the background, the world around you shrinking to just the two of you. The man took another hesitant step forward, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and regret.

"Please," he began, his voice soft and laden with emotion. "It's me, Mo-"

"Step back," you commanded, your voice icy and cold. Zhongli halted, a shocked expression taking over his face. Different, hazy memories sprang into your mind wildly, flickering like a faulty lantern. The pieces of your past were still too fragmented, too muddled to make sense of.

"Zhongli!" A shrill voice called from behind, snapping you both out of the tense moment.

The tiny figure of Paimon floated closer, her curiosity evident. "Why were you running..." she trailed off as she felt the murderous and cold aura radiating from you. Aether, sensing the dangerous presence, quickly stepped in front of Paimon and Zhongli, his expression wary. Yet, you noticed how his legs were shaking with fear.

Neither you nor the group in front of you moved or made a sound. The bustling crowd around you seemed oblivious to the tension, continuing their day as if nothing were amiss.

You focused on Zhongli, the man whose name triggered such a whirlwind of emotions and memories within you. Your right hand still rested on your sheathed Divine Key, ready to strike at any moment.

"Zhongli," you repeated, tasting the name on your lips. "Why did you call me by that name?"

Zhongli took a cautious step forward, his gaze steady despite the coldness in your eyes. "Because that is your name, Y/N. We shared many moments together... drank tea with Guizhong... why can't you remember?"

Aether, still shielding Paimon, looked between you and Zhongli, clearly unsure of what to do. "Maybe we should all take a step back and talk this out," he suggested, his voice gentle but firm.

'Guizhong?' you questioned in your mind. The name felt familiar yet strange, as did Zhongli's face. It was as though you recognized him from a dream you could no longer fully remember.

The confusion was palpable, and your hand trembled slightly on the hilt of your sheathed Divine Key.

"I suggest you leave me be," you said, your voice barely above a whisper but carrying an undeniable force. Without waiting for an answer, you turned and walked away.

Zhongli watched you go, his expression a mixture of sorrow and determination. He took a step forward, but Aether halted him, shaking his head. "Give her some space," Aether advised softly. "She needs time to sort through this."

Zhongli nodded reluctantly, his eyes never leaving your retreating figure.

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Many papers lay scattered across the metallic table. Dottore leaned over, his crimson eyes scanning document after document, his hand pressed to his forehead in deep concentration.

This was unexplainable.

It didn't make sense.

Yet, he was certain his eyes and mind weren't deceiving him about what he had witnessed after the funeral.

He quickly fetched another sheet of paper and a pen, determined to capture every detail of his experience once more.

The moment Innamorati turned toward the frozen church, the falling snow had stopped, as if time itself had halted. Could she possess the ability to stop time? But why would she use it then? For what purpose? He recalled her muttering, 'Meaningless...'

Then, he heard the sound of shattering glass, and he perceived everything and nothing simultaneously. In that instant, he felt worthless, reduced to nothingness.

...

Dottore threw the pen away in frustration.

In that moment, he had felt a presence. A divine and pure presence, untouched by filth, yet sorrowful and sad. It was unmistakably the presence of the Divine Creator. Dottore was certain of it.

The Divine Creator had finally arrived.

His crimson eyes rested on a metallic black box, sealed with a highly complex mechanism. Only he knew of its existence; neither Pierro nor Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa, were aware of it.

Innamorati, the 0th Harbinger. She was the Divine Creator, Dottore was convinced. Nothing else could explain that unexplainable moment.

He walked towards the box and unlocked it. Inside, a glass tube filled with golden liquid sparkled under the lab lights.

This was the only solution to confirm his theory. One way or another, Dottore would get his answers. He could hardly wait for Innamorati to arrive at his lab.

As he gazed at the golden liquid, he felt a mixture of anticipation and reverence. This discovery could change everything. The Divine Creator, hidden in plain sight as the 0th Harbinger, was a revelation of immense proportions.

Dottore's mind raced with possibilities. If his theory was correct, the implications were staggering. Not only for the Fatui but for the entire world of Teyvat. The thought of unraveling such a profound mystery filled him with a thrill he hadn't felt in a long time.

He carefully placed the glass tube back in its secure position and sealed the box once more. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The arrival of Innamorati would either confirm his greatest hypothesis or shatter it entirely.

Either way, he was ready. Dottore's eyes gleamed with determination. He would uncover the truth, no matter the cost. The Divine Creator was within his grasp, and he would not let this opportunity slip away.

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Reblog if you like this story

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━���━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

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Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost.

Story is also available on Wattpad.

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐢𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

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[𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹/𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 𝗕𝗗𝗦𝗠-𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗞]

You slowly wake from a deep, dreamless sleep, your body heavy with the warmth of rest. As your eyes flutter open, you realize you're nestled securely in Zhongli's arms. His body radiates a comforting heat, making you feel drowsy all over again.

Everything around you feels so perfect, so serene, despite the lingering soreness in your legs. Instinctively, you shuffle closer to him, nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.

Zhongli stirs as you move, his hold on you tightening slightly before he gently presses a kiss to the top of your head. "Good morning, love," he whispers, his voice deep and soothing. "Did you sleep well?"

You nod sleepily, murmuring against his skin, "Yes, I did. How about you?"

His chest rumbles with a soft chuckle as he pulls you even closer, "I slept perfectly, with you in my arms."

A soft blush warms your cheeks as you whisper, "I love you."

Zhongli's smile deepens at your words. With gentle ease, he pulls you up, guiding you to sit on his lap. His amber eyes meet yours before he leans in, capturing your lips in a tender kiss. "I love you too," he murmurs against your lips, his voice a soft caress.

He pulls back slightly, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face.

"Let's get ready," he says, his tone warm yet practical. "Today is going to be a long day."

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You find yourself back in the same luxurious dressing room as yesterday, the air thick with the scent of peach blossoms and the quiet rustle of silk.

The attendants work with careful precision, draping you in a revealing, shimmering white dress that clings to your every curve. The fabric is encrusted with crystals and diamonds that catch the light with every subtle movement, making you glimmer like a living constellation.

The dress stops daringly high at your thighs, each step dangerously close to revealing the curve of your ass.

The material hugs your body tightly, accentuating the seductive curve of your hips, the cinch of your waist, and the generous swell of your breasts. The neckline plunges low, leaving your décolletage exposed, with no straps or high collar to distract from the beauty of your bare skin.

Around your small waist, delicate chains of sparkling crystals are loosely draped, the ends adorned with larger gemstones that sway with your every movement, drawing attention to the seductive shape of your body. Your feet are encased in crystal-like high heels, adding height and elegance to your already alluring form.

To complete the look, a luxurious, fluffy fur scarf is draped over your arm, hanging loosely and brushing against your bare skin. The softness of the fur contrasts with the hard, glittering crystals, adding a touch of sensuality to the ensemble.

As you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you can't help but admire the breathtaking effect of your ensemble — the dress, the shimmering jewels, and the luxurious fur all combine to make you look utterly irresistible.

Yet, as you take in your reflection, a sense of incompleteness nags at you. Something is missing.

Your hand instinctively brushes over your bare neck, and a longing stirs within you.

Your collar.

The absence of it feels almost wrong, like a piece of you is missing.

Your eyes drift back to the mirror, focusing on the delicate skin of your neck. There, lingering like a beautiful secret, are the remnants of last night's passion — faint kiss marks, bruised nibbles, and the deep, possessive bite where Zhongli marked you as his. The sight sends a shiver down your spine, reminding you of the intensity of his claim.

The marks are a stark contrast against your otherwise polished appearance, a hidden truth beneath the glamour. You can't help but trace your fingers over the sensitive skin, remembering the feel of his teeth sinking in, the way your body responded to his dominance.

The thought of it makes you yearn for the collar even more, the tangible symbol of his ownership that you crave to wear again.

Your legs began to tremble once more, the soreness from the previous night making it difficult to stand.

Sensing your discomfort, one of the attendants quickly guided you to a plush couch, where you could rest. With a gentle smile, they handed you a cup of peach tea. You accepted it gratefully, the warm, fragrant liquid soothing you as you sipped it, a contented smile playing on your lips.

The peachy sweetness of the tea faded faster than you expected, replaced by an odd ache in your right fingers.

For a moment, the thick, sweet scent in the room seemed to dissipate, and your senses sharpened. But as you took another sip, the familiar sweetness returned, filling your senses once again, yet the dull ache in your fingers lingered, a curious sensation you couldn't quite place. The thought of it drifted away as you finished your tea.

"Lady Y/N? It's time to meet Rex Lapis," one of the attendants softly announced.

A blush crept across your cheeks at the mention of Zhongli, your lover. It hadn't been long since you last saw him, but the craving to be near him again was overwhelming.

"Yes..." you murmured, anticipation tingling in your veins.

The attendants gently helped you to your feet, steadying your shaky legs as they guided you. Your excitement to be near Zhongli made you eager, and you tried to walk faster, though your legs trembled beneath you.

Each step you took sent the sound of your heels clicking sharply through the corridor, the delicate crystals on your dress rustling with each movement.

After what felt like an eternity, you reached the end of the long, opulent corridor, where massive golden doors loomed before you. The attendants pushed the heavy doors open, revealing the grandeur of the hall within.

The floor gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the golden light that seemed to emanate from everywhere. Dragons coiled around every surface, their intricate designs carved into the walls, pillars, and even the ceiling, where a stunning depiction of you and Zhongli embracing was etched into the golden surface.

Your gaze drifted forward, and there he was — Zhongli, seated on a grand golden throne, the very image of regality. The throne, like the rest of the room, was intricately decorated, seemingly crafted from Cor Lapis itself, radiating a rich, amber glow.

His presence dominated the space, and as your eyes met his, your heart pounded in your chest. The sheer power of his gaze, coupled with the memory of the previous night, made the air between you feel electric, charged with a tension that made your breath quicken.

Zhongli tapped his lap, and with trembling legs, you hurried over, brushing off the attendants who tried to steady you. You were too eager, too desperate to be near him again. You sank onto his lap, your body melting against his, and looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes, meeting his intense amber gaze that seemed to pierce through you.

His gloved hand reached up to grip your chin, tilting your face so he could examine you closely. His eyes bore into yours, scrutinizing your pupils, which were now fully dilated, a clear sign that the drug had taken complete control over you. His lips curled into a dark, satisfied smirk. The last remnants of restraint fell away; now he could fully indulge in you without hesitation.

"You've been such a good girl, haven't you?" he cooed, his thumb brushing softly over your lips. His eyes drifted down to your neck, where his earlier marks — his kisses and bites — stood out starkly against your skin. The large, prominent dragon-mark he had left on you the night before claimed you as his, and he reveled in the sight. He leaned in, his lips grazing over the sensitive mark, sending a shiver through your body, before placing a kiss on it.

He pulled back slightly, his breath hot against your ear as he whispered, "Something's missing, isn't it?"

"M-my... collar," you responded, your voice tinged with a soft sadness as you realized its absence. The collar was more than just an accessory; it was a symbol of your submission, your connection to him.

Zhongli chuckled, clearly pleased with your response. "Good girl," he murmured approvingly. 

He reached down to retrieve a new collar — a striking piece made of white, shiny leather, embedded with glimmering diamonds. The luxury of it matched the importance it held for both of you. 

He fastened the collar around your neck, tightening it more than before. The leather pressed snugly against your throat, making you gasp and moan in a mix of pleasure and desperation. The restriction on your breathing left you feeling lightheaded, a dizzying sensation that only heightened your arousal. You loved the way it choked you, how it made you feel so completely under his control.

With a click, he attached the leash to the collar and gave it a sharp tug, pulling you roughly closer to him. The force of it made your heart race, your breath coming in shallow gasps as you stared up at him with a look of pure need.

Zhongli's amber eyes captivated you completely, drawing you in like a moth to a flame. The longer you gazed into them, the more they seemed to expand, pulling you deeper into their hypnotic glow. It was as if those glowing amber orbs were your entire world, the only light in your existence. 

The drug had taken full effect, warping your perception, amplifying every sensation until it was almost unbearable. Your thoughts swirled in a haze of desire and obsession, leaving no room for anything but him. The idea of anyone or anything else had completely evaporated.

Zhongli was everything. His handsome face, his powerful presence, the way his eyes held you captive — it was all-consuming. Your mind could only think of him, and your body responded in kind, trembling with need, aching to be touched by him. You existed solely for his pleasure, to fulfill his every desire. What were you doing before? It didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was being by his side, being his.

You pressed your big tits against his broad chest, your gaze never wavering from his eyes, lost in the depths of his amber stare. 

"I... ah, I am a good girl for you only..." you whispered, your voice trembling with desperation. Even forming words was a challenge; your thoughts were scattered, disjointed, as the drug clouded your mind. A trail of spit slipped from the corner of your beautiful lips, a testament to how far gone you were, how utterly under his control you had become.

Zhongli's eyes darkened with satisfaction, his gaze taking on a predatory glint as he leaned back into his throne, fully enjoying the sight of you unraveling before him. 

"Aren't you such a mess for me, hm?" he purred, licking his lips in anticipation. He loved seeing the drug's effects, how it stripped away your inhibitions and left you so completely vulnerable to him.

His gloved hand moved to your lower back, sliding down to your big ass. He lifted your already short dress, revealing that you weren't wearing any underwear — your bare ass exposed and ready for him. You were always ready for him, always eager to satisfy his every hunger and lust.

With a sharp, deliberate motion, he slapped your ass hard with his leathered glove, making it bounce under the impact. The sting of the blow sent a jolt of pleasure through you, and you moaned loudly, your body arching into his touch. The pain only heightened your desire, making you crave more. You were completely at his mercy, a willing toy in his hands, and nothing had ever felt so good.

The grand doors to the throne room creaked open, a subtle intrusion on your intimate moment with Zhongli. A soft knock followed, but before the person could speak, Zhongli's firm voice echoed through the chamber. "Come in."

As the doors parted, a young woman with cerulean blue hair and black-red horns stepped inside. She was Ganyu, one of the Adeptus. Her presence demanded respect, but her eyes flickered briefly to you before she knelt at the base of the throne, head bowed low to the ground.

Annoyed by the interruption, you pouted, nuzzling your face into the crook of Zhongli's neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent. The possessiveness you felt for him flared, and you clung to him tighter, unwilling to share his attention, even for a moment.

"What are you here for?" Zhongli's voice, though calm, carried an underlying authority that left no room for disobedience.

"Lord Rex Lapis, I came to report," Ganyu began, her voice echoing in the vast, opulent hall. "We have successfully persuaded the people of Liyue that the Geo Archon is not dead and fabricated a believable story with evidence to support it."

You couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she addressed your lover so formally. The way she spoke to him, the way she occupied even a fraction of his attention, made you cling to him even tighter. Sensing your unease, Zhongli's hand tightened on your ass, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Good work," he acknowledged her efforts before shifting his focus. "What about the preparations?"

"Everything is ready. The seal can be activated at any time," Ganyu reported, her head still bowed.

As she spoke, Zhongli's leather-gloved hand slid down between your ass cheeks, fingers teasingly brushing against your pussy. You shivered, trying to suppress the moan that threatened to escape as he began to play with you, pushing his fingers in and out with calculated precision. The sensation was overwhelming, your body responding instantly to his touch, but you buried your face deeper into his neck, trying to muffle the sounds of your pleasure.

"And the drug?" Zhongli's voice was steady, betraying none of the sinful actions happening beneath the throne. His fingers continued their relentless assault, making it increasingly difficult for you to stifle your moans.

"We have finally enhanced the effects of the Peach Drug," Ganyu continued, unaware of the intimate scene above her. "It now lasts over a year without the need for re-administration."

"Good," Zhongli responded, his tone satisfied. "You may leave."

Ganyu quickly rose, her ears tinged with red as she caught a glimpse of your writhing form, still seated on Zhongli's lap, your body surrendering to his expert touch. She left without another word, her eyes averted, as you moaned softly into his neck, the door closing behind her.

Zhongli withdrew his fingers, bringing them to his lips as he licked them clean, savoring your taste. "Now, where were we, my love?" he whispered, his amber eyes glowing with desire as he turned his full attention back to you.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Zhongli carried you effortlessly in his arms, his strength unyielding even after the intense session that had left you utterly spent. Your cheeks flushed a deep red, and your body felt heavy, filled with the warmth of his seeds. 

Exhaustion clung to you, but Zhongli remained as composed as ever, his steps steady as he walked through the long, opulent corridor. You nestled your head into the crook of his neck, comforted by his familiar scent, while your gaze drifted downward to the shiny marble floor, where your reflection wavered in the polished surface.

Then, a sharp ache radiated through your right hand, more intense than before. The sudden pain pierced through the lingering fog in your mind, momentarily clearing the haze that had clouded your thoughts. 

A sense of disorientation washed over you, a nagging feeling that something was amiss. Something important. Something you had always kept with you, something you never parted with except in sleep. But what was it?

Your puzzled gaze fell to your right hand, the ache still pulsing beneath your skin. The fog in your mind made it hard to think clearly, but as you stared, you saw something strange — golden cracks forming along your skin, and from those cracks, delicate flowers bloomed, their petals shifting from gold to white. Your fingernails, long and sharp like golden claws, gleamed ominously.

A sudden, overwhelming craving surged through you, a dark desire for blood, for destruction. It consumed you, an intense bloodlust that made everything else feel insignificant, worthless. The urge to obliterate everything around you was almost unbearable.

But then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. The flowers, the cracks, the claws — all vanished as if they had never been. You blinked, confusion swirling in your mind. An illusion? The sense of déjà vu lingered, as if you had experienced this strange vision before, but the clarity it brought was already fading, the fog threatening to return.

Why does everything feel so strange? 

The fog in your mind, once so thick and all-encompassing, is starting to lift, but only just. It's as if you're standing on the edge of a dream, half-aware, but still lost in its clutches. 

The words of that girl from before — what did she say? Something about a drug... Yes, a drug. The word echoes in your mind, and then, like a flash of lightning, realization strikes.

Your eyes widen, heart pounding in your chest as the truth seeps in.

Morax drugged you. 

But how? And why? The answers are just out of reach, hidden in the mist that still clouds your thoughts. You try to piece it together, but your mind is like quicksand, pulling you back into confusion with every step you take toward clarity.

You need to calm down, but it's nearly impossible with the panic surging through you. Morax... Zhongli... He's plotting something, something terrible. But what? Is he going to seal you away? Force you into a contract? The fragments of their earlier conversation swirl around in your head, but they're so jumbled you can barely grasp them. Time is slipping through your fingers, and you know you need to act, but what can you do?

You're so weak, so defenseless in this state, and the drug is still in your system, pulling you back into the fog with every passing second. You try to think, to remember anything that could help you, but it's like trying to hold water in your hands — everything slips away before you can grasp it. Your thoughts grow more disjointed, more frantic, and you can feel yourself teetering on the edge of losing control.

But you can't give in. Not yet. You fight against the haze, struggling to keep your mind clear, to think of a way out. But it's so hard, and your strength is fading. 

What can you do? What can you possibly do? 

The more you try to think, the more elusive the answers become, and the more desperate you feel. The fog is thickening again, threatening to drag you back under, and you know you don't have much time left.

You glance down at your right hand, wondering if the strange illusion you saw earlier was a clue — a way to break free from the drug's grip on your mind. Desperation claws at you as you try to piece together what's real and what's not.

"L-love? Where are we going?" Your voice wavers, laced with uncertainty, but also a calculated attempt to buy some time. Zhongli, fortunately, doesn't seem to notice. 

He smiles, planting a tender kiss on your head, a gesture that makes your heart flutter despite your growing fear.

"We're going to a very special room," he replies, his voice soothing, almost hypnotic.

Shit. 

You cling to him tighter, trying to ground yourself, but that kiss... It feels so good. 

You shouldn't like it, you remind yourself. It's the drug, twisting your thoughts, making you crave his touch, his affection. But then another part of you whispers, Why resist? Why not enjoy the pleasure, the comfort, the security of his love?

'No, it's the drug...' you mentally argue, trying to push away the warmth spreading through your body. But it's getting harder to distinguish what the drug is making you feel from what might actually be your true emotions. You're slipping, and you know it.

"Wha... wh-what special room, love?" you stammer, struggling to form coherent words as the fog in your mind thickens.

"A special room where you will forever become mine..." His voice drops to a low, predatory growl, sending shivers down your spine.

"...Ah... fo-forever?" The word catches in your throat, a mix of dread and something else—something that frightens you even more.

"Yes," he murmurs, his tone possessive. "You will become forever my good little girl."

Your heart races, but the confusion only deepens. A part of you thrills at his words, at the idea of being his, of being praised as his 'good girl.' It feels right, like it's exactly what you want. But another part of you screams that this isn't real, that you're being manipulated, drugged into submission.

"I... I am so happy," you say, but the words feel hollow, disconnected from your true feelings. Or maybe they are your true feelings? You don't know anymore. You can't tell where the drug's influence ends and your own desires begin. It's like you're trapped in a web, unable to distinguish between pleasure and fear, love and control.

You're losing yourself, and the worst part is you can't tell if you even want to fight it anymore.

"We're here, love," Zhongli murmurs, stopping before a colossal door that towers high above, stretching to meet the ceiling. 

The door's surface shimmers in a pale peach hue, almost translucent, like a barrier between reality and a dream. Even in your drugged state, you can sense the immense power radiating from it — a barrier that keeps something in, or perhaps, something out. 

Xiao, standing stoically as a sentinel beside the door, steps forward and opens it for Zhongli. The door swings open with a soft creak, and as soon as you both step inside, it closes behind you with a resounding bang.

Zhongli gently sets you down, and your feet touch the soft, cool ground. You blink, trying to take in the sight before you. It's... not just a room — it's something beyond your comprehension, something out of a fever-dream, or a paradise you might find in the most vivid of fantasies.

Your eyes widen in awe and confusion as you survey the vast expanse before you. The sky overhead is bathed in a pale pink light, almost as if dawn has just broken, yet it feels eternal, as if time doesn't exist here. 

The grass beneath your feet is lush and green, dotted with peach-colored flowers in full bloom. Real peaches hang from the trees — trees that are ancient, majestic, with leaves that shimmer in hues of lavender and gold. The scent of fresh blossoms fills the air, sweet and intoxicating.

In the center of this strange paradise is a lake, its waters a mesmerizing shade of pink, surrounded by more of those ethereal peach flowers. The water glows faintly, as if lit from within by some unseen force. Far beyond the lake, a grand palace looms in the distance, its structure so intricate and beautiful that it seems to have been crafted by the gods themselves.

You feel like you've stepped into a world torn between a dream and a nightmare, a place that is both enchanting and terrifying. The beauty is undeniable, yet there's something unsettling about it all. The paradise stretches on infinitely, without borders, without end — just like the strange hold Zhongli has over you. You can't tell if you're in a perfect dream or trapped in a beguiling illusion.

You clutched the fluffy fur scarf draped loosely around your arms, pulling it tighter as a wave of uncertainty washed over you.

"Wh-what is this place?" you stammered, your gaze drifting upwards to the pink sky where fish swam lazily among the clouds, an impossible, surreal sight.

"Your new home," Zhongli replied, his voice calm yet carrying an ominous undertone.

Suddenly, he yanked sharply on the leash attached to your collar, pulling you forward with a jolt. You gasped, struggling to catch your breath as the collar tightened around your throat, nearly choking you... not that you hated it.

He continued walking, leading you down to the edge of the lake, the collar pressing against your neck with each tug. The flowers beneath your feet seemed untouched, resilient under your weight as if they weren't really there at all.

"Are you excited to become my wife?" he asked, his voice soft, almost tender. You nodded instinctively, your thoughts clouded, unsure whether to feel joy or dread.

"Y-yes..." you murmured, your voice trailing off, the word barely audible.

Without warning, he pulled on the leash again, guiding you into the lake. The water was cool against your skin, refreshing in a way that sent shivers down your spine. It lapped gently at your thighs as you followed him to the center of the lake, the surface of the water shimmering like liquid silk. You had no idea why you were there, what he intended to do with you, but the tension in the air was palpable.

A sudden flare of pain shot through your right hand, more intense than before. You glanced down, catching a fleeting glimpse of golden cracks and blooming flowers on your skin before they vanished as quickly as they appeared. The pain grounded you, cutting through the fog that threatened to overtake your mind.

Zhongli jerked the leash again, pulling you forcefully against his chest. The sudden movement made you choke, the collar biting into your throat as you collided with his body. His arm wrapped possessively around your waist, holding you close. "You look so beautiful..." he murmured, his voice smooth and hypnotic. "So perfect..." Slowly, he began lowering you into the pink water, the cool liquid rising up to envelop your body.

"Tonight, your body, your heart, and your soul will become mine and mine alone," he whispered, his words echoing ominously as he submerged you deeper into the water.

Strangely, you found that you could breathe, the water slipping into your mouth, making you dizzy, your thoughts swirling in a haze. Yet, the persistent pain in your right hand kept you tethered to reality, resisting the drug's full effect.

"And you will become my dearest wife..." His voice echoed eerily through the water as he pressed you down to the lake's bottom, the pressure increasing, the pink water around you shimmering like a twisted dream.

The bottom of the lake seemed to melt away beneath you, the ground slipping from your grasp as you began to sink deeper into the depths.

The pink water, once bright and vibrant, grew darker with each passing moment, enveloping you in a swirling haze of color. You felt Zhongli's arms around you, holding you close as you descended, his amber eyes glowing with an ethereal light that pierced through the murky water.

As you drifted further into the lake's endless abyss, the water grew thicker, heavier, pressing against your body from all sides. It wasn't just water — it was the enhanced Peach drug, saturating every inch of your being, seeping into your skin, your mouth, and your mind. The drug wrapped around you like a velvet shroud, pulling you deeper into its grasp.

The haze in your mind thickened, your thoughts becoming sluggish, like you were trying to swim through honey. You felt your consciousness teetering on the edge, slipping in and out of focus.

Yet, amid the overwhelming fog, a sharp pain flared in your right hand. It was the only thing that kept you anchored to reality, a burning sensation that cut through the drug's effects like a hot knife.

The pain intensified, pulsing with a strange energy that made you crave something — something just out of reach. You couldn't tell what it was, but the need was powerful, a desperate, primal urge that gnawed at your insides.

You sank further and further down, the pink water darkening to a deep, almost blood-red hue as you descended into the lake's unknown depths.

Your vision blurred, Zhongli's glowing eyes the only constant in the swirling chaos around you. The drug's influence grew stronger, pulling you toward unconsciousness, yet the pain in your hand kept dragging you back, tethering you to a thin thread of awareness.

The world around you began to fade, the edges of your vision darkening as you drifted between consciousness and the drug-induced dream state. You weren't sure if you were still sinking or if you had reached the lake's bottom, lost in an endless void.

Zhongli gazed down at you, his amber eyes filled with an obsessive adoration that bordered on madness. Your face, serene and vulnerable, lay half-hidden beneath the water's surface, your eyes fluttering open just enough for him to see the flicker of confusion still clinging to your drugged mind. 

He knew you were hiding things — who you truly were, where you came from, the secrets of a world beyond his reach. But that didn't matter anymore. You couldn't escape him, not now. Not ever.

He had gone to great lengths to create this world for you, a gilded paradise where time stretched infinitely, a place where he could keep you all to himself. No prying eyes, no interruptions, just you and him in this boundless, dreamlike realm. It was a golden cage, crafted with meticulous care, where he could savor every moment with you, unravel every mystery you held, until there was nothing left but your raw, unfiltered devotion.

His fingers traced the delicate curve of your throat, gliding down to your chest, where they rested between the soft swell of your breasts. His touch was possessive, claiming you inch by inch as if he were engraving his very essence into your skin. A golden light began to glow beneath his fingertips, and slowly, a Geo symbol took form between your breasts, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.

You arched your back, a moan slipping from your lips as the symbol burned into your flesh, binding you to him in a way that was beyond mere physicality. Zhongli's breath hitched at the sound, his obsession deepening as he watched you succumb to the sensations he orchestrated. This was what he had been waiting for, what he had been planning for so long — your complete and utter submission.

"This is your destiny," he murmured, his voice a soft, dangerous whisper. "You were meant to be mine, to surrender every part of yourself to me. Your body, your mind, your soul... all belong to me now."

The Geo symbol pulsed brighter, a tether binding your soul to his will, inescapable and eternal. His fingers pressed deeper, drawing out another moan, and he couldn't help but smile — a dark, satisfied smile that spoke of his possessive nature. He had been patient, so painfully patient, waiting for this moment where he could finally seal the bond that would make you his forever.

"Your soul will tell me everything," he continued, his voice laced with a mixture of tenderness and cruelty. "Every secret, every desire, every fear. You won't be able to hide from me anymore. You will be mine, forever."

Zhongli leaned down, his lips brushing against the symbol glowing on your skin, and you felt a surge of heat that made you tremble. This was no ordinary contract — this was a bond that would tie your very essence to his, ensuring that you could never leave, never break free. You were his, and he would never let you go.

"Now," he whispered, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction, "you will be my beautiful wife, bound to me in every way that matters. No one will ever take you from me. You are mine, and mine alone."

The finality in his words echoed in the depths of your mind, and as the last remnants of resistance faded away, you knew there was no escape. Zhongli had claimed you, body and soul, and in this endless, golden world he had created, you would remain by his side for all eternity.

As Zhongli pressed harder against your chest, his power surged through you, a searing force that threatened to tear your very soul from its vessel. The sensation was agonizing, like your essence was being wrenched from your body, dragged against its will into the cold, unforgiving abyss. The world around you blurred as consciousness slipped away, but in the darkness, something ancient and malevolent stirred.

'Did you know?'

Zhongli's focus sharpened, channeling his elemental energy to breach the barrier between your soul and his will. He sought to uncover your deepest secrets, to see the desires and fears that lay hidden within the recesses of your mind. 

But in his arrogance, he failed to notice the transformation taking place on your right hand. The skin cracked, golden lines spreading like fissures, from which bloomed ethereal gold-to-white flowers, pulsating with a dreadful energy.

'If you gaze long enough into the Abyss...'

His voice rang out, commanding, "Show me everything. Every desire you hold, every fear, and... your entirety."

'The Abyss will gaze back into you...'

Zhongli's gaze met yours, your half-closed eyes barely responsive. Then, the vision struck him with the force of a tempest. 

He saw a world devoid of color, everything cast in shades of gray. The air was thick with despair, the ground littered with the bodies of the fallen, severed in grotesque and unnatural ways. And there you stood, a spectral figure among the carnage, holding a long sword that gleamed with an otherworldly light. Your form, too, was gray and lifeless, save for your eyes — those striking, golden eyes that bore into his very soul.

"Excuse me, did you ask?" 

Your voice was a cold, raw whisper, devoid of emotion, yet it cut through the air like a blade. It was terrifying, inhuman, a sound that carried the weight of countless atrocities.

Zhongli's eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, a torrent of raw, unfiltered bloodlust surged from you, a tidal wave of hatred and fury that consumed him utterly. The serene pink waters around you turned crimson, as if soaked in the blood of the countless lives you had claimed. The colorless world erupted into a vivid, violent red, the hue of slaughter and madness.

Your appearance shifted, becoming something out of a nightmare. Your hair turned stark white, your golden eyes glowing with a hellish intensity. From your head sprouted twisted, golden horns — one torn as if in battle. The bloodlust radiating from you was suffocating, a force so overwhelming that Zhongli felt it crushing his spirit. He tried to pull away, but your power held him fast, dragging him back into the nightmare that was your true self.

He struggled, but it was like being caught in the coils of a monstrous serpent, a predator that had no intention of releasing its prey. Images flashed before his eyes — a snake coiled around its victim, tightening its grip until the life was squeezed out; a cheetah pouncing on a gazelle, the sharp claws ripping into flesh; a bear tearing into a rabbit with merciless force; a shark circling, then striking with lethal precision. Each vision was a reflection of your nature, a being of relentless, primal violence.

And then, as if the universe itself recoiled, a black hole appeared — a flickering image of IX, an abyss of unfathomable darkness. Zhongli felt an overwhelming fear, a terror that clawed at his mind as he was pulled inexorably toward it. The bloodlust was no longer just around him; it was inside him, devouring him from within, a dark, voracious force that threatened to obliterate everything he was.

He tried to escape, but there was no escape. The bloodlust gripped him like a vice, pulling him deeper into the abyss where only you existed — an entity of pure, unrelenting destruction. And as the darkness closed in, he knew, with a cold, sinking certainty, that he had made a grave mistake in underestimating the true nature of the one he sought to claim.

Suddenly, the bloodlust dissipated, and the world snapped back into its eerie normalcy. The water reverted to its soft pink hue, and your appearance settled back into its familiar form. But your eyes remained different — cold, intimidating, and brimming with a chilling clarity.

"What do you think you're doing?" Your voice cut through the silence like a blade, sharp and merciless. Zhongli's eyes widened in shock, but before he could respond, your fist connected with his abdomen with brutal force. The impact sent him hurtling through the air, tearing him from the seemingly endless stretch of water.

You glanced down at your right hand, noting the golden cracks and blooming flowers that adorned your skin. "This explains a lot..." you muttered, piecing together the fragments of your fragmented memories.

Where were your finger guards? They were vital — they served as an extra seal, a binding force to keep your MANTIS form in check. Without them, the risk of losing control loomed dangerously close, and you knew all too well that out of the Fourteen, your mastery over your MANTIS form was the weakest. The drug's hold on you had vanished, its effects reduced to nothing more than a fleeting memory.

In an instant, you moved with a speed that defied reason, slipping out of the water with a grace that was almost unnatural.

Zhongli was still airborne, caught in the aftermath of your punch, when you appeared above him. With a swift, decisive kick, you sent him crashing into the ground with such force that the earth trembled beneath him, a cloud of dust rising from the impact.

Zhongli groaned in pain, clutching his abdomen, his eyes narrowing in realization. He had made a grave error in underestimating you, in attempting to peer into the depths of your soul. What he had found was not a well of secrets to exploit, but an abyss — one that should never have been disturbed.

You stepped through the dust cloud, your form emerging like a specter of death. Your gaze bore down on him with disdain, as though he were nothing more than a worthless insect beneath your heel. 

"Divine Key, Nihility, come forth," you commanded, your voice devoid of emotion. You extended your right arm, and in a flash of light, the Divine Key materialized in your hand, a weapon of immense power that seemed to warp the very air around it.

It was only then that Zhongli noticed the golden cracks and the blooming flowers on your hand, and a terrifying realization dawned on him. Could it be that you were...?

The thought trailed off as he stared up at you, the weight of his mistake settling heavily on his shoulders. He had unleashed something far more dangerous than he had ever anticipated, and now, he was at the mercy of a power he could not hope to control.

"I don't know what you want from me, what you hoped to gain..." Your voice was a low, dangerous whisper as your crystalline heels crushed the delicate flowers beneath your steps, each one wilting into nothingness. 

"But what you did to me, Morax..." With a swift, decisive motion, you tore the tight collar from your throat, casting it to the ground where it shattered into fragments, the embedded diamonds and crystals scattering like worthless debris.

"I will never forgive you," you continued, your voice icy with the weight of your fury. 

The memories of his violations, the sinful acts he had forced upon your body, surged to the forefront of your mind. But more than that, the binding contract he had dared to place on the entirety of your soul burned in your thoughts. A contract that, thanks to the other half of your soul — IX, the Aeon of Nihility — had been reduced to nothingness. The mere thought of it stoked the fires of your wrath. You grasped the handle of your Divine Key with a grip that promised bloodshed, your intentions clear.

Across from you, Zhongli slowly rose to his feet, his expression hardening as his spear materialized in his hand. He could feel the shift in your aura, the lethal edge of your resolve. But he was the Geo Archon, the strongest god and Archon in all of Teyvat, and he would not go down without a fight.

The battlefield was set, and the tension between you was palpable, a charged silence that promised nothing short of a cataclysmic clash.

The serene paradise he had crafted was now a battleground, the tranquil beauty of the endless lake and pink-hued sky a stark contrast to the violence about to unfold.

Morax, the Geo Archon, was a god of stone and earth, a being of immense power whose strength was drawn from the very bones of the world. His spear, a weapon forged in the crucible of countless wars, gleamed with a menacing light as he readied himself for the coming fight. The earth beneath his feet trembled slightly as his elemental energy surged, responding to his unspoken command. He was prepared to unleash the full might of his geo power — shaping the land, summoning stone walls, and hurling massive boulders with but a thought.

You, however, were not of this world. Your origins were far more ancient, far more terrifying than the people of Teyvat could ever comprehend. The power of Nihility coursed through your veins, a destructive force that could reduce all matter to nothingness. The golden cracks on your right hand, still glowing from your earlier confrontation, were a reminder of the terrible power that lay dormant within you — a power you struggled to control. But you had no intention of using your Divine Key, not yet. This fight would be won with skill, not sheer force.

The moment hung in the air, taut as a bowstring, before snapping as Morax launched the first attack. He thrust his spear forward, and the ground beneath you exploded upwards, a jagged pillar of stone shooting towards your chest. You reacted instantly, sidestepping with lightning speed, your heel barely brushing the ground as you avoided the lethal strike. The pillar crumbled into dust as it missed its mark, but Morax was already on the move, his spear spinning in a deadly arc toward your head.

You ducked under the blow, your body moving with a fluid grace that belied the fury simmering beneath the surface. As his spear passed over you, you twisted your body and delivered a swift kick to his side. The force of the blow sent Morax skidding backward, but his expression remained calm, his eyes narrowing as he adjusted his stance.

In response, the earth trembled once more as Morax summoned a wave of geo energy, the ground around you erupting in a series of stone spikes that sought to impale you. But you were faster, your form flickering like a phantom as you danced between the deadly spikes, each movement precise and controlled. As the last spike shot up, you flipped backward, landing lightly on your feet.

"Do your worst," you said, your tone aloof, almost bored, but the sharpness in your eyes betrayed the readiness of a predator about to strike.

His only response was a low growl as he lunged at you, the air crackling with power. This time, his spear was a blur of motion, striking at you from every angle. You met his attack with equal ferocity, your movements a seamless blend of offense and defense. Each time his spear came close, you deflected it with a precise strike of your hand or foot, using his own momentum against him. It was a dance of death, and you were both equally matched.

But as the battle raged on, you began to notice something. Morax's attacks were becoming more relentless, more aggressive. His calm, calculated demeanor was slipping, replaced by something darker — something more desperate. It was as if he knew that despite his immense power, he could not afford to let this fight drag on.

And then, with a roar that shook the very air, Morax slammed his spear into the ground. The earth beneath your feet shattered, and a massive chasm opened up, threatening to swallow you whole. But you didn't falter. Instead, you leaped into the air, using the force of the explosion to propel yourself higher, out of the reach of the gaping abyss below.

As you soared above the battlefield, you could see Morax below, his amber eyes glowing with a fierce light as he prepared for his next move. But you could also see something else — something he had failed to notice. The cracks on your right hand were spreading, the golden light growing brighter with each passing second. And with it, your control over your MANTIS-form was slipping.

But that was exactly what you needed.

As you descended back toward the ground, you let the power of Nihility surge through you, allowing it to flow into your limbs, strengthening your attacks. The moment your feet touched the ground, you shot toward Morax, your speed and strength amplified tenfold. He barely had time to react as you closed the distance between you, your fist slamming into his chest with enough force to send him flying backward.

Morax hit the ground hard, his body skidding across the dirt before slamming into a wall of stone. He grunted in pain, his hand clutching his chest where you had struck him. But you didn't give him time to recover. In the blink of an eye, you were upon him again, your attacks relentless and precise.

"Is this what you wanted, Morax?" you hissed, your voice dripping with venom as you struck him again and again. "To see the true extent of my power? To gaze into the abyss and hope to come out unscathed?"

With each word, your blows grew stronger, faster. Morax could barely keep up, his defenses crumbling under the sheer force of your assault. But even as you pushed him to his limits, you could feel the strain on your own body. The power of Nihility was a double-edged sword, and you were walking a fine line between control and chaos.

But then, as you prepared to deliver the final blow, Morax did something unexpected. With a surge of geo energy, he slammed his fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked you off balance. Before you could recover, he was on you, his spear aimed directly at your heart.

Time seemed to slow as you watched the spear tip inch closer and closer to your chest. But even as it did, you felt a strange sense of calm wash over you. This was it. The moment of truth. Would you let him win, or would you unleash the full extent of your power and risk losing yourself in the process?

But then, just as the spear was about to pierce your skin, you moved. In one fluid motion, you caught the spear with your right hand, the golden cracks flaring with a blinding light. For a moment, Morax looked stunned, his eyes widening in shock as he realized what was happening. But it was too late.

With a final, desperate burst of energy, you wrenched the spear from his grasp and snapped it in two. The force of the action sent a shockwave through the ground, and Morax staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. But you didn't stop there. With a swift, almost casual motion, you slammed your fist into his chest, sending him crashing to the ground once more.

As he lay there, gasping for breath, you stood over him. The golden cracks on your hand were slowly fading, but the power of Nihility still hummed beneath your skin, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

"You should have known better, Morax," you said, your voice low and dangerous. "You cannot control what you do not understand. And you will never control me."

Your fury was palpable, a dark and terrifying force that seemed to pulse through the very air around you. Every step you took toward Zhongli was deliberate, each heel strike against the ground echoing with the promise of retribution. 

When you reached him, you didn't hesitate — you stomped harshly onto his crotch, your heel digging into his flesh with merciless precision. A pained groan escaped his lips, but you weren't here for mercy.

"Firstly," you began, your voice cold, yet tinged with an icy aloofness that sent shivers down his spine, "where are my finger guards?"

His breath hitched as he struggled to speak, the pain nearly overwhelming. "Ah—... they are stored in the sealed store-room," he stammered.

Your gaze didn't waver. "Secondly, where are my necklace and earrings?"

"They're... also stored in the same room," he answered, his voice strained, the agony of your assault evident in his every word.

"Lastly..." Your voice dropped to a dangerously low tone as you looked down at him, your eyes narrowing with a lethal focus. "Where is Osial?"

Zhongli's silence was a mistake — a grave one. You murmured a cold, "Huh...," before pressing your weight harder onto his crotch. He yelped in pain, a sound that was music to your ears. His dragon eyes glowed, but even his inherent power couldn't shield him from the sheer force of your anger.

As he remained silent, you kneaded his crotch harder, twisting your heel as if you were grinding out a cigarette. "You will guide me to Osial," you demanded, your tone leaving no room for argument. It wasn't a request; it was an order, an ultimatum.

Finally, he nodded, the submission in his gesture feeding the dark satisfaction that churned within you. But that wasn't enough. You leaned in, your voice dripping with cold, cruel sarcasm. "Ha? I didn't hear it. What did you say?"

"Yes..." Zhongli finally gasped, the pain twisting his words. "I will guide you to Osial."

You weren't finished. Not by a long shot. 

"But—"

"There are no buts." Your tone sliced through his words like a blade, sharp and unyielding. 

"You've had enough of me. Enough of my body." 

Your fingers trailed up to the large, dragon-shaped mark he had left on your throat, a symbol of his twisted possession.

Without hesitation, your sharp nails dug deep into your flesh. The sound of your skin tearing was a grotesque symphony that echoed through the air as you tore the mark from your body, ripping away the symbol of his dominance. Golden blood — sparkling and radiant — poured from the wound, a stark contrast to the violence of your actions. You pressed your fingers against the bleeding flesh, showing no reaction to the pain.

Zhongli's eyes widened in shock, the sight of your golden blood confirming his deepest suspicions. You were no ordinary being — his worst fears were realized.

"I remember what really happened here in Liyue millennia ago," you continued, your voice a chilling whisper. "And your little fabricated story... ha... what an utter lie."

You leaned closer, your lips curling into a cold, emotionless smile as you delivered your final, terrifying words. "But let me tell you something... The past is meaningless. All that is past... has returned to Nihility."

A single golden tear slipped from the corner of your eye, falling onto Zhongli's face. "Just like tears... eventually disappear in the rain."

Your words hung in the air, heavy with the promise of vengeance. Zhongli could do nothing but stare up at you, the true weight of his actions crashing down on him. You were no longer the person he had tried to control, to possess. You were a force of nature, a being of terrifying power and unrelenting fury, and you would not rest until he paid for every sin he had committed against you.

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Everyone has a past. But for some, that past is a silent abyss, an endless void where the echoes of those who drowned in it are forever lost.

It is a dark chasm, filled with the memories of shattered lives and broken souls, leaving behind a trail of blood and corpses, forgotten by all but the one who created them.

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story is also available on Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬

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In the early morning at Liyue Harbor, the streets were alive with activity. People moved about with purpose, hanging posters that featured a silhouette of a lady adorned with delicate flowers.

As you continued down the cobbled streets, the scent of peach blossoms filled the air, mingling with the morning breeze. The community was busy planting peach-colored flowers, their vibrant hues adding a gentle blush to the town's decor.

Petals danced gracefully in the soft wind, landing on shop signs and gently fluttering down to rest on the ground. The air was fragrant with the sweet scent of peaches, creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere throughout the harbor.

You inhaled deeply, savoring the delicious fragrance that permeated the air. "Another festival, so soon after the Lantern Rite?" you murmured to yourself, intrigued by the bustling activity.

Your eyes landed on one of the many posters scattered around, depicting a figure reminiscent of the story the Traveler had shared with you - the nameless lady who, coincidentally, bore the same name as you. The realization made you suspicious; the parallels were too striking to ignore.

A sense of urgency welled up inside you, compelling you to uncover more about this ancient tale and your potential connection to it.

"Y/N!" Aether called out, running towards you with a tiny pixie flitting anxiously behind him. "Good morning," he greeted, his smile radiant.

"Aether! Why are you running like that?" the pixie, catching her breath, complained as she struggled to keep up.

"Good morning, Aether," you replied, stopping in your tracks, "Did you sleep well?"

Aether nodded, "Yes, I did. How about you?"

The pixie finally caught up, colliding with Aether's head. Just as she was about to voice her displeasure, her wide eyes locked onto you, and a look of horror crossed her face. "I-It's you!" she gasped, quickly darting behind Aether for cover. "How do you know her?"

"I met Y/N last night," Aether explained.

"In the night?" Paimon exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. You crossed your arms and offered a reassuring look. "We just had a brief conversation, little one," you clarified.

"Paimon! My name is Paimon!" she huffed, puffing her cheeks while still peeking out from behind Aether's head.

"And Paimon remembers how scary and angry you were with Zhongli!" Paimon exclaimed. "Oh, right, I wanted to ask you about that," Aether added.

You began walking slowly, "It's a bit complicated, but I'm willing to explain," you said, passing by them. Aether and Paimon exchanged glances before falling into step beside you.

"I don't really know Zhongli. But when I first saw him, I felt like he was someone... significant," you said, searching for the right words. "...I felt like something bad had happened between us... But I don't know what."

"Something bad?" Paimon echoed, now more curious than afraid.

You glanced at her, then back at the bustling streets, "...My instincts told me that this man had caused me great pain. That's why I was so defensive and cautious," you explained.

"What was the other reason?" Aether asked.

You hesitated, "The other reason is... my name. He knew my name." Your eyes narrowed. "It shouldn't be possible for my name to exist in this world."

"Huh... I don't get it. Why shouldn't your name exist?" Paimon asked, puzzled.

Aether thought for a moment, "Are you from another world too?"

"Yes," you confirmed.

Paimon and Aether exchanged knowing looks. "Oh... Well, that makes sense, I guess," Paimon said, rubbing her head. After a moment, she suddenly exclaimed, "Wait a minute!" causing both you and Aether to stop and look at her.

"What is it?" you asked, a bit startled by her outburst.

"Your name," Paimon pointed at you, then gestured to a poster depicting the silhouette of a woman. "Your name is Y/N! And you have the same name as the Unknown Lady from the love story!" Her eyes widened in realization.

Aether looked at you, "Then you are..."

"If you connect the dots, it's very likely that I'm the Unknown Lady from that story," you said, your voice quieting as the weight of the revelation settled in.

"You don't remember anything..." Aether said, his voice tinged with sympathy. Paimon's expression mirrored his concern as she glanced between you and Aether. "Do you have memory loss...?" she asked softly.

You didn't respond immediately, choosing instead to continue walking. As you looked up at the sky, the peach-colored petals from the flowers danced in the breeze, their delicate scent filling the air.

"I rely more on my feelings than memories to guide me," you finally said.

Aether and Paimon remained silent, sharing a moment of quiet empathy for your situation. "Maybe you could talk to Zhongli," Aether suggested gently. "He might be able to tell you more about your past... or the story that involves you."

You considered his words, the idea lingering in your mind. "Talking to Zhongli... It might not be a bad idea," you mused aloud. "It could help me piece together what I've lost."

"Then let's find Zhongli!" Paimon exclaimed, flying up to you and grabbing your hand. "Come on, let's go!" She tugged at your arm enthusiastically, her energy infectious. Aether chuckled at the sight, smiling as he followed along.

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Zhongli's lips curved into a smile as Xiao reports about everything, including You wanting to speak with him. Finally, after decades of meticulous patience, the moment he had yearned for was within his grasp. The thought of claiming you as his own sent a shiver of anticipation through him.

He had waited so long - far too long - to touch you, to inhale your scent, to hear your voice, and to have you beneath his control.

The agonizing jealousy he felt whenever he saw you with Osial was unbearable. The mere idea of such a gentle and exquisite woman in the company of a lunatic like Osial had always filled him with a barely contained fury. He could never fathom how you could tolerate such a union.

The years of planning and scheming were finally about to pay off. Your memory loss, a convenient twist of fate, would make it all the easier to mold the past to his liking, to rewrite history with him as the central figure in your life. He relished the thought of filling in the gaps, of shaping the narrative to satisfy his obsessive desires.

Zhongli's anticipation was almost palpable; he couldn't wait to see you again, to begin the process of weaving himself into the fabric of your life. His heart raced at the thought, his obsession teetering on the edge of madness. You would be his, and this time, nothing and no one would stand in his way.

"Zhongli! Good morning!" Paimon called out, waving eagerly as she led you toward him. Aether trailed close behind, his expression cautious.

As soon as Zhongli's gaze settled on you, his smile widened with an unsettling intensity. "Good morning," he replied, his voice smooth and controlled. He sat at a balcony overlooking Liyue, the perfect vantage point to keep an eye on the bustling city below.

The moment your eyes met his, a shiver of unease ran down your spine. There was something deeply unnerving about the way he looked at you-like a predator finally closing in on its prey. You tried to shake off the feeling, reminding yourself that your goal was simply to learn about the past, nothing more.

"...Good morning..." you murmured, hesitating before adding, "Zhongli." You stood before him, every instinct on high alert, wary of the beautiful yet intimidating man before you. His amber eyes were striking, filled with a quiet intensity that seemed to pierce through you, making it hard to maintain your composure.

Zhongli's gaze never wavered, his eyes drinking in every detail of your presence with an almost obsessive fervor. His smile held a mix of satisfaction and something darker, something possessive. He had waited so long for this moment, and now you were finally here, within reach.

"I came here merely to speak with you... and to apologize for my actions yesterday," you continued, your voice soft but steady. Despite your calm exterior, the weight of Zhongli's gaze felt like a physical force, pressing down on you, as if he was trying to imprint himself onto your very soul. There was a palpable hunger in his eyes, a yearning that was both unsettling and unnervingly intense.

Zhongli's smile softened, but the obsessive gleam in his eyes only grew stronger. "There's no need for apologies," he said, his voice velvety smooth. "I'm just glad you're here." The way he spoke, it was as if he was savoring each word, each moment you stood before him. It was clear that, to him, this was more than just a conversation - this was a long-awaited reunion, a step towards fulfilling his obsessive desires.

He watched you with a predatory stillness, his mind already spinning with plans and possibilities. The thought of you, so close and yet still out of reach, only fueled his obsession. Every gesture, every word, was carefully calculated to draw you in, to ensnare you in the web he had been weaving for so long.

"Why don't you have a seat?" Zhongli suggested, gesturing gracefully toward the empty chair across from him.

Aether and Paimon exchanged a glance, sensing it was best to give you two some privacy. "We'll take our leave then," Aether said with a friendly smile. Paimon nodded enthusiastically, adding, "Have a great time, you two! See you later!" She waved her tiny hands cheerfully before they both departed.

You watched them leave in silence, then took the offered seat. Across from you, Zhongli held a delicate glass teacup, his expression calm yet unsettlingly warm.

His eyes were fixed on you with an intensity that felt almost tangible, a loving smile playing on his lips. The air between you was thick with a palpable tension, a mix of longing and something darker.

As you settled into your seat, a fragrant aroma filled your senses, a delicate blend of floral and fruity sweetness. Your eyes fell on the teapot from which the enticing scent emanated, the soft pink hue of the tea matching the ambiance.

"Everything here smells so fragrant, with a light sweetness..." you murmured, almost to yourself.

Zhongli's chuckle was smooth and rich, like the finest silk. "It's a lovely scent, isn't it?"

He poured the warm liquid into an empty cup, setting it before you. The steam rose in delicate curls, carrying the intoxicating fragrance of peach blossoms.

You picked up the cup with your right hand, your fingers adorned with a silver claw-like metallic guard, and took a sip.

The flavor enveloped you, a perfect blend of ripe peach and subtle floral undertones, sweet yet not overpowering. It was a taste that brought back a flood of memories, a familiar comfort you hadn't realized you missed. The sweetness lingered on your tongue, bringing a rare smile to your usually stoic face.

Zhongli's eyes never left you, watching every nuance of your reaction with an almost obsessive focus.

To him, this was a precious moment, one he had orchestrated with painstaking care. The way you savored the tea, the way your expression softened - he absorbed it all, as if storing these moments deep within himself.

"It's a lovely tea," you said, pulling the heated glass cup away from your lips. Zhongli's gaze remained fixed on his own cup, where the pink liquid swirled gently. "This tea is crafted from a rare and unique variety of peaches," he explained, looking back at you with a smile that seemed almost too perfect. "Legend has it, this was the Unknown Lady's favorite."

"Peaches, hm..." you mused, watching the peach-colored petals dance in the breeze. "They symbolize life's delights and pleasures-"

"-but are equally fragile and short-lived... Such regret is inevitable," Zhongli finished the sentence seamlessly, causing your eyes to widen in surprise. He chuckled softly, savoring the moment. "You once told me this, as you held a peach with such tenderness. I've never forgotten that day," he said, his tone thick with nostalgia.

You met his gaze, a complex expression crossing your face, one that Zhongli seemed intent on deciphering.

You sighed and closed your eyes for a brief moment, collecting your thoughts. "...I am the Unknown Lady, aren't I?"

A dark glint flashed in Zhongli's eyes. "You are correct," he confirmed.

"And you must be the Geo Archon... Morax, who faked his death," you continued, watching as a petal floated gently into your tea. "I had forgotten the Tsaritsa made a contract with you."

Zhongli hummed in acknowledgment. "None of that matters now, as long as you're here, by my side." He reached out and gently took your left hand, intertwining his fingers with yours. "I've missed you, my love," he whispered, squeezing your hand with a tenderness that felt suffocating.

A strange warmth spread from where your hands touched, an unfamiliar sensation that both comforted and unsettled you.

As you glanced down at your intertwined hands, a fleeting image of Osial flickered in your mind. His marine blue eyes held a familiar, tender gaze, lips moving as if whispering words you could no longer hear. You blinked, and the vision dissolved, leaving you staring into Zhongli's intense, unwavering eyes.

Osial.

There he was again, as clear as day. Why now? Why here?

A sense of unease began to creep in, tightening around your chest. Something wasn't adding up. You lifted your gaze to Zhongli, his serene expression betraying nothing. But you knew — deep down, you felt it — this man was hiding something, something crucial.

"What is this festival about?" you asked, your voice steady but probing.

Zhongli's smile softened, his eyes darkening with an unreadable emotion. "It's a celebration of guiding the Unknown Lady back to Morax's arms," he said, lifting your hand and pressing it against his lips. The kiss was gentle, almost reverent, as he lingered on your smooth, delicate skin.

You watched him closely, feeling a faint warmth spread from where his lips touched your hand. It was a sensation that once might have comforted or excited you. But as the seconds ticked by, that warmth quickly faded, replaced by an unsettling numbness. His touch, his kiss — there was nothing there. No spark, no connection, just an empty gesture that left you cold.

You sighed and withdrew your hand from Zhongli's grasp, noticing the flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

"Thank you for answering my question. I'll take my leave now," you said, standing up from your seat.

But before you could take a step, Zhongli rose abruptly, his hand shooting out to grasp your wrist. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of something darker. He stepped closer, cupping your cheeks in his hands, his touch firm and unyielding.

You felt a shiver of discomfort at the intensity of his gaze. "I have a mission to complete. I've already lingered too long," you replied, trying to keep your voice steady.

The truth was, you were weary of this conversation, eager to finish your task and return to some semblance of normalcy.

Zhongli's grip tightened, and he tilted your chin up, forcing you to look directly into his amber eyes. "What mission?" he demanded, his voice soft yet edged with a possessive undercurrent. "I'll gladly assist you, my love."

You hesitated, weighing your words. "I need to find Osial."

The mention of that name seemed to strike a nerve. Zhongli's eyes widened in shock, then quickly narrowed, darkening with a dangerous glint.

The gentle caress on your chin became an iron grip, rough and unrelenting. A shadow of murderous intent flickered across his face, gone as quickly as it came, but not before you saw it.

The mere mention of Osial's name had clearly disturbed him, revealing a chink in his composed facade. It was as if you had uttered a forbidden word, one that threatened to unravel whatever plan he had so meticulously crafted.

"I don't know if you're aware, but you're hurting me," you said flatly, meeting his intense gaze with a deadpan expression. Your words were a subtle challenge, a reminder that you were not as pliable as he might wish.

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to hurt you," Zhongli murmured, his voice dripping with faux remorse. He released your chin, only to slide his hands down to your waist, pulling you closer until your bodies were pressed together. "Hearing that name... I lost myself for a moment."

"... I see." You trailed off, a strange weariness settling over you. You had felt perfectly fine that morning, but now, a fog of fatigue was creeping in.

Sensing your growing boredom, Zhongli decided to be more direct. "I heard from Aether that you use your feelings to guide you because of your memory loss..." He tightened his grip on your waist, his fingers pressing into your skin in a slow, deliberate rhythm. "Do you feel anything for me, love?"

His touch seemed to seep into your bones, relaxing you despite the unease gnawing at the back of your mind. You leaned unconsciously into his chest, drawn to the security and warmth he exuded. There was something about him that felt... familiar, almost comforting, even though logic told you to be wary. His knowledge of your preferences, his ability to predict your thoughts — it all made your cheeks heat up with a soft pink hue.

"To be honest, when I first saw you, I wanted to kill you..." you confessed, your voice barely a whisper as you looked up at him through your long lashes. "But now... it's different."

Archons, you looked so cute and precious in his arms that Zhongli could barely contain his desire. He had dreamt of this moment for so long, longing to replace Osial in your affections and claim you as his own.

His hand trailed slowly up your back, and he felt you shiver under his touch. His amber-golden eyes fixated on your soft, peach-colored lips. Cradling the back of your head, he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours in a deep, possessive kiss. They felt like silk, tasting faintly of the sweet peach tea you'd just consumed.

Your legs trembled, your mind becoming foggy and dizzy. You couldn't think straight, couldn't breathe properly. You felt weak, defenseless — a sensation you hated but simultaneously craved. Being in his strong arms felt inexplicably right.

You broke the kiss to catch your breath, a thin string of saliva still connecting your lips. "M-Morax..."

Zhongli's breath was heavy, his eyes dark with desire. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too..." you replied softly, your voice trembling.

Zhongli hugged you tighter, pressing your head against his chest as he rained kisses on top of your head. His smile twisted into a dark smirk, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

The effects of the special peaches had finally kicked in.

Every flower, every petal swaying in the breeze, every cup of sweet tea you'd consumed, and every breath of the peachy scent had been working as a drug.

A drug designed to make you weak, submissive, and utterly dependent on his touch alone.

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Reblog if you like this story

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Minors do not interact

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do not Repost

Story is also available at Wattpad

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖

𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐎𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐥

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Guyun Stone Forest.

A place where the echoes of a forgotten era still linger, the jagged cliffs standing like silent tombstones for the old gods.

It was here, amidst these towering stones, that Morax, now known as Zhongli, once clashed with Osial, a god and sea monster of unimaginable power. The stone lances that pierce the islands are the remnants of that fierce battle, each one a testament to the violence and destruction that reshaped the land.

Now, bruised and battered, Zhongli stands beside you, having guided you here by your command. You stand at the edge of the highest cliff, your gaze fixed on the ocean where Osial lies sealed beneath the ruins of the Jade Chamber.

The waves crash below, quiet yet chaotic, as if they too remember the horrors buried in the deep. The sky above is shrouded in grey clouds, a fitting shroud for the sorrow that hangs in the air.

Your eyes, usually cold and unyielding, hold a deep sadness as you stare into the distance. This place, once filled with lively memories and the warmth of your first love, now only reminds you of loss and betrayal. The memories of joy that once flourished have long since faded, leaving only the harsh reality of mortality and the fragility of existence.

This is where it all ended — where your belief in the worth of mortals began to waver. The same place where your faith was shattered, and where the light of your love was extinguished, leaving only the lingering question of whether any of it was ever truly worth it.

You remember his eyes — those stark, marine blue eyes that gazed into yours with a gentleness you had never known. It was as if he saw you for what you truly were: something fragile, something that could shatter at any moment. In his gaze, there was a softness, a tenderness that made you feel different, something almost like hope.

Before him, your life had been nothing but a long, lonely journey through the cosmos. You wandered from planet to planet, from one universe to another, without a purpose, without a destination. You fought, you killed, you survived. That was all you knew. 

Those who crossed your path, who dared to stand against you, became nothing more than casualties in your relentless march. The stars themselves were silent witnesses to your existence — an existence without meaning, without a place to call home, without anyone waiting for you at the end of your journey.

You were lost, adrift in a sea of countless stars, each one a reminder of the infinite emptiness you felt inside. You had no roots, no ties, no love. All because you followed the path of Nihility, presided over by the Aeon IX. You were an Emanator, an anomaly that should not exist. The Emanator of Nihility. 

Your very presence was a harbinger of war, a force that could spark countless conflicts across the galaxy. And yet, despite all this, he looked at you with those soft, understanding eyes, as if you were not a harbinger of destruction, but a fragile being in need of care.

He could see the void within you, the emptiness that had consumed you long ago. He knew you had lost the will to live, that your existence had been reduced to nothing more than a series of battles and bloodshed. He understood that you had only known fighting, killing, and surviving. And yet, he looked at you as if you were something precious, something worth saving.

As you stand on the cliff, staring out at the ocean where Osial is sealed, those memories come rushing back. 

Will he still remember you? Will he recognize you? Will he still be alive, or has he become nothing more than a mindless beast, driven by a desire for destruction? 

You don't know. The past, as you know, always returns to Nihility. But even so, you find yourself unable to let go of him, of the memories you shared.

For so long, you have believed that all that is past is meaningless, destined to fade into nothingness. But here, now, you find yourself clinging to those memories, to the gentle gaze of the one who saw you not as a weapon, but as a person.

And you wonder, for the first time in a long time, if perhaps there is something in this vast, empty universe worth holding on to.

"Follow me." Your voice, cold and detached, broke the silence as you commanded Morax, your presence both calm and aloof, though tinged with an unspoken sadness. 

Without a second thought, you leapt from the cliff's edge, landing effortlessly on the sands below. The impact was insignificant, as if gravity itself dared not challenge you.

Zhongli followed suit, maintaining a respectful distance, his gaze occasionally drifting to the wound on your neck, where dried golden blood clung like tarnished gold.

You strode towards the ocean, your heels sinking slightly into the icy water. Without so much as a pause, you raised your right arm and, with a single, effortless motion, slashed through the air.

The ocean responded instantly, parting cleanly down the middle, as though nature itself bowed to your will. The walls of water stood tall on either side, held in place by your mere intent, defying every natural law. 

Zhongli's eyes widened in awe, a silent acknowledgment of the power you wielded. There was no doubt in his mind now — you were not just a force of nature; you were the Creator of Teyvat.

Without a second glance, you began to walk through the parted sea, your heels clicking against the exposed seabed, the sound echoing eerily between the towering walls of water.

Fishes swam alongside you, trapped within the suspended ocean, their movements graceful yet confined. From a distance, the sunken Jade Chamber came into view, its once-grand structure now a shadow of its former glory.

"We need to hurry," you said, your voice resolute, your pace quickening as your thoughts centered on one thing — Osial.

You finally stand before the sunken Jade Chamber, the remnants of its grandeur submerged beneath the ocean's surface. 

As you approach, you feel the unmistakable pulse of elemental energy radiating from beneath the water, a force both powerful and familiar.

This energy — Osial's energy — wraps around you like a long-lost embrace, filling you with a bittersweet comfort. 

Memories flood back, clear and vivid, of the times he would conjure a massive heart out of water, floating in the air, with the words 'I Love You!!!' written boldly beside it. 

He had always been so proud of his displays, a creature of immense power who wielded it not for destruction, but to create beauty and express his affection. 

Despite the stories that have twisted his image over the centuries, you know the truth — Osial never sought to harm the innocent, never reveled in chaos. He loved to fight, yes, but it was always with purpose, always with restraint.

You clenched your right fist, this time wearing your metallic finger guards before tilting your head to Zhongli, "Unseal Osial." You ordered, leaving no room for an argument.

Zhongli stepped forward, his expression serious as he channeled his elemental energy. His amber eyes began to glow with the power of Geo, and in response, the Jade Chamber shimmered with the same golden light. 

The structure cracked, the stone and debris crumbling away as it was consumed by his energy. Piece by piece, the Jade Chamber disintegrated into a cloud of dust, revealing the true source of its power — a sealed barrier, glowing faintly with an ancient light.

Inside the barrier, you saw him — Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, his form massive and imposing, a five-headed hydra with a body of swirling water. His presence, even in slumber, was overwhelming. Your eyes widened as you took in the sight, your heart tightening with longing.

The barrier around Osial began to glow brighter, its light intensifying as Zhongli extended his hand, focusing his power on the seal that bound the creature. With a final surge of energy, he removed the seal, and in that moment, the barrier shattered into fragments of light, dissipating into the air.

Freed from his imprisonment, Osial roared with fury and liberation, the sound echoing across the ocean and shaking the very earth beneath your feet.

The ocean itself seemed to tremble in response, waves crashing violently against the remnants of the Jade Chamber. Osial's enormous form, now fully unleashed, surged forward, his roar reverberating through the air, a powerful and primal sound that signaled his return to the world.

You could feel Osial's elemental energy crackling in the air, a familiar yet overwhelming force that once brought you comfort.

Osial's five hydra heads thrashed wildly, each one a towering, serpentine figure made entirely of water, their eyes glowing with an intense, almost blinding light. The ocean rose to meet him, waves towering like mountains as he unleashed his wrath upon the world. His power was immense, a force of nature that few could ever hope to challenge, let alone survive.

But you weren't here to fight — at least, not to harm him. The thought of cutting down the one being who once showed you love, who once made you feel something beyond the void, weighed heavily on your heart. 

You could still remember his gentle voice, his playful nature, the way he would create hearts out of water just to make you smile. Yet, here he was, consumed by rage and destruction, no longer the Osial you once knew.

He struck first, all five heads lunging at you simultaneously, their jaws snapping with the intent to tear you apart. You moved with lightning speed, your body reacting instinctively as you dodged his attacks, your form a blur against the backdrop of the stormy sea. 

Each of his strikes was a testament to his power, each movement capable of leveling mountains and causing tsunamis. But you were faster, your movements precise, calculated. You dodged, twisted, and weaved through his onslaught, refusing to counter with lethal force.

"Osial, please... stop this," you whispered, though you knew he couldn't hear you, couldn't understand the pain in your voice.

He responded with another attack, a jet of water so forceful it cut through the ocean itself, aimed directly at you. You spun out of its path, the sheer speed of your movements causing the air around you to crackle with energy. 

But despite your evasions, Osial's attacks grew more relentless, his anger fueling his power. Each missed strike seemed to enrage him further, and you could feel the sorrow in your heart deepen with every blow you dodged.

His fury was palpable, a mix of betrayal and pain that resonated with the turmoil within you. He was no longer the gentle god you once knew; he was a creature of pure elemental fury, driven by a desire for vengeance that you couldn't quench. But even so, you couldn't bring yourself to strike him down — not yet.

Osial lunged at you again, and this time you countered, a swift and precise movement that sent a shockwave through the air, deflecting his attack just enough to send him reeling back. 

The force of your counter rippled through the ocean, parting the water beneath you as if cutting through the very fabric of reality itself. But still, you held back, refusing to unleash the full extent of your power against him.

"I don't want to hurt you, Osial," you said, your voice trembling with the weight of the words. 

"But I can't let you continue like this..."

Osial's response was another furious assault, his heads snapping and thrashing with unrelenting aggression. You continued to dodge, countering only when necessary, each strike a reminder of the bond you once shared, now shattered beyond repair. 

Your heart ached with every blow you deflected, knowing that each moment you held back, the more dangerous he became — not just to you, but to everything around him.

Then, in a moment of clarity, you knew what had to be done. It was the only way to stop him, the only way to save him from the madness that had consumed him.

"Please, forgive me..." you murmured, your voice trembling with emotion. "I promise we will be together... Please, have a bit more patience."

With a heavy heart, you unsheathed your Divine Key, Nihility. Its monstrous power combined with yours created a shockwave that rippled through the air, a testament to the immense strength you wielded, yet it was far from its true, awakened state.

As Osial lunged at you once more, you moved with a speed that defied comprehension, dodging his attack and positioning yourself above him. In one fluid motion, you slashed downward with your blade, the force of your strike so powerful that it seemed to tear through the very air, creating a shockwave that reverberated through the ocean. The first of Osial's heads was severed, the hydra's water-like form dissipating into mist as it fell away.

A roar of pain and fury erupted from Osial, but you didn't stop. With a heavy heart and tears in your eyes, you slashed again, cutting off the second head, then the third, and finally the fourth. 

Each strike shattered the air, each slash tearing at the fabric of the dimension itself. The ocean around you trembled as the power of your attacks broke through the barriers of reality, the very sky above you cracking like glass.

As the final head fell, Osial's massive form began to collapse, his once mighty power fading into nothingness. But instead of sinking into the ocean, his body was drawn into the cracks in the dimension, the force of your slashes creating a rift in the very fabric of space. The rift widened, pulling Osial into a dark, endless void, a dimension you had inadvertently created through your immense power.

Osial's remaining head, the last vestige of his consciousness, turned to look at you one final time, and for a brief moment, you saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes — a glimmer of the Osial you once knew. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to break your heart all over again.

"Please rest... my dear," you whispered, as the rift closed around him, sealing him away in a place where he could no longer cause harm, but also where he could no longer be harmed.

"You will return to normal soon... The Doctor will see to it..."

The ocean slowly returned to its normal state, the waves calming as if nothing had happened. But you knew better. 

You stood there, alone, your heart heavy with the weight of what you had just done. The sadness, the pain, the love — all of it mixed into a single, overwhelming emotion that threatened to consume you.

Would you ever see him again, as he once was? Would the warmth of his smile return, or was this truly the end of the Osial you had loved? You didn't know. But for now, you had done what you must, even if it meant carrying the burden of that sorrow alone.

You looked out at the horizon, the remnants of the rift barely visible, and allowed yourself to grieve, to mourn the loss of what once was, and to carry the burden of the decision you had made.

"...Let's go home, Osial," you whispered, your voice trembling with sorrow as you took one last, lingering look at the remnants of the rift where he had disappeared. 

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Your heels sank into the wet earth with each step, leaving shallow imprints as you walked through the rain-soaked landscape of Sumeru, heading back to Snezhnaya.

The red paper umbrella you held aloft provided little protection against the downpour, but you didn’t mind.

Your crystal-embedded dress shimmered faintly beneath the large, heavy coat that shrouded your form, the hood pulled low over your head, concealing your sorrowful, emotionless face.

Do you still remember the story of the unknown lady?

In ages long past, she was spoken of in hushed tones, her beauty silent yet profound, a mortal with a presence akin to the gods. She captured the attention of Morax, the God of Contracts, and became his second lover.

His first love, Guizhong, wise and gentle, had already held a cherished place in his heart, creating what seemed to be a harmonious trio, bound by mutual respect and love.

But in the shadows, envy festered. Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, was consumed with jealousy. He coveted what Morax had — especially the Unknown Lady. And so, a battle of life and death erupted between these deities, a clash that shook the earth and altered the course of history.

Rex Lapis emerged victorious, sealing Osial beneath the ocean’s depths, and Guizhong stood faithfully by his side until her death. The Unknown Lady, however, vanished, her fate lost to time.

So...

Do you still remember the story of the unknown lady?

It was all a lie.

Because...

The victor writes history.

And the victor can always twist the truth to their liking.

A long, long time ago, before the Archon War had even begun, there was a beautiful lady whose name was never known. She was a mortal, yet she moved among the gods. She was not Morax’s lover — no, she was the beloved of Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex.

Morax saw her, and despite having Guizhong, he was captivated by her beauty, falling deeply in love. Guizhong, however, harbored feelings for Osial, a secret love that turned bitter.

She whispered lies, spreading rumors that the Unknown Lady was unfaithful, that she was entangled with Morax. When these poisonous words reached Osial’s ears, his heart was filled with fury, and a cataclysmic battle erupted between him and Morax.

In the end, it was Osial who lost, sealed away at the bottom of the ocean, not because he was evil, but because of a lie — a cruel rumor that twisted love into hatred and set the world ablaze.

Osial was never the villain.

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As you entered the dense forest of Sumeru, the steady rhythm of rain against the leaves was interrupted by a faint wailing.

At first, you dismissed it, assuming it to be some distant creature, but as the sound grew softer, almost desperate, a reluctant curiosity tugged at you, urging you to follow.

The ground beneath your heels was soft and muddy, your steps sinking into the earth as you moved through the underbrush, the cold rain seeping into your clothes.

The crying became clearer, more distinct, guiding you deeper into the heart of the forest. Pushing aside wet branches and overgrown foliage, you found yourself in front of a small, hollowed tree.

There, nestled within the hole, was a baby, hidden from sight and shielded from the rain by the natural curve of the trunk.

Your eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the infant, its cries now loud and clear in the stillness of the forest. You quickly scanned the area, searching for any sign of the baby’s parents, but there was nothing — no footprints, no trail, only the sound of the rain and the rustling leaves.

The child was alone, wrapped in a simple, thin cloth that did little to protect it from the cold. You noticed the baby's shivering, its tiny body trembling as the wind blew harshly through the trees.

With a moment’s hesitation, you reached out and lifted the baby from the hollow, unsure of how to properly hold such a delicate being.

The weight of the small life in your arms felt foreign, unsettling, yet something within you softened. You gently tucked the infant beneath your cloak, holding it close against your chest in an attempt to share your warmth. The baby’s cries quieted slightly as it nestled into your embrace.

"What a poor child..." you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, devoid of the usual emotion, yet carrying a faint hint of something more — perhaps a trace of the sorrow you so often kept hidden.

Why would anyone abandon their own child? A baby is so weak, so defenseless — an easy target for monsters and wild animals alike.

The thought was incomprehensible to you, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. You will never understand humans...

As you looked down at the small, fragile life now resting peacefully in your arms, a new question began to form in your mind:

What should you do with this little one, who has found safety in your reluctant embrace?

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